EUbusiness Week 687 top stories: Latvia to grapple with Russia as EU president; Lithuania smoothly transitions to euro; EU hopes for ‘skeleton’ of US trade deal by year-end; Eurozone in deflation territory as prices plunge; Hollande shifts position on Tobin tax; EU risks China solar power row flare-up
Publisher’s Note
With flags flying at half-mast, European Council, Commission and Parliament officials on Thursday expressed their solidarity with the victims of this week’s murderous attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
Council president Donald Tusk condemned “a brutal attack against our fundamental values and against the freedom of expression, a pillar of our democracy”. Freedom of the press and of expression are key shared values of European society. An attack on these is an attack on democracy. Our thoughts are with the families and employees at Charlie Hebdo.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
.EU AND EUROPEAN DOMAIN NAMES Lowest prices and free DNS Services! Fast, Easy & Centralised Registration! |
1. Latvia to grapple with Russia as EU president
Latvia took over as European Union president on 1 January, putting it in the front line of negotiations with neighbouring Russia over the deadly crisis in Ukraine.
More …
Russia ‘more open’ to Ukraine solution
2. Lithuania smoothly transitions to euro
Lithuania welcomed the New Year and a new currency on 1 January, when it became the last Baltic nation to adopt the euro in a bid to boost stability despite fears of inflation and eurozone debt woes.
More …
Lithuania and the euro
3. EU hopes for ‘skeleton’ of US trade deal by year-end
The EU says it is hoping the “skeleton” of the controversial free trade deal with the United States will be ready by the end of this year, lowering sights set at last month’s summit.
More …
US resumes Irish beef imports, first step to lifting EU ban
4. Eurozone in deflation territory as prices plunge
The eurozone slipped into deflationary territory for the first time since 2009 after prices dropped in December, Eurostat figures show, challenging the ECB to take action to avert a new economic crisis in Europe.
More …
5. Hollande shifts position on Tobin tax
French President Francois Hollande shifted position Monday on implementing a long-sought financial transactions tax in Europe and said the money should go towards projects aimed at mitigating climate change.
More …
6. EU risks China solar power row flare-up
The EU has risked reopening a bitter feud with China over solar panel manufacturing after confirming it has launched a fresh trade probe into a key part of the sector.
More …
EUROPEAN LAW
Russia: the EU said a Russian court’s conviction of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his brother seemed to be politically motivated, while calling for restraint during any protests against the verdict.
More …
EU mission condemns Pakistan’s return to hangings
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
More …
Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
UK, Germany: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that EU countries needed to address abuse of the freedom of movement between member states, as she sought common ground with Britain’s David Cameron.
More …
EU to set up expert cell to fight jihadist propaganda
Council …
Commission Watch
Eurozone: a country’s membership in the eurozone is “irrevocable”, a Commission spokeswoman said on Monday when asked about Greece’s possible exit from the single currency union following elections this month.
More …
Juncker announces new EUR 1.8 bn in Ukraine aid
EU criticises Israel on Palestinian tax freeze
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Greece: Parliament president Martin Schulz on Wednesday accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel of “irresponsible speculation” over suggestions that Greece may be allowed to exit the euro if the far-left wins elections this month.
More …
This week Parliament’s Conference of Presidents discussed ideas for reforming the EU’s ‘own resources’ funding system; and Trade committee chair Lange welcomed publication of the TTIP texts.
More …
EU diary
9 Jan: Countdown to European Year for Development – 2015
12-15 Jan: European Parliament Plenary Session
18 Jan: Foreign Affairs Council
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 ruling could ground Cyprus Airways: minister 18-Jan
Eurozone retail sales offer economic bright spot 18-Jan
New round of Iran nuclear talks Jan 18 in Geneva: EU 7-Jan
Time to crack down on ‘Islamophobia’: Erdogan 7-Jan
Further sanctions will destabilise Russia: Germany 4-Jan
Lithuanian ‘aviator’ bill gains wings in gay circles 2-Jan
EU vows to fight new tactics by migrant smugglers 2-Jan
‘Grexit’ spectre returns, but eurozone safer 6-Jan
Ukraine signs Westinghouse nuclear fuel deal 31-Dec
EUbusiness Community
PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY ON EUBUSINESS Present your organisation’s business and product information, press releases, and calls for proposals directly to Europe’s decision-makers |
Press
EU banks take note of European Parliament report on bank separation
CJEU pulls brake on EU accession to the ECHR
More press …
Jobs
Competition Officer, Competition and State Aid, EFTA Surveillance Authority
Grants Officer, European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Head of DSO Unit, Union of the Electricity Industry
Policy Officer, European Environmental Bureau
More jobs …
Guides
Commission publishes TTIP legal texts
Facts about Croatia
Commission 2015 Work Programme
More guides …
Events
14 Jan, Copenhagen: EU-U.S. Innovation Conference
22 Jan, Poland: The Energy Forum
3 Feb, Hamburg: How to produce a winning proposal in Horizon 2020
More events …
Publications
Pocket guide to EU’s new fish and aquaculture consumer labels
Transatlantic Relations: a European perspective
More publications …
Links
