EUbusiness Week 633 top stories: MEPs approve new flying hours regime amid pilot anger; Russia halts dairy imports from EU president Lithuania; MEPs adopt anti-smoking bill, reject e-cig curbs; EU, Caribbean in accord to upgrade food export standards; EU asks WTO to decide on auto row with Russia; EU on track for climate targets
This Week’s Top Stories
1. MEPs approve new flying hours regime amid pilot anger
2. Russia halts dairy imports from EU president Lithuania
3. MEPs adopt anti-smoking bill, reject e-cig curbs
4. EU, Caribbean in accord to upgrade food export standards
5. EU asks WTO to decide on auto row with Russia
6. EU on track for climate targets
Publisher’s Note
One in five adults in Europe have low literacy and numeracy skills, says the first comprehensive international Survey of Adult Skills, published by the OECD and European Commission.
A glaring finding is the difference in skill levels acquired through formal education: school leavers with an upper secondary qualification in some Member States have similar or even better skills than higher education graduates in others.
Even in these trying times, it is clearly essential to target investment at improving education and training to increase skills and employability in all European countries.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
1. MEPs approve new flying hours regime amid pilot anger
The European Parliament has approved a controversial new shorter flying hours regime championed by the Commission and airlines but opposed by many pilots who claim it does nothing to improve safety.
More …
2. Russia halts dairy imports from EU president Lithuania
Russia on Monday halted all dairy imports from Lithuania in a trade row over the tiny Baltic state’s bid to draw ex-Soviet nations such as Ukraine closer to the EU.
More …
3. MEPs adopt anti-smoking bill, reject e-cig curbs
The European Parliament has approved a long-fought and divisive anti-smoking bill aimed at making cigarettes less attractive to youngsters, but it has thrown out a bid to curb sales of increasingly popular e-cigarettes.
More …
4. EU, Caribbean in accord to upgrade food export standards
The European Union has agreed to spend US$15.7m on improving systems to ensure that Caribbean food exports meet international standards.
More …
5. EU asks WTO to decide on auto row with Russia
The Union on Thursday asked the World Trade Organization to rule on a dispute with Russia over a controversial “recycling fee” Moscow imposes on imported vehicles.
More …
6. EU on track for climate targets
The EU is on track to meet its 2020 targets for reducing carbon emissions and switching to cleaner energy sources, the European Environment Agency said on Wednesday.
More …
EUROPEAN LAW
Ukraine: Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has sacked a top prosecutor seen as the public face of Kiev’s legal campaign against jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.
More …
EU lauds Croatia change to controversial EU extradition law
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
More …
Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Data protection: justice ministers meeting for the first time since revelations of US spying on Europeans, agreed that new data protection laws were needed but not on how to proceed.
More …
Despite Lampedusa, Europe still split on migration
Germany says Ukraine making effort to resolve Tymoshenko case
Former Belgian premier Wilfried Martens dies at 77
Council …
Commission Watch
China: investment flows between the EU and China, major trade partners, are far below what they should be and must be improved, says Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
More …
Belgrade, Pristina overcome dispute ahead of Kosovo polls
Shutdown forces EU, US to cancel trade deal talks
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Fracking: extracting shale oil and gas reserves through controversial ‘fracking’ will in future require an environmental impact study, Euro-MPs agreed on Wednesday, despite opposition this will add to costs and hurt jobs.
More …
MEPs approve new border surveillance system after Lampedusa
Pakistan’s Malala wins Sakharov rights prize
French far-right in pole position for EU election
Also in plenary this week, MEPs urged tough conditions on China investment accord talks, and banned cadmium from power tool batteries and mercury from button cells.
More …
EU diary
14 Oct, Environment Council
15 Oct, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
15 Oct, Employment, Social, Health, Consumer Affairs Council
16 Oct, Commission adopts the 2013 Enlargement Package
17-18 Oct, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
17 Oct, Commission adopts its monthly infringements package
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 slashes planned spending by 10 pct 10-Oct
Chinese, Euro central banks strike currency swap deal 10-Oct
EU farm payments down 4 pct in 2014 due to budget cuts 9-Oct
EU clears Aegean takeover of Olympic Air 9-Oct
European rescue fund makes strong long-term bond debut 8-Oct
EU asylum requests up 50 pct 8-Oct
