Company law Lisbon Treaty EU/South Korea ECJ: No general principle of Top appointments likely EU and Seoul initial equality of shareholders Page 4 postponed until December Page 9 free trade deal Page 10 EUROPOLITIcs

The European affairs daily Friday 16 October 2009 N° 3840 37th year

Focus Maritime policy EU executive sets out priorities EU Bookshop for next five years digital library By Anne Eckstein At the end of the first two years of work, 56 actions out of the 65 planned in the All publications by European Union’s Two years after the launch of the Inte- action plan accompanying the blue paper institutions – including histori- grated Maritime Policy (IMP), the Euro- have been launched or completed (most cal archives and documents often pean Commission is assessing its actions of them Commission or Council acts) requested but out of print – are and setting milestones for the policy’s and nine actions have been the subject now available for downloading from future. In a communication adopted of various initiatives even if no formal a single site - www.bookshop. on 15 October - a ‘message’ really from document has yet been adopted. As for europa.eu/eubookshop/index. Commissioner Joe Borg (fisheries and the number of achievements from this action?request_locale=EN. Some first phase that have 12 million scanned pages in more than allowed the insti- 110,000 EU publications are available tutions (Commis- for free from the EU Bookshop digital sion and Council), library. The library is being launched member states and at the Frankfurt Book Fair, on 16 Octo- the affected regions ber, and offers all documents put out to put in place ade- by the Publications Office on behalf quate structures, the of the EU institutions, agencies and Commission also other bodies since 1952. points to the adop- More than 370 EU institutional tion of instruments, authors are represented, as well as such as the road around 50 languages, including all map for planning a

official EU languages and Russian © CE maritime area (2008) and Chinese. New publications will Borg’s ’message’ to the next Commission defining ten main be added at a rate of around 1,600 maritime affairs) to the next Commis- principles to be respected, the Baltic a year. sion - six strategic orientations are laid Sea strategy (2009, “tailor-made” solu- The Bookshop digital library should out, with more details to be given in tion for a region), support for integrated not be confused with Europe- 2010 as to how they will be developed. coastal zone management (ICZM) ana, launched in November 2008, The package also comprises a proposal and advances in integrating maritime which presents digital documents on the integration of maritime surveil- surveillance. – books, films, photos and archives lance (sharing data and instruments) The “orientation for the future” sec- - from the 27 national libraries and a communication on the policy’s tion of the communication stresses (www.europeana.eu). Users will be international dimension, underlining economic growth, jobs and sustainable able to access EU Bookshop content the need for the EU to express itself development. It underlines the need to via Europeana, however. with a single voice or at least in a coher- explore possible synergies and to link ent way on the international stage of IMP more with EU policies on energy maritime affairs1. (energy produc- (continued on page 6)

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Contents N° 3840 Top Stories

Company law Lisbon Treaty EU/South Korea ECJ: No general principle of Top appointments likely EU and Seoul initial equality of shareholders Page 4 postponed until December Page 9 free trade deal Page 10

Business & competitiveness Economic & monetary affairs, In Brief Company law: ECJ: No general taxation URBACT launches new website...... 12 principle of equality of shareholders...... 4 Inflation: Rate weak in EU, EIB loan for French secondary schools...12 Industry: Slight pick-up in EU negative in eurozone ...... 8 State aid for Olympic Catering production...... 4 authorised...... 12 Institutions Transmark-McJunkin merger cleared...... 13 Sectoral policies Lisbon Treaty: Top appointments School milk scheme extended...... 13 Maritime policy: EU executive likely postponed until December...... 9 New PGIs...... 13 sets out priorities for next five years...... 1 European Parliament: Green Taxation: Blockade by Luxembourg...... 13 Agriculture: Court of Auditors MEP joins working group on lobbies....10 Winners of EP journalism prize comes to rescue of dairy farmers...... 5 announced...... 13 GMOs: Greenpeace lobbies against Trade policy market release of Bayer rice...... 5 EU/South Korea: EU and EU Agenda...... 14 Seoul initial free trade deal...... 10 Financial services, banks, insurance External relations Financial supervision: New risk board EU/US: Lisbon delay leaves Union should look at consumer credit - CEPS..... 6 ambassador-less in Washington...... 11 Financial crisis: MEP lashes out at EU/US: “Obama has to go to ‘patchwork’ of financial regulation...... 7 Copenhagen,” says Wallström...... 11

Social affairs Defence & security Air transport: Pilot flight times: Bioterrorism: Commission hopes to Commission “wants to move forward”....7 see action plan adopted by year end...... 12 Equal opportunities: Ministerial debate on economic benefits of gender equality... 8

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Company law ECJ: No general principle of equality of shareholders

By Sophie Mosca a general principle of equality of treat- sion, in company law, of the general prin- ment of shareholders. ciple of equal treatment. It notes that the Minority shareholders have been dealt minority shareholders’ request is aimed at a hard blow by the EU Court of Justice. Domestic law establishing an obligation solely on the In a judgement handed down on 15 Several directives were relied on by shareholder acquiring or strengthening its October, the court ruled that there is the minority shareholders in support of controlling share in RTL. no general principle of law on equality their claim, first of all Directive 77/91 This obligation would force it to con- of shareholders under which minority EC. This text does recognise equal treat- tract with all minority shareholders on the shareholders are protected in case of a ment of shareholders, noted the court, but same terms as those agreed for the acqui- takeover1. only relating to increases or reductions of sition of a share giving it the controlling The minority shareholders of RTL capital. interest in a company. This presupposes Group, who brought the action before The court also noted that the refer- a degree of detail requiring legislation to the court, will consequently not be able ence to equal treatment of shareholders in be drafted and enacted at Community to sell their shares on the same terms Directive 79/279 EC had been repealed level by a measure of secondary Commu- as Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL), and replaced by a provision in Direc- nity law, ie a directive or regulation, but which in 2001 swapped its 30% inter- tive 2001/34 EC, which applies only to cannot be regarded as a general principle est in RTL Group with Bertelsmann the obligation to provide information to of Community law. in exchange for a 25% share in Ber- shareholders. telsmann. Since they were refused the Directive 2004/25 EC on public take- A legal void same terms, the minority shareholders over bids obliges the shareholder who has “In the RTL and Fortis cases, we unfor- disputed the arrangement in court in acquired a controlling stake in a company tunately see that minority shareholders Luxembourg. to make a mandatory bid and acquisition, are always poorly protected,” commented The national court rejected their limited to listed companies and to situa- Raymond Goebbels, the president of action, holding that national legislation tions where a shareholder acquires via a Investas, a Luxembourg-based association does not recognise a specific law obliging public takeover more than 90% of capital defending the interests of the shareholders Bertelsmann to offer to buy their shares with voting rights. involved in this case. “The court’s judge- on the same terms agreed with GBL. These are specific situations, concludes ment proves that there is a legal void that The shareholders appealed to Luxem- the court, completely different from the we hope to remedy soon. We have been bourg’s Court of Cassation, arguing that case in point, and which impose certain lobbying to that effect in Eurosharehold- the agreement violates a principle of obligations on the company to protect all ers, a pan-European organisation of share- equality of shareholders, and sought to shareholders. They lack the general nature holders’ associations, in order to secure have the parties to the dispute declared inherent to general principles of law. legislation offering better recognition of jointly liable for the injury suffered. The The court then reviews whether the the rights of minority shareholders.” n Court of Cassation turned to the Court treatment demanded by the applicants of Justice for a ruling on the existence of can be understood as a specific expres- (1) Audiolux judgement Case C-101/08

Industry Slight pick-up in EU production

Eurostat data production of durable consumer goods duction of non-durable consumer goods increased by 4.5% in the EU. Capital fell by 3% in the EU. Production of In August 2009, compared with July goods grew by 1.3%. Intermediate goods energy decreased by 6.2%. Intermediate 2009, seasonally adjusted industrial pro- rose by 0.6%. Production of energy goods declined by 18%. Durable con- duction grew by 0.9% in the eurozone remained stable. Non-durable consumer sumer goods dropped by 16.4%. Capital and by 0.6% in the EU (in July, pro- goods declined by 0.7%. goods fell by 19.7%. duction increased by 0.2% and 0.3%, Among the member states for which Industrial production fell in all respectively). data are available, industrial produc- member states for which data are Over one year, however, in August tion rose in eleven and fell in ten. The available. 2009, compared with August 2008, highest increases were registered in Italy The largest decreases were registered in industrial production declined by 15.4% (+7%), Portugal (+5.2%) and Slovenia Estonia (-27.9%), Luxembourg (-27.4%), in the eurozone and by 13.5% in the (+4.9%), and the most significant falls in Finland (-21.4%) and Sweden (-19.2%), EU, according to estimates published by Ireland (-16.7%), Lithuania (-4.2%) and and the smallest in Poland (-2.5%), Roma- Eurostat, on 14 October. Luxembourg (-3%). nia (-4.4%), the Netherlands (-6.4%) and In terms of monthly comparison, In terms of annual comparison, pro- Portugal (-6.6%). n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 

Agriculture Court of Auditors comes to rescue of dairy farmers

By Luc Vernet on a regular basis. The concentration of the Netherlands surpassed their milk produc- processing and distribution companies tion quotas for 2008-2009 and are expected Monitoring of the development of the must not reduce dairy farmers to “mere to be penalised, according to provisional fig- milk and milk product market should con- ures released by the European Commission, tinue “so that liberalisation of the sector does also on 15 October. The overrun amounts to not lead once again to over-production,” The EU’s dairy policy 348,400 tonnes. In most EU member states, concludes the EU Court of Auditors in a aims to achieve wide and milk deliveries declined slightly or did not special report entitled ‘Have the manage- “somewhat conflicting” change, whereas the quota increased by 3.4 ment instruments applied to the market in million tonnes. The total quota available for milk and milk products achieved their main objectives deliveries to dairies, 142.9 million tonnes, objectives?’, made public on 15 October in was not used in full. The deficit is 5.381 Brussels1. “Failing this, the Commission’s price-takers” and must not restrict oppor- million tonnes, notes the EU executive. objective of keeping to a minimum level tunities for final consumers to benefit “With output more than 4% below quota, of regulation, of the safety net type, might fairly from decreases in prices. it is clear that low farm gate prices over the rapidly prove impossible to fulfil,” warns The special report also points out the past few months have nothing to do with the court. The EU’s dairy policy, it contin- need to pursue in-depth reflection on the gradual phase-out of the quota system,” ues, aims to achieve wide and “somewhat strategies to tackle the special problems commented Agriculture Commissioner conflicting” objectives, including reaching of those regions where milk production is Mariann Fischer Boel. The biggest deficits market equilibrium, stabilising the prices most vulnerable, in particular in moun- compared with the national quota alloca- of milk and milk products, ensuring a fair tainous areas, and to tackle the environ- tion were in the United Kingdom (1.45 mil- standard of living for producers and improv- mental consequences of a geographical lion unused tonnes) and France (1.2 million ing the competitiveness of European milk concentration of milk production. unused tonnes). n products. The Court of Auditors also advises the 99 mn euro in super-levies (1) The report is available at Commission to monitor price formation Austria, Cyprus, Italy, Luxembourg and www.europolitics.info > Search = 258673

GMOs Greenpeace lobbies against market release of Bayer rice

By Manon Malhère threaten people’s health. Developed by a a clear opinion from scientists, we cannot company that is a subsidiary to the German object. If there is even a single doubt or The European Commission’s proposal chemical company, Bayer AG, the rice is proof that the GMO can have negative to release on the European market Bayer’s effects, then we will review the matter. genetically modified rice is encountering “If there is even a single And this petition will be seriously taken strong opposition from Greenpeace. Mem- into account.” The genetically modi- bers of the NGO, accompanied by farm- doubt or proof that the fied rice could be seen on the European ers, turned in a petition signed by 180,000 GMO can have negative market quite quickly unless the Coun- people to Health Commissioner Androulla effects, then we will review cil of Agriculture Ministers opposes the Vassiliou, on 15 October. proposal by qualified majority. “If the Commission authorises the import the matter” Although Bayer’s GM rice is directly tar- of Bayer’s genetically modified rice [mainly geted, the petition also urges the Commis- from Asia] or other similar crops, a large part sion to take account of the socio-economic of our basic food will be threatened,” warned resistant to glufosinate, a highly toxic her- impacts of such decisions, to support the Marco Contiero of the Greenpeace Euro- bicide that will soon be banned in Europe development of ecological farming and to pean office. The main criticism made by the under recently adopted EU legislation. The adapt farming to climate change. NGO concerns the Commission’s total reli- NGO also emphasises the composition of It also mentions the authorisation for ance on the conclusions of the EFSA, the the Bayer rice. In the absence of evidence market release of BASF’s GM potato and European Food Safety Authority. A member obtained from independent scientific stud- Monsanto’s genetically modified maize. who wished to remain anonymous com- ies, there is still uncertainty over whether On the former, the proposal earned the mented that this authority does not have long-term consumption is risk-free. Council’s support last year (February 2008) the capacity to carry out “comprehensible Commissioner Vassiliou responded in and the Commission is now finalising its studies” on GMO products. a consensual tone. “This is an extremely adoption. Greenpeace stresses that opening sensitive issue. Our priority is of course The proposal on GM maize is currently the European market to Bayer rice will for the product to be safe. Once we have in the development stage. n

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Maritime policy to them and suggests putting in place its economic, ecological and social inter- (continued from page 1) a cooperation structure between the ests, according to the Commission. In various actors (civilian and military) in its third communication adopted today, tion at sea, transporting energy by sea- member states in order to come up with the Commission pinpoints a number channels, underground networks, ships), satisfactory solutions within the existing of issues that need an international the fight against climate change (adap- legal framework. response: the protection of marine bio- tation strategy for coastal areas), territo- Two pilot projects, lasting two years, diversity, the impact of climate change, rial cohesion and transport (motorways are being launched. The first – the Med- maritime safety and security, working of the sea). It will also be necessary to iterranean and the Atlantic – aims to test conditions on board ships and marine find ways and means to further stimulate the capabilities of six member states in research. Various tools and forums exist employment and maritime investments for this purpose, such as the EU’s bilat- in transport, while still supporting the eral relations with partners at regional idea of ‘clean ships’, the Commission The EU must exert a management organisations or at United said. It also insisted on its wish to support strong influence on the Nations bodies. innovation in the shipbuilding sector for world stage to strengthen The Commission is also calling for the design of very low if not zero-emis- a more “proactive” EU presence in a sion ships. All that will only be pos- the global governance of number of these forums, the participa- sible if future actions linked to IMP are the seas and oceans tion of all member states in the United taken into consideration when the next Nations Convention on the Law of the financial perspectives are drawn up. Sea (UNCLOS) and the pursuit of bilat- eral dialogue on sea basins (Union for Maritime surveillance the region to exchange information on the Mediterranean, Nordic Dimension, Sharing information on maritime sur- border control, the fight against drug Black Sea Synergy), with particular veillance will benefit both efficiency trafficking, smuggling, pollution and ter- attention for the Arctic given the chal- and costs, be it in the area of the fight rorism in the area of fishing. The second lenges that the region has to face and against pollution, fisheries manage- is to do with integrating surveillance in the brewing battle to exploit resources ment, the fight against piracy, against the North Sea basins (Baltic and North that have become accessible as a result organised crime or migration manage- Sea), a project whose aim is the same of global warming. ment. But data-sharing and the interop- as for the Mediterranean but is at a On this point, the EU received an erability of surveillance systems raises more advanced stage as the countries objection to its demand for participa- technical, legal and security issues. The affected already have a more developed tion in the Arctic Council last spring. Commission therefore suggests guid- cooperation strategy. “A badly prepared file,” Joe Borg ing principles to help member states acknowledged, before underlining develop a common information-sharing International dimension that the EU will try again at the next environment. It suggests making the best The EU must exert a strong influ- opportunity. n use of existing systems and allowing all ence on the world stage to strengthen potential users (border control, fisher- the global governance of the seas and (1) The documents are available at ies, transport, customs, defence) access oceans, which would in turn safeguard www.europolitics.info > Search = 258686

Financial supervision New risk board should look at consumer credit - CEPS

By Sarah Collins of another bubble bursting. The risk board, tions may address any aspect of the financial which has yet to be set up, was announced, system which may generate a systemic risk.” The new European Systemic Risk Board on 23 September, by the European Commis- The European Central Bank puts together (ESRB) should be able to warn individual sion as part of a five-text package on financial monthly aggregated statistics on household member states about excessive growths in supervision. It will come under the chairman- accounts (income and investment by con- consumer credit, the head of EU think tank ship of the European Central Bank and its sumers) but does not release comparative fig- CEPS (Centre for European Policy Studies) main function is to monitor system-wide risks ures on specific eurozone countries. Swedish has suggested. to the financial sector – in effect, preventing Secretary of State for Financial Market Affairs Karel Lannoo, who was chairing an event future crises. The proposal (COM(2009) Urban Karlström said that he would welcome on responsible lending, on 14 October, said 499) does not make clear exactly what kinds “continuous discussion” on the powers of the that such a function was not within the remit of risk warnings will be issued by the board, risk board, as well as the three European of the existing Consumer Credit Directive, but it does say that no sector is excluded. supervisory authorities being set up to moni- and that countries with high levels of con- “The ESRB will have a broad scope of activ- tor the banking, securities and insurance sec- sumer credit, such as the UK and Spain, ity, not limited to a specific type of entity or tors day to day. “This is not the end point of should be warned in time if they are at risk market,” it says. “Warnings and recommenda- the process,” he said. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 

Financial crisis MEP lashes out at ‘patchwork’ of financial regulation

By Sarah Collins as individual states rather than as the EU experts outside the EU to discuss plans to pulling together?” tackle climate change. Klinz is keen to forge The European Commission’s response However, he said that the Commission’s closer links with his committee’s American to the turbulence on financial markets has latest package on financial supervision, counterpart, the House Financial Services been to release a slew of “ad hoc” measures released on 23 September (COM(2009)499, Committee, which has already had a first that lack coordination, according to the 500, 501, 502 and 503) could be one way hearing with MEPs (see Europolitics 3809). newly elected chair of the European Par- to bring Europe together to “speak with French Socialist MEP Pervenche Berès, liament’s Special Committee on Financial, one voice”. Klinz is to steer the 45-member former head of the Economics Committee Economic and Social Crisis (CRIS). group over the next 12 months, although he and now steering employment and social German ALDE MEP Wolf Klinz, who on predicts it could well extend its mandate as affairs, is due to be named rapporteur for the 15 October was confirmed as the commit- it is unlikely it will complete its ambitious new committee’s reports, on 19 October. She tee’s head, said, “We have to get away from a work programme by then. said ahead of the group’s first meeting, on ‘bitty’ approach, where we have a patchwork While it will not have any real say on the 15 October, that “There were failures at the of measures we are trying to apply, all on an supervisory package, or the Directives on beginning of the crisis. I’m thinking mainly ad hoc basis”. He was referring in particular hedge funds and capital requirements wind- of the lack of coordination and consultation to Directive COM(2009)207 on alterna- ing their way through co-decision, it will between member states on bank bailouts and tive investment fund managers, which is to release two reports on the causes and con- recovery packages. We must make every effort make hedge funds and private equity man- sequences of the financial crisis, one half- to ensure this never happens again”. agers subject to registration in their home way through its term, and the final one next The committee’s vice-chairs were also member state, and the recently approved summer. It will work much like the Tempo- named, on 15 October. They are: Iliana Regulation COM(2008)704 on credit rating rary Committee on Climate Change did, Ivanova (EPP, Bulgaria), Liisa Jaakonsaari agencies. He added that unilateral moves by calling in outside experts and academics on (S&D, Finland), Pascal Canfin (Greens-EFA, member states could have aggravated the various themed topics, and issuing recom- France) and Miguel Portas (GUE-NGL, Por- problems we are now facing. “How much mendations for future legislation. That com- tugal). The group was set up on 7 October to damage occurred simply because we acted mittee also sent delegations of MEPs to meet analyse the effects of the crisis (3835). n

Air transport Pilot flight times: Commission “wants to move forward”

By Isabelle Smets from the EASA’s evaluation process. In said he “had the impression that the a statement published after the meeting Commission wants to move forward”. Developments are on the horizon for at Tajani’s office, the European Com- He added “what is missing, more pilots’ flight times. than anything else in this case, is lead- After a European day of action, organ- “What is missing, more ership. The Commission needs to lead ised on 5 October, by airline pilots the way”. demanding the EU impose a reduction than anything else in this The unions are most keen on the in their flight times (see Europolitics case, is leadership. The question of making current rules into 3832), the cabinet of Transport Com- Commission needs to lead an EASA standard, which would rule missioner Antonio Tajani met, on 14 out the possibility currently foreseen by October, with representatives from the the way” EU law to impose shorter flight times European Cockpit Association (ECA) than those in Regulation 1899/2006 and transport unions (European Trans- (non-regression clause) at the national port Workers’ Federation - ETF). mission said it intended to ask the EASA level. A scientific study by the European to work more quickly to draw its detailed “In practice, there are shorter flight Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), dating conclusions from the study and that a times planned by various member from September 2008 and made public working group needs to be created. states, like Spain or the United in January 2009, said that airline pilots’ Kingdom, either on the legislative flight times are too long and could pose COMMITMENT TO SAFETY level or through collective working a safety risk. It reiterated its commitment to safety, agreements,” Ballestero explained. The report recommended reducing flight which it said “remains the most impor- “With an EASA standard, these pos- times under EU legislation (Regulation tant priority guiding legislative action”. sibilities disappear,” he added. This is 1899/2006). Contacted by Europolitics, ETF Civil the root of the interest to look again at The next stage in the process will Aviation Political Secretary François a reduction in today’s maximum flight be the long-awaited recommendations Ballestero, who attended the meeting, times. n

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E EQUALqual opportOPPORTUNITIESunities Ministerial debate on economic benefits of gender equality 1 By EEricric van PPuyveldeuyvelde Presidency conference, on 15 and 16 mission event was an analysis note on the October in Stockholm. economic aspects of male-female equality,equality , The economic knock-on effects from The conference will examine the which shows that over the last decade sigsig-- greater gender equality at the workwork-- political initiatives needed to improve nificant progress has been made in female place are considerable: closing the gap women’s situation in the workplace, parpar-- participation in the jobs market. Going in employment rates between men and ticularly in times of economic crisis and from 52% in 1998 to 59,1% in 2008, the women could provide a GDP increase in the context of the reflection on the employment rate for women is bordering in Europe between 15% and 45%. new Lisbon strategy post-2010. on the Lisbon target for 2010. Despite That is the finding of a study being A meeting of ministers for employemploy-- this, major gaps remain compared to the debated at a meeting of EU ministers ment and for gender equality from the male employment rates when measured responsible for equal opportunities and current and upcoming Presidencies quantitatively (13,7 points) or qualitatively. for finance. (France, the Czech Republic, Sweden, The The meeting, meeting, entitled entitled ‘Does‘Does gender gender Spain, Belgium and Hungary) also takes equality boost economic growth?’, will place, on 16 October. (1) The note is at ec.europa.eu/social/Blob take place on the margins of an EU On this occasion, the European Com Com-- Servlet?docId=3971&langId=en

I INFLATIONnflation R Rateate weak in EEU,U, negative in eurozone

EEurostaturostat data Inflation rates in %, measured by HICPs 12-month Annual rates Monthly rates Eurozone annual inflation remained average rates negative in September 2009, at -0.3%, Sep 09 Aug 09 Jul 09 Jun 09 Sep 08 Sep 09-08 Sep 09 down from -0.2% in August. Sep 08 Aug 08 Jul 08 Jun 08 Sep 07 Sep 08-07 Aug 09 Belgium (BE) -1.0 -0.7 -1.7 -1.0 5.5 0.9 -0.4 A year earlier, the rate was 3.6%. Germany (DE) -0.5 -0.1 -0.7 0.0 3.0 0.6 -0.5 However, EU annual inflation was Ireland (IE) -3.0 -2.4 -2.6 -2.2 3.2 -0.5 -0.4 positive in September 2009, at 0.3%, Greece (EL) 0.7 1.0 0.7 0.7 4.7 1.6 1.9 down from 0.6% in August. Spain (ES) -1.0 -0.8 -1.4 -1.0 4.6 0.3 -0.2 A year earlier, the rate was 4.2%. France (FR) -0.4 -0.2 -0.8 -0.6 3.4 0.5 -0.2 In the eurozone, the main compo compo-- Italy (IT) 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.6 3.9 1.3 0.7 nents with the highest annual rates Cyprus (CY) -1.2 -0.9 -0.8 0.1 5.0 0.9 0.8 Luxembourg (LU) -0.4 -0.2 -1.5 -1.0 4.8 0.2 -0.1 in September 2009 were alcohol and in September 2009 were alcohol and Malta (MT) 0.8 1.0 0.8 2.8 4.9 3.2 -0.2 tobacco (4.4%), miscellaneous goods Netherlands (NL) 0.0p -0.1 -0.1 1.4 2.8 1.3p 0.5p and services (2.3%) and household Austria (AT) 0.0p 0.2r -0.4 -0.3 3.7 0.8p 0.2p equipment (1.5%), while the lowest Portugal (PT) -1.8 -1.2 -1.4 -1.6 3.2 -0.3 -0.1 annual rates were observed for transtrans-- Slovenia (SI) 0.0 0.1 -0.6 0.2 5.6 1.3 -0.1 port (-3.7%), housing (-1.6%) and food Slovakia (SK) 0.0 0.5 0.6 0.7 4.5 1.9 -0.1 (-1.3%). Finland (FI) 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.6 4.7 2.3 0.3 Eurozone (MUICP) -0.3p -0.2 -0.7 -0.1 3.6 0.7p 0.0p Concerning the detailed sub-indices, Bulgaria (BG) 0.2 1.3 1.0 2.6 11.4 4.4 -0.2 restaurants and cafés (+0.15 percentpercent-- Czech Republic (CZ) -0.3 0.0 -0.1 0.8 6.4 1.6 -0.4 age points), tobacco (+0.14) and rents Denmark (DK) 0.5 0.7 0.7 0.9 4.5 1.6 0.2 (+0.13) had the largest upward impacts Estonia (EE) -1.7 -0.7 -0.4 -0.5 10.8 2.8 -0.2 on the headline rate, while fuels for Latvia (LV) 0.1 1.5 2.1 3.1 14.7 6.5 -0.3 transport (-0.70), heating oil (-0.34) and Lithuania (LT) 2.3 2.2 2.6 3.9 11.3 6.2 0.6 Hungary (HU) 4.8 5.0 4.9 3.7 5.6 3.8 -0.2 gas (-0.19) had the biggest downward Poland (PL) 4.0 4.3 4.5 4.2 4.1 3.9 0.0 impacts. Romania (RO) 4.9 4.9 5.0 5.9 7.3 6.2 0.4 The main components with the highhigh-- Sweden (SE) 1.4 1.9 1.8 1.6 4.2 2.0 0.4 est monthly rates were clothing (6.5%), United Kingdom (UK) 1.1 1.6 1.8 1.8 5.2 2.6 0.0 education (0.8%), miscellaneous goods EU (EICP) 0.3p 0.6 0.2 0.6 4.2 1.4p 0.0p and services and household equipment Iceland (IS) 15.3 16.0 16.5 16.7 15.4 18.1 0.5 (both 0.3%). Norway (NO) 1.4 1.8 2.2 3.5 4.8 2.8 1.0 EEA (EEAICP) 0.3p 0.6 0.3 0.7 4.2 1.5p 0.0p The lowest were transport, recreation Switzerland (CH) -1.1 -1.0 -1.4 -1.2 2.8 -0.3 -0.3 and culture and hotels and restaurants Source: Eurostat / p = provisional / r = revised (all -1.2%). n„ www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 

Lisbon Treaty Top appointments likely postponed until December

By Célia Sampol Constitutional Court will review the latest analyse a document drafted by the Swedish legal action against the treaty. It could issue Presidency on implementation of the treaty, There is every reason to believe that due its verdict on the compatibility of the treaty notably certain sensitive aspects, such as the to the Czech equivocation over the Lisbon European External Action Ser- Treaty, the top-level appointments – perma- vice. The appointments would be nent president of the European Council, postponed until December. high representative for foreign policy, and “The high representative and the list of commissioners – will be post- the permanent European Coun- poned until the EU summit, on 10 and 11 cil president will be appointed in December in Brussels. tandem,” added the source. The That is what a number of European experts commissioner nominees could are starting to conclude, including a senior be presented before Decem- diplomat, who commented that “although ber but Commission President the Swedish EU Presidency has not given up José Manuel Barroso “will not its plans to wrap up the appointments at the assign portfolios until the name © Belga-AFP summit, on 29 and 30 October,” that is “not Reinfeldt: No time for consultations of the high representative has likely” to happen. “Prime Minister Fredrik with the country’s constitution the next day, been approved,” since the latter will also Reinfeldt will not have time to engage in but that would be the eve of the European be Commission vice-president. However, consultations” with the other member states Council. if the Czech Republic drags on with its in the meantime. He has announced that So in the institutional sphere, the 27 ratification process beyond December, he will not be able to start the talks as long member states are expected to concentrate Barroso will have no choice but to appoint as the Czech Republic fails to give further in late October primarily on the guarantees a Commission under the Nice Treaty, ie details on completion of its ratification pro- to be given to Czech President Václav Klaus with fewer members than member states, cess. For the moment, the only known date to convince him to sign the act of ratifica- because the present team cannot be is 27 October, the day when the Czech tion (see Europolitics 3838). They will also extended indefinitely. n

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European Parliament Green MEP joins working group on lobbies

By Sophie Petijean She added “it is important for us [the Greens] information as well as a common code of to be involved in this working group because conduct and EU law are among the prin- There is now a Green representative its mission is essential from the point of view ciples to be respected, if the register enters involved in the interinstitutional working of democracy and transparency”. into force. No perspectives have been group on lobbies: Belgian MEP Isabelle Formed under the previous legisla- announced at present, the project is stall- Durant. The previous lack of a pro-environ- ture by the Parliament and the European ing, while the review of the Commission’s mental voice in the group, which is working Commission, and made up of Commis- public register, forecast for mid-July 2009, on a common register of lobbyists, had been sioner Siim Kallas and MEPs Diana Wallis has still not taken place. Furthermore, the denounced by Monica Frassoni, former co- (ALDE, UK), Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) new working group has not yet met. Ahead president of the Greens-EFA group in the and Ingo Friedrich (EPP, Germany), the of the advent of this unique resource, the European Parliament. working group adopted, in April 2009, two institutions have launched a joint Durant, who is also vice-president of the guidelines intended to manage the project website1 to show their respective lists. n Parliament, said, on 15 October, that the for a common register of lobbyists between appointment was significant in order to the Commission and the Parliament. The (1) europa.eu/lobbyists/interest_ tackle “the excesses of abusive lobbying”. disclosure of financial and administrative representative_registers

EU/South Korea EU and Seoul initial free trade deal

By Fabrice Randoux some €450 million in duties and exporters The European industry challenges the of agricultural equipment around €380 reimbursement by South Korea of import Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton million,” according to the Commission. duties to companies that use spare parts initialled, on 15 October, with her South What is perhaps even more important is imported from third countries to manu- Korean counterpart Kim Jong-hoon the that the agreement provides for recogni- facture products for export. most important free trade agreement (FTA) tion of many EU standards in certain sec- The automotive sector fears a massive ever negotiated between the European tors like motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals arrival of Korean cars made with cheap Union and a third country. The text could and consumer electronics. Chinese parts. enter into force in the latter half of 2010 if The initialling marks the end of the The deal sets a 5% ceiling on reimburs- it is approved by the 27 member states and negotiation process. The Commission able duties (‘duty drawback’) in case of the European Parliament, in spite of the still has to submit the agreement, in early a significant increase in parts manufac- automotive sector’s opposition. 2010, to the member states. It will need tured in third countries, but this mecha- The FTA deal, sealed after two years of their unanimous support before the deal nism will only apply five years after the negotiation, “could be worth up to €19 can be signed with Seoul. Meanwhile, it agreement’s entry into force. billion in new trade for EU exports and hopes to convince the states that still have will remove virtually all tariffs between misgivings, especially Italy. Once signed, New generation FTA the two economies, as well as many non- the FTA will have to be approved by the The deal has the support of Eurocom- tariff barriers,” commented the Euro- European Parliament and then ratified by merce. “In the current economic envi- pean Commission. Telecoms, environ- the 27 national parliaments, even though ronment, the EU-Korea deal is exactly mental, legal and financial services, and it can enter into force in the meantime. the right sign against protectionism,” maritime transport are expected to be the welcomed Secretary-General Xavier main beneficiaries. Opposition from automotive sector Durieu. South Korea is the EU’s fourth larg- The deal will continue to be disputed by According to Ashton, the EU-Korea est economic partner outside of Europe, the automobile industry’s trade association, agreement “is the first of a new genera- behind the United States, Japan and the ACEA, which maintains that the EU tion of FTAs” that the EU plans to negoti- China. In 2008, EU exports to Korea industry is disadvantaged compared with ate with countries that “traditionally have totalled €25.6 billion and imports €39.4 Korean manufacturers. The association’s high trade barriers and high growth”. billion. In services, the EU registered Secretary-General, Ivan Hodac, urged the Other FTAs are being negotiated in Asia a surplus of €3.3 billion with Korea in states “not to ratify” the agreement. “The (but are at a much less advanced stage), 2007. Korean negotiators have not only obtained with India and with the ASEAN coun- The agreement will do away with €1.6 unrestricted access to a market of over 500 tries (Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indo- billion in customs duties on EU exports million people, the European Commis- nesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singa- to Korea (and €1.1 billion in the other sion has in addition allowed South Korea pore, Thailand and Vietnam). “We could direction). Every year, “European export- to subsidise exports from its key industries move more quickly” with certain ASEAN ers of machinery and equipment will save to the EU,” he denounced. countries, added Ashton. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 11

EU/US Lisbon delay leaves Union ambassador-less in Washington

By Brian Beary in Washington what Bruton, who clearly revelled in his of EU Council president, where the most role as ambassador, will do now profession- discussed frontrunner, ex-British Premier The persistent cloud hanging over whether Tony Blair, has both supporters and or even when the Lisbon Treaty will enter detractors. As Irish Premier, Bruton into force means that the EU is likely to go served as EU Council president from several months without an appointed ambas- July to December 1996 when Ireland sador to the United States. With incumbent held the EU Presidency. John Bruton finishing up in the job, on 31 October, after five years in Washington, the PARLIAMENT TO OPEN DC OFFICE European Commission is not planning to Meanwhile, while the Commission’s name his successor until the new college is presence will be temporarily dimin- sworn in, EU officials have told Europolitics. ished in Washington, the European The vacancy is something of an embarrass- Parliament’s presence is being strength- ment for the EU, coming in the midst of two ened. An inside source confirmed to major EU-US meetings: the Transatlantic Europolitics that the Parliament intends

Economic Council, on 27 October, which © DR to open a new office in Washington, to up to eight commissioners are expected to John Bruton be staffed by two Parliament officials attend, and the EU-US leaders’ summit, on ally. He is considered as having an outside sent from Brussels and one local hire admin- 3 November. chance of being Ireland’s next commis- istrative employee. It has not been decided Bruton’s shoes will be filled on a caretaker sioner. He is undoubtedly eminently quali- yet whether to place the EP office inside basis by the number two at the Commis- fied for the job but faces one major obstacle the Commission delegation or to give them sion delegation, Angelos Pangratis, a career - his political party, Fine Gael, is not cur- a separate base, most likely closer to Capitol diplomat of Greek nationality, in contrast rently in government. An even more outside Hill as the Commission office is several kilo- to Bruton, who is a veteran politician and possibility is that he emerges as a compro- metres from the US House of Representatives former Irish prime minister. It is not clear mise choice for the still undecided position and the Senate. n

EU/US “Obama has to go to Copenhagen,” says Wallström

By Brian Beary in Washington legislation by then. A Senate staffer told senators, who are in the minority but could Europolitics that “We will have an idea what block a bill if a few Democrats join them, The chances of a deal on a new global cli- our legislation will look like pre-Copen- were mostly opposed to the bill due to the mate treaty hinge upon the US president’s hagen, but we won’t have a bill adopted”. cost and regulatory burden it imposed. Alas- willingness to attend the crucial United Obama does not want to make the mistake ka’s Lisa Murkowski wondered if “we can’t Nations summit this December. “Obama former President Bill Clinton made at Kyoto ask less, perhaps much less”. Among the has to go to Copenhagen,” European Com- by committing to something he cannot get various Senate bills under discussion, even mission Vice-President Margot Wallström ratified back home. But the US not putting the most ambitious would only cut US emis- said, on 14 October. “That will be a signal concrete figures on the table will make it sions by about 7% by 2020 on 1990 levels, because the leaders do not want to leave with much harder for other countries to make much less than the EU’s 20%-30% target. a failure,” she told a seminar at the Carn- commitments. “It’s the Senate that is the Some Democrat senators look wobbly on egie Endowment for International Peace in obstacle,” Claussen said, noting the House the bill. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, an oil Washington. But top climate analyst Eileen of Representatives had passed “a decent bill” state, was worried about it causing energy Claussen, president of the Pew Center on in June 2009. price volatility. Maria Cantwell of Washing- Global Climate Change, cautioned Europe ton State was concerned about using inter- not to have “too much expectation” as “you SENATE DEBATES BILL national offsets, noting it meant transferring might fall off a cliff”. Claussen said Copen- The same day, senators were number- US$1.4 trillion of wealth and jobs overseas. hagen must not become a “blame the US” crunching on Capitol Hill, trying to figure Republican John McCain (Arizona), who game, to which Wallström responded: “I out how much their ‘cap and trade’ legisla- supports ‘cap and trade’ in principle, said am afraid I won’t be able to promise that we tion will cost. Several top budget experts tes- the budgetary experts were over-optimis- won’t blame the US”. tified to the Energy and Natural Resources tic, wrongly presuming there would be a The core problem is that President Barack Committee that it would reduce economic big increase in nuclear energy production. Obama is unlikely to pledge specific targets growth by less than 1% by 2020, cause a net He urged lawmakers to carefully study the in emission cuts at Copenhagen as the US loss in jobs and a “modest” reduction in EU’s Emission Trading Scheme and learn Senate is unlikely to have passed climate households’ purchasing power. Republican from this experience. n

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Bioterrorism Commission hopes to see action plan adopted by year end

By Paul Ames on bioterrorism organised by the Security said there is a need for increased cooperation, Defence Agenda think tank, on 14 October, information sharing and joint planning. The European Commission hopes an where the EU faced criticism over its level of Dietz said cross-border cooperation action plan designed to improve the EU’s preparedness in the face of a possible germ among member was quite well advanced defences against the threat of a chemical, warfare attack. “There’s no convention in in a number of fields, but added that greater nuclear or bioterrorist attack will be adopted Europe on emergency countermeasures for a efforts were needed to develop collaboration by member states by the end of the year. bio attack,” complained Allan Shofe, senior across sectors, particularly to ensure that The plan presented by the Commission vice-president of Emergent BioSolutions, a public health authorities and security forces in June contains 113 measures grouped into US biopharmaceutical company focused on work more closely together. Among specific three packages to prevent dangerous mate- vaccines. He praised the proposed action plan, proposals in the plan are developing greater rial from falling into the hands of terrorists, but expressed “frustration” in dealing with security awareness for staff handling dan- improve detection of such weapons and European governments which, he said, were gerous material; closer scrutiny of trade in ensure the EU has a speedy and efficient not doing enough to prepare for the threat. chemicals and pathogens; developing mini- response to any attack. A budget of €100 mil- “You’ve got to have a holistic plan,” Shofe told mum EU-wide detection standards; and lion is foreseen to finance the plan over four the conference. The Commission’s action wider public awareness campaigns. Experts years, starting in 2010. plan was based on the work of a task force at the conference said it was difficult to judge “The Presidency hopes to reach conclu- on chemical, biological, radiological and how close terrorist groups may be to devel- sions at the end of this year and start imple- nuclear security, set up in February 2008, that oping germ warfare weapons, but a senior mentation at the beginning of next year,” said brought together experts from health, justice, EU security official said the threat should Patrick Dietz, policy officer at the Commis- defence and home affairs ministries from not be underestimated. “We are facing more sion’s Directorate-General for Justice, Free- across the EU as well as civil defence and law and more professionalised terrorists,” said dom and Security. “The action plan is not a enforcement officers. Although the Commis- Oliver Rüss, advisor to the EU Counter- legal instrument, it’s a political commitment,” sion stressed that the primary responsibility for Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove. added Dietz. “We hope there will be real defence against weapons on mass destruction “Our enemy is not a dumb, uneducated and added value.” Dietz spoke at a conference remains with EU member governments, it unsophisticated terrorist.” n In Brief

URBACT launches new website EIB loan for French secondary State aid for Olympic Catering URBACT, the European exchange schools authorised and learning programme promoting The European Investment Bank (EIB) The European Commission gave the sustainable urban development co- and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur green light, on 14 October, to the partial financed by the European Regional Region signed, on 15 October, a financing financing by the Greek authorities Development Fund (ERDF), has a contract worth €400 million for the of a voluntary redundancy scheme new website, at www.urbact.eu. Those renovation and construction of secondary that Olympic Catering SA (a former responsible for the programme want to schools, incorporating initiatives based subsidiary of Olympic Airways) plans make it a “common reference area for on environmental quality and sustainable to implement. State intervention will sustainable urban development”. Via development. This is the first financing relate to voluntary redundancy costs for this website, cities, elected politicians, operation between the EIB and this French staff recruited prior to the company’s associations and other experts will be region. The EIB loan will contribute to the privatisation, at more favourable able to find all the necessary information construction, refurbishment and renovation conditions than those offered to private for participating in the programme and of 33 secondary schools, including their sector employees. The “abnormal” sharing experiences. All of the projects sports and multipurpose facilities, as well costs resulting from these advantages co-financed by URBACT are the subject as the international school of Manosque, will not, therefore, need to be borne by of a mini site, providing information on which will accept - for all school years Olympic Catering. The cost to the state is their mission and progress. - the children of staff and researchers of estimated to be €29 million. different nationalities working on the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project at the Cadarache site. www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 13

In Brief

Transmark-McJunkin merger New PGIs Winners of EP journalism prize cleared On 15 October, the European announced The European Commission granted Commission added three denominations The European Parliament’s annual clearance, on 14 October, to the for agricultural products and foodstuffs journalism prize was awarded, on 15 acquisition of sole control of Transmark to the list of protected geographical October in Brussels, to journalists Fcx Group BV of the Netherlands by indications (PGIs). This concerns from Germany, Hungary and Poland. McJunkin Red Man Corporation of the Czech beer ‘Breznický lezák’, the The jury, composed of three MEPs the US, controlled by Goldman Sachs Spanish cheese ‘Faba de Lourenzá’ and and six journalists, chose the winners Group, Inc. McJunkin distributes pipes, the French pasta ‘Raviole du Dauphiné’. from among 65 national nominations, valves, fittings and related products The three have been added to the list themselves selected from an initial round and provides services to industrial of approximately 850 products that are of 266 individual candidates. Germany’s customers, primarily in North America. already protected. Further information Ines Possemeyer won in the written press Transmark distributes valves and other is available at ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ category for her article ‘How Europe is related products and provides services to quality/index_en.htm renewing itself’. In the Internet category, industrial customers mainly in Europe, Bálint Szlankó of Hungary took the but also in South-East Asia, Australia, Taxation: Blockade by award for his online story ‘Wily customers New Zealand and Africa. Luxembourg in Brussels honing their wits’. Polish The ‘dialogue of the deaf’ between reporter Zbigniew Plesner won the radio School milk scheme extended supporters of the abolishment of bank prize for his programme ‘Third time The European Commission announced, secrecy and those who are fighting to lucky’. Television journalists Elke Sasser on 15 October, that the range of dairy defend it continued, on 14 October, and Kristian Kähler took another prize for products eligible for aid of the school during a meeting of the Committee of Germany with their programme ‘Who’s milk scheme is extended. The minimum Permanent Representatives of the 27 afraid of Europe? How the EU came to milk content for fermented products member states. Luxembourg, supported Poland’. Each winner receives €5,000. with fruit has been reduced from 80% by Austria, confirmed that it would Created in 2008, the prize is aimed at to 75%, which makes it possible to not be in a position to approve, on journalists who encourage a greater add more of other products. The same 20 October, at the Ecofin Council, a understanding of EU institutions and provision was extended to non-fermented ‘political agreement’ between the EU and policies. milk products. These changes will allow Liechtenstein on the conclusion of an products like fruit yoghurts and milk anti-fraud agreement. Luxembourg fears drinks with fruit juice to fall under the this would set in motion a mechanism scope of the scheme. The changes are that could force it to abolish its own part of the series of measures proposed bank secrecy rules (see Europolitics on 22 July this year to help stabilise the 3837). Despite everything, the Swedish dairy market (see Europolitics 3799). Presidency of the EU has decided to In July 2008, the scheme was already keep the topic on the agenda, as well as adapted, making it simpler, extending it an ‘orientation debate’ on the opening of to secondary schools and increasing the negotiations with Switzerland, Andorra, product coverage. San Marino and Monaco, intended to enshrine in a multilateral agreement the concessions that these countries have agreed to make in terms of administrative cooperation in the area of taxation.

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EU Agenda

Friday 16 October 9:30 Eighth Chamber n Hearing T-151/07: KONE and Others v European European Commission Competition Parliament Commission Annulment or reduction of the fine The President’s diary Travel and visits imposed on the applicants by Commission Official visit to Austria n Speech by Joaquín Almunia at the Decision C(2007) 512 final of 21 February Zurich International Advisory Board 2007 relating to a proceeding under meeting (Barcelona) Article 81 EC (Case COMP/E-1/38.823 n Joe Borg participates in the conference – PO/Elevators and Escalators) concerning Council of ‘The ambitions of Europe in space’ a cartel in the market for the installation (Brussels) and maintenance of mechanical lifts Ministers n Olli Rehn delivers a keynote speech at and escalators in Belgium, Germany, Informal Meeting of the Bosphorus Conference 2009 (Istanbul) Luxembourg and the Netherlands involving Competitiveness Ministers n Karel De Gucht meets João Cravinho, manipulation of tenders, allocation of 14-16 October, Umea (Sweden) secretary of state for foreign affairs and markets, price-fixing, award of projects Informal meeting of ministers for research cooperation of Portugal (Lisbon) and associated contracts and exchange of 9:00-12:30 n Benita Ferrero-Waldner participates information On the final day, Minister for Higher in the opening of the new House of the Education and Research Tobias Krantz European Union (Vienna) will lead the meeting on strengthening n Androulla Vassiliou visits the European European cooperation in R&D so that Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (Milan) Committee of the Europe is better prepared for future challenges. Regions Gödöllö (Hungary) Meeting of Coreper I Court of First n External seminar of the CONST Brussels Commission (Commission for Instance Constitutional Affairs, European Political and Security Committee 9:30 Governance and the Area of Freedom, (PSC) Third Chamber Security and Justice) on “Implementing Brussels n Hearing T-392/06: Union Investment Citizens’ Rights at Local and Regional Privatfonds v OHMI - Unicre-Cartão Level” EU-United States-Canada International De Crédito (unibanco) Washington D.C. Intellectual property Trilateral meeting between EU, United Community trade mark – Action brought Saturday 17 October States and Canada. by the proprietor of the national figurative marks ‘UniFLEXIO’ and ‘UniVARIO’ Labour Migration and its for services in Classes 35 and 36 and of European Development Potential in the Age of the national figurative mark ‘UniZERO’ Mobility for services in Class 36 for annulment of Commission 15-16 October, Malmö Decision R 442/2004-2 of the Second Board Travel and visits of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation n Vladimír Špidla in Germany: signs 8th European Round Table on in the Internal Market (OHIM) of 10 the city’s golden book at the town hall Poverty and Social Exclusion October 2006, dismissing the appeal against of Leimen; attends the 3rd Panel of the 15-16 October, Stockholm the decision of the Opposition Division Czech-German Discussion Forum “20 Social inclusion in times of recession - New which rejected the opposition filed by years after: from peaceful revolutions to challenges for the active inclusion strategy the applicant against the application European integration” is the theme for the 8th round table on for registration of the figurative mark poverty and social exclusion. ‘unibanco’ for services in Classes 36 and 38 www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3840 Friday 16 October 2009 15

Contact: [email protected], Tel: +30 210 3727 402/424 - +30 210 3727 482 Economic and Economic and Venue: Athenaeum Inter-Continental Hotel in Athens, Greece. Social Committee Social Committee www.worldforumiv.info Paris (France) 18-19 October, Alexandria (Egypt) n Participation of a SOC delegation (Batut, n Euromed Summit of Economic and Buffetaut, Pichenot) in the big outdoor Social Councils and Similar Institutions event organised by ATD-Quart Monde to mark the World Day of Poverty Rejection. Conferences and Sunday 18 October seminars 18-21 October, Athens European n World Forum on Energy Regulation IV Subject: The key themes of the Forum Commission are: Reliability and security of supply; The Travel and visits role of regulators in responding to climate n Stavros Dimas participates in the Major change; Competitiveness and affordability; Economies Forum (MEF) (18-19, London) The independence, powers, responsibilities, best practices and training of regulators

EUROPOLITICS Dossiers and Special editions

SPECIAL DOSSIERS „ 15 years of the Committee of the Regions, 3738, 22/04/09 „ EU in Asia, 3820, 19/09/2009 „ Washingtonians Europeans should know, 3727, 02/04/09 „ Europe of research: Broken promises, 3815, 11/09/2009 „ Airbus A400M, 3722, 26/03/09 „ EU Court of First Instance at 20, 3810, 04/09/2009 „ EU-US financial regulations, 3805, 28/08/2009 SPECIAL EDITIONS „ European Parliament 2009-2014: Parliamentary committees, „ Swedish Presidency: Bends ahead, 3785, 02/07/09 3801, 27/07/2009 „ Super Parliament 2009-2014, 3782, 29/06/09 „ Security of energy supply, 3794, 15/07/2009 „ European elections 2009, 3749, 08/05/09 „ Commission: Member states preparing to nominate candidates, „ Czech EU Presidency, 3665, 04/01/09 3790, 09/07/2009 „ EU Security and Defense Policy, 3630, 03/11/08 „ EU-US food safety disputes : 3781, 26/06/09 „ French EU Presidency: New horizons, 3562, 01/07/08 „ Aviation: The answers to climate change, 3773, 16/06/09 „ European Parliament of Enterprises, supplement, 14/10/08 „ Three heads for Europe, 3767, 08/06/09 „ European Parliament turns 50: Anniversary special, 3494, 19/03/08 „ Atalanta, 3761, 28/05/09 „ Slovenian EU Presidency, 3441, 04/01/08 „ Competition policy, 3758, 22/09/2009 „ Europe facing climate change: 3423, 30/11/07 „ Third energy liberalisation package, 3748, 07/05/09 „ Lisbon Treaty: Here is what changes: 3407, 07/11/07 „ Five years after: Whither enlargement?, 3744, 30/04/09 „ Tomorrow’s Europe: 1957-2007 - What’s next?: 3270, 19/03/07

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Post-Graduate European Programme 2010 SESSION under the patronage of Felipe GONZALEZ Excellence and diversity: This programme is open to decision makers from diverse national and professional origins and is compatible with high-level professional responsibilities. A vocational training course in the heart of Europe: A programme of more than 30 days scheduled in different European capitals and focusing on the ‘Secrets of current European construction’. Study topic 2010: ‘Which European response to crisis?’ Language requirements: French and English Networking: The programme has a two-fold purpose: - to promote contact between participants and leading experts in European construction, - to create future networking exchanges. Information and registration : www.ena.fr Deadline for applications: 9 November 2009