In the area of economic policy , the Commission recommends broad guidelines for the economic policies in the Community and reports to the EU Council on economic developments and policies .

The reason is simple there is more much more to competitiveness than energy prices.

Likewise , measures that increase price flexibility and non price competitiveness are essential .

Likewise , measures that increase price flexibility and non price competitiveness are essential .

Harmonised competitiveness indices ( HCI ) , based on weighted averages of relative prices deflated by the HICP , provide one comparable measure of individual euro area countries price competitiveness .

This price advantage will enhance America s competitiveness as a manufacturing location, particularly for energy intensive activities.

How can such a huge price gap not have an impact on competitiveness?

Such measures will help to maintain an environment conducive to price stability and support competitiveness and employment .

Assessment of competitiveness

The first creates a permanent dependence on transfers, which, by sustaining relative prices, prevents the economy from regaining competitiveness.

Persistent losses in relative cost competitiveness can also relate to a number of structural rigidities leading to inertia in price and wage formation and excessive increases in labour costs .

With German prices rising at less than 1 annually, the eurozone periphery needs falling prices in order to regain the competitiveness lost during the pre 2008 boom years.

8 Euro area exporters lowered their prices in euro in an attempt to offset the loss in price competitiveness resulting from the appreciation of the euro ( see Chart 25 ) .

on the competitiveness of businesses The same goes for the competitiveness of business 43

The Eurosystem offers two overnight standing facilities the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility . Stress testing analysis of how an investment strategy would perform if some assumptions regarding adverse changes in relevant risk factors were made ( e.g. higher volatility and correlation between portfolio instruments ) .

Clearly, such considerations provide no guarantee that rising energy prices will not at some point seriously challenge European competitiveness.

Moderate labour cost increases are particularly necessary in countries which have lost price competitiveness in recent years .

Wage agreements should take into account productivity developments in connection with the still high level of unemployment and positions in price competitiveness .

On the one hand , deficits of this magnitude could signal problems in terms of price competitiveness . On the other hand , they may reflect the catching up process of an economy such as Lithuania .

What is notable is that rising energy prices have been accompanied not only by relatively robust competitiveness, but also by huge reductions in CO2 emissions.

Specifically, an appreciating dollar improves the price competitiveness of European and Japanese companies in the US and other markets, while moderating some of the structural deflationary pressure in the lagging economies by causing import prices to rise.

Such schemes involve the risk of upward shocks in inflation leading to a wage price spiral , which would be detrimental to employment and competitiveness in the countries concerned .

In this context , wage agreements should take into account price competitiveness positions , the still high level of unemployment in many economies , as well as productivity developments .

Such schemes involve the risk of upward shocks in inflation leading to a wage price spiral , which would be detrimental to employment and competitiveness in the countries concerned .

Fifth , developments in price competitiveness and unit labour cost competitiveness across the euro area economies must be closely monitored .

Settlement risk a general term used to designate the risk that settlement in a transfer system will not take place as expected . This risk may comprise both credit and liquidity risk .

The European negotiations on reductions in armed forces will have a severe effect on the companies that design and manufacture defence products.

In this context , wage agreements should take into account price competitiveness positions , the still high level of unemployment in many economies , as well as productivity developments .

In this context , wage agreements should take into account productivity developments , while recognising the still high level of unemployment and price competitiveness positions .

Such schemes involve the risk of upward shocks in inflation leading to a wage price spiral , which would be detrimental to employment and competitiveness in the countries concerned .

On the external side , robust growth in global demand and improvements in euro area price competitiveness should support euro area exports .

In particular , euro area exports are projected in the near term to reflect the global slowdown , affected also by the lagged effects of past losses in the price competitiveness of the euro area . The rebound in exports

On the external side , ongoing growth in global demand and improvements in euro area price competitiveness should support euro area exports .

Climate and Competitiveness

In addition , the euro area 's export market shares are projected to decline , owing to increased competition from emerging markets and to losses in price competitiveness .

Publication of additional harmonised competitiveness indicators

Wage setting needs to take into account productivity developments , the still high level of unemployment in many economies , and price competitiveness positions .

On the external side , ongoing growth in global demand and improvements in euro area price competitiveness should support euro area exports .

A gradual recovery in exports is projected , supported by foreign demand growth , although price competitiveness is expected to weigh somewhat on exports .

Such measures , together with stability oriented macroeconomic policies , will help to achieve an environment conducive to sustainable price stability , as well as promote competitiveness and employment growth .

ECB Eurosystem staff macroeconomic projections for the euro area December 2008 expected in the course of 2009 is explained by both higher foreign demand growth and improved price competitiveness , mostly stemming from the recent depreciation of the euro .

In particular, the Member States concerned shall endeavour to take such measures so as to ensure that prices for combined transport are competitive with those for other modes of transport.

Differentials may cause losses in competitiveness and output growth As a result of the persistent inflation differentials observed , the euro area countries have experienced marked differences in terms of the evolution of national price competitiveness indicators .

Protracted losses in price and cost competitiveness , if not associated with equilibrium price and cost adjustments , may adversely affect output and employment , as well as trade and current account balances ( see Chart 7 ) .

Looking ahead , risks to external competitiveness could arise if countries were to be confronted with strong pressure to align their wage and price levels too quickly with those of the EU .