EUbusiness Week 602 top stories: British PM reaches out to Europe at Davos; Europe’s ‘milestone’ financial tax wins approval; EU freezes approval of GM crops to 2014; EC urges quick decision on freeze in pollution credits; Airlines turn profit from EU freeze on carbon tax; Slovakia’s steel hub Kosice dusts off its creative side
This Week’s Top Stories
1. British PM reaches out to Europe at Davos
2. Europe’s ‘milestone’ financial tax wins approval
3. EU freezes approval of GM crops to 2014
4. EC urges quick decision on freeze in pollution credits
5. Airlines turn profit from EU freeze on carbon tax
6. Slovakia’s steel hub Kosice dusts off its creative side
Publisher’s Note
New burdens on SMEs are not welcome. MEPs scrutinising the “roadworthiness package” this week warned that the measures to toughen up Europe’s car testing regime were more popular with manufacturers than with users. Then tobacconists from across Europe marched on EU headquarters, protesting that a planned EU crackdown on smoking with new health warnings would harm small retailers and increase cigarette smuggling. Their message seems clear: the EU needs a watertight case if it wants to increase the burden of red tape on smaller businesses in a time of recession and economic difficulty.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. British PM reaches out to Europe at Davos
British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Thursday he was not turning his back on Europe as he came face to face with world leaders for the first time since unveiling plans for an EU referendum.
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Business titans split over British referendum
2. Europe’s ‘milestone’ financial tax wins approval
Finance ministers on Tuesday gave 11 nations a final go-ahead to launch the controversial financial transactions tax seen by many as a way of making the finance sector pay for the economic crisis.
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3. EU freezes approval of GM crops to 2014
The Commission has decided to freeze the approval process for genetically modified food crops through the end of its mandate next year while it works towards an agreement with Member States.
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4. EC urges quick decision on freeze in pollution credits
The Commission has urged a quick decision on a freeze of 900 million tonnes of pollution credits auctioned to firms in 2013-2015 in order to raise the price of carbon and make investment in clean technology worthwhile.
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5. Airlines turn profit from EU freeze on carbon tax
Airlines made up to half a billion euros in windfall profits last year by passing on a carbon surcharge to travellers despite an EU decision to freeze its controversial carbon tax, say environmentalists.
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6. Slovakia’s steel hub Kosice dusts off its creative side
Known mainly for its steelworks, the gritty industrial hub of Kosice in east Slovakia is hard at work reforging itself as a centre of creativity and the arts as it enters 2013 with the tag “European Capital of Culture”.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Bud beer: brewer Anheuser-Busch, which owns the Budweiser brand of beer, has won a long legal battle against the Czech company Budejovicky Budvar over who owns the trademark “Bud” in Europe.
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Romanian lawmakers vote to give themselves more immunity
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
New Eurogroup head: Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker marked his exit from the Eurogroup chair on Monday with his Dutch successor-in-waiting hailing new-found “trust” in the euro on financial markets.
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Juncker: defender of the euro
Brazil, EU urge quick approval of free trade pact
Latin America eyes strategic alliance with Europe
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Commission Watch
Cameron: the Commission has welcomed the UK prime minister’s declared willingness that Britain remain within the Union, albeit after renegotiating the terms of its membership.
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EU ready to look at Serbia accession talks
EU gives Mali extra EUR 20m
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Parliament Watch
Britain: the EU needs Britain to remain “a fully fledged member” of the bloc, Parliament president Martin Schulz said on Wednesday.
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In committee this week, Internal Market MEPs said public authorities choosing suppliers of water, energy, postal or transport services must be free to take account of social or environmental needs; and that professionals will find it easier to work in another EU country thanks to an electronic card detailing their qualifications and experience; while the Agriculture Committee adopted plans for a modern and flexible EU farm policy.
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EU diary
28-29 Jan, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
31 Jan, Foreign Affairs Council
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
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 logs big trade surplus: official data 24-Jan
EU carbon-tax plan just a ‘patch’: French economist 23-Jan
Czechs mull appeal on EU ‘Bud’ ruling 23-Jan
EU slaps EUR 79m fine on Telefonica, Port. Telecom 23-Jan
Greece says it beats public deficit target 22-Jan
European banks optimistic on outlook, study shows 21-Jan
Broke Cyprus could be energy trump card: analysts 20-Jan
