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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 7681

22 March 2000
Contents Publication in full By article 32 / 60
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/competition
Detailed investigation into merger of certain Novartis and AstraZeneca activities

Brussels, 21/03/2000 (Agence Europe) - As anticipated in yesterday's EUROPE, the European Commission has initiated a detailed investigation into the merger of the agri-chemical activities of the Swiss firm Novartis and the Anglo-Swedish firm AstraZeneca into a venture called Syngenta. The Commission has "serious doubts" about risks of abuse of dominant position on the following markets: i) fungicides for the protection of cereal crops and sugar beets, ii) herbicides for the protection of...

Contents

THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL: Air embargo against FRY/Serbia lifted and financial sanctions to be strengthened by end of month
(EU) EU/CHINA: General Affairs Council adopts severe conclusions on human rights situation in China but leaves its attitude pending on American resolution being voted in Geneva
(EU) EU/AUSTRIA: Chancellor Schüssel hopes Lisbon Summit will launch normalisation
(EU) EU/GENERAL AFFAIRS: Decision concerning rationalisation of Council formations is postponed
(EU) EU/GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL: Results of deliberations on European security and defence policy - Procedural decisions
(EU) EU/LISBON SUMMIT: Meeting of Presidents of EPP party
(EU) ACP/EU: Joint Assembly calls for eradication of racism
(EU) EU/WEU: WEU Assembly proposes creation of European Security and Defence Assembly
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/LISBON SUMMIT: Prodi explains why the Summit will be "different from other ones", more concrete in its immediate effects - Agreement secured on goals and hoped for on timetable
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Modest but positive outcome
(EU) EU/SHIPPING: On Tuesday, Commission adopted its communication on maritime safety
(EU) EU/COMPETITION:
(EU) EP/EURO: Duisenberg says extent and duration of the increase in oil prices were underestimated and that today's interest rates in the euro area will enable growth to continue - MEPs criticise ECB policy
(EU) EP/BUDGET: Costa (rapporteur for MEDA programme) fires off an answer to letter from President Prodi on discharge for 1998 budget
(EU) EP/LISBON SUMMIT: Three Italian MEPs criticise Blair-D'Alema letter
(EU) ACP/EU: ACP Council President calls for general galvanization for new trade system to be approved by WTO, EU asked not to give in over bananas
(EU) EU/ROMANIA: The Fifteen encourage Bucharest to move forward with economic and political reforms resting on the new medium-term economic strategy
(EU) COURT OF JUSTICE: French tax on strong alcoholic beverages to the benefit of social security is valid - European Commission's action rejected
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: Court clarifies procedures for marketing of genetically modified products
(EU) EU/CONSUMERS: European Commission defines in working paper its recommended guidelines for creation of European network for amicable settlement of consumer disputes
(EU) EU/FOODSTUFFS: Agreement of Fifteen on common definition of "jam"
(EU) EU/INFORMATION SOCIETY: Council intends to adopt a common position on copyright and related rights in the Information Society on 25 May
(EU) EU/RESEARCH: A research project with backing from the Commission improves mobility of paraplegics
(EU) EU/TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Commission incorporates into its recommendation lower prices for interconnection of fixed telecommunications networks in Europe
(EU) EU/BOSNIA: Continued support for refugee return
(EU) EU/MOZAMBIQUE: EIB donation of EUR 500,000 to Mozambique
(EU) EP/MOZAMBIQUE: Parliament calls on EU to immediately suspend debt servicing in Mozambique
(EU) EIB/ITALY: Global loan of EUR 150 million to Crediop for small-scale projects by local authorities
(EU) EIB/UNITED KINGDOM: Global loan of EUR 80 million to Close Brothers Ltd
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Conditional authorisation of creation of number one European satellite venture, Astrium, by Dasa and Matra Marconi Space
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Vattenfall and the Land of Hamburg may acquire joint control of HEW (German electricity generator)
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Detailed investigation into merger of certain Novartis and AstraZeneca activities
(EU) EU/ROAD SAFETY: European Transport Safety Council welcomes measures proposed by the European Commission, while regretting lack of harmonisation on authorised rate of alcohol in the blood for driving
ECONOMIC INTERPENETRATION
(EU) Stock exchanges:
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(EU) Electronic commerce:
(EU) Internet:
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(EU) Sanitary equipment:
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(EU) Aircraft:
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(EU) Press:
(EU) Boats:
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(EU) Robots:
(EU) Internet:
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(EU) Energy:
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(EU) Advertising:
(EU) Plastics:
VALUE OF THE EURO IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES 21/03/2000: