EUbusiness Week 537 top stories: Greek parliament backs austerity, but more trouble looms; Brussels urges EU VAT, new ‘rebates’ in budget overhaul; Russia resumes vegetable imports from two EU countries; Sprouts must be cooked to avoid E.coli: EU food agency; EU stands firm as polluting tax row threatens Airbus sales; Iceland opens EU membership talks
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Greek parliament backs austerity, but more trouble looms
2. Brussels urges EU VAT, new ‘rebates’ in budget overhaul
3. Russia resumes vegetable imports from two EU countries
4. Sprouts must be cooked to avoid E.coli: EU food agency
5. EU stands firm as polluting tax row threatens Airbus sales
6. Iceland opens EU membership talks
Publisher’s Note
Hungary’s term as EU president came to an end on Friday, as it handed the baton to Poland. Europe’s economic challenges continue, but Poland is looking to push things forward for Europe in a number of areas such as defence policy, energy security, and links with the EU’s neighbours.
A highlight of its term in charge is expected to be the signature of an entry treaty with Croatia, which wrapped up accession talks under Hungary’s presidency, and is widely expected to join in 2013.
With 38 million people, Poland is the heavyweight among the 12 nations to join the EU since 2004. Member States will welcome the dynamism that in 2009 created the strongest GDP growth in the Union.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUROFFICE Euroffice, the UK’s largest supplier of stationery and office supplies online, selling to the UK and Italy – have sold to over 220,000 small businesses and will not be beaten on price. |
1. Greek parliament backs austerity, but more trouble looms
Greek lawmakers voted through the details of fresh austerity measures Thursday, but objections from all sides on parts of the plan served notice of fresh rows ahead after days of rioting in Athens.
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Conditions now in place to release Greek bailout: EU
Southern eurozone nations tighten budget belts
2. Brussels urges EU VAT, new ‘rebates’ in budget overhaul
The Commission has proposed an EU sales tax, a financial services tax and a sweeping reform of “rebates”, including Britain’s, as part of a vast rethink of the EU budget.
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EU under fire for “irresponsible” budget
3. Russia resumes vegetable imports from two EU countries
Russia has resumed vegetable imports from the Netherlands and Belgium after imposing an embargo on the EU due to Germany’s killer E. coli outbreak at the start of the month.
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4. Sprouts must be cooked to avoid E.coli: EU food agency
EU food safety and disease prevention agencies on Wednesday recommended thorough cooking of fenugreek sprouts following outbreaks of E.coli linked to sprouts in France and Germany.
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5. EU stands firm as polluting tax row threatens Airbus sales
The EU has refused to back down on a planned pollution tax on airline companies after reports China has put an Airbus order on ice and growing discontent in the United States.
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6. Iceland opens EU membership talks
Iceland on Monday opened negotiations to join the EU, with fishing disputes and anti-EU sentiment on the island the only hurdles for a nation already well integrated with the bloc.
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EUROPEAN CASE LAW
Horseracing: in a case pitting an online gambling site against France’s only horse-betting firm, Europe’s top court said on Thursday that horse racing monopolies may be justified in order to fight gambling addiction.
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French search engine seeks $425m damages from Google
Latest Court of Justice judgements
Official Journal latest issues
EU Law …
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Arab reform: Europe should prepare for the long haul of democratic reform in the Arab world, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Wednesday as his country was set to assume the EU presidency on 1 July.
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EU lifts last sanctions against Ivory Coast firms
Hungary’s EU presidency sets example: PM
Council …
Commission Watch
Staff reform: the Commission, under fire from EU states over the salaries of EU officials, wants to slash 5% of jobs, increase working hours and raise the retirement age of staff.
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Brussels threatens fines over Naples waste
Barroso hails Lagarde’s IMF nomination
Commission …
Euro-Parliament Watch
Member States’ reluctance to reform in the wake of recent economic crises will be “severely” judged by history, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. Also in committee, the Budgets Committee voted to return EUR 4.54bn to Member States; and the Agriculture Committee urged clearer pricing practices through- out the distribution chain, with dairies being made to report their monthly purchases.
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EU diary
4-7 Jul, European Parliament Plenary Session
7-8 Jul, Employment, Social Policy Ministers’ Informal
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 clears LVMH takeover of luxury rival Bulgari 30-Jun
Italian cabinet heads for hot budget cuts 30-Jun
EU chamber welcomes China easing procurement rules 30-Jun
Eurozone official inflation steadies at 2.7% in June 30-Jun
Egyptian seeds may have caused E. coli outbreak 30-Jun
EU examines NYSE, Deutsche Boerse merger 29-Jun
