EU defends green air charge – EUbusiness Week newsletter 556 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 556 top stories: EU, US lock horns on Europe airline emissions charges; Banks line up for record amount of ECB cash; States drag heels on billions to fight youth unemployment; Car makers risk EUR 10bn fine for EU carbon breach; Atlantic neighbours told ‘last chance’ in mackerel war; Top businessmen urge Britain to stay at heart of EU

This Week’s Top Stories

1. EU, US lock horns on Europe airline emissions charges
2. Banks line up for record amount of ECB cash
3. States drag heels on billions to fight youth unemployment
4. Car makers risk EUR 10bn fine for EU carbon breach
5. Atlantic neighbours told ‘last chance’ in mackerel war
6. Top businessmen urge Britain to stay at heart of EU

Publisher’s Note

As the EU winds down for the Christmas break after a more than turbulent year, EUbusiness will operate its reduced service. Before we go into relative hibernation, here is a short update of the last week’s EU business developments. While we’re away, I remind you that you can keep up-to-date with our latest news by subscribing to our RSS feed at
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I wish you the Season’s Greetings, and best wishes for a healthy and peaceful New Year. The next newswire will be sent out in January.
Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU, US lock horns on Europe airline emissions charges

Europe and the United States headed for confrontation Wednesday after the EU won key legal backing for its proposal to slap carbon emissions charges on all airlines in its airspace from January 1.
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China also opposes airline emissions charges

2. Banks line up for record amount of ECB cash

Banks borrowed nearly half a trillion euros on the cheap from the European Central Bank on Wednesday but analysts were not convinced even that record amount would be enough to solve the debt crisis.
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ECB hits out at Hungary’s central bank plans

3. States drag heels on billions to fight youth unemployment

The European Commission says Member States are dragging their heels on 30 billion euros of funding that could reduce high European youth unemployment and get economies growing.
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4. Car makers risk EUR 10bn fine for EU carbon breach

A handful of car makers risk potential fines of 10 billion euros for failing to meet European targets on carbon emissions in 2012, says the European Environment Agency.
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5. Atlantic neighbours told ‘last chance’ in mackerel war

Iceland and the Faroe Islands face their “last chance” to end a mackerel quota war in negotiations next month, EU fisheries ministers said, otherwise the EU could impose sanctions.
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6. Top businessmen urge Britain to stay at heart of EU

A group of top businessmen say Britain should do all it can to ensure the viability of the euro and remain closely involved in EU decision making to protect the single market.
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EUROPEAN CASE LAW

Asylum: the EU’s top court on Wednesday barred Member States from transferring asylum seekers to other nations in the bloc where they could face “inhuman treatment.
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Ukraine president says jailed ex-PM might stay in prison
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
EU Law …

Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

GM: failure by farm ministers to decide on authorisation for three genetically-modified maize and cotton strains has left the matter in the hands of the Commission.
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Hungary defends justice reforms as EU-compatible
Serbia to allow freedom of movement to Kosovo citizens
Council …

Commission Watch

Pay row: the Commission has launched a new battle with the EU’s 27 austerity-driven states over the wages of EU civil servants, vowing to go to court to defend their pay raises.
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EU budget busters may face court under new deal
EU says Tymoshenko case stalling Ukraine accession roadmap
Commission …

Euro-Parliament Watch

Next summit: the EU has announced a summit for January 30 as negotiations over a new “fiscal union” to combat the eurozone debt crisis opened with a key Euro-MP warning the bloc is becoming a “monster”.
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This week, an Industry Research and Energy Committee hearing examined options for new mobile ‘roaming’ legislation; the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee called for measures to reduce reliance on the credit ratings of the “big three” agencies; and the Environment Committee said Emissions Trading System credits should be taken out of the next phase of trading to help lift the sinking carbon price.
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EU diary

11 Jan, Launch of Danish EU presidency
16-19 Jan, European Parliament plenary session
18-19 Jan, 2012 European Year for Active Ageing conference
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary