EUbusiness Week 813 top stories: EU enlargement door opens for Western Balkans; Euro economy shows robust growth as forecasts revised; MEPs vote to end barriers to cross-border shopping; Parliament agrees reform of EU emissions trading system; Electricity backup systems given EC green light; Size of Euro-Parliament to shrink after Brexit
Publisher’s Note
Strong condemnation of the Turkish regime this week as MEPs denounced its attempts to censor criticism over its military assault of Afrin in Syria. Calling for an end to Turkey’s current state of emergency, they said funds earmarked for pre-membership aid should be conditional on improving its record on human rights and the rule of law. Turkey’s leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set for a rough ride at an EU-Turkey leaders’ meeting next month. Whether this will affect the EU’s commitment to its deal with Turkey on migration, however, remains to be seen.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. EU enlargement door opens for Western Balkans
The European Commission set out a new strategy for the Western Balkans Tuesday, spelling out priorities and areas for closer cooperation, and areas for reform with a view to ‘a credible enlargement perspective’.
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2. Euro economy shows robust growth as forecasts revised
Growth rates for Europe’s economy beat expectations last year as the transition from economic recovery to expansion continues, according to the EU’s Winter Economic Forecast.
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3. MEPs vote to end barriers to cross-border shopping
The EU Parliament ratified Tuesday an agreement to make it easier for consumers to buy from a website based in another EU country, without the obstacle of unjustified ‘geo-blocking’ practices.
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4. Parliament agrees reform of EU emissions trading system
MEPs have approved a law to strengthen EU curbs on CO2 emissions from industry, with a view to delivering on pledges made under the Paris climate accord.
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5. Electricity backup systems given EC green light
The Commission has approved under EU State aid rules six electricity capacity mechanisms in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland, to safeguard security of electricity supply.
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6. Size of Euro-Parliament to shrink after Brexit
Parliament should shrink from 751 to 705 MEPs when the UK leaves the EU, whilst leaving room for possible new countries joining in the future, following a vote by MEPs.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Louboutin: a trade mark combining colour and shape may be refused or declared invalid on the grounds set out under EU trade mark law, the advocate-general of the EU’s top Court declared Wednesday.
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Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Nominations for post of ECB Vice-President – restrictive measures against Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – EU-Norway agreement signed, strengthening prevention of VAT fraud – EU-Turkey leaders’ meeting – EU-Georgia meeting – South Sudan sanctions
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Council …
Commission Watch
10 new projects under LIFE funding – EUR 98m to improve quality of life – ECB guidelines on Eurosystem’s monetary policy implementation – EUR 3.7 bn to tackle migration – MiFIR data reporting – Winter Interim Economic Forecast – Twinning 2700 projects – electricity capacity mechanisms – EC to assess acquisition of Shazam by Apple – EC approves Discovery acquisition of Scripps – EU-Norway agreement – WEstern Balkans – EU Auditors to examine food safety policy
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Parliament Watch
European Medicines Agency – Bigger role for EU Investment Bank to tackle migration – Parliament calls for thorough assessment of bi-annual time change – MEPs call on Turkey to lift state of emergency – Venezuela: add government and military chiefs to EU sanctions list – Pesticides: Parliament approves special committee’s composition – Human rights: Russia, Egypt and Haiti – MEPs confirm blacklist of countries at risk of money laundering – ‘Spitzenkandidaten’ process cannot be overturned, say MEPs – Clean energy innovation needs change of mind-set
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EU diary
15-16 Feb: Investing in people, the way forward
15 Feb: Education, Youth, Culture & Sport Council
15 Feb: Civil society in the EU: future scenarios for 2030
19 Feb: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
19-22 Feb: European Parliament Committee Meetings
19 Feb: Eurogroup
20-21 Feb: Circular economy stakeholder conference
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
EU slaps new anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel 8-Feb
Dual quality food testing procedure ready in April 6-Feb
EUbusiness Community
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Breaking News
Northern Ireland will stay in single market after Brexit, EU says (The Guardian)
Press
British Citizens in Spain Praise Amsterdam Court Ruling
EU misses the mark with Geoblocking decision – ESBA
Belgium takes strategic step towards increased air power
Geo-blocking will discourage SMEs’ online trade – UEAPME
European Union makes shopping without borders a reality
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Jobs
Environmental Democracy Lawyer, ClientEarth
Economist, Competition & State Aid, EFTA Surveillance Authority
Procurement and Contracts Administrator, GSA
Director, European Federation of Inland Ports
Senior Communications Consultant, Ecorys Brussels
Deputy General Secretary, UNI Global Union
Government Affairs Manager, European Crop Protection Association
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Guides
EU approval of electricity capacity mechanisms
Western Balkans: a credible enlargement perspective
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Events
20 Feb, Vienna: European Funding Academy
1 Mar, Warsaw: 7th Forum of Biomass and Waste
5 Mar, Brussels: Building Consortia for Energy 2018-2020
14 Mar, Brussels: SolarPower Summit
5 Apr, Brussels: Digital Skills for Everyone
12 Apr, Brussels: The Future of Tourism in the EU
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Publications
Stealing thunder – cyber espionage
How To Stop Brexit (And Make Britain Great Again)
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Links
