EU deepens links with W Balkans – EUbusiness Week newsletter 821 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 821 top stories: EC takes legal action against 7 states over air quality; Cuba-EU Joint Council meets for the first time; MEPs call for global ban on animal testing of cosmetics; EU tightens money laundering, terrorist financing rules; EU will comply with WTO decision on Airbus state aid; Free wireless internet hotspots: first EU funding call

his Week’s Top Stories

1. EC takes legal action against 7 states over air quality
2. Cuba-EU Joint Council meets for the first time
3. MEPs call for global ban on animal testing of cosmetics
4. EU tightens money laundering, terrorist financing rules
5. EU will comply with WTO decision on Airbus state aid
6. Free wireless internet hotspots: first EU funding call

Publisher’s Note

A summit between leaders of the Western Balkans and the EU ended Thursday with confirmation of the region’s ‘European perspective’ and a strengthening of cooperation in connectivity, security and the rule of law. “I don’t see any other future for the Western Balkans than the EU,” said Council President Donald Tusk. However the EU made clear that deeper cooperation needed to be accompanied by improvements in areas such as the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, good governance, and respect for human rights and the rights of minorities.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EC takes legal action against 7 states over air quality

The Commission took legal action to improve air quality in Europe Thursday, stepping up its enforcement against 7 EU Member States for breaching EU rules on air pollution limits and type approval for cars.
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EU outlines agenda for safe, clean, connected transport

2. Cuba-EU Joint Council meets for the first time

The EU-Cuba Joint Council met for the first time Tuesday, discussing implementation of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement provisionally applied since 2017.
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3. MEPs call for global ban on animal testing of cosmetics

The EU should launch a diplomatic drive for a global ban on testing cosmetics on animals before 2023, MEPs urge. The sale of all animal-tested cosmetics has been banned within the EU since 2013.
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4. EU tightens money laundering, terrorist financing rules

The Council has adopted a directive strengthening EU rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing – part of an action plan launched after terrorist attacks in 2016.
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5. EU will comply with WTO decision on Airbus state aid

The EU says it will take ‘swift action’ to ensure it is fully in line with the World Trade Organisation’s final decision Tuesday in a dispute brought by the United States over state aid for Airbus.
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6. Free wireless internet hotspots: first EU funding call

Municipalities can apply for EU financing of free wireless internet hotspots in public spaces, under the first call for applications for the WiFi4EU programme which opened Tuesday.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Bees: the Commission was right to impose restrictions on the use of three bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, the EU’s General Court ruled on Thursday.
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May 2018 infringements package: key decisions
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

EU-Western Balkans summit – International Day Against Homophobia – EU-Tunisia Association Council – Ukraine: EU adds five persons to sanctions list – EU-Algeria Association Council – Money laundering and terrorist financing rules – EU training mission in Mali – EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia – emission reduction targets – Better protection and management of land and forests – Environmental reporting obligations
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Council …

Commission Watch

EU-Western Balkans summit connectivity and security – Infringements: Italy (testing of human tissues and cells) (spread of quarantine harmful organism ‘Xylella fastidiosa’ in Apulia), Slovakia (annulments or revocations of visas), Poland, Romania and Slovakia (parallel trade of medicines), air pollution, Austria (hunting of wild birds), Austria, Croatia and Italy (nuclear watste) – Europe on the Move – Spain payment accounts – European Agenda on Migration – EU Visa Policy – WTO Airbus dispute – renewed agenda for Research and Innovation
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Commission …

Parliament Watch

Environment Committee MEPs vote to upgrade EU civil protection capacity – Future EU farm policy: Agriculture MEPs urge fair funding, no renationalisation – Use “blockchain” model to cut small firms’ costs and empower citizens, urge MEPs – Budget MEPs approve EUR 104.2 m in EU aid to Greece, Spain, France and Portugal – Cyber defence: MEPs call for better European cooperation
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EU diary

21-25 May: EU Green Week 2018
21-26 May: 71st World Health Assembly
22 May: Foreign Affairs Council
22-23 May: Education, Youth, Culture & Sport Council
23 May: Smart specialisation in EU and Latin America
24 May: Conference on good governance for cohesion policy
24 May: 2018 Energy Infrastructure Forum
24 May: Eurogroup
24 May: European Parliament Committee Meetings
25 May: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary