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Friday, 22 November 2024 | ||
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EU News Flashes and Events for 97-03-18EU News Flashes and Events Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS
[01] German/French EMU plans approvedBRUSSELS - European Union finance ministers on Monday fully backed plans by the two key countries at the heart of European monetary union Germany and France, to qualify for the single currency and reaffirmed their belief that it would start on time in 1999.[02] Germany to meet EMU criteriaBERLIN - Economics Minister Guenter Rexrodt said on Monday he is certain Germany will meet the Maastricht criteria for economic and monetary union on time.[03] Low risk if UK out of EMUBRUSSELS - Irish Finance Minister Ruairi Quinn said on Monday there would be little risk to Ireland from Britain staying out of monetary union provided sterling maintained a stable relationship with the euro.[04] German unification costsBRUSSELS - Germany, plagued by heavy debt related to unification, might be able to turn the cost to its advantage, using it as a way to squeeze in to the single European currency, EU officials and analysts said on Monday.[05] VAT on "callback" phone servicesBRUSSELS - The ECOFIN Council adopted rules on Monday to allow national governments to apply value-added taxes to phone services offered by foreign companies, a move aimed especially at "callback" services operating in the United States.[06] Beef and pork control systemBRUSSELS - Farm ministers adopted by qualified majority on Monday, without discussion, a proposal to update and simplify health checks on cattle and pigs traded between EU member states, a statement said.[07] Regional food protection rulesBRUSSELS - Farm ministers on Monday agreed by qualified majority, without discussion, new rules to protect feta cheese and other regional food products from competitors using the same brand names.[08] Decision on beef labels delayedBRUSSELS - European Union farm ministers on Monday postponed a decision on a compromise on compulsory beef labelling after unanimously rejecting a proposal that would give the European Parliament a joint say, Dutch officials said.[09] No EU-Australia vet accordBRUSSELS - The European Union and Australia failed last week to reach agreement on the mutual recognition of veterinary and plant health standards, a European Commission spokesman said on Monday.[10] EU-Japan renew trade effortBRUSSELS - The European Commission rolled over on Monday its efforts to help with EU companies' export promotions to Japan, pledging 12 million Ecus to a four-year campaign covering 10 priority sectors.[11] TV directive conciliation delayedBRUSSELS - The conciliation procedure on draft revisions to the television without frontiers directive 89/552/EEC will not start on March 20 after all, European Commission officials said on Monday.[12] Britain's general election May 1LONDON - Prime Minister John Major announced on Monday that Britain's general election will be held on May 1.[13] Boeing, McDonnell problemsBRUSSELS - European Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert said on Monday he might have underestimated the problems with the planned merger between Boeing and McDonnell Douglas.[14] Turkey on track for EU membershipANKARA - Turkey said on Monday it was on the way to joining the European Union after EU foreign ministers at the weekend recognised Ankara's European credentials.[15] Main EU events for March 18BRUSSELS - EU farm ministers continue meeting at 0830 GMT (second of two or three days); structured dialogue with Central and Eastern European countries on the adaptation of their veterinary and plant health legislation; Commission presentation on fixing farm prices for 1997-98 at 1430 GMT.BRUSSELS - European Commissioners Flynn and Monti and High Level Group for the Free Movement of Persons Chairwoman Simone Veil hold joint news conference at 1100 GMT. BRUSSELS - European Commissioner Bonino holds news conference on fisheries promotional campaign at 1130 GMT. BRUSSELS - Dutch Transport Minister Annemarie Jorritsma attends EP Transport Committee at 0900 GMT. BRUSSELS - Joint assembly of European Parliament and deputies from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries continues (second of two days) - closing news conference on the outcome of the meeting 1215 GMT. BRUSSELS - Finnish Parliament Grand Committee attends EP Institutional Affairs Committee at 1030 GMT. BRUSSELS - Court of Auditors President Bernard Friedmann, Commissioner Liikanen, Council Representative Jacob Vries attend Budgetary Control Committee at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - EP President Jose Maria Gil-Robles addresses EP Institutional Affairs Committee on "Development at the IGC" at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - Commissioner Cresson attends EP Culture Committee at 1430 GMT. BRUSSELS - Commissioner Monti addresses EP Monetary Subcommittee on "EMU and fiscal policy" at 1500 GMT. From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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