Press freedom boost for East – EUbusiness Week newsletter 675

Publisher’s Note

An agreement between the Commission and the European Broadcasting Union to work to strengthen the independence of the media in the European Neighbourhood Region highlights the work of the EBU in boosting freedom of expression, a free press and media, as well as the key role played by the European Neighbourhood Policy in fostering deep and sustainable democracy in the EU’s border regions.

At a time when Russia’s focus appears to be to destabilise the countries around its own borders, the Eastern Partnership offers hope of a more stable future within the embrace of the democratic and free West. The EBU agreement will help to strengthen this process.
More …

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

1. Juncker battles to push through new team

New Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker battled Thursday to win approval for his new team after a bitter struggle erupted in the European Parliament over the French, British and Spanish candidates.
More …
British, Spanish EU nominees in trouble

2. EU keeps Russia sanctions as clashes resume in Ukraine

The European Union on Tuesday decided to keep in place biting economic sanctions on Russia over its alleged backing of pro-Kremlin insurgents who have largely ignored the four-week Ukrainian truce.
More …
Putin to boost Internet security without ‘total control’

3. EU says Apple’s Irish tax deals breach rules

Apple’s sweetheart tax deals with Ireland breach rules on receiving state aid, says the EU, in a case which could cost the US tech giant billions if it is found at fault.
More …
EU closes in on Gibraltar tax dealings

4. Canada, EU formally conclude free trade pact

Canadian and European leaders have formally concluded a free trade agreement that is widely seen as a template for a larger pact between the EU and the United States.
More …

5. EU lacks appetite for UK ‘traffic light’ food labels

The EU ordered Britain Wednesday to answer complaints about its “traffic light” anti-obesity food label system, which Mediterranean countries say is unfair towards products such as cheese and ham.
More …

6. Balkans countries to cut roaming charges like EU

Four Balkans countries have signed an accord to reduce roaming charges for mobile phone users in the region to the level prevalent in the EU.
More …

EUROPEAN LAW

Lithuanian boat: a Russian court is due to decide next week whether to release a Lithuanian fishing boat that was seized by Russian border guards to the alarm of the EU.
More …
Deadly ‘bath salts’ legal high banned across EU
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU Law Firms
More …

Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

French deficit: France’s finance minister forecast that the country’s budget deficit would scrape below the EU ceiling by 2017, as he unveiled his annual budget.
More …
Creeping angst in Germany as economists fear best is over
Polish PM engineers handshake between predecessor and foe
EU ‘concerned’ over Hong Kong protests, urges restraint
Council …

Commission Watch

Malmstroem: incoming Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem on Monday opened the door to scrapping a controversial yet central element of the giant EU-US free trade deal that lets corporations sue governments.
More …
France’s Moscovici vows to uphold EU budget rules
Britain’s Commissioner vows to work for Europe
Commission …

Parliament Watch

Russia: the EU has condemned Russia for barring entry to a Member of the European Parliament who flew to Moscow to observe a trial of a Ukrainian pilot accused of espionage.
More …
This week MEPs exercised their power of democratic scrutiny in hearings to quiz the 27 Commissioners-designate.
More …

EU diary

6 Oct: European Parliament Committee Meetings
7-9 Oct: EurOCEAN 2014
8 Oct: Winners of the European Union Prize for Literature
8 Oct: Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
9-10 Oct: Justice and Home Affairs Council
9 Oct: High Level Energy Security Conference
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

EU-brokered Ukraine-Russia gas talks postponed 2-Oct
Poland may veto CO2 emission cuts in EU talks 2-Oct
Euro must be stronger before Poland joins: new PM 1-Oct
Eurozone inflation hits 5yr low in challenge to ECB 30-Sep
More EU aid to farmers hurt by Russia sanctions 30-Sep
Ireland back in spotlight over Apple tax deal 29-Sep
Europe widens in-flight use of portable electronics 28-Sep

EUbusiness Community

Press

Commission could grant unprecedented taxpayer funding for Hinkley nuclear power station
EBF Financial Integration Report highlights ongoing fragmentation
EU-Canada Summit: Business welcomes end of CETA negotiations
More press …

Jobs

Legal Adviser – Audiovisual Media – Competition/IP, European Broadcasting Union
EU Policy Adviser (Internal Markets), Law Society Group
Legal adviser, PensionsEurope
Director, European Youth Information and Counselling Agency
More jobs …

Comments

Commenting on our piece “German press mocks EU digital chief’s ‘stupid celeb’ comment”, Ben writes: “I agree with Oettinger!…If we are not smart enough to understand that our smart phones automatically back things up in the cloud then maybe we are not smart enough to have smart phones. At some point we need to start taking responsibility for the risks we take.”
More …
More …

Guides

Credit rating agencies: Regulatory Technical Standards to implement stricter new rules
Directive on disclosure of non-financial and diversity information
Clean fuels for transport directive
Criteria to identify Endocrine Disruptors: consultation
More guides …

Events

21 Oct, Cambridge: Finance in Horizon 2020
3 Nov, London: Trade and Academic Research Conference
20 Nov, Monte Carlo: Evolution Summit 2014
24 Nov, Amsterdam: Benelux Infrastructure Forum
More events …

Publications

Horizon Report Europe – 2014 Schools Edition
Application of EU Law: how Member States performed in 2013
More publications …

Links

European Parliament hearings of Commissioners-designate

More links