EUbusiness Week 631 top stories: Major EU farm reform back on track; EU urges global deal on airline pollution; Ukraine heads for clash with Russia over EU deal; Divergence on surrogacy at EU court; School children lack e-learning facilities, says EU; EU lifts sanctions against Zimbabwe diamond giant
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Major EU farm reform back on track
2. EU urges global deal on airline pollution
3. Ukraine heads for clash with Russia over EU deal
4. Divergence on surrogacy at EU court
5. School children lack e-learning facilities, says EU
6. EU lifts sanctions against Zimbabwe diamond giant
Publisher’s Note
The worrying state of European industry is highlighted in two Competitiveness reports out this week. Despite the eurozone’s timid signs of recovery, the EU has not shrugged off the crisis, say the reports, and crucial ground is being lost on productivity and employment.
There are some good points: the EU has been outperforming the U.S and Japan on exports, and workforce skills are improving. Not so good are stubbornly low investment, high energy prices and worse access to finance. We look forward to a Commission initiative later this autumn, which will in particular aim to reverse Europe’s loss in global manufacturing share.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
1. Major EU farm reform back on track
A major reform of the European Union’s generous farm subsidy programme was approved late on Tuesday after being held up by last-minute demands from MEPs for even deeper changes.
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2. EU urges global deal on airline pollution
The EU has urged nations to accept a compromise on plans to curb airline carbon emissions at a key UN conference, though resistance to striking an overall deal remains fierce.
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3. Ukraine heads for clash with Russia over EU deal
Ukraine is preparing to take the first crucial step towards the EU, but it risks a historic deterioration in political and economic ties with its powerful neighbour Russia.
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4. Divergence on surrogacy at EU court
The European Court of Justice on Thursday issued contradictory opinions on a woman’s right to maternity leave should her baby be born to a surrogate mother — one favouring paid leave, the other not.
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5. School children lack e-learning facilities, says EU
With 63 per cent of Europe’s nine-year-olds in schools missing vital digital equipment, the Commission has launched a vast plan to promote e-learning from primary school to universities.
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6. EU lifts sanctions against Zimbabwe diamond giant
The European Union has lifted sanctions against a Zimbabwe firm that controls one of the world’s largest diamond fields.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Arrest warrant: the Croatian government on Thursday moved to comply with European extradition and arrest rules, ending a row that saw the Union’s newest member face possible sanctions barely after joining.
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Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Data transfer: France is proposing the EU study taxing companies for transferring personal data outside of the bloc, for example in call centres abroad.
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Merkel strengthens position as EU’s most powerful leader
Britain gives USD 160 million to Syria aid
Council …
Commission Watch
Budget: the EU is likely to be EUR 20 bn in the red in 2013, forcing the bloc to transfer payment of unpaid bills to 2014, according to a European source.
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Angry Brussels wants answers from Israel over aid
EU pushes faster trade talks with Japan
French budget shows ‘responsibility and prudence’: Rehn
Commission …
Parliament Watch
EU-US bank data: the EU is seeking proof of alleged US snooping on the SWIFT global banking system but has found no evidence to date, Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem told the Civil Liberties Committee’s hearing on US and EU countries’ surveillance schemes on Tuesday.
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In committee this week, MEPs raised concerns over alleged NSA misuse of Europeans’ personal bank data; quizzed Klaus Regling about a wider lending role for the European Stability Mechanism; and approved EU programmes for research and small firms in 2014-2020.
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EU diary
2 Oct, Making EU law fit for purpose: results and next steps in smart regulation
2 Oct, Governing Council meeting of the ECB
3 Oct, Baltic Sea Conference 2013 – Blue Growth, Sustainability and Water Industries
7-8 Oct, Justice and Home Affairs Council
10 Oct, Transport, Telecommunications & Energy 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
Bank assessment supervisor’s first test: Bundesbank 26-Sep
ECB official proposes eurozone budget to back reforms 26-Sep
Bloomberg launches European cities competition 24-Sep
Cash-for-residency draws fire in eurozone bound Latvia 24-Sep
