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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8667

17 March 2004
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 41
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/competition
Green light to Air Liquid's take over of some Messer activities

Brussels, 16/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has cleared the acquisition of the Messer Group's activities in Germany, UK and US by French industrial gas company Air Liquide. Messer will keep up its businesses in other countries. However, Air Liquide offered significant divestments to meet commission demands and maintain sufficient competition. The two companies' activities include the production and distribution of industrial and medical gases and the services connected to...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: A few comments from a European point of view on recent events
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/CONSTITUTION/SPAIN: European Commission "delighted" Zappatero government wants to "move" forward - Baron pleased Madrid no longer blocking consitution - Warsaw worried
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Verhofstadt not seeking presidency - main EP group will "not have its place reserved", warns Baron
(EU) EP/TERRORISM/SPAIN:
(EU) EU/TERRORISM: Member States and European institutions seek response to attacks - debate on chances for setting up new instruments, whereas current ones are used badly
(EU) EU/MIDDLE EAST: EU to organise consultation with countries of region to develop "Greater Middle East" strategy
(EU) EU/UN/HUMAN RIGHTS: In Geneva, Brian Cowen affirms promotion of human rights must become integral part of fight against terrorism - EU priorities include role of International Criminal Court, abolition of death penalty and protection of children
(EU) EP/CONSTITUTION: Attack in Madrid highlights need for Constitution to strengthen European solidarity and Union's ability to combat crime and terrorism
(EU) EU/EP/SPANISH ELECTIONS: Left happy, right shocked - Martens calls on PP to pull together to win European elections
(EU) EU/RUSSIA/PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
(EU) EP/BURMA: EP calls for reinforcement of European sanctions unless Burma takes tangible measures to restore democracy
(EU) EP/UKRAINE: EP insists on transparency in October's presidential elections, and greater respect for human rights
(EU) EP/VENEZUELA: Call for OAS's and Carter Centre's recommendations for referendum on President Chavez to be accepted
(EU) EP/ISRAEL:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/COMMISSION/ENLARGEMENT: Enlarged Commission debates working programme up to November - Mr Prodi to raise issue of free movement of workers at European Council
(EU) EU/COMMISSION:
(EU) EU/BELGIUM/SPRING SUMMIT: Guy Verhofstadt pleads for "flexibility of employment pact"
(EU) EU/AUDIOVISUALS: Commission extends State aid to cinema regime until 2007
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES: Bolkestein to meet PCAOB Chairman W. McDonough to discuss audit
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Formal investigation on Olympic Airways
(EU) EU/GALILEO: EU/Israel cooperation agreement on Galileo could be initialled on Wednesday
(EU) EU/CANADA: Thursday's Summit in Ottawa marks era of reinforced co-operation between Europe and Canada
(EU) EU/USA: David Byrne visit to Washinton 18-19 April
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: Fifteen find compromise on continued public aid for vessels in outermost regions
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: End to discounts on pork exports
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Green light to Air Liquid's take over of some Messer activities
(EU) EU/INDUSTRY: Way ahead clear for adopting new Community provisions on detergents
(EU) EU/EMU: Euro-zone government deficit rises to 2.7% of GDP
(EU) EU/TRADE PROTECTION: Council adopts regulation clarifying decision procedure on anti-dumping or compensatory measures
(EU) EU/TRADE PROTECTION: Council adopts series of anti-dumping decisions
(EU) EU/TRADE/TEXTILES:
(EU) EU/EIB: Loan to improve schools in Finland
(EU) EU/TRADE: Pascal Lamy evokes extension of Sino-European "honeymoon" to ensure "long and happy marriage"
(EU) EU/DEVELOPMENT: First official visit of Commissioner Poul Nielson to Bhutan
(EU) EU/EUROMED: Euro-Mediterranean police cooperation project
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/TRADE UNIONS: CESI considers reforms of social protection systems and labour markets must not result in controlled abolition of social rights
(EU) EU/SME/LISBON STRATEGY: Paul Reckinger considers a stronger and more coherent European competitiveness policy would allow Lisbon goals to be implemented
(EU) EU/LOBBYING ADVICE:
(EU) EU/REGIONS:
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 16/03/2004: