EUbusiness Week 603 top stories: EU finance tax could raise EUR 30-35 bn; Romanian ministers, lawmakers must set anti-graft example; LatAm, Europe back free trade, eye strategic alliance; Graphene, ‘Human Brain Project’ get EUR 2bn funds; EU stops short of insecticide ban; Calls to modernise EU anti-drugs strategy
This Week’s Top Stories
1. EU finance tax could raise EUR 30-35 bn
2. Romanian ministers, lawmakers must set anti-graft example
3. LatAm, Europe back free trade, eye strategic alliance
4. Graphene, ‘Human Brain Project’ get EUR 2bn funds
5. EU stops short of insecticide ban
6. Calls to modernise EU anti-drugs strategy
Publisher’s Note
People are increasingly concerned about ethics and lobbying in European Union policy-making. According to a new poll, what they want is better regulation of lobbyists, and increased transparency of the EU. The Friends of the Earth poll comes at the start of the European Year of Citizens, whcih aims to better engage citizens in EU decision-making.
A particular concern of respondents was that lobbyists who represent the business sector have too much influence on EU decisions. The poll should act as a wake-up call for the EU’s leaders. As Natacha Cingotti from FoE Europe puts it: “Citizens are clearly asking for compulsory regulation for lobbying. The Parliament should insist that this happens by making the Transparency Register mandatory”.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUBUSINESS WEEK AHEAD – FREE TRIAL Our sister newswire alerts you to the key developments in the European Union during the week ahead – from the EU institutions, as well as EU-related conferences and events. Sign up for a free trial at |
1. EU finance tax could raise EUR 30-35 bn
The controversial financial transactions tax to be levied by 11 eurozone nations could raise between 30 and 35 billion euros per year, an EU source said on Wednesday, confirming a report in the Financial Times.
More …
2. Romanian ministers, lawmakers must set anti-graft example
Romanian government ministers and elected MPs should stop clouding democratic processes with judicial probes where the whiff of corruption remains, says the Commission said in its latest report on harmonisation with western European norms.
More …
3. LatAm, Europe back free trade, eye strategic alliance
European and Latin American leaders have pledged to shun protectionism and boost their strategic partnership to foster free trade and sustainable development based on close international cooperation.
More …
4. Graphene, ‘Human Brain Project’ get EUR 2bn funds
Research into the wonder material graphene and the neurochemistry of the human brain will receive up to two billion euros in funding, the biggest research award of its kind in history, says the Commission.
More …
5. EU stops short of insecticide ban
The Commission is to draw up “stringent” measures to protect bees from dangers attributed to certain pesticides, but has pulled back from an anticipated ban.
More …
6. Calls to modernise EU anti-drugs strategy
Governments need to update their approach to choking mainstream supply routes for the distribution of hard drugs, but not leap into any formal de-criminalisation of cannabis sale, EU and law enforcement agencies said Thursday with the release of an annual report on drug-market trends.
More …
EUROPEAN LAW
Ryanair: the European Court of Justice on Thursday ordered the Irish airline Ryanair to compensate passengers whose travel plans were thrown into chaos by the 2010 eruption of an Icelandic volcano.
More …
Iceland didn’t need to repay Dutch, UK savers: EFTA court
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
More …
Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Syria: foreign ministers discussed Thursday whether to lift an arms embargo on Syria, in order help the opposition, and they are expected to take a decision in mid-February.
More …
British politicians to launch pro-Europe group
Cyprus says Eurogroup mulling Russian bailout input
Council …
Commission Watch
Strike: Unions representing EU civil servants have called for a strike to be staged next week in the run-up to a summit of national leaders on the Union’s spending plans.
More …
EU to pledge extra EUR 100 m in aid for Syria
EU gives Afghanistan EUR 185m for health, farming
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Growth: EP president Martin Schulz called Monday for the EU to pass a pro-growth budget to save the poor from the “catastrophic” inequalities generated by the economic crisis.
More …
In committee this week, MEPs welcomed the Railway package proposals, designed to complete the Single European Railway market, open up domestic passenger traffic to more competition and ensure full interoperability on a truly European network.
More …
EU diary
4-7 Feb, European Parliament plenary session
7-8 Feb, European Council
12 Feb, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
15 Feb, Education, Youth, Culture & Sport Council
18 Feb, Foreign Affairs Council
18-19 Feb, Competitiveness Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary
RESOURCES
EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms
Other news on EUbusiness this week
EU studies Google’s bid to avoid anti-trust fine 1-Feb
Eurozone inflation nears ECB target, jobless steady 1-Feb
Furore in Poland over EU freeze on road funds 31-Jan
Grey economy shrinks in Bulgaria, report shows 31-Jan
EU ‘better than North America’ for China firms 31-Jan
EU officially blocks abortive UPS-TNT takeover 30-Jan
