Czechs set out presidency priorities - EUbusiness Week no 427

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 427
9 January 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. EU announces breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine gas dispute
2. European economic confidence hits record low
3. Slovakia becomes 16th eurozone member
4. SKorea reports progress in free trade talks with EU
5. Icelanders want talks on EU membership: poll
6. Vilnius, a 2009 European capital of culture

Publisher's Note
================
The 3 E's is how Czech PM Mirek Topolanek describes his
country's priorities for its six-month as EU president:
Economy, Energy and External Relations.

On the economy, he targets improving the confidence of
Europe's small and medium-sized enterprises in the market
economy, as well as reform of the EU Budget and the Common
Agriculture Policy. On energy policy, his challenge is to
balance the demands of the environment with the preservation
of competitiveness and energy security in Europe. Finally,
he promises to place an emphasis on Euro-Atlantic relations,
which the Czech Republic considers "fundamental for our
security and economic cooperation". No great surprises, but
we wish the Czechs - and our readers - a successful New Year.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/czech-presidency.02

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU announces breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine gas dispute
----------------------------------------------------------
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday
on the terms for the deployment of gas monitors in
Ukraine, paving the way for an end to the Europe-wide
energy crisis, the EU presidency said.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231457522.96
Russia gas crisis highlights EU dependency
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231242421.09
Who is to blame for European gas cuts?
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231338728.15

2. European economic confidence hits record low
-----------------------------------------------
European consumer and business confidence retreated more
quickly than expected in December, plunging to the lowest
level in at least 23 years in the face of recession.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231409831.27
EU data confirms eurozone's first recession
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231409822.27

3. Slovakia becomes 16th eurozone member
----------------------------------------
Slovakia adopted the euro as of 1 January to become the 16th
member of the eurozone, exactly ten years after the single
European currency was introduced.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1230771721.29

4. SKorea reports progress in free trade talks with EU
-------------------------------------------------------
South Korea on Wednesday reported progress in efforts to
forge a free trade agreement with the EU and expressed
hopes of clinching a deal early.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231312623.48

5. Icelanders want talks on EU membership: poll
-----------------------------------------------
A large majority of Icelanders want their crisis-hit country
to launch talks on joining the European Union, a poll shows.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231004822.8

6. Vilnius, a 2009 European capital of culture
-----------------------------------------------
Lithuania's capital Vilnius rang in 2009 as a European
Capital of Culture, sharing the title this year with the
Austrian city of Linz, with plans for 12 months of
concerts, art and multi-media events.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231048021.81

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

Council Watch
-------------
Presidency: Czech leaders agreed Monday to a division of
labour during Prague's EU presidency, notably over who
should host which summits.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231192922.04
Liberal Czech right-winger Topolanek takes EU chair
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1230607037.48
Ireland counts on Czechs to pave way for new EU vote
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1230742923.12
Energy ministers to hold emergency talks Monday
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231427822.81
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Gas crisis: Russia should not be allowed to use gas as a
political weapon against other countries, says Finance
Commissioner Joaquin Almunia.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231426921.35
Outlook for EU 'rather bleak' this year: Almunia
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231434121.09
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Parliament's political groups devoted most of the week to
preparing for next week's plenary session in Strasbourg.
Main items on the agenda include a debate with Czech Prime
Minister Topolanek on the priorities of the Czech
presidency, legislation to reduce the dangers of pesticides
used in Europe, a series of measures on aviation issues and
a debate to mark ten years of Economic and Monetary Union.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
7-10 Jan, General Affairs Council informal
12-15 Jan, EP plenary session
15-16 Jan, Justice and Home Affairs Council informal
19 Jan, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
20 Jan, Economic and Financial Affairs Council

The Week Ahead: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/EUcalendar
Long-term diary: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/eu-diary

EUbusiness Community
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Policy Forum
------------
FARE welcomes Court's decision in Charleroi case
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/fare-press.08-12-18

Concern about burdensome working time directive: ESBA
http://www.eubusiness.com/Employment/esba-press.08-12-18

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Briefing
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Safer navigation on European inland waterways certificate
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Events
------
26 Jan, London: Telecoms Business Services
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/iir/business09

29 Jan, Brussels: Sleep symposium
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/sleep-symposium.08
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

Jobs
----
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http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/ecb-job.09-01-06

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http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/ecri-job.08-12-14
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

Links
-----
Czech 2009 EU presidency calendar
http://www.eubusiness.com/events/eu-diary
More links: http://www.eubusiness.com/links

Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
European countries adapt to Russian gas cuts 8-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231441341.28
EU state aid probe into planned Polish Dell factory 8-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231445821.64
Slovakia must press ahead with reforms: ECB chief 8-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231450322.07
EU regulators raid smart card chip producers 7-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231320721.59
Berlin agrees on new EUR 50bn economic boost 5-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231187521.96
Spain ends restrictions on Bulgarian/Romanian workers 1-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1230823921.8
EU warns Azerbaijan over BBC, Voice of America ban 31-Dec
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1230718621.59

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