Germany sets out EU plans - EUbusiness Week no 340

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 340
19 January 2007
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. Parliament backs cross-border rail competition
2. EU holds firm on China arms embargo
3. Court advisor backs Britain against EU safety claims
4. Commission to upgrade growth forecasts
5. Bulgarian villagers protest EU-imposed tax on brandy
6. EU replaces import ban on live birds with strict rules

Publisher's Note
================
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel made an impressive start
to her country's presidency at the European Parliament this
week, where she laid out her plans for the next six months.
These include a fresh impetus for the Doha Round of trade
talks, a new partnership agreement with Russia, and a
redefinition of the EU's relations with Africa. The main
spotlight, however, was on the EU constitution. Chancellor
Merkel warned of a historic mistake if an effective decision-
making mechanism were not agreed by early 2009.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/merkel-ep.1

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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Parliament backs cross-border rail competition
-------------------------------------------------
The European Parliament has backed plans to open up cross-
border rail markets but the competition drive was dealt a
blow when a vote on freeing up national markets failed due
to a lack of MEPs.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/eu-rail.17

2. EU holds firm on China arms embargo
--------------------------------------
The European Union has insisted its arms embargo against
China will remain, despite the two sides agreeing to expand
their strategic partnership.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Trade/china-arms-embargo.87

3. Court advisor backs Britain against EU safety claims
-------------------------------------------------------
The European Court of Justice's top adviser has urged that a
European Commission charge against Britain over its health
and safety rules be dismissed.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Employment/eu-health-safety-uk.45

4. Commission to upgrade growth forecasts
-----------------------------------------
Commissioner Joaquin Almunia has suggested that expansion in
the eurozone economy this year could be far higher than
forecast because of unexpectedly strong growth in Germany.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/eu-growth-forecasts.92

5. Bulgarian villagers protest EU-imposed tax on brandy
-------------------------------------------------------
An EU-imposed excise tax on the production of traditional
brandy sparked protests in Bulgaria this week with villagers
deserting licensed distilleries and vowing to prepare their
'rakia' in clandestine basement facilities.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Bulgaria/bulgaria-brandy.53

6. EU replaces import ban on live birds with strict rules
---------------------------------------------------------
The European Union has lifted its ban on live birds entering
the bloc and laid down strict conditions for their import.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Food/1168534804.35

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Inside the EU Institutions
==========================

Council Watch
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ECB: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the
independence of the European Central Bank against euro
critics and called for closer ties with the United States.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1168707608.75
Poland opposes German efforts to revive constitution
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1169128802.08
EU support for greater police DNA data sharing
http://www.eubusiness.com/Living_in_EU/dna-sharing.2 http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Commissioners: two EC vice-presidents have spoken out in
favour of each member state having a seat in the bloc's
executive body.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/commissioners.7
Commissioner urges bloc to help stem immigration influx
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1168808401.42
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Road safety: Parliament on Thursday called for the
introduction of a zero alcohol rule for new and professional
drivers on the EU's roads.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/road-safety-eu.35
EP elects German conservative as president
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/eu-parliament.7
Far-right strengthens foothold in Parliament
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/1168873202.2
Bulgarian, Romanian MEPs take places in expanded EP
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/ep-new-members.62
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
18-28 Jan, International Green Week
22-23 Jan, Gen'l Affairs & Ext'l Relations. Brussels
29-31 Jan, European Renewable Energy Conference, Brussels
29 Jan, Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels
The Week Ahead: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/EUcalendar
Long-term diary: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/eu-diary

Community
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Events
------
7 Feb, Brussels: European Mobility Week
http://www.eubusiness.com/Social/european-mobility-week
14 Feb, Lyon: Renewable Energy Exhibition and ecobatir
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/renewable-energy-ecobatir
5 Mar, Berlin: International Annual Symposium 2007 EU-Funds
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/eu-funds-symposium
Events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

Other stories on EUbusiness this week
-------------------------------------
EU clinches deal on herring stocks in NE Atlantic 18-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Fisheries/herring-stocks.16
Eurozone inflation stable in December at 1.9 pct 18-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Factsfig/eurozone-inflation.93
EU bio-fuel demand 'threatens Indonesian forests' 18-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/eu-biofuel.38
ESA chief says Galileo test problems are being fixed 18-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Telecoms/galileo-esa.67
Gazprom warns on liberalising EU market 17-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1169038802.46
Court lifts injunction, way clear for E.ON Endesa buy 16-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news_live/1168963222.97
Portugal to use bulk of EU aid to improve education 16-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Education/portugal-education.44
Eurozone industrial output weaker than expected 16-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Factsfig/industrial-output.6
EU sigh of relief over Belarus-Russia energy accord 15-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/1168714809.58
EU unveils vast energy plan 10-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/eu-energy-plan.55

Internet Monitor
================
Public pension expenditure - projection results
http://www.eubusiness.com/Social/eu-pensions-expenditure
Secondary trading at EU airports
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/airports-trading-eu
EU Budget 2007 figures
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/eu-budget-07

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