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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8609

18 December 2003
Contents Publication in full By article 18 / 45
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/agriculture

17/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, after the favourable opinion returned by the European Parliament the previous day, the Council of Ministers of the EU adopted without debate a regulation setting the reduction rate on the tobacco production subsidy to go towards financing the Community Tobacco Fund at 3% in 2004. The rate is unchanged from this year.

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: Despite the Constitutional difficulties, Europe makes progress
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EP/AFRICA: Even if Lina-Marcoussis agreement does not work perfectly, Union must continue aid to Ivory Coast via peace facility and other assistance
(EU) EU/IGC/CONVENTION:
(EU) EU/IGC/UNITED KINGDOM:
(EU) EP/CHINA: Antonione admits opinions differ within EU on lifting arms embargo (to be discussed by next General Affairs Council)
(EU) EU/POLAND/IGC: Miller does not foresee agreement on Treaty soon
(EU) EU/IGC/FEDERALISTS: UEF calls on countries supporting Convention's draft constitution to sign it before European elections
(EU) EP/IGC: following IGC summit, Duhamel highlights urgency and responsibilities
(EU) EU/IGC/ENTERPRISE/ITALY:
(EU) IGC/LOCAL AUTHORITIES:
(EU) EU/NORWAY:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: Member States struggle to reach agreement on plans to reconstitute stocks of cod and hake
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Several countries want export refunds for pig meat - Commission recommends private storage
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: New sheep identification system adopted
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Prudent conclusions on risk management
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: COMPULSORY set-aside rates reduced for 2004
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE:
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE:
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES/WTO: Aid to European companies faced with complaints from America
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES: EU and United States conclude agreement on recording information on transatlantic flight passengers
(EU) EU/POST: France before Court about postal services
(EU) EU/GOLDEN SHARES: Golden shares of KPN and TPG in Netherlands brought before Court - No decision on Volkswagen until 2004
(EU) EU/WESTERN BALKANS: Commission to include companies from five Balkan states in pre-accession calls for tender
(EU) EP/STATUS OF MEPS: EP and Council reach agreement on status of MEPs - salary of EUR 8671 per month - retirement at 63 - reimbursement of expenses - agreement due to be finalised - date of entry into force still not known
(EU) EUMEDICINES: Parliament adopts "medicines" package
(EU) EP/IMMIGRATION: Parliament appeals against directive on family regrouping
(EU) EU/AFGHANISTAN: EUR 50 million more for security
(EU) EU/SOCIAL: Commission calls on Member States to keep up momentum in tackling poverty - EU priority policy
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Commission adopts merger control guidelines
(EU) EU/BUDGET:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Provisional agreement with FAPL and BskyB on TV rights for British Premier League matches
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Clearance subject to conditions for joint venture between Prisa, Polestar and Ibersuizas
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Decision on Lagardère could be taken on 7 January
(EU) EU/COLLEGE OF EUROPE:
(EU) EU/WTO: WTO foresees follow-up of Doha talks in February - Reactivation of sector-specific groups - Perez del Castillo is convinced package of Singapore issues should be "untied"
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: European Commission has power to control interpretation of Community law by Supreme Courts in Member States - Historic ruling
(EU) EU/COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE: Commission's ruling against British Airways for abuse of dominant position upheld
(EU) EU/COMMISSION: Appointment of two new Directors-General
(EU) EU/OMBUDSMAN: Inquiry into measures taken by Commission for integration of disabled persons
(EU) EU/SOCIAL/DISABILITIES: Anna Diamantopoulou announces specific directive to fight against discrimination suffered by disabled
(EU) EU/EESC: 6th EU/India round table with socio-economic players
(EU) EU/EIB: EUR 500 million for fight against climate change
(EU) EU/EIB: EUR 500 million loan to French hospitals
(EU) EU/EIB: EUR 50 million for Serbian hospitals
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 17/12/2003: