Free Trade Talks Put on Hold Pie Chart Troubles

Economic crisis European Council Development MEP suggests monetary fund for Legal guarantees for Ireland Member states reluctant bailing out EU members Page 8 not drafted yet Page 8 to commit fresh money Page 9 EUROPOLITIcs

The European affairs daily Monday 18 May 2009 N° 3755 37th year

Focus EU/ASEAN Free trade talks put on hold Pie chart troubles By Sébastien Falletti in Seoul the regional approach on the back burner By Célia Sampol to explore the possibility of progress with After two years of fruitless discussions, some individual members of ASEAN. The European Parliament’s services are the EU and ASEAN have discreetly put While the EU refuses to include Rangoon preparing for the electoral evening, on 7 on hold their free trade talks until they in an FTA, the South East Asian bloc has June. In a way, the event is one of the find a new formula to advance the negoti- been insisting for two years on keeping institution’s most important because ations, Europolitics has learned. Divided the military dictatorship at the negotiat- on that evening it presents on a large both on the format and the contents of ing table. Moreover, the trade liberalisa- screen, to the cameras of the entire Euro- a future bilateral free trade agreement tion offered by the Asian side, especially pean press, the very first pie chart giving (FTA), the two economic blocs have in the field of non-tariff trade barriers, a preview of the structure of the new decided earlier this month to freeze their fell short of the EU’s expectations. Parliament. The chart might be slightly talks until further notice. The EU made Against this backdrop, the Commis- adapted the following day but then will no public announcement of the decision, sion’s negotiators have started last year to not budge until the inaugural plenary but the European Commission confirmed test the willingness of several countries to session, on 14-15 July in Strasbourg. the information when asked by Europoli- negotiate bilaterally more ambitious trade The challenge is to compile in record tics. There is an agreed “pause” in the liberalisation provisions. The EU hopes time the information submitted by the negotiations, said a spokesperson for EU that some ASEAN members, such as Sin- 27 member states, keeping in mind that Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton. gapore, Vietnam or Thailand, are ready to the national elections are all different and However, the Commission denies any go beyond the trade liberalisation offer put that the polling stations do not all close “suspension” of the talks launched in on the table by the regional bloc. at the same time. EP officials also use Brunei, in 2007. Although the Commission insists that it certain assumptions as they try to put The ASEAN side formally took the is still interested in negotiating a region- together the new pie chart. For example, decision to put on ice the talks on 5 May to-region FTA, the new EU approach is they suppose that re-elected members during a meeting of economic ministers putting the ASEAN solidarity to the test. generally stay in the same political group, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. “Consid- Most developed and free trade-oriented barring a statement to the contrary. They ering that there is a difficulty on the part countries, like Singapore, are confronted also assume that new MEPs from a Euro- of the EU to resume the FTA negotiation with a dilemma but have so far refused to pean party that is already a member of a with ASEAN, the ministers agree to tem- break the ASEAN’s ranks. group will belong to the group in ques- porarily halt talks, while in the meantime The “pause” in the negotiations aims tion. Some, however, are not members of trying to find common ground that both at giving further impetus to the new EU either a group or a party. They are conse- parties can agree on,” said the Indonesian approach, according to a Commission quently placed into the ‘others’ category. Trade Ministry in its statement. source. The EU executive argues that The pie chart is uncertain in any case bilateral talks are not contradictory with an because the newly elected members Strategic shift EU-ASEAN FTA and could be developed have one month from the evening of The key factor behind the decision is under the umbrella of a region-to-region 7 June to come to a final decision a shift in EU strategy. Increasingly frus- deal. By freezing the talks, the Commis- on the group they will sit in for the trated by the lack of progress of the talks, sion hopes to trigger a debate within the legislative period. notably because of the Burma (Myan- Asian bloc that could eventually lead to a mar) issue, the Commission is putting compromise solution. n

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Contents N° 3755 Top Stories

Business & competitiveness Economic & monetary affairs, Defence & security Telecommunications: Inmarsat taxation Defence: Exercise ‘European and Solaris named to provide GDP: Union’s economy contracts 2.5% ... 7 Endeavour’ ends on positive note...... 11 mobile satellite services ...... 4 Inflation: EU rate continues fall...... 7 Eurochambres Congress: Economic crisis: MEP suggests monetary In Brief Final declaration highlights fund for bailing out EU members...... 8 Reasoned opinion to Italy skills and education...... 4 on port reception facilities...... 12 Air transport: Acquisition of British Institutions British business support Midland by Lufthansa approved...... 5 European Council: Legal scheme gets green light...... 12 guarantees for Ireland not drafted yet...... 8 State aid for Scania authorised...... 12 Sectoral policies Acquisition of Hypo Climate change: Greenhouse External relations Real Estate cleared...... 12 gas emissions drop 3.06% in 2008...... 5 EU/ASEAN: Free trade talks Joint Research Centre turns 50...... 12 Economic recovery plan: put on hold...... 1 Lonza-Teva JV cleared...... 12 EESC calls for quick General Affairs Council: EU may seek Humanitarian aid for Pakistan...... 12 implementation of energy projects...... 5 inquiry on war crimes in Sri Lanka...... 9 Development: Member states New publications...... 13 Social affairs reluctant to commit fresh money...... 9 Employment: Unions march to Dismantling of ships: International People...... 14 demand end to “destructive job cuts”.....6 convention establishes safer operations....10 Competitiveness Council: Agriculture: ‘Food facility’: First EU Agenda...... 15 BusinessEurope wants anti- contribution agreements signed...... 10 discrimination directive withdrawn...... 6 EU/Russia: New energy charter not necessary, say Yukos shareholders...... 11

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Telecommunications Inmarsat and Solaris named to provide mobile satellite services

By Eric van Puyvelde states to take without any delay all the inform the Commission in case they do not required follow-up steps in order to allow a intend to use the radio frequencies. The Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris timely and proper launch of mobile satellite authorisation of the selected applicants at Mobile Limited have been chosen to pro- services”. national level should be ensured as soon vide mobile satellite services (MSS) across Member states now have to ensure that as possible and in accordance with the EC Europe. They were selected by the Euro- Inmarsat Ventures Limited and Solaris authorisation rules. n pean Commission, on 14 May, which under- Mobile Limited have the right to use the lined that EU consumers and businesses, specific radio frequencies identified in the Further information is available at particularly in rural regions, would soon Commission’s decision and the right to ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ be able to benefit from innovative wireless operate their respective mobile satellite sys- ecomm/current/pan_european/index_ communication services. tems. These providers have to be authorised en.htm These services, which include high-speed to use their satellite systems all over Europe internet access, mobile television and radio for 18 years from the selection decision. or emergency communications, will be pro- This is consistent with national practice in Indicative timeline vided over a specifically reserved spectrum. the sector and should allow investment to be Q3 2008 - Call for applications Both satellite operators demonstrated an recouped by satellite providers. Commercial Q1-2 2009 - Assessment and selec- advanced level of technical and commer- service should start within 24 months from tion cial ability to provide these services, said the this selection decision at the latest, subject Q3-4 2009 - Authorisation at national Commission. to commitments to an earlier launch made level EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane by operators in their application. From 2009-2010 - First satellite Reding specified that this progress was pos- The selected applicants will be bound launches and services sible thanks to the first pan-European selec- by the commitments that they have under- By May 2011 at the latest - tion procedure, developed in close coop- taken, including commitments made con- Development and deployment com- eration with the European Parliament and cerning consumer and competitive ben- pleted the member states. She called on “member efits and geographic coverage. They shall

Eurochambres Congress Final declaration highlights skills and education

By Emilie Melvin in Prague European businesses in accessing European “The recommendations are addressed and non-European markets through the partly to [Eurochambres] and partly to the Europe’s competitiveness hinges on the Commission and the European authori- availability of a skilled workforce and ready ties,” Pierre Simon, president of Eurocham- access to entrepreneurship education, con- bres, explained to Europolitics. For its part, cluded participants in Eurochambres’ 16th Eurochambres will have to better inform congress, which came to a close in Prague, SMEs on what can be made available to on 15 May. The event’s final declaration was them and will have to promote the “interna- approved by 90% of the 400 representatives tionalisation” of companies, he said. The of Europe’s chambers of commerce and recommendations will be forwarded to the industry. Commission, which is expected to continue The declaration contains six recommen- with the process of completing the internal dations: 1. stimulate innovation and increase market by removing as many barriers as support for research and development; 2. possible, reiterating the importance of the position Europe as a global leader in energy Small Business Act and pressing govern- efficiency and eliminate SMEs’ lack of ments to respect the commitments they have awareness concerning the potential oppor- undertaken within its framework. tunities that exist in this domain; 3. optimise “We must absolutely continue to invest in

European human capital through educa- © Eurochambres the long term,” and “Europe must continue Simon: “We must continue to invest in the long term” tion and training, render labour markets to play the leading role in the global market more flexible and promote entrepreneur- chamber network, which in turn needs to be allowing companies to compete freely,” ship; 4. provide affordable and accessible reinforced. The third recommendation was concluded Simon. n financing instruments; 5. reduce regulatory considered to be the most important, having and administrative burdens; and 6. secure received 33% of the votes from the members The congress declaration is available at an open global market and help support present. www.europolitics.info > Search = 250068 www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009

Air transport Acquisition of British Midland by Lufthansa approved The acquisition of UK airline British case, the Commission has therefore treated rently only markets flights operated by bmi Midland (bmi) by Germany’s Lufthansa SN as a subsidiary of Lufthansa, which and vice versa. The Commission therefore (LH) was approved, on 14 May, by the is, however, without prejudice to the out- concluded that the transaction would not European Commission. LH’s and bmi’s come of the investigation currently being significantly impede effective competition activities overlap in the areas of passenger conducted by the Commission with regard on any of these routes. The same conclu- transport by air, cargo transport by air and to the acquisition of SN by LH. Regard- sion was reached for all other routes where maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) ing passenger transport, the Commission the parties currently do not cooperate, services. examined the impact of the proposed trans- as, inter alia, the combined entity would The Commission notes that LH’s sub- action on a number of short and long-haul continue to face sufficient competition on sidiaries include the airlines Swiss, Air routes. On many of these routes, the par- these routes. As far as the cargo transport Dolomiti, Eurowings and Germanwings. ties, which are both members of Star Alli- and MRO markets are concerned, bmi’s In addition, Lufthansa is in the process of ance, already cooperate with each other. operations are limited in scope, and the acquiring Brussels Airlines NV/SA (SN), as The Commission’s investigation showed Commission’s investigation confirmed that notified to the Commission, on 26 Novem- that LH would be unlikely to start operat- the proposed merger would not have any ber 2008. For the purposes of the present ing flights on those routes on which it cur- significant impact on these markets. n

Climate change Greenhouse gas emissions drop 3.06% in 2008

By Anne Eckstein dance with its Kyoto Protocol obligation to Clean Development Mechanism; and emis- produce an annual report. sion reduction units or ERUs from the Joint Greenhouse gas emissions from industrial The Commission specified that the 2008 Implementation Mechanism). In 2008, installations subject to the European Emis- data1 were collected before the economic CERs and ERUs accounted for 6% of the sion Trading Scheme (ETS) dropped 3.06% crisis and that the emissions reduction is approximate 1.4 billion of quotas allocated in 2008, compared with 2007 emissions, the due to measures put in place by companies for the 2008-2012 period. CERs represented European Commission said, on 15 May. because of the high price of coal before the 3.9% of all the transfers, with 41% of these In 2008, verified emissions reached 2.118 recession. A total of 11,359 installations coming from China, 31% from India, 15% billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, figures participated in ETS in 2008, which is 213 from South Korea and 7% from Brazil, that do not include emissions from Bulgaria, fewer than in 2007, the result of a regula- while ERUs only accounted for 0.002% of Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland (the tion that “removed” many small installa- the total volume. n last three countries having joined ETS, in tions from the system. For the first time, 2008), whose 2007 figures are incomplete or companies were also able to record credits unavailable. The Commission will publish, generated by the Kyoto mechanisms (certi- (1) A table is available at on 29 May, the full data for 2007, in accor- fied emission reductions or CERs from the www.europolitics.info > Search = 250061

Economic recovery plan EESC calls for quick implementation of energy projects

By Dafydd ab Iago The EESC opinion generally welcomes Also at its plenary session, on 13 and 14 the idea of allocating unused budgetary May, the committee adopted an opinion The European Economic and Social resources from 2008 to projects aimed at giving specific recommendations for educa- Committee (EESC) has called for rapid kick-starting the European economy. The tion and training so as to develop a carbon- implementation of the energy projects in rapporteur , Daniel Retureau, a legal adviser free energy society. The report by Edgardo an opinion on the regulation on Commu- from the French union CGT, deemed the Iozia, national secretary of the Italian bank nity financial assistance to projects in the allocation of funds a “suitable” long-term and assurance union UILCA, deplored the field of energy. The package of measures, vision for combating the crisis. According fact that government initiatives on educa- adopted by MEPs on 6 May as part of the to Retureau, the plan will foster industrial tion and training for a low-carbon society economic recovery plan, earmarks up to development in the future. Retureau’s have been so weak up until now. n €3.98 billion for investments in gas and report, nonetheless, regrets that the mea- electricity infrastructure, offshore wind sures proposed are generally “too modest”. The package earmarks funds for gas projects parks and carbon capture and storage proj- The committee also criticised the fact that (€1,440 million); electricity (€910 million), ects. A further €1.02 billion will go for rural stronger proposals and clearer signals were offshore wind (€565 million) and carbon internet and rural development. not produced quicker. capture and storage or CCS (€1,050 million).

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Employment Unions march to demand end to “destructive job cuts”

By Marianne Slegers accoring to which recession in the eurozone sels that they should “go and vote for a social will be twice as bad as previously expected. Europe”. In his speech, Monks lashed out at An estimated 40,000 trade union members The day before, some 150,000 workers took the “flexibility” of business organisations: “Let from France, the Netherlands, Germany and to the streets of Madrid “to call for an end to nobody ever come to us again brandishing Luxembourg marched on the streets of Brus- destructive job cuts [and] guarantee social flexibility like some panacea, holding it up as sels, on 15 May, demanding immediate action protection for all those people hit by a crisis a solution to all our problems,” he said, adding to protect their jobs during the economic for which they cannot be held responsible,” that “what we want is greater security”. The downturn in response to a call by the Euro- said Monks. On 16 May, similar demonstra- social partners agreed on the concept of flexi- pean Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). tions are expected to take place in Berlin and curity in 2007 which aims to combinate easy “We are demanding a society where wealth Prague, while Birmingham and Luxembourg hiring and firing (flexibility for employers) and income are shared out fairly [...] A society will see protests in the coming days. The and high benefits for the unemployed. Asked whose top priority is to fight inequality, not unions expect up to 300,000 people to take for his opinion, Monks said that ETUC was fuel it,” said ETUC General Secretary John part in these “pan-European” demonstrations, still in favour of this “useful” agreement, but Monks. On the eve of the demonstration, the held a mere three weeks before this June’s added that “we need more delivery on the European Central Bank released a survey EU elections. Monks told the crowds in Brus- security side”. n

Competitiveness Council BusinessEurope wants anti-discrimination directive withdrawn

By Marianne Slegers should be avoided”. Although the organi- diate actions, one of which is the “removal of sation remains “committed to the fight specific requirements for e-invoicing”. This, it The EU’s biggest business lobby group, against discrimination,” it fears that the says, could save up to €40 billion per year. The BusinessEurope, wants the anti-discrimi- new anti-discrimination regulation would exemption of micro-enterprises from “certain nation directive “withdrawn” and “ideas “raise costs, enhance red tape and increase accounting requirements” could reduce costs about introducing legislation on EU col- legal uncertainty for companies”. Back in by a further €6.3 billion per year. lective redress to be dropped”. In a letter November 2008, BusinessEurope said it Although BusinessEurope “recognises” addressed to Czech Minister of Industry was “concerned with the need to provide that the climate protection agenda will and Trade Vladimir Tosovsky on the eve for non-discriminatory access to persons lead to “new regulatory initiatives,” these of the Competitiveness Council, sched- with disability with anticipation”. initiatives “must fully integrate competitive- uled for 28 and 29 May, the organisation According to BusinessEurope, “action ness, energy and environmental protection argues that since the crisis does not allow is urgently needed, as most sectors face an objectives”. n for a “business as usual” attitude to regula- unprecedented downturn with adverse con- tory policy, “new legislative proposals that sequences for their workforce and growth”. The letter is available at risk creating an extra burden on companies The organisation sees the need for six imme- www.europolitics.info > Search = 250052

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G GDPDP

Union’s economy contracts 2.5%

By Sarah CCollinsollins to new information received from member seen in Latvia (-11.2%), Lithuania (-9.5%) states, which was not available before the and Slovakia (-11.2%, although this figure EU and eurozone growth dipped by 2.5% cutoff date for the spring forecast. “The figfig-- is not seasonally adjusted). The year on year in the first quarter of this year, compared ures are not surprising and are broadly in line figures are even more sobering, with LatLat-- to the end of 2008, Eurostat said, on 15 with the forecast scenario. It does not alter vian growth spiralling to -18.6% and LithuLithu-- May. The figure is much higher than what our view that stabilisation will take hold, folfol-- anian to -10.9%. The French statistics office the European Commission and markets lowed by a gradual recovery in 2010, as set Insee also released new figures, on 15 May, had predicted. The Commission said in its out in our spring forecast,” he said. The fall indicating that growth has fallen by 1.2% spring economic forecast that growth would was driven largely by a 3.8% fall in German compared to the final quarter of last year. fall by 2.1% in the eurozone and by 2% in GDP quarter on quarter, which, according In the fourth quarter of 2008, growth rates the EU in the first part of 2009. The forefore-- to the German statistics office, is the larglarg-- were -1.6% in the eurozone and -1.5% in the cast predicted a slump of 4% for the year as a est since it began measurements in 1970. EU. Compared to the same period last year, whole, across the bloc. German export markets have been hard hit GDP in the first quarter of 2009 dropped by A spokesman for the Commission said the by the drying up of demand and credit. 4.6% in the eurozone and by 4.4% in the discrepancy in the monthly figures was due Other large quarter on quarter dips were EU as a whole. n

Inf INFLATIONlation

EU rate continues fall

Eurostat data Inflation rates in %, measured by HICPs 12-month Annual rates Monthly rates Eurozone annual inflation was 0.6% in average rates April 2009, unchanged from March 2009 Apr 09 Mar 09 Feb 09 Jan 09 Apr 08 Apr 09-08 Apr 09 Apr 08 Mar 08 Feb 08 Jan 08 Apr 07 Apr 08-07 Mar 09 – its lowest rate ever - while EU inflation Belgium (BE) 0.7 0.6 1.9 2.1 4.1 3.6 0.3 continued to decline: 1.2% in April 2009, Germany (DE) 0.8 0.4 1.0 0.9 2.6 2.0 0.1 compared with 1.3% in March and 3.6% Ireland (IE) -0.7 -0.7 0.1 1.1 3.3 1.9 0.1 in April 2008. Greece (EL) 1.1 1.5 1.8 2.0 4.4 3.3 0.4 The latest data published by Eurostat, Spain (ES) -0.2 -0.1 0.7 0.8 4.2 2.8 1.0 on 15 May, show that the lowest annual France (FR) 0.1 0.4 1.0 0.8 3.4 2.2 0.1 rates, in April 2009, were seen in PortuPortu-- Italy (IT) 1.2 1.1 1.5 1.4 3.6 2.8 0.6 gal (1.6%), Ireland (1.9%) and Germany Cyprus (CY) 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 4.3 3.1 0.9 (2%), and the highest in Latvia (12.4%), Luxembourg (LU) -0.3 -0.3 0.7 0.0 4.3 2.7 0.5 Malta (MT) 4.0 3.9 3.5 3.1 4.1 4.5 2.3 Lithuania (10%) and Bulgaria (9.2%). Netherlands (NL) 1.8p 1.8 1.9 1.7 1.7 2.2p 0.3p In the eurozone, the main components Austria (AT) 0.5p 0.6r 1.4 1.2 3.4 2.4p 0.2p with the highest annual rates, in April Portugal (PT) -0.6 -0.6 0.1 0.1 2.5 1.6 0.4 2009, were alcohol and tobacco (3.3%) Slovenia (SI) 1.1 1.6 2.1 1.4 6.2 3.9 0.2 and hotels and restaurants (2.6%), while Slovakia (SK) 1.4 1.8 2.4 2.7 3.7 3.5 -0.1 the lowest annual rates were observed Finland (FI) 2.1 2.0 2.7 2.5 3.3 3.5 0.2 for transport (-3.6%), communications Eurozone (MUICP) 0.6p 0.6 1.2 1.1 3.3 2.4p 0.4p (-1.6%) and clothing and education (both Bulgaria (BG) 3.8 4.0 5.4 6.0 13.4 9.2 0.5 Czech Republic (CZ) 1.3 1.7 1.3 1.4 6.7 4.2 -0.1 0.7%). Denmark (DK) 1.1 1.6 1.7 1.7 3.4 3.0 -0.1 Concerning the detailed sub-indices, Estonia (EE) 0.9 2.5 3.9 4.7 11.6 7.7 -0.6 restaurants and cafés and package holidays Latvia (LV) 5.9 7.9 9.4 9.7 17.4 12.4 -0.4 (+0.15% each) and electricity (+0.11) had Lithuania (LT) 5.9 7.4 8.5 9.5 11.9 10.0 -0.1 the largest upward impacts on the headhead-- Hungary (HU) 3.2 2.8 2.9 2.4 6.8 4.7 0.9 line rate, while fuels for transport (-0.87) Poland (PL) 4.3 4.0 3.6 3.2 4.3 4.0 0.6 and heating oil (-0.35) had the biggest Romania (RO) 6.5 6.7 6.9 6.8 8.7 7.4 0.3 downward impacts. Sweden (SE) 1.8 1.9 2.2 2.0 3.2 3.0 0.3 United Kingdom (UK) : 2.9 3.2 3.0 3.0 : : The main components with the EU (EICP) 1.2p 1.3 1.8 1.8 3.6 3.0p 0.3p highest monthly rates were clothing Iceland (IS) 16.3 19.9 21.6 21.9 10.7 17.3 0.7 (2.8%), transport (1%) and hotels and Norway (NO) 2.9 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.7 3.4 0.4 restaurants (0.6%), while the lowest EEA (EEAICP) 1.3p 1.4r 1.9 1.8 3.6 3.0p 0.3p were housing (-0.5%), food (-0.1%) and Switzerland (CH) -0.6 -0.7 -0.1 -0.1 2.3 1.4 1.0 education (0%). n Source: Eurostat / p = provisional / : = data not available / r = revised

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Economic crisis MEP suggests monetary fund for bailing out EU members

By Sarah Collins European growth will be negative almost Socialist MEP Donata Gottardi, also sug- across the board this year, according to the gested using the bonds to fund large infra- French Socialist MEP Pervenche Berès European Commission, with only Cyprus structure projects, probably under the aegis has suggested a European monetary fund bucking the trend. Latvia, Lithuania and of the European Investment Bank. should be set up to bail out heavily indebted Estonia will all see growth falling by more Large financial institutions with subsidiar- countries. The fund’s primary purpose, she than 10% of GDP. Budget deficits are set to ies operating across the 27 member states are said, would be to manage eurobonds. The be highest in Ireland, the UK and Latvia. becoming a serious bone of contention for MEP, who is the head of the European Par- “We are back at the first stage of the Euro- regulators and legislators. The Commission liament’s Committee on Economic Affairs, pean Monetary Union,” Berès told the Brus- is seeking to deal with disputes and bailouts had in mind certain countries in Eastern sels Economic Forum, on 15 May. She added in much of the legislation on insurance and and Central Europe, which have been that imbalances across the EU will force a capital requirements recently fast-tracked affected by massive currency devaluation discussion on increased stability and conver- through Parliament by suggesting colleges and blocked credit channels. It means these gence as member states revert to competing of supervisors to police them. But these col- countries have had to increase interest rates with each other on sovereign debt ratings. leges are not the answer, said Berès, who is rather than lower them, hampering future The Stability and Growth Pact, which pushing for a more centralised model. economic and financial growth. sets maximum public debt and deficit levels Although eurozone members have largely to try to maintain the EU’s competitive- Institutional reform been protected from the vagaries of exchange ness, is not enough to even out the current The think tank Bruegel has suggested rates, several of the 16 countries in the zone imbalances, she said. that the next economic and monetary affairs are racking up huge levels of sovereign debt. The idea of a eurobond has been floated commissioner should take a parallel chair as Credit rating agencies have downgraded several times before, championed most Eurogroup president to further consolidate debt ratings after public budgets were hit recently by Italy’s Commissioner Antonio an EU position in financial affairs. Berès said by high unemployment, lower tax revenues Tajani to fund the TEN-T transport project. she was in favour of the move. “We need to and the cost of funding economic recovery An own-initiative report on public finances take into account the consequences of crisis plans. in the EU, tabled in January by Italian in the organisation of the Commission”. n

European Council Legal guarantees for Ireland not drafted yet

By Célia Sampol resentatives (Coreper) also addressed the June summit. It is not certain, however, issue at its meeting, on 14 May in Brus- that Ireland will announce the date of its There has been little progress on the sels. So discussions are being held but referendum right away. It also remains legal guarantees sought by Ireland in nothing has been put down on paper yet. to be seen how these guarantees can be exchange for the organisation of a second The Presidency explains that negotiations introduced into primary law to make referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. On the are also needed because other member them legally binding. In December, other hand, it is certain that the member states may have new demands. the leaders discussed the possibility of states will at least come to a political agree- The guarantees demanded by the Irish placing them in a protocol attached to ment on the name of the future Commis- government to avoid a repeat of the nega- Croatia’s future accession treaty towards sion president at the June EU summit. tive outcome of 12 June 2008 would con- 2010. This option could prove to be On the first point, the agenda of the sist of reiterating the right of each member shaky if the border dispute between European Council of 18-19 June is still state to appoint a European commissioner Croatia and Slovenia continues. very vague. The European affairs minis- and to adopt its own decisions on taxa- On the appointment of the Commis- ters are expected to discuss it briefly, on tion, defence, the right to life, education sion president, a Council source explains 18 May in Brussels, but without dwelling and health. The considerable importance that the subject is still in brackets in the on it (see other article). At this stage, the the EU attaches to the questions of work- summit agenda (see Europolitics 3752), Czech EU Presidency simply notes that ers’ rights and social services could also be but the member states’ delegations have bilateral contacts are under way with the reiterated. asked for it to be officially placed on the Irish. Ireland’s Foreign Minister Micheál agenda. The EU’s leaders apparently Martin and Czech European Affairs Min- A name at the summit intend to come to agreement in June, if ister Štefan Füle met in Dublin during the The EU Presidency wishes to finalise only at political level, on the name of the last few days. Czech legal experts were in these guarantees “as soon as possible next Commission chief and to state in their Sweden last week to meet the future EU with the cooperation of the Irish and conclusions that this choice will be for- Presidency and will soon be going to Ire- under the supervision of the other coun- mally endorsed after the vote of approval land. The Committee of Permanent Rep- tries” so that they can be endorsed at the of the new Parliament, in July. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009

General Affairs Council EU may seek inquiry on war crimes in Sri Lanka

By Fabrice Randoux Another concern to be addressed by the to serve as a management framework for 27 is Burma (Myanmar), where opposition energy conflicts, a document they say is The EU’s foreign ministers could call, leader Aung San Suu Kyi was imprisoned, “obsolete”. They wish to replace it with on 18 May, for an ‘independent inquiry’ on 14 May, for reasons that both the EU a new text presented by President Dmitry into violations of international humani- and the United Nations consider con- Medvedev, which the EU rejects (see tarian law by Sri Lanka, given the high trary to international law. “The European other article). The objective will in fact number of civilian victims as the govern- Union calls on the authorities of Burma/ be simply to confirm the existence of an ment tries to put an end once and for Myanmar to release Mrs Aung San Suu Kyi early warning mechanism in case of a all to the guerrilla war with the Tamil and to commit to a national reconciliation conflict over gas deliveries. Tigers. “The EU reiterates the need for process,” declared the Czech EU Presi- The foreign ministers will also hold a the two parties to the conflict to comply dency. For the moment, no conclusions general debate on Iran, focused on the in full with their obligations under inter- are planned. The EU recently extended its upcoming presidential elections and national humanitarian law and human one-year sanctions against the ruling junta. the country’s role in the Middle East. rights. The EU calls for an indepen- Lastly, they will hold a brief debate on dent inquiry to be organised to look into KHABAROVSK SUMMIT the agenda of the June EU summit (see accusations of violations of these rights,” The ministers will also review the other article). The defence ministers will state the draft conclusions, which will agenda of the EU-Russia summit to also meet and will then hold a joint ses- nevertheless be discussed again in the be held in the Russian Far East, in sion with their foreign affairs colleagues morning on 18 May in the light of the Khabarovsk, on 21 and 22 May. This to discuss the EU’s military options in weekend’s events. Sri Lanka pledged, on will also be an opportunity to review Bosnia (Althea) and in Somali waters 15 May, to crush the Tamil guerrillas by the negotiations on a new partnership (Atalanta). On 18 and 19 May, in con- 17 May, ignoring international calls to and cooperation agreement. The EU is junction with the General Affairs Coun- halt a war that the Red Cross says is pro- expecting little in the way of results from cil, there will also be an EU-New Zea- voking an “unimaginable humanitarian this summit. On energy, the Russians still land troika meeting and EU-Albania and disaster”. refuse to ratify the Energy Charter meant EU-Turkey Association Councils. n

Development Member states reluctant to commit fresh money

By Fabrice Randoux Europolitics 3732). The Commission of 0.56% of GDP in 2010 but also each had above all planned to make its aid member state’s individual objectives to Development Commissioner Louis payments in advance – €3 billion of bud- maintain its aid objectives. These two Michel may be whistling in the wind at getary aid and €800 million (out of €1 countries do not want to be paying for his last Council. European development billion) from the food facility adopted in countries that fall behind. ministers, who will meet on 19 May in December, which has already been the For sure, in 2008, development aid Brussels, may oppose his proposal to subject of lengthy debates in Council. from the EU, the world’s number one unblock €500 million of reserves from the Commissioner Michel, who would donor, rose to almost €49 billion, or European Development Fund (EDF) to like to end his term on a positive note, 0.40% of European GNI. But “the out- finance a social repayment mechanism has therefore got his work cut out. “This look for the coming years seems rather in the most vulnerable countries. That mechanism is a simple financial instru- worrying. A lot of member states are is at least what came out of the Com- ment that can be put in place quickly, well behind their national objectives for mittee of Permanent Representatives’ without administrative costs. Develop- 2010. There is still another €20 billion (Coreper) debate, on 14 May. According ing countries are worried about the time needed to reach the collective objective to one diplomat, only the United King- needed to realise the promises made at of 0.56% in 2010,” the Commission said dom and the Netherlands supported the G20,” the Commission was told. in its communication of 8 April. Ger- the proposal, the other delegations not many and France “are not on track” to wanting to have to give extra money to ANOTHER WORRY reach their objectives in 2010 and Italy the EDF given that the crisis is already Another worry is the confirmation of even seems to have “abandoned its com- widening their deficits significantly. the EU’s official development aid commitments” by foreseeing a €1 billion The proposal was, however, the only mitments. If ministers confirm the EU’s reduction in its aid. In its annual report, contribution of fresh money planned by objectives, on 19 May, the United King- published on 14 May on EU aid (3754), the Commission in its communication dom and the Netherlands would like the NGO collective Concord was of the of 8 April aimed at helping develop- the text to say “all objectives,” in other opinion “that ten countries at most will ing countries overcome the crisis (see words not only the collective objective reach their objective” in 2010. n

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Dismantling of ships International convention establishes safer operations

By Anne Eckstein stricter individual or collective mea- the offence is committed with regard sures, in respect of international law. to ships and, for dismantling and recy- The first international convention on This measure would make it possible for cling facilities, by the party under whose the recycling of ships, aimed at making the European Union to move forward, jurisdiction it falls. the process “safe and environmentally as proposed by the Commission (see sound,” was signed by the International Europolitics 3750). A “missed opportunity” Maritime Organisation (IMO), on 15 The convention applies to ships flying Several environmental protection May in Hong Kong. For Lee Adamson, the flag of the parties – except for war- groups immediately reacted, in a luke- IMO spokesperson, “this is a giant step ships, ships used by the public authori- warm - if not negative - manner, to the forward in terms of health and safety for ties for non-commercial government new convention, arguing that this text workers and for the protection of the operations, ships of less than 500 GT has failed to put a stop to a controversial environment”. or ships having operated in internal practice consisting of dismantling ships This text, drawn up in cooperation national waters throughout their lifecy- on nothing more than converted beaches. with the International Labour Organisa- cle - as well as to dismantling facilities These groups recall that the bulk of the tion (ILO) and the Basel Convention on under their jurisdiction. Asian dismantling sites, which receive the transfer of hazardous wastes, was wel- It sets requirements for the concep- more than 90% of the market, carry out comed by the European Commission, tion, construction, operation and main- the dismantling under conditions that are which underlined that it represents an tenance of ships and requires all ships often appalling in terms of their effect on important step towards an improvement to be accompanied by an inventory of the health of employees and on the envi- in the conditions under which these hazardous substances onboard. More- ronment, particularly in India, Pakistan operations are currently carried out. over, it requires ship owners to provide and Bangladesh, which are the three most The convention1 requires the contract- dismantling sites with a list of hazardous sought after countries for ship disman- ing parties to take the necessary measures materials contained on the ship, prior to tling. “This agreement will not prevent to ensure the full implementation of the its destruction. ships from being exported and disman- provisions in order to prevent, reduce, The convention anticipates the set- tled on the beaches of India, Bangladesh minimise and, as far as possible, elimi- ting up of certification systems and or Pakistan,” lamented Ingvild Jenssen, nate accidents, injuries to the body and individual dossiers to accompany the from the European NGO Platform on other harmful effects on human health ships, an authorisation mechanism for Shipbreaking. and the environment caused by the dismantling facilities and a system for This convention is “a missed opportu- dismantling of ships. the exchange of information. Lastly, it nity” to gradually prohibit dismantling They must also ensure an improve- specifies the obligations in terms of the on beaches, added Eelco Leemans, from ment in the safety of ships and protect control and inspection of ships and facil- Friends of the Earth. n health and the environment throughout ities. Legally binding, the text provides the lifecycle of ships. Furthermore, the that sanctions be applied by the com- (1) The document is available at text specifies that the parties may take petent authority of the place in which www.europolitics.info > Search = 250023

Agriculture ‘Food facility’: First contribution agreements signed The European Commission signed, on 15 €200 million call for proposals will also be member state bodies and other eligible May, the first contribution agreements of the launched on 26 May. implementing actors. ‘food facility’ with three UN implementing These agreements are financed under The EU Council formally adopted, on partners: the Food and Agriculture Organi- the €1 billion ‘food facility’, which will sup- 16 December 2008, a regulation establish- sation (FAO - €106 million), the United port projects implemented by international ing this facility in response to the surge Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA organisations, recipient governments and in food prices in developing countries - €39.6 million) and UNICEF (€8.2 mil- regional organisations. (see Europolitics 3644). The Parliament lion). Similar contribution agreements with The overall plan for the implementation approved the regulation, on 4 December. the World Food Programme (€38.7 mn) and of the facility contains a list of 50 target The facility has a total budget of €1 bil- the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS developing countries that will receive assis- lion for the 2008-2010 period and aims to - €10 mn) are expected to be finalised tance during a three-year period. Support encourage an increase in the agricultural shortly, to be followed by agreements with will be provided through international supplies of the countries and regions tar- the World Bank, the International Fund for organisations, regional organisations and geted, reduce the negative effects of the Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the national governments as well as a call for volatility of food prices on local populations UN development Programme (UNDP). A proposals for activities by non-state actors, and strengthen production capacities. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009 11

EU/Russia New energy charter not necessary, say Yukos shareholders

By Dafydd ab Iago putes Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s GML also argues that Russia cannot contention that Moscow is not bound by the unilaterally cancel its participation in the Ahead of the EU-Russia summit, on 21- ECT. Osborne argues that such statements ECT because the Energy Charter process, 22 May in Khabarovsk, which is also set to do not change Russia’s legal status under with Russia continuing to play a role in its address energy relations, ex-Yukos share- the treaty. He points to Article 45(1) of the Secretariat, requires formal notice to other holders argued that Russia’s proposed con- ECT stipulating that signatories agree to contracting parties. cept for an alternative energy relationship apply the treaty “provisionally” pending its But even if Russia were to formally termi- with Europe “significantly” overlaps with entry into force. However, such provisional nate its provisional application of the ECT, the existing legally binding Energy Char- application should not be “inconsistent protection under the treaty would continue ter Treaty (ECT). GML, the main share- with its constitution, laws or regulations”. to be granted for 20 years to those invest- holder of the expropriated Yukos com- An international tribunal sitting under the ments made in Russia during the period of pany, has brought a case, under the ECT, auspices of the Permanent Court of Arbi- provisional application. n claiming some US$50 billion in damages tration in The Hague is expected to give from Russia for “illegal” expropriation. its decision soon in GML’s case brought Russia’s proposal is available at GML Director Tim Osborne further dis- against the Russian government. www.europolitics.info > Search = 249073

Defence Exercise ‘European Endeavour’ ends on positive note

By Sophie Petitjean the ground, the nerve centres (CJOC) Command, land forces (LCC) repre- leading these forces and the headquar- sented by the 300 Eurocorps soldiers, the Upon completion of the European ters. The FHQ (force headquarters) as forces in charge of psychological opera- Union’s annual crisis man- tions (POTF) represented by agement exercise, known as the Centre for Psychological European Endeavour, Lieu- Operations and the marine tenant General Wolf-Dieter forces (MCC). Langheld, who led this year’s The high participation in exercise, from 4 to 15 May, the exercise (around 4,000 said the objectives had been people from 25 countries) met. “The capacities of com- demonstrates “how seri- mand and control of the air ously this event is taken,” force and special forces as well observed Lieutenant-General as of an EU operational com- Langheld. mand post were certified,” he “Our mission, namely to told the press. “This exercise train the commands of the also provided us with high- components placed under level expertise.” Although it the command of a German © SPJ will take a few months to draw Langheld (right): “Our mission was a success” military staff [the Response the full conclusions from the Forces Operations Command operation, the soldiers questioned recog- well as most of the forces answerable in Ulm, which Langheld commands nised the contribution of this training, to it were deployed to the Wildflecken - Ed] was a success. This also demon- which is based on a staged conflict in camp: the air forces (ACC) represented strates that Germany is fulfilling its territory 5,000 kilometres from the by the German Air Force Air Operations European obligations.” n European Union. The exercise involves the participation of every echelon of the response chain, The staff primarily through computer-simulated The greater part of the staff is made up of Germans (3,200 soldiers) and European military operations. Europolitics visited Union or NATO soldiers. The other countries contribute around 700 troops, including the camp in Wildflecken (Germany) to 203 Frenchmen, 152 Austrians, 98 Belgians and 96 Spaniards and Poles. The rest of learn the details of the scenario, while the staff breaks down as follows: Canada (32), Turkey (14), Italy (13), Hungary (12), other exercises were also held on the United Kingdom and United States (six each), Denmark (five), Netherlands (four), bases of Kalkar, Glücksburg, Bremer- Greece, Czech Republic and Norway (three each), Luxembourg and Slovakia (two), haven, Mayen and Ulm. A feedback Lithuania, Estonia, Switzerland and Sweden (one). process takes place between the men on

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In Brief

Reasoned opinion to Italy on port trucks and buses. The Commission Janez Potocnik, the commissioner for reception facilities found that the programme is aimed at science and research, will announce Italy is under the threat of a fine for its increasing the general knowledge and the winners of the school competition failure to transpose correctly into national skills of the workforce and should result ‘Creativity and science in the classroom’, law the EU legislation that requires in improving the workers’ employability organised by the JRC with the Italian all ports to implement plans for the in the heavy vehicles industry and related school authorities in the framework of reception and handling of ship-generated sectors. The aid will lead to additional the European Year of Creativity and waste (Directive 2000/59/EC on port training that otherwise would not have Innovation. Further information is reception facilities). The European been carried out. Sweden intends available at www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ispra- Commission decided, on 14 May, to to subsidise the training programme openday-2009 send Italy a reasoned opinion for non- together with the European Social Fund. compliance with an EU Court of Justice Lonza-Teva JV cleared judgement ordering it to implement Acquisition of Hypo Real Estate The European Commission authorised, the legislation (ruling of 25 September cleared on 14 May, the creation of a joint venture 2008 in Case C-368/07). If the matter The European Commission authorised, in the biosimilar industry between two is brought before the ECJ a second on 15 May, the acquisition of the pharmaceutical companies, Lonza time, Italy could be fined for non- German financial institution Hypo Real of Switzerland and Teva of Israel. implementation of the earlier judgement. Estate AG (HRE) by Germany’s state- Biosimilar products are the generic The deadline for transposition of the EU owned Financial Market Stabilisation equivalent of drugs produced using directive was 27 December 2002. Fund (SoFFin). Both HRE and KfW biological processes. The Commission (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) found that the operation would not give British business support scheme fall within the control of the Federal rise to overlaps between the activities gets green light Ministry of Finance post-transaction of the parent companies and that no The European Commission authorised, and both meet the turnover thresholds competition problems were likely to on 15 May, a British scheme that under the EU Merger Regulation. On arise from any overlaps between the enables the national, regional or local this basis, the Commission concluded new venture and Teva on the finished authorities to grant aid to businesses in that the transaction fell within its pharmaceuticals market, since Teva has the form of reduced interest rates on jurisdiction. It notes, however, that the small shares in the market where the joint loans of any duration concluded by 31 proposed transaction does not raise any venture will be active and a number of December 2010. The scheme meets competition concerns. The Commission competitors are present there. the conditions set by the Commission’s has assessed horizontal overlaps between temporary framework for state aid HRE and KfW, and concluded that the Humanitarian aid for Pakistan measures based on access to financing proposed transaction would only have The European Commission decided, in today’s economic and financial crisis. a negligible impact on competition. on 14 May, to make available an The scheme is limited in time and only The Commission has therefore emergency humanitarian aid package applies to companies that were not in unconditionally approved the proposed of €5.5 million for vulnerable civilians difficulty on 1 July 2008. It is one of a transaction. affected by the fighting in Pakistan. The number of state aid measures authorised funds will be channelled through the under the temporary framework this year Joint Research Centre turns 50 Commission’s humanitarian aid service in the United Kingdom (small amounts On 16 May, the Joint Research Centre and implemented by the International of compatible aid, loan guarantees and (JRC) in Ispra, Italy, will open its doors Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), aid for the production of green products). to celebrate half a century of European the United Nations High Commissioner research. In 1959, the first experimental for Refugees (HCR), the World Food State aid for Scania authorised nuclear reactor was inaugurated there. Programme (WFP) and the UN Office The European Commission authorised, Today, research at the JRC Ispra site for the Coordination of Humanitarian on 14 May, a Swedish grant of €11 covers a broad range of environmental, Affairs (OCHA). million (SEK123.5 million) for a staff consumer protection and security-related training programme at Scania’s plants topics. Visitors can discover how the in Södertälje, Oskarshamm and Lulea site has evolved over these 50 years and in Sweden. Scania manufactures heavy meet the scientists from all over Europe. www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009 13

New Publications

How Europe can save the world Dictionnaire de l’Europe unie L’Europe de A à Z ‘The way out of the crisis: How Europe Written by French and Belgian This ABC guide is meant to show the can save the world’, by Guy Verhofstadt, historians, this dictionary is neither a extent to which Europe is part of our head of list for the Open VLD (Liberal) catalogue nor a yearbook focused on the everyday lives. Without claiming to be party in the European elections, was present situation. It takes an historical exhaustive but without simplifying the presented at the European Parliament, approach to explain the singularities information, this illustrated work aims on 12 May. The former prime minister of the structures that have developed, to make comprehensible the debates on of Belgium argues that the European leading to the present-day European Europe’s future: its demographic vitality, Commission should propose a common system. European integration has evolved its social model in globalisation and strategy to fight the crisis, as Jacques continually since the end of the Second the choice of sustainable development. Delors did in the 1980s. The book World War, resulting in the European It explains everyday activitie,s such proposes three reforms: cleaning up Union. The Dictionnaire identifies the as buying a game based on the ‘CE’ the toxic assets in the banking sector origin and development of the building standard or spending an academic with ‘stress tests’ and the creation of blocks of this movement towards unity: year in Barcelona under the Erasmus a European ‘bad bank’ as well as a the individuals, political ideologies, states programme. European financial supervisor; an and EU institutions, their origins and ‘L’Europe de A à Z , abécédaire illustré’, investment plan of another €400 billion their achievements. by Claire A. Poinsignon, 128 pages, €15, to jump-start the economy; and the ‘Dictionnaire historique de l’Europe copublished by ARTE éditions/éditions du creation of an economic government unie’, edited by Pierre Gerbet with the Rouergue, www.artefrance.fr with a common economic policy, based collaboration of Gérard Bossuat and on convergence in certain areas rather Thierry Grosbois, 1,216 pages, €49.90, Ed. than on total harmonisation. André Versailles, Brussels, in bookshops on ‘The way out of the crisis: How Europe 25 May, www.andreversailleediteur.com can save the world’, by Guy Verhofstadt, 222 pages, ed. De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam, www.debezigebij.nl, in Dutch and soon in English and French

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To announce your appointments on these People pages, contact: [email protected]

Directors/European Commission Giuseppe Porcaro/European Youth Forum At its meeting, on 5 May, the European Commission appointed The Council of Members of the European Youth Forum, Marta Cygan as director of the Immigration and Asylum meeting on 8-9 May in Brussels, elected a new General Directorate and Aurel-Viorel Ciobanu-Dordea as director of Secretary, Giuseppe Porcaro (age 30, Italian) for a two-year the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Directorate of DG term. He has been involved in youth organisations at local, Justice, Freedom and Security. Maive Rute, the current director national and European level for a number of years. Porcaro of the Promotion of SME Competitiveness Directorate at chaired the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth DG Enterprises and Industry, has been named director of the (2005-2007) and worked as the European Youth Forum’s Biotechnologies and Agro-Food Directorate at DG Research. coordinator for global youth issues with the United Nations.

Stefano Sannino/European Commission Lyn Trytsman-Gray/SEAP The European Commission appointed Stefano Sannino (age Lyn Trytsman-Gray of Britain was re-elected, on 6 May, as 49, Italian) as deputy director-general of the Directorate- president of the Society of European Affairs Professionals General for External Relations (DG RELEX), on 13 May. He (SEAP) and has committed herself to furthering the interests will be in charge of relations with Asia and Latin America. of SEAP’s members during her three-year term. She has been Sannino will take up his new duties in the coming weeks. He is a member of SEAP since it was formed in 1997, and held the currently director for Latin America and acting deputy director- position of vice-president from 2003. She was first elected general at DG RELEX. Sannino joined the Commission in president in December 2006 and is the director of public affairs 2002 as an adviser for external relations and trade in the cabinet for Kraft Foods. SEAP is an organisation of EU public affairs of President Romano Prodi. professionals operating in trade associations, corporations, consultancies and representative bodies.

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EU Agenda Week from 18 to 24 May

Monday 18 May Heads of Medicines Agencies Meeting II (19, Shanghai). Speech at the China-EU 18-19 May, Mariánské Lázne (Czech agro-food business summit (20, Beijing) and Republic) at the Beijing Agricultural University (21, European Beijing). Meetings with leading members Child Alert Systems in EU Member of the Chinese government, including Vice Parliament States Premier Hui Liangyu, Agriculture Minister Election campaign. This week and the 18-20 May, Prague Sun Zhengcai, Minister Wang Yong of the two following are set aside for MEPs Chinese General Administration of Quality to join their political parties and other Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine candidates in the campaign for support in (AQSIQ) and Vice-minister of Commerce the European Parliament elections of 4-7 European GAO Hucheng; press conferences June 2009. There are therefore no official (Shanghai and Beijing) (22) meetings planned in Brussels. Commission n Mr Vladimír Špidla participates in a Travel and visits conference on flexicurity in the Belgian n Mrs Margot Wallström receives Mr Parliament (Brussels) Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign n Mr Andris Piebalgs visits Australia (18-21) Council of Affairs of New Zealand n Mr Jacques Barrot receives Mr Vygaudas Ministers Usackas, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign General Affairs and External Affairs Economic and Relations Council (GAERC) n Mr Joe Borg addresses the Seychelles 18-19 May, Brussels Forum (Mahe Island, Seychelles) Social Committee n Mr Janez Potocnik receives Mr Diego Brussels, at the EESC Meeting of Directors General for López Garrido, Spanish State Secretary for n Meeting for the specialised section Vocational Training European Affairs “ Agriculture, rural development, 17-19 May, Prague n Mr Ján Figel’ in Brazil (17-20): meets Mr environment” (NAT) Joao Silva Ferreira, Brazilian Minister of Informal Meeting of Working Party Culture and Signature of Joint Declaration Brussels, at the EESC J1 on the Environment on Culture; meets Mr Fernando Haddad, n Public hearing on the situation and 17-20 May, Plzen (Czech Republic) Brazilian Minister of Education and perspectives in the European milk sector Signature of Joint Declaration; gives a (NAT) Meeting of Directors General - EU courtesy call to Minister Luiz Soares Territorial Agenda Dulci, Secretary General of the Presidency 18-20 May, Tianjin, China Prague in charge of Youth ; meets Mr Y. David n 5th meeting of the EU-China Round The aim of the meeting of the Directors Weitman, Member of the Board and Table General responsible for territorial cohesion Founder of Ten Yad Beit Yaacov School; is to address a number of priorities of the meets Mr Carlos Alberto Vogt, Secretary Czech Presidency. The first item on the of Higher Education and Presidents of the agenda will be information about territorial State Universities UNESP, UNICAMP and Conferences and cohesion from the informal meeting of USP; meets Mr Joao Sayad, Secretary of Ministers for Regional Development which Culture of the Government of the State of seminars took place in Mariánské Lázně in April. The Sao Paulo; visits the Pinacoteca Museum 18-22 May, Bucharest second item on the agenda will be relations from Sao Paulo n Central & SouthEast European between town and country. n Mr Olli Rehn meets Mrs Tarja Halonen, Financial Forum Petra Holopírková, Spokeswoman of the President of the Republic of Finland Subject: 6th edition Ministry for Regional Development (Mäntyniemi, Finland) Top businessmen, bankers, ministers, Tel.: +420 224 861 599, GSM: +420 731 n Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel in China (18- governors of the Central Banks from the 681 624, 22): launch of “Tasty Europe” promotional region, meet at the Forum to ind realistic E-mail: [email protected] week (18, Shanghai). Inauguration of the solutions for the economic crisis 10th SIAL Food & Beverage trade show Organisers: Forum Invest

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Contact: [email protected] Meeting of Directors General for international science and technology +4 021 311 56 11 Vocational Training cooperation by the rapporteur Mr Gerd Venue: Radisson SAS Hotel, Palace of the 17-19 May, Prague Wolf (EESC) Parliament n Mr Louis Michel participates in the www.foruminvest.ro Heads of Medicines Agencies Meeting awards ceremony for the King Boudewijn II Prize for International Development (Palais 18-19 May, Mariánské Lázne (Czech Royal) Tuesday 19 May Republic) n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner addresses the Friends of Europe Conference Europe Child Alert Systems in EU Member and China (Bibliothèque Solvay) Council of States n Mr Vladimír Špidla opens a vernissage 18-20 May, Prague of Czech art as part of Mini Gallery 2009 Ministers “Through Czech Eyes” (BERL) General Affairs and External n Ms Catherine Ashton participates in Relations Council (GAERC) the OECD book launch on ‘International 18-19 May, Brussels European trade: Free, Fair and Open?” (Vrije Universiteit, Brussels) Meeting of the Political and Commission n Ms Catherine Ashton receives Mr Jonas Security Committee (PSC) Travel and visits Gahr Støre, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Brussels n Mr José Manuel Durão Barroso Affairs participates in the European Maritime Day n M. Leonard Orban visits London (19- EU-Iraq Political Directors’ Meeting celebrations + press conference (Rome) 20): “An Insider’s View of the European (Troika) n Mr Joe Borg in Rome for the European Commission” Talk to 32 young diplomats Brussels Maritime Day celebrations (19-20): closing and the “Diplomatic Magazine”; school speech at the European Cruise Council visit (Woodside High School, Tottenham); IV. International Conference on Conference; Opening speech of the speech “Multilingualism: a policy for Security Management plenary session “Progress of the European uniting Europeans” at the London School 19-20 May, Prague Integrated Maritime Policy”; Ministerial of Economics (19). Visit to Lambeth Organiser: ASIS International Panel on the Integrated Maritime Policy Academy with students; participation in a Contact: JUDr. Miroslav Zahálka, ASIS CZ in the Mediterranean Sea Basin; panel brief language lesson experience (Business - [email protected] discussion “Contribution of Maritime German/Chinese); meeting with students Clusters to Competitiveness and Regional and key stakeholders; Round Table Informal Meeting of EU Directors Development”; closing speech; joint press discussion on EN linguists (translators General for Culture conference with Mr Altero Matteoli, Italian and interpreters) shortage at University of 19-21 May, Prague Minister of Infrastructures and Transport Westminster (20) (20) European Agricultural Youth n Mrs Margot Wallström receives Mr Sten Championship Tolgfors, Swedish Minister of Defense 19-22 May, Benešov, Trebon, Humpolec n Mrs Margot Wallström and Mrs Benita Court of Justice (Czech Republic) Ferrero-Waldner receive Hon. Ranil Grand Chamber Tereza Dvorácková, Spokeswoman of the Wickremesinghe, Chairman of the United 9:30 Ministry of Agriculture National Party of Sri Lanka n Judgement C-531/06 Commission v Italy. Tel.: +420 221 813 063, GSM: +420 737 n Mrs Margot Wallström speaks at the Freedom of establishment 213 030 Belgium Junior Chamber of Commerce E-mail: [email protected] n Mr Jacques Barrot delivers a keynote n Judgement Joined Cases C-171/07, C- speech at the Stakeholders Conference on 172/07 Apothekerkammer des Saarlandes Conference of the European Data protection (Brussels) and Others. Platform for Biodiversity Research n Mr Stavros Dimas addresses keynote Freedom of establishment. Strategy speech on climate change to The 19-22 May, Pruhonice - Czech Republic Organization for Security and Co-operation n Opinion C-133/08 ICF in Europe (OSCE) Intercontainer Interfrigo (ICF) SC v Informal Meeting of Working Party n Mr Janez Potocnik intervenes on the EU Balkenende Oosthuizen BV and MIC J1 on the Environment Research policy and on the International Operations BV 17-20 May, Plzen - Czech Republic Cooperation Strategy at the INT. Section (Section for the Single Market, Production n Hearing Joined Cases C-570/07, C- and Consumption) of the EESC, followed 571/07 Blanco Pérez and Chao Gómez. by a presentation of the draft opinion Freedom of establishment. on A strategic European framework for www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009 17

Third Chamber 19 May, Brussels the agenda is the preparation of the call for 9:30 n Smart Grids - From Policy to proposals for the creation of new thematic n Opinion Joined Cases C-261/08, C- Implementation networks and working groups which will be 348/08 Zurita García Subject: The Conference will: provide an launched in June 2009. Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. overview of drivers for smart grids, network development; focus on such specific topics 8th International Congress of Fourth Chamber as investments, new services expected for Private Schools “Lifelong Learning 9:30 DSOs, active grid management, smart in Europe” n Judgement C-538/07 Assitur. metering and regulation; point the way Mladá Boleslav (Czech Republic) Company law. forward Organizer of the Event: Association of Organisers: Eurelectric Private Schools of Bohemia, Moravia and Contact: Emily O’Leary: Tel: +32 2 515 10 Silesia 62, [email protected] Contact: Ing. Petr Jadrný, Association of Court of First Venue: Radission SAS Royal Hotel Private Schools of Bohemia, Moravia and Instance www.eurelectric.org Silesia - [email protected] First Chamber 19-20 May, Brussels SIS-Tech Working Party 9:30 n Personal data - more use, more 20-22 May, Prague n Hearing Joined Cases T-225/07, T-364/07 protection? Thomson Sales Europe v Commission. Subject: How should personal data be Conference ‘New Tools for VET: Customs union. protected in a globalised world with ECVET, EQARF’ increased mobility and in the wake of Prague modern communication and information technologies and new policies? Conference of the European Economic and Organisers: European Commission Platform for Biodiversity Research Contact: [email protected] Strategy Social Committee Venue: European Commission, 19-22 May, Pruhonice - Czech Republic Brussels, at the EESC Charlemagne Building, Brussels n Meeting of the Specialised Section ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/events/ European Agricultural Youth for “Single Market, Production and news_events_en.htm Championship Consumption” (INT) 19-22 May, Benešov, Trebon, Humpolec (Czech Republic) Wednesday 20 May Tereza Dvorácková, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Agriculture Conferences and Tel.: +420 221 813 063, GSM: +420 737 Council of 213 030, seminars E-mail: [email protected] 19 May, Brussels Ministers n Europe & China EU-China Summit (Troika) Informal Meeting of EU Directors Subject: This international high-level Prague General for Culture summit will tackle issues such as China’s 19-21 May, Prague future role in the new global economic Meeting of Coreper I order, whether the EU, U.S. and China Brussels IV. International Conference on have shared security aims, and the joint Security Management responsibility that the EU and China have Meeting of Coreper II 19-20 May, Prague in fighting climate change. Brussels Organiser: ASIS International Organisers: Friends of Europe and the Contact: JUDr. Miroslav Zahálka, ASIS CZ Security & Defence Agenda (SDA), in Monitoring Committees of the - [email protected] partnership with the European Commission URBACT II Programme Directorate General for External Relations, Prague Informal Meeting of Working Party the China Institute of International Studies The task of the Monitoring Committee, J1 on the Environment (CIIS), whose members are representatives of 17-20 May, Plzen - Czech Republic Contact: T: +32 2 737 91 58, info@ all EU Member States, Switzerland friendsofeurope.org and Norway as well as the European Child Alert Systems in EU Member Venue: Bibliothèque Solvay, Brussels Commission, will be to select and approve States www.friendsofeurope.org a working group for the implementation 18-20 May, Prague of the Leipzig Charter. Another item on

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n Hearing T-21/06 Germany v SIS-tech Working Party Commission. 20 to 22 May, Prague European State aid. Conference of the European Commission Platform for Biodiversity Research Travel and visits Strategy n Mrs Margot Wallström in Warsaw: Economic and 19-22 May, Pruhonice - Czech Republic meets with Mr Bronislaw Komorowski, President of the Sejm; participates in a Social Committee European Agricultural Youth panel discussion on “Women and European Brussels, at the EESC Championship politics”; meets students at the Warsaw n Meeting of the Specialised Section for 19-22 May, Benešov, Trebon, Humpolec School of Economics Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the (Czech Republic) n Mr Günter Verheugen attends the Information Society (TEN) Tereza Dvorácková, Spokeswoman of the European Maritime Day Stakeholders Ministry of Agriculture Conference (Rome) Tel.: +420 221 813 063, GSM: +420 737 n Mr Antonio Tajani participates in Thursday 21 May 213 030, the Ministerial panel on the Integrated E-mail: [email protected] Maritime Policy in the Mediterranean Sea Basin during the European Maritime Day Council of Informal Meeting of EU Directors (Rome) General for Culture Ministers 19-21 May, Prague Higher Education, Enterprises and Court of Justice Regions 21-22 May, Prague Friday 22 May Second Chamber Subject: Partnerships for Innovation 9:30 and Development throughout Europe n Hearing C-219/08 Commission v (EURASHE – Annual Conference) Council of Belgium Organizer of the Event: EURASHE Freedom to provide services – European Association of Institutes in Ministers Higher Education Prague Network - Meeting of Deans Third Chamber Contact: Michal Karpísek, EURASHE of European Faculties of Arts 9:30 – European Association of Institutes in 21-24 May, Prague n Hearing C-194/08 Gassmayr Higher Education - [email protected] Organiser: Faculty of Arts, Charles Social policy University Meeting of Member States Agents Contact: Faculty of Arts - [email protected] Fourth Chamber for the Court of Justice www.prague-network.org 9:30 21-22 May, Prague n Hearing C-366/08 Adolf Darbo Informal Meeting of COREPER I Approximation of laws Informal Meeting of the Council 21-24 May, Ostrava - Czech Republic Working Group on Export Credits (C29) ‘Industrial Property Protection in 21-22 May, Prague Europe’ Expert Seminar Court of First 21-22 May, Czech Republic “Industrial Property Protection in Instance Europe” Expert Seminar Informal Meeting of the Council Sixth Chamber 21-22 May, Czech Republic Working Group on Export Credits 9:30 (C29) Hearing T-490/07 Notartel v OHMI - SAT.1 Informal Meeting of COREPER I 21-22 May, Prague SatellitenFernsehen (R.U.N.). 21-24 May, Ostrava - Czech Republic Intellectual property. Meeting of Member States Agents Prague Network - Meeting of Deans for the Court of Justice Seventh Chamber of European Faculties of Arts 21-22 May, Prague 9:30 21-24 May, Prague Hearing T-8/06 FAB v Commission. Organiser: Faculty of Arts, Charles Higher Education, Enterprises and State aid. University Regions Contact: Faculty of Arts - [email protected] 21-22 May, Prague n Hearing T-24/06 MABB v Commission. More information: http://www.prague- Subject: Partnerships for Innovation State aid. network.org/ and Development throughout Europe www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3755 Monday 18 May 2009 19

(EURASHE – Annual Conference) Ministry for Regional Development Organizer of the Event: EURASHE Saturday 23 May Tel.: +420 224 861 599, GSM: +420 731 – European Association of Institutes in 681 624, Higher Education E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Michal Karpísek, EURASHE Council of www.ifhp2009.cz – European Association of Institutes in Higher Education - [email protected] Ministers Prague Network - Meeting of Deans Prague Network - Meeting of Deans of European Faculties of Arts SIS-Tech Working Party of European Faculties of Arts 21-24 May, Prague 20-22 May, Prague 21-24 May, Prague Organiser: Faculty of Arts, Charles Organiser: Faculty of Arts, Charles University Conference of the European University Contact: Faculty of Arts - [email protected] Platform for Biodiversity Research Contact: Faculty of Arts - [email protected] www.prague-network.org Strategy www.prague-network.org 19-22 May, Pruhonice (Czech Republic) Informal Meeting of COREPER I Informal Meeting of COREPER I 21 to 24 May, Ostrava - Czech Republic European Agricultural Youth 21-24 May, Ostrava - Czech Republic Championship 19-22 May, Benešov, Trebon, Humpolec European (Czech Republic) Sunday 24 May Tereza Dvorácková, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Agriculture Commission Tel.: +420 221 813 063, GSM: +420 737 Council of Travel and visits 213 030, E-mail: [email protected] n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner visits Ministers Thailand Tourism - Current and Future Challenges for Urban Development European 24-27 May, Mikulov (Czech Republic) The conference is organised by the Commission International Federation for Housing and Travel and visits Planning (IFHP) in cooperation with the n Mr Joaquín Almunia participates in the Institute for Spatial Development and the seminar “Towards a new financial system: South Moravian Region. The conference reviving the global economy” (Venice) is aimed at professionals in the field of n Mr Ján Figel’ attends the Conference tourism and territorial development. To announce your events on these pages, Sport and Law (Bratislava Petra Holopírková, Spokeswoman of the contact: [email protected]

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Dossiers and Special Editions

dOSSIERS n Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy: 3604, n Kosovo: 3452 and 3453, 21 and 22/01/08 26/09/08 n Energy-climate change pakage: 3455, 24/01/08 n Pact on immigration and asylum: 3617, 15/10/08 n VAT package: 3469, 13/01/08 n Enlargement report: 3632, 5/11/08 n EU-NATO: 3509, 14/04/08 n Regions and migration: 3645, 26/11/08 n EU-Japan: 3515, 22/04/08 n Poznan conference: 3649, 2/12/08 n EUBAM Moldova-Ukraine Mission: 3516, 23/04/08 n ESDP Mission in Georgia: 3664, 23/12/08 n EU Chad-CAR Mission: 3517, 24/04/08 n EU-US – Barack Obama: Chances and challenges: n EU-US – Climate change: 3524, 7/05/08 3674, 19/01/09 n Return directive: 3531, 19/05/08 n The crisis: A test for Europe: 3699, 23/02/09 n Brazilian beef breeders planning full return to EU markets: n Water, a global challenge : 3712, 12/03/09 3532, 20/05/08 n European Parliament’s priorities in run-up to elections: n Remuneration of directors: 3536, 26/05/08 3709, 09/03/09 n EU-Bosnia-Herzegovina – EESC at 50: 3538, n Solana: 3717, 19/03/09 28/05/08 n Airbus A400M: 3722, 26/03/09 n REACH: 3540, 30/05/08 n Washingtonians Europeans should know: 3727, 02/04/09 n Irish referendum: 3548, 11/06/08 n 15 years of the Committee of the Regions: 3738, 22/04/09 n Territorial cooperation: 3552, 17/06/08 n Five years after: Whither enlargement?: 3744, 30/04/09 n Back to Nice: 3554, 19/06/08 n Galileo: 3557, 24/06/08 sPECIAL EDITIONS n Lamassoure report on citizens’ Europe: 3559, 26/06/08 n French EU Presidency: New horizons: 3562, 01/07/08 n Small Business Act: 3561, 30/06/08 n European Parliament of Enterprises: supplement, n Security and defence strategy: 3563, 2/07/08 14/10/08 n Cyprus reunification process: 3569, 10/07/08 n European Parliament turns 50 – Anniversary special: n Energy liberalisation: 3576, 21/07/08 3494, 19/03/08 n Telecoms package: 3579, 25/07/08 n Slovenian EU Presidency: 3441, 04/01/08 n Community Fisheries Control Agency: 3580, 28/07/08 n Europe facing climate change: 3423, 30/11/07 n Customs Union: 3594, 12/09/08 n Lisbon Treaty: Here is what changes: 3407, 07/11/07 n Citizens’ access to law and justice in Europe: 3598, n Tomorrow’s Europe: 1957-2007 - What’s next?: 3270, 18/09/08 19/03/07