INTERVIEW STATE AID to FINANCIAL SECTOR EU/UN/CLIMATE CHANGE Hubert Mandery, Commission prolongs existing Korolec on role as Council director-general of CEFIC Page 9 scheme and clarifies rules Page 10 president in Durban Page 13 EUROPOLITIcs
The European affairs daily Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 39th year
Focus Air transport Copper network Airlines concerned about prices spark debate revision of slots rules
By Manon Malhère By Isabelle Smets As a result, slots are traded by airlines for monetary or other compensation The idea of reducing the income that large Rules for allocating slots to airlines (code sharing on the slot, for instance) operators make from leasing copper net- are going to be changed to ensure a in a number of states, especially in the works to their competitors, with a view better distribution of capacities at EU United Kingdom, but in a legal grey to stimulating investment in optical fibre airports. zone that the Commission wishes to networks, is encountering fierce opposi- The reform is sparking concern clarify. tion among large operators, represented among airlines, which fear losing The aim is for this practice to take mainly by the European association of part of their valuable slots at busy place in a perfectly transparent EU former monopolies, ETNO. The European airports like Heathrow and Gatwick. framework. Commission proposed the measure in a On 1 Decem- But this is not consultation that more generally con- ber, the Euro- The idea is to encourage what worries air- cerned the calculation of these prices pean Commis- lines. They fear by national regulators, which closed on sion will present slot mobility and thus that the Commis- 28 November. In parallel, the executive a proposal for the entry of new airlines sion may propose a recommends an increase in the prices a m e n d m e n t at airports, as forecasts system of slot auc- charged to access copper networks in of Regulation suggest that there will be a tioning that would places where operators agree to invest 95/93, which allow a much more in fibre. The idea is to make high-speed establishes slot pronounced lack of airport radical entry of new internet accessible throughout the EU by allocation rules capacity in coming years carriers. 2020. ETNO argues that this measure fails (a slot is an According to a to provide incentive. ECTA, on the other authorisation for an airline to take off or European source, the option is on the hand, which mainly represents alterna- land at an airport on a given date and at table and will be decided by 1 Decem- tive operators, is critical of the huge prof- a given time). ber. One possibility is to impose the auc- its earned by these incumbents. It firmly The reform will legalise what is tioning of slots for new airport capaci- defends such a reduction and warns that known as ‘secondary trading’ of slots, ie ties (when a new runway is opened, for keeping access prices high in exchange the possibility for an airline to sell slots example). for investments in fibre amounts to to another airline. Airlines fear that the most financially granting public subsidies, which should The idea is to encourage slot mobil- sound airlines, which are not neces- be redistributed fairly among consumers ity and thus the entry of new airlines at sarily European, may sweep up all the and competitors, in particular by guar- airports, as air traffic forecasts suggest slots. anteeing fibre network infrastructures that there will be a pronounced lack of Another possibility would be to “con- open to competition and low prices. airport capacity in coming years. fiscate” part of all airlines’ slots - for Europolitics will be back with more in an Secondary trading of slots is not example 10% of slots between 8:00 upcoming issue. explicitly authorised by the current and 9:00 in saturated airports (like regulation but is not explicitly banned Heathrow and Gatwick, but also Milan either. Linate, Orly, (continued on page 4)
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info We have the details EUROPOLITICSTHE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DAILY
EU news for professionals www.europolitics.info ❏ Yes, I would like to subscribe to EUROPOLITICS daily: ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €955 (1). HELPGETTING US GET TO TO KNOW KNOW YOU YOU BETTER… BETTER… ❏ 1 YEAR, 223 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €1,820 (1). YOUR ACTIVITY YOUR INTERESTS (1) ❏ Embassy ❏ Agro-industry and agriculture ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (PDF + html) at the price of €860 . ❏ EU institution ❏ SMEs ❏ 1 YEAR, 223 issues (PDF + html) at the price of €1,640 (1). ❏ Association, federation, ❏ Competition ❏ ❏ trade union, NGO ❏ General EU policy I would like to receive Europolitics in: French English ❏ Research, scientifi c institute, ❏ Consumers ❏ I would like to receive a free issue of EUROPOLITICS daily in: ❏ French ❏ English university ❏ EU-third countries’ relations ❏ Chamber of commerce ❏ Energy ❏ Science and research ❏ Media and communication ❏ Environment First name:...... Last name: ...... ❏ Consultant, lawyer ❏ Security and defence ❏ ❏ Organisation: ...... Activity: ...... Ministry and national Finance, taxation and economy government ❏ Social policy and employment Job title: ...... VAT: ❏ No ❏ Yes: N° ...... ❏ Enterprise ❏ Industries and corporate ❏ Mission, EU ❏ Information society Address:...... representation ❏ Justice and home affairs ❏ Finance, bank, insurance ❏ Transport ❏ Media Post code: ...... City: ...... ❏ Other: ...... ❏ Other: ...... Date and signature: Please pay upon receipt of your invoice. If the invoice address is different from the delivery address, please Country: ...... indicate it. Note that any cancellation (no e-mail admitted) must be sent at least one month prior to the expiry date. One year subscription will automatically be renewed. (1) Excluding VAT but including postal charges. Offer reserved to new subscribers. For multi-user licences Phone: ...... Fax: ...... and special discounts, please contact us. Missing information in the order form will unfortunately not be registered. In order to keep you informed of our activities, your details will be stored on EIS’s fi les, ...... E-mail: Rue d’Arlon 53, B-1040 Brussels. Pursuant to the law, you are free to access this information, request correc- tions and consult the Register of the Committee for the Protection of Privacy. Any subscription implies for the Subscription order form to be returned by fax or mail to: EUROPOLITICS subscriber the full acceptance of general sales conditions available at www.europolitics.info. Rue d’Arlon 53 / B-1040 Brussels or by fax to: +32 (0)2 732 67 57 AP09
E-MAIL Editors: Correspondents: MARKETING/SUBSCRIPTIONS Editorial staff: Anne Fekete de vari (18) USA - Washington: Brian Beary Director: Frédérique Carton [email protected] Tibor Szendrei (33) Asia - Seoul: Sébastien Falletti Tel Subscriptions: +32 2 737 77 09 Subscriptions: Warsaw: Jakub Iwaniuk FAX Subscriptions: +32 2 732 67 57 is published by EIS [email protected] Special Editions Editor: E-mail Subscriptions: (Europe Information Direct: Rory Watson Translation: [email protected] Service S.A.), fi [email protected] Aïda Boghossian, Betty Jackson, Reporters: subsidiary of SIAC group Advertising: Michèle Morsa, Clémence Sebag Head of Marketing: Sarah Collins (29) Rue d’Arlon, 53 [email protected] Anne Eckstein (36) Richard Mestré (41) B-1040 Bruxelles Tamás Kugyela (58) Agenda, layout and website: EDITORIAL TEAM Manon Malhère (08) Geneviève Jourdain (13) ADVERTISING Chairman and Publisher: Executive Publisher & Sophie Mosca (54) Grégoire Maus (15) [email protected] René-Charles Millet Editor-in-Chief: Sophie Petitjean (06) Christine Serville (14) Publisher’s Advisor: Pierre Lemoine (20) Célia Sampol (60) PRODUCTION ACCOUNTING: Marc Paoloni Gaspard Sebag (42) Director: Philippe Gawsewitch Production Editor: Isabelle Smets (34) Director: Pascal Duvent Printing: Identic, Brussels TELEPHONE Eric Van Puyvelde (22) Joanna Sopinska (31) Tel: + 33 1 42 74 28 93 Direct lines: +32 2 737 77 (--) Editorial staff: Nathalie Vandystadt (45) Fax: + 33 1 42 47 29 00 [email protected] Europolitics is published in French Instead of (--), dial the two digits [email protected] under the name Europolitique. after the person’s name. Editorial FAX: +32 2 732 66 51 ISSN 1811-4121 EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011
Contents N° 4315 Top Stories INTERVIEW STATE AID to FINANCIAL SECTOR EU/UN/CLIMATE CHANGE Hubert Mandery, Commission prolongs existing Korolec on role as Council director-general of CEFIC Page 9 scheme and clarifies rules Page 10 president in Durban Page 13
Trade policy Economic & monetary affairs, In Brief Air transport: Airlines concerned taxation Pharmaceuticals JV authorised...... 14 about revision of slots rules...... 1 & 4 Eurogroup: Finance ministers Danish capitals of culture in 2017 ...... 14 Waste electrical and electronic meet as pressure mounts on single equipment: Council and EP aim currency...... 10 EU Agenda...... 16-21 for agreement on 29 November...... 4 Eurozone: Echoes of the crisis...... 11 Health/Consumers: Collective Taxation: Switzerland at centre Open Forum redress included in 2012 work of EU’s radar screen...... 12 Turkish experience for Europe: programme...... 5 Invest in democracy...... 24 Intellectual property rights: Customs External relations enforcement: Crying need for European Neighbourhood clarification...... 6 and Partnership Instrument: Fresh funds for border management Social affairs and regional cooperation...... 12 Education Council: Agenda External aid: Revision of financial to promote adult learning...... 7 instruments: Formal agreement Youth Council: Ministers seek ways in Council...... 13 to improve quality of mobility...... 7 EU/UN/Climate change: Chemicals industry: Five years Korolec on role as Council president of REACH: First stock-taking exercise....8 in Durban...... 13 Interview with Hubert Mandery, Development: EU to urge China director-general of CEFIC: to commit to transparency in Busan...... 14 REACH should remain a review, Graham Watson elected ELDR not a revision...... 9 president...... 14 State aid to financial sector: Commission prolongs existing scheme and clarifies rules...... 10
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Slots rules airlines to make better use of their tions and freight handling and mail (continued from page 1) slots. sorting) would rise from two to three. The reform would also allow airports Paris Charles de Gaulle, Dusseldorf, Noise and ground handling to set minimum quality standards for etc) - and put them up for auction. Two other reforms are also set for 1 operators. This would help avoid, for For airlines, this would be the disas- December: the ground handling ser- example, a repeat of the chaos that ter scenario. The Commission seems vices market (Directive 96/67/EC) and occurred during the winter of 2010- unlikely to go that far, however, aircraft noise (Directive 2002/30). 2011, when flights had to be cancelled although the possibility has been con- The ground handling market (lug- at major airports because certain opera- sidered. “This would be very risky,” gage, freight, refuelling and clean- tors did not have a sufficient reserve of recognised the European source. ing of aircraft, etc) was opened up to aircraft de-icing liquid. The reform in the works would competition in 1996. But at the time The revision of the directive on air- strengthen, on the other hand, the ‘use exceptions were allowed that the Com- craft noise will give the Commission a it or lose it’ rule, whereby airlines must mission would now like to address. The greater right of scrutiny over flight bans use each slot at least 80%, failing which minimum number of operators at air- put in place in certain states. it is put back in a pool and made avail- ports to provide the four still relatively Europolitics will be back with details in able to other airlines. Use requirements protected services (baggage handling, its next issue on the proposed reforms on would rise to 85% as a way of forcing runway operations, ‘fuel and oil’ opera- ground handling and aircraft noise. n
Waste electrical and electronic equipment Council and EP aim for agreement on 29 November
By Anne Eckstein scope “open” in order to cover all equip- the collection rate should be based on ment, without drawing up an exhaus- the volume of equipment placed on the The clock is ticking and if the Polish tive list (as is the case with Directive market, while MEPs find that it should be EU Presidency hopes to work out an 2002/96/EC, now in force). A six-year based on the volume of waste generated. agreement on a symbolic environmental transitional period from the date of entry MEPs also consider that consumers issue - revision of the Directive on waste into force of the new directive would should be able to dispose of WEEE at electrical and electronic equipment allow for update of the list. Parliament no cost at any sales outlet, with no obli- (WEEE) - it is going to have to show rejects such a transitional period. gation to buy new equipment: the idea determination and flexibility, given the is to simplify procedures and to do away many points of disagreement with the The Council seeks a with the obligation to take waste to spe- European Parliament. The EP will in cialised collection centres. Accordingly, any case vote in plenary, in January collection rate of 65% of they argue that small retailers should be 2012, either on a draft agreement nego- WEEE by 2020 in most obliged to accept all types of equipment, tiated with the Council or on the report member states at no charge and with no obligation to by Karl-Heinz Florenz (EPP, Germany), buy replacement products. The debate adopted at second reading in the Com- concerns the size of shops to which this mittee on the Environment (ENVI), on On collection targets, the Council measure would apply. Another aspect 4 October (see Europolitics 4278). In the seeks a collection rate of 65% of WEEE concerns the obligations imposed on latter case, the matter would be headed by 2020 in most member states, with distance sellers and the requirement of straight into conciliation. derogations for some until 2020. This having a legal representative in every The next interinstitutional three-way target would be phased in, starting with country. For MEPs, it should be pos- meeting is set for 29 November and there 45% over the four years following the sible to transmit data to a centralised are still numerous stumbling blocks: exten- directive’s entry into force and then European system so as to limit costs and sion of the scope, possible transitional 65% after a further four-year period. For administrative burdens on distance sell- period and its length, collection targets and MEPs, this target is inadequate. They ers, an argument that also holds for small calendar, collection by small retailers and recommend collection of 70% to 85% and medium-sized enterprises. the question of national or EU registration. depending on the category of products, All this leads to the debate on the “It is hard to predict the future, given the and recycling of 50% to 75% of WEEE. no less controversial question of EU or many unsettled points,” notes the rappor- They also propose a re-use rate of 5% national registration and the definition teur, who finds that the Council “does not in order to give a “new life” to equip- of ‘producer’. The member states are really seem willing to budge”. ment that is still functional rather than convinced that national registration is destroying it. necessary if only to ensure better con- Stumbling blocks The Council and Parliament also dis- trol of implementation of the directive. The first obstacle is the scope of the agree over the calculation used to set MEPs call for a European producers’ measure: the Council wants to keep the these targets: the Council maintains that label and single registration. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011
Health/Consumers Collective redress included in 2012 work programme
By Sophie Petitjean a multiannual action plan for market The regulatory framework will be surveillance. adapted to technical and scientific The European Consumers’ Organisa- The European consumers’ agenda, progress, include clearer and simpler tion (BEUC) applauds the European covering all consumer protection ini- rules and provide the instruments nec- Commission’s 2012 work programme, tiatives presented by this Commis- essary for management at EU level. presented on 15 November, in par- sion, will define a strategic vision for The Commission will also adopt ticular the reference to a European consumer policy aimed basically at a proposal for revision of Directive framework for collective redress. strengthening consumers’ position by 2001/20/EC on clinical trials in order “The Commission’s intention to set improving safety, information and edu- to strengthen knowledge and innova- rules for an EU collective redress system cation, rights, redress and access to jus- tion in clinical research. The questions is long overdue and a very welcome tice, as well as implementing measures, likely to be addressed include: reduc- sign. Let’s hope the words are reflected in line with the principles of the social tion of administrative delays, procedure in actions,” commented BEUC Direc- market economy. in case of diverging decisions in the tor-General Monique Goyens. She nev- The initiative for an EU framework for EU and streamlining of notification ertheless regrets the absence of further collective redress is vaguer. The execu- procedures. n commitments on access to a basic bank tive simply announces an initiative that account. will follow on from the Commission’s The work programme, ‘Delivering earlier work on collective redress at EU European renewal’, announces major level. Cloning: In 2013 initiatives in the area of consumer In the wake of the failure of nego- policy for 2012: a package on general Health: Accent on innovation tiations on the draft regulation on product safety in the fourth quarter, a There will also be a number of initia- novel foods, in March 2011, the new European consumer agenda in the tives in the field of health in 2012. The Commission is not expected to second quarter and an EU framework Commission will present its proposal present its new legislative initiative for collective redress, the timing of for revision of Directive 2001/37/EC until 2013. It is expected to focus which remains to be defined. on the manufacture, presentation and on the use of cloning technologies The package on general product sale of tobacco products. for food production. “This initia- safety includes three components: It will also adopt its package on inno- tive will follow the Commission’s 1. revision of Directive 2001/95/EC vation in the field of health, made up 2010 report on animal cloning for on general product safety in order to of three elements: a communication the production of food and will give enterprises clearer rules, advanta- on promoting innovation in the sector respond to requests for clarifica- geous compliance costs and equivalent of medical devices and two legisla- tion of legislation on animal clon- conditions for serious firms; 2. a new tive proposals, on medical devices and ing in the internal market,” notes horizontal single legislative instru- in vitro diagnostic medical devices, the EU executive. ment for market surveillance; and 3. respectively.
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Intellectual property rights Customs enforcement: Crying need for clarification
By Florence Martin Creutzmann (ALDE, Germany), also “can typically travel in small parcels”. Con- expressed doubts regarding the sharing of versely, all the experts agree that what a Ahead of the upcoming adoption of a pro- responsibilities, arguing that the sender is ‘small dispatch’ is needs to be defined. The posal for a regulation on customs enforce- often impossible to trace down and that rapporteur feels that this is “indispensable” ment of intellectual property rights, the the destruction costs should therefore be and the Council’s Polish Presidency also members of the European Parliament’s covered by the rights holders. wonders how wise it is to leave the definition Committee on the Internal Market (IMCO) Unsurprisingly, Marc Van de Perre, politi- out. In reality, the Commission wishes to listened to the opinion of experts, on 22 cal councillor of CLECAT, the European adopt a definition by the delegated act pro- November. This hearing made the crying transport and logistics association, supports cedure in order to be able to react quickly to need for clarification on small consignments the Commission’s approach. He explains practical evolutions. or goods in transit very apparent. The Euro- that the officials cooperate as best they can As well as doubts concerning small dis- pean Commission’s approach on excluding with border controls by basing themselves patches, the MEPs and experts expressed travellers’ luggage and sharing responsibility on the information they have at hand. Since doubts regarding the lack of clarity on did not meet general approval either. they are not allowed to open parcels or take transiting merchandise. They fear that this decisions on the authenticity of merchan- legal void will profit counterfeiters who can Hauliers’ responsibility dises, Van de Perre stressed that the risk declare their goods as ‘transiting’ in order The proposal for a regulation provides analysis is carried out by customs officials. to sell them off more easily in the Union. that the cost of storing and destroying In order to address the problem caused counterfeit goods should be paid for by the Legal void by the complaint registered by India and rights holders requesting border control Given the galloping growth of e-com- Brazil against the EU and the Netherlands intervention. The rights holder can then merce, which has been followed by an at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), initiate a court case to recuperate these explosion of the expedition of small par- in May 2010, the Commission proposes costs from the culprits. After the fashion cels, the Commission’s proposal includes a that a German patent holder, for instance, of Jeremy Newman from the International specific procedure for “small merchandise would no longer be allowed to request the Trademark Association (INTA), the rights dispatches” suspected of being counterfeit seizure by EU customs authorities of generic holders have begun to speak out against or pirate merchandise. The goods can be medicine produced in India and in transit this “unfair expense,” which weighs SMEs destroyed without the intervention of the to Brazil - unless it can first prove that they down. The rights holders wish to draw rights holder – thus reducing the financial risk being diverted and sold within the single attention to the role of hauliers. They feel burden and administrative fees for the cus- market. Josefa Andres Barea (S&D, Spain) that these intermediaries are “closer to the toms officials. This principle was unani- and the rapporteur feel that a law on this offence,” as Neil Narriman from the Fed- mously well received by experts, especially aspect is necessary. eration of the European.Sporting Goods since, as noted by Richard Bergstrom, MD Lastly, MEPs do not understand the Industry (FESI) has said, and should of the European Federation of Pharmaceu- exclusion of travellers’ luggage from the “share the responsibilities in order to go up tical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), regulation provided the luggage is for a the supply chain”. The rapporteur, Jürgen counterfeit medicine is merchandise that personal and non-commercial use. n
www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011
Education Council Agenda to promote adult learning
By Manon Malhère the adult education and training sector. The Council approved an overall The ministers also approved a new learning mobility indicator with a view To promote lifelong learning for EU benchmark (a reference level for to registering the different types of learn- adults with a view to meeting the growth average European performances) for ing abroad experiences for young people. and employment targets of the ‘Europe learning mobility. The ministers also adopted conclusions 2020’ strategy, the Education Council on language skills to enhance mobility. adopted, on 28 November in Brussels, a In response to the Commission’s com- resolution on a renewed EU agenda for The objective is twofold: munication entitled ‘Supporting growth adult learning for the period 2012-2014. to increase mobility and jobs: An agenda for the modernisa- The agenda builds on the three-year among students in higher tion of Europe’s higher education sys- action plan for adult learning adopted tems’ (September 2011), the Council in 2008. education and in initial adopted conclusions on reform of higher In a nutshell, the 27 member states vocational education education. are invited to: increase adult participa- and training To meet the objective of economic tion in lifelong learning and facilitate growth, the ministers encourage part- their mobility, improve the quality and nership and cooperation with enter- efficiency of education and training, prises and call for the strengthening of promote equity, social cohesion and The objective is twofold: to increase ties among higher education institu- active citizenship in adult education mobility among students in higher tions, employers and labour market and training, develop adults’ creativity education and in initial vocational institutions. and their learning environment as well education and training. The proposed measures also aim to as their capacity to innovate. This benchmark comes on top of the increase the number of higher edu- The agenda also aims to improve the five approved in 2009 with the strategic cation graduates, to facilitate access pool of knowledge on adult education framework for European cooperation in to higher education and to minimise and training and to ensure follow-up of education and training. drop-out rates. n
Youth Council Ministers seek ways to improve quality of mobility
By Sophie Petitjean mobility programmes for youth and youth information structures. As for the Com- organisations via the exchange of good prac- mission, it is encouraged: 1. to maintain It is important to facilitate mobility for tice for cooperation between organisations and strengthen the Eastern dimension of young people, youth workers and youth that work in the field of youth. They also the EU’s future youth programmes; 2. to organisations from the EU, and support ask for the removal of obstacles to mobility continue to encourage cooperation in the cooperation, particularly with the Eastern and to participation, namely by promoting field of youth between the EU and East- European countries (Belarus, Armenia, the learning of foreign languages. ern Partnership countries as part of the Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine Moreover, the recommendations also Eastern Partnership programme for youth; and Russia), in the context of the renewed make a series of specific recommenda- 3.to adapt the European youth portal in framework for European cooperation in tions to member states and the Com- order to make it more useful and acces- the youth field. The Eastern dimension mission. For example, they encourage sible to all young people, whatever Euro- is a big priority for the Polish Presidency. member states to reinforce cross-sectoral pean country they come from; and 4. to This is the message that was adopted, on 28 cooperation between the different fields envisage developing the EU initiative for November, by the member states’ ministers of action and the competent authorities a Youth on the Move card. of youth at the Education, Youth, Culture in order to pursue the reflexion on the The meeting ended with an orientation and Sport Council, presided by Poland. obstacles to reciprocal mobility of young debate on the theme of youth coopera- The conclusions on the Eastern dimen- people from countries that benefit from tion with non-EU regions (‘Youth in the sion of youth participation and mobility the European Neighbourhood Policy - for world’). The objective of the discussion call on the EU to develop cooperation and example by finding ways to facilitate the was to collect suggestions for measures to improve the quality of mobility, in particu- issuance of visas to young people from strengthen civil societies in the EU’s neigh- lar in the field of non-formal non-formal Eastern Europe. bouring countries (in Eastern Europe and and formal learning and volunteering The conclusions also call for active Caucasus in particular) and exchange best activities. In order to do so, the conclusions participation in multilateral platforms practice regarding cooperation and mobil- call on member states and the European of the Eastern Partnership and for the ity opportunities with third countries in Commission to promote exchanges and promotion of cooperation with youth the youth field. n
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Chemicals industry Five years of REACH: First stock-taking exercise
By Jakub Iwaniuk in Warsaw Representatives of the EU authorities ity,” said the same European source. At the nevertheless singled out certain problems Commission, it is recognised that “REACH Representatives of the chemicals indus- that have emerged. On the one hand, they cannot be limited to registering data. It has try and of the EU institutions met, on receive a number of “low quality” applica- to play its role of evaluating, authorising 23-24 November in Warsaw, Poland, on tions. “We receive applications which, by and restricting, and these objectives are the initiative of the Polish EU Council way of studies, submit responses that have gradually reaching cruising speed”. Presidency. Their aim was to take stock clearly been found on Google,” confided a of the first five years of implementation European source who preferred to remain SMEs need help of REACH, the regulation on chemical anonymous. “Their number is hard to esti- The conference also gave the industry products in the internal market (see also mate for now. But considering the costs of a chance to share experiences in terms of interview). studies for companies, some are tempted to putting the regulation into practice. Par- During the first period of chemicals reg- ticipants described the problems they have istration, the deadline for which was one encountered, related mainly to the high year ago, the European Chemicals Agency “We receive applications costs of implementation (studies, legal (ECHA) received 26,585 applications and which, by way of studies, assistance, staff training, etc). To cope with has to date registered 5,211 substances. submit responses that these problems, “working as a consortium A review is under way by the European offers a number of advantages,” said the Commission to draw the first conclusions have clearly been found head of a Polish SME. The message from from this implementing period. The next on Google” enterprises was clear: they do not want deadline for submitting applications is the review to result in a revision of the 31 May 2013. regulation. In the EU institutions, the success of this fill in the boxes with help from the internet, The EU authorities intend to boost sup- first implementing period is unanimously which paves the way to false data.” port for SMEs. “A lot has already been applauded. “The registration period that Another major flaw of the legislation is done to support SMEs, for example the ended in 2010 was a success thanks to that qualitative controls are conducted on reduction of registration fees. But more the industry, which took its new respon- only a very small share of the applications can still be done. According to our studies, sibilities very seriously. It showed that it processed. The regulation makes provision the costs for SMEs tend to be dispropor- can be trusted in assessing chemicals and for 5% of applications to be put through tionate. All possible options to rebalance managing their risk,” said a European the second stage of control, which checks the share of registration costs need to be Commission representative speaking on the accuracy of the data in terms of sub- considered,” said a Commission represen- behalf of Commissioner Antonio Tajani, stance. “This is quite frustrating, because tative. The EU executive will present the who was unable to attend the conference. during the first stage of control, carried out results of its review in June 2012. “On that The ECHA and DG ENVI echoed that on all applications, the official sets aside basis, we will consider whether an amend- view, mentioning “industry’s excellent his role as engineer and simply enters data ment to REACH is needed or not,” it commitment”. into boxes, without checking their verac- concluded. n
www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011
Interview with Hubert Mandery, director-general of CEFIC REACH should remain a review, not a revision
By Jakub Iwaniuk in Warsaw How much did these five years cost the high production quality chemical sub- chemical industry? stances, let alone the procedures. So Hubert Mandery, director-general of This would be difficult to answer in it’s no surprise that ECHA would find the European Chemical Industry Coun- absence of a detailed analysis. But it is problems regarding the level of qual- cil (CEFIC), talked to Europolitics on fair to say that the original estimate of ity. My recommendation here would the margins of the ‘On the REACH road’ the European Commission - €2.5 billion be for ECHA to return the “low qual- conference, held in Warsaw, Poland, on - was not far off the mark. ity” applications and ask those who 23-24 November. He looked back over the submitted them to make the necessary first five years of implementation improvements. of the REACH Regulation and discussed the challenges ahead for The Commission also regrets the chemicals industry. the lack of quality check. In fact, only 5% of the dossiers are How would you assess the five checked for quality. Do you years of implementation of consider this a problem? REACH? At this stage I don’t think that Well, as I said in my presenta- this is a problem. This whole tion today, it’s a marathon and exercise is not about collect- we have just made the first few ing data like you would collect kilometers. We made it sucsess- stamps or coins. It is about col- fully. It is quite a huge task for lecting information on chemi- the companies involved, also cals in order to assess their for the authorities involved, properties, to figure out what especially ECHA (European are they used for and to use this Chemicals Agency). We are information to conduct a proper doing a remarkable job, we risk assessment. In other words, are learning by doing as well, the collection of data should because this type of legislation provide the basis for the evalua- was never done before on that tion and authorisation process.
scale. So looking at those few © DR This is the whole point here. kilometers, things are running Mandery: “We have to make this system work” decently well, but we can antic- What do you expect from the ipate that if we encounter more com- The European Commission has com- ongoing review and what do you think plexity, if the challenge is increased, plained recently that a large number of are the main challenges that lie ahead? especially for small and medium-sized “low quality dossiers” had been filed. I expect the review to remain a companies, we will have to smooth What do you think explains this? review. It should not evolve into a the processes, reduce complexity and I think it was nicely explained by the revision because it is far too early to make it work better, the whole system, ECHA official this morning at the change this complex procedure after especially for SMEs if we want to conference. If you receive more than this short period of having seen it in continue to be successful. 20,000 dossiers from all actors around practice. We are still learning this the market - from big and small com- implementation. Is the balance more positive or panies, including the importers - it’s no As for the future: all the actors involved negative? surprise that you end up facing qual- should redouble their efforts to meet It is neutral at this stage because it is a ity issues. But I have to stress that the the widely recognised goals. requirement to comply with. Our soci- best part of these dossiers is of excel- One specific challenge would be to ety expects us to comply with it and lent quality. There is, of course, no help inexperienced SMEs comply therefore we urge our companies to do excuse for low quality dossiers. There with the regulation - be they import- their best to be compliant. I personally is a clear need for improvement there. ers or manufacturers of chemical sub- hope that at the end of this process, On the other hand, I think everyone stances. They should be made aware of European society will think that it understands that this exercise is done REACH’s requirements and should be knows enough about chemicals and we in such a scale for the first time. It was assisted in meeting the deadlines. are confident that the authorities and also a first for many companies, sev- The message is clear: we have to make the industry will handle them safely. eral of which had no experience with this system work. n
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info 10 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
State aid to financial sector Commission prolongs existing scheme and clarifies rules
By Sophie Mosca contained in the previous texts. other than the national currency, a sup- On recapitalisation measures, the plement will take account of the exchange The worsening sovereign debt crisis 2008 communication concerned fixed- risk. and continuing tension on a fragile yield capital instruments but the new The Commission has revised its banking system justify a prolongation of communication takes account of shares, method of evaluating guarantees by the temporary framework for state aid for which dividends and capital gains establishing an equalisation that factors measures for the banking sector, accord- are variable by nature and whose level in the growing gaps in rates for credit ing to the European Commission. On cannot be anticipated. The member default swaps (CDS) that have deter- 1 December, it will spell out the terms states will have to base their estimate on mined the evaluation of bank guaran- and conditions for this extension. the share issue price, except for shares tees in recent years and the lower risk Competition Commissioner Joaquin in unlisted banks, for which an estimate of such debts compared with the risk Almunia had already announced that he based on a recognised market approach of a non-guaranteed debt. To ensure planned to ask the College of Commis- will be required. that banks that receive such guarantees sioners to prolong the existing framework The Commission insists that such pay a fair fee to the state in exchange, (see Europolitics 4268). He confirmed recapitalisation measures must be it will oblige the states, when notifying that this was in progress, speaking to mem- matched with incentives aimed at phas- a new guarantee (or extending an exist- bers of the European Parliament’s Com- ing out such measures as quickly as pos- ing scheme), to indicate the fees due by mittee on Economic Affairs (ECON), on sible, eg for banks to buy back shares the beneficiary bank evaluated ex ante at 22 November (4312). issued by states. It will continue to oblige market price and, within three months The future communication on state assisted banks to draw up a restructuring following implementation of the guar- aid for the banking sector in the con- plan or to update an existing plan and antee, a re-evaluation of these fees in text of the financial crisis - obtained by will assess the banks’ long-term viability, terms of market developments. n Europolitics - ties in with the five previ- taking account of elements that provide ous communications (see box) and with evidence of such viability without the the approach decided by member states, need for major restructuring, in particu- Background at the 26 October summit, for strength- lar when the lack of capital stems essen- The temporary framework for state ening financial guarantees for Euro- tially from a crisis of confidence in the aid for the banking sector, put in place pean banks. The communications on sovereign debt. in autumn 2008, comprises five texts: banks and on recapitalisation measures State guarantees may concern new - financial institutions and impaired assets will therefore be claims apart from instruments likened to - recapitalisation measures prolonged from 1 January 2012. capital and may only cover a general debt - impaired assets However, to take account of market with maturity of one to five years - seven in - bank restructurings developments and make the measures the case of covered bonds - to meet banks’ - extension of the existing scheme in more effective, the communication adds medium-term financing needs. When December 2010 more detailed information than that guarantees cover liabilities in a currency
Eurogroup Finance ministers meet as pressure mounts on single currency
By Sarah Collins the €440 billion fund, which needs suffi- as Franco-German talks on closer fiscal cient resources to reassure investors that it integration in the eurozone progress at The eurozone’s finance ministers are is fit for purpose, and so it can take over speed ahead of a summit of EU leaders, to meet, on 29 November, to sign off on from the European Central Bank by pur- on 8-9 December. German Chancel- changes to the zone’s rescue fund amid chasing government bonds on secondary lor Angela Merkel and French President heightened pressure on the single currency. markets, a programme that has cost the Nicolas Sarkozy are drawing up sweep- Ministers will ink the changes to allow the bank €194.7 billion as of last week. ing treaty changes to allow greater control fund to intervene more forcefully in gov- The EFSF changes come amid newspa- over national budgets in the eurozone as ernment bond markets, ringfence funds for per reports that the International Mone- the debt crisis intensifies. bank recapitalisation and offer pre-emptive tary Fund was preparing a bailout for Italy, The Eurogroup meeting will be fol- credit lines to ailing states, all with a lever- a fact it denied, on 28 November. “There lowed by talks between all 27 finance min- aged envelope of up to €1 trillion, as long as are no discussions with the Italian authori- isters on capital requirements, short-sell- the fund can attract outside financing. ties on a programme for IMF financing,” ing, the Commission’s second governance The changes were agreed at a summit, the Washington-based fund said in a state- package, tax coordination and investor on 27 October, to boost the firepower in ment. However, the rumour also comes compensation schemes. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011 11
Eurozone Echoes of the crisis n Rehn welcomes agreement on Bel- 28 November, a report saying that it This record-high yield came as no gian budget: On 27 November, an agree- was considering common bonds for the surprise, since it is at the general ment was reached in Belgium on the eurozone countries rated ‘AAA’ by the level at which long-term yields are federal budget for 2012-2014 between rating agencies. Germany also repeated currently set in Italy. the Socialist, Christian Democrat and that the solution to the crisis is to modify Liberal partners, both Francophone and the EU treaties. n Belgian loan: Belgium raised €2.005 Flemish. “There is no plan for ‘triple A bonds’ or billion in bonds in its last bond auction The head of the Francophone Belgian ‘elite bonds’,” according to a statement of the year, but had to pay much higher Socialists, Elio Di Rupo, who led the issued to deny what was reported earlier interest rates than for its last similar negotiations, said he hoped to form a in the daily Die Welt. operation, the country’s national debt government this week. “I welcome the According to the newspaper, these agency announced, on 28 November. agreement presented by Mr Elio Di bonds, which have been nicknamed The figure raised is at the high end Rupo today on the measures to under- ‘elite bonds’, could be jointly issued by of what the Belgian state initially pin the Belgian federal budget with the intended to raise - between €1 billion aim of bringing the general government and €2 billion. The yield on ten-year deficit to 2.8% of GDP in 2012, as rec- OECD warns of spreading bonds reached 5.65%, compared to ommended by the EU Council, and of eurozone recession 4.37% when last issued on 31 October, paving the way for further consolida- according to the agency. tion in 2013 and 2014,” said the Com- missioner for Economic and Monetary eurozone countries that have the best n Moody’s warning: The “rapid esca- Affairs, Olli Rehn. He added that he had rating (‘triple A’) from credit rating lation” of the debt crisis in the entire also taken note of the structural reforms agencies - their interest rate would thus eurozone is threatening the credit announced, “especially those intended be lower, possibly ranging from 2% to standing of all European states, the US to restore fiscal discipline and enhance 5%. The financial means thus gathered rating agency Moody’s warned, on 27 competitiveness whilst preserving social could then be used by the European November. fairness. These will be assessed in due Financial Stability Facility (EFSF). The In a new “special comment” on Euro- time against the EU’s country-specific idea has been under discussion for the pean countries, the agency said that it recommendations, in the context of the last few weeks, according to Die Welt. continued to consider that the euro- ‘European semester’.” On 26 November, “We are working intensively on a stabil- zone would maintain its unity with Belgium was downgraded from ‘AA+’ to ity union,” which should be achieved only a Greek default but notes that this ‘AA’ rating by Standard and Poor’s. “by means of treaty changes in which “positive scenario” carried very negative we suggest that member states’ budgets countries for the ratings of European n Berlin under pressure: Germany’s respect firm debt limits,” recalls the countries. financial means “are not infinite,” ministry. warned the spokesperson of Chancel- “This is the way to win back the confi- n OECD warning: The eurozone lor Angela Merkel in response to the dence of the markets,” and “all that has seems to be in a “slight recession” and pressure Germany is receiving from all nothing to do with ‘triple A’ or ‘elite its economy is set to nearly stagnate in sides to do more to save the eurozone. bonds’,” added Berlin, confirming that 2012 because of the debt crisis, which, “We also have our own debt to reduce,” this project was not broached during last in case of a “large negative event,” could said the spokesperson, on 28 November. week’s meeting between Finance Min- have “devastating” consequences for all Europe “cannot claim to have a finan- ister Wolfgang Schäuble and his Finn- rich countries, the Organisation for Eco- cial strike force which it does not in fact ish and Dutch counterparts, nor in talks nomic Cooperation and Development have,” added the spokesperson - markets with the Brits. (OECD) warned, on 28 November. In would soon punish it if it did. its quarterly report on the economic out- Germany’s partners are pressuring the n Italian loan: On 28 November, the look, the OECD lowered its previsions country to let go of its scruples regarding Italian Treasury raised €567 million in considerably, as compared to the last a massive European Central Bank inter- bonds indexed to eurozone inflation report, in May. vention and a pooling of the debt via the due in 2023 but the rate jumped to over According to the OECD, the eurozone issuance of eurobonds - given that the 7%, the Bank of Italy announced. The is set for growth of 1.6% in 2011 (instead debt crisis has spread to nearly the entire offer was high, at around €1.225 bil- of 2%), and just 0.2% in 2012. Previsions eurozone. lion. However, in a clear sign of inves- for 2013 point to a slow recovery with tors’ wariness, the yield of these bonds 1.4% growth. n Germany: ‘No’ to ‘triple A bonds’ jumped to 7.3%, from 4.6% for the last The OECD is the first international but ‘yes’ to treaty change: The Ger- similar operation - the date of which was body to announce that the eurozone is many Ministry of Finance denied, on not specified by the Bank of Italy. entering a recession n
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info 12 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Taxation Switzerland at centre of EU’s radar screen
By Tanguy Verhoosel This same message was relayed to higher gear by identifying with Berne all the Swiss representatives by Gianlucca Swiss tax measures that may cause dis- Swiss canton-level parliamentarians, Grippa of the External Action Service tortions of competition and then work- visiting Brussels on 24-25 November, and the French Ambassador to the EU, ing out a compromise on how to abol- yielded to the facts: the European Union, Philippe Etienne. ish them. “If satisfactory progress is not which in recent months has shown They turned a deaf ear to Berne’s made in this dialogue before the end of restraint towards Switzerland because usual discourse focused on the impor- the Danish EU Presidency [first half of of the country’s general elections in tance of economic relations between 2012],” notes the draft report submit- October, is now ready to get back down Switzerland (the EU’s third largest trad- ted to Ecofin, “other approaches will be to business. In two reports to be exam- ing partner after the United States and taken, including unilateral evaluation of ined on 30 November by the 27 finance China) and the Union, and confirmed the schemes”. ministers, it threatens to slap retaliation that the “grace period is over”. “The lan- According to a high-ranking diplomat, measures on Berne if the country fails to guage was clear,” said Gabriel Lucien this means that if Switzerland continues comply, by mid-2012, with EU rules on Barrillier, representing Geneva. Apart to quibble and fails to take action, “we good governance in corporate taxation. from the touchy issue of the institution- will examine the possibility of taking The first report assesses application of alisation of bilateralism, “the stumbling retaliation measures”. the code of conduct agreed by the 27 in block is taxation,” a subject that is ultra- This eventuality is written down in this sector. It has already obliged states sensitive in the eurozone owing to the black and white in the second Euro- to dismantle around 100 tax measures debt crisis, added André Schoenenweid pean report, on reinforcing coordina- considered as “harmful to competi- (Fribourg). “We are at the centre of the tion of tax policies, drafted by the Polish tion” because they encourage corporate radar screen.” EU Presidency. The Union’s number relocation. one priority, it states, is “the elimina- The second report concerns reinforce- “Retaliation measures” tion of harmful practices” in the area of ment of tax policy coordination among The Union, which has a long-stand- corporate taxation. the 24 countries that have adopted the ing disagreement with Switzerland over Accordingly, “application of the ‘Euro plus pact’ (all EU member states canton-level tax schemes and is con- principles of the code of conduct except the United Kingdom, Sweden, cerned about tax measures under the by third countries should be pro- Hungary and the Czech Republic). new Swiss regional policy, wishes to moted. Special attention should be It will be submitted to the 27 heads of compel Berne to apply the “principles given to potentially harmful measures state and government, meeting on 8-9 and criteria” of its code of conduct on introduced by Switzerland”. December (see Europolitics 4307). corporate taxation. To date, Switzer- The one and only idea being advanced Their content is unequivocal: now land has agreed only to engage in a to convince these third countries to that the Swiss federal elections are out “dialogue” on the conditions for an “in- apply the EU principles of good gover- of the way, the time for games is over depth dialogue” on this question, which nance in tax matters is “the review of and Switzerland has to fall into line. annoys the EU. It wishes to shift into possible counter-measures”. n
European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Fresh funds for border management and regional cooperation
By Eric van Puyvelde Ukrainian border; wider territorial coopera- are challenged to revitalise and diversify their tion programmes between border regions of economies while maintaining fiscal and The European Commission adopted, on the EU Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries; macroeconomic stability. Climate change 28 November, the second part of the Euro- regional cooperation in the field of youth or programmes for young people are further pean Neighbourhood and Partnership Instru- work; the fostering of improved climate pressing problems. Socially, most countries in ment (ENPI) for 2011 with a total allocation change policies in the whole neighbourhood the Eastern part of the European neighbour- of €62.5 million. It will address challenges in area and Russia; and the provision of tech- hood and Russia are faced with security issues the following areas: integrated border man- nical support to the beneficiary countries to either on their borders or inside the country. agement (€26.5 million); territorial coop- improve the connection between the Trans- The EU policy responses to the challenges eration (€5.5 million); youth (€5.5 million); European Transport Network and EU’s of the ENPI Eastern region are guided by the climate change (€18 million); and transport Eastern neighbours. European Neighbourhood Policy, the East- (€7 million). Faced with globalisation and progres- ern Partnership (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Actions to be taken will consist of border sive trade liberalisation, the Commission Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) and the management support on the Belarusian- explained, the countries in the Eastern part bilateral relations between the EU and each Ukrainian border as well as the Moldavian- of the European neighbourhood and Russia of the countries concerned. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011 13
External aid Revision of financial instruments: Formal agreement in Council
By Manon Malhère be put to the vote at the EP plenary, on promote economic partnerships. Avail- 1 December in Brussels. able funds amount to €176 million for The Council of Ministers formally The changes primarily concern two 2007-2013. These funds can now be approved the results of the conciliation texts. The first amends the develop- allocated to developing countries in addi- that amended the four draft regulations ment cooperation financing instrument tion to the original 46 countries in Latin amending the three financial instru- that establishes a temporary programme America, Asia and the Middle East. ments for developing countries1, on 28 (2010-2013) of support measures for The Council also made technical November. African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) amendments to the draft regulations After heated negotiations, Parlia- states in the banana sector. The instru- amending the development coop- ment and the Council agreed to ment provides for an allocation of €190 eration instrument and the European strengthen MEPs’ right of scrutiny million until 2013 for ten ACP states. instrument for democracy and human over the strategic guidelines for these The second text amends the financing rights. n instruments (see Europolitics instrument for cooperation with industri- 4294). alised and other high-income countries (1) Regulations 1905/2006, 1889/2006 and This mid-term review (2007-2013) will and territories, which aims primarily to 1934/2006
EU/UN/Climate change Korolec on role as Council president in Durban
By Jakub Iwaniuk in Warsaw position: “Poland’s position in the Coun- Although the head of the EU’s rep- cil is that we cannot set up a system in resentation changed just ahead of the Poland’s new Environment Minister, Durban that goes beyond the commit- conference, the team of Polish experts Marcin Korolec, assures that he will ments we have already made in the EU. who prepared the negotiations remains play to the full his role as EU Council We cannot accept elements that would in place, including Undersecretary of president at the global climate confer- weaken our income level.” State Joanna Mackowiak-Pandera. She ence that opened on 28 November in As for the risk of cacophony among acknowledges that the Europeans have Durban, South Africa. He added that the 27, which cost the EU dearly at a particularly tough task ahead. “The there is no risk of dissonance between the Copenhagen conference, the min- conference promises to be problematic, his position and that of Climate Action ister replied frankly: “It is hard for me because the main CO2 emitters are not Commissioner Connie Hedegaard: “We to answer that question because I do ready to advance. If Durban ends in have agreed on the coordination of our not know all the ministers personally failure, I think that the EU will have to positions. I see no dangers as far as that and my first meeting with them will be examine very seriously whether its cli- is concerned,” he said in Warsaw, on 25 in Durban. […] There will have to be mate policy is effective and whether it November, in his first contact with the a European position at the conference, is really resulting in a decrease in emis- media. agreed unanimously, on everything not sions at global level.” Her statement has As EU Council Presidency, Poland in the brief”. the ring of a warning. n represents the Union in these negotia- tions, together with Hedegaard, under the negotiating brief adopted at the 10 Marcin Korolec rienced Polish officials in energy and October Environment Council. Immediately upon being appointed, climate matters,” according to Krzysztof “Only a global agreement that includes Poland’s new environment minister Blusz, deputy head of the Polish think all emitters will lead to fair competition explained how he sees his new portfo- tank Demos Europa. “He is well versed on a global scale,” said the new minister. lio: “I will work on the principle of bal- in negotiation processes at European
“The policy of reducing CO2 in one part anced development, which takes into and global level.” Trained as a lawyer, he of the planet cannot lead to increasing it account the interests of both the envi- served as an adviser to Danuta Hübner elsewhere. That is why the global dimen- ronment and the economy in this period when she headed the EU integration sion of the agreement is a necessary of crisis”. As former state secretary for committee. “He is a technocrat in the condition for the success of the process.” energy at the Economy Ministry, his noble sense of the term,” sums up one “The negotiating brief is our common previous job was to defend the interests of his aides. “His appointment reflects denominator,” added the minister. He of Polish industry, including those of its a global trend of putting the accent on expressed the firm intention to play powerful coal lobby. Korolec is recog- the economic dimension in political dis- his role as president, and not to speak nised for his competences, though. “He course in this period of crisis,” added on behalf of Poland. But he defined his is unquestionably one of the most expe- Blusz. country’s position within the common
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info 14 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Development EU to urge China to commit to transparency in Busan
By Sébastien Falletti in Seoul This conference will build on the progress first time, Beijing accepted, during the prepa- achieved during previous conferences aimed ratory meeting among sherpas, to discuss and The EU will urge China and other lead- at setting global standards for aid effective- include the principle of ‘transparency’ in the ing emerging economies to commit to a set ness (Paris in 2005 and Accra in 2008). document, Europolitics understands. But of international standards when they give Development actors see the Busan meeting discussions about good governance, democ- development aid to poor countries, during as critical as it is the last major international racy and human rights are likely to be more a key United Nations-led ministerial meet- get-together before the target date for meet- controversial. The EU’s debt crisis could also ing in Busan, on 29 November-1 December. ing the UN Millennium Development Goals undermine its prestige and political clout vis- Transparency and good governance will be (MDGs), in 2015. The EU will use the meet- à-vis the new Asian economic powerhouses, the most contentious issues to be discussed ing to call on new emerging donors, such as although the European bloc remains by far during the 4th High-Level Forum on Aid China, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea or South the largest world donor. The EU accounts for Effectiveness (HLF4) to be held in South Africa, to put their development policy in line 60% of the world’s development aid budget. Korea’s second largest city. Development with several basic principles, such as transpar- The Commission also counts on the support Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and several ency or good governance. On 30 November, of Hillary Clinton to challenge emerging ministers from key member states will push the Commission and the member states will countries. Under the Obama administration, for global aid standards and pledge better push in favour of an ambitious Busan joint the EU and the US have narrowed down coordination among European donors in declaration, which will aim at establishing a their differences over development aid. order to improve aid effectiveness amid con- “new paradigm for development,” according However, NGOs, which will be massively cerns from NGOs that the EU is not doing to the South Korean organisers. Commission represented in Busan, have criticised the enough. The Busan meeting will be opened officials are upbeat and believe that Beijing EU’s lack of ambition. “Rather than taking by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is moving in the right direction and will not the lead, the EU is heading to Busan behav- and will bring together key figures, such as block a final compromise in Beijing. “The ing like an observer,” warned Gideon Rabi- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Tony Chinese are making progress, but we want nowitz, chair of CONCORD AidWatch, a Blair, former UK prime minister, and a high- more,” a senior official from the Commission European coalition of development NGOs ranking government official from China. told Europolitics ahead of the meeting. For the that monitors the EU’s aid performance. n In Brief
Graham Watson elected ELDR Pharmaceuticals JV authorised Aarhus and Sonderborg, two Danis president The European Commission granted cities, should be preselected for the title. As announced by Europolitics, British clearance, on 28 November, to the Once this recommendation has been MEP Graham Watson was elected acquisition by Carlyle and Hellman & confirmed by Denmark, the preselected ELDR (European Liberal Democrat and Friedman (H&F) of joint control of US cities will have to flesh out and complete Reform Party) president for the next two Pharmaceutical Product Development their applications by the summer of 2012. years during the annual party congress (PPDI). PPDI provides laboratory and According to the decision establishing in Palermo, Italy, on 24 November. clinical development services to the a Community action for the European Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck (ALDE, pharmaceutical industry. Carlyle is a Capital of Culture event, Denmark and Belgium), who has been president global alternative asset manager, which Cyprus are the two member states hosting since 2005, will step down after having sponsors funds that invest globally the event in 2017. The preselection served for three two-year mandates - the across investment disciplines in a range meeting in Cyprus will be held in maximum amount of time under internal of industries. H&F is a private equity mid-December 2011. Following Turku ELDR rules. The ELDR party also investment firm, which invests in (Finland) and Tallinn (Estonia) this elected five vice-presidents. While Marc industries including health care, business year, the next capitals of culture will Guerrero (Spain), Lousewies van der and marketing services. be Guimaraes (Portugal) and Maribor Laan (Netherlands) and Leoluca Orlando (Slovenia) in 2012, followed by Marseilles (Italy) were re-elected for another term; Danish capitals of culture in 2017 (France) and Kosice (Slovakia) in 2013, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (ALDE, The selection board responsible for Umea (Sweden) and Riga (Latvia) in Germany) and Astrid Thors (Finland) are evaluating the applications for the 2014, then Mons (Belgium) and Plzen new additions to the ELDR Party Bureau. European Capital of Culture 2017 (Czech Republic) in 2015. recommended, on 25 November, that www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS Dossiers and Special Editions List of Dossiers and Special Editions and access to articles at www.europolitics.info -> ‘Europolitics Dossiers’ -> ‘More Dossiers’
DOSSIERS EU-US food safety disputes : 3781, 26/06/09 Aviation: The answers to climate change, 3773, 16/06/09 Eastern partenariat summit, n°4271, 26/9/2011 Three heads for Europe, 3767, 08/06/09 Public procurement, EU and third countries, n°4260, 9/9/2011 Atalanta, 3761, 28/05/09 Schengen and immigration, n°4227, 23/6/2011 Competition policy, 3758, 22/09/2009 Economic governance, n°4221, 15/6/2011 Third energy liberalisation package, 3748, 07/05/09 European citizens’ Initiative: one year to go, n°4191, 29/04/2011 Five years after: Whither enlargement?, 3744, 30/04/09 Europe’s immigration challenge, n°4180, 11/04/2011 15 years of the Committee of the Regions, 3738, 22/04/09 EU/Méditerranean: a new deal, n°4167, 23/03/2011 Washingtonians Europeans should know, 3727, 02/04/09 The challenge of Energy efficiency, n°4154, 4/3/2011 Airbus A400M, 3722, 26/03/09 Services of general interest, n°4151, 1/3/2011 Solana, 3717, 19/03/09 Barroso II, O year on, n°4137, 9/2/2011 European Parliament’s priorities in run-up to elections, Transatlantic drift, n°4086, 19/11/2010 3709, 09/03/09 SMEs expect serious support, n°4063, 14/10/2010 Water, a global challenge, 3712, 12/03/09 ASEM 8 : what strategy to follow ?, n°4054, 1/10/2010 The crisis: A test for Europe, 3699, 23/02/09 External Action Service, n°4039, 10/09/2010 EU-US – Barack Obama: Chances and challenges, Arctic challenges, n°4033, 02/09/2010 3674, 19/01/09 EU/Australia cooperation, n°3982, 21/05/2010 ESDP mission in Georgia, 3664, 23/12/08 Future of Kosovo, n°3972, 05/05/2010 Poznan conference, 3649, 2/12/08 SESAR, air traffic revolution, n°3971, 04/05/2010 Regions and migration, 3645, 26/11/08 CDS, 3954, 09/04/2010 Enlargement report, 3632, 5/11/08 EU-US Private data, 3942, 19/03/2010 Pact on immigration and asylum, 3617, 15/10/08 EU2020, 3915, 10/02/2010 Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, 3604, 26/09/08 SEPA 2010, 3912, 05/02/2010 Citizens’ access to law and justice in Europe, 3598, 18/09/08 EU/Bosnia, 3897, 15/01/2010 Customs Union, 3594, 12/09/08 Commissioneers’ Hearings, 3893, 11/01/2010 Community Fisheries Control Agency, 3580, 28/07/08 Programme of Stockholm, 3878, 10/12/2009 Telecoms package, 3579, 25/07/08 The Roma challenge, 3857, 10/11/2009 Energy liberalisation, 3576, 21/07/08 Financial supervision financière : what’s it all about, 3852, Cyprus reunification process, 3569, 10/07/08 03/11/2009 Two top posts, ten contenders, 3846, 26/10/2009 EU External Action Service, 3843, 21/10/2009 SPECIAL EDITIONS Egnos, Galileo, GMES : Europe’s space ambitions, 3839, Structural Funds 2014-2020; New rules n°4280, 7/11/2011 15/10/2009 Poland’s presidency, n°4233, 1/7/2011 Financing strategic energy technology, 3830, 02/10/2009 Mobility of companies, n°4229, 29/6/2011 EU in Asia, 3820, 19/09/2009 Online gambiing, n°4219, 10/6/2011 Europe of research: Broken promises, 3815, 11/09/2009 EU must address press freedom, n°4172, 30/03/2011 EU Court of First Instance at 20, 3810, 04/09/2009 EU affairs training, n°4121, 18/1/2011 EU-US financial regulations, 3805, 28/08/2009 Economic union (Hungarian presidency), n°4111, 4/1/2011 European Parliament 2009-2014: Parliamentary committees, Lisbon treaty, One year on, n°4096, 3/12/2010 3801, 27/07/2009 Defence : What next after the UK-FR pact, n°4093, 30/11/2010 Security of energy supply, 3794, 15/07/2009 Aviation an ecology, n°4092, 29/11/2010 Commission: Member states preparing to nominate candidates, Structural Funds after 2013, n°4055, 4/10/2010 3790, 09/07/2009 Digital dreams and doubts, n°4043, 16/09/2010 16 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
EU Agenda
Tuesday •Discussion on the annual report 2011 Papua, Indonesia of the European Anti-Fraud Office with •Discusson with EEAS on Human Rights 29 November Giovanni Kessler, Director General of situation in Burma Olaf - Rapporteur Zigmantas Balcytis •Updates by Maciej Popowski, deputy (S&D, LT) Secretary General of the EEAS regarding European the Human Rights policy review and Committee on Economic and the establishment of the European Parliament Monetary Affairs Endowment for Democracy (15.00) The President’s diary 09h00 – 12h30 Brussels, Paul-Henri •In association with the Delegation for 12:00 - 19:00 Brussels Spaak building (PHS), room 1A002 relations with the Mashreq countries : n12:00 Meeting with COREPER - •Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Egypt: Update on human rights Council Base (CCCTB) (CNS) - Consideration of developments following recent EP n14:00 Opening speech at the Covenant draft report by Marianne Thyssen (EPP, resolutions and in the aftermath of of Mayors Ceremony: Restoring faith in BE) (09h40 – 11h00) elections Europe’s future - Plenary Chamber •Discussion on Human Rights situation n17:45 Event to mark “Romania’s Committee on Industry, Research in Swaziland, particularly women’s rights, National Day” - Altiero Spinelli building, and Energy including Universal Periodic Review 3rd floor, Espace balcony 15:00 - 18:30 Brussels, Building József •Discussion with Christian Ehler, n18:00 Meeting with the think thank Antall (JAN), room 6Q2 Chairman of the Delegation for Relations RAND Europe - Rue de la Loi, 155 •Energy efficiency, repealing Directives with Korean Peninsula on Delegation’s 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC (COD) visit to North and South Korea (28 Parliamentary committees - Discussion with experts on report by October - 5 November 2011) Committee on Foreign Affairs Claude Turmes (The greens/EFA, LU) •Information on Human Rights situation 14:00 - 15:45 Brussels, József Antall in Guinea Conakry (JAN) building, room 2Q2 Committee on Civil Liberties, •In association with the Delegation Justice and Home Affairs Subcommittee on Security and to the European Union-Former 09:00 - 18:30 Brussels, Paul-Henri Spaak Defence Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint building (PHS), room 3C50 09:00 - 18:00 Brussels, Altiero Spinelli Parliamentary Committee •State of the drugs problem in Europe (ASP) building, room 3 E 2 Discussion with Nikola Poposki, Minister - European Monitoring Centre for Drugs With the Council and Commission and for Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) 2011 EEAS, jointly with the Committee on Republic of Macedonia (14:00 – 15:00) annual report - presentation by Wolfgang Foreign Affairs •Discussion with with Lobsang Sangay, Götz, Director of EMCDDA (09.00-09.45) •Peace and security architecture in Africa Prime Minister of the Central Tibetan •Establishment of an evaluation Discussion with : Administration (15:00 – 15:45) mechanism to verify application of the - Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra, Schengen acquis (COD) - orientation vote Commissioner for Peace and Security of Committee on Budgetary Control on report by Carlos Coelho (EPP, PT) the African Union 09:00 - 18:30 Brussels, Altiero Spinelli (11.00-11.30) - Nicholas Westcott, Managing Director (ASP) building, room 3G3 •Financial programmes in the area of for Africa (EEAS) •European Court of Auditors Special Home Affairs for 2014-2020 - presentation •The EU Strategy for the Sahel region Report: “The efficiency and effectiveness of the Commission proposals by Stefano Discussion with: of EU contributions channelled through Maservisi, Director-General of European - Gilles De Kerchove, EU Counter- United Nations Organisations in conflict- Commission Home Affairs Directorate- Terrorism Coordinator affected countries” - Rapporteur Ingeborg General (11.30-12.30) - Manuel Lopez Blanco, Director EEAS, Grässle (EPP, DE) - Discussion with a West and Central Africa Member of the Court responsible Subcommittee on Human Rights •European Air Transport Command •Discussion on the reform of the 09:00 - 18:30 Brussels, Altiero Spinelli (Eindhoven) as an example of “Pooling European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) - (ASP) building, room 1G3 and Sharing” - Discussion with Major Rapporteur Ingeborg Grassle (EPP, DE) •Discussion on Human Rights situation in General Jochen Both, Commander EATC 15:00- 17:30 South East Asia with special focus on West (16.30- 18.00) www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011 17
Public hearings Euro-Mediterranean Relations in Political and Security Committee The right of association in the the Wake of the Arab Spring (PSC) armed forces in the EU 14:00 - 18:00 Brussels, Paul-Henri Bruxelles 14:30 - 16:30 Brussels, Altiero Spinelli Spaak (PHS) Building, Room 04B001 Venue: Justus Lipsius, Rue de la Loi 175 building (ASP) room 3E2 •Seminar for journalist about the recent •Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security upheavals in the Arab world and transition Education, youth, culture and sport and Defence will hold a hearing on “the to democracy in the Mediterranean Council right of association within the armed forces and the Middle East brings together 28-29 November, Brussels in the EU”, with the following speakers: media representatives, activists and Day 1: Education and youth. Day 2: Mr Emmanuel JACOB, President of decision makers from both sides of the audiovisual issues, culture and sport. the European Organisation of Military Mediterranean. The aim of the seminar Day 2 Associations (EUROMIL), Mr Bernhard is to create a shared platform to improve •Audio-visual: a Council Decision GERTZ, Honorary Chairman, Deutscher communication and information on the concerning the signing of the European Bundeswehrverband (German Armed approaches how the European institutions Convention on the legal protection Forces Association) and Mr Emilio and media can best support the emergence of services based on, or consisting of, Ammiraglia, President of of democracy in this region. conditional access will be adopted. Council The seminar is organised by Parliament’s Conclusions on the protection of children Other events DG Communication in cooperation with in a digital world are also expected. STOA Annual Lecture: Sustainable the European Commission. Journalists •Culture: adoption by the Council of Management of Natural Resources from both sides of the Mediterranean will Conclusions regarding cultural and creative 10:30 - 19:00 Brussels, József Antall have an opportunity to learn about the competences and their role in the creation (JAN) building, room 4Q2 European institutions’ communication of European intellectual capital. •The Science and Technology Options tools and projects, with a particular focus •A ministerial debate on the prospects Assessment unit of the European on Euro-Mediterranean relations, and to for obtaining reliable and comparable Parliament is organising its 10th annual discuss the issues with MEPs and media statistical data regarding the role played lecture, which will take place on Tuesday professionals. by culture in contributing to growth, job and will focus on sustainable management creation and social development in the of natural resources. International speakers Delegations European Union is also planned. from different universities will discuss, EP delegation to observe elections •A meeting of Ministers for Sport from the among others, possibilities of better water in Congo EU Member States will be held as part of management in agriculture, future of 25-30 November, Republic of Congo this event. metals, sustainability as an education •A six-member delegation of MEPs, led Sports: adopting the conclusions on issue and communicating about natural by Anne Delvaux (EPP, BE), will visit the sports volunteering, a resolution on the resources. Speakers include: Democratic Republic of Congo from 25 representation of the EU in WADA and the - Harry Kroto, Florida State University, to 30 November to observe the legislative coordination of the EU position prior to the Nobel Prize for Chemistry 1996 and presidential elections which take meetings of WADA, and the conclusions on - Koji Omi, Founder and Chairman, place on Monday, 28 November. The the fixing of the results in sporting events. Science and Technology in Society forum delegation, which forms part of the overall •The meeting of Ministers for Sport will be - John Anthony Allan, Professor Emeritus EU Electoral Observation Mission (EU preceded by a working lunch meeting with at King’s College London, Stockholm EOM) in DRC, will observe the elections sports movement. Water Prize 2008 in Kinshasa and surrounding area, in Venue: Justus Lipsius, Rue de la Loi 175 - Peter A. Wilderer, director of the Institute Bandundu and in Bas Congo (Mbanza for Advanced Studies on Sustainability, Ngungu). The Chief Observer of the EU 1st Meeting of the Working Group of Technical University of Munich, EOM, Mariya Nedelcheva, and the Head the Parties to the Protocol Stockholm Water Prize 2003 of the EP Delegation, Anne Delvaux, (EP, 28-29 November, Geneva - David Wilkinson, director of the EU BE) will hold a joint press conference to The aim of the meeting is to review Joint Research Centre announce their preliminary findings on implementation of the Pollutant Release - Mathis Wackernagel, Founder and Wedesday, 30 November. and Transfer Register (PRTR) Protocol, Executive Director of Global Footprint in particular issues surrounding sources of Network funding for implementation of the PRTR - Thomas E. Graedel, School of Forestry Protocol, a work plan for 2011-2014, and Environmental Studies, Yale Council of technical support mechanism and the long- University term strategic plan. - Martin Parry, Visiting Professor at the Ministers Organiser: Aarhus Convention Secretariat Centre for Environmental Policy, and Eurogroup (UNECE) Visiting Research Fellow at the Grantham Brussels Contact : Justyna Grzywacz (Presidency), Institute, Imperial College London e-mail: [email protected], tel.: 0048 22 57 92 748
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info 18 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Seminar of EFSA experts eHealth Expert Conference Fighting against corruption Lodz, Poland 28 - 29 November, Warsaw 28 November – 1 December, Lublin, Issues connected with food and health The aim of the conference is to share Poland claims from the standpoint of legal eHealth experience, define eHealth Raising awareness of the importance of a requirements, science and industry. development milestones, and present all transparency-based organisational culture Participants: experts, scientists and industry solutions under projects implemented in the justice system for their perception by representatives. Lectures by experts from in Poland. Other topics to be debated the public as entities actively engaging in the ESFA and experts associated with include the safety and quality of medical the struggle against corruption. Education the work of the NDA Panel on dietetic information, and the broad use of diagnosis in the skill of applying international products, food and allergy as well as well as and treatment tools and technologies for co-operation and standards to the end scientists involved with these questions and European Union citizens as part of the of efficiency in preventing corruptive individuals applying the claims in practice. Digital Europe programme. behaviour.
31st Standing Committee meeting of 17th Session of COP to the UNFCCC, Promotion of the European the Bern Convention with the 7th Session of the Meeting agriculture – a new approach 29 November - 2 December, Strasbourg of Parties to the Kyoto Protocol Warsaw The Parties to the Convention adopt 28 November - 9 December, Durban, At the conference, the Commission will recommendations concerning the Republic of South Africa outline the proposals on amendment of conservation of European wildlife and Given the limited progress in negotiating the rules and regulations alongside the natural habitats. the agreement to outline activities to support scheme for promotional measures Contact : Ewa Pisarczyk, ewa.pisarczyk@ protect the climate after 2012, it is expected and information provision in the markets gdos.gov.pl, tel.: 0048 22 57 92 156 that only the RSA summit (COP 17) shall of selected agricultural products and the result in a new climate-related agreement. outcomes of public consultation, on the ESPON WEEK: ESPON Contact Point The meeting shall be attended by ministers future of the above-mentioned support Meeting of States - Parties to the United Nations scheme based on guidelines given in the 28 November - 2 December, Krakow, Framework Convention on Climate Green Paper. Another issue to be discussed Poland Change (UNFCCC), representatives of is the effectiveness of promotional measures The ESPON (European Spatial Planning ministries competent in climate change in the European market of diary and Observation Network) is an investigatory in member states of the European meat products, as well as in the fruit and program that provides analyses as well as Union, representatives of the European vegetables market in view of this year’s new and comparative knowledge about Commission, the Union’s chief negotiators disturbances which occurred in this market. trends in the territorial development of on climate change, and by representatives Europe and the effect of the implemented of other countries - Parties to the Climate 5th European Food Quality Forum, Q policies on the regions and areas of Europe. Convention, including major global Factor At the meeting there will be a discussion economies: USA, China, Japan, and Russia. - Agriculture and Quality, values for a new about the tasks for the ESPON program Organiser: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe arising from the assumption of ATUE as Ministry of Environment of the Republic 29-30 November, Brussels well as a discussion of the ESPON program of South Africa, Secretariat of the United The forum will focus on a debate on the after 2013, from the point of view of the Nations Framework Convention on currently amended food sector regulations. tasks for the national contact points. Climate Change. All topics will be presented by panelists Organiser for Poland: Ministry of playing a key role in the food and Strategic Energy Technology Plan Environment. agriculture sector, including representatives 28 - 29 November, Warsaw Contact : Rafal Szymanski (Ministry of of the Horeca sector, manufacturer groups, Around 400 people will take part in the Environment), e-mail: rafal.szymanski@ and non-governmental organisations active conference, representing the European mos.gov.pl, tel.: 0048 22 57 92 617. in the food and agriculture industry. Paolo energy industry, public offices and De Castro, President of the European administration as well as EU institutes and Accounting and European Union Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture organisations. The aim of the conference integration and Rural Development, other Committee is to present the current achievements of Warsaw members and agriculture ministry the European Industrial Initiatives as well The conference is addressed to the representatives from Poland, Italy, and as the effects of the implementation plans accounting regulators and accounting the United Kingdom have been invited it introduced. There will also be discussion organisations from other EU countries. to present their views in the course of the about a new European Industrial Initiative Organisers: Accountants Association in discussion. Dacian Ciolos, Commissioner called Smart Cities, energy infrastructure Poland, Accounting Standards Committee, for Agriculture and Rural Development, and the means of financing the technology National Chamber of Statutory Auditors, has also been invited to attend. for the SET-Plan in the upcoming financial Polish Economic Society. Venue : Espace Banca Monte Paschi situation. www.skwp.pl Belgio, Avenue d’Auderghem 22-28
www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011 19
of the main marine NGOs 2(7)(c) of Council Regulation (EC) No nMaria Damanaki receives Kikis Kazamias, 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection European Minister of Finance of the Republic of against dumped imports from countries not Cyprus members of the European Community (OJ Commission nKristalina Georgieva in Munich; meets 1996 L 56, p. 1) – Status of undertaking Travel and visits with Joachim Hermann, Bavarian Minister operating under market economy nViviane Reding in Paris: delivers the of Interior; gives a speech at “Disaster conditions opening speech at the International Response in Europe - prevention and Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) solidarity” Conference 09:30 Europe Data Protection Congress; delivers nGünther Oettinger attends the Grand Chamber the closing address at a conference on ‘The Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) nOpinion C-307/10 Intellectual property EU Digital Agenda, New Frontiers for (Washington) The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys Social Media Marketing’ organised by The nJohannes Hahn receives Gianni Reference for a preliminary ruling - High Economist Group Alemanno, Mayor of Rome Court of Justice (Queen’s Bench Division) nJoaquín Almunia gives a speech at nJohannes Hahn receives Bojan Suvorow, - Interpretation of Directive 2008/95/EC European Policy Summit on “Europe Slovenian State Secretary of Slovenia of the European Parliament and of the and China: Rivals or Strategic Partners?” nJohannes Hahn attends and holds speech Council of 22 October 2008 to approximate (Brussels) at the Covenant of Mayors Ceremony the laws of the Member States relating to nJoaquín Almunia receives Jutta (Brussels) trade marks (Codified version) (OJ 2008 Urpilainen, Finnish Minister of Finance nJohannes Hahn receives Tomislav L 299, p. 25) - Classification of goods or nSiim Kallas participates in the TEN-T Donchev, Bulgarian Minister for EU Funds services for the purposes of registration Days (Antwerp) nConnie Hedegaard participates in the - Degree of clarity and precision required nAntonio Tajani participates in the launch Awards ceremony for World Challenge as regards the identification of the goods or of the “Toy Safety Christmas campaign” in 2011, hosted by BBC World News services covered by a trade mark the toy shop Dreamland (Groot-Bijgaarden, (Amsterdam) Advocate General : Bot Belgium) nStefan Füle receives representatives of the nAntonio Tajani delivers a speech at Belarus opposition 09:30 the First Conference of EU Heads of nStefan Füle receives Sadullah Ergin, Grand Chamber Delegation, EUSR and Chargés d’affairs in Turkish Minister of Justice nJudgment C-371/10 Freedom of EEAS Headquarter (Brussels) nStefan Füle meets Igor Luksic, Prime establishment nMaros Sefcovic delivers a keynote speech Minister of Montenegro National Grid Indus at the conference on “Transparency and nLászló Andor receives Egemen Batis, The text is not available in English citizen friendly Europe”, (“The Centre”, Minister for EU Affairs of Turkey Advocate General : Kokott Brussels) nLászló Andor receives Hanne Bjurstrom, nJanez Potocnik receives Fatmir Mediu, Minister for Employment of Norway 09:30 Albanese Minister for Environment nDacian Ciolos addresses Coldiretti’s Grand Chamber nMichel Barnier participates in the Conference (Rome) nOpinion C-376/10 P, Common foreign conference “Solvency II” organized by the and security policy French Federation of Insurance Companies Tay Za v Council (FFSA) (Paris) Appeal brought against the judgment of nMichel Barnier meets Jean-Rene Buisson, Court of Justice the General Court (Eighth Chamber) of President of the National Association of 09:30 19 May 2010 in Case T-181/08 Tay Za v Food Industries (ANIA) (Paris) Grand Chamber Council, by which the Court dismissed nMichel Barnier participates in the high- nHearing C-337/09 P, Commercial policy an application for partial annulment of level forum on the agribusiness, organized Council v Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Council Regulation (EC) No 194/2008 by DG ENTR (Berlaymont, Brussels) Industrial Group of 25 February 2008 renewing and nKarel De Guchtparticipates in the Appeal against the judgment of 17 June strengthening the restrictive measures in Transatlantic Economic Council 2009 of the Court of First Instance (Fourth respect of Burma/Myanmar and repealing (Washington, USA) Chamber) in Case T498/04 Zhejiang Regulation (EC) No 817/2006 (OJ 2008 L nJohn Dalli attends the High Level Xinan Chemical Industrial Group v 66, p. 1), in so far as the applicant’s name Group on Nutrition and Physical Activity Council annulling, in so far as it concerns appears on the list of persons, entities or (Brussels) Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Industrial Group bodies to which the regulation applies nJohn Dalli attends the Forum Alto Livello Co. Ltd., Article 1 of Council Regulation Advocate General : Mengozzi Agroalimentare (Berlaymont, Brussels) (EC) No 1683/2004 of 24 September 2004 nJanusz Lewandowski receives Stanislaw imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty 09:30 Tillich, Minister-President of the Free State on imports of glyphosate originating in Grand Chamber of Saxony the People’s Republic of China (OJ 2004 nOpinion C-406/10 Intellectual property nMaria Damanaki receives representatives L 303, p. 1) – Interpretation of Article SAS Institute
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info 20 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Reference for a preliminary ruling - High entering the territory of the Member State Commission, dismissing an application for Court of Justice (Chancery Division) which issued that permit where they do not the partial annulment of the Commission - Interpretation of Articles 2(1) and 5(3) of have a re-entry visa issued by the consular decision: (i) appointing the appellant, a Council Directive 91/250/EEC of 14 May or prefectural authorities – Concept of a former member of the temporary staff, as 1991 on the legal protection of computer ‘re-entry visa’ – Permissibility of transitional an official in grade A* 6 following an open programs (OJ 1991 L 122, p. 42 – Extent measures for such nationals who have left competition published prior to the entry of protection – Creation, directly or via a the territory – Principles of legal certainty into force of the new Staff Regulations; and process such as decompilation of the object and protection of legitimate expectations (ii) not maintaining his promotion points. code, to create another computer program Advocate General : Trstenjak which replicates the functions of another computer program, protected by copyright, without access to the source code of the Civil Service latter program. General Court Advocate General : Bot 09:30 Tribunal Fourth Chamber 09:30 09:30 nHearing T-344/08 Third Chamber First Chamber EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg v nJudgment F-119/10 Staff Regulations of nOpinion C-453/10 Commission Officials Perenicová and Perenic Annulment of the Commission’s decision of Di Tullio v Commission Reference for a preliminary ruling – 16 June 2008 refusing to grant the applicant Civil service – Application for annulment Okresný súd Prešov – Interpretation of Arts access to the administrative file of a of OLAF’s decision refusing to assign 4(1) and 6(1) of Council Directive 93/13/ proceeding under Article 81 EC and Article the applicant leave for national service EEC of 5 April 1993 on unfair terms in 53 EEA (Case COMP/F/38.899 – Gas under Article 18 of the Conditions of consumer contracts (OJ 1993 L 95, p. 29), insulated switchgear) concerning a cartel Employment of other Servants and of European Parliament and Council in the industry for gas insulated switchgear Directive 2005/29/EC of 11 May 2005 projects 09:30 concerning unfair business-to-consumer First Chamber commercial practices in the internal market 09:30 nHearing F-11/11 Staff Regulations of and amending Council Directive 84/450/ Third Chamber Officials EEC, Directives 97/7/EC, 98/27/EC and nHearing Joined cases T-366/09, T-110/10 Bouillez and Others v Council 2002/65/EC of the European Parliament Arbitration clause Staff case – Application for annulment of and of the Council and Regulation (EC) Insula v Commission the decision of the appointing authority not No 2006/2004 of the European Parliament Action on the basis of an arbitration clause to promote the applicants to a higher grade and of the Council (‘Unfair Commercial seeking a declaration of non-compliance for the promotions year 2010. Practices Directive’)(OJ 2005 L 149, p. 22) of debit notes of 8 July 2009, by which the – Consumer credit contract stipulating a Commission demands reimbursement of usurious interest rate – Impact of unfair the advances paid to the applicant, with commercial practices and abusive clauses clauses in the EL HIERRO, ECRES, Economic and on the overall validity of the contract OPET 1, OPET II, OPET OLA, Advocate General : Trstenjak ‘Sustainable Communities’, Respire, Social Committee ISLANDS 2010 and Virtual Campus 09:00-18:00 09:30 contracts, concluded under the specific Eastern Partnership Civ. Soc. Forum n°3, Second Chamber programme for research, technological nOpinion C-606/10 Area of Freedom, development and demonstration on energy, 09:00-17:30 Security and Justice environment and sustainable development Seminar Polis, JDE62, 63 Association nationale d’assistance aux and under the ALTENER II programme, frontières pour les étrangers and, in the alternative, a claim for damages 09:00-17:30 Reference for a preliminary ruling Joint Conference GHG-TransPoRD: – Conseil d’État – Interpretation of Art. 15:00 Workshop & Final Conference, VM3 5(4)(a) and Art. 13 of Regulation (EC) Appeals Chamber No 562/2006 of the European Parliament nHearing, Joined cases T-441/10 P, T- 09:00-17:30 and of the Council of 15 March 2006 442/10 P, T-443/10 P, Staff Regulations of 4th Extraordinary Gr II meeting, ESEC, establishing a Community Code on the Officials Place d’Iéna 9 (FR Paris) rules governing the movement of persons Kurrer v Commission, Magazzu v across borders (Schengen Borders Code) Commission, Sotgia v Commission 09:00-13:00 (OJ 2006 L 105, p. 1) – National rules Appeal against the judgment of the Civil Presentation of opinion REX322 - Rural prohibiting third-country nationals holding Service Tribunal (Second Chamber) of development and employment in the a provisional residence permit from re- 8 July 2010 in Case F-139/06 Kurrer v Western Balkans - in Belgrade www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 4315 Tuesday 29 November 2011 21
09:00-18:00 European Commission and responsible the Committees on Transportation and Fact finding mission to Japan - 25-29 for Inter-Institutional Relations and Telecommunications;Jean-Arnold Vinois, November 2011 – Tokyo, Hrs siège Administration; Mats Persson, Director, Acting Director Internal Energy Market, Open Europe; Diana Wallis, Vice DG ENER, European Commission 14:00-17:30 President of the European Parliament. Venue: Mission of Switzerland to the EU, European Panel Federation Working The European institutions are hugely Place du Luxembourg 1, 1050 Brussels Group “Environment”, JDE60 influential political and legislative Registration: [email protected] actors, whose decisions have a profound www.eda.admin.ch/mission_eu impact on citizens’ everyday life. As with all public bodies, it is vital that the Conference Committee of the European institutions are transparent and We care, how can EU care? accountable. Have the Commission’s 9 December, Brussels Regions recent positive initiatives, such as the Our vision of CARE that respects the Conference launch of the joint transparency register, rights of individuals, guarantees access to Green investments to the rescue changes to the Staff Regulations, and the services and promotes social inclusion - How the new Cohesion Policy can steer Commissioner’s tour of national capitals, Why should you attend? Europe’s regions towards a sustainable succeeded in boosting transparency and •Understand and discuss fundamental economy accountability? Where is there still room rights of care users Brussels for improvement within the Commission •Learn how to promote quality Public conference, with participants and other EU institutions, such as the employment and decent working including representatives from European European Parliament and European conditions in the care sector regions, local authorities, the European Council? Are there other areas that the •Discuss how to ensure an adequate Parliament, the European Commission, Commission should review, such as balance between care, work, family and Member States, the European Investment salaries, expenses, and its communication private life for men and women and Bank and cross sectoral stakeholders. with citizens and the media, in order between generations Scope: new investments fields and to strengthen trust in the EU and its •Explore the benefits of investing in the opportunities of the next Cohesion institutions? care sector Policy that can foster sustainable regional Venue: Edelman - The Centre, Avenue Speakers include: development. Marnix 22, B-1000 Brussels •László Andor, Commissioner for Organisers: environmental NGOs: Registration: [email protected], or Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion BirdLife International, CEE Bankwatch contact Pieter Cleppe, Open Europe •Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director, Network, Friends of the Earth Europe, Brussels office, at 0032 477 68 46 08 Employment, Lisbon Strategy, Transport & Environment, WWF. International affairs, DG Employment, Registration: Xavier Sol, xavier.sol@ Meeting European Commission bankwatch.org The friendly meeting of French in •Claudia Menne, Confederal Secretary, Venue: Committee of the Regions, Jacques Brussels ETUC Delors building, room JDE 52, 14:00- 30 November, Brussels •Staffan Nilsson, President, European 18:00 The next friendly meeting of the French Economic and Social Committee (TBC) in Brussels will take place on the occasion •Guillaume Cravero, Adviser for Social Associations of the release of the special issue Volume Affairs, Business Europe REGLEG General Assembly 2011 3 “Moving and living well in Belgium” of •Francoise Castex, MEP, Chair of the 29-30 November, Brussels the Juliette & Victor Magazine. Public Services Intergroup European Organiser: Regleg Venue: Hotel Sofitel, Place Jourdan, Parliament www.regleg.eu Brussels 1-1040, 18:30 - 20:30 Venue: The International Auditorium, Respond before 29 November: medef. Brussels, Boulevard du Roi Albert II, No. 5 [email protected] Registration: [email protected] www.socialplatform.org Conferences and Debate Partners in Dialogue - “Secure, seminars affordable and green energy flows Roundtable in Europe: How far from reality?” To announce your events on these pages, Transparency and accountability 30 November, Brussels, 18:15 contact: [email protected] in the EU institutions: Participants: Claude Turmes, MEP, what has been achieved and what are the Vice-Chair of the Group of the Greens/ challenges? European Free Alliance and Member 29 November, Brussels, 14:00 -16:00 of the Committee on Industry, Research With: and Energy; Filippo Lombardi, Swiss Maros Sefcovic, Vice-President of the MP (Council of States), Member of
Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info
EUROPE NEEDS A GLOBAL VISION FOR ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE The agreement now concluded between Parliament, Council and Commission on six legislative measures to strengthen macro-economic surveillance represents a major step towards improving economic governance in the EU. But it is not enough on its own. There needs to be a broadly accepted vision and agreed plan for deeper economic and fiscal policy coordination in the Union that includes a central role for the European Commission as the defender of the common interest, interconnection with the Euro Plus Pact for competitiveness and growth, a single voice in international fora, the recapitalisation of banks and a common european bond market. President Barroso committed himself before Parliament on 28th September to table proposals to this effect in the coming weeks. In particular he must convince the European Council, at the summit on 17th-18th October, of the same urgency to push ahead with economic integration in order to end the financial speculation and uncertainty afflicting Europe. It is now time to move beyond declarations of intent and take decisive action. belpress.com ©
image copyright www.alde.eu 24 Tuesday 29 November 2011 N° 4315 EUROPOLITICS
Open Forum Turkish experience for Europe: Invest in democracy
By H.E. Egemen Bağiş Turkey into a more powerful position in Turkey’s demographic structure can the global problems. Turkey is now one be regarded as the “missing part of the We are passing through a very spe- of the leading countries in its region. European puzzle”. cial era in the history of our globe. The The most important achievement of ours Turkey has a young, dynamic, well- global economic crisis is changing the is investment we made in democracy in educated and multicultural population. architecture of the world economy and the last nine years. Now Turkey has been According to the UN, Turkey entered politics. What started as a financial crisis putting its imprint on the global stage into a period of “demographic window of has begun to turn into a political one with its impressive economic develop- opportunity,” which is expected to con- especially in some European countries, ment and political stability. tinue until the mid-21st century. This such as Greece and Italy. Techno- will certainly be a boost period for cratic governments came into power the Turkish economy as a whole by in those countries when the elected creating a complementary circle of governments resigned. “consuming more, producing more Next to the capability of the European and growing more,” which will be a Union to overcome the global financial golden opportunity for Europe, too. crisis, the question whether the European Alongside her large and grow- Union sees the current democratic defi- ing domestic market, mature and cit as legitimate while struggling with the dynamic private sector, leading role economic deficits is a big concern now. in the region, liberal and secure The recent experiences of Greece and investment environment, supply of Italy cause some doubts about the EU’s © DR high quality and cost-effective labor sincerity on that issue. What we are wit- Bağiş: “Turkey will enlarge the size of the cake” force, developed infrastructure and nessing is economic coups overthrowing institutionalised economy, Turkey the democratic and elected governments. Turkey has a lot to contribute to world offers considerable opportunities and It seems to be a real test in the near future welfare as well as to Europe’s. Thanks to economic gains for the EU. for the EU how to sustain the balance the structural reforms following the 2001 As a natural bridge between both East- between democracy and economy. Turkey crisis, Turkey is now enjoying a remarkable West and North-South, Turkey is an sincerely warns the European friends that economic performance. The most impor- easy access point to natural and energy the EU can do nothing but undermine its tant ingredient when solving our crises resources and to global markets espe- own rules and values by moving away from was a strong and stable democratic gov- cially including the large markets of the the democratic framework. ernment, which enjoyed the confidence Balkans, Eurasia, the Middle East and The only legitimate and effective tool of our citizens and global investors. Cur- North Africa. Some 70% of the energy to overcome the economic crisis is true rently, Turkey is the 16th largest economy resources are located in the South and democracy. Our experience in Turkey in the world and the 6th largest economy the East of Turkey, while the largest for nine years is inspirational. The two in Europe. The OECD estimates that energy consumer, Europe, is located in magic words behind Turkey’s great eco- Turkey will be the second highest growing the West. nomic transformation are stability and country after China by 2017. The Turkish Turkey’s accession will increase the confidence. Our strong and stable demo- economy, which grew by 8.9% in 2010 and size of the European internal market as cratic government has been implement- by 10.2% during the first half of 2011, is well as the competitiveness of the EU ing a spectacular political and economic fuelled by direct global investments. in the global economy. We have already reform campaign during nine years in What is interesting is that 85% of all proved that Turkey does not downsize the power. Our political programme envis- global investments in Turkey and 92% of slices that the EU members get from the ages an upgraded democracy, a trans- investments made in the first half of 2011 EU cake. On the contrary, Turkey will parent and accountable administration, have come from EU member countries. enlarge the size of the cake as a whole better governance and a developed civil This is a clear indication that the busi- when she becomes an EU member. n society. Actually, the AK Party is the most ness and economic decision makers of reformist and most liberal government Europe are much ahead of their political (*) Egemen Bağiş is Turkish minister for in Turkish history, which has brought counterparts. European Union affairs and chief negotiator
Europolitics is offering a platform for outside comment and opinion by opening a regular Open Forum section. All contributions are welcome, up to 4,500 characters (including spaces). They should be sent in to [email protected] and, if possible, accompanied by a translation into English or French along with a photo of the author in jpg format (300 dpi). The final decision on whether to publish these contributions or not remains solely with Europolitics.
www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language