Securing Europe's energy supplies - EUbusiness Week no 428

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 428
16 January 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. EU to consider support for car sector as sales slump
2. EU threatens WTO action over US beef hormone sanctions
3. Swiss bankers warn against EU attacks on tax evasion
4. Eurozone factory output slumps fastest on record
5. EU warns Slovakia against reopening nuclear plant
6. .eu Internet domain marks three millionth address

Publisher's Note
================
The energy war between Russia and Ukraine has left many
Europeans shivering. The crisis has also highlighted Europe's
high dependency on Russian gas supplies. Planned new
pipelines to Europe could resolve some of the supply
problems, but the projects are not running smoothly.
Regardless of who is to blame, "Russia and Ukraine are
showing they are incapable of delivering on their
commitment to some Member States", says EC president Barroso.

Russia's standing as chief energy supplier to the EU is
looking shaky. Europe's gas supply is not secure, and the EU
is likely to look to North Africa and Central Asia, as well
as increased use of nuclear power, to prevent such crises in
the future.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232034422.95

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU to consider support for car sector as sales slump
-------------------------------------------------------
EU Member States were to discuss propping up the struggling
car industry on Friday, as the sector struggles with the
weakest sales in 15 years and tough credit conditions.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232044322.69

2. EU threatens WTO action over US beef hormone sanctions
---------------------------------------------------------
The Commission said on Thursday it planned to take WTO
action against a US decision to impose new tariffs on EU
products covered by sanctions in a beef hormone row.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232046136.38

3. Swiss bankers warn against EU attacks on tax evasion
-------------------------------------------------------
A Swiss private bankers group says the country is ready to
negotiate with the EU to close loopholes enabling tax
evasion but warned against attacks from negotiating partners.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232017324.11

4. Eurozone factory output slumps fastest on record
---------------------------------------------------
Factories and refineries in the eurozone countries ratcheted
down production at the fastest rate on record in November
in the face of recession.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231931821.97

5. EU warns Slovakia against reopening nuclear plant
---------=------------------------------------------
The Commission has warned Slovakia that its decision to
reactivate an old nuclear reactor runs counter to EU law
and was "not an option".
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231767122.57

6. .eu Internet domain marks three millionth address
----------------------------------------------------
The European .eu web domain has picked up its three
millionth customer since it was launched two and a half
years ago, ranking it in the global cyber top 10.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231939922.05

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

Council Watch
-------------
Schengen: EU countries have set a deadline to upgrade the
massive security database for Europe's border-free zone,
failing which the multi-million euro modifications could
be abandoned.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232051522.42
Turkey seeks to revive EU membership bid
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232022721.3
Irish foe of treaty sets up party offshoot in Poland
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231615925.13
Presidency apologises to Bulgaria over crude art
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232017336.55
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Gas crisis: Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has urged
Member States and companies to take legal action if the
flow of Russian gas to Europe does not resume quickly.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231923721.67
Brussels admits it didn't expect total Russia gas cut
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231963323.16
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Israel: Parliament has deplored the "collective punishment"
meted out by Israel in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, calling
it a violation of international humanitarian law.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232025422.56
Parliament urges EU to stop 'gay couple' discrimination
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231966922.03
British Labour MEP relaunches euro debate
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231866126.22
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
15-16 Jan, Justice and Home Affairs Council informal
19 Jan, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
20 Jan, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
22-24 Jan, Employment and Social Affairs informal
26-27 Jan, Gen'l Affairs and Ext'l Relations Council

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

EUbusiness Community
====================

Policy Forum
------------
Credit Meltdown - Get Smart Fast Or Get Paid Late
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/intrum-justitia

New EU pesticide law falls short of real progress
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/greenpeace.09-01-14

Reach Europe's decision-makers! Publish your organisation's
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Briefing
--------
The .eu Top Level Domain
http://www.eubusiness.com/Internet/.eu-guide
More briefings: http://www.eubusiness.com/guides

Events
------
27 Jan, Brussels: Growing GALILEO conference
http://www.eubusiness.com/events/growing-galileo.09

23 March, London: Revenue Management 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/iir
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

Jobs
----
Head, Strategy Group, World Health Organization
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/who-job.09-01-06

Financial Stability Expert, European Central Bank
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/ecb-job.09-01-06
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

Links
-----
Entropa: Stereotypes are Barriers to be Demolished
http://www.eubusiness.com/Culture/entropa-exhibition
More links: http://www.eubusiness.com/links

Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
France denounces US tariffs hikes on Roquefort 15-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232053333.14
Experts vote in favour of Chinese anti-dumping duties 15-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232050623.53
EU says to support milk market after price slump 15-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232037123.04
Inflation slumps to lowest level in over two years 15-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232017331.4
Swiss-based firm intrigue in Russia gas conflict 14-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231939022.45
German budget deficit to break EU rules in 2010 14-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231921022.85
State aid probe into tax break for energy group Mol 13-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231860721.8
No of seized counterfeit euro notes jumped late 2008 13-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231777022.65
EU regulator probes S and P over anti-trust concerns 13-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1231762630.77

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