EUbusiness Week 819 top stories: EC recommends membership talks for Albania, Macedonia; EU aims for near zero-energy buildings by 2050; Brussels bids to revive Europe’s city centres; Green light for new EU rules on organic food; Tech firms to hand over evidence under security proposal; EU raises recycling targets for circular economy
Publisher’s Note
This week’s end of EU negotiations for a trade deal with Japan is an important milestone for one of the most ambitious trade agreements ever negotiated by the EU. The deal would remove the vast majority of customs duties that cost EU companies exporting to Japan EUR 1 billion a year. With global trade barriers on the rise, Japan and the EU are showing commitment to cooperation in international bodies and, as Commissioner Malmstroem said, making a strong statement in defence of open and fair trade based on rules.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. EC recommends membership talks for Albania, Macedonia
The Commission adopted its annual Enlargement Package Tuesday, recommending the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
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2. EU aims for near zero-energy buildings by 2050
MEPs set a goal of near zero-energy buildings in the EU by 2050 Tuesday as they gave final approval to the Energy Performance of Buildings directive.
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3. Brussels bids to revive Europe’s city centres
The Commission has published a set of best practices for the retail sector in a bid to revive city centres and increase competitiveness in one of the EU economy’s key sectors.
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4. Green light for new EU rules on organic food
Euro-MPs gave the green light Thursday to a new law on organic food production and labelling, with a view to boosting organic production and ensuring that only high-quality organic food is sold in the EU.
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5. Tech firms to hand over evidence under security proposal
Police and judicial authorities would gain easier and faster access to e-evidence such as e-mails or documents under new EU proposals to help them investigate, prosecute and convict criminals and terrorists.
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6. EU raises recycling targets for circular economy
The European Parliament backed ambitious targets for recycling Wednesday under legislation on waste and the circular economy intended to benefit the environment, climate, and human health.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Bialowieza: increasing logging operations in Poland’s Bialowieza Forest nature reserve infringed EU law, the European Court of Justice ruled in a final judgement.
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Kitkat protected status in doubt in EU Court’s opinion
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Sanctions against Syria, Lybia, Egypt, North Korea – simpler use of EU funds – situation in Venezuela – March European Council meetings report – draft budgetary plans of Austria – Conclusions on Syria, South Sudan – response to malicious cyber activities – Chemical disarmament and non-proliferation
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Council …
Commission Watch
Retail sector – Japan and Singapore agreements – Integration of migrants – new security measures on terrorists – Greek lignite-fired electricity generation – access to electronic evidence – enlargement package – reports on Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Serbia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania – Transparency Register for EU Institutions – EUR 1 bn investment for agriculture and bio-economy – EUR 640 m for Greek businesses
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Commission …
Parliament Watch
Safe gas supply for the EU – Murder of Jan Kuciak – falling vaccination rates – anti-money laundering: the true owners of companies – Organic food rules – car approvals – Human rights: breaches in Gaza, the Philippines and Belarus – Facebook CEO urged to come to European Parliament – European elections dates for 2019 – 2016 budget management
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EU diary
23-26 Apr: European Parliament Committee Meetings
23 Apr: Intelligent Transport Systems Directive Evaluation
24 Apr: General Affairs Council
24 Apr: Healthy Workplaces campaign 2018-2019 launch
25-27 Apr: TEN-T Days 2018
26 Apr: Standards and emerging technology conference
26 Apr: Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre seminar
27 Apr: Annual Convention for Inclusive Growth 2018
27 Apr: Renovation of public buildings in Europe webinar
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary
RESOURCES
EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms
Other news on EUbusiness this week
MEPs back new rules for funding of political parties 18-Apr
Foreign mins call for relaunch of Syria peace talks 18-Apr
Brussels wants fingerprints added to ID cards 18-Apr
EUbusiness Community
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Breaking News
Tory MPs among backers of motion demanding vote on EU customs (The Guardian)
Press
Dams have had their day: EU governments must ramp up ambition on their removal
Bremain in Spain comments on Windrush
Stop overregulation blocking retailers delivering value for consumers
EU “e-evidence” proposals turn service providers into judicial authorities
Pilots align cross-border strategy
Motor vehicles generate EUR 413 billion in taxes for EU-15, new data shows
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Jobs
Manager – Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), European Chemical Industry Council
Communication and media officer (maternity leave cover), EuroMed Rights
Business Development Advisor, Union of the Electricity
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Energy Transition Lawyer, ClientEarth
Consultant Representation in Brussels, Academy of European Law
Consultant, Fundraising Support, Academy of European Law
Director, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
(Senior) Conference and Events Coordinator, European Banking Federation
PR & Social Media Officer, Academy of European Law
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Guides
A stronger and more competitive European retail sector
Denying terrorists the means to act
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Events
25 Apr, Brussels: European taxation in a global context
25 Apr, London: Military Space Situational Awareness 2018
10 May, Budapest: REACH Opening Conference
17 May, Brussels: EU State Aid Litigation
6 Jun, Luxembourg: EBN Congress 2018 – Future of Innovation
7 Jun, Brussels: European Media Law 2018
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Publications
Assessing UK Trade Policy Readiness (ECIPE)
How To Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again)
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Links
EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement
EU – Singapore Free Trade Agreement
