EUbusiness Week 698 top stories: EU to probe cross-border e-commerce barriers; EU unveils ambitious overhaul of digital economy; ‘Made in China’ tops EU list of unsafe products; End of milk quotas mean opportunities in Asia, says EU; Hungary reaches EU deal on nuclear fuel from Russia; Top European beers to show calorie counts
Publisher’s Note
Ukraine and Russia were the topics of this week, as MEPs approved huge financial assistance to Ukraine, and the Commission published country reports on implementing the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP).
The ENP forms an important part of the EU’s foreign policy, with the goal of achieving closer political association and economic integration with southern and eastern neighbours.
The focus, particularly for Latvia’s EU presidency, now turns to the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga in May, where leaders are due to re-assess relations with eastern partners in the light of Russian aggression.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. EU to probe cross-border e-commerce barriers
Brussels announced a probe Thursday into efforts by the retail industry to stop shoppers using websites outside their own countries, in the latest step towards a single digital market across the EU.
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2. EU unveils ambitious overhaul of digital economy
The EU has unveiled an ambitious plan to overhaul Europe’s fragmented digital landscape that would allow Europeans traveling in other Member States to get their Netflix film fix or watch BBC iPlayer even when abroad.
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3. ‘Made in China’ tops EU list of unsafe products
From toy-shaped cigarette lighters to a short-circuiting plush rabbit that catches fire, the Rapid Alert System (RAPEX) warned in its 2014 report of a growing number of dangerous products for sale, with most coming from China.
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4. End of milk quotas mean opportunities in Asia, says EU
European dairy farmers will be better poised to benefit from world demand for their products, particularly in Asia, when three-decade old milk quotas are lifted next week, the Agriculture Commissioner said on Thursday.
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5. Hungary reaches EU deal on nuclear fuel from Russia
Hungary says it has reached a compromise with EU nuclear body Euratom over plans for Russia to be the sole supplier of nuclear fuel to the country’s Paks power plant.
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6. Top European beers to show calorie counts
Beer drinkers in Europe will soon be able to find out the calorie count on their drinks after four of the world’s biggest brewers said they will list the information.
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EUROPEAN LAW
ECB: three German businessmen are seeking to block the European Central Bank’s controversial bond purchase programme, arguing it oversteps the bank’s mandate.
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March infringements package: referrals to Court of Justice
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Greece: a charm offensive by Greece’s prime minister this week calmed bruised relations with Germany, but pressure remains on Athens to deliver on promised reforms.
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EU deal on reforms, loans next week: Greek minister
EU and Cuba to speed up talks to normalise ties
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Commission Watch
Ukraine: Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday said he will visit Kiev next week on his first bilateral trip since taking office in November, in a show of support for Ukraine’s embattled government.
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EU pledges EUR 160m in aid to Guinea-Bissau
EU says 2014 ‘very bad year’ for road death cut goal
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Parliament Watch
Draghi: ECB chief Mario Draghi told Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Monday that the bank was “on track” to reach its declared goal for a controversial programme of bond purchases launched earlier this month.
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French far-right leader Le Pen pledges vote on EU exit
Also this week, MEPs said tackling tax evasion should be a top EU priority; asked the Commission to clarify whether the minimum wage may apply to foreign lorry drivers; and approved EU aid for redundant workers in Greece and Ireland.
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EU diary
30-31 Mar: European Parliament Committee Meetings
1 Apr: Webinar on digital tourism: Thinking mobile
Easter
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
Macedonia PM accused of taking EUR 20m bribe 26-Mar
Greek central bank head says Grexit not an option 25-Mar
EU, US ‘likely’ to miss target for free trade deal 25-Mar
EU slaps anti-dumping duties on China, Taiwan steel 25-Mar
Cheap eurozone takeaway fuels Chinese appetites 25-Mar
EU’s most deadly air crashes 25-Mar
Eurozone business activity highest for four years 25-Mar
Olive tree disease in Italy alarms EU 23-Mar
EUbusiness Community
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Press
Dangerous product alerts rise in Europe – EU safety laws stalled
IACA identifies priorities to improve airlines’ competitiveness
Earth Hour – the biggest global movement to save the planet
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Jobs
Public Relations Officer, Academy of European Law
Public Affairs Consultant, Aspect Consulting Brussels
Press Officer, European Ombudsman
Digital Communications Officer, Eurogroup for Animals
Financial Assistant for SME Verification, European Chemicals Agency
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Guides
2014 European Neighbourhood Reports
RAPEX 2014 – Rapid Alert System report
End of milk quotas Q&A
Annual report on implementation of EU-South Korea FTA
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Events
23 Apr, Rome: Annual FOODSEG Symposium
12 May, Copenhagen: European Climate Change Adaptation Conference
20 May, London: Wind Farm Development: European Offshore
3 Jun, Cambridge: Horizon 2020 workshop – Developing Winning Proposals
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Publications
How trade policy & regional trade agreements strengthen EU economic performance
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Links
