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EUbusiness Week - Issue 86
8 June 2001
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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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

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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


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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
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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/

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