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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8605

13 December 2003
Contents Publication in full By article 18 / 38
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/iraq
First EU financial contribution to reconstruction

Brussels, 12/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The day after vigorous protest against the selective nature of US contracts for the rebuilding of Iraq (see p.7 and yesterday's EUROPE, p.11), the European Commission announced on Friday that it had decided to make a first financial contribution to support rebuilding activities. Without waiting for the specific international fund proposed by the World Bank and the UN to get under way (no doubt next year), the allocation of EUR 29 million (out of the EUR...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: European Constitution: final considerations just as the decisive session of the Intergovernmental Conference opens
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Extremely hurried European Council moves over for delicate negotiations on constitution - agreement on European defence puts growth initiative in shadows
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/DEFENCE: Agreement on permanent units for planning EU's military and civil operations, as early as 2004
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/RACISM: Strong condemnation of racism and anti-Semitism
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Overview of relations with third countries - Invitation to review embargo on sales of arms to China
(EU) EU/IGC/EP: Call from Pat Cox for family spirit -warning to parliament's budgetary powers - being frank with American friends - "fast track" offer for legislation on eco-points
(EU) EP/DEFENCE:
(EU) EU/IGC/LUXEMBOURG: Mr Juncker not ruling out "core Europe", but warns against dangers - all decisions to be taken in Brussels
(EU) EU/IGC: Messrs Giscard d'Estaing, Amato and Dehaene set criteria to assess IGC results
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/PES: Socialist summit welcomes Geneva Accord on peace in Middle East
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/STABILITY PACT/IGC: Netherlands seeks to strengthen stability and growth pact procedures and perhaps use Court of Justice
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/TAXATION: Finance Ministers call on Commission to extend current reduced VAT system
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/JHA: European Council welcomes agreements on borders and drugs but regrets deadlock over asylum
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/ECONOMY: 56 investment projects launched for networks and knowledge at cost of EUR 62 bn by 2010
(EU) EU/EU EUROPEAN COUNCIL/EMPLOYMENT: Approving Kok report, European Council underlines urgency of reforms for attaining Lisbon objectives
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Encouragement for Turkey, but also warning on importance of resolving Cyprus issue
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/ENLARGEMENT: Bulgaria and Romania get hoped-for clarification on accession timetable
(EU) EU/IRAQ: First EU financial contribution to reconstruction
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES/WTO: Airbus attracts Commission's attention to possible infringements by Boeing to WTO rules
(EU) EU/ARGENTINA/WTO: Argentina is to challenge EU and US farm subsidies
(EU) EU/WTO/FTA:
(EU) EU/ENERGY: Not very far reaching agenda for Monday's Energy Council
(EU) EU/ENEGY: EU and Russian disagreements prevent signing of energy charter's transit protocol
(EU) EU/SWITZERLAND: Dispute between EU and Switzerland on alcopops tax
(EU) EU/APICULTURE: European Commission steps up measures to protect EU bee population from exotic parasites imported into community
(EU) EP/TRADE/CHINA:
(EU) EP/SERVICES OF GENERAL INTEREST: Monday's vote in committee on Herzog report to reveal divide between MEPs over public services
(EU) EU/RESEARCH: Commission supports medical emergency research project
(EU) EU/RESEARCH: Developing a network of national programmes
(EU) EU/RESEARCH:
(EU) EU/IRISH PRESIDENCY:
(EU) EU/COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE: Commission decision sanctioning anti-competitive cartels in Greece-Italy shipping sector is confirmed ("Marlines" case)
(EU) EU/MEDITERRANEAN: General Assembly of Euro-Mediterranean network for human rights
(EU) EU/ALGERIA: EIB grants EUR 230 million loan for reconstruction
(EU) EU/EIB: EUR 50 million loan to Hungary
(EU) EU/EIB: EIB grants EUR 60 million loan to Lithuania
CALENDAR
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€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 12/12/2003: