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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8642

11 February 2004
Contents Publication in full By article 13 / 32
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/ecofin
Germany still opposes VAT reductions, but France more optimistic - Commission's report on subsidiarity on 19 February

Brussels, 10/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - The meeting of the Ecofin Council, in Brussels on Tuesday, has confirmed that reduced rates of VAT on certain goods and services remains blocked. The Irish Presidency has presented the results of these latest talks on the dossier, and "will examine the views expressed in order to programme the appropriate discussions", said Council President Charlie McGreevy.

The German Minister, Hans Eichel, "has not changed his mind. This came as no surprise", said...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: Three classes of obstacles which call for prudence in hopes of the Constitution being approved
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/IGC: According to Ahern: there are still between twelve and twenty items outstanding - Schröder: an agreement as soon as possible but "not at any price" - Chirac: more decisions by qualified majority
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN ELECTIONS/COMMISSION: Max Kohnstamm calls on European political parties to put forward their candidates for the Commission presidency well in time for elections in June
(EU) EU/DEFENCE:
(EU) EP/COLOMBIA: At plenary President Uribe, opposed by several political groups, defends his "security concept" against guerrillas and seeks free trade agreement with EU
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN ELECTIONS/COMMISSION:
(EU) EP/EPP/EUROPEAN ELECTIONS:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES: Commission proposes budget representing average 1.14% of enlarged EU's wealth between 2007-13 but opens debate on revising decision on own resources
(EU) EU/RESEARCH: Commissioner Busquin obtains doubling of budget for Community research
(EU) EU/EUROGROUP: Members of Euro zone pleased with G7's message on interest rates - Solbes repeats Commission's worries about France and Italy's stability programmes
(EU) EU/EUROGROUP/FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES:
(EU) EU/ECOFIN: Council adopts firm message to Switzerland, refusing to link negotiations on tax on savings and on Schengen
(EU) EU/ECOFIN: Germany still opposes VAT reductions, but France more optimistic - Commission's report on subsidiarity on 19 February
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Ministers agree on substance of Commission's recommendations of 28 January on updated Stability and convergence programmes for seven Member States - Debate on financial perspectives at informal Ecofin of 2 and 3 April
(EU) EU/RUSSIA: Commission calls on EU to speak to Russia with one voice
(EU) EP/AVIAN FLU: Commission is taking speedy measures to protect EU against Asian bird flu, David Byrne tells MEPs who reproach him for not having reacted sufficiently fast and severely
(EU) EP/ECB:
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES: Washington believes EU and US "speak the same language" on most topical issues, including WTO negotiations
(EU) EU/FRAUD: Commission proposes to strengthen OLAF in light of Eurostat case
(EU) EU/AVIAN FLU: Informal dinner of EU Health Ministers for discussion on avian flu from public health angle
(EU) EU/HEALTH: Parliament approves package of compromise amendments that should allow for adoption in first reading of regulation setting up European centre for prevention and control of diseases - hope for agreement in first reading
(EU) EP/FISHERIES: EP approves measures to protect cetaceans
(EU) EP/FISHERIES: Parliamentarians support continued structural aid for remote areas
(EU) EU/COMMISSION: Commission publishes follow-up report: now operational and will be sustained - measures for strengtehing fight against fraud
(EU) EU/UNIONS: John Monks speaks out against Euroscepticism - British government criticised for opposing European social legislation
(EU) EU/COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE: Hearing of parties in Worldcom versus Commission case set for 30 March
(EU) EU/COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE: Hearings in General Electric and Honeywell cases against Commission set for 25 and 27 May respectively
(EU) CORRIGENDUM:
(EU) EP/WOMEN/ISLAM: Colloquium on Europe and Muslim woman stresses EU's openness to Islam
(EU) EP/PES/EMPLOYMENT: Socialist and Unionist groups campaign against delocalisation of work
SUPPLEMENT
“EUROPE”/Documents No. 2350/2351: The Commission is assessing the progress accomplished in the implementation of the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines for 2003-05 in view of the forthcoming Spring summit on 25-26 March
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 10/02/2004: