login
login

Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8604

12 December 2003
Contents Publication in full By article 19 / 46
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/syria
Conclusion of association agreement with Damascus completes Euro-Mediterranean agreements network - substantial concessions on farming

Brussels, 11/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 9 December during the 12th and final round, Syria and the European Commission concluded a "technical agreement" effectively completing negotiations for the conclusion of a similar association agreement to those concluded by other countries in the Mediterranean basin. These negotiations were tough-going and even slowed down at one point, reflecting the Syrians' hesitation about opening up its economy (EUROPE yesterday p 6).

The new agreement will...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: Constitution: In the institutional compromises being mapped out, the European Commission stands to lose its legitimacy and authority
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/IGC/COMMISSION: Romano Prodi insists on double majority in Council and refuses all "leftovers" - In his view, this weekend's IGC will either come to a good conclusion or no conclusion at all - It should be possible to amend Constitution by majority, as in United States, Commission President insists, saying Italian text is well balanced
(EU) EU/IGC: Presidency plans to increase number of seats of smaller Member States in European Parliament
(EU) EP/IGC: Mr Duff proposes reducing window of opportunity for national parliaments to oppose transition to qualified majority to six weeks
(EU) EP/IGC: President Cox predicts European political identity crisis if Constitution unsuccessful
(EU) EP/IGC/RELIGION:
(EU) EU/LIBERALS/IGC: Agreement on future European Constitution this weekend fundamental for Liberals
(EU) EU/IGC: Calls for referendums and against Constitution
(EU) EP/IGC: Brok and Hänsch remind Poland and Spain their double majority blocking could have financial impact after 2006 - "Polish blackmail on referendum is not acceptable"
(EU) EP/IGC/RELIGION:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/TRIPARTITE SOCIAL SUMMIT: In joint declaration European social partners make strong appeal to Heads of State and Governments in enlarged Europe to make formal commitments for taking action in support of Lisbon strategy
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Eurochambres calls on summit to facilitate dialogue between European institutions and business
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Publication in 2005 of report on liberal professions
(EU) EU/MIDDLE EAST: EUR 13 million in further humanitarian aid
(EU) OSCE/ITALY:
(EU) EP/IGC/SOCIAL:
(EU) EU/USA/IRAQ: Commission examines compatibility of WTO rules and US directives which exclude countries that haven't supported USA, from main reconstruction contracts
(EU) EU/NORTHERN CAUCASUS: EUR 9.5 million for victims of Chechen conflict
(EU) EU/SYRIA: Conclusion of association agreement with Damascus completes Euro-Mediterranean agreements network - substantial concessions on farming
(EU) EU/SOUTH EAST EUROPE/ENERGY:
(EU) EP/SESSION: Status of MEPs, lifting of embargo on weapons to China
(EU) EU/IMMIGRATION: Pat Cox to go to Court of Justice next week against family reunification directive
(EU) EP/CORRUPTION:
(EU) EP/IMMIGRATION:
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: Fishermen mobilise against Commission strategy
(EU) EU/ENERGY: NGOs and Greens criticise new energy measures adopted by Commission
(EU) EU/ECONOMY: 1.6% growth and 1.8% inflation in 2004 according to ECB
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE:
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Aid to French public television stations, France 2 and France 3, is legal
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: Go-ahead for Italian aid system to combined transport
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: Go-ahead to French and Italian aid for "rolling motorway" service between Lyons and Turin
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT:
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: European Day for Competition in Rome
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Alliance between BA and Iberia is cleared
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES:
(EU) EU/ECONOMY:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Yes to Nestlé/Colgate-Palmolive agreement
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Acquisition of Doras by CRH and SAMSE is cleared
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: Creation of court for European public service - Commission proposal to Council
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: On-line sales activities of Dutch pharmacy 0800 DocMorris are partially approved
(EU) EU/CULTURAL DIALOGUE: Conference in 2004 on "work cultures", with Emilio Gabaglio and Jacques Delors
(EU) EU/RESEARCH: Busquin praises Cadarache in Japan
(EU) EU/COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS/RECUITMENT:
(EU) EU/HEALTH:
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 11/12/2003: