Climate change stays high on EU agenda - EUbusiness Week no 439

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 439
3 April 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. 'Exempt independent truckers' from EU work-hour rules
2. EU drops action after Mastercard cuts charges
3. Brussels seeks to protect Internet users from profilers
4. Mobile phone calls on planes: slow take off in Europe
5. Most European countries back seal products embargo
6. Greeks head EU smoking survey

Publisher's Note
================
Europe's insurers joined environmentalists this week in
welcoming a Commission White Paper which sets out a
framework for reducing the EU's vulnerability to the
impact of climate change.

Faced with increasing losses resulting from weather-related
disasters, the European insurance and reinsurance federation
(CEA) supports the report's goal of a more innovative and
competitive European economy as well as the promotion of
public-private partnerships to ensure effective adaptation.

With warnings of more regular flooding, more frequent
droughts and more stress on infrastructure and ecosystems,
it is clear that climate change needs to remain high on
the European agenda - the economic crisis notwithstanding.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238600822.64

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. 'Exempt independent truckers' from EU work-hour rules
--------------------------------------------------------
Most EU transport ministers on Monday opposed plans to
impose working-hour limits on self-employed truckers,
despite union calls to ban their punishing schedules
for safety reasons.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238437021.62

2. EU drops action after Mastercard cuts charges
------------------------------------------------
The Commission is dropping its antitrust case against
MasterCard Europe after the group lowered fees on
cross-border payments.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238584622.89

3. Brussels seeks to protect Internet users from profilers
----------------------------------------------------------
The Commission is warning search engines and social network
sites like Google and Facebook to better protect their
customers' personal information or face stricter
legislation.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238518021.33

4. Mobile phone calls on planes: slow take off in Europe
--------------------------------------------------------
A year after they were authorised, the use of mobile phones
aboard planes remains very limited in Europe, with only 27
planes equipped to allow them.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238680022.83

5. Most European countries back seal products embargo
-----------------------------------------------------
Most European countries favour a total ban on importing
seal-related products, diplomatic sources say ahead of a
key Euro-Parliament vote on the issue next month.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238285821.67

6. Greeks head EU smoking survey
--------------------------------
Three out of ten Europeans aged 16 or more admit to being
smokers, according to a study published by the Commission,
with Greece heading the list.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238427122.3

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

Council Watch
-------------
Czech cabinet: the Czech centre-right governing coalition
has agreed that a new government will replace it during the
country's EU presidency.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238573821.08
Who speaks to Obama at EU-US summit? Czechs unsure
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238693522.48
France and Spain urge relaunch of Mediterranean Union
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238523421.65
Icelandic parties clarify EU positions ahead of snap polls
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238433421.26
Delayed EU-China summit set for May 20
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238178729.59
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Golden parachutes: the Commission on Monday defended its
golden parachute system for former commissioners, under
which they can get up to 65 per cent of their salary for
three years after leaving their post.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238418122.23
EU urges Turkey to focus on reforms
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238516223.12
EU suffering 'assistance fatigue', Barroso warns Bulgaria
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238524321.42
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Aid: world leaders must not use the current economic crisis
as a pretext to cut back on aid to the world's poorest,
former US President Bill Clinton told Parliament Thursday.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238689021.21
Europe Greens unveil EU 'new deal' plan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238267823.46

This week, Parliament backed a new anti-discrimination
directive; called for mobile phone masts to be set at a
specific distance from schools and health institutions;
urged European education systems to face up to challenges
and opportunities posed by migration and mobility; and
voted to postpone a vote on a resolution on the Arctic
International Treaty.
Texts: http://www.eubusiness.com/Institutions/oeil
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
3-4 Apr, Informal Meeting of Finance Ministers
5 Apr, EU - USA Summit
6-7 Apr, Justice and Home Affairs Council
14-15 Apr, Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers
21-24 Apr, EP Plenary Session

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

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

Policy Forum
------------
New energy labels to leave consumers in the dark
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/eeb-press.09-04-01

MasterCard deal sells out retailers and consumers
http://www.eubusiness.com/Consumer/eurocommerce.02

EP self employment and equal opportunities vote leaves
SMEs with mixed feelings
http://www.eubusiness.com/SMEs/ueapme.09-04-01
More press: http://www.eubusiness.com/press

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Briefing
--------
Protecting Europe from cyber-attacks and disruptions
http://www.eubusiness.com/Internet/critical-information.01

EUR 1bn "Food Facility" for developing countries
http://www.eubusiness.com/Food/food-facility.01

The EU Birds Directive
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/birds-directive
More briefings: http://www.eubusiness.com/guides

Events
------
24 Apr, Vienna: privatisation and public services
http://www.eubusiness.com/Employment/pique.09

11 May, Amsterdam: Telecoms Business Process Management
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/iir/
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

Jobs
----
Wim Duisenberg Research Fellowship Programme, ECB
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/ecb-job.09-04-01

Advisor part-time, European Trade Union Confederation
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/etuc-job.09-04-01
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

Links
-----
Competitiveness divergence within the euro area: report
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/qrea-0309

Discrimination against Lesbians and Gays in the EU: report
http://www.eubusiness.com/Living_in_EU/lesbians-gays-eu.09
More links: http://www.eubusiness.com/links

Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
Latvia IMF loan delayed: report 2-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238688122.05
South Korea, EU fail to reach free-trade deal 2-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238680030.75
European farm wages down 3.5 per cent last year 2-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238669221.76
Economic crisis cut EU's CO2 emissions in 2008 2-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238663822.76
Macedonia to elect president in vote key for EU hopes 2-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238657522.22
Eurozone unemployment rises to 8.5 pct 1-Apr
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238577421.31
TEN-T calls for proposals published 31-Mar
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/ten-t-tender.02
EU raids North Sea shrimp companies in cartel probe 31-Mar
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1238513521.12

Market Research: http://www.eubusiness.com/market-research
Companies: http://www.eubusiness.com/europages
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Newswire online: http://www.eubusiness.com/Newswire

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