EUbusiness Week 608 top stories: EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision; EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs; Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal; Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice; EU cracks down on illegal timber trade; Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report
This Week’s Top Stories
1. EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision
2. EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs
3. Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal
4. Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice
5. EU cracks down on illegal timber trade
6. Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report
Publisher’s Note
The Commission this week published results of a consultation on where EU regulation is impeding jobs and growth, with around 1,000 smaller businesses and business organisations identifying their top ten most burdensome EU laws.
SMEs found particular problems with rules on the REACH chemical legislation, Value Added Tax, data protection, waste legislation, labour market legislation, public procurement and the modernised customs code.
The Commission will now evaluate the EU’s regulatory acquis for burdens, gaps and inefficiencies, and see where it thinks laws can be revised. Expectations are high, and it is due to announce follow-up actions by June.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. EU delays Bulgaria, Romania passport-free decision
The European Union has dismissed Bulgarian and Romanian calls to join Europe’s Schengen passport-free zone, delaying any vote on the issue until at least the end of this year.
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2. EU looks to hi-tech sector for jobs
Even with unemployment at record highs, there are hundreds of thousands of jobs available in information technology that governments and companies must work together to fill, the Commission said on Monday.
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3. Bank bonus cap delayed as Britain offers hope for deal
EU governments have delayed a decision to introduce controversial bank bonus caps after Britain, partly backed by Germany, sought adjustments in extra-time negotiations.
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4. Microsoft fined EUR 561m for web browser choice
The EU fined Microsoft 561 million euros Wednesday for failing to provide customers with a choice of Internet browser as promised. But it has run into criticism for allowing the US giant to monitor its own commitments.
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5. EU cracks down on illegal timber trade
The Union is cracking down on the timber trade in an effort to curb illegal logging, blamed for a host of ills from social upheaval to environmental and economic damage.
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6. Coal-fired power plants making Europeans sick: report
Emissions from coal-fired power plants in the EU contribute to over 18,000 premature deaths a year and cost an annual EUR 42.8 bn, says a report from the Health and Environment Alliance.
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EUROPEAN LAW
TV streaming: television broadcasters won a significant battle when the European Court of Justice said they can block Internet platforms from streaming their output on the web.
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EU court rejects Polish challenge to CO2 emissions system
Ukraine denies Tymoshenko ally parliament mandate
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Single market: president Herman Van Rompuy on Thursday issued a damning report card on bloc efforts to complete the single European market, in a summit invitation that appears to echo criticism made by British PM David Cameron.
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Latvia makes formal bid for eurozone entry
Six EU nations vow closer defence ties to offset crisis
Peres urges EU to brand Hezbollah terror group
Council …
Commission Watch
Myanmar: Thein Sein, on the first-ever visit to Brussels by a Myanmar president, received new pledges Tuesday of EU economic assistance coupled with calls to protect his country’s ethnic minorities.
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Croatia, Slovenia find solution over bank row
Commissioner warns over Cyprus euro exit
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Morocco: four Euro-MPs were denied entry into Morocco Wednesday by police who suspected them of supporting the independence claims of Western Sahara.
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Croatia to hold first EU vote in April
Also this week, human rights and foreign affairs MEPs discussed Bahrain with members of the country’s Council of Representatives. Political groups prepared for the next plenary session, which will feature a vote to underline Parliament’s position on the EU’s long-term budget, and a decision on a mandate to open negotiations with Member States on agriculture policy reform.
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EU diary
11-14 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
11 Mar, Foreign Affairs Council
11 Mar, Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
14-15 Mar, European Council
21 Mar, Environment Council
27-28 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
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 drops probe into telecoms over mobile standards 7-Mar
Eurozone recession deepens 6-Mar
EU, Thailand launch free trade talks 6-Mar
EU probes German electricity charge exemptions 6-Mar
EU begins tracking imports of Chinese solar products 6-Mar
Protesting Greek farmers demand lower taxes 5-Mar
