EUnews

European Union Business News from EUbusiness.com

Asian security forum piles pressure on Myanmar to speed aid entry — 09 May 2008, 14:52 CET

Asia's top security forum, which includes China, the United States and the European Union, on Friday piled pressure on Myanmar to urgently speed up the entry of international aid for cyclone victims.

Slovenia confirms EU mission to Georgia — 09 May 2008, 14:51 CET

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, confirmed Friday that an EU mission would travel to Georgia next week to cool tensions over Abkhazia.

Serbia goes to polls deeply divided over Europe — 09 May 2008, 12:36 CET

Serbia's path towards the European Union divides its political scene and society to such an extent that weekend polls are bound to have a huge impact on the country's future, analysts said Friday.

Serb cabinet in final pre-poll showdown on EU, Russia — 09 May 2008, 12:37 CET

Serbia's outgoing coalition government, which collapsed over East-West ties, meets Friday to approve a Russian energy deal in a final showdown two days before crunch general elections.

EU commissioner urges Serbia to turn to Europe — 09 May 2008, 10:53 CET

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Friday urged Serbians to vote for pro-European candidates in the country's general election in which Serbia's future direction is a key issue.

EU calls for end to Lebanon fighting — 09 May 2008, 00:19 CET

The European Union called late Thursday for an end to the violence in the Lebanese capital Beirut and for the Hezbollah-led opposition to halt all disruptive activities.

Italy proposes successor to Frattini as EU Commissioner — 08 May 2008, 23:35 CET

Italy's new government on Thursday proposed Antonio Tajani, from Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, to replace Franco Frattini at the European Commission, a statement said.

EU to boost aid to Myanmar if easier access allowed — 08 May 2008, 20:24 CET

The European Commission could release up to 30 million euros (46 million dollars) or more in aid for Myanmar if authorities give greater access to relief teams, a senior EU official said Thursday.

EU opens new Chinese anti-dumping probe — 08 May 2008, 19:30 CET

The European Commission opened on Thursday a new anti-dumping probe against Chinese imports on concerns that China's manufacturers were selling unfairly at below cost.

Lithuania and Poland join forces on EU-Russia negotiations — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

Lithuania and Poland have agreed to coordinate their strategies on whether to agree further European talks on an EU-Russia partnership pact, Lithuania's government information bureau said Thursday.

Top inventors honoured at European Inventor of the Year — 08 May 2008, 17:02 CET

Medical technologies dominated the field at the European Inventor of the Year Awards, which were handed out at a ceremony in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 6 May. The inventors of a pioneering antiviral therapy, a new eye-scanning system and a robot surgery process were all honoured for their work, as was the team responsible for making car frames both lighter and safer.

Third body of illegal immigrant found floating off Malta: army — 08 May 2008, 23:24 CET

A third body of an illegal immigrant was found floating off the coast of Malta Thursday, sparking fears a possible larger tragedy may have unfolded.

100-million-euro investment club was scam: Finnish police — 08 May 2008, 18:48 CET

An investment club in Finland that drew investments of some 100 million euros (154 million dollars) from around 10,000 people was a scam, police said on Thursday.

EU ministers to visit Georgia to ease tensions with Moscow — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Sweden Poland and Lithuania plan to visit Georgia on Monday in an effort to try to cool tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow.

Euro-MPs back tighter rules on lobbyists — 08 May 2008, 22:46 CET

The European Parliament voted on Thursday in favour of tightening rules regulating the 15,000 lobbyists that gravitate around the EU institutions.

Consumers ripped off by misleading online airline tickets, says EU — 08 May 2008, 15:04 CET

Consumers are getting ripped off by misleading information for airline tickets sold online, the EU's top consumer protection official said on Thursday, promising a crackdown if the industry fails to clean up its act.

Spain to extend period illegal immigrants can he held in custody — 08 May 2008, 15:30 CET

Spain plans to extend the period under which illegal immigrants can be held in custody from the current 40 days, Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said Thursday.

Lithuania, Latvia ratify EU's Lisbon treaty — 08 May 2008, 13:25 CET

The former Soviet states of Lithuania and Latvia on Thursday ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which aims to reforming decision making in the 27-nation bloc.

Vienna and Bratislava present joint candidature for EIT headquarters — 08 May 2008, 18:44 CET

Austria and Slovakia have joined forces in the race for hosting the headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). At a press conference on 6 May, government representatives and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from Austria and Slovakia presented their joint concept for 'twin city headquarters' in their neighbouring capitals, Vienna and Bratislava.

Serbia's fragile economy at stake in weekend polls — 08 May 2008, 10:11 CET

Serbia's fragile economy could pay the price if nationalists win Sunday's general elections, depriving it of the benefits of European Union rapprochement, analysts warn.

Free speech reform comes into force in Turkey — 08 May 2008, 10:10 CET

A long-awaited law aimed at expanding freedom of speech came into force in Turkey on Thursday after presidential approval.

EU still far from agreeing biofuel standards — 07 May 2008, 22:41 CET

The European Union remains far from agreeing on how to tighten its rules for using biofuels, amid growing opposition towards such forms of energy.

EU researchers to assess rates of asthma among Olympic athletes — 08 May 2008, 17:07 CET

Sporting enthusiasts are not the only people who will be following the performance of athletes at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Scientists from the EU-funded GA2LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma European Network) project will also be keeping a watchful eye over the Games' proceedings to assess the prevalence of asthma and other allergies among Europe's top athletes.

EU says deficit action against Italy, Portugal should be dropped — 07 May 2008, 19:27 CET

The European Commission said on Wednesday that disciplinary deficit action should be lifted against Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, judging they have sufficiently improved their finances.

EU to raise Georgian conflict at summit with Russia — 07 May 2008, 22:37 CET

The European Union will discuss easing tensions between Russia and Georgia at an upcoming summit in Siberia, the EU's Slovenian presidency said Wednesday.