Europolitics

Economic crisis EU/US ESDP Bank bailouts not answer to Deal on hormone-treated beef divides Positive interim assessment of crisis, says Almunia Page 8 EU producers and industry Page 10 Atalanta operation Page 12 EUROPOLITIcs

The European affairs daily Friday 15 May 2009 N° 3754 37th year

Focus Air transport Attendance Airline websites improve records online but “more work to be done” By Isabelle Smets done”. The last check, carried out in March at last 2009, showed that of the 67 major airlines By Célia Sampol European websites that sell airline tick- operating in Europe, only 16 were beyond ets have improved their compliance with reproach. Most of the others (39 airlines) After a bit of pressure, the European EU legislation on consumers’ rights in the agreed to solve the problems or claimed they Parliament finally decided to publish past few months. That is the positive aspect had already done so, but another 12 – nearly on its website, on 14 May, the atten- of the far-reaching operation carried out by 20% of the airlines checked – either did not dance figures for each MEP for all ple- the European Commission over the past 18 answer the Commission’s queries or did so nary sessions during the 2004-2009 months to crack legislative period. The records can be down on abuse viewed online by going to the directory on such sites. of MEPs and clicking on the member’s So consumers name. At the bottom of the MEP’s pro- should come file appears an ‘attendance list’ heading across unlawful that presents a table with the dates of sales practices attendance in Strasbourg and Brussels less often than as well as the total number of days and in the past. Such attendance percentage. practices include Attendance at committee meetings tickets presented is not included but a new system will as free when they be put in place for the next legislative are not, a steep period for that purpose. Parliament increase in the does not see the initiative as a ‘ranking’ price initially

but rather as a collection of ‘raw data’ displayed once © MaxPPP already available on the site but scat- hidden charges Of the 67 major airlines operating in Europe, only 16 were beyond reproach tered in different places. Certain cor- are added, the automatic inclusion of an in a way Commissioner Kuneva considers rections, such as justified absences, insurance policy with the ticket, and so on. “really unsatisfactory”. were not taken into account. There is still considerable room for improve- In a surprise move, the Commission made Last January, the EP Bureau decided to ment, however. public the name of the offenders: Aeroflot, publish this information right after the According to the figures published by the AirBaltic, MyAir, Emirates, Olympic Air- adoption of a report by Marco Cappato Commission, on 14 May, 115 of the 137 lines, Turkish Airlines, Northwest Airlines, (ALDE, Italy), but since then nothing sites that presented unlawful practices at the Royal Air Maroc, Twin Jet, Germanwings, had been done. It took the very con- start of the investigation, in September 2007, Niki and SkyEurope Airlines. The message troversial publication, in late April, of a have been corrected. These are “concrete to consumers is that it is in their interest ranking of MEPs on the parlorama.eu results,” commented Consumer Protection to be mistrustful of the prices displayed on site to get it to act. Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, who nev- these airlines’ websites. ertheless added that “there is more work to be Until now, the (continued on page 6)

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Contents N° 3754 Top Stories

Business & competitiveness Economic & monetary affairs, Defence & security Eurochambres Congress: taxation ESDP: Positive interim assessment Delegates discuss barriers to SMEs ...... 4 Investments: EU FDI inflows of Atalanta operation ...... 12 Telecommunications: Commission and outflows down...... 7 loses patience, takes action ...... 4 Economic crisis: Bank bailouts In Brief Public procurement: Infringement not answer to crisis, says Almunia ...... 8 New parliamentary proceedings against four member states..... 5 Taxation: Poland, Latvia intergroup for the regions?...... 12 and Austria taken to court...... 8 Regulation on mutual Sectoral policies recognition now in force...... 12 Air transport: Airline websites Institutions Aquaculture: Infringements improve but “more work to be done”...... 1 Council Presidency: Václav Klaus by member states...... 12 Research: BioIntelligence: Aid for will not head June EU summit...... 9 Cefetra-ForFarmers merger okayed...... 13 innovative French programme cleared...... 6 Access to documents: Open Electricity market: Slovakia Internal market: Infringement letter challenges Commission’s breaks the rules...... 13 proceedings against four countries...... 6 policy of secrecy...... 9 EIB support for Togo and Liberia...... 13 Europêche admits four new members.....13 Social affairs Trade policy Reasoned opinion to Belgium...... 13 Health/Environment: Study confirms EU/US: Deal on hormone-treated beef Illegal public aid in Poland...... 13 harmful effects of chemical ‘cocktails’...... 7 divides EU producers and industry...... 10 Company law: Infringements EU/US: On Doha, Washington by five countries...... 13 Financial services, banks, pledges to stay on course...... 10 Algae biomass producers organise...... 14 insurance Food labelling: Italy referred to ECJ...... 14 Financial markets: De Larosière: External relations Unions “march to protect employment” 14 Act fast on banking supervision ...... 7 EU/Latin America: EU and Poland brought to ECJ...... 14 Mexico seek to strengthen trade ties...... 11 Elysée denies rumour on Lagarde...... 14 Development: NGOs accuse EU of inflating development aid...... 11 EU Agenda...... 15

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Eurochambres Congress Delegates discuss barriers to SMEs

By Emilie Melvin in Prague as well as the 2009 exchange programme Association of Craft, Small and Medium- ‘Erasmus for young entrepreneurs’. sized Enterprises (UEAPME). Indeed, it The 16th Eurochambres Congress, However, the biggest and most wide- is very difficult and expensive for an SME from May 14 to 15 in Prague, marked spread effort made in favour of SMEs is to get insurance coverage once it leaves its the end of the first European SME Week the Small Business Act (SBA), adopted domestic market. and brought the subject of ‘doing busi- in June 2008. It represents the Commis- In terms of the crisis, “no one saw [it] ness without barriers’ to the table. Several sion’s political will to recognise the vital- coming,” reassured Hugh Morgan-Wil- European chambers of commerce were ity of SMEs in the European economy, liams, vice-chair of BusinessEurope’s present at the opening, as well as represen- creating the first comprehensive SME SME Committee, “so measures will tatives from EU institutions, members of policy framework for the EU and its take some time to implement but, with the Czech government, including Prime member states. regards to the future, my glass is half full Minister Jan Fischer, and members of The role of the SBA in helping SMEs and not half empty”. Two measures have small and big enterprises. take advantage of the single market was yet to be taken, believes Abruzzini: com- Vladimir Tosovsky, the Czech minister one of the key issues discussed during the mercial banks lending money to small of industry and trade, made an appeal, congress opening. Arnaldo Abruzzini, sec- businesses in an anti-cyclical way rather asking national governments to urgently retary-general of Eurochambres, pointed than in a cyclical one; and a European “put all measures in favour of SMEs into out that there are still many barriers left: guarantee fund. Moreover, banks need effect” as the “strongest barriers are not “It is as difficult and complex for a small help to rebuild their balance sheets, the economic ones but rather the political enterprise to do business in other member explains Morgan-Williams, “because ones”. The European Commission has states as it is to do so in non-EU coun- they need to be able to take risks and get launched several initiatives to help allevi- tries”. The existing barriers in Europe back to lending and investing in people, ate the burden on SMEs, such as the 2007 do not only come from public authorities in ideas, in technology, in products, in action programme on reducing administra- “but also from the private sector, such as Europe’s future,” rather than playing it tive burdens in the EU, which aims to cut the insurance sector,” pointed out Andrea safe and leading the economy nowhere, administrative burdens by 25% by 2012, Benassi, general secretary of the European as is currently the case. n

Telecommunications Commission loses patience, takes action Three infringement proceedings in allow it do not comply with EU rules, introduction of number portability was the telecommunications sector were which establish that national laws must still underway and that the operators launched or continued, on 14 May. guarantee the independence of the regu- were negotiating the implementation The European Commission sent a lator from interference that could affect procedure. letter of formal notice (first stage of pro- the impartiality of its decisions. To date, however, number portability ceedings) to Slovakia over the indepen- Slovakia has two months to respond to is still not operational. dence of the national telecoms regula- the letter of notice. tory authority (TÚSR), which it claims If it fails to respond or if the observa- Italy is not sufficiently protected. tions presented by the Slovak govern- On 15 January 2009, the Court of Jus- It also sent formal notice to Bulgaria, ment are not satisfactory, the Com- tice ruled that Italy had failed to make because this country has failed to intro- mission may issue a reasoned opinion 112 caller location information avail- duce number portability for fixed-line (second stage of infringement proceed- able to authorities handling emergen- phones, which allows users to keep their ings). cies for all calls. number when they change operators. If Slovakia still fails to fulfil its obli- Caller location information is not Italy could be faced with a fine if it fails gations under EU law, the Commis- yet available throughout Italy for calls to comply with a Court of Justice ruling sion could then take the case to the EU made to 112 from mobile phones, in January ordering it to make caller Court of Justice. except in the province of Salerno. location information available to emer- If Italy fails to respond to the Commis- gency services from all mobile 112 calls Bulgaria sion’s request within two months, it runs in the country, as required by EU rules. When it joined the EU in 2007, Bul- the risk of incurring a fine for failure to garia was allowed to postpone the intro- comply with the court’s ruling. n Slovakia duction of number portability until 1 The Slovak parliament dismissed the January 2009. chairman of TÚSR, on 4 December At the end of January 2009, the Bul- 2008. This procedure and the rules that garian regulator confirmed that the www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3754 Friday 15 May 2009

Public procurement Infringement proceedings against four member states

By Eric van Puyvelde in the evaluation phase, which changed tives owing to its long-standing practice the emphasis among the published award of directly awarding contracts for the pur- Four member states - Ireland, Lithu- criteria. chase of Agusta and Agusta Bell helicop- ania, Italy and Slovakia – are targeted A reasoned opinion (second stage of ters to meet the requirements of several by the European Commission, which infringement proceedings) is being sent military and civilian corps, without any decided, on 14 May, to pursue infringe- to Lithuania over the award of a public competitive tendering procedure. ment proceedings against them for fail- works contract by Lithuania Railways The Commission finds that the Ital- ure to abide by EU directives on award (Lietuvos gelezinkeliai) for the moderni- ian authorities did not take the neces- criteria and competition at European sation of its railway radio communica- sary measures to comply with the court’s level in public procurement. tion system through the introduction of judgement, which obliges them to put an The Commission will refer Ireland GSM-R. end to the illegal practice to the Court of Justice over the award The Commission considers that the A letter of formal notice will be sent procedure for a public supply contract use of the negotiated procedure without to Slovakia concerning the award of the for animal identification tags, launched a prior call for competition was contrary electronic toll collection service by the by the Department of Agriculture and to EU public procurement rules. national motorway company (Národná Food. The contract was awarded for a total dialnicná spolocnost, a.s.). The EU executive maintains that the price of €59,578,199.96 and the proj- The Slovak contracting author- procedure does not respect the obliga- ect linked to it has been selected for ity excluded three tenderers from the tions of Directive 2004/18/EC on the co-funding by the EU Cohesion Fund. procedure. principles of equal treatment and trans- Italy will be receiving a reasoned opin- Based on the information available to parency because the contracting author- ion ordering it to comply with a 2008 the Commission, the Slovak authorities ity applied criteria relating to tenderers’ ruling by the Court of Justice (Case may have violated the principles of equal ability to perform the contract in ques- C-337/05). treatment and non-discrimination laid tion as award criteria instead of selection The court held that Italy had failed to down in Directive 2004/18/EC on public criteria, and also introduced weightings comply with public procurement direc- procurement and in the EC Treaty. n

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Airline websites When I expressed myself perfectly clearly, offending airlines. The latest results of the (continued from page 1) saying it would be on a list of airlines that did investigation will also be forwarded to the not wish to cooperate with us, then it agreed national authorities in charge of monitor- EU executive had refused to make the to cooperate.” ing compliance with legislation, which will names public, preferring dialogue as a way take whatever measures may prove neces- to enforce the law. By unveiling the names AND NOW? sary. These can include referral to court and of the offending airlines (and the good ones The commissioner is “very encouraged” by fines. “We are going to take these companies as well – see the Europolitics website), it cre- the airlines’ commitments (“Ryanair, Wiz- to court. We have the means to do so,” said ates consumer awareness and places airlines zair, EasyJet, Austrian Airlines have made the Danish Ombudsman for Consumer under further pressure. The move seems to real efforts,” she commented), although she Affairs, Henrik Saugmandsgaard Øe, who be producing results: it was only under the is not taking all their promises for granted. was present in the press room with Commis- threat of seeing their names published that “We will make sure that the commitments sioner Kuneva. In July 2009, the Commis- Air France, KLM and British Airways made are put into practice,” she said, adding that sion will publish a communication aimed commitments to remedy their situation, only June 2009 will be “the deadline”. And after at strengthening the work of the national hours before Commissioner Kuneva’s press that date? The Commission does not have enforcement authorities. n conference. “Air France,” said the commis- the power to prosecute the airlines directly sioner, “is one of the airlines that had a hard but will not hesitate to launch infringement The ranking of the airlines is available at time believing we would publish its name. proceedings against the member states of the www.europolitics.info > Search = 249979

Research BioIntelligence: Aid for innovative French programme cleared

By Eric van Puyvelde matics, IT and the life sciences sector, competition brought about by the aid as well as public research institutes. will be limited given the small amount A French research and development BioIntelligence aims to promote the of aid compared with total R&D expen- (R&D) programme entitled BioIntelli- use of systemic modelling and simula- diture in the bioinformatics sector. The gence is based on an innovative approach tion tools to exploit biomedical data- existence of powerful competitors and and will enable life science industries to bases. This approach is inspired by clients, competitive pressure and con- optimise their research activities. The the product lifecycle management siderable negotiating leverage will be European Commission consequently (PLM) method used in manufacturing maintained on a market that has consid- decided, on 14 May, to approve under industries. erable development potential. EU state aid rules the French public The Commission notes that the pro- Competition Commissioner Neelie support package of €46.3 million for gramme addresses a market failure and Kroes commented that “thanks to this the programme, coordinated by Das- is likely to create positive effects in all particularly innovative programme, the sault Systèmes. In addition to the proj- bioinformatics and public health sec- efficiency of biological research will ect leader Dassault, participants include tors without significantly changing com- be substantially improved by systemic SoBioS, SMEs specialised in bioinfor- petition conditions. Any distortions of modelling and simulation tools”. n

Internal market Infringement proceedings against four countries

By Eric van Puyvelde 85/611/EEC on investment funds. tion on concrete implementation of a A letter of formal notice will be sent ruling of 22 December 2008 (Case C- The European Commission decided, to Greece for its continued failure to 161/07) outlawing the scheme whereby on 14 May, to continue its infringement recognise other member states’ optician Polish, Slovenian, Slovak, Czech, proceedings against four member states diplomas following the judgement of the Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian and for failure to comply with EU internal Court of Justice of 4 December 2008 Estonian nationals wishing to set up market rules in two areas, financial mar- in Case C-84/07. Greece still refuses a company in Austria had to undergo kets and free movement of persons. to recognise Italian optician diplomas an excessively lengthy procedure. The Portugal will be brought before the awarded under a franchise agreement scheme was found to violate freedom of EU Court of Justice for its failure to concluded between Italian and Greek establishment. notify measures for the transposition of training institutes. The holders of such A reasoned opinion will be sent to the Eligible Assets Directive, for which diplomas are still unable to practice Poland over the incomplete transposition the deadline was 23 March 2008. The their profession in Greece. of Directive 2003/41/EC on the activi- directive aims to guarantee uniform The Commission will send Austria a ties and supervision of institutions for application of the UCITS Directive letter of formal notice seeking informa- occupational retirement provision. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3754 Friday 15 May 2009

Health/Environment Study confirms harmful effects of chemical ‘cocktails’

By Anne Eckstein formations in boys (collectively known as now banned in the EU), along with many testicular dysgenesis syndrome or TDS) pesticides. Exposing pregnant women to chemi- have their origin during development in HEAL urges the European Chemicals cal substances found in consumer goods, the womb, where testosterone is needed Agency (ECHA) to take this report seri- which can have harmful effects on repro- to form the male genital organs. Many ously and, as allowed under the REACH duction or disrupt the endocrine system, chemical substances found in the envi- (registration, evaluation and authorisation presents risks for baby boys and men’s ronment and in everyday consumer goods of chemical substances) regulation, to reproductive health. A new study1 com- have the potential to block the action of take measures to limit general exposure to missioned by CHEM Trust and dis- testosterone and exposure to this mixture endocrine disrupting chemicals. n seminated in Europe by the Health and of chemicals may undermine the develop- Environment Alliance (HEAL) highlights ment process and cause damage to male The study is available at www.chemtrust. the impact of exposure to a ‘cocktail’ of reproductive health. The following sub- org.uk/Press_and_Media.php chemicals in the environment on genital stances in particular are mentioned: cer- (1) ‘Male reproductive health disorders and malformations in boys. tain phthalates, paraben, triclosan, bisphe- the potential role of exposure to environmental According to the report, genital mal- nol A and penta-BDE (a flame retardant chemicals’

Financial markets De Larosière: Act fast on banking supervision

By Sarah Collins for financial supervision, on 27 May, which on 3 April, showed up divisions over which will be followed by concrete legal proposals country (the home of the parent bank or The author of the influential report on in the autumn. In a 4 March communica- the host of the subsidiary) should be respon- financial supervision, Jacques de Larosière, tion, Commission President José Manuel sible for bailouts and dispute resolution (see urged the EU, on 14 May, to fast-track con- Barroso indicated that he would be stick- Europolitics 3730). Poland is keen to see tentious legislation or risk losing face. The ing to the bulk of the suggestions in the de more power invested in the Level 3 commit- report, released on 25 February, pushes for Larosière report. While de Larosière himself tees, while the UK is averse to a quasi-supra- an overhaul of the current committees of admits that the recommendations amount national system. Ministers will continue their national supervisors for the banking, insur- to “a little bit of incursion in a supranational talks in a 9 June meeting and give their opin- ance and securities sectors (the Level 3 way,” he advises the Commission to push the ion on the Commission’s master plan. “If in committees), giving them binding powers. “difficult” parts of the compromise through 2009, in the middle of all this mess, Europe A European Central Bank-led early warn- as quickly as possible. One of the most is not able to surmount some of its slight dif- ing system is to provide coordination at the potentially divisive issues is how to police ferences [...] then forget about it,” the former macroeconomic level. The European Com- cross-border banks. Preliminary discussions IMF executive director told the Brussels mission is to come out with a ‘master plan’ between EU finance ministers on the report, Economic Forum, on 14 May. n

Investments EU FDI inflows and outflows down

Eurostat data Investments grew with Switzerland (from China (excluding Hong Kong) remained €24 bn to €33 bn) and Russia (from €16 modest in 2008, with EU investment of In 2008, EU foreign direct investment bn to €22 bn). €5 bn in China and Chinese investment (FDI1) in extra-EU countries (outflows) Conversely, the USA invested €45 bn of €0.1 bn in the EU. n fell by 28%, from €496 billion in 2007 in the EU in 2008, compared with €194 to €354 bn in 2008, while FDI into the bn in 2007. Investments in the EU also Further details are available at EU from the rest of the world (inflows) fell from offshore financial centres (from ec.europa.eu/eurostat decreased by 57%, from €400 bn to €173 €124 bn to €45 bn), Switzerland (from (1) FDI is the category of international bn. €20 bn to €5 bn), Japan (from €19 bn to investment that reflects the objective of Eurostat specified, on 14 May, that, in €4 bn) and India (from €10 bn to €2 bn), obtaining a lasting interest by an investor 2008, the EU invested €149 bn in the while investments from Canada (from in one economy in an enterprise resident USA, compared with €171 bn in 2007. €14 bn to €18 bn) and Brazil (from €2 in another economy. Such an interest is EU investments also fell in offshore bn to €7 bn) rose. formally deemed to exist when a direct financial centres (from €130 bn to €43 Despite its growing importance in investor owns 10% or more of the voting bn) and Canada (from €42 bn to €9 bn). trade in goods, EU FDI flows with power on the board of directors

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Economic crisis Bank bailouts not answer to crisis, says Almunia

By Sarah Collins on property loans - are proving difficult to tailored for each individual member state. value and are creating a political minefield. An ageing population and climate change The financial crisis will not be solved by On 13 May, the top executives in Allied Irish are going to put added pressure on Europe’s pouring money into the banking sector, Eco- Bank - which just received €3.5 billion from public deficit, which is to double to 6% of nomic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner the government in Dublin after the loan got GDP this year. However, he maintains that Joaquín Almunia has said. Although the the Commission’s green light, on 12 May - stronger coordination and keeping a better European Commission continues to push for were pelted with eggs and forced to apologise watch over banks’ activities will be the order EU governments to clean up banks’ balance to shareholders after announcing the bank is of the day. “If we are honest, the initial crisis sheets, which they have been doing via mas- actually in debt of up to €4.3 billion. The response in Europe lacked the necessary sive recapitalisation and guarantee schemes, Commission is launching a series of enqui- coordination,” he said. Almunia said that the Japanese model - which ries into the German banking sector, as well took the shape of a series of bank bailouts in as extra aid given to Northern Rock in the UK Single market the late 1990s - led to a “a decade of zombie after major changes were made to a plan to Meanwhile, former Internal Market Com- banks, low growth and deflation”. wind up the English bank’s bad loans, which missioner Mario Monti has said that the Speaking at the Brussels Economic were mainly tied up in toxic mortgages. Anglo-Saxon model of light-tough regula- Forum, on 14 May, he said, “We need to New guidelines on impaired assets were tion and lax tax coordination is at an end. His mobilise a concerted effort to address the released, on 25 February, but are not legally answer to overcome the growing inequalities crisis at source: to restore trust to the bank- binding. They include recommending that and divisions among member states is for the ing sector through a drive for transparency; banks disclose the full value of their bad Commission to present a ‘strategic pact’ to and restore confidence through treating loans, as well as creating ‘classes’ of assets force EU member states to adhere to single impaired assets. For this, we need a full dis- that are eligible for relief. market rules, as well as committing coun- closure of losses so government support can Almunia says that the huge amount of tries to minimum tax harmonisation. Oth- be provided in the most efficient manner”. support for banks will need to be wound erwise, he says, “the UK and Ireland could Europe has pumped trillions of euro into down, but the timing and pace at which it be partly responsible for the collapse of the its banking sector, but bad assets - especially is done will be crucial, and will need to be single market”. n

Taxation Poland, Latvia and Austria taken to court

By Eric van Puyvelde payment at the border, and the trans- explicitly provided for by the directive. port company must be authorised to Article 135 (Paragraph 1k) of the In a series of decisions on infringe- deduct the VAT paid in Poland in the directive explicitly requires that land ment procedures, taken on 14 May, the periodical return. for construction be taxed, while allow- European Commission criticised three The Polish measures lead to cross- ing land used for other purposes to be member states for failing to abide by border tax checks, which contravenes excluded. Community rules on direct taxation the essential principles of the internal In another reasoned opinion, the and value-added tax (VAT Directive market. Commission requested Austria to 2006/112/EC). The Commission also sent a reasoned change its tax provisions relating to the The Commission decided to take opinion (the second step of infringe- appointment of a fiscal representative. Poland to the EU Court of Justice for ment proceedings) to Poland over its It considers that the rules obliging for- its VAT scheme on cross-border pas- legislation providing for higher taxation eign investment funds, real estate funds senger transport services supplied on of interest and dividends paid to foreign and credit institutions to appoint fiscal an occasional basis by buses registered pension funds and investment funds representatives lead to discriminatory abroad. and higher taxation of interest paid to treatment. Under this scheme, the VAT due in foreign financial institutions. The Commission also considers dis- Poland is collected through payment criminatory the ban on appointing for- at the border of an amount calculated LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION eign credit institutions and certified based on an average taxable amount The Commission sent a reasoned public accountants as fiscal representa- per traveller. opinion to Latvia requesting it to stop tives for investors in investment funds This deviates from Community rules exempting from VAT transactions or real estate funds and considers that given that, according to the VAT Direc- involving land for construction. the rules are incompatible with the tive, the VAT due by the transport ser- According to Article 2 of the VAT freedom to provide services. n vice provider must be declared and paid Directive, all supply of goods and services via a VAT return and not via a one-off are subject to VAT, except for the cases www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3754 Friday 15 May 2009

Council Presidency Václav Klaus will not head June EU summit

By Célia Sampol ence of the prime minister who heads a second referendum endorses the treaty. cabinet composed of independent experts Klaus would have been the wrong The doubt lasted only a day. It is now pending the early elections. person for the role as he himself is certain that the European Council, on 18 Jan Fischer had allowed some uncer- fiercely opposed to the Lisbon Treaty. and 19 June in Brussels, will be chaired tainty to remain the day before, during Both chambers of the Czech parlia- by the new Czech Prime Minister, Jan his visit to the European Commission, ment have approved the treaty and the Fischer, and not by the President of the over who would chair the summit (see head of state need only sign the act of Republic, Eurosceptic Václav Klaus. Europolitics 3752). The debate is now ratification to conclude the process. He President Klaus himself announced, closed, to the relief of the Czech Repub- nonetheless plans to await the outcome on 13 May, from his castle in Prague, that lic’s European partners, because one of of the Irish referendum before doing so, he had total confidence in the head of the key topics of this meeting will be the as well as a new verdict by the Czech government to direct the work as Coun- Lisbon Treaty. The Presidency will have Constitutional Court. cil president. Klaus added that he had no to negotiate with the Irish government Klaus will, however, chair the EU- doubts about Fischer’s chances of suc- the legal guarantees Dublin is seeking Russia, EU-South Korea and EU-China ceeding, alluding to the lack of experi- in its bid to make sure this autumn’s summits, to be held in May. n

Access to documents Open letter challenges Commission’s policy of secrecy

By Célia Sampol an internal memorandum issued in the systematic writing of minutes for all meet- Directorate-General for Trade, in January ings with lobbyists. The signatories of the Several civil society organisations have 2009, entitled ‘Vademecum on access to letter also press for respect for Regulation vented their anger over the European documents’. The text allegedly encour- 1049/2001 on public access to documents Commission’s policy of withholding infor- ages staff to conceal meetings with lobby- of the EU institutions. mation. Access Info, Alter-EU, the Inter- ists in cases of requests for access to docu- That regulation is currently undergoing church Organisation for Development ments. It also allegedly advises officials revision. The European Parliament, which Cooperation, Platform ABC and Seattle to to avoid remarks concerning meetings is not satisfied with the modifications pro- Brussels Network (S2B) have sent an open with industry representatives, which are posed by the Commission, decided to letter to the head of the EU executive, José “favourite targets” of requests for access to postpone its vote until the next legislative Manuel Barroso, to Trade Commissioner documents, “especially by NGOs”. period to push the executive to present a Catherine Ashton, and to the Commission- The open letter therefore urges Presi- more ambitious text. n ers in charge of transparency, Siim Kallas, dent Barroso to undertake “an immedi- and communication, Margot Wallström. ate assessment” of DG Trade’s policy on The letter is available at The aim is to voice their concerns over access to documents. It also calls for the www.europolitics.info > Search = 249931

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EU/US Deal on hormone-treated beef divides EU producers and industry

By Luc Vernet “not simple and won’t happen in a At the same time, it is disappointing hurry,” he adds, ruling out any “blows” that meat from animals treated with The European Union did not negotiate for European beef farmers. hormones is still banned in the EU,” he a good deal, on 6 May, with the United “The European Union should re-open added. States on the issue of hormone-treated In contrast, US Trade Secretary Ron beef (see Europolitics 3748), according Kirk said he was “very pleased” over to European agricultural organisations. This is “another blow” for having found “a way of obtaining con- They claim the “EU is offering upwards struggling beef farmers, siderable quotas for the return of high of €400 million worth of market access the organisations say quality American beef to an important over four years but still has to pay an market, which has been mostly closed additional €110 million in sanctions”. for too long”. its market to American beef, which is “The EU remains one of the few mar- NO GUARANTEE perfectly wholesome,” said Chuck Grass- kets to ban meet from animals treated Furthermore, it has no guarantee over ley, Republican Senator from Iowa. with growth hormones, beef that is the longer term of a waiver of all the If the deal is ratified, it “will increase perfectly wholesome, but we see this measures taken by the United States in exports of US beef and that is good agreement as a practical way to move retaliation for the European ban on the news for Iowa’s farmers and European forward,” he concluded. n marketing of hormone-treated beef. consumers. This is “another blow” for struggling beef farmers, the organisations say. It is “crucial that all of the beef which The agreement in detail States agrees to reduce trade sanctions enters the EU is traceable right back The memorandum provides for the grad- by August to 38 million euro a year, com- to its origin and that the US can guar- ual ironing out of the dispute over hor- pared with 117 billion euro today. This antee that it has not been treated with mone-treated beef between the United phase is set to last three years. hormones,” the professionals insist. States and the European Union, ongoing - At the end of the third year, the EU will Opinions are more positive among for more than 20 years, in three phases: raise the quota to 45,000 tonnes and the traders and the industry. - the opening by the EU of a quota for US will suspend all sanctions related to “It is normal for producers from coun- duty-free import of 20,000 tonnes, by 3 this dispute. This one-year phase will tries with surplus meat — France and August. In principle, this general appli- enable the two parties to negotiate the Ireland — to be concerned […] but cation quota will not be reserved to US foundations of a definitive agreement. overall the European market shows a breeders. However, the production con- - The conflict will be definitively buried deficit and this agreement offers the pos- ditions for high quality beef detailed in once all the legal measures have been sibility of diversifying sources of supply,” the memorandum will in practice offer adopted, notably in the World Trade explains one expert. such exclusivity. In exchange, the United Organisation. In addition, the use of this quota is

EU/US On Doha, Washington pledges to stay on course

By Brian Beary in Washington place that we are sort of being asked to stand the agreement resolving the EU-US dispute still in terms of where the previous adminis- over hormone-treated US beef, which the The new US administration has given tration left off”. The EU has been worried EU bans (see other article). “We’ve at least a clear sign that its approach to the Doha that President Barack Obama would be set a welcome template between the EU Round of world trade talks will broadly more protectionist and less committed to and US” for resolving such bilateral trade correspond to that of former US President Doha due to his strong links to organised disputes without having to resort to lengthy George Bush. “The US does not believe labour. Yet, in words reminiscent of the pro- WTO litigation procedures, said Kirk. that we should start the Doha Round over free trade Bush administration, Kirk said Under the agreement, signed in Geneva or change its mandate,” but rather “build Obama wanted a “balanced and ambitious on 13 May, more non-hormone treated US on the progress that we’ve made,” US Trade agreement with meaningful market access beef can be exported to the EU duty free, in Representative Ron Kirk said, on 13 May, gains for all involved”. However, he steered return for the US suspending import duties visiting World Trade Organisation headquar- clear of mentioning timelines or deadlines it imposed on EU products in retaliation for ters in Geneva. After meeting trade partners, for the talks. the ten-year EU ban. Thus, for example, the including EU Trade Commissioner Cath- EU Commissioner Ashton had dinner with US will not subject Roquefort cheese to a erine Ashton, Kirk said Doha was “the one Kirk, on 12 May, to celebrate the signing of 300% duty as it previously threatened. n www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3754 Friday 15 May 2009 11

EU/Latin America EU and Mexico seek to strengthen trade ties

By Fabrice Randoux which the government of Mexico reacted” cess of Doha, the other two are progressing to the swine (or Mexican) flu epidemic. well and could be concluded this year (see The EU and Mexico intend to strengthen The declaration adopted by the EU and Europolitics 3752). their trade relations “in order to move towards Mexico, which “emphasises the vital impor- On the responses to the economic and an economic recovery,» the Mexican Minis- tance of rejecting protectionism in whatever financial crisis, some countries, however, ter of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Espinosa, said form,» also advocated trade. They under- raised differing points of view. A state- at the end of a bilateral meeting, on 14 May ment published by six countries – Cuba, in Prague, on the margins of the ministerial Bolivia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela meeting between the EU and the Caribbean In 2008, bilateral trade and Ecuador – states that the solutions to and Latin American countries (known as the reached US$59.6 billion, the crisis “must not emanate from exclusive Rio Group). In 2008, bilateral trade reached an 18% increase from 2007, groups,” in a reference to decisions taken US$59.6 billion, an 18% increase from and 222% more by the G20 in London. The text calls for 2007, and 222% more than in 1999, the year “a new world order built on the principles before the EU-Mexico free trade agreement than in 1999 of justice and solidarity” and a “thorough came into force. The parties confirmed that transformation of international finance’s they “would like to get negotiations moving, current structure”. as foreseen under the revision clauses, in the lined the importance of “concluding the As for the issue of climate change, the areas of agriculture and fisheries, services regional agreements being negotiated and final declaration called for a “ambitious, fair and investments”. Since May 2008, Mexico which complement the process of the mul- and effective” post-Kyoto agreement during and the EU have also started negotiations on tinational trade negotiations” of the Doha the Copenhagen conference in December. a strategic partnership that would allow them Round. The EU is leading trade negotia- The text remains vague, however, limit- to strengthen their cooperation in areas such tions with three regional sub-groups: Mer- ing itself to a mention of “the principle of as security, development, migration and the cosur, the Andean countries and Central common but differentiated responsibilities environment. The EU also “welcomed the American nations. While those with Merco- and that of the respective abilities, in order determination and the transparency with sur are frozen and conditional on the suc- to significantly reduce emissions”. n

Development NGOs accuse EU of inflating development aid

By Fabrice Randoux or their participation in peacekeeping Nonetheless, “European aid is more missions. important than ever in these times of crisis,” Just a few days before the Development Leading this aid inflation is Austria, for the report emphasised. Due to the drying up Council of 18-19 May, an NGO collective which this represents half of its ODA. Accord- of credit, the drop in export earnings and capi- (Concord) has accused the EU, the world’s tal inflows (overseas investment and migrants’ number one donor, of artificially inflat- fund transfers), the crisis could result in 90 ing its official development aid (ODA) in According to NGOs’ million more people in poverty in develop- order to reach its goals. According to the calculations, real EU aid ing countries in 2009, according to the World Aidwatch report, which each year analyses only represents 0.34% of Bank. Revenue per inhabitant in Africa, the the amount and the quality of aid from the poorest continent in the world, will fall in 27 EU nations and the European Com- the Union’s GNI 2009, the first time since 1994, according to mission, “out of almost €50 billion of aid the African Development Bank. in 2008, almost €5 billion is in fact debt Another complaint from NGOs is the cancellation, €2 billion expenses linked ing to NGOs’ calculations, real EU aid only quality of the aid, which “continues to be to receiving overseas students and almost represents 0.34% of the Union’s gross national directed by the donors according to their €1 billion costs relating to the reception income, and not 0.4% as officially announced. own priorities” (migration policy for Medi- and repatriation of refugees”. “It isn’t extra Even taking the 0.4% figure, that means that terranean countries), linked to the purchase money aimed at reducing poverty,” said “€20 billion are needed during the next two of goods and services from the donor coun- Javier Pereira, one of the report’s authors. years to reach the commitment of 0.56% try or steered directly by the donor coun- What is more, several member states are of GDP in 2010,” according to Concord’s tries. And yet, case studies show that direct seeking to widen even further the defini- Andrea Maksimovic. NGOs think that ten budgetary support and control of develop- tion of ODA, currently under discussion at countries at most will reach this goal. Those ment projects by local powers have had the OECD, with some including projects that will miss the mark include in particu- positive results in the areas of education and to fight climate change (Denmark), immi- lar Germany, France and Italy, which even health, while improving the transparency of grant reception centres (Malta, Lithuania) announced a reduction in its ODA in 2009. managing public finances. n

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ESDP Positive interim assessment of Atalanta operation

By Sophie Petitjean and ing in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali The list of countries currently participat- Nicolas Gros-Verheyde in London coast on the other. “Thanks to the WFP’s ing in the European Union’s initial naval 23 ships, 140,000 tonnes of food was able operation (see Europolitics 3747) should Halfway through the Atalanta mission, to be delivered in Somalia while, of the 101 soon be extended, with the arrival of the Rear Admiral Philip Jones (UK) considered attacks perpetrated in the Gulf of Aden and Swedish, Belgians, Dutch and Norwe- that the two set objectives were well on the Basin, 31 were intercepted.” gians. Likewise, Romania, Croatia and their way to being achieved. “We were suc- Among the factors having contributed Switzerland have expressed their desire to cessfully able to escort all the WFP [World to this improvement in the situation, Rear contribute to the operation. Food Programme] ships. Likewise, there Admiral Philip Jones firstly cites the pres- Furthermore, this second visit by the was a significant reduction in the number ence of anti-pirate warships, such as Atalanta rear admiral to the European Council as of pirates, particularly during the first three and the Standing NATO Maritime Group, the person responsible for planning and months of 2009,” he declared, on 13 May among others. The reduction in the capaci- supervising the operation was certainly his in Brussels, after having met the Political ties of the pirates nearby the Somali Basin, last: he should, in fact, be replaced in less and Security Committee (which exercises particularly with the recent interception of than three weeks’ time, based on a seem- political control and sets the strategic direc- four motherships, then played a certain role. ingly internal decision by the British High tion of the operation), while at the same Lastly, the setting up of legal instruments Command. time a new merchant ship was attacked by – the agreement signed on 6 March with According to information obtained in two pirate skiffs. Kenya, authorising the Kenyan authorities to London, the new head could be Britain’s EUNAVFOR Somalia – Operation begin prosecutions - contributed to the suc- Peter D. Hudson, although this informa- Atalanta, launched on 8 December 2008 cess of the mission. Moreover, Philip Jones tion has not been confirmed by the Euro- and planned for an initial period of twelve declared he was in search of other countries pean Union. In any case, the appointment months, makes it its mission to protect able to play this very role, considering that must be approved by foreign affairs or ships from the WFP transporting food aid “the future will be a regional response” and defence ministers, the joint action which to displaced populations from Somalia on announcing he had begun discussions with founds the EUNAVFOR operation having the one hand, and vulnerable ships navigat- the Seychelles in this direction. to be amended. n In Brief

New parliamentary intergroup for Regulation on mutual recognition Aquaculture: Infringements by the regions? now in force member states Will the European Parliament set up a new Regulation (EC) 764/2008, which The European Commission has decided parliamentary intergroup on regions with lays down rules for operators and to refer Austria, Belgium and Portugal geographical or demographic constraints? national authorities on how to apply the to the EU Court of Justice for failure The idea is certainly in the air. At a principle of mutual recognition, became to comply with Directive 2006/88/EC meeting of the Islands Commission of applicable, on 13 May. According to the on animal health requirements for the Conference of Peripheral Maritime European Federation of Health Products aquaculture animals and products, and Regions (CRMR), held in Scotland on Manufacturers (EHPM), the regulation the prevention and control of certain 8 and 9 May, outgoing MEP Alyn Smith could be a “vital tool for the food diseases in aquatic animals. It accuses the (Greens-EFA, UK) declared his intention supplement sector in helping to break three states of failing to notify national of contacting fellow members interested down national trade barriers in the EU”. implementing measures for the directive, in such an initiative as soon as the new The regulation applies to areas of EU required by 1 May 2008. In February European Parliament meets. “The aim of legislation not yet harmonised and sets up 2009, the Commission sent a final written such an intergroup would be to make the a compulsory dialogue between member warning (reasoned opinion) to seven EU institutions more aware of the plight of states and companies facing restriction member states ordering them to comply territories, such as islands, mountains and to market access for their products with the directive. Austria, Belgium and sparsely-populated areas,” states the CPMR. because of national technical rules. Portugal have not yet taken the necessary Jean-Didier Hache, executive secretary of The text is available at eur-lex.europa. measures, prompting the Commission’s the CPMR’s Islands Commission, says such eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ: decision to take them to court. a structure could also be “an influential L:2008:218:0021:01:EN:HTML fighting force”. (ISM) www.europolitics.info Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language EUROPOLITICS N° 3754 Friday 15 May 2009 13

In Brief

Cefetra-ForFarmers merger okayed arrears, which resulted from its loans and (Directive 96/26/EC) also applies to urban The European Commission approved, on suspended repayment of outstanding debt and regional transport operators. The 14 May, the acquisition of the supplier of until 2012, to encourage the economic directive lays down the requirements for raw materials for animal feed Cefetra BV and financial development of heavily professional capacity, financial standing and by ForFarmers BV, two companies based indebted countries before they have to good repute that road transport operators in the Netherlands. ForFarmers specialises fulfil their external debt obligations. The must satisfy to be authorised to carry out in the manufacturing and sale of animal agreement, notes the EIB, will enable it their activities in the EU. In 2007, to feed and the breeding and sale of poultry give fresh impetus to its relations with respect the division of institutional powers for egg-laying. The Commission considered Togo and Liberia, since it marks the at a federal and regional level, Belgium that there was no horizontal overlap resumption of its lending operations with adopted a decree excluding urban and between the businesses of ForFarmers these countries after nearly 20 years of regional transport from the national rules and Cefetra and that the operation did inactivity as a result of the outstanding transposing the directive. These national not risk restricting access to the supply of arrears. The EIB Board has already rules however haven’t been replaced by raw materials for animal feed, taking into approved a loan of €3.5 million to equivalent regional rules. Belgian urban consideration Cefetra’s modest market support microfinance in Liberia and the and local operators are therefore not subject position. The Commission also said that bank hopes to finalise the operation in to the directive’s rules, which should apply it was unlikely that the merged company the near future. to all passenger transport operators with would close off supply by preventing vehicles of more than nine seats. customers from getting their supplies of raw Europêche admits four new materials for animal feed from Cefetra’s members Illegal public aid in Poland competitors because of the limited position The Association of National Organisations Poland has not yet recovered public aid of ForFarmers. of Fishery Enterprises in the EU granted illegally to Technologie Buczek (Europêche), at its general meeting, on and two of its subsidiaries, Huta Buczek Electricity market: Slovakia breaks 12 May, admitted four new professional and Buczek Automotive. The European the rules organisations as members, namely: Commission therefore decided, on 14 May, The European Commission decided, on 14 the Polish North Atlantic Producers’ to take the case to the EU Court of Justice May, to take Slovakia to the EU Court of Organisation (PAOP) and three Italian for this country’s failure to comply with the Justice as it considers that the country does cooperative organisations: AGCI-Agrital, EU executive’s decision of 23 October 2007 not guarantee non-discriminatory access LEGAPESCA and FEDERCOOPESCA. that the aid is incompatible with state aid to the transport network as is foreseen by With these additions, Europêche has 19 rules. The tube manufacturer had received Directive 2003/54/EC on common rules member organisations from 13 member illegal aid in the form of a public debt for the internal electricity market. The states. Europêche has also launched with its waiver and has misused restructuring aid manager of the Slovak transport network European social partner, the ETF, a project received in 2003. grants preferential access to some market in the new member states and applicant participants at the interconnection points countries aimed at helping the sector in Company law: Infringements by five with Poland and Hungary and therefore these states to become involved in EU countries does nott offer the whole available decision making. The project also aims to The European Commission has sent capacity of the system to the market, it make sure that “social dialogue is part of reasoned opinions (the second stage of said. As a consequence, access to the the EU acquis” in terms of representation infringement proceedings) to five member transport network is not granted without at EU level, noted Niels Wichmann, states (Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary discrimination. president of Europêche. He hopes that the and Italy) for failing to transpose the 2007 representatives of the sector in Slovenia, directive, which removed the obligation EIB support for Togo and Liberia Cyprus, Estonia and other Baltic states will to draw up a report by an independent The European Investment Bank (EIB) be able to join the association soon. expert in case of company mergers or signed, on 13 May, an agreement with splits, dependent on the agreement of the Republics of Liberia and Togo to Reasoned opinion to Belgium all shareholders. It should have been reduce their levels of debt to the bank The European Commission decided, on transposed by December 2008. The within the framework of the IMF’s 14 May, to send a reasoned opinion to directive amends the third and sixth ‘Heavily indebted poor countries’ (HIPS) Belgium so that the directive on access to directives on company law regarding initiative. The EIB abandoned part of the the occupation of road transport operator company mergers.

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In Brief

Algae biomass producers organise Unions “march to protect Elysée denies rumour on Lagarde The European Algae Biomass Association employment” The Elysée denied, on 13 May, the (EABA) will be officially launched at a The European Trade Union rumour launched only hours earlier by general meeting of the organisation, on 3 Confederation (ETUC) is expecting the German newspaper Die Welt that and 4 June in Florence, at the initiative around 175,000 people to demonstrate French Economy Minister Christine of the University of Florence and the in Madrid, Brussels, Prague and Berlin Lagarde could become the next European Biodiesel Board (EBB). The during its ‘European action days’, on 14- competition commissioner. The German aim of the new association is to develop 16 May. Other demonstrations will also daily even reported that an agreement synergy between science and industry and take place in Luxembourg, Bucharest had already been concluded between to work with policy makers to promote and Birmingham. The trade unions want French head of state, Nicolas Sarkozy, the development of research, technology to “march to protect employment and to and European Commission President and industrial capacities in the field of reiterate that every effort must be made José Manuel Barroso. An adviser to algae. Some of the most promising and to keep workers on the jobs”. They also Sarkozy nevertheless announced that the already feasible uses of algae are as a demand “social and employment policies president would be discussing who would source of renewable energy, biofuels that emphasise security, not flexibility”. be the next French commissioner with (including for aviation), nutriments, (MSL) Barroso if the current Commission head pharmaceutical products, cosmetics is reappointed in the autumn. The Elysée and animal feed, but progress is being Poland brought to ECJ tends to think that the Germans launched slowed by technical, legal and scientific The European Commission, on 13 the rumour because they hope to win obstacles that can and must be solved to May, referred Poland to the EU Court of the competition portfolio, held today by bring down the price of algae biomass Justice for the non-transposition of EU Dutch national Neelie Kroes. The other to an economically acceptable level and rules that prohibit gender discrimination potential candidate as the next French to develop totally reliable production. in access to and supply of goods and commissioner is said to be Agriculture Further information is available at eaba@ services (Directive 2004/113/EC). After Minister Michel Barnier (see Europolitics eaba-association.com and the reasoned opinion the Commission 3753). (CSA) www.eaba-association.eu sent to Warsaw, in June 2008, Poland informed the Commission that they were Food labelling: Italy referred to in the process of preparing the necessary ECJ measures to fully transpose the directive. The European Commission decided, on But they have not yet communicated 14 May, to refer Italy to the EU Court of the adoption of these measures. For that Justice over its failure to notify national reason, the Commission has decided to implementing measures as required by bring the case to the ECJ. Directive 2007/68/EC establishing a list of food ingredients that must be indicated on the label of foodstuffs as they are likely to cause adverse reactions in certain individuals. Member states were obliged to implement the directive by 31 May 2008.

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EU Agenda

Friday 15 May Changing Research Landscapes: 10 Alice Dautry, Managing Director of years of Women and Science Institute Pasteur at the occasion of the 14-15 May, Prague “Signature of EU charter for researchers” Council of (Commissioner’s office) INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee n Mr Olli Rehn receives Mr Sven Ministers Meeting Alkalaj, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Meeting of Coreper I 14-15 May, Prague Herzegovina • Press Point Brussels n Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel receives European Diplomatic Programme Mr André Marcon, President of General assembly of the European - Last Module Euromontana Voluneer Centre and a conference 14-16 May, Prague n Mrs Benita Ferrero-Waldner ‘Developing Employee Voluneering’ participates in the “II Encuentro Euro- Prague European Diplomatic Programme Mediterráneo: recursos energéticos y Contact: European Volunteer Centre - Training Directors’ Meeting desarrollo regional, un debate necesario” - [email protected] or 14-16 May, Prague (Jávea, Spain) n Mr Vladimír Špidla participates in a 8th European Meeting of People High-Level Forum on Sickness, Disability Experiencing Poverty and Work: Addressing Policy Challenges 15-16 May, Brussels European in OECD Countries (Stockholm) The subheading is ‘Where we live – What n Ms Meglena Kuneva in Vienna, we need’ Commission Austria: meets with Ms Claudia Bandion- Travel and visits Ortner, Minister of Justice; participates in General Affairs Working Group n Mrs Margot Wallström participates a joint press event with members of VKI 15-17 May, Prague in a panel on “Several roads towards (Consumer Information Association); zero emissions” with the President of delivers a lecture at the Energy Annual Congress of Eurochambres Iceland, Mr Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and Community Secretariat; meeting with Association of European Chambers of Norwegian Professor, Mr Jorgen Randers; Mr Rudolf Hundstrofer, Federal Minister Commerce and Industry seminar followed by a press conference for Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer 14-15 May, Prague (Stavanger, Norway) Protection; meets with representatives of Contact: Marta Vojtová, Czech Chamber n Mr Jacques Barrot visits the Jean the Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of of Commerce - [email protected] Monnet Foundation and participates in Labour, Austrian Trade Union Federation the conference (Lausanne) and Chamber of Agriculture E-infrastructure reflection group n Mr Siim Kallas assists in the (E-IRG) presentation on urban transport policy 14-15 May, Prague (EP, Henri Spaak room) Organisers: CESNET Czech Research n Mr Joaquín Almunia at the Annual Economic and and Education Network; Ministry of meeting of the Board of Governors of the Education, Youth and Sport European Bank for Reconstruction and Social Committee Contact: Dr. Jan Gruntorad, CESNET Development (BERD) (15-16, London) 15-16 May, Hong Kong - [email protected] n Mr Joe BORG in Mahe Island, n Meeting of the EU-China Follow-up Seychelles (15-17): meeting with Committee ¬ Meeting with representatives Informal Meeting of the Article 133 President James A Michel; meeting of the civil society of Hong Kong and Services Committee with Mr Joel Morgan, Minister for Macau 14-15 May, Brno (Czech Republic) Environment and Natural Resources; visit of a Tuna processing and production Brussels MISSOC Expert Meeting (Mutual company (15). Debate with ministers on n TEN Section participation at the Information System on Social Piracy and Maritime Affairs (16). Visit Conference ‘Velo-city 2009’, European Protection) of fishing facilities of the Baie de Sainte- Parliament 14-15 May, Prague Anne (17) n Mr Janez Potocnik meets Prof.

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City Hall of Stockholm with the presence of His Majesty the King of Sweden Carl Upcoming Conferences and Gustav n Mr Jacques Barrot speaks during the conferenes seminars meeting “Together for Europe” organised 15 May, Brussels, 13:00-14:30 by the Community of Sant’Egidio (Paris) 29 May, Brussels n Would Europe Have Enough Say in a n Ms Danuta Hübner in Kiev: meets n A climate change protection plan for Reformed NATO? Mr Vasyl Kuybida, Minister for regional the world’s poor Subject: In the light of the NATO summit development and construction of Subject: Development Policy Forum (DPF) 3-4 April 2009 in Strasborg/Kehl, this up- Ukraine; signs on behalf of the European Roundtable coming Citizen’s Controversy will focus on Commission a memorandum of Two sessions: - How bad will be the impact the question of whether and how Europe Understanding for the establishment of climate change on development? can develop a stronger voice in a reformed of a dialogue on regional policy and - Where’s the money for tackling climate NATO. Organisers: The Madariaga – College of development of regional cooperation with change to come from? Europe Foundation the Ministry of Regional Development Organisers: Friends of Europe Contact: [email protected], and Construction of Ukraine; gives a press Contact: +32 (0)2 738 7595 or ringaile. +32(0)2.209.62.10 conference with Minister Vasyl Kuybida; [email protected] Venue: Madariaga – College of Europe meets Mr Hryhoriy Nemyria, Vice-Prime Venue: Bibliothèque Solvay, Brussels Foundation: 14, avenue de la Joyeuse Minister of Ukraine www.friendsofeurope.org Entrée– 1040 Brussels (close to Rond-Point n Mr Janez Potocnik participates in the Schuman) 50th anniversary of the creation of the Joint 15-16 June, Bucharest Research Center - Open day; delivers a n Eurelectric Annual Convention & speech at the ceremony for handing over Conferences 2009 Saturday 16 May the awards to the 3 winning teams of the EURELECTRIC’s annual convention schools competition (Ispra, Italy) and conference in Bucharest, Romania n Mr Vladimír Špidla attends the 8th next June will spotlight the unique role Council of European meeting of people experiencing electricity plays in achieving a sustainable poverty (Brussels) future and in contributing towards the EU Ministers vision for a high efficiency, low carbon, 8th European Meeting of People secure and competitive economy. Experiencing Poverty Sunday 17 May The event is hosted by the Romanian 15-16 May, Brussels Institute for Energy Development Studies The subheading is Where we live – What and sponsored by Accenture. we need Council of Contact: Emily O’ Leary : +32.2.515.10.62, [email protected] General Affairs Working Group Ministers Venue: JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel 15-17 May, Prague Meeting of Directors General for www.eurelectric.org/Bucharest2009 Vocational Training European Diplomatic Programme 17-19 May, Prague 23-24 June, Brussels - Last Module n Climate change: keys to a concerted 14-16 May, Prague Informal Meeting of Working Party policy shift J1 on the Environment European Policy Summit European Diplomatic Programme 17-20 May, Plzen (Czech Republic) Subject: Session I: Can a green business - Training Directors’ Meeting revolution bring us out of recession? 14-16 May, Prague General Affairs Working Group Session II: What can be asked of emerging 15-17 May, Prague economies? Session III: The EU, U.S. and China: Shared or competing interests? European Organisers: Friends of Europe European Contact: +32 (0)2 737 9150 or jacqueline. Commission [email protected] Travel and visits Commission Venue: Charlemagne Building, European n Mrs Margot Wallström participates Travel and visits Commission, Brussels in and speaks at “Svenska n Mr Ján Figel’ takes part in the Sixth Naturskyddsföreningen” (The Swedish International Conference on Adult To announce your events on these pages, Society for Nature Conservation) and their Education (17-20, Brazil) contact: [email protected] 100 years celebrations in Blå Hallen, the