EUbusiness Week 585 top stories: Relief as German court clears euro rescue fund; Gazprom slams probe with EU, announces talks; Barroso calls for full EU bank supervision; EU changes tack on biofuels on greenhouse gas concerns; Euro-MPs approve sanctions for over-fishing; World Bank urges East Europe to curb shadow economy
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Relief as German court clears euro rescue fund
2. Gazprom slams probe with EU, announces talks
3. Barroso calls for full EU bank supervision
4. EU changes tack on biofuels on greenhouse gas concerns
5. Euro-MPs approve sanctions for over-fishing
6. World Bank urges East Europe to curb shadow economy
Publisher’s Note
The energy efficiency directive, approved by MEPs in plenary this week, requires mandatory energy-saving measures including renovating public buildings, energy audits for all large firms and energy-saving schemes for utilities.
BEUC, the European consumer organisation, warns energy firms will charge customers for the cost of the schemes, and is not happy with a “hasty roll-out of smart meters”.
Others see the directive as a boost for energy security, cutting the cost of Europe’s dependence on energy imports, and a boost for the economy. Cutting energy consumption by 20% could also save the EU EUR 50bn per year.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUROFFICE Euroffice, supplier of stationery and office supplies online, selling to the UK and Italy – has sold to over 220,000 small businesses and will not be beaten on price. |
1. Relief as German court clears euro rescue fund
The eurozone took a major step Wednesday towards solving its debt crisis as Germany’s top court cleared a new bailout pot, a ruling Angela Merkel hailed as a “good day for Europe”.
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Nearly half of Germans back court’s OK of euro fund
2. Gazprom slams probe with EU, announces talks
Gazprom on Monday said a Commission probe over the Russian giant’s controversial gas pricing and trade policies was disingenuous and that the company would discuss the allegations with the EU.
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Russia sets Moldova gas ultimatum amid EU price row
3. Barroso calls for full EU bank supervision
EC President Jose Manuel Barroso called on Wednesday for a full EU banking and budget union, key steps in anchoring the bloc’s future as it fights the eurozone debt crisis.
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4. EU changes tack on biofuels on greenhouse gas concerns
The EU plans to trim targets on biofuel use, once seen as a potential source of cheap alternative energy but now widely blamed for soaring food prices, according to a draft proposal.
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5. Euro-MPs approve sanctions for over-fishing
The European Parliament has approved sanctions on countries such as Iceland and Denmark judged to have over-fished specific stocks, such as mackerel.
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6. World Bank urges East Europe to curb shadow economy
Eastern Europe needs to curb its “shadow economy” to weather Europe’s current financial crisis and promote growth, the World Bank says in a new report.
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EUROPEAN LAW
European Stability Mechanism: German President Joachim Gauck on Thursday signed the EUR 500bn eurozone bailout fund, paving the way for the ratification of a key weapon against the eurozone crisis.
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Hungary, Romania show need for new rule of law benchmark
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Iran: Member States have waved the threat of new sanctions against Iran over its contested nuclear drive, as Russia complains such measures harm its interests.
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EU ‘consensus’ to beef up Syria sanctions
Finance ministers gather as gloom lifts
ESM board to meet Oct 8 after German green light: Juncker
Council …
Commission Watch
State of the Union address: in search of “a new direction” for the crisis-hit Union, EC head Jose Manuel Barroso called on Wednesday for a quantum leap towards a form of United States of Europe.
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International body ends Kosovo supervision
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Parliament Watch
ECB: Euro-MPs have blocked the nomination of Luxembourg’s Yves Mersch to a top job on the all-male European Central Bank’s executive board, demanding governments come up with female candidates instead.
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Parliament head welcomes Dutch election result
MEPs press East European countries over secret CIA prisons
In plenary this week, MEPs approved legislation which could make available to the public photos, films or poems protected by copyright but whose right holders cannot be found; as well as legislation to require Member States to disclose more about their energy deals with third countries, but could also strengthen their hand in negotiating them.
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EU diary
16-22 Sep, European mobility week
18-19 Sep, EU-South Africa summit
19-20 Sep, Justice and Home Affairs Council
20-21 Sep, Informal Meeting of EU Sport Ministers
20 Sep, EU-China summit
24-25 Sep, Agriculture and Fisheries 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 clears aid for Cyprus bank 13-Sep
Poland joins European Space Agency 13-Sep
Italy’s rates plunge in EUR 6.5bn bond auction 13-Sep
Eurozone industrial output turns higher 12-Sep
Portugal says EU-IMF creditors relax deficit targets 11-Sep
Gas giant Turkmenistan scouts Latvia for EU trade 11-Sep
