Special European Parliament’s priorities Dossier in run-up to elections EUROPOLITIcs

The European affairs daily Monday 9 March 2009 N° 3709 37th year

Focus European Parliament Key issues still ahead before The last straight June elections

At the end of February, Europolitics By Europolitics staff, coordinated by Célia Sampol The next assembly will hold its first or reviewed the different projections con- ‘constituent’ session in mid-July and will cerning the renewal of the European The European Parliament will soon be start voting in mid-September. It will Commission set for next autumn. As renewed for another five years through the resume work on reports still open and will a tool for actors and observers of the elections to be held from 4 to 7 June in address new issues. The context will be EU institutions, Europolitics has now the 27 EU member states. In the mean- somewhat precarious, however, since the mobilised its team to review all the time, though, it still has a lot of work to European Commission will also be in a important issues the European Parlia- do and a number of more or less urgent phase of renewal, with all the uncertain- ment still has to address before the end of the present legislative period. These two central EU bodies will be mobilised in the coming months on questions other than their usual func- tion, while they will continue to con- centrate on taking forward and devel- oping Community policies. This by no means implies that Europe will be put on hold. First, these outgoing bodies are, as always in such cases, interested in completing what they have begun – often at the price of huge effort – and in emptying their drawers before making way for the next team. Second, pro- cedural deadlines must be respected in dealing with the pending issues. Lastly, the world keeps spinning, and

as the economic crisis shows, impor- © Belpress The next assembly will hold its first or ‘constituent’ session in mid-July tant EU initiatives must be completed come what may. issues to address before the end of this leg- ties still hanging over the future of the Europolitics will of course continue, islative period. There are still five plenary Lisbon Treaty. as usual, to follow closely and analyse sessions left - four of them in Strasbourg Against that backdrop, Europolitics the evolution of these issues through - and the final voting session is set for early presents an overview of the important to conclusion, whether before or after May. MEPs will then campaign in their issues (mainly subject to co-decision) in the elections. home countries. So, strictly speaking, they each sector that the current Parliament EvP have only two months left to tie up all the will try to bring to conclusion before loose ends. packing its bags. (continued on page 4)

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Contents N° 3709 Top Stories Special European Parliament’s priorities Dossier in run-up to elections Pages 1-7

Special Dossier Economic & monetary affairs, External relations European Parliament: Key issues taxation EU/US: Clinton charms with open still ahead before June elections...... 1 Ecofin Council: Czech ambassador style, assures on climate and Russia...... 16 refutes idea of CEE bloc...... 12 EU/US: Obama to be star guest Institutions for EU summit in Prague...... 17 European Parliament: Numerous Sectoral policies EU/India: Joint declaration co-decision votes on plenary agenda...... 8 Agriculture: Member states propose signed on multilingualism...... 17 Access to documents: Test of strength limiting control of cloning...... 12 between the institutions gets under way..... 8 Animal welfare: Ministers call Trade policy European Parliament: Opinions for international declaration...... 13 Intellectual property: EU-China diverge on election quotas for women....9 Regions: Regional and local authorities IP forum presents results...... 17 demand greater say in policy making...... 14 Business & competitiveness Competitiveness Council: Ministers Defence & security Telecommunications: Telecoms discuss research area and infrastructure...14 Defence: Parliament debates NATO’s package: National proposals Justice and Home Affairs: transformation...... 18 to help forge a compromise...... 10 Parliament defends fundamental Car industry: Opel crisis: Meeting freedoms on internet...... 15 In Brief to coordinate national responses...... 11 Commission appoints Audiovisual policy: Public broadcasters Social affairs representative in Sweden...... 19 press for status quo on state aid...... 11 Economic crisis: Report takes Conference on future of transport...... 19 Electricity: Energy goals for temperature of EU job market...... 15 EPP-ED on working visit to Sweden.....19 2050 worry industry...... 11 Social policy: Commission Reform of EP committees...... 19 powerless when it comes to pensions...... 16 EU Agenda...... 20

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European Parliament promise will then be sought with the Coun- ing taking place under the Swedish EU (continued from page 1) cil for a vote by the plenary late in April. Presidency and the new Parliament. The member states have already approved RECOVERY PLAN. Members of Telecommunication the Commission’s position. The objective the EP also hope to reach a first-read- TELECOMS PACKAGE. Wrapping is to lower the cost of a roaming short text ing agreement with the Council on the up the telecoms package – a comprehen- message to 11 eurocents, compared with a three proposals related to the strategy for sive review of the EU’s telecoms rules European average of 29 eurocents today. sustainable production and consump- begun a year ago with the target date The idea is also to set a price ceiling for tion - ecolabel, ecodesign of products and of 2010 – is one of the final challenges downloading data to mobile phones, but the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme facing the European Parliament before its only at wholesale level (invoiced between (EMAS) – which are included in the eco- election campaign gets into swing. The operators to switch from one network to nomic recovery plan. They will be put second-reading vote is set for 22 April in another) given the youthfulness of the to the vote either at the second March Strasbourg. The outcome, however, will session or at the April session. depend on the regular negotiations under ENERGY LIBERALISATION. The the three-way talks, involving the EP rap- Mobile phone users who EP and the Council are negotiating, in porteurs, the Czech EU Presidency and use roaming services could second reading, a package of legislative the Commission. The talks are already soon be getting measures for energy liberalisation put quite advanced. The French EU Presi- forward by the Commission, on 19 Sep- dency managed to seal a political agree- smaller bills tember 2007. The toughest block of issues ment among the telecoms ministers in relate to the structure of the market, nota- November 2008 but at the price of rejec- bly ownership unbundling, third-country tion of the Commission’s initial proposals, sector. The Commission proposes €1 per clause, level playing field and national designed to give the EU executive more megabit. The Council agrees but the EP regulatory authorities. A second block control over this €300 billion sector. The would like to go down to 25 eurocents per consists of consumer rights and energy 27 ministers turned down its proposal kilobit. poverty, where MEPs and the Council for a European regulators’ agency and have moved closer together. A third block for a veto power over measures taken by Environment and energy is made up of network codes and guide- national regulators to address competition INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION. Revi- lines, regulators’ agency, regional coop- problems. They also refused to liberalise sion of the Directive on integrated pollu- eration and other issues. Here, too, there the management of radio frequencies in tion prevention and control (IPPC) is the has also been some progress. Parliament’s the EU, keen to keep their prerogatives last big environmental issue to be handled Industry Committee (ITRE) is tentatively over this key resource, used as much for by Parliament before the end of its legisla- scheduled to vote on a possible compro- strategic defence services as for TV, for tive period. The proposal, which concerns mise proposal, on 31 March. This depends example. The EP is more open to liber- 52,000 industrial plants, aims to provide on progress on the all-important issue of alisation. A compromise will have to be coordinated prevention and reduction of ownership unbundling (OU). The Czech worked out. After a period of doubt on air, water and soil pollution from indus- EU Presidency, however, has not dared to concluding, optimism seems to be return- trial facilities. It regulates emissions of move away from the Council’s common ing. In the absence of a compromise, the many pollutants, including sulphur and position. legislative process will have to move into a nitrogenous compounds, particulates, STRATEGIC ENERGY REVIEW. third reading. asbestos and heavy metals. The proposal Another issue to be concluded relates to ROAMING - MOBILE TELEPHONY. updates the existing directive and incorpo- the legislative elements of the Commis- Consumers who use their mobile phones rates the directives on waste incineration, sion’s second Strategic Energy Review to send short text messages or download co-incineration, large combustion plants (SER), published in November 2008. The data (e-mails, internet, photos and videos) and the production of titanium dioxide. It most important package is the the revi- from one EU country to another (roaming) promotes the use of best available technol- sion of oil stocks and gas storage – both could soon be getting smaller bills for these ogies (BAT), pushing industrial operators Council directives solely requiring Parlia- services. The Council and EP could even to use BAT to attain high levels of envi- ment to be consulted. The Commission’s agree on a price ceiling in first reading, with ronmental protection via emissions limit proposal, which the Czechs are keen to the regulation entering into force in June. values. Adopted in committee, on 20 Jan- adopt under their Presidency in first read- Such an agreement, coming just before the uary, a report by Holger Krahmer (ALDE, ing, would replace existing EU legislation, June elections, would put a premium on Germany) will be submitted to the plenary notably Council Directives 2006/67/EC the work of MEPs in any case. Two years at first reading (co-decision procedure) at and 73/238/EEC and Council Decision ago, the EU set a ceiling on prices for roam- the 9-13 March session. Meanwhile, on 68/416/EEC. A requirement to hold petro- ing voice calls, to the great dismay of most the Council side work is advancing slowly. leum stocks for 90 days of consumption is telecoms operators. Parliament’s Commit- The Environment Council of 2 March currently in place. A number of member tee on Industry (ITRE) is set to approve, on held a policy debate with the aim of seal- states, though, oppose more frequent 9 March in Strasbourg, a report by Adina ing a political agreement under the Czech (weekly) publishing of stock levels. The Ioana Valean (ALDE, Romania). A com- EU Presidency in June, with second read- Commission’s proposal on gas storages www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 

also appears to be supported mostly by operator from one member state may con- this end. This process has been achieved those countries that lack sufficient storage duct transport operations within another in record time, since the Commission’s capacities themselves, such as Poland. member state where it is not established. proposals had been presented in June This is an extremely sensitive issue in the 2008. The implementation of the Single Transport Council, which has had to strike a balance Sky will above all be carried out via the EUROVIGNETTE. This is a - if not between the countries backing greater lib- creation of what is known as functional the - key issue in the transport sector. Revi- eralisation and those calling for stricter airspace blocks (FABs), which organise sion of the existing Eurovignette Directive rules to protect their national market. airs pace according to traffic flows and no (1999/62/EC) will enable the member The Council and Parliament are negotiat- longer according to national borders. The states to set up road charging systems for ing to try to conclude at second reading creation of such blocks was already antici- trucks to cover the costs of pollution, noise (co-decision) without going through the pated in the first Single Sky package, but and road congestion. Although the rail conciliation procedure. This will imply practically remained ‘dead letter’, mainly sector regrets that the proposal does not concessions by Parliament on cabotage: due to political obstacles. A binding sched- go far enough, the road ule should this time be transport sector is up in established. ‘Air Schen- arms and denounces the gen’ – as it is referred Commission’s proposal. to in the Commission The issue is particularly – would then be right sensitive as the crisis on track. deals a stiff blow to the ERIKA III. On 11 road transport sector. The March, Parliament Council and Parliament will add the quasi-final are at odds on key points point to this large pack- – such as what should be age of eight legislative done with the money col- proposals intended to lected – and, to crown it strengthen maritime all, a split has emerged in safety in Europe. The the Transport Committee, main axes of this dos- which has competence for sier, which required the substance. A report by three years of negotia- Said El Khadraoui (PES, tion, are: improved con- © Belpress Belgium) was adopted, on The Parliament’s Strasbourg building trol of boats, improved 13 February, without the response in case of acci- backing of the EPP-ED, which is opposed MEPs hoped for total liberalisation in dent and better compensation. The vote of to the fact that congestion costs (traffic 2014 but the Council is uncompromising 11 March will mark the approval by MEPs jams) can be included in road charges. on this point. The item is on the agenda of the conciliation agreement reached in The debate promises to be lively at the 10 of the Transport Committee, on 31 March December 2008 on six of the proposals and March plenary session ahead of the first- – after three-way talks, on 23 March – and will conclude the second reading on the reading vote (co-decision procedure) set the second plenary session in April. If all two remaining proposals (agreement on for the following day. In Council, where goes well, Parliament’s second reading the Council’s common position). discussions are equally difficult, this issue will have been concluded by then and the may not appear on the agenda before June Council will be able to endorse the EP’s Cohesion Policy (Transport Council of 11 June, at which amendments in the following weeks. RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS. At the time the Czech EU Presidency hopes to SINGLE SKY. The challenge is to end of 2008, the Commission presented seal a political agreement). Although it is improve the management of air traffic in proposals for the revision of the Euro- on the provisional agenda of the Transport order to make air services safer, shorter and pean Structural Funds regulations, which Council of 30 March for now, the item more punctual. Therefore, the EU institu- should facilitate investment in accor- may be deleted to give the delegations tions are working to revise the Single Sky dance with the EU’s Cohesion Policy, at time to digest the EP’s amendments. regulations (549/2004, 550/2004, 551/2004 a time when the economic situation is a ROAD PACKAGE. A package of three and 552/2004) and the regulation on heavy burden on public and private bud- draft regulations aims to change existing the European Aviation Safety Agency gets. Even if it regretted not having been rules on access to the market and admis- (216/2008). Parliament should adopt its more significantly involved, Parliament sion to the occupation of road transport report at first reading, on 26 March. Nor- will support these amendments, aware of operator (goods and passengers, ie in the mally, it will be the result of a compromise the fact that it would not be in good taste latter case, rules for coach transport). What with the Council of Ministers in order to to put a stop to the process in these times stands out on this issue is the need for new be able to complete the dossier under this of crisis. The proposals have received, rules on cabotage, ie determining the new legislature. Informal meetings have, in any or will soon receive, the approval of the conditions under which a road transport case, taken place over the past few days, to competent parliamentary committees – in

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accordance with the co-decision proce- the creation of a European asylum sup- coordination of social security systems on dure or a simple consultation, according port office planned for 2010 and debating the basis of the European Health Insur- to the texts – so that they can be quickly once again the idea of a common Euro- ance Card. The proposal covers three adopted in the plenary session. Among the pean immigration policy on the basis of areas, according to the Commission: it changes to be subsequently applied to the a report by Maltese Conservative Simon seeks to guarantee safe and high-quality use of money from the Structural Funds Busuttil. health care for all patients; aims to help are the following: faster reimbursement of JUSTICE. There will also be reports on patients exercise their rights to cross- expenditure associated with large projects three key subjects in the sphere of justice: border health care in order to codify the (projects of more than €50 million, or €25 conflicts of national jurisdiction in crimi- case law of the EU Court of Justice on million in the field of the environment), nal matters, revision of the Community the reimbursement aspects of cross-border possibility of strengthened financial sup- visa code and fundamental freedoms on health care; and seeks to promote cooper- port from the European Investment Bank, internet. ation between the national health systems. simplification of the rules on the eligibil- The member states and the MEPs remain ity of expenditure and increase in the pre- Social Policy split on the need for such a directive and financing of projects. One of the propos- WORKING TIME. In late 2008, the on the way this area should be regulated. als will also allow the EU15 to include European Parliament voted in favour of The draft directive is on the agenda of projects to improve the energy efficiency a second-reading report on the proposed the Employment Council of 8-9 June. of housing in programmes co-financed revision of Directive 2003/88/EC by Span- The Committee on Environment, Public by the Structural Funds. Until now, only ish rapporteur Alejandro Cercas (PES). Health and Food Safety will vote on the the ‘new’ member states could finance This way MEPs approved 22 amendments draft report, on 12 March, and the EP’s housing expenditure via the European against the Council’s common position plenary vote is scheduled for 23 April. Structural Funds. concerning “certain aspects of the organi- sation of working time”. The major points Economy and finance Justice and Home Affairs of divergence included ways to calculate RECOVERY PLAN. The European HOME AFFAIRS. Parliament still has on-call time (as working time or not), the economic recovery plan, proposed by the a slew of legislative or own-initiative (non- opt-out question (whether or not the work- European Commission on 26 November binding) JHA reports to put to the vote at ing week should be 48 hours or longer on last year (COM(2008)800), was approved its last plenary in May. The most contro- average each year) and the question of by the European Council, on 11-12 versial will doubtless be the own-initiative compensatory rest. After the EP vote, three December. The €200 billion package report by Kathalijne Maria Buitenweg informal negotiation rounds, between the (1.5% of the EU’s GDP) is to be financed (Greens, Netherlands) on fighting dis- Commission – which wanted to act as the as follows: €170 billion would come from crimination outside the workplace. “Some ‘honest broker’ - the EP and the Council the budgets of the member states and the articles come close to martial law, which took place. Although the first two rounds remaining €30 billion would be funded by is unacceptable to many Conservatives,” did not see any progress, the third meet- the Community and the European Invest- observed an EP spokesman, considering ing, which took place on 2 March, looked ment Bank. Of this €30 billion purse, that the EU has no competence in the “more promising,” according to sources only €5 billion would come from the EU matter. The committee vote is set for 16 close to the Commission. On 17 March, budget (the financing scheme for this €5 March, followed by the plenary vote, in the Conciliation Committee will meet to billion is the subject of tough negotiations April. An own-initiative report by Adina- perform the final and last phase of the co- in Council – not subject to co-decision). Ioana Valean (ALDE, Romania) promises decision procedure. The Council and the The implementation of the plan will be to be critical of the poor application of Parliament expect to conclude an infor- evaluated by the spring European summit, Europeans’ right of free movement in the mal agreement (on the opt-out in par- on 19-20 March. Parliament has prepared EU (particularly with regard to the Roma ticular) before the plenary vote scheduled a general resolution on the plan (rappor- from Romania). Another important report, for 6 May. This would bring four years of teur Elisa Ferreira - PES, Portugal). The by Sarah Ludford (ALDE, UK), concerns negotiations to a successful conclusion. text is scheduled for vote in plenary ses- ‘profiling’, notably on an ethnic or racial CROSS-BORDER HEALTH CARE. sion on 11 March. Ferreira is calling on basis, in anti-terrorist, law-and-order, The proposed directive on patients’ the Council and Eurogroup to take a immigration control and border control rights in cross-border health care look at issuing common euro area bonds operations. The EP will also be voting on (COM(2008)0414) aims to create a “clear to attract foreign investment and finance legal framework” on rights to reimburse- political priorities. ment for cross-border health care (ie all CREDIT RATING AGENCIES. On Plenary sessions forms of health care received outside the 21 April, MEPs will vote on a draft report 9-12 March (Strasbourg) country of origin). In practice, this would by Jean-Paul Gauzès (EPP-ED, France) 23-26 March (strasbourg) mean that – according to the proposal – on the proposal for a regulation on credit 1-2 April (Brussels) the reimbursement EU citizens would get rating agencies (COD/2008/0217). The 21-24 April (Strasbourg) would be equal to that they would receive Commission put forward the proposal on 4-7 May (Strasbourg) in their home country. This is already pos- 12 November last year as part of a package sible under existing EU legislation on the of proposals to deal with the financial crisis. www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 

It is scheduled for adoption in the Commit- change its proposal. The Cashman report liament is expected to give a discharge to tee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on puts forward major amendments to the the Commission for the execution of funds 23 March. The main change to the Com- Commission’s proposal, which may not go in 2007, even if the Court of Auditors was mission proposal in the Gauzès draft report down well with the Council. For example, not able to deliver a positive DAS – as has is to place the responsibility for supervi- it calls for the publication of the legal opin- been the case for fifteen consecutive years. sion and registration of agencies with the ions of the institutions; reviews the defini- In fact, MEPs consider that efforts have Committee of European Securities Regu- tion of a ‘proposed document’ (considered been made and that the rate of errors does lators rather than the member states. The to be too restrictive); attempts to limit the not only depend on the Commission but same idea is mentioned in the recent de exception schemes for access to docu- also on member states, which co-manage Larosière report on financial regulation ments; and calls for sanctions in the event 80% of the funds. The EP regrets, however, and supervision. of non-respect of the regulation. Lastly, that the Commissioner for Administrative SOLVENCY II. Possibly Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, up for a vote, on 2 April, is Siim Kallas, did not keep the a report by Peter Skinner promise made at the start (PES, UK) on Solvency II, of his mandate to achieve a or the proposal for a direc- positive DAS in 2009. As for tive concerning life assur- the Council, it made a posi- ance on the taking-up and tive recommendation for the pursuit of the business of discharge during the Ecofin insurance and reinsur- meeting of 10 February. ance (COD/2007/0143). LISBON TREATY. Before The original Commission the elections, MEPs will proposal dates back to July express their opinions on four 2007, but a subsequent own-initiative reports, which directive on financial acqui- constitute the Parliament’s sitions, of 5 September position on the impact of the that same year, introduced entry into force of the Lisbon © Freelance Belgium Freelance © changes to some of the 14 The Parliament’s Brussels building Treaty. This concerns the directives on which Sol- report by Jean-Luc Dehaene vency II is based. The recast directive was to the utmost irritation of the Council, (EPP-ED, Belgium) on the institutional sent to Council and Parliament in Febru- it wants member states to no longer have balance of the EU, the report by Jo Leinen ary 2008 and MEPs in the Committee on the right of veto to stand in the way of the (PES, Germany) on the new role and the Economic and Monetary Affairs reached a publication of their documents if they new responsibilities of the Parliament, the first-reading agreement on the recast direc- are associated with the implementation report by Elmar Brok (EPP-ED, Germany) tive, on 7 October last year. The Council, of EU legislation or involve the activities on the development of relations between on 2 December 2008, worked out its general of the Council. The latter is still working the European Parliament and national approach, introducing the idea of colleges of on the dossier. A common position could parliaments and the report by Catherine supervisors, and hopes the directive can be be reached in the second half of the year, Guy-Quint (PES, France) on the finan- adopted in April. under the Swedish Presidency. cial aspects of the Lisbon Treaty. The first 2007 DISCHARGE. The European three will be adopted in the Committee Institutions Parliament is, according to the treaties, the on Constitutional Affairs, on 9 March ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS. This discharge authority. That is to say, each ,and the latter in the Committee on Bud- concerns the revision of (EC) Regulation year - on the basis of the recommenda- gets, on 11 March. All of the reports will 1049/2001 on public access to documents tion of the Council and the Statement of then be subject to a vote by the plenary held by the EU institutions. This co-deci- Assurance (DAS) provided by the Court of of 21 to 24 April in Strasbourg. These sion dossier is more than sensitive insofar Auditors - it must close the financial year. texts had been drawn up in 2008 before as the European Commission’s proposal, This process aims to verify the accuracy of being frozen after the Irish ‘no’ vote, of presented on 20 April 2008, has been management of the Community budget, 12 June 2008, on the Lisbon Treaty. They largely disputed by NGOs, the European in the knowledge that it is the European returned to the agenda at the beginning ombudsman and MEPs. At the EP, a report Commission which is ultimately responsi- of 2009, whereas at this stage only Ireland by Labour MEP Michael Cashman (UK) ble for the execution of EU funds. During and the Czech Republic still need to give was adopted at first reading, on 17 Febru- the plenary, to be held from 21 to 24 April their opinions. The most important report ary, in the Committee on Civil Liberties. in Strasbourg, Parliament with thus vote appears to be that of Jean-Luc Dehaene, During its March 9-12 session, the plenary on its last discharge under this legislature. which tackles major interinstitutional will decide only on the amendments to the The principal report by Jean-Pierre Audy issues, in particular the nomination of the report, while reserving the possibility to (EPP-ED, France) will first be adopted in future Commission and the composition adopt the resolution later to leave the door the Committee on Budgetary Control, on of the next Parliament (with no longer 736 open to the Commission, which could still 16 March in Brussels. Unsurprisingly, Par- but 754 MEPs instead). n

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European Parliament Numerous co-decision votes on plenary agenda

By Célia Sampol EU budget, which is still sparking vigorous will enable member states to set up road debate in Council and on which Parliament charging systems to make trucks pay for the The plenary session running from 9 to 12 will have its say as the second branch of the costs of pollution, noise and road conges- March in Strasbourg will include prepara- budgetary authority. tion. The Transport Committee is split on tion of the forthcoming European Coun- Important co-decision issues will also the issue. The report by Said El Khadraoui cil and conclusion of the vote on the third be addressed. Parliament will basically be (PES, Belgium) was adopted on 13 Febru- maritime package. wrapping up the third maritime package, ary without the support of the EPP-ED, On 11 March, MEPs will debate the which contains eight legislative propos- which is opposed to including the costs of meeting of heads of state and government, als aimed at reinforcing safety at sea in congestion in road charges. scheduled for 19 and 20 March in Brussels, Europe. The main thrust of the package, The plenary will vote on 10 March on after hearing statements by the Council and which has taken three years of negotiation, the report by Holger Krahmer (ALDE, the European Commission. They will adopt is improved inspection of ships, better reac- Germany) on polluting emissions from three resolutions the same day. The spring tions when accidents occur and better com- industrial plants (first reading) and on the summit will be focusing on the economic pensation. The vote, on 11 March (debate reports by László Surján (EPP-ED, Hun- and financial situation, energy and the cli- the day before), will represent MEPs’ green gary) and Vladimír Manka (PES, Slova- mate, external relations and the evolution light for the conciliation agreement sealed kia) on the initial guidelines for the 2010 of the debate on ratification of the Lisbon in December on six of the proposals and budget. Lastly, on 11 March, the EP will Treaty. Immediately afterwards, the plenary will conclude the second reading on the be voting at first reading on the amend- will debate and put to the vote an own-initia- remaining two proposals (agreement on ments to the report by Michael Cashman tive report by Elisa Ferreira (PES, Portugal), the Council’s common position). (PES, United Kingdom) on public access which will constitute the EP’s position on to the institutions’ documents (see sepa- the economic recovery plan proposed by Eurovignette and 2010 budget rate article). The legislative resolution will the Commission. The resolution does not MEPs will also vote, on 11 March (debate probably be put to the vote in April. n address the question of the financial arrange- the day before), in first reading on the revi- ments for the €5 billion to come from the sion of the Eurovignette Directive, which See our Agenda for the full programme.

Access to documents Test of strength between the institutions gets under way

By Célia Sampol From the beginning, the executive’s exceptions to access to documents and proposal, presented on 20 April 2008, has calls for penalties in case of failure to The revision of Regulation (EC) come under fire from a number of sides: comply with the regulation. Members of 1049/2001 on public access to the docu- the EP also argue that they should have ments of the EU institutions has not fin- Parliament aims to put access to documents classified as secret ished making waves. MEPs decided to and propose the creation of a common vote, on 11 March in Strasbourg, only pressure on the Council interinstitutional site for the document on the amendments to the report by and Commission registers. Lastly, and this point particu- Michael Cashman (PES, UK), which larly riles the Council, they want the is a way of reserving the possibility of NGOs, the European ombudsman, the member states to no longer have a right adopting the legislative resolution as a European data protection supervisor of veto enabling them to block the pub- whole at a later date. and so on. In Parliament, the Cashman lication of their own documents if they According to an informed source, this report was adopted at first reading, on 17 are related to the application of EU laws method is a “typical instrument for put- February, in the Civil Liberties Com- or to Council activities. ting pressure on the Council”. By post- mittee. It proposes significant changes Meanwhile, the Council continues to poning their first-reading vote, MEPs to the Commission’s text, which irritates work on the issue on its side. The del- automatically postpone the Council’s the Council. egations have not reached agreement first reading and thus give themselves For example, it calls for documents on all the different aspects at this point. more time to negotiate and try to per- related to a legislative procedure to no They, too, want to gain time to con- suade the Council to ease its position longer be kept secret, publication of the tinue the negotiations with Parliament. – which at this stage consists of express- institutions’ legal opinions and a revi- The Czech EU Presidency is aware of ing reservations about excessive trans- sion of the definition of proposed docu- the difficulties and announced recently parency. The aim is also to put pres- ment to make it less restrictive. It also that a common position is more likely sure on the European Commission to suggests common rules for classifying during the second half of 2009, under reconsider its initial proposal. documents, attempts to restrict rules on the Swedish EU Presidency. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 

European Parliament Opinions diverge on election quotas for women

By Eric van Puyvelde role to play. The candidate selection process Coutelle of the French National Assembly. is crucial,” argued Employment and Social In order to encourage women to take part in Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Spidla. politics, she believes the EU has a role to play In the view of Michael Kocáb, the Czech in the reconciliation of work and family life. minister for human rights, “women must Women should be better represented take part in public life to change politics and Eurobarometer in political parties and in large companies contribute fresh perspectives. But how do A Eurobarometer special survey has - two areas where they are clearly under- you motivate the political parties?” he asked, revealed that for most women, politics is a represented. A debate between European raising the issue of quotas. Danish MP Drude male-dominated world. More than half wish and national MPs, organised on 5 March by Dahlerup pointed out that either quotas are to see at least 50% of female MEPs, but only the European Parliament’s Women’s Rights enshrined in law (as in five member states) 10% consider the use of mandatory quotas to Committee, concluded that equal represen- be effective. In deciding their vote, 37% say tation of women in institutions goes hand in Women represent on they do it on the basis of campaign issues, hand with democracy, and political parties while 29% say that they always vote for the must play a key role. However, views differed average 25% of members same party. Forty-six percent say their interests on how to achieve parity, in particular with of national parliaments as women were not well represented in the regard to quotas. and 31% in the European EU, versus 39%. To ensure equal opportuni- At the start of the debate, organised in ties in general, the majority want more efforts preparation for the European elections and Parliament to end the pay gap and to combat violence in the framework of International Women’s against women. Equal access to employment Day, Anna Záborská (EPP-ED, Slovakia), or they are voluntary. To be effective, quotas is cited in third place. The majority of women chair of the Women’s Rights Committee, must be tailored to the electoral system of report that they do not feel discriminated by said: “Women represent on average 25% of the country applying them. According to gender, with 32% reporting the contrary. members of national parliaments and 31% Liljana Popovska of the FYROM Assembly, The European Parliament also published in the European Parliament. Only 11% of “the use of quotas has enabled us to increase a research study on previous polls, with top management posts in large companies the number of women five-fold”. However, the aim to explore difference in attitudes are held by women”. She described these Justyne Caruana of the Maltese Parliament between women and men on general Euro- figures as “worrying”. believed that “positive discrimination works pean issues and showed that women would European Parliament President Hans-Gert quantitatively but not necessarily qualita- like Europe to be more active in consumer Pöttering underlined that the percentage tively. We must also get women interested in protection and public health. of women in the EP has risen from 16% in politics”. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton 1979 to 31% in 2009, “but further progress is “Fines where parity is not respected and was taking part in a debate at the European needed”. Commission Vice-President Margot rules banning the holding of more than one Parliament, on 6 March in Brussels, on the Wallström defended the ‘50-50’ target in the mandate are two ways of prompting parties role and place of women, with young Euro- EU institutions. “Political parties have a key to find room for women,” said Catherine peans. n

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Telecommunications Telecoms package: National proposals to help forge a compromise

By Nathalie Vandystadt The European regulators would then would issue opinions on cross-border have to approve the proposal within two disputes. Consisting of a management Several national proposals have been months by absolute majority or could committee and an administrative man- tabled for the telecoms package, or the demand its amendment or withdrawal. ager, the bureau would have “a staff of at revision, by 2010, of the rules that have The Commission, too, could make such most 20 people” appointed by the man- governed the telecoms sector in the EU agement committee. for the last seven years. According to Prague is trying to work The bureau’s organisation and Europolitics’ sources, there are at least financial structure (budgeted by four proposals on the table: the Czech EU out a compromise on both the EU and the member states) Presidency’s text as well as one Dutch, one the reform as a whole in would be renewed after five years, German and one Franco-British proposal. the run-up to the June concludes the joint document. The Prague text seeks to work out a All these options will doubtless be compromise between the Council and elections debated at the final three-way meetings of the European Parliament on the reform the Council, the EP and the Commission. as a whole to be adopted – if all goes well After weeks of uncertainty, the tone is now – by the late April session in Strasbourg, demands even without the endorsement optimistic. A compromise seems possible ie before the June elections. The others of the GERT. In cases where a mea- in the run-up to the second-reading vote concern more specifically the European sure is rejected, the national regulator by MEPs at the session, from 20 to 23 Commission’s powers and the way they would have six months to comply. If the April in Strasbourg. n tie in with the creation of a European proposal has to be amended, it would telecoms regulators’ group (GERT). propose something else.

Dutch draft German document Czech text The Commission still intends to The German document focuses on The Czech EU Presidency created a strengthen the internal market for tele- the future advisory tasks of the GERT. It surprise at a ministerial meeting in communications, a view echoed in the must “promote cooperation between the Prague, on 17 February. Even as the Dutch proposal. “National regulators national regulators and the Commission. EP was criticising a lack of initiative, it should contribute to the development of The group must also advise the Commis- came forward with several proposals. the internal market while working with sion and respond to the requests of the The first concerns a decision making the Commission and the GERT more European Parliament and the Council”. power for the Commission in the place transparently and guarantee coherent It would issue opinions and decisions on of the power to make mere recom- application, in all the member states, of regulators’ proposed measures concern- mendations (which could neverthe- the provisions” of the telecoms package, ing the definition of markets, the designa- less be used in judicial proceedings) states the document drafted by the Neth- tion of dominant operators and remedies. on harmonisation, in the framework of erlands. The regulators must cooperate “National regulators and the Commission revision of Article 19 of the Telecoms with the Commission and the GERT “to will have to take fully into account the Framework Directive (2002/21/EC). identify all the instruments and remedies opinions, recommendations, guidelines, More specifically, states the Presiden- best suited to market situations”. advice and best practices adopted by the cy’s paper, “the Commission could This position is in line with the Commis- GERT,” states Berlin’s proposal. The take decisions on certain aspects sion’s, since it also includes remedies. In group could consult the national competi- related to harmonisation foreseen other words, the Commission would have tion authorities before advising the Com- by the directive” after consulting the its say on the measures applied by national mission. It would vote by a majority of two GERT. This is a very innovative idea, regulators in cases where big operators thirds of its members. A flexible structure recognised Information Society Com- distort competition. This is what the EU composed of one member per member missioner Viviane Reding, who urged executive has sought from the beginning. state, it would be subsidised by the EU the member states to take it “very In the initial package of November 2007, and national financing, but would not be seriously”. The mechanism would it proposed to grant itself a veto power over an agency or have a legal statute. be “complementary” to the internal national remedies to ensure that the same market. Although the commissioner measures respond to the same problems on Franco-British proposal is not opposed to the idea of the use different markets, thereby consolidating the In contrast, in the proposal tabled of decisions, like the EP, she would single telecoms market. by France and the United Kingdom, prefer directives, which are more Until now, the Netherlands had been the GERT ‘bureau’ (support structure) respectful of national circumstances reluctant to give the Commission more would be an EU body with legal person- since they must be transposed into powers. It now proposes that regulators ality providing professional and admin- national laws. inform the GERT of their intentions. istrative services to the new group. It www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 11

Car industry Opel crisis: Meeting to coordinate national responses

By Sophie Petitjean GM itself seems to be more open to filing been announced, AFP reports that the meet- for bankruptcy. Verheugen would, however, ing organised by Verheugen concerns both By inviting all ministers who are con- first like to get GM to reveal “its plans for those countries where GM has manufactur- cerned by the difficulties currently being its European subsidiaries, for its European ing sites1 and those where their sub-contrac- experienced by the American group General manufacturing sites, and to explain what it tors are based.The aim of the meeting is not Motors (GM), owners of Opel, the Euro- intends to do with its intellectual property to present a European recovery plan to save pean Commissioner for Industry, Günter rights if it intends to assume its responsi- GM, as requested by the French Secretary Verheugen, is looking to find a coordinated bilities with regard to its European compa- of State for Industry, Luc Chatel. “Either response to the situation and to put pressure nies”. It is also hoped that this extraordinary way we don’t have money to allocate to this on the world’s second largest automobile assembly will also allow for those present to sector in order to save it. Neither do we have manufacturer to provide the missing infor- reach agreement on a common response a legal base or the political willingness to do mation. Speaking to the press after the Com- to the situation, in order to counter the so”, said Verheugen in conclusion. n petitiveness Council, on 5 March, he gave “bilateral discussions” that GM is very obvi- a detailed description of what he expected ously having with different governments. (1) Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden would be discussed at the meeting, while Although the date of the meeting has not and the UK

Audiovisual policy Public broadcasters press for status quo on state aid

By Patrick Veillard Europolitics 3701). She maintains that this overall framework must not “sacrifice public broadcasters are distorting com- the subsidiarity principle,” due to “the The President of the European Broad- petition by using public funds to finance specific linguistic and cultural character- casting Union (EBU), Jean-Paul Phillipot, commercial programmes broadcast via istics of each state”. He added that a large recommends the status quo on state aid the new media. The commissioner seeks number of controls already exist. for public TV broadcasters. He detailed a better definition of public content and Another argument made by the EBU these broadcasters’ views at a press wants to put in place ex ante and uniform president in favour of the status quo is conference, on 6 March in Brussels. tests at European level to evaluate their that “the medium does not define con- The European rules, which date back to impact on the market. tent”. He recommends the principle of 2001, are possibly facing an update with a Phillipot says such a test would be too ‘technological neutrality’ in the context view to adapting to technological changes restricting and detailed, noting that “a of the battle between old and new media. in the sector. Competition Commissioner ‘one size fits all’ suit cannot dress all the Phillipot also stressed the need to deliver Neelie Kroes, supported by the Associa- diversity of European public broadcasters,” public programmes to all citizens, a ref- tion of Commercial Television in Europe which offer “quality programmes and usu- erence to the internet platforms visited (ACT), recommends such a review (see ally their own productions”. In his view, primarily by young people. n

Electricity Energy goals for 2050 worry industry

By Dafydd ab Iago economy, such as road transport, heating selection fixed in consultation with member and cooling. Electricity can also contrib- states, regulators, financial institutions and Electricity industry association Eurelectric ute to curbing Europe’s dependence on all market participants. There should also be is concerned that the EU may place “undue” imported fuels. The association thus calls for the most efficient balance between public emphasis on setting new policy goals with the “required” recognition and promotion and private finance. Eurelectric notes that respect to 2050. The main focus, the asso- by European and national policy makers the SER II paper, which was presented by ciation argues, should be on implementing for electric technologies, such as electric the European Commission in November and delivering existing European policies vehicles and heat pumps. The association’s 2008, is “mostly” concerned with invest- and targets. In a newly released policy paper policy paper supports the SER II’s idea of ment in gas and power grid infrastructures. on the second EU Strategic Energy Review having a list of priority energy infrastructure The association, however, cites estimates of (SER II), Eurelectric argues that any vision projects, but calls on policy makers to take a investment needs in power generation in for 2050 must see electricity as part of the “realistic” approach with careful cost-benefit Europe of some €1.2 trillion by 2030. n solution for Europe’s energy challenges. analysis when drawing up any list. However, As electricity is an energy vector, it will Eurelectric wants transparent and non-dis- The paper is available at help de-carbonise parts of the European criminatory criteria to be used for project www.europolitics.info > Search = 245200

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Ecofin Council Czech ambassador refutes idea of CEE bloc

By Sarah Collins fiscal stimulus plans are being implemented increased role for the Committee of Euro- across member states and deadlines for get- pean Securities Regulators (CESR), the EU Czech EU Ambassador Milena Vicenová ting budget deficits back on track - that is, body tasked with overseeing securities, over has warned against seeing Central and East- within the 3% limit set by the Stability and national authorities. ern European countries as a homogenous Convergence Pact. The Czechs say that in Reduced VAT rates will also come under region, singling out her country among principle budgets should return to normal by consideration, with Vicenová insisting that others as financially sound. Ahead of a key 2010, but that specific deadlines will depend the 10 March debate would be a “purely meeting of EU finance ministers, on 10 on each member state. Deadlines will be set political” one and that the compromise March, she said, “You can’t put all countries at informal talks in Prague in April. list of services to be covered by legislation in one basket. The situation in the banking A potentially divisive issue at the Council - including hairdressing, housing repairs sector in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slo- could be the debate on the European Com- and restaurant services - would not be up venia and Poland is very good, even com- mission’s proposal to put in place a legally for discussion. Current exemptions allow pared to Western countries”. She made the binding registration and oversight system for some countries to drop rates below the EU’s comments after speculation that Austria may credit ratings agencies. Companies like the standard 15%, but these are due to expire in raise the issue of a bailout for the region at US-based Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s 2010. France and the UK have been strong the 10 March meeting. Although the topic have recently come under fire for underesti- advocates of optional reductions to increase is not on the agenda, she said that ministers mating risk, especially on financial products consumer spending, but Germany and the were free to raise any points they chose. related to subprime mortgages. On 4 March, Baltic states see negligible benefits to the The meeting, which will be preceded by EU ambassadors agreed a common position economy from the policy. In April, the Com- a Eurogroup gathering, on 9 March, will be on the Commission’s proposal, released on mission is to table proposals on reduced VAT key to cementing the EU’s financial position 12 November last year, but the European rates for ‘green’ goods. Ministers will also going into the 19 March summit, as well as Parliament has yet to vote on it, which it will look at how to finance the fight against endorsing a common stance for the G20 do in plenary in April. Parliament’s report climate change, but are unlikely to reach meeting in London next month. Ministers on the text, written by French Conservative agreement on a figure to help emerging will look at stabilising financial markets, how MEP Jean-Paul Gauzès, is calling for an economies out of difficulty. n

Agriculture Member states propose limiting control of cloning

By Luc Vernet descendants of clones in the field of sion refuses - for the time being - to start application of the future legislation will developing a tailor-made framework for EU member states are expected to pro- open the way to a compromise. this type of reproduction technique. pose to MEPs the inclusion of clones and Meat and milk from cloned offspring Discussions on novel foods also relate their direct descendants only in the future should then be the subject of specific to nanotechnologies. Member states and regulation on the placing on the market authorisation, with an evaluation by the MEPs are trying to develop a definition of of novel foods, with a view to reaching an European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). these substances. Negotiations are coming agreement at first reading, before the end of This only applies to the clones themselves up against the issue of labelling: contrary the legislature. No controls would therefore in the Commission’s initial proposal. But, to the 27 member states and the Com- be carried out as of the second generation as of the second generation of animals, mission, MEPs would like the mention of of breeding animals. This proposal is some- specific measures would no longer be nanotechnology to appear simultaneously what removed from the moratorium called anticipated, the animals being then con- on products containing nanoparticles. As for by MEPs, but goes against the European sidered to result from perfectly conven- for the Council, it is campaigning for a Commission’s position. For the time being, tional reproduction techniques. Despite case-by-case analysis of the dossiers. the latter refuses any specific framework for this, it is not certain whether this proposal Lastly, a large majority of member states this new reproduction method for breeding will satisfy MEPs, who are calling for a is opposed to the European Commission animals. total ban on the use of cloning for farm regarding the implementation of a simpli- Moreover, the regulation on food animals until specific legislation is imple- fied procedure for the marketing of tradi- deriving from cloned farm animals mented, as was the case at the end of the tional products originating from non-EU remains the most sensitive point of nego- 1990s for genetically modified organisms countries. Finally, these foods should be tiations underway on the revision of the (GMOs). On the contrary, member states the subject of a market authorisation pro- legislation on novel foods. Following a consider that this measure should be suf- cess similar to that for genuinely novel series of meetings with the Commission ficient to fill the current legal gap while foods (which involves a Council deci- and MEPs, the Czech Presidency of the awaiting the drafting of a more specific sion), but with a shorter lead time of nine EU hopes that its proposal to include text on cloning. For its part, the Commis- months instead of 18 months. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 13

Animal welfare Ministers call for international declaration

By Luc Vernet strengthening of measures, both nation- of Animals, this campaign aims to end ally and internationally; states adopting “useless suffering inflicted on millions EU agriculture ministers should all necessary measures to prevent cru- of animals transported long distances in adopt, without debate, during their next elty inflicted on animals and reduce the Europe”. monthly meeting in Brussels, on 23 suffering of the latter; developing rules In addition, the organisation is urging March, conclusions calling for an inter- adapted to animal welfare comprising the Commission to speed up the draft- national declaration on animal welfare ing of more ambitious legislation on the to be worked out. issue, particularly by introducing stricter Such a commitment would, they They underline the limits on the amount of time spent in hope, help reduce the widening gap importance of worldwide transit. between the requirements for Euro- The organisation is also warning the pean producers and their competitors in recognition that animal EU executive about how the current non-EU countries. welfare is an important regulations are poorly enforced in the The ministers are therefore set to ask and common concern Community. the European Commission to continue Beyond the question of animal transpor- supporting international initiatives tation, on which the health commissioner aimed at raising awareness and creating in particular standards on the use and should make a proposal before the end a broader consensus on questions linked management of farm animals, pets, ani- of her term next autumn, the problem of to animal welfare and to launch new mals used in scientific studies, draught castrating pigs is raised more and more by ones, by exploring, for example, pos- animals and animals used for sport and animal welfare organisations and some- sible exchanges with developing coun- recreation. times by distributors, in particular in the tries based on production systems that The declaration also proposes a series Netherlands. Castration means that when respect animal welfare. of initiatives, such as setting up interna- the pigs are slaughtered a strong taste that They underline the importance of tional conferences, identifying common is not much appreciated by consumers worldwide recognition that animal wel- objectives and increased government can be avoided. fare is an important and common con- support for studies and the development Finally, experts from member states cern. In particular, they are campaigning of animal welfare. have in recent weeks started negotia- to accelerate discussions on a universal tions on the technical part of a draft text declaration on animal welfare. Mobilising NGOs on the welfare of animals before slaugh- At present, a draft universal declara- A text signed by more than 150,000 tering (annexes). The discussions focus tion has been drawn up that sets out four people, calling for a ban on the long- on slaughter methods, on the configu- ‘principles’: animal welfare as a common distance transportation of animals, was ration and construction of slaughter- goal for all states; recognising, observing recently presented to the EU’s Health houses as well as the equipment used, on and promoting animal welfare standards Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou. Led how these companies work and on the developed by each country through a by the World Society for the Protection training of their employees. n

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Regions Regional and local authorities demand greater say in policy making

By Marc Paoloni in Prague arguments that led Commission President The Prague summit gave real content to José Manuel Barroso, who was in Prague that appeal by launching, on 6 March, the Regional and local authorities want to with Regional Policy Commissioner consultation of regional and local officials have a real impact and to be involved with Danuta Hübner, to consider allowing the on the future strategy for growth and jobs. their national governments and the EU regions to participate in the extraordinary “We are experimenting with this initia- institutions in developing and implement- EU summit set for next May. tive, based on complementarity and part- ing responses to the serious industrial, finan- nership,” noted Luc Van den Brande. It cial and social difficulties that are taking a Pooling experiences emerged quite quickly, on 5 March, that heavy toll in the member states. Numerous Encouraged by the CoR president, par- meeting the challenges of climate change participants in the Summit of Regions and ticipants embarked on “a common analysis without the involvement of the regions and Cities, held on 5 and 6 March in Prague of the major questions raised by the global cities would be impossible. Nor will it be under the auspices of the EU Committee possible, he continued, to implement a of the Regions (CoR) and its President, Luc “If we seriously want to credible strategy for growth and jobs and Van den Brande, denounced the divide effective social policy or to develop inno- between the different levels of decision overcome this crisis, all vation, if local and regional representatives making. levels of governance must are left out of the picture. They contrasted, on the one hand, their cooperate with one another” “We must not be subjected to measures experience and proximity to victims of the but be able to act and above all antici- crisis, both businesses and workers, and on pate. That is the message,” concluded the the other what they see as the insignificant CoR president, “that I wish to deliver to role they are given in shaping the decisions and European economic situation”. There the Union Presidency and the European agreed at national and European level, is a need to compare approaches “that differ Commission”. although they have to assume the practi- or sometimes even oppose one another,” he cal impact of their implementation on the said, in order to “pool our experiences in Lisbon Strategy II ground on a day to day basis. coping with the inescapable changes we are In this same spirit of active, effective Claudio Martini, a member of the CoR in experiencing”. “If we seriously want to over- and responsible participation, the summit the dual capacity of president of the Region come this crisis,” he added, “all levels of gov- launched officially on the CoR website a of Tuscany and president of the Conference ernance must cooperate with one another”. wide consultation of regional and local offi- of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), “We must involve the regions and cities in cials on a new strategy for growth and jobs launched with a fair degree of success the both the development and implementation to be adopted by the European Union in idea of a special meeting of regional and of national recovery plans,” continued Luc spring 2010. local leaders with the 27 heads of state and Van den Brande. His call for “multi-level Contributions may be submitted until 20 the European Commission. governance” was supported by all of the 500 April and will be debated at the Open Days Although his proposal was not formally presidents of regions and officials of major conferences organised by the CoR in early endorsed, it may well have added to the cities present in the Czech capital. October in Brussels. n

Competitiveness Council Ministers discuss research area and infrastructure

By Dafydd ab Iago The Czech Presidency had asked EU evaluation of the Sixth Research Framework research ministers to express their views on Programme by the Commission. Meeting at the Competitiveness Council, the basis of questions as to the effect of the Speaking to journalists, Janez Potocnik, on 6 March, ministers discussed the long- economic recession and the necessity to the commissioner for science and research, term vision for completion of the Euro- gain greater effectiveness and efficiency from stressed that the ERA is an important part pean Research Area (ERA). The so-called investments. Another element of the discus- of the solution to the economic crisis. He Ljubljana process aims at a full realisation sion was the so-called European Research also underlined the need for a long-term of ERA and is a central element in plans Area vision for 2020 adopted by the Coun- agenda for research in Europe, especially to achieve greater and better coordinated cil in December 2008. The next stage in in terms of pushing towards a low-carbon investments in knowledge so as to improve this process is to identify the most press- economy. European competitiveness. The Council, ing priorities for future Presidencies. Other The Council took no decisions related to under the chair of Czech Education Min- notable business discussed included the pos- research policy. Nonetheless, it is expected ister Ondrej Liska, also held a lunchtime sible association of Russia with EU research to work towards adopting conclusions on exchange of views on the role of European framework programmes, the research pro- European research infrastructures at its research infrastructures. gramme on meteorology, and an ex-post next meeting, on 28-29 May. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 15

Justice and Home Affairs Parliament defends fundamental freedoms on internet

By Patrick Veillard vacy must therefore be protected. sweets will disappear. Europe, following The internet is now part of people’s on from the Bush administration, is set- At a public debate in the European Par- everyday lives and fundamental rights ting a bad example in this area, argued liament, on 5 March, the rapporteur for the must apply on the web, pointed out the Gus Hosein (Privacy International), refer- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and representative of European Data Protec- ring to the 2006 EU legislation on data Home Affairs (LIBE), Stavros Lambridinis tion Supervisor (EDPS) Peter Hustinx. retention. That text, which aims to help (PES, Greece), recalled how important it is That view was shared by Stefano Rodotà, European police forces to combat terror- to defend fundamental freedoms on inter- chairman of the EU Scientific Committee ism, makes it compulsory for telephone net against security abuses that are possible on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, operators and internet service provid- on the web. The debate brought together who noted that it is crucial to work on a ers to store their subscribers’ connection legal experts and representatives of non- charter of rights specific to the internet data. Hosein nevertheless recognised that governmental organisations. It followed on the LIBE committee report is extremely from the presentation of the Lambridinis encouraging since it directly addresses the report on strengthening security and funda- The report aims to reinforce issue of consent. mental freedoms on the internet, adopted the fight against cybercrime, The next battle in the debate on secu- unanimously by the LIBE committee, on guarantee better respect rity and freedom on internet will concern 17 February. The report aims to reinforce the limits of consent given by users to gov- the fight against cybercrime, to guarantee for fundamental freedoms, ernments and private firms for the use of better respect for fundamental freedoms, in in particular privacy, and their personal data, declared rapporteur particular privacy, and to ensure access to ensure access to internet Lambridinis. He raised the question of the internet for all. form of such consent on access to personal for all data: Access after reading and accepting Cybercrime terms of use? Automatic consent upon Although the different participants agreed and that this should be an international accessing a site? In any case, laws will have on the need to combat cybercrime (attacks effort involving all stakeholders. to oblige companies to be extremely clear against computer systems, child pornogra- and explicit, observed Lambridinis. phy, terrorism, racism and xenophobia), Access to personal data The final point was the question of they also stressed how quickly this effort A fundamental matter to be addressed access to internet. The LIBE committee could be distorted into a ‘Big Brother’ type by such a charter is that of the collection report notes that e-illiteracy will be the of society, in the words of Lambridinis. Jim and storage of personal data. The ques- illiteracy of the 21st century and that gov- Killock of the Open Rights Group noted tion was illustrated by Steve Peers of the ernments and private companies should that while the internet offers tremendous University of Essex: if you leave children not refuse access to citizens as a sanction. opportunities for citizens to get involved with sweets in a room without supervision, The Lambridinis report will be sub- in the democratic process, it also facilitates even if you forbid them to eat the sweets, mitted to the EP plenary in the coming access to their personal data and their pri- it is very likely that sooner or later those weeks. n

Economic crisis Report takes temperature of EU job market

By Marianne Slegers The aggregate demand for labour this piece of advice to people who have is perceptibly declining, although the already lost their job due to the crisis. The European Commission’s latest EU’s average unemployment rate is still “The loss of a job is a highly individual data up to February 2009 identify “a lower than that of the US. thing and so it is difficult to give one more marked impact of the economic The Commission’s March 2009 general advice. But the only thing that is downturn” on the labour market in the monthly monitoring report focuses on certain is that it is good to be active from European Union, with unemployment the construction industry, which is heav- the first moment. Not to stay at home, rates rising in all but four member states: ily affected by the downturn, and the use every opportunity for re-skilling if Austria, Bulgaria, Finland and the Nether- retail trade sector, which by contrast is necessary, consider jobs that would oth- lands. The sharpest rise in unemployment showing some resilience. erwise be quite unusual or would not be rates in January occurred in the Baltic considered. Fortunately, the vast major- states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and “Stay active” ity of people who have lost their job will Ireland. This monthly monitoring report In response to a question from Europol- find a new one after some time. But I on the EU labour market is part of the itics, Employment and Social Affairs know it is never easy. To look for a new Commission’s economic recovery plan. Commissioner Vladimir Spidla had job is a hard full-time job.” n

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Social policy Commission powerless when it comes to pensions

By Marianne Slegers occupational pension scheme is scheduled in value will necessitate adjustments in to be reviewed in 2010 at the latest. pension levels. The current economic crisis is begin- The gravity and actual impact of the crisis The ‘defined contribution’ pension ning to impact on the EU’s pension funds, on the pension funds will differ according schemes leave the investment risk entirely although substantial reductions in pen- to the type of scheme (public or private, or with the scheme member, and thus they will sions paid out to newly retired people are whether it includes investment risk) and feel the impact of the crisis directly. Those still rather rare, according to the European according to member state. still years from retirement may expect their Commission. The EU executive says it is investment to recover, but those soon-to-be “too early” to tell just how much bite this or newly retired can count on reduced pen- crisis will have, but all the pension funds will It is “too early” to tell just sion benefits - or may consider retiring later. suffer to some extent. how much bite this crisis According to Commission figures, this is an Under the treaty, the Commission has will have “atypical scenario” since only a small pro- no power to harmonise national pension portion of EU citizens are members of such systems. Its aim, therefore, is to “highlight schemes. common concern across Europe and to Owing to their long-term nature, pension All the Union’s member states operate assist and encourage the sharing of data funds are generally better protected against statutory (‘pay as you go’) state pension and best practice between the countries”. the economic crisis than for instance banks schemes. A serious economic downturn or The ‘Report on social protection and social and other financial institutions. a larger than expected increase in national inclusion’, which was adopted on 5 March Funded pensions (the so-called ‘defined debt may make it imperative for some (see Europolitics 3708), was drafted in benefit’ schemes) are likely to suffer the countries to adjust the relevant policies to this vein, based on the ‘open method of most from the crisis because they will see secure the long-term sustainability of these coordination’. their investments fall in value. schemes. However, in the shorter run, The related Directive 2002/74/EC on the Since investment risks are generally taken people can safely count on receiving their protection of employees in the event of the into account, most people will receive the pension benefits, aware that longer-term insolvency of a company which sponsors an pension they expect. However, the drop adjustments may well be in the pipeline. n

EU/US Clinton charms with open style, assures on climate and Russia

By Paul Ames had been “negligent” on climate change opposition to Russia’s strong-arm tactics and said the US could learn from Europe in against its former Soviet neighbours. “Our Hillary Rodham Clinton brought a new belatedly taking on the challenge of global engagement with Russia in no way under- style and some new polices to Brussels this warming – particularly through emissions mines our support for countries like Georgia, week, pledging that the Obama adminis- trading, a version of which Obama aims to or the Baltics, or the Balkans,” Clinton said. tration will work with Europe to combat push through Congress this year. “We don’t She stressed Washington’s support for those climate change and the economic crisis. have a choice. We have to come together nations’ right “to be independent, free, make Clinton also assured the Europeans that and we have to put our best minds to work,” their own decisions without any undue inter- Washington’s drive to repair relations with Clinton told her young audience, to vigorous ference from Russia”. Clinton was scheduled Russia would not undermine support for applause. “There is no doubt in my mind the to fly from Brussels to Geneva for her first nations like Ukraine and Georgia. The energy security and climate change crises, talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei new US secretary of state wrapped up three which I view as being together not separate, Lavrov, late on 6 March. days of talks in Brussels, on 6 March, with must be dealt with.” She said the economic During Clinton’s debut NATO ministerial, a meeting with the EU troika made up of crisis should be seen as an opportunity to on 5 March, the alliance agreed to restore High Representative Javier Solana, External push ahead with green policies by stimulating relations with Russia that were curtailed Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero- growth through investment in environmen- after last August’s Georgia war. The Obama Waldner and the Czech Foreign Minister, tally friendly technologies. “We are making administration has also suggested a rethink Karel Schwarzenberg. In an earlier meeting, up the best we can for lost time,” she said. “It of the Bush plan to deploy missile defenses which appeared to symbolise the informal is economically smart to make these invest- in Poland and the Czech Republic (see and open style of the new US administration, ments now.” Clinton underscored Washing- Europolitics 3708). European officials gave Clinton met with a group of young Euro- ton’s efforts to seek a rapprochement with an enthusiastic welcome to Washington’s peans and took questions on issues ranging Russia following the Bush administration’s new approach. “We see with this administra- from energy security to gay rights and the sparring with Moscow over Georgia and mis- tion a very different attitude, we see the atti- prospects of independence for Wales. sile defense. However, she insisted that this tude of openness,” said Ferrero-Waldner. “We Clinton acknowledged the United States did not mean any weakening of Washington’s are going totally in the same direction.” n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 17

EU/US Obama to be star guest for EU summit in Prague

By Brian Beary in Washington on 3-4 April in Strasbourg and Kehl. having pencilled in bilateral meetings with The Prague addition is good news for French President Nicolas Sarkozy and The Czech EU Presidency has pulled Eastern European nations, some of which German Chancellor Angela Merkel, on off something of a diplomatic coup by per- have been feeling somewhat distraught 3 April. The one EU player that does not suading US President Barack Obama to recently over Obama’s big outreach to seem to have made the cut is the European add Prague to his itinerary when he visits Russia. There has notably been concern Parliament. Officials had been in contact Europe next month. According to a White from Poland and the Czech Republic over with the Obama team, hoping he might House announcement, on 5 March, Obama recent revelations that Obama has offered squeeze in a speech to the Parliament ple- will meet “leaders of the EU member states Moscow to abandon the US missile defence nary, on 1-2 April in Brussels, but this is not and the European Commission president” project in Poland and the Czech Republic currently on Obama’s agenda. in the Czech capital, on 4 and 5 April. This if Russia helps to disarm Iran. Obama has Meanwhile, the White House has still not comes on top of an already hectic schedule his first meeting with Russian President nominated its co-chair for the Transatlantic for Obama, attending both the G20 world Dmitry Medvedev at the G20 in London. Economic Council, the post having been leaders’ summit on the financial crisis, on 2 Eager to please all sides, Obama is not vacant since Dan Price departed with the April in London, and the NATO summit, neglecting so-called ‘old Europe’ either, Bush administration, on 20 January. n

EU/India Joint declaration signed on multilingualism

By Sophie Petitjean pean Union, which has 23 official lan- and the exchange of best practice on a guages and nearly 60 regional or minority regular basis. The EU signed, on 6 March, a joint languages, makes India a privileged part- The initiative forms part of follow-up to declaration on multilingualism with India, ner to Europe on this subject. the EU-India summit, in September 2008, represented by Minister of State Daggu- With this declaration, the European establishing a dialogue on the promotion bati Purandeswari. “I believe that the EU Commission and the Indian government of languages, intercultural dialogue and and India can learn from each other in aim to strengthen their cooperation and multilingualism, launched with a confer- this area,” declared the European Com- dialogue on questions such as linguistic ence on multilingualism and cultural dia- missioner for Multilingualism, Leonard diversity and intercultural dialogue, the logue in globalisation, in New Delhi1. n Orban. With a population of 1.1 billion impact of languages on employability, inhabitants, India represents a unique business competitiveness and social cohe- example of linguistic diversity, with 122 sion, lifelong language learning, new (1) Conference on Multilingualism and languages spoken by at least 10,000 speak- technologies for language learning and Cultural Dialogue in Globalisation: ers and another 234 spoken by a smaller terminology. The declaration also pro- ec.europa.eu/education/languages/news/ number. This similarity with the Euro- vides for the organisation of discussions news3134_en.htm

Intellectual property EU-China IP forum presents results

By Dafydd ab Iago Peter Balas, deputy director-general at DG China’s Assistant Minister for Industrial Trade, called for European and Chinese Property Chong Quan underlined that over EU and Chinese officials presented some industry, notably SMEs, to make continuous 700 specific measures combat IPR infringe- of the results of the joint EU-China intel- efforts to improve protection and enforce- ment under the country’s current action lectual property project at a conference in ment of IPR. “This process must continue plan presented by the government in June Brussels, on 6 March. China is the primary to strengthen enforcement and enhance an 2008. Measures range from reducing the source of counterfeit goods entering the innovation-friendly environment.” Balas, cost of IP protection to increasing penal- EU. The bilateral cooperation forum, going however, would not state any quantitative ties for infringers. Quan further pointed to by the name of EU-China IPR2, is jointly targets. “We do not set any specific numeri- a pilot framework launched earlier in the implemented by the European Patent Office cal goals. We want a strong downward trend week under the EU-China IP2 project that and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce’ in seizures coming from China. But seizures supports mediation between Chinese and department of treaty and law. The four-year at the EU border are just part of the prob- European companies at trade fairs. n project was set up in November 2007 with a lem,” said Balas. He pointed to infringe- budget of €16 million, with two-thirds being ment of European IPR whereby goods are Further information is available at provided by the EU and the rest by China. exported elsewhere as an example. www.ipr2.org

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Defence Parliament debates NATO’s transformation

By Floriane Pellegrin Turkish and German deputies made no systems through further investments. Away secret of their opposition. The head of the missions would focus on crisis prevention What political strategy should NATO Turkish delegation, Vahit Erdem (of the and management, as well as stabilisation adopt? What relations should the Atlan- governing AKP, Justice and Development and reconstruction operations. Irrespec- tic Alliance maintain with the European Party), declared that “consensus is a funda- tive of the type of mission being carried Union? These were the issues addressed mental principle that must not be touched”. out, concluded Hamilton, it should obtain at a hearing, on 5 March, organised by the In his view, it constitutes the foundation of the support of the public opinion and of European Parliament’s Defence and Secu- NATO’s functioning. members of parliament. n rity Subcommittee and by the NATO Parlia- mentary Assembly. For some, NATO’s rela- TWO TYPES OF MISSIONS The ‘Washington NATO Project’ position tions with the European Union have been The second proposal advanced by is available at www.europarl.europa. seen as obsolete since the end of the Cold Hamilton is to define NATO missions. eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/dv/ War. That view was rejected by the Director He explained that NATO has two priority sede050309washingtonnatoproject_/ of the Center for Transatlantic Relations and missions: Afghanistan and Pakistan. This sede050309washingtonnatoproject_en.pdf Chairman of the Washington NATO Proj- region of the world should represent a ect (see box), Daniel S. Hamilton, who was “strategic priority” for NATO. The director invited to the hearing by MEPs. of the Centre for Transatlantic Relations Background went on to explain that it is important for The Washington NATO Project groups ENDING CONSENSUS this geographical area to be “made secure four American think tanks: the Atlan- Hamilton outlined the changes he sug- as quickly as possible”. On NATO’s rela- tic Council of the United States; the gests for NATO’s functioning. They are tions with the European Union, he pro- Center for Strategic and International based on two core areas: internal reforms posed that the two establish a real strategic Studies; the Center for Technology and the redefinition of the missions assigned partnership. and National Security Policy; and the to the alliance. He also suggested the creation of a posi- Center for Transatlantic Relations at Hamilton’s first proposal is to review the tion of assistant secretary-general for the Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. use of consensus for all NATO decisions, partnership and a NATO-EU working group Nitze School of Advanced International limiting it to the vote on the budget. In that would comprise representatives of the Studies. Daniel Hamilton, who directs exchange, a new opt-out would be put in defence industry, with a view to building the project, has held several positions place for the countries that have refused to a “complementary transatlantic defence at the US State Department. He was take part in missions. Hamilton noted that industry base”. assistant deputy secretary at the Sec- this new principle would avoid the situa- Hamilton suggested that NATO’s mis- retariat for European Affairs and at tion where countries that have refused to sions should be structured principally on the NATO Secretariat. He also served participate in a mission can continue to two poles: ‘home’ operations and ‘away’ as special American coordinator for participate in the same project. The idea operations. Home missions would mostly stabilisation in Southern Europe. is not to everyone’s liking. At the hearing, concern defence, strengthening existing

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In Brief

Commission appoints EPP-ED on working visit to Reform of EP committees representative in Sweden Sweden The package of measures on the reform The European Commission The chairman and vice-chairmen of of the European Parliament’s committees has appointed a new head of its the EPP-ED group were in Stockholm, could be endorsed by the Conference representation in Sweden. Pierre Sweden, on 6 March, to debate with the of Group Presidents, on 12 March Schellekens will take on his new duties as government, led by Fredrik Reinfeldt, in Strasbourg, the EP’s spokesman of 16 March. He joined the Commission the priorities of the next Council told Europolitics. The discussions are in 1996. From 2004 to 2008, he was Presidency: the climate change meeting expected to be more detailed than those the deputy head of cabinet of the in Copenhagen, the post-Lisbon growth at the last Conference of Presidents, on Commissioner for Environment, Stavros strategy, immigration and asylum 5 March, and the leaders of the political Dimas, before moving to DG Maritime policy, upcoming institutional events groups could hold a vote. The package Affairs as head of unit for maritime policy and Europe’s reaction capacity in the is the third proposed by Parliament’s in the Baltic and North Seas. world. Frenchman Joseph Daul, who Working Party on Parliamentary Reform, chairs the EPP-ED, said «the Swedish chaired by German Social Democrat Conference on future of transport Presidency will be a crisis Presidency, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt. The first two The European Commission is organising but should also give Europe new concerned the work of the plenary and a conference, on 9 and 10 March in opportunities and a chance to create interinstitutional relations. The proposals Brussels, aimed at analysing the future jobs through an ambitious climate on the committees nevertheless represent challenges for the transport sector. and energy strategy and a courageous the hard core of the reform. They are Discussions will help the Commission growth stimulus policy». Daul hopes the also the most controversial because they draft a communication on the future of institutional events of the coming months affect the structure, composition and transport, which should be adopted in (European elections, appointment of new competences of certain committees. June and will prepare the ground for the Commission, Lisbon Treaty) will not be Today, the EP has around 20 standing 2010 white paper, which will include a used as a pretext to delay important policy committees and two subcommittees. set of ambitious policy measures to tackle decisions. (CSA) (CSA) the long-term challenges of transport policy. The conference will be attended by decision makers and leaders of the largest transport and logistics companies, leading manufacturers, academics and representatives from the member states, EU institutions and NGOs. Further information is available at ec.europa.eu/transport/strategies/2009_ future_of_transport_en.htm

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EU Agenda Week from 9 to 15 March

Monday 9 March Report by Gabriele Stauner (EPP-ED, DE) (EPP-ED, DE) n Integrity of online gambling - Report by n Interoperability solutions for European Christel Schaldemose (PES, DK) public administrations (ISA) - Vote on European n Ensuring food quality: harmonisation or report by DragorFlorin DAVID (EPP-ED, mutual recognition of standards - Report by RO) Parliament Maria Petre (EPP-ED, RO) n Amendment of Regulation (EC) No Plenary agenda n Cooperation between the courts of the 717/2007 (mobile telephone networks) 17:00 - 23:59 Strasbourg, Plenary Member States in the taking of evidence and Directive 2002/21/EC (electronic Chamber in civil or commercial matters - Report by communications) - Vote on report by Manuel Medina Ortega (PES, ES) Adina-Ioana Vrlean (ALDE, RO) 17.00 - 24.00 n Implementation of Directive 2006/43/ n Labelling and standard product Resumption of session and order of EC on statutory audits of annual accounts information of the consumption of energy business and consolidated accounts - Report by Bert and other resources by energy-related One-minute speeches (Rule 144) Doorn (EPP-ED, NL) products (recast) - Vote on report by Anni n 2010 budget guidelines - Joint debate nFacing challenges in relation to oil supply Podimata (PES, EL) n 2010 budget - Section III, Commission: - Report by Herbert Reul (EPP-ED, DE) ‘Guidelines for Budget 2010’ - Report by nReports on Competition Policy 2006 and Committee on the Internal Market László Surján (EPP-ED, HU) 2007 - Report by Jonathan Evans (EPP-ED, and Consumer Protection n Guidelines for the 2010 budget UK) 12:30 - 18:30 Strasbourg, LOW S2.1 procedure - other sections - Report by n Equal treatment and access for men and n Machinery for pesticide application - Vladimír Manka (PES, SK) women in the performing arts - Report by Vote on report by Leopold Józef Rutowicz Claire Gibault (ALDE, FR) (UEN, PL) End of joint debate n Small business act - Company law - Joint Parliamentary committees Committee on Regional debate Committee on Foreign Affairs Development n (*) Statute for a European private 19:00 - 21:30 Strasbourg, WIC 100 21:00 - 22:30 Strasbourg, LOW N1.3 company - Debate on report by Klaus- n European Parliament recommendation n European Regional Development Fund, Heiner Lehne (EPP-ED, DE) to the Council on the EU priorities for the European Social Fund and Cohesion n Cross-borders transfers of company seats 64th Session of the UN General Assembly Fund: provisions relating to financial - Debate on report by Klaus-Heiner Lehne - Vote on report by Alexander Graf management - Vote on report by Iratxe (EPP-ED, DE) Lambsdorff (ALDE, DE) García Pérez (PES, ES) n Small Business Act - Report by Edit n A recommendation to the Council on n Investments in energy efficiency and Herczog (PES, HU) the new EU-Russia agreement - Vote on renewable energy for housing (amendment n Commission statement - Workers’ report by Janusz Onyszkiewicz (ALDE, PL) of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 on the participation in companies with a European European Regional Development Fund) Statute Committee on Economic and - Vote on report by Emmanouil Angelakas Monetary Affairs (EPP-ED, EL) End of joint debate 19:30 - 22:00 Strasbourg, LOW N1.2 n The future of the European Common n Capital Requirements Directives Committee on Agriculture and Rural Asylum System - Debate on report by (2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC) - Vote on Development Giusto Catania (GUE/NGL, IT) report by Othmar Karas (EPP-ED, AT) 19:00 - 20:30 Strasbourg, LOW N1.3 n EIB and EBRD annual reports for 2007 Short presentation of the following - Vote on report by Gay Mitchell (EPP-ED, Committee on Culture and Education reports: IE) 19:00 - 20:30 Strasbourg, SDM S7 n The social situation of the Roma and n Discussion on Media Mundus proposal their improved access to the labour market Committee on Industry, Research with Valerio Caruso (Project Manager, in the EU - Report by Magda Kosane and Energy Cineuropa), Alan Fountain (Chief Kovacs (PES, HU) 19:00 - 22:00 Strasbourg, SDM S1 Executive, EAVE, European Audiovisual n Commission Action Plan towards an n Community statistics on the information Entrepreneurs) and Claude-Eric Poiroux Integrated Internal Control Framework - society - Vote on report by Angelika Niebler (Director General, Europa Cinemas) www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 21

Committee on Legal Affairs Meeting of the Co-ordination 18:15 - 18:45 Strasbourg, SDM S1 Group for Mutual Recognition and n Effective enforcement of judgements in Decentralised Procedure (Human Economic and the EU: the transparency of debtors’ assets Use) - Vote on report by Neena Gill (PES, UK) 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech Social Committee n Labelling and standard product Republic 09/03/2009 - Istanbul, Turkey information of the consumption of energy n Meeting of the EU-Turkey contact group and other resources by energy-related Meeting of the Committee for products (recast)- Vote on report by Lidia Medicinal Products for Human Use Joanna Geringer De Oedenberg (PES, PL) 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech Tuesday 10 March n The energy performance of buildings Republic (recast version)- Vote on report by Lidia Joanna Geringer De Oedenberg (PES, PL) COFFAC - Conference of Foreign European n Community system of reliefs from Affairs Committee Chairpersons customs duty (codified version) - Vote on 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech Parliament report Republic Plenary session Plenary agenda Committee on Constitutional 9:00 - 23:59 Strasbourg, Plenary Affairs Chamber 19:00 - 20:30 Strasbourg, SDM S5 European 9.00 - 11.50 - LEGISLATIVE DEBATES n Parliament’s new role and n Proposal for a Council regulation responsibilities implementing the Treaty of Commission establishing a multi-annual recovery plan Lisbon - Vote on report by Jo Leinen (PES, Travel and visits for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and DE) n Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso receives Mediterranean - Vote on request for urgent n Development of the relations between Mrs Madelaine Albright, former Secretary procedure (Rule 134) the European Parliament and national of State of United States n (***I) Type-approval requirements for the parliaments under the Treaty of Lisbon n Mr Antonio Tajani receives Mr Josef general safety of motor vehicles - Debate on - Vote on report by Elmar Brok (EPP-ED, Pröll, Austrian Vice-Chancellor and report by Andreas Schwab (EPP-ED, DE) DE) Minister for Finance n (***I) Industrial emissions (integrated n The impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the n Ms Danuta Hübner receives Slovenian pollution prevention and control) (recast development of the institutional balance Minister for Local Government and version) - Debate on report by Holger of the European Union - Vote on report by Regional Policy, Ms Zlata Ploštajner Krahmer (ALDE, DE) Jean-Luc Dehaene (EPP-ED, BE) n Ms Danuta Hübner receives Mr José n (***I) Public access to European Manuel Soria, Vice President of the Parliament, Council and Commission Committee on Women’s Rights and Canary Islands documents - Debate on report by Michael Gender Equality n Mr Joe Borg receives Mr Per Cashman (PES, UK) 21:00 - 22:30 Strasbourg, SDM S5 Berthelsen, Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs of Greenland 12.00 - 13.00 n Mr Olli Rehn receives Mr David Votes, including: Dadge, Director of the International Press Rule 43(1) Council of Institute (IPI) n (*) Agreement between the EC and n Mr Olli Rehn receives Mr Milo Armenia on certain aspects of air services Ministers Djukanovic, Prime Minister of - Report by Paolo Costa (ALDE, IT) Eurogroup Montenegro and Mr Milan Rocan, n (*) Agreement between the EC and Israel Brussels Foreign Minister of Montenegro on certain aspects of air services - Report by n Mr Louis Michel in Rwanda, Burundi Paolo Costa (ALDE, IT) Building Consensus about EU Policies and the Democratic Republic of Congo n (***) Additional protocol to the on Democracy Support (Conference for high-level bilateral meetings (09-11) Agreement between the EC and South on the role of NGOs in EU Policy on n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner visits Africa, to take account of the accession of Human Rights) London: delivers a speech at Chatham Bulgaria and Romania to the EU - Report by 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech House “After the Russia-Ukraine gas crisis: Josep Borrell Fontelles (PES, ES) Republic what next?” n Mr Andris Piebalgs takes part in the Rule 131 Meeting of the Committee for opening ceremony of the Covenant of n The next steps in border management in Orphan Medicinal Products Mayors’ Office (Square de Meeus) the European Union and similar experiences 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech in third countries - Report by Jeanine Republic Hennis-Plasschaert (ALDE, NL)

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15:00 - 18:00 - LEGISLATIVE DEBATES The President’s diary n Maritime package - Joint debate 9:00 - 18:30 Strasbourg n (***III) Common rules and n 10.00 Meeting with Skender Hyseni, European standards for ship inspection and survey Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kosovo organisations and for the relevant activities n 11.30 Opening of exhibition on the Commission of maritime administrations (recast Varusschlacht battle Weekly meeting version) - Report by Luis De Grandes n 18.00 Meeting with Caroline Flint, Strasbourg Pascual (EPP-ED, ES) Minister for Europe of the United On the agenda: n (***III) Common rules and standards Kingdom - Communication on mobilising for ship inspection and survey organisation information and communication (recast version) - Report by Luis DE technologies to facilitate the transition to an Grandes Pascual (EPP-ED, ES) energy-efficient, low carbon economy n (***III) Port State control (recast Council of version) - Report by Dominique Vlasto Travel and visits (EPP-ED, FR) Ministers n Mr Antonio Tajani meets Mr Wolfgang n (***III) Community vessel traffic Economic and Financial Affairs Tiefensee, German Transport Minister monitoring and information system - Council (ECOFIN) (Strasbourg) Report by Dirk Sterckx (ALDE, BE) Brussels n (***III) Investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector - Report by EU - Turkey Ministerial Meeting Jaromír Kohlíček (GUE/NGL, CZ) (Troika) Court of Justice n (***III) Liability of carriers of Prague - Czech Republic Grand Chamber passengers by sea in the event of accidents 9:30 - Report by Paolo Costa (ALDE, IT) Building Consensus about EU n Judgement C-169/07 Hartlauer n (***II) Civil liability and financial Policies on Democracy Support Freedom of establishment guarantees of shipowners - Report by (Conference on the role of NGOs in Interpretation of Articles 43 EC and 48 Gilles Savary (PES, FR) EU Policy on Human Rights) EC - Authorisation of a private hospital n (***II) Compliance with flag State 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech to provide outpatient dental medicine obligations - Report by Emanuel Jardim Republic - Authorisation subject to an assessment of Fernandes (PES, PT) the needs of the market End of joint debate Meeting of the Committee for Advocate General : Bot Transport - Joint debate Orphan Medicinal Products n Judgement C-345/06 Heinrich n (***I) The charging of heavy 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech Law governing the institutions goods vehicles for the use of certain Republic Reference for a preliminary ruling - infrastructure - Report by Saïd El Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat im Land Khadraoui (PES, BE) Meeting of the Co-ordination Niederösterreich (Austria) - Interpretation n Greening of transport and Group for Mutual Recognition and of Article 254(2) EC and Article 2(3) of internalisation of external costs - Report by Decentralised Procedure (Human Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the Georg Jarzembowski (EPP-ED, DE) Use) European Parliament and of the Council 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech of 30 May 2001 regarding public access End of joint debate Republic to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ 2001 L 145, 18.00 - 19.30 Meeting of the Committee for p. 43) - Validity of Commission Regulation Question time (Commission) Medicinal Products for Human Use (EC) No 622/2003 of 4 April 2003 laying 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech down measures for the implementation of 21.00 - 24.00 Republic the common basic standards on aviation n Childcare facilities - Barcelona security (OJ 2003 L 89, p. 9) - Annex to the objectives - Commission statement, COFFAC - Conference of Foreign regulation, establishing detailed measures followed by debate Affairs Committee Chairpersons in respect of aviation security, and in n Children of migrants - Oral question 9.3.2009 — 10.3.2009, Prague - Czech particular a list of prohibited articles that to the Commission by Committee for Republic cannot be brought on board an aircraft, not Employment published n Risk to close down the company Advocate General : Sharpston QIMONDA in Germany and Portugal and n Opinion C-558/07 S.P.C.M. and Others the loss of thousands of jobs in Europe - Approximation of laws Commission statement, followed by debate Interpretation and validity of Article 6(3) possibly, Reports under Rule 134 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 23

of 18 December 2006 concerning the against the Examiner’s decision refusing, 12.00 - 13.00 Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation in part, to register a three-dimensional Votes, indluding: and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), mark representing a shell from four Rule 80 establishing a European Chemicals Agency, different perspectives, in respect of goods n (*) Scope of Article 143(b) and (c) of amending Directive 1999/45/EC and in Class 30 Directive 2006/112/EC (codified version) repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No - Report by Lidia Joanna Geringer De 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) Second Chamber Oedenberg (PES, PL) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 9:30 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives n Judgement T-249/06 Interpipe Niko Pursuant to Rule 131 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC Tube and Interpipe NTRP v Council n (*) Adjustment of basic salaries of and 2000/21/EC - Concept of ‘monomer Commercial policy Europol staff - Report by Agustín Diaz De substances’ Annulment of Council Regulation (EC) Mera García Consuegra (EPP-ED, ES) Advocate General : Kokott No 954/2006 of 27 June 2006 imposing n Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund n Hearing C-115/08 CEZ definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of - Report by Reimer Böge (EPP-ED, DE) Free movement of goods certain seamless pipes and tubes, of iron n Amending budget 1/2009: Floods in Reference for a preliminary ruling or steel originating in Croatia, Romania, Romania - Report by Jutta Haug (PES, DE) - Landesgericht Linz (Austria) - Russia and Ukraine, repealing Council n Extending the applicability of Rule 139 Interpretation of the principles of Regulations (EC) No 2320/97 and (EC) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure until free movement of goods, freedom of No 348/2000 (OJ 2006 L 175, p. 4) the end of the seventh parliamentary term establishment, non-discrimination on - Proposal for a decision by the Bureau grounds of nationality and fairness - National provision stipulating that 15.00 - 18.00 DEBATES ON CURRENT only an action for damages may be Economic and TOPICS brought for a nuisance emanating from Council and Commission statements, an officially authorised installation Social Committee followed by debate - Restricting application of that provision 10/03/2009 - EESC n 2008 Progress report on Croatia to authorisations granted by domestic n Meeting of the Specialised Section for n 2008 Progress report on Turkey authorities only, with the result that an ‘Employment, social affairs and citizenship’ n 2008 Progress report on the Former action for an injunction can be brought for (SOC) Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a nuisance emanating from an installation n The mandate of the International situated in the territory of another Member Criminal Tribunal for the former State - Temelín nuclear power plant Wednesday 11 Yugoslavia - Debate on report by Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck (ALDE, BE) March n Oral questions PPE-DE, PSE, ALDE: Court of First Council/Commission - State of play of SIS European II, with debate Instance 18.00 - 19.00 First Chamber Parliament Question time (Council) 9:30 Plenary session n Judgement T-68/05 Aker Warnow Plenary agenda 21.00 - 24.00 Werft and Kvaerner v Commission 9:00 - 23:59 Strasbourg, Plenary n Green Paper on the European Workforce State aid for Health - Commission statement, Annulment of Commission Decision C 9:00 - 11.50 followed by debate (2004) 3921 final of 20 October 2004 Joint debate n 5th World Water Forum in Istanbul, declaring the excess payment by the n Preparation of the European Council 16-22 March 2009 - Oral question to German authorities of restructuring (19-20 March 2008) - Council and the Commission by Committee on aid approved for the benefit of the East Commission statements Development, with debate German shipyard Warnow Werft to be n European Economic Recovery Plan n Court of Auditors Special Report No incompatible with the common market - Report by Elisa Ferreira (PES, PT) 10/2008 on ‘EC Development Assistance n Judgement T-8/08 Piccoli v OHMI n (*) Guidelines for the Member States’ to Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa’ (Forme d’une coquille) employment policies - Report by Jan - Oral question to the Commission by Intellectual property Andersson (PES, SE) Committee on Development Community trade mark - Annulment of n Cohesion Policy: investing in the real n Implementation of the Single Euro Decision R 530/2007-1 of the First Board economy - Report by Evgeni Kirilov (PES, Payments Area (SEPA) - Oral question of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation BG) to the Commission by Committee on in the Internal Market (OHIM) of 28 End of joint debate Economic Affairs, with debate September 2007 dismissing the appeal

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The President’s diary n Mr Andris Piebalgs meets Mr Abdullah leave without urgent cause or without 14:45 - 15:00 Strasbourg Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier observing the statutory period of notice n 14.45 Ceremonial signing of co-decision and Minister of Energy & Industry of Qatar - Calculation of payment in lieu of notice legislation (Minister’s office) Fourth Chamber Parliamentary committees 9:30 Committee on Budgets n Hearing Joined Cases C-155/08, C- 9:00 - 11:00 Strasbourg, LOW N1.3 Court of Justice 157/08 X n The financial aspects of the Reform Second Chamber Freedom to provide services Treaty - Vote on report by Catherine Guy- 9:30 Preliminary ruling - Hoge Raad der Quint (PES, FR) n Hearing C-199/08 Eschig Nederlanden - Interpretation of Articles Freedom to provide services 49 EC and 56 EC - Taxation by a Reference for a preliminary ruling Member State of income (from capital) - Oberster Gerichtshof (Austria) of a national resident held in an account Council of - Interpretation of Article 4(1) of in an establishment situated in another Council Directive 87/344/EEC on the Member State - Income not declared in Ministers coordination of the laws, regulations and the Member State of residence - Rules Coreper I (Committee of Permanent administrative provisions relating to legal of national law providing for a 12-year Representatives) expenses insurance (OJ 1987 L 185, p. recovery period in respect of income Brussels 77) - Clause contained in the standard from another Member State and a 5-year terms and conditions of insurance of a recovery period in respect of income Informal Meeting of COHOM legal expenses insurer enabling it, in from national sources - Proportional fine - (Working Party on Human Rights) the case of an accident in which a large Possible relevance of the fact that banking 11.3.2009 — 12.3.2009, Prague - Czech number of insured persons suffer losses secrecy applies in the Member State in Republic as a result of the same event, to choose a which the income originated legal representative, and thereby limiting Conference on the Implementation the right of the individual insured person of EU Law in the EU Member States to choose his own lawyer (‘mass torts 11.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech clause’). Court of First Republic 11.30 Instance n Hearing C-568/07 Commission v Second Chamber Greece 16.00 European Freedom of establishment n Hearing T-140/08 Ferrero v OHMI - Failure of a Member State to fulfil Tirol Milch (TiMi KiNDERJOGHURT) Commission obligations - Failure to comply fully with Intellectual property Travel and visits the Court’s judgement of 21 April 2005 Community trade mark - Annulment of n Ms Danuta Hübner receives Mr Piotr in Case C-140/03 Commission v Greece Decision R 682/2007-2 of the Second Serafin, Under-Secretary of State, Polish concerning infringement of Articles 43 Board of Appeal of the Office for Committee on European Integration and 48 EC with regard to the ownership, Harmonisation in the Internal Market n Mr Joe Borg participates in the establishment and operation of shops (OHIM) of 30 January 2008, dismissing international conference ‘New chances and for the sale of optical articles - National the appeal brought against the decision new responsibilities in the Arctic Region’ law allowing only authorised opticians to of the Cancellation Division refusing (Berlin) own opticians’ shops - Application for the the application for a declaration of n Mr Ján Figel’ receives Mr Jamie setting of a penalty payment invalidity submitted by the applicant Merisotis, President and CEO of the in respect of the word mark ‘TiMi Lumina Foundation for Education Third Chamber KINDERJOGHURT’ for goods in Class n Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel receives 9:30 29 Mr Brendan Smith, Irish Minister for n Hearing C-116/08 Meerts Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Social policy Fourth Chamber n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner participates Interpretation of clauses 2.4 to 2.7 of the 9:30 in ‘IV Foro Euromediterraneo de framework agreement on parental leave n Hearing T-340/07 Evropaïki Energia-La Energia en el Mediterraneo: concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the Dynamiki v Commission Crecimiento Sostenible y Armonizacion ETUC, annexed to Council Directive Company law Regional’ (IEMed, Barcelona) 96/34/EC of 3 June 1996 (OJ 1996 L 145, Action, based on an arbitration clause, n Mr Andris Piebalgs delivers a speech at p. 4) - Parental leave in the form of part- for a order that the Commission pay, the 7th Doha Natural Gas Conference & time working - Dismissal of the employee firstly, sums allegedly due to the applicant Exhibition (Doha) before the end of the period of parental and, secondly, damages, following www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 25

the termination of a contract relating dangerous substances (OJ English Special to Community financial assistance Edition 1967(1), p. 234). Thursday 12 March granted to the ‘e-Content Exposure and n Judgement T-166/05 Borax Europe v Business Opportunities’ project (‘EEBO’) Commission (contract No EDC-53007 EEBO/27983), Law governing the institutions European concluded in the context of the Annulment of the decision of the multiannual Community programme Commission of 21 February 2005 to Parliament to encourage the development and refuse the applicant access to certain Plenary session use of European digital content on the documents and tape recordings related to Plenary agenda worldwide networks and to promote the preparation of the 30th adaptation to 9:00 - 17:00 Strasbourg, Plenary linguistic diversity in the information technical progress of Council Directive society (‘eContent’ programme) 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the 9:00 - 11.50 Fifth Chamber approximation of laws, regulations and n Commission statement - Eastern 15.00 administrative provisions relating to the Partnership, followed by debate n Judgement T-354/05 TF1 v classification, packaging and labelling of n Strategic partnership European Union Commission dangerous substances (OJ English special - Brazil/ Mexico - Joint debate State aid edition: Series I Chapter 1967, p. 234). n EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership - Report Annulment of Commission Decision by Maria Eleni Koppa (PES, EL) C(2005) 1166 final of 20 April 2005 Eighth Chamber n EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership - declaring compatible with the common 9:30 Report by José Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez- market under Article 86(2) EC the n Hearing T-137/08 BCS v OHMI - Neyra (EPP-ED, ES) licence fee system set up by the French Deere (Combinaison des couleurs verte authorities in favour of France Télévision and jaune) End of joint debate n Hearing T-450/05 Automobiles Intellectual property n 50th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising Peugeot and Peugeot Nederland v Community trade mark - Annulment of and dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Commission Decision R 0222/2007-2 of the Second the Chinese Government - Oral question Competition Board of Appeal of the Office for to the Commission by ALDE and Greens/ Annulment of Decision C(2005)3683 Harmonisation in the Internal Market EFA groups final of 5 October 2005 concerning a (OHIM) of 16 January 2008, dismissing procedure under Article 81 of the EC the appeal brought against the decision 12.00 - 13.00 Treaty (Cases 36.623, 36.820 and 37.275 of the Cancellation Division refusing the Votes, including - SEP and Others/Automobiles Peugeot application for a declaration of invalidity Rule 45(2) SA) concerning agreements made by submitted by the applicant in respect n Better careers and more mobility: A Automobiles Peugeot and its subsidiary, of the figurative mark consisting of the European partnership for researchers - Peugeot Nederland, with dealers of the colour combination of green and yellow Report by Pia Elda Locatelli (PES, IT) Peugeot distribution network in the for goods in Classes 7 and 12 n The protection of consumers, in Netherlands in order to limit export sales particular minors, in respect of the use of of new cars from the Netherlands to video games - Report by Toine Manders consumers living in other Member States (ALDE, NL) or, in the alternative, reduction of the Economic and n Developing a Common Aviation Area fine imposed on the applicants. with Israel - Report by Luca Romagnoli Social Committee (NI, IT) Seventh Chamber 11/03/2009 - EESC n The challenge of deterioration of 9:30 n Meeting of the Specialised Section agricultural land in the EU and in n Judgement T-121/05 Borax Europe v for ‘Single Market, Production and particular in Southern Europe: the response Commission Consumption’ (INT) through EU-agricultural policy instruments Law governing the institutions - Report by Vincenzo Aita (GUE/NGL, IT) Annulment of the Commission decision n Ensuring food quality - Harmonisation or of 3 November 2004 rejecting the mutual recognition of standards - Report by applicant’s request for access to certain Committee of the Maria Petre (EPP-ED, RO) documents and sound recordings of the meeting of the working group responsible Regions 15.00 - 16.00 for preparing the 30th adaptation to Conference Joint debate technical progress of Council Directive n Synergies between the Mediterranean n Debates on cases of breaches of human 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the Energy Community: EASY PROJECT rights, democracy and the rule of law (one approximation of laws, regulations and Location: Committee of the Regions, JDE- hour maximum) administrative provisions relating to the 53, between 10h00-16h30 n Guinea Bissau classification, packaging and labelling of n Philippines

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n Support for the Special Court for Sierra International Conference: Quality 2009 event in May Leone and Safety for our Patients - Our n Mr Antonio Tajani participates in the End of joint debate Main Objective Annual Forum of the EIB (European 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech Investment Bank) (Barcelona) 16.00 - 17.00 Republic n Mrs Viviane Reding in Singapore Votes Organizers of the Event: Union of Health (12-13): meeting with Mr Lim HGN n Motions for resolutions concerning Insurance Companies, Ministry of Finance Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry debates on cases of breaches of human Contact: Vladimíra Těšitelová, Union of and signature of a ‘Memorandum of rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule Health Insurance Companies - tesitelova@ Understanding’ on cooperation on 115) szpcr.cz information society policies; meeting with Mr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for The President’s diary Informal Meeting of COHOM Information, Communications and the 15:30 - 19:00 Luxembourg (Working Party on Human Rights) Arts; meeting with cinema professionals n 15.30 Meeting with Vassilios Skouris, 11.3.2009 — 12.3.2009, Prague - Czech on MEDIA International action and the President of the Court of Justice Republic MEDIA MUNDUS proposal; meeting n 18.30 Speech at the Bridge Forum - ‘The Conference on the Implementation with EUROCHAM (European chambers European Perspective - Values, Politics, the of EU Law in the EU Member States of commerce for the region) on ICT and Economy’ 11.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech telecom policies in the ASEAN zone Republic n Ms Danuta Hübner visits Slovakia Parliamentary committees (12-13): meets Mr Juraj Blanár, President Committee on the Environment, Intergovernmental Conference of Zilina region; visits the Technical Public Health and Food Safety ‘Railway Infrastructure University of Žilina (SK-CZ INTERREG 10:00 - 12:00 Strasbourg, LOW N1.3 Interoperability’ project and other R&D projects); meets n Patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare Prague - Czech Republic Mr Marian Janušek, Minister for Housing - Vote on report by John Bowis (EPP-ED, and Regional Development and Mr Ján UK) Securing Human Resources for the Mikolaj, Vice Prime Minister and Minister Future Space Sector of National Education; visits projects in 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague, Czech Trencín area; meets Mr Pavol Sedlácek, Republic President of Trencín region, and other local Council of Organizers of the Event: Euris, Czech authorities (12). Meets Mr Robert Fico, Space Office Prime Minister; gives a Press Conference Ministers Contact: Jan Kolác Czech Space Office (13, Bratislava) Coreper II (Committee of Permanent - [email protected] n Mr Ján Figel’ participates in the Online Representatives) debate under Spring Day for Europe 2009 Brussels Meeting of Security Policy n Mr Ján Figel’ attends and delivers a Directors speech at the Start of Reception of the Informal Meeting of Defence 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech International Conference on Arts & Ministers Republic Cultural education (Bozar, Horta Hall) 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech n Mrs Neelie Kroes delivers the opening Republic speech at conference organised by International Bar Association Steering Board - European Defence European n Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel in Prague (12- Agency 13): Opening (12) and closing (13) speech 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech Commission at the Conference on EU Agricultural Republic Travel and visits Products Quality Policy organised by Czech n Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso receives Presidency; speech at Czech University of European Conference on Youth Mr Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Life Sciences (12); press conference (13) 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech Minister of France n Mr Vladimír Špidla meets with Republic n Mr Jacques Barrot participates in a European social partners meeting with the national bureau of n Mr Vladimír Spidla attends the seminar Quality Policy Conference pensioners from the CFDT (French ‘Les Equimentiers automobilistes agissent: 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech Democratic Confederation of Labour) qualité du travail’ (maison de la RATP, Republic (Brussels) Paris) n Mr Siim Kallas receives representatives n Ms Meglena Kuneva in Paris: delivers XIX. Case Handling Workshop Prague of ALTER-EU to discuss the lobby register a lecture ‘European Consumer Policy - 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech n Mr Siim Kallas receives Mr Pascal Smet, Challenges for the Future’ at the Université Republic Minister for transport of the Brussels- Paris-Sud 11 Capital Region, in view of the VéloCity n Mr Leonard Orban in Bucharest (12-13): www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 27

meeting with the Romanian President, Mr Reference for a preliminary ruling of the Member States amending Regulation Traian Basescu; with the Committee of - Unabhängiger Verwaltungssenat des (EEC) No 1612/68 and repealing European Affairs and with the Minister of Landes Vorarlberg (Austria) - Interpretation Directives 64/221/EEC, 68/360/EEC, Education, Research and Innovation, Mrs of Article 12 of the EC Treaty - 72/194/EEC, 73/148/EEC, 75/34/EEC, Ecaterina Andronescu (12). Visit to the Discrimination on grounds of nationality - 75/35/EEC, 90/364/EEC, 90/365/EEC high school (within the communication National legislation under which a toll disc and 93/96/EEC (OJ 2004 L 158, p.77) programme Spring Days for Europe); made available free of charge to disabled - Interpretation of Article 12 EC and Article participation to the Round table ‘1989 A persons is granted only to persons resident 39 EC - Right to social assistance benefits Crucial Year for Europe - Anniversary of 20 or ordinarily resident in national territory of a national of another Member State who years from the fall of the Iron Curtin and is unemployed and has previously been in 5th anniversary of the 5th Enlargement (13) 11.00 minor employment in the Member State n Hearing C-227/08 Martín Martín concerned - National rules excluding Environment and consumers nationals of other Member States from Interpretation of Article 4 of Council receipt of social assistance where the Court of Justice Directive 85/577/EEC of 20 December maximum period of residence referred to First Chamber 1985 to protect the consumer in respect of in Article 6 of Directive 2004/38/EC has 9:30 contracts negotiated away from business been exceeded and there is no other right n Judgement C-320/07 P Antartica v premises (OJ 1985 L 372, p. 31) - Article of residence Office for Harmonisation in the Internal 3 EC, 95 EC and 153 EC - Article 38 Advocate General : Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer Market of the Charter of Fundamental Rights n Opinion C-566/07 Stadeco Intellectual property - Right of renunciation - Obligation on Taxation Appeal against the judgement of the Fourth the trader to supply certain information Interpretation of Article 21(1)(c) of Sixth Chamber of the Court of First Instance of - Consumer protection measures in case of Council Directive 77/388/EEC of 17 May 10 May 2007 in Case T-47/06 Antartica non-performance - Nullity of contract and 1977 on the harmonisation of the laws of Srl v Office for Harmonisation in the jurisdiction of national court the Member States relating to turnover Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) taxes - Common system of value added tax: (OHIM) by which the Court dismissed Second Chamber uniform basis of assessment (OJ 1977 L as unfounded an action brought by the 9:30 145, p. 1) - Tax not payable in the Member applicant for registration of the figurative n Opinion C-109/08 Commission v State of residence of the issuer of an trade mark ‘nasdaq’ in respect of goods Greece invoice in respect of an activity in another in Classes 9, 12, 14, 25 and 28 against Law governing the institutions Member State or in a non-member Decision R752/2004-2 of the Second Failure of a Member State to fulfil country - Correction of the erroneously Board of Appeal of OHIM of 7 December obligations - Failure to comply with the invoiced tax 2005 setting aside the Opposition Court’s judgement of 26 October 2006 in Advocate General : Kokott Division’s decision which rejected the Case C-65/05 - Infringement of Articles 28, n Opinion C-168/08 Hadadi opposition brought by the proprietor of 43 and 49 EC and Article 8 of Directive Area of Freedom, Security and Justice the Community and national word marks 98/34/EC of the European Parliament Reference for a preliminary ruling - Cour ‘NASDAQ’ in respect of goods in Classes and of the Council of 22 June 1998 de Cassation (France) - Interpretation of 9, 16, 35, 36, 38 and 42 - Interpretation of laying down a procedure for the provision Article 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No Article 8(5) of Regulation No 40/94 of information in the field of technical 1347/2000 of 29 May 2000 on jurisdiction Advocate General : Mengozzi standards and regulations (OJ 1998 L 204, and the recognition and enforcement n Opinion C-529/07 Chocoladefabriken p. 37) - National legislation applicable to of judgements in matrimonial matters Lindt & Sprüngli electronic computer games - Application for and in matters of parental responsibility Intellectual property the setting of a penalty payment for children of both spouses (OJ 2000 Reference for a preliminary ruling Advocate General : Bot L 160, p. 19) and Articles 3 and 64 of - Oberster Gerichtshof (Austria) - Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 of 27 Interpretation of Article 51(1)(b) of Council Third Chamber November 2003 concerning jurisdiction Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 9:30 and the recognition and enforcement of 1993 on the Community trade mark (OJ n Opinion Joined Cases C-22/08, C- judgements in matrimonial matters and 1994 L 11, p. 1) - Concept of ‘bad faith’ 23/08 Vatsouras the matters of parental responsibility, of the applicant for the mark - Trade mark Citizenship of the Union repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 application intended to prevent competitors Reference for a preliminary ruling (OJ 2003 L 338, p. 1) - Conditions for from continuing to market similar goods - Sozialgericht Nürnberg - Legality of the recognition of a divorce judgement which have previously acquired a certain Article 24(2) of Directive 2004/38 of the - Relevant connecting factors: residence or reputation - Chocolate Easter hares European Parliament and of the Council nationality of the parties? Advocate General : Sharpston of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens Advocate General : Kokott n Hearing C-103/08 Gottwald of the Union and their family members to n Hearing C-519/07 P Commission v Principles of Community law move and reside freely within the territory Koninklijke Friesland Foods

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State aid than the minimum number prescribed for prescribed period, the measures necessary Appeal against the judgement of the Court that purpose in the above-cited directives to comply with Directive 2006/22/EC of the of First Instance (Second Chamber) of European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2007 in Case T-348/03 Fifth Chamber 15 March 2006 on minimum conditions for Koninklijke Friesland Foods NV (formerly 9:30 the implementation of Council Regulations Friesland Coberco Dairy Foods Holding n Judgement C-289/08 Commission v (EEC) No 3820/85 and (EEC) No 3821/85 NV) v Commission annulling Article 2 Luxembourg concerning social legislation relating to of Commission Decision 2003/515/EC Environment and consumers road transport activities and repealing of 17 February 2003 on the State aid Failure of a Member State to fulfil its Council Directive 88/599/EEC (OJ 2006 L implemented by the Netherlands for obligations - failure to draw up external 102, p. 35) international financing activities (OJ 2003 emergency plans for the measures to be Advocate General : Bot L 180, p. 52) in so far as it excludes from taken outside establishments subject to the transitional scheme those operators Article 9 of Council Directive 96/82/EC of who, as at 11 July 2001, had already 9 December 1996 on the control of major- lodged a request with the Netherlands tax accident hazards involving dangerous Court of First authority for application of the aid scheme substance (OJ 1997, L 10, p. 13) in question but whose request had not yet Advocate General : Sharpston Instance been determined by that date Eighth Chamber Sixth Chamber 9:30 Fourth Chamber 9:30 n Hearing T-16/08 Perfetti Van Melle 9:30 n Judgement C-342/08 Commission v v OHMI - Cloetta Fazer (CENTER n Judgement C-458/07 Commission v Belgium SHOCK) Portugal Environment and consumers Intellectual property Industrial Policy Failure of a Member State to fulfil The text is not available in English Failure of a Member State to fulfil its obligations - Failure to draw up external obligations - Infringement of Articles 5(1) emergency plans for the measures to be and (2) and 25(1) and (3) of Directive taken outside the establishment falling 2002/22/EC of the European Parliament within Article 9 of Council Directive Economic and and of the Council of 7 March 2002 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on on universal service and users’ rights the control of major-accident hazards Social Committee relating to electronic communications involving dangerous substances (OJ 1997 12/03/2009 - Skopje, Macedonia networks and services (‘Universal Service’ L 19, p. 13) n Preparatory visit for the establishment of Directive) (OJ 2002 L 108, p. 51) - Certain Advocate General : Trstenjak the Joint Consultative Committee EU- subscribers not included in the universal Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia directory Seventh Chamber Delegation of 3 members of the EESC Advocate General : Ruiz-Jarabo Colomer 9:30 n Hearing C-138/08 Hochtief and Linde- n Judgement C-402/08 Commission v 12/03/2009 - EESC Kca-Dresden Slovenia n Meeting of the Specialised Section for Freedom to provide services Environment and consumers Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Reference for a preliminary ruling Failure of a Member State to fulfil its Information Society (TEN) - Frvárosi Ítélrtábla (Hungary) - obligations - Failure to adopt within Interpretation of Article 22(2) and (3) the period prescribed the provisions of Council Directive 93/37/EEC of 14 necessary to comply with Directive June 1993 concerning the coordination 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament Conferences and of procedures for the award of public and of the Council of 21 April 2004 works contracts (OJ 1993 L 199, p. 54), on environmental liability with regard seminars and of Article 44(3) of Directive 2004/18/ to the prevention and remedying of 12 and 13 March, Barcelona EC of the European Parliament and of environmental damage (OJ 2004 L 142, n EIB Forum 2009 the Council of 31 March 2004 on the p. 56) Subject: Connecting Europe : Financing coordination of procedures for the award Advocate General : Kokott mobility and sustainable cities of public works contracts, public supply Organisers: European Investment Bank contracts and public service contracts (OJ Eighth Chamber Contact: [email protected] – Tel: 352/4379- 2004 L 134, p. 114) - Whether it is possible 9:30 21000 to continue a negotiated procedure with n Judgement C-298/08 Commission v Venue: Centre Convencions Internacional publication of a contract notice where Greece Barcelona the number of suitable candidates is less Transport www.eib.org/infocentre/forum/ than the minimum number of the range Failure of a Member State to fulfil prescribed in the contract notice, and less obligations - Failure to adopt, within the www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3709 Monday 9 March 2009 29

Conference on the Implementation Deleuze, Director of the United Nations Friday 13 March of EU Law in the EU Member States Environment Programme 11.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech n Mrs Neelie Kroes participates in breakfast Republic conference organised by the Cercle des European Européennes (Paris) Securing Human Resources for the n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner on official Parliament Future Space Sector bilateral visit to Minsk (Belarus) The President’s diary 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague, Czech n Ms Meglena Kuneva delivers a speech 10:00 - 14:00 Luxembourg Republic on the occasion of the European Consumer n 10.00 Youth Forum Organizers of the Event: Euris, Czech Day (European Economic and Social n 13.30 Management Forum DZ Bank Space Office Committee) Contact: Jan Kolác Czech Space Office n Ms Meglena Kuneva participates in a - [email protected] web-chat on consumer rights (Brussels)

Council of Meeting of Security Policy Directors Ministers 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech Committee of the Coreper I (Committee of Permanent Republic Representatives) Regions Brussels Conference n 17th meeting of the COTER EU - Pakistan Ministerial Meeting European Commission (Troika) Location: CoR building, 101 rue Belliard, Prague - Czech Republic Commission 1040 Brussels (room JDE 52) Travel and visits Informal Meeting of Defence n Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso receives Ministers Mr Stanislaw Tillich, Minister-President of Saturday 14 March 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech the Free State of Saxony Republic n Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso together with CER (Center for European Reform) / European Steering Board - European Defence CEPS (Center for European Policy Studies) Agency launch ‘The Lisbon scorecard IX’ (Palais Commission 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech des Congrès, Brussels) Travel and visits Republic n Mrs Margot Wallström speaks at 50-50 n Mr Ján Figel’ in Greece for the AGORA event for democracy, organised by the Conference in CEDEFOP (European European Conference on Youth European Movement in Belgium, the Center for the Development of Vocational 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech French and Flemish Women Councils Training) (14-16, Thessaloniki) Republic (Brussels) n Mrs Neelie Kroes delivers a speech at the n Mr Jacques Barrot in Lampedusa and conference organised by Deutsche Bank Quality Policy Conference Malta to meet local authorities, NGOs and (Frankfurt) 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech visit retention centres Republic n Mr Antonio Tajani in Rome: meets Mr Geoffrey Hoon, UK Secretary of State for Sunday 15 March XIX. Case Handling Workshop Prague Transport; attends the workshop ‘The future 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech of the airport charges’ regulation after the Republic new European Directive: from regulation European to the market ‘ organized by ENAC (Ente International Conference: Quality Nazionale per l’avizazione civile) et Parliament and Safety for our Patients - Our ‘Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata’ The President’s diary Main Objective n Mr Janez Potocnik attends the official 18:00 - 18:30 Brussels 12.3.2009 — 13.3.2009, Prague - Czech inauguration ceremony of the new n 18.00 Meeting of the Bureau of the Euro- Republic laboratory VELA7 and gives a press Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly Organizers of the Event: Union of Health conference on ‘Air quality and transport’ (EMPA) Insurance Companies, Ministry of Finance research (JRC, Ispra) Contact: Vladimíra Těšitelová, Union of n Mr Ján Figel’ participates at the 9th Delegations Health Insurance Companies - tesitelova@ Beneficiary Gala Evening TREBBIA n Election observation mission to El szpcr.cz (Prague) Salvador n Mr Louis Michel receives Olivier 9:00 - 19:00 El Salvador, San Salvador

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On Sunday 15 March 2009, a 7-strong Other events parliamentarians. Of these, 130 represent delegation of MEPs will observe the Plenary session of Euro-Med the European Union (49 Members of presidential election. The EP is sending Assembly the EP and 81 Members appointed by an election observation team headed by 15:00 - 20:00 Brussels, European the national parliaments of the EU’s 27 José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP-ED, ES). On Parliament Member States) and 130 represent the Election Day, three teams are expected to The situation in the Middle East and the national parliaments of the Mediterranean be deployed around the country. impact of the world financial crisis on the partner countries which are not members Ahead of the ballot, MEPs will meet the Mediterranean region will be the main of the EU: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, candidates, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal points for debate at the fifth plenary session Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian President, Walter Araujo and civil society of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. representatives. Assembly (EMPA) taking place from 15 to Contact: Thomas Dudrap, Press Service, MEPs are expected to give a Press 17 March at the European Parliament in [email protected], (32-2) 28 conference jointly with the Chief Observer Brussels, beginning with a meeting of the 44524 (BXL) of the EU Electoral Observation mission on Bureau on Sunday. Tuesday 17 March. Following the plenary session, Abdel The delegation is composed of Fernando Hadi Al-Majali, Speaker of the Jordanian Fernandez Martin (EPP-ED, ES), José Parliament, will take the reins of EMPA Manuel Garcia-Margallo Y Marfil (EPP- for a year (until March 2010), succeeding ED, ES), José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP-ED, Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the ES), Armando França (PES, PT), Emilio European Parliament and current president Menendez del Valle (PSE, ES), Mikel of EMPA. Irujo Amezaga (Greens/EFA) and Pedro EMPA may also decide to welcome, as Guerreiro (GUE/NGL, PT). new members of the Assembly, Albania, Contact: Thomas Dudrap, Press Service, Mauritania and Monaco, which are [email protected], (32-2) 28 also members of the Union for the 44524 (BXL) Mediterranean. EMPA brings together 260

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Connecting Europe: financing mobility and sustainable cities

12–13 March 2009, International Convention Centre, Barcelona

The EIB Forum 2009 will tackle the twin challenge of financing sustainable mobility and cities in Europe to meet the goals of European prosperity, quality of life and long-term development. Europe’s infrastructure platform and its major cities are central to the task of achieving and maintaining global leadership in the international arena. Investment is required to turn ambitious policies in Europe into effective practices and well performing assets. To view the full conference agenda and registration information, please visit www.eib.org/forum

The Bank promoting European objectives The EPP-ED Group gives solid, long-term and balanced responses to the challenges of our fellow European citizens.

Much remains to be done in the outgoing Parliament, and we look forward to continue serving you as Europe's most influential political family after the elections.

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