An EU-wide energy market – EUbusiness Week newsletter 594 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 594 top stories: EU budget in limbo after nations refuse to pay 2012 bills; Brussels moots pollution credit cut to up carbon price; EU wants 40 per cent women in boardrooms; New Basel banking rules stumble, but markets implement; ‘Yellow card’ for eight nations for illegal fishing; Synthetic drug-use in Europe at all-time high

This Week’s Top Stories

1. EU budget in limbo after nations refuse to pay 2012 bills
2. Brussels moots pollution credit cut to up carbon price
3. EU wants 40 per cent women in boardrooms
4. New Basel banking rules stumble, but markets implement
5. ‘Yellow card’ for eight nations for illegal fishing
6. Synthetic drug-use in Europe at all-time high

Publisher’s Note

The Commission this week assessed the state of play of the internal energy market, to be completed by 2014. Its Communication identifies a failure to implement existing legislation as one of the main obstacles to achieving the modernisation and integration of the European energy market.

A genuine EU-wide energy market benefits consumers by providing greater choice at competitive prices, and also businesses by giving them better business opportunities on the most flexible terms. If they want to reach the goal of a functioning European energy market, Member States will need to step up efforts to empower consumers and to phase out the state interventions which continues to distort markets.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

PUBLIC TENDER – MACEDONIA

Granting of state-owned agricultural land under lease – Public Notice, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy in Macedonia
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1. EU budget in limbo after nations refuse to pay 2012 bills

Tough talks on next year’s EU budget collapsed Tuesday when the European Parliament refused to sit at the negotiating table with governments refusing to pay this year’s bills.
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Europe’s unemployed are latest victims of EU budget row

2. Brussels moots pollution credit cut to up carbon price

The Commission has proposed cutting the pollution credits auctioned to firms in 2013-2015, to raise the price of carbon and make investment in clean technology worthwhile.
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EU freezes controversial aviation carbon tax

3. EU wants 40 per cent women in boardrooms

Europe needs a gender revolution in its biggest boardrooms to make better use of female business talent now going to waste, the Commission said on Wednesday.
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4. New Basel banking rules stumble, but markets implement

Global banking reforms known as Basel III are stumbling in Europe and the United States, but the rules have been published by major Asian financial powers and are already being enforced more broadly by financial markets.
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5. ‘Yellow card’ for eight nations for illegal fishing

The Commission warned eight developing countries Thursday of sanctions if they did not do more to stop “criminal” illegal fishing, saying it was taking the first step of its kind.
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6. Synthetic drug-use in Europe at all-time high

Europe is being bombarded with an array of new, synthetic drugs of which the ingredients and effects on users are unknown, the continent’s drug agency warns in a report.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Bulgaria judge: Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has blocked the swearing-in of a controversial candidate for constitutional court judge because of concern from Brussels over corruption allegations.
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Italian prosecutor charges S&P, Fitch ratings
Croatia tries eight over shipyard embezzlement
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

Canada: Canada and EU ministers will hold talks in Brussels next week in an effort to “resolve at the political level” roadblocks to a free trade pact.
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British rebate safe in new EU budget proposal
Several EU leaders decline Nobel peace invite
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Commission Watch

Spain: the Commission on Wednesday took some pressure off Spain by saying it would not require more austerity measures this year and next even if Madrid is unable to meet budget commitments.
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EU approves EUR 5.0 bn financial aid package to Egypt
EU to give Nobel prize cash to war-impacted children
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Parliament Watch

Commissioner hearing: MEPs appear to have approved the nomination of former Maltese foreign minister Tonio Borg, a well-known Catholic conservative, as Health Commissioner.
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EP political groups prepared for next week’s plenary, where there will be votes on the 2013 Budget, the capital requirements directive (CRD IV) and the climate change summit in Doha, fisheries.
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EU diary

19-22 Nov, European Parliament plenary session
19 Nov, Foreign Affairs Council
22-23 Nov, European Council
22-23 Nov, Equality summit 2012
26-27 Nov, Education, Youth, Culture & Sport Council
28-29 Nov, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary