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Thursday, 28 November 2024 | ||
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EU News Flashes and Events for 97-02-04EU News Flashes and Events Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS
[01] Industry competitivenessTHE HAGUE - European Union industry ministers agreed on need to improve the competitiveness of Europe's industry which is lagging behind that of economic rivals the United States and Japan.[02] EU to take Germany to courtBRUSSELS - The European Commission, determined to remove remaining obstacles to a single market in financial services, decided to take legal action against Germany over investment trust restrictions.[03] No French/German stability pactBONN - The German Finance Ministry denied press reports that Germany and France had agreed to set up a powerful new stability council to set economic policy for countries that adopt the euro single European currency.[04] Central bank gold salesBRUSSELS - Eurostat, the EU's statistical office, said gold sales by national central banks could not be used to reduce budget deficits in line with Maastricht treaty criteria on membership of Economic and Monetary Union.[05] Italy's EMU hopes boostedBRUSSELS - The European Union handed Italy a glimmer of hope in its quest to join the single currency in 1999 but stopped short of giving a blessing to Rome's controversial "euro tax".[06] EU steps up pressure on U.S.BRUSSELS - The European Union stepped up the pressure on the United States over a long-running trade row, calling on the head of the World Trade Organisation to intervene personally in a dispute over Cuban links.[07] UK-US open skies talks delayedLONDON - Crucial talks between British and U.S. officials on negotiating a new "open skies" agreement have been delayed for two weeks due to a senior negotiator falling ill, a British government spokesman told Reuters.[08] Fight against BA/AMR link-upBRUSSELS - Virgin Airlines chairman Richard Branson said the European Commission should block an alliance between British Airways and AMR Corp's American Airlines as a threat to transatlantic competition.[09] German post office pricingBONN - The German post office has come under investigation by the European Commission for predatory pricing allegedly aimed at eliminating competing package delivery companies, according to documents obtained by Reuters.[10] Commission nuclear programmeBRUSSELS - The European nuclear industry and Eurelectric, the European grouping of the electricity supply industry, has welcomed the Commission's draft "Indicative Nuclear Programme", which was made public last September.[11] EU's Tabaqueira sale fears over?BRUSSELS - Portuguese Economy Minister Augusto Mateus said he believed the European Commission was no longer concerned about the sale of tobacco firm Tabaqueira to a consortium led by U.S. firm Philip Morris.[12] Lisnave restructuring planBRUSSELS - Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert urged Portugal to submit a new rescue plan for partly state-owned ship repairer Estaleiros Navais de Lisboa before the end of February, a Commission spokesman said.[13] EU must play full role in MideastTHE HAGUE - Palestinian President Yasser Arafat said it was vital for Europe to play a political role in supporting the Mideast peace process, thus complementing the diplomatic efforts of the United State[14] EU could unblock Romania BOP aidBRUSSELS - The European Union's External Relations Commissioner Hans van den Broek said the EU could unblock 70 million Ecus in balance of payments aid for Romania once the country had reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund in loan talks.[15] Zaire camp condition/BoninoTINGI TINGI, Zaire - The EU commissioner for humanitarian affairs Emma Bonino described conditions at Zaire's largest remaining refugee camp for Hutus as beneath human dignity and said the international community should be ashamed.[16] Main EU events for February 4BRUSSELS - Romanian President Emil Constantinescu meets WEU Secretary General Jose Cutileiro at 0800 GMT; attends joint meeting of EP foreign affairs and external economic relations committees and EU-Romanian joint delegation at 1400 GMT; meets NATO Secretary General Javier Solana at 1600 GMT.FRANKFURT - European Commissioner de Silguy attends European Monetary Institute Council. BRUSSELS - Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo attends EP Foreign Affairs Committee at 0930 GMT. BRUSSELS - Dutch Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm attends EP Economic Committee at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - Commissioner Brittan attends EP External Economic Relations Committee at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - Dutch State Secretary for European Affairs Michiel Patijn attends EP Legal Affairs Committee at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - Commissioner Oreja attends EP Culture Committee at 1400 GMT. BRUSSELS - The European Consumer's Organisation (BEUC) holds news conference on "Crash tests highlight urgent need for action at EU level" at 1000 GMT. BRUSSELS - European Policy Forum hosts speech by British Prime Minister John Major on "European business competitiveness" at 1800 GMT. From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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