EUbusiness Week 615 top stories: France wants defence off table in EU-US trade talks; Israel ratifies EU Open Skies deal as airlines strike; EU court maintains seal fur ban; EU probe to ‘market test’ Google search remedies; Europe needs genetically modified food, scientists say; Greece, Italy in trouble for mistreating hens
This Week’s Top Stories
1. France wants defence off table in EU-US trade talks
2. Israel ratifies EU Open Skies deal as airlines strike
3. EU court maintains seal fur ban
4. EU probe to ‘market test’ Google search remedies
5. Europe needs genetically modified food, scientists say
6. Greece, Italy in trouble for mistreating hens
Publisher’s Note
An end to pointless bureaucratic rubber stamping for expats and businesses operating across borders was promised by the Commission this week, scrapping ‘legalised’ versions and ‘certified’ translations of official documents.
Currently, a person moving to another Member State has to prove public documents such as birth or marriage certificates issued by their home state are genuine. And businesses operating in the Single Market are often required to produce a raft of certified public documents just to prove their legal status when operating cross-border.
That these ‘Apostille’ certificates are for scrapping will be good news for many, as will any attempt to slash costs and lengthy procedures caused by bureaucratic formalities.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUBUSINESS WEEK AHEAD Our sister newswire alerts you to the key developments in the European Union during the week ahead – from the EU institutions, as well as EU-related conferences and events. |
1. France wants defence off table in EU-US trade talks
The European Union should exclude defence from upcoming free trade talks because the United States has essentially closed its procurement to foreign companies, France’s trade minister said on Monday.
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2. Israel ratifies EU Open Skies deal as airlines strike
The Israeli government approved an Open Skies deal with European carriers on Sunday, as local airline workers went on strike with hundreds burning tyres outside the premier’s office in protest against the plan.
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3. EU court maintains seal fur ban
An EU court in a much-anticipated ruling Thursday upheld a 2010 ban on seal products, throwing out an appeal by fur traders including native Inuit from Canada and Greenland, and Scottish sporran-makers.
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4. EU probe to ‘market test’ Google search remedies
The Commission is inviting public comments on remedies submitted by Google to resolve EU concerns over its dominant position in the online search and advertising market.
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5. Europe needs genetically modified food, scientists say
The European Union’s bid to keep genetically modified foods at bay risks causing economic ruin by forcing the EU to depend on the outside world for food, says scientists.
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6. Greece, Italy in trouble for mistreating hens
The Commission has referred Greece and Italy to the European Court of Justice for failing to improve the living conditions of egg-laying hens kept in cramped cages.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Football: the European Court of Justice on Thursday rapped Romanian football club Steaua Bucarest over homophobic comments made by its patron George “Gigi” Becali, a controversial politician and millionaire businessman.
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Britain launches legal challenge to EU finance tax
France ordered to pay damages to ‘degraded’ prisoner
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Syria: Syrian rebels fighting President President Bashar al-Assad’s troops won a fresh boost Monday when the EU eased its oil embargo to let them exploit the resources they control.
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EU ends Myanmar sanctions, arms embargo remains
Foreign ministers want West Bank settlement goods labelled
Crunch EU budget meeting pencilled in for May 6
Council …
Commission Watch
Kosovo: the EU unlocked its door to Serbia and Kosovo on Monday in reward for striking a landmark agreement to normalise ties and turn the page on the last searing trouble-spot in the Balkans.
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EU gets new Commissioner as Croatia joins
Barroso says tide turning against austerity
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Passenger data: Euro-MPs in committee on Wednesday rejected plans to allow European air passenger data to be used to fight against organised crime and terrorism.
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In committee this week, Commissioner Rehn pledged slower austerity to MEPs on the Economic Committee, Trade MEPs urged Council to launch trade and investment talks with the US, and the Industry Committee said EU firms could save billions of euros thanks to draft EU rules that would enable them to re-use public data instead of producing them from scratch.
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EU diary
29 Apr, Launch of EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change
1 May, European Solar Days
3 May, Spring 2013 economic forecast
8-9 May, European Parliament plenary session
8 May, Commission proposal for Directive on bank accounts
9 May, Europe Day
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
Cyprus partly eases capital controls 25-Apr
EU set to ban pesticides blamed for decline of bees 25-Apr
Four EU states urge stiffer steps on immigrant fraud 25-Apr
Switzerland limits work permits to EU citizens 24-Apr
EU probes Greek airlines merger 23-Apr
Eurozone business activity still slumping 23-Apr
