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Friday, 22 November 2024 | ||
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EU News Flashes and Events for 96-05-21EU News Flashes and Events Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: News Distribution Manager <dist@hri.org>CONTENTS
[01] No easing of British beef banBRUSSELS - The European Union's Standing Veterinary Committee on Monday rejected a proposal to relax a worldwide ban on British beef by a blocking minority of seven among the 15 member states. Farm ministers are due to resume talks at 0730 GMT on Tuesday on the implications of the vote.[02] Ministers briefed on farm pricesBRUSSELS - European Union farm ministers heard a progress report on the 1996/97 farm price package but made no comment during a meeting dominated by the mad cow crisis, EU officials said.[03] Fruit, veg reform proposal standsBRUSSELS - The Italian EU Presidency told the Farm Council that a compromise text on the reform of the fruit and vegetable market was still on the table, EU officials said.[04] Commission to act on feta planBRUSSELS - The European Commission will adopt a proposal on June 15 that feta cheese sold in the EU must be made in Greece after farm ministers failed to take a decision on Monday, a Commission spokesman said.[05] Mad-cow row may benefit EuropolBRUSSELS - Diplomats said that Britain had signalled it could unblock its opposition to a plan which would open the way to ratification of the Europol police cooperation convention if it gets a satisfactory deal on mad cow disease.[06] WTO sets up beef hormone panelGENEVA - The World Trade Organisation agreed to set up a panel to look into U.S. complaints that the European Union is breaking trade rules by banning the import of hormone-treated beef. The panel will have six months to publish its findings.[07] New competition authorityBRUSSELS - EU Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert reiterated his strong opposition to German ideas to create an independent competition authority at Monday's Industry Council. Van Miert had himself raised the issue at the Council, saying he wanted it to be debated during the Irish presidency.[08] Danish ship aid ideas welcomedBRUSSELS - Commissioner Karel Van Miert reacted favourably to Danish ideas on how to ensure efficient and transparent monitoring of state aid to shipbuilding at the Industry Council .[09] Few problems on steel reportBRUSSELS - Karel Van Miert put forward a generally positive report on the monitoring of steel aid cases to the Industry Council. Ministers also briefly discussed the Commission's proposal for a new steel state aid code but it will be up to the Irish presidency to seek agreement.[10] Industry Council split on SMEsBRUSSELS - European Union industry ministers agreed on the bulk of the text for an action plan to help small firms grow and create jobs, but they held widely different views on how much it could cost.[11] Ratify shipbuilding deal - EUBRUSSELS - Industry ministers urged the U.S., Japan and other countries to quickly ratify an international agreement on eliminating much of the aid which may now be granted to shipbuilding.[12] European monetary policy seenBRUSSELS - For many European countries the coming of the single currency and the future European central bank will mean they get back control of monetary policy which now is dominated by the German Bundesbank, Belgian finance minister Philippe Maystadt said at a seminar on Monday.[13] Swedish premier optimistic on EMULISBON - Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson admitted during a one-day visit to Portugal that a majority in his country's parliament and his Social Democrat party opposed joining the European Union's single currency. But Persson said there was still time to win over doubters.[14] OECD cuts growth forecastsPARIS - The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said on Monday it had revised down its forecast of OECD area economic growth for 1996 and 1997 to 2.1 and 2.5 percent from 2.6 and 2.8 percent respectively. In Europe, the OECD made substantial cuts in Germany and France's forecasts.[15] EU electricity production upBRUSSELS - Electricity production in the European Union rose 2.8 percent in 1995, with Britain and Austria showing the largest increases, Eurostat said on Monday.[16] Part of GEC/Thomson deal clearedBRUSSELS - The European Commission said in a statement on Monday that it had cleared the non-military aspects of a proposed sonar joint venture between General Electric Company Plc and Thomson-CSF SA.[17] MAin EU events fir May 21BRUSSELS - EU farm ministers meeting resumes (second of two days); discussions on the organisation of the fruit and vegetable market, BSE.BRUSSELS - Seventh meeting of EU foreign ministers' representatives to discuss IGC's first chapter on citizens (first of two days). BRUSSELS - Commissioner for Relations with ACP countries Joao de Deus Pinheiro news conference on development begins at 1015 GMT. BRUSSELS - Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek meets Commission President Jacques Santer at 1030 GMT; meets NATO Secretary General at 1530 GMT. STRASBOURG - European Parliament plenary session begins at 0700 GMT (second of five days); debate and vote on hooliganism and the free movement of football supporters followed by a news conference by MEP Claudia Roth at 1300 GMT. UKRAINE - Commissioner for Relations with east Europe and CIS Hans van den Broek and troika of senior EU officials from past, present and future presidencies (Spain, Italy and Ireland) on official visit. PARIS - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meets (first of two days); main issues discussed are promoting growth and employment in the OECD area, strengthening the multilateral system of trade and investment and charting the future of the OECD in a rapidly changing world. Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan and Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Yves-Thibault de Silguy attend. From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://www.cec.lu/
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