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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8673

25 March 2004
Contents Publication in full By article 14 / 47
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/competition
Harsh judgement for Microsoft - American group to appeal

Brussels, 24/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has made its decision: Microsoft has indeed broken European competition rules by abusing its quasi-monopoly on PC operating systems to weaken competition on the work group server operating systems and multimedia reader systems. The Commission has therefore imposed a series of fines, which Microsoft will have to pay off in order to re-establish competition, and fined the company 497 million EUR, the highest ever fine, because...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
: Constitution: avoiding irreparable damage to the Commission
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: In his letter, Bertie Ahern announces Declaration on Terrorism and discussion on IGC (in hope of positive message for rapid agreement on Constitution) - On Friday, three sessions on Lisbon Agenda and discussions on Cyprus, Kosovo, Middle East, Mediterranean, Afghanistan, and meeting with candidate countries
(EU) EU/TERRORISM: Gijs de Vries expected to be appointed EU anti-terrorism coordinator - The Summit will ratify the declaration prepared by the Council
(EU) EU/TURKEY: Despite the current "mixed" results, there are "serious reasons" to think that Turkey will meet Copenhagen criteria, according to enlargement director at European Commission
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/COMMISSION: All resources must be invested to stamp out terrorism, Prodi says, considering non-participation in operations in Iraq in no way means non-participation in the fight against terrorism - Hope for IGC but criticism of Council majority formula based on blocking - President disenchanted over Lisbon
(EU) EU/PES SUMMIT/SPAIN:
(EU) EP/EPP-ED/CONSTITUTION: Ms Ferrero-Waldner is optimistic about Brussels Summit
(EU) EP/EPP-ED/ENLARGEMENT: Mr Schüssel calls for impact study on consequences of Turkey's accession to EU
(EU) EU/SERBIA/KOSOVO: Solana and Patten appeal for renewed dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade - meeting with Serbian and Kosovan leaders
(EU) EU/ESDP: Council seeks adoption of concept on European military groups
(EU) EU/MIDDLE EAST: Otte in Tunis to prepare Arab League summit
(EU) EU/ASIA/BURMA:
(EU) EU/MACEDONIA:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Harsh judgement for Microsoft - American group to appeal
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/BENELUX: Benelux in favour of high-level group to examine Lisbon Strategy - Mid-term review should not discourage pursuit of goals
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission streamlines State aid control
(EU) EU/MALTA:
(EU) EU/ECB:
(EU) EU/EP/UNITED STATES: Washington fears Parliament vote against EU/US agreement on information files on transatlantic passengers
(EU) EU/SWITZERLAND/VISAS: Swiss trade unions demonstrate in Brussels on Thursday to facilitate transit of foreigners via EU - Commission prepares two proposals for Switzerland and for new Member States
(EU) EU/ACP: Council green light for releasing EUR 500 million from EDF reserve to create water facility in ACP countries - joint ACP/EU decision in May
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/SOCIAL NGOS: Social platform appeals for social cohesion and sustainable EUROPE
(EU) EU/MEDITERRANEAN PRODUCTS:
(EU) EU/RESEARCH:
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/EESC: Roger Briesch stresses importance of full involvement of organised civil society in Lisbon strategy
(EU) EU/TRIPARTITE SOCIAL SUMMIT/ENTERPRISE: Rainer Plassmann pleads for reinforced co-operation of co-ordination of macro-economic and employment policies
(EU) EU/INFORMATION SOCIETY: EU signs Council of Europe's Convention 180 on notification of national on-line services rules
(EU) EP/EUROMED: Official creation of Joint Parliamentary Assembly - Presidency entrusted to Egyptian Parliament President Fathi Sourour - Arab request to condemn assassination of Sheikh Yassin is rejected
(EU) EU/EIB: EIB helps French aeronautics sector
(EU) EU/ECONOMY: Euro-zone external trade surplus 1.2 bn euro in January extra-EU15 trade 9.5 bn euro in deficit
(EU) UE/SYMPOSIA: conferences and seminars in april 2004
(EU) OECD/ENERGY:
(EU) EU/OECD/POLAND:
(EU) EU/IMF/WORLD BANK:
ECONOMIC INTERPENETRATION
(EU) Investments:
(EU) Privatisation:
(EU) Industry:
(EU) Pharmaceuticals:
(EU) Chemistry:
(EU) Steel:
(EU) Energy:
(EU) Energy:
(EU) Distribution:
(EU) Shipyards:
(EU) Banking:
SUPPLEMENT
“EUROPE”/Documents No. 2365: EU enlargement: European Parliament's position on Bulgaria and Romania (Van Orden and Nicholson reports)
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 24/03/2004: