EUbusiness Week 519 top stories: Euro watchdog to exercise ‘true power’ over banks; Europe ratifies free trade deal with South Korea; EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network; Russia to export 2.5 tonnes of caviar to EU: watchdog; Hungarian media law changes insufficient: press; High earners exempt from British immigration cap
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Euro watchdog to exercise ‘true power’ over banks
2. Europe ratifies free trade deal with South Korea
3. EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network
4. Russia to export 2.5 tonnes of caviar to EU: watchdog
5. Hungarian media law changes insufficient: press
6. EU tells Spain: give foreign retirees free medicine
Publisher’s Note
French ski instructors, who show little ‘entente cordiale’ to British counterparts who want to work in their resorts, are worried that looming EU legislation may take away their jobs.
The European Professional Card, part of an EC consultation on updating the EU’s Professional Qualifications Directive, would make it easier for workers abroad to prove their credentials, and ‘enhance confidence between the authorities concerned’.
All part of making the single market work better, says the Commission. The French, whose Eurotest appears to discriminate against other EC nationals, are not so sure. Legislative proposals for modernising the Directive are expected in 2012.
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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. Euro watchdog to exercise ‘true power’ over banks
The head of the EU’s new banking supervisory body has fired a warning shot at banks, in an interview in the Financial Times, saying they would take a more pro-active role.
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Future eurozone rescue fund to hold EUR 500bn
2. Europe ratifies free trade deal with South Korea
Europe has given its final approval to a major free trade deal with South Korea, eliminating most tariffs in a pact hailed as a model for future agreements with other Asian nations.
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3. EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network
The Commission on Thursday ordered 21 EU states to get their act together and meet a deadline to install a pan-European mobile satellite network under its broadband-for-all drive.
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4. Russia to export 2.5 tonnes of caviar to EU: watchdog
Russia expects to export at least 2.5 tonnes of sturgeon caviar to the EU this year after lifting a nine-year ban on such sales, the fisheries watchdog said on Wednesday.
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5. Hungarian media law changes insufficient: press
Amendments agreed by Hungary to its controversial media law following pressure from the European Union do not go far enough, says the country’s leading newspaper Nepszabadsag.
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6. EU tells Spain: give foreign retirees free medicine
The European Commission took Spain to court on Wednesday for refusing to grant pensioners from other EU countries who live temporarily in the country access to free medication.
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EUROPEAN CASE LAW
Aircraft noise: Member States have the right to impose penalties on airlines when their planes roar too loudly above built-up areas near airports, says the top adviser to Europe’s highest court.
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EU seeks court fine for Ireland in countryside row
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Portugal: Portugal warned on Tuesday that it needs help from eurozone partners to avoid getting sucked into deeper debt trouble, after its cost of borrowing soared on the back of the economic downturn.
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Europe tackles Egypt asset freeze bid
EU summit with ex-Soviet states postponed
Council …
Commission Watch
Austerity: Brussels is attempting to switch into austerity mode in 2011, amid anger over EU funds that wind up in dog-fitness clubs and Elton John gigs.
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EU announces aid package for Tunisia
EU urges Libya to allow free expression, heed protests
EU removes 35 from Zimbabwe sanctions list
Commission …
Euro-Parliament Watch
Debt: European Socialist leaders will meet in Athens on March 4 to plan for a summit of divided eurozone leaders, on the same day conservatives will gather in Helsinki.
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Uganda must decriminalise homosexuality: Parliament
In plenary this week, MEPs voted for an extra billion euros in guarantees for Mediterranean basin projects; called for swift action on its Danube region strategy, seen as an opportunity to boost sustainable economic and cultural development in Central and Eastern Europe; and questioned the independence and impartiality of Russia’s judiciary.
Parliament …
EU diary
21 Feb, General Affairs Council
21 Feb, Foreign Affairs Council
21 Feb, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
22-23 Feb, Informal meeting of Sports Ministers
11 Mar, Informal summit of eurozone Heads of State
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
IMF downplays Greece barbs over bailout deal 17-Feb
High earners exempt from British immigration cap 16-Feb
German bank WestLB offloading a third of its assets 16-Feb
Eurozone trade surplus falls sharply in 2010 15-Feb
Eurozone economy sputters in fourth quarter 15-Feb
Downturn fuels new divides across the Balkans 15-Jan
