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Business news and information from the European Union

European Commission authorises acquisition of Vedici by the 3i investment group — 22 May 2010, 17:36 CET

The European Commission has cleared, under the EU Mergers Regulation, the proposed acquisition of the French Vedici group of healthcare facilities by the British investment group 3i.

Euro-MPs call for closer ties between universities and industry — 20 May 2010, 23:22 CET

Links between business and the academic world need to be strengthened but higher education institutions must retain their autonomy and public support, says a resolution adopted on Thursday by the European Parliament.

European Commission approves restructuring of Belgian insurance company Ethias — 20 May 2010, 23:19 CET

The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a €1.5 billion recapitalisation provided by Belgium in the context of the restructuring of Ethias, a Belgian insurer that ran into severe difficulties in 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis.

EU moves to strengthen maritime policy — 20 May 2010, 23:19 CET

EU Council of Ministers in June will create a financial instrument to develop a comprehensive maritime policy and will promote the inclusion of a maritime aspect in EU security and defence policies, said on Thursday the Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, Diego Lopez Garrido.

EU Attorneys General want to unify criteria to combat cross-border crime — 20 May 2010, 23:17 CET

EU attorneys general are considering the creation of a consultative forum which would enable them to unify criteria and advance towards a common European justice system to combat cross-border crime.

New energy labels for EU household appliances — 20 May 2010, 13:04 CET

Labels on household appliances such as fridges, washing machines and ovens will have to include more information on energy consumption, following a vote by MEPs on Wednesday.

Parliament proposes standard maternity leave rights for self-employed women — 18 May 2010, 18:11 CET

EU Member States should grant standard social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity leave allowance, for self-employed women and for wives or life partners of self-employed workers, says the European Parliament in a binding proposal to update an EU directive.

EU sets higher energy-saving standards for buildings built after 2020 — 18 May 2010, 18:10 CET

On Tuesday, MEPs approved the EU's new energy efficiency legislation for buildings, which will help consumers cut their energy bills and the EU as a whole to hit its climate change target of using 20% less energy in ten years' time.

EU charts path to sustainable fishing in 2011 — 18 May 2010, 00:35 CET

The European Commission wants to haul EU fishing limits back to sustainable levels in 2011, in line with recommendations made by science experts.

Commission approves acquisition of NWR Energy by Dalkia Česká republika — 17 May 2010, 23:51 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of NWR Energy by Dalkia Česká republika, two Czech companies active in the energy sector.

Spain tests new border control system for EU — 14 May 2010, 23:25 CET

Spain set up a pilot project on Thursday that will help travellers move faster through border crossing points within the European Union, through the use of an automated identification and document verification system, overseen by police officers.

Parliament seeks equal treatment for self-employed — 14 May 2010, 23:23 CET

Euro-MPs want to promote female entrepreneurship and are proposing new rules to bridge the gender gap for self-employed workers and their partners and to ensure everyone has social protection.

EC report looks to relaunch single market — 13 May 2010, 22:46 CET

A Commission-sponsored report has called for a replacement for the Lisbon strategy which, according to EP president Jerzy Buzek, has not been a success.

State aid: Commission to investigate EUR 20 million capital injections into Elan of Slovenia — 12 May 2010, 22:47 CET

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation under EU State aid rules into capital injections destined to two subsidiaries of state owned company Elan Skupina in Slovenia.

EU clears Swedish restructuring aid for Carnegie Investment Bank — 12 May 2010, 22:43 CET

The European Commission has granted final clearance under the EU state aid rules to the Swedish aid for the restructuring of Carnegie Investment Bank.

Commission approves tax exemptions for Finnish Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 12 May 2010, 22:42 CET

The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules the introduction of "Real Estate Investment Trusts" (REITs) in Finland that will be exempted from corporate income tax in order to encourage investment in affordable rental housing.

EU restricts imports of plants from China — 11 May 2010, 17:39 CET

The European Union has decided to impose stricter measures for the import from China of plants hosting the harmful citrus long horn beetle, an insect that is not native to Europe and can attack a wide range of plants.

EU ministers adopt rules to prevent injuries to healthcare workers — 11 May 2010, 17:39 CET

At a meeting of the EU Council of Education, Youth and Culture today, Ministers adopted a directive aimed at achieving the safest possible working environment for healthcare workers through prevention from injuries.

EU steers its way towards intelligent transport systems — 10 May 2010, 21:44 CET

A coherent EU-wide framework for interoperable transport systems is the aim of a proposal adopted by EU transport ministers today. Following negotiations with the European Parliament, the European Council today approved a proposal for a directive on the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in the field of road transport.

EU greenlights Otto's acquisition of various Quelle assets — 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by the German Otto Group of certain assets of the Swiss home-shopping companies Quelle Versand AG i.L. (in liquidation) and Spengler Versand AG.

EU approves acquisition of 50Hertz by Elia and Industry Funds Management — 10 May 2010, 21:22 CET

The European Commission has authorised under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over the German transmission system operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH by Elia System Operator SA/NV of Belgium and Industry Funds Management Pty Ltd (IFM) of Australia.

EU to revise competition rules for motor vehicle distribution and repair — 07 May 2010, 21:37 CET

On May 26, the European Commission is due to adopt new competition rules for agreements between vehicle manufacturers and their authorised dealers, repairers and spare parts distributors.

Euro-MPs urge standard chargers for electric cars — 07 May 2010, 14:03 CET

Standard chargers for electric cars would be a major step towards a single European electric vehicle market, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday.

Harmonised EU rules to foster high-speed wireless Internet — 07 May 2010, 14:02 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Decision establishing harmonised technical rules for Member States on the allocation of radio frequencies in the 800 MHz band that contribute to the deployment of high-speed wireless internet services by avoiding harmful interference.

Commission to ease bottlenecks to financing of smaller businesses — 07 May 2010, 08:47 CET

To address the difficult financing situation of SMEs, EU Commissioners proposed today to upgrade the SME Finance Forum into a high-level dialogue between financial institutions and SMEs. The SME Finance Forum 2010, being held in Brussels today, focuses on new strategies for improving access to finance for SMEs.