EUbusiness Week 658 top stories: New EU sanctions target Russia army, intelligence chiefs; Switzerland gives jobs access to Croatia to end EU dispute; Eurotunnel cuts freight charges, EU sees boost to traffic; EU wants to standardise migrant health screening; EU firms help power China’s military rise; India irked by EU mango ban
Publisher’s Note
1 May was a day to reflect on how important the EU’s largest expansion, the accession of ten new Member States in 2004, has been to the European Union. Enlargement brought an end to the cold war and a new stability to Europe after years of artificial division. It also brought the Union increased clout on the global stage, a boost to growth and living standards and providing new export and investment opportunities.
Even in difficult times, enlargement is not over. Another 7-8 countries are knocking on the Union door – because, says EC president Barroso, united we are in a better position not only to defend our interests but to promote our values.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
1. New EU sanctions target Russia army, intelligence chiefs
Russia’s armed forces chief of staff and its military intelligence chief were among 15 people listed Tuesday as targeted by the EU’s latest sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.
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Russia files WTO case over EU energy rules
Slovakia, Ukraine ink reverse gas flow deal
2. Switzerland gives jobs access to Croatia to end EU dispute
Switzerland said Wednesday it would give Croatians access to its labour market, as it struggles to resolve a dispute with the European Union over new immigration restrictions.
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Moldova wins visa-free EU travel
3. Eurotunnel cuts freight charges, EU sees boost to traffic
Eurotunnel, which operates trains through the Channel tunnel, announced on Monday price cuts for freight, in a move welcomed by the Commission which had begun legal action to lower charges and increase traffic.
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The EU says it will promote common guidelines across the bloc for the health screening of incoming migrants and refugees.
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5. EU firms help power China’s military rise
As China boosts its military spending, rattling neighbours over territorial disputes at sea, an AFP investigation shows that European countries have approved billions in transfers of weapons and military-ready technology to the Asian giant.
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6. India irked by EU mango ban
India’s leading export promotion agency criticised a European ban on mango imports as unjustified on Tuesday and appealed to Brussels to overturn its decision.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Financial sector tax: Britain’s campaign against a proposed EU tax on financial transactions suffered a blow after the EU’s top court ruled its suit against the levy was premature.
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Top Bulgarian judges charged with EU funds embezzlement
EU anti-fraud chief sees need for Europe-wide prosecutor
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called during a visit to Germany for swift progress in talks with the European Union to nail a free-trade pact.
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EU mulls sanctions on Putin’s ‘inner circle’
Moldova wants to join EU in 2019
Euro-sceptic UK could force Scotland out of EU: Salmond
Council …
Commission Watch
President: four of the top candidates to head the Commission traded barbs Monday over how best to counter growing eurosceptic sentiment and make the European Union relevant to ordinary people.
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First EU-Cuba talks on normalizing ties ‘fruitful’
Putin aims for ‘full control’ of Ukraine: Barroso
NGO slams EU over ethical, transparency standards
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Parliament Watch
Far-right: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused Nigel Farage of double standards Tuesday over the British eurosceptic leader’s refusal to ally with her National Front party in the European Parliament.
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Few jobs, many migrants. So where is Spain’s far right?
Ex-TV journalist steals Greek political limelight
Also this week, a survey commissioned by the EP found that 70 per cent of young people thought that EU membership represented an advantage in a globalised world.
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EU diary
5 May, Commission publishes Spring European Economic Forecast
6 May, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
7 May, Workshop on Unfair Commercial Practices in relation to green claims
8 May, Foreign Affairs Council
9 May, European Youth Event EYE2014
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
Portugal says to make clean exit from bailout programme 1-May
New Greek 3-year fiscal plan forecasts rapid recovery 30-Apr
April inflation fails to dispel deflation concerns 30-Apr
Polish countryside sheds cliches over decade in EU 29-Apr
EU accepts Samsung offer on patents, raps Motorola 29-Apr
