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EUbusiness Week - Issue 86 8 June 2001 http://www.eubusiness.com Your way through the EU information maze ============================================================= Top stories on EUbusiness ========================= 1. Agreement reached over EU takeover directive 2. Irish vote on EU Treaty referendum 3. EIB signals greater focus on Eastern Europe, research 4. EU warns Germany over gas liberalisation 5. Turkey mulls adopting euro before EU membership: report 6. Commission sets out strategy to combat Net security threats Publisher's Note ================ The EU Member States may disagree about exactly when they will able to let in the new members from Eastern and Central Europe. But preparations for their accession continue apace. The EU's Council of Ministers this week gave the Commission the go- ahead to negotiate 'framework agreements' with Cyprus, Malta and Turkey for their early participation in programmes such as the EU's R&D Programme and education and vocational training programmes. They will also be able to take part in all the programmes already open to the candidate countries of central/eastern Europe. Early participation in EU programmes forms an important part of a pre- accession strategy already used for central and eastern European candidates. It provides useful preparation for accession by familiarising the candidate countries and their citizens with Union policies and working methods. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48884 Regards, Nick Prag Publisher, EUbusiness mailto:nick@eubusiness.com SPONSOR'S MESSAGE ****************************************************** Do you find this newswire useful? Do you have colleagues who could benefit from it? If so, just register their names here: http://www.eubusiness.com/cgi-bin/register.cgi?page=41 . If you form part of a large company and would be interested in a company-wide distribution, or even a co-branded newswire for clients, contact Anne van der Hagen at mailto:sales@eubusiness.com. ****************************************************** Sponsor this newswire! EUbusiness Week reaches a global community of over 18,200 people interested in the business environment in the European Union. For details of how to reach this audience, contact Anne van der Hagen at mailto:sales@eubusiness.com or visit: http://www.eubusiness.com/aboutus/advertise.html ****************************************************** 1. Agreement reached over EU takeover directive ----------------------------------------------- The EU has finally agreed the contents of the Takeover Directive after 12 years of negotiation. The Conciliation deal between the European Parliament and the Council would force company boards to inform minority shareholders and workers of their recommendations on a takeover offer at the same time as the majority shareholders. Governments would have until 2005 to pass the legislation but with an extra year's grace to pass a ban on 'poison pill' defences. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/49012 2. Irish vote on EU Treaty referendum ------------------------------------- On Thursday, Ireland became the first and only country to ask its people to vote on proposals to enlarge the EU. The result of the referendum on whether to ratify the Nice Treaty was expected by late afternoon on Friday. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/49075 3. EIB signals greater focus on Eastern Europe, research -------------------------------------------------------- The European Investment Bank, at its annual meeting in Luxembourg, signalled the Bank's aim of limiting growth of its lending within the EU member countries in order to give more room for activities in the candidate countries. The Bank has also called for a capital increase in 2003. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/49087 The EIB and the Commission this week also signed a memorandum for closer co-operation in the funding of European research. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/49088 4. EU warns Germany over gas liberalisation ------------------------------------------- The Commission has sent a written warning to Germany for failing to open the gas market to competition as required under EU rules. All 15 Member States should have implemented the gas liberalisation directive by August 10 last year. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48959 5. Turkey mulls adopting euro before EU membership: report ---------------------------------------------------------- Turkey could adopt the euro unilaterally before joining the EU, Economy Minister Kemal Dervis was quoted as saying by the Financial Times on Monday. Dervis said the move would be possible in five years if Turkey managed to achieve low inflation - currently at 60 per cent - and fulfilled other EU membership criteria, the paper said. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48742 6. Commission sets out strategy to combat Net security threats -------------------------------------------------------------- The Commission has set out in a Communication its strategy to tackle increasing security threats to the use of the Internet with a series of policy recommendations to make it safer to use for individuals and for businesses. Full story: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/49016 SPONSOR'S MESSAGE ****************************************************** Consultants and law firms - free listing! As a registered member of EUbusiness, you are entitled to a free listing in our EUbusiness Consultants directory. Just add your details at http://www.eubusiness.com/cgi-site/eubconsultants.cgi?action=insert ****************************************************** Other stories on EUbusiness this week ===================================== * ECB chief stresses desire for 'strong euro' as rate unchanged 7-Jun * All-party group urges Canada to negotiate free trade pact with EU 7-Jun * Austria launches partnership with E. Europe neighbours 6-Jun * Euro-zone unemployment falls to 8.3 per cent in April 6-Jun * Business climate indicator for euro zone falls 6-June * New rules for state-funded advertising of farm products 6-Jun * EU to begin talks on tax data exchange with six countries 5-Jun * EU gluten dispute with US ended 5-Jun * EU finance ministers tackle tax questions in run-up to summit 5-Jun * Euro-zone industrial producer prices rise 0.3 percent in April 5-Jun * Korea high on agenda for EU-US summit in Sweden 5-Jun * Veterinary Committee relaxes UK, Netherlands foot-and-mouth measures 5-Jun ****************************************************** May Euro-impact --------------- The May issue of Euro-impact, the monthly newsletter on the impact of the euro for companies, is now available for download. http://www.eubusiness.com/finance/euroimpact.html Inside the EU Institutions ========================== Council Watch ------------- Health Council, 5 June, Luxembourg Conclusions part 1: http://eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=15687 Conclusions part 2: http://eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=15686 Ecofin Council, 5 June, Luxembourg: Economic Guidelines agreement http://eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=15588 Common position on UCITS directive: http://eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=15551 Environment Council, 7-8 June, Luxembourg: http://eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=15680 Employment Council, 11 June, Luxembourg: Agenda http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/LoadDoc.cfm?MAX=1&;DOC=!!!&BID=104&DID=66712&GRP=3531 &LANG=1 Euro Parliament Watch --------------------- Conciliation Committee meeting and group meetings this week. The main achievement was the Conciliation agreement on the Takeover Directive. http://www.europarl.eu.int/press/index_en.htm EU diary -------- 7-8 June, Environment Council, Luxembourg 11-12 June, General Affairs Council, Luxembourg 11 June, Employment, Social Affairs Council, Luxembourg 11-14 June, European Parliament plenary, Strasbourg 15-16 June, European Council, Gothenburg Internet Monitor ================ The EU and the threat of US safeguards against steel imports ------------------------------------------------------------ On Tuesday, president Bush warned that the US was initiating a safeguard action that could lead to curbs on steel imports. Background information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/goods/steel/us_stlcurbs_bkgrm.htm Report on Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement --------------------------------------------------------- On 6 June the Commission adopted a report on the progress made by Albania in preparation for negotiation of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement, with the conclusion that it can now open talks. Details: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/albania/ip01_802.htm Improving the Common Fisheries Policy ------------------------------------- A public hearing on the Commission's first ever Green Paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy was held on 5-7 June in Brussels, as part of a wide-ranging debate launched by the Green Paper adopted in March. Details: http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf01_33_en.htm Community ========= Member comments --------------- 'An example of a (first) pan European Certification Services can be found at www.fp5csp.org which is a certification provider for all who wish to participate in the 5th Framework Programme for R&D of the Commission'. (Robbert Fisher, estratconsulting) 'The UK has introduced the Electronic Communications Act, but some EU members have yet to comply. The UK act gives legal recognition to electronic signatures and provides an approval scheme for firms offering cryptography services.' (Charlie Price, LawZONE) http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48377 'How can these people talk "making the EU the most competitive economy in the world by 2010 and the Commission claims that increased tax co-ordination would help countries meet these objectives"... are these not effectively the same people who, for example, ever campaign to extend the same work practices that restrict the rights of employers (and willing employees) to demand longer working hours etc. etc ... or have I completely missed the boat here perhaps? Tweaking tax and cross border issues alone will not bring make this commercial dream happen ... We compete with completely deregulated markets ... rather big ones I fear, we lack dynamism, freedom and choice ... " (Louis Szikora) http://www.eubusiness.com/item/47683 Poll ---- In our poll on labour migration from EU candidate countries after enlargement, 44% believe labour migration should only be subject to current EU rules, 30% think there should be special restrictions on workers from these countries, while 26% believe there should be no rules at all. Any ideas for a new poll to mailto:hazel@eubusiness.com . http://www.eubusiness.com/poll/ Euro Counterfeiting Detection Workshop, 30 May ---------------------------------------------- Transcript: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48308 Factsheet on euro counterfeiting: http://www.eubusiness.com/item/48236 http://www.eubusiness.com/workshop/ PressZONE --------- Join PressZONE and publish your company's news, and legal, financial and regulatory information articles directly onto EUbusiness.com. http://www.eubusiness.com/presszone/ Any Answers ----------- * Mark Kessell is trying to find a comparative database of Labour rates across the accession states. Answer questions, or post your own, in our Any Answers section. http://www.eubusiness.com/anyanswers/ Business Forum -------------- * In 'Find a Business Partner', Austin Rutledge from Export Edge "welcomes sales partners to promote web based training and reference products in partnership with our DC-PRO consortium which includes the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris." If you're looking for a business partner, buyer, agent, supplier, or a new job - visit our business-to-business forum. http://www.eubusiness.com/discussion/ Feedback -------- Let us know what you think of EUbusiness, where you would like to see improvements, and where your particular interests lie. http://www.eubusiness.com/help/feedback.html ============================================================= EUbusiness is a free service - please help us keep it that way. 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May be reproduced in any medium for non-commercial purposes as long as attribution is given. ========================================================== EUbusiness Ltd, 212 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HG, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7917 9495 Fax: +44 (0)20 7917 9496 http://www.eubusiness.com ==========================================================
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