EUbusiness Week 643 top stories: Crisis-hit Greece takes EU helm; Debt-struck eurozone makes dramatic turnaround; European labour market opens for Romanians, Bulgarians; EU extends new bank payment system deadline by 6 months; US lawmakers propose key step to boost trade deals; Swiss business urges voters to reject migration quotas
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Crisis-hit Greece takes EU helm
2. Debt-struck eurozone makes dramatic turnaround
3. European labour market opens for Romanians, Bulgarians
4. EU extends new bank payment system deadline by 6 months
5. US lawmakers propose key step to boost trade deals
6. Swiss business urges voters to reject migration quotas
Publisher’s Note
As we enter the New Year, look out for a number of important laws coming into force, new leaders taking over at the top, and key decisions to have a major effect on Europe’s future.
From 1 January Greece took over the EU presidency, Latvia joined the euro area and we have a European patent. 2014 will also bring in legislation on consumer protection, intellectual property and environmental protection, as well as new rules to shape the EU’s banking union.
It will be all-change for Europe’s leaders, at the Commission, Council and Parliament. And if we don’t like them, and would prefer a different direction, we have the opportunity of the European Elections in May to make our views heard. This will be an important year for the EU. Best wishes for 2014.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
1. Crisis-hit Greece takes EU helm
Greece on 1 January began its six-month stint as president of the European Union, even as it continued its own struggle against recession and social unrest.
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Musical chairs under way for new EU leadership
2. Debt-struck eurozone makes dramatic turnaround
Portuguese and Spanish sovereign borrowing costs tumbled on Thursday, heralding a dramatic market turnaround for debt-laden eurozone nations whose plight once raised fears for the bloc’s very survival.
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Latvia rings in euro for New Year
3. European labour market opens for Romanians, Bulgarians
Romanians and Bulgarians had the right to work in any of the Union’s 28 Member States from 1 January but “no major increase” in emigration is expected, the Commission said.
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Poles urge Tesco boycott amid Cameron migration row
4. EU extends new bank payment system deadline by 6 months
The Commission on Thursday extended a deadline for the introduction of a new faster and cheaper intra-bank payments system by six months following delays in some Member States.
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5. US lawmakers propose key step to boost trade deals
Lawmakers on Thursday proposed empowering US trade negotiators to push ahead major deals with Pacific Rim and European Union nations, but the move faces stiff opposition.
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6. Swiss business urges voters to reject migration quotas
Switzerland’s business, farm and hospital lobbies have urged voters to reject a law drafted by right-wing populists that would reimpose immigration quotas for EU citizens.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Croatian spy: a Croatian court has backed the extradition of the country’s former top spy to Germany, in a step towards calming a row with the European Union.
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Ukraine launches hearings against Tymoshenko lawyer
Former Romanian PM sentenced to jail for corruption
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Turkey: days before a long-awaited visit to EU headquarters by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s ongoing political crisis risks undermining his hopes for 2014 to be “the year of the EU”.
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Van Rompuy sees European economic revival in 2014
EU crisis encouraging ‘brainless’ eurosceptics: Germany
Council …
Commission Watch
Greece: Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday urged Greece to stay the course of painful economic reforms as he inaugurated the country’s stint as EU president.
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Juncker ‘ready’ to run for Commission chief
China’s financial sector largely closed: Commissioner
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Bank oversight: Parliament has launched “tough negotiations” with Member States on enacting a new bank regulatory system meant to prevent any repetition of the financial crisis.
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EP committee approves Snowden hearing
Improve the EU? Let it collapse, says France’s Le Pen
Poland’s fledgling far-right to run for EU Parliament
Also this week, MEPs met in committee to investigate troika operations in bailout countries, vote on funding for asylum and law enforcement measures and debate how to deal with failing banks. Political groups prepared for next week’s plenary.
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EU diary
13-16 Jan, European Parliament plenary session
15 Jan, Commission adopts the Risk Finance Guidelines
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
Eurozone business, consumer confidence best since 2011 9-Jan
IMF still sees ‘large uncertainty’ over Greek comeback 9-Jan
EU clears giant Publicis, Omnicom advertising merger 9-Jan
ECB gives thumbs up to woman on executive board 9-Jan
Germany to probe welfare fraud by immigrants 8-Jan
Air travel fatalities hit lowest ever in 2013: EASA 8-Jan
