EUbusiness Week 365 top stories: Europe’s leaders furious over US spying claims; EU restarts membership talks with Turkey; EU, Canada strike landmark historic free trade accord; EU agrees mandate for China investment accord talks; Commission to examine gov’t aid for UK nuclear deal; Luxembourg at crossroads over financial model
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Europe’s leaders furious over US spying claims
2. EU restarts membership talks with Turkey
3. EU, Canada strike landmark historic free trade accord
4. EU agrees mandate for China investment accord talks
5. Commission to examine gov’t aid for UK nuclear deal
6. Luxembourg at crossroads over financial model
Publisher’s Note
The Commission has brought out a proposal for a standard VAT return, aiming to cut costs for EU businesses by up to EUR 15 billion a year – slashing red tape and making tax administrations across the Union more efficient.
Businesses operating across borders have complained of the difficulties of remaining VAT compliant, with different rules for different Member States. Under this proposal there would be only one set of VAT requirements, regardless of the Member State in which they do their business.
A standard VAT return to replace national returns is welcome. As indeed is anything that reduces red tape and costs.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
1. Europe’s leaders furious over US spying claims
Europe’s leaders united behind furious Germany and France as an escalating row over claims of US snooping on its traditional allies overshadowed an EU summit.
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MEPs vote to halt US financial data-sharing
Summit latest
2. EU restarts membership talks with Turkey
The European Union agreed Tuesday to restart membership talks with Turkey next month, ending a three-year freeze despite Ankara’s crackdown on protests this year.
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Turkey rejects EU criticism of crackdown
3. EU, Canada strike landmark historic free trade accord
The EU and Canada have signed a free trade accord after four years of tough talks, saying it will boost growth and set the stage for others, including a massive EU-US deal.
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4. EU agrees mandate for China investment accord talks
Member States have agreed a negotiating mandate for talks on an investment protection accord with China, aiming to boost access for EU firms to the world’s second largest economy.
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5. Commission to examine gov’t aid for UK nuclear deal
The Commission says it will examine British government support for the massive EUR 19 billion nuclear plant to be built by French and Chinese firms.
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6. Luxembourg at crossroads over financial model
Leafy well-heeled Luxembourg, the wealthiest Member State per capita, is desperately seeking a new economic model as it prepares to shed banking secrecy.
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EUROPEAN LAW
VW anti-takeover law: the EU’s highest court ruled in Germany’s favour on Tuesday, finding that the controversial law protecting car giant VW from hostile takeovers does not breach EU competition rules.
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Romanian political advisor arrested over EUR 1.4m bribe
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Ukraine: Ukraine needs to step up reforms and find an acceptable solution to the fate of jailed former premier Yulia Tymoshenko before striking a ground-breaking deal with the EU, foreign ministers warned on Monday.
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EU pushes Central African force to urgently mobilise
Suu Kyi urges world to pressure Myanmar leaders on reform
European leaders pay last respects to former Belgian PM
Council …
Commission Watch
US spying: the Commission said Thursday the latest reports of covert US surveillance in Europe showed it is time for “a strong and united” stand on data protection.
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EU delegation in Israel to promote business ties
Ashton urges Palestinian reconciliation in talks with Abbas
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Budget 2014: Parliament voted Wednesday to boost the EU’s budget by EUR 1.3 bn next year, despite proposals by national governments for budget cuts of a billion euros.
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MEPs move to tighten controls after implant scare
Suu Kyi finally gets Sakharov rights prize
At this week’s plenary, MEPs also approved proposals to tackle organised crime, corruption and money laundering; called for a new approach to EU foreign policy based on leadership and the defence of the EU’s interests and values; and said the EU must act to prevent further migration tragedies.
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EU diary
24-25 Oct, European Council
29 Oct, The Path to Growth: Achieving excellence in business friendly public administration
5-7 Nov, Conference: European Space Solutions
6-7 Nov, European Parliament plenary session
7 Nov, Governing Council meeting of the ECB
8 Nov, Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Budget)
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
Bulgaria to review ban on land sale to foreigners 24-Oct
IMF says Greece talks ongoing despite paused review 24-Oct
For heads of state, iPhone, Blackberry can be a trap 24-Oct
Eurozone business rally falters: PMI survey 24-Oct
Russia rejects EU challenge in WTO auto row 23-Oct
After Europe, Greece wins feta cheese battle in Canada 18-Oct
