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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 7670
Contents Publication in full By article 4 / 45
THE DAY IN POLITICS / (eu) eu/institutional reform

Seixas da Costa Group discuss extension of qualified majority and possible inclusion of other topics

Brussels, 06/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - The Intergovernmental Conference's preparatory group held its third meeting on Tuesday 7 March in Brussels, under the Presidency of the Portuguese Secretary of State Francisco Seixas da Costa. Let us recall that the Commissioner for Institutional Affairs Michel Barnier and the MEPs Elmar Brok and Dimitri Tsatsos will take part in the work of the preparatory group.

This Tuesday, the Seixas da Costa group will continue its discussions of the topics already covered during the meeting that took place on the 25 February, or:

  • The extension of the qualified majority vote (see text from the Portuguese Presidency on the categories likely to pass unanimously by qualified majority in EUROPE of 25 February, p.3, and the indications made by Mr. Tsatsos on the group's first discussions in EUROPE of 2 March, p.3);

  • Possible inclusions in the IGC agenda of other topic left unfinished in Amsterdam (let us recall that the Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema indicated, in particular, that European Security and Defence policy should be included in the Treaty).

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: The Lisbon Summit is meant to be a turning point in the economic history of Europe, but it is being prepared amidst institutional confusion and a profusion of documents - An attempt to clarify the stakes, objectives and tactics
(EU) ASTERISKS:
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/ESDP: First meeting, 7 March, of Interim Military body
(EU) EU/INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: Seixas da Costa Group discuss extension of qualified majority and possible inclusion of other topics
(EU) EU/SERBIA: EU worries over violations of right5 to freedom of expression
(EU) EU/COMMISSION/EP/INSTITUTIONAL REFORM:
(EU) EU/KOSOVO:
(EU) EU/HUMAN RIGHTS: According to Patten, EU sanctions should preferably be "targeted" - Understanding for Mrs. Robinson who would like UN Commission to discuss Chechnya in Geneva
(EU) EU/AUSTRIA: Dini says that conditions for bilateral relations could be normalised - Statement by Fischler
(EU) EU/TURKEY:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/DISCRIMINATION: Commission investigates certain Belgian practices relating to Austria, Austrian Government examining possibility of proceedings before the Court of Justice
(EU) EU/ECONOMY: Record confidence in Euro-area in February 2000
EU) EU/RESEARCH:
(EU) EU/TRADE POLICY: Provisional antidumping duty on cast iron products originating in Japan, China, Brazil, Korea, Thailand and the Czech Republic
(EU) EU/INTERNAL MARKET: France to approve "parallel imports" of medicines - Commission services examine Spanish decision to allow dual-pricing system
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: On 14 March Commission could allow meager of Alcan and Alusuisse and block merger of Alcan and Pechiney, but discussions continue
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Scania/Volvo put forward new concessions to gain Commission approval
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES: European Commission sends reasoned opinion to Belgium over discriminatory tax regime
(EU) EU/ENVIRONMENT: Commission takes France and Belgium to court for violation of citizens access to environmental information
(EU) EIB/ITALY: EUR 95 million loan to Fiat subsidiaries FMA and Teksid
(EU) EIB/ITALY: EUR 129 million loan for urban regeneration in Rome
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission approves France's regional planning grant map
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission continues examination of new version of Belgian regional aid map
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission opens investigation on the reduction of social contributions in northern Sweden
(EU) EU/JUSTICE/HOME AFFAIRS: Informal session in Lisbon makes significant progress towards area of freedom, justice and security - Council to decide on 27 March on "Scoreboard"
(EU) EU/DEVELOPMENT: Poul Nielson in Tanzania and Rwanda
(EU) EP/UNITED LEFT: Employment in Group's Centre for Seminars
(EU) LISBON SUMMIT: Public seminar from European Parliament's Socialist group on need to make Social Europe progress
(EU) EU/COMMISSION:
(EU) EP/GENDER EQUALITY: Initiatives and intentions of the Socialist Group - For a growing role for women in the peace and reconstruction process - Support for quotas
(EU) EU/CHINA: Eurocommerce and FTA recommend flexibility in negotiations on China's accession to WTO
(EU) EU/CONFERENCE:
(EU) NEWS OF THE WEEK: 28 February to 5 March 2000
ECONOMIC INTERPENETRATION
(EU) Privatisation:
(EU) Office equipment:
(EU) Engineering:
(EU) Automobile equipment:
(EU) Banking:
(EU) Banking:
(EU) Banking:
(EU0 Stock market:
(EU) Agri-food:
(EU) Sport:
WEEKLY SUPPLEMENT
EUROPEAN LIBRARY: N° 404
VALUE OF THE EURO IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES 06/03/2000: