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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 7738

16 June 2000
Contents Publication in full By article 16 / 42
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/fraud
OLAF uncovers colossal fraud on banana imports from Italy

Brussels, 15/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - An investigation by OLAF (European anti-fraud office) revealed that 160,000 tonnes of bananas from Ecuador have been imported, since March 1998, via the port of Catane (Italy) as originating from preferential countries with fake certificates of origin, leading to a loss in customs duties estimated at EUR 126 million (plus 5.16 million in VAT). This fraud is thought to have reached such a level that, according to OLAF, it "lead to an imbalance in the...

Contents

THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EP/SECURITY/DEFENCE: Parliament in favour of establishing European inter-parliamentary body and setting "headline goals" for civil matters (notably in view of establishing of a European public security force) - Mr. Solana should chair Interim Political and Security Committee
(EU) EU/INSTITUTIONAL REFORM:
(EU) EP/POLITICAL PARTIES: Stage by stage procedure for attaining statute of European political parties - Broad support, with some opposition
(EU) EP/TIMETABLE OF SESSIONS: Suppression of session on Friday in Strasbourg continues to give rise to reactions
(EU) EP/FRANCE: Mr. Vedrin explains to Mrs. Fontaine his "surprise" and "regret" over the removal of the Friday sessions in Strasbourg
(EU) EP/TERRORISM: Mrs. Fontaine ready to go to Basque country to show European Parliament's solidarity - Agitated debate
(EU) EU/TERRORISM: Greek MEPs all for clarity over attack on General Mr. Saunders
(EU) EU/BALKANS: Council intends to strengthen certain measures against Serbia, calls for guaranteed security for the Serb minority in Kosovo, notes that Croatia meets conditions for negotiating an association agreement and supports cooperation process in Adriatic region
(EU) EU/CUBA: Council confirms EU position, given lack of "fundamental change of policy" in Cuba
(EU) EU/INSTITUTIONAL REFORM: Presenting the Presidency's report to the Feira Summit, Seixas da Costa outlines the "tendencies" taking shape
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EP/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Council Presidency announces subjects that will be addressed by the Feira Summit, from institutional reform to defence, taxation and Greece in the euro
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: Council expected to adopt on Friday the Community framework for collection of fisheries statistics and revised TACs for anchovies in the Bay of Biscay - Prospects for negotiations with Morocco, relations with third countries in general
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: Advocate General says directive banning advertising and sponsorship by tobacco firms could not be adopted as a single market measure
(EU) EU/RESEARCH COUNCIL: Ministers endorse first specific measures that should lay the foundations of the new European Research Area
(EU) EP/CHINA/WTO: Parliament has opinion on results of EU negotiations with China, but "assent" procedure is not applicable until reform of Treaty
(EU) EU/FRAUD: OLAF uncovers colossal fraud on banana imports from Italy
(EU) EU/ISRAEL: EIB signs framework agreement with Israeli government
(EU) EU/JORDAN: EIB grants EUR 30 million loan for Jordanian-American bromine plant
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Failing Parliament opinion on reform of hemp and flax sector, Council will give opinion on Monday on new common prices only
(EU) EU/OMBUDSMAN:
(EU) EP/BIOTECHNOLOGIES: Liese warns against possible relaxation of ban on human cloning
(EU) EIB/DENMARK: EUR 54 million to the "Statens Serum Institut" in Copenhagen
(EU) EIB/ITALY: Global loan of EUR 50 million for SME leasing operations
(EU) EU/TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Infringement proceedings concerning directive on telephone dialling against Germany and United Kingdom
(EU) EU/INFORMATION SOCIETY:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Commission opens investigation on impact of acquisition of Portugalia by Swissair and Portuguese State.
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Commission authorises Telenor Media and Viag Interkom to create a joint venture in telephone directory services
(EU) EU/AIR TRANSPORT: Information campaign on passengers rights will be official launched on Sunday
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: Commission appoints a new expert who will report on 15 July on the operation of Malpensa Airport
(EU) EU/CONFERENCES: Schedule of European conferences and other events in the latter half of June
ECONOMIC INTERPENETRATION
(EU) Investment:
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(EU) Construction:
(EU) Chemicals:
(EU) Telecommunications:
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(EU) Internet:
(EU) Information Technology:
(EU) Insurance banking:
(EU) Audiovisual:
VALUE OF THE EURO IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES 15/06/2000: