The EC Spokesperson's Service (SPP) operates under the political authority of the President of the Commission and in cooperation with national representations of the European Commission.

Spokespersons (19)

Press and Public Diplomacy has the crucial task of enhancing awareness of the EU in the US. It produces and distributes information materials, maintains the Delegation’s website, organizes speaking tours and deals with public inquiries. The section also maintains close contact with all US media;  produces EU Press Releases; provides the media with information and analyses of EU developments, positions and statistics.

1.Spokesperson and Head of Press and Public Diplomacy Section: James Barbour

European Commission

The EC has created an on-line ‘Directory of Journalists accredited to the European Institutions in order to facilitate contacts with journalists.

However, access is restricted and is only available to

Source:  Reporting the EU News, Media and the European Institutions by John Lloyd and Cristina Marconi

1. API/IPA (Association de la Presse Internationale/International Press Association: Representing international journalists in Brussels, API/IPA is an independent association of journalists run by journalists. It is not financed by any EU institution. The association's main aim is to represent journalists in their professional ealings with the EU institutions and help resolve any problems that may arise between them. www.api-ipa.eu

Austria: Press Club Concordia, www.concordia.at

Belgium

1. Brussels Press Club Europe, www.pressclub.be
2. Maison de la Presse de Liège et du Luxembourg, www.maisondelapresse.be

Czech Republic: International Press Club of Prague, www.ipcprague.org

Denmark

Scenario 1: Carrying on

Under this scenario the 27 Member States stick to the status quo, focusing on reforms, jobs, growth and investment. There is only ‘incremental progress’ on strengthening the euro single currency while Member States agree a limited degree of defence cooperation. This should allow the EU 27 ‘to continue deliver concrete results, based on a shared sense of purpose.

1. AmCham Austria: Daniela Homan, Executive Director, www.amcham.at
2. AmCham Belgium: Marcel Claes, Chief Executive Officer, www.amcham.be
3. Amcham Bulgaria: Alex Nestor, Interim Executive Director, www.amcham.bg
4. AmCham Croatia: Andrea Doko Jelusic, Executive Director, www.amcham.hr
5. AmCham Cyprus: Lia Riris, Executive Secretary,  www.amchamcyprus.com.cy 

The World Affairs Councils of America (WACA)is the  national office of a network of over 90 member organizations across the United States , all of which are non-profit, non-partisan groups working to engage and educate Americans in international affairs and foreign policy. In order to become members of the national association, each council must maintain an open membership policy in addition to being a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and maintaining a non-partisan agenda.

Source: Euostat

% GDP Growth (2016)

1. Spain: 3.2%
2. Germany: 1.9%
3. France: 1.2%
4. Italy: 0.9%

% Unemployment (January 2017)

1. Spain: 18.2%
2. Italy: 11.9%
3. France: 10.0%
4. Germany: 3.8%

Public Debt (2015)

1. Italy: € 132.7 billion
2. Spain: € 99.2 billion
3. France: € 95.8 billion
4. Germany: € 71.2 billion