04/03/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 4 March, MEPs of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) approved the agreements between representatives of the European Parliament and the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU on the proposals for a Regulation (22 votes in favour and 5 abstentions) and a Directive (23 votes in favour, 3 against and 1 abstention) to facilitate and simplify the cross-border distribution of harmonised investment funds in the EU (see EUROPE 12187). The new rules will also allow European asset managers to carry out pre-marketing activities to evaluate the interest of potential professional investors in new investment strategies (see EUROPE 11979). A single online access point will also be created for information on national rules on marketing requirements and applicable fees. The EU Council endorsed the agreement last week (see EUROPE 12203). (MF)