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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8725

15 June 2004
Contents Publication in full By article 19 / 36
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/transport
Council reaches political agreement to strengthen social legislation in road transport sector but again defers adoption of proposal on weekend ban on HGVs

Luxembourg, 14/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The last Transport Council under Irish Presidency ended last Friday in Luxembourg with mixed results. The Presidency managed to reach a political agreement on two fundamental proposals of directive in the maritime sector, one aimed at imposing penalties for maritime pollution and the other aimed at strengthening security in European ports (EUROPE of 12 June, p.8 and 9). The Council also reached a political agreement on two proposals the aim of which...

Contents

THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EUCONSTITUTION: Progress and compromise (especially on extending qualified majority), but no partial agreements before European Council - Presidency to present new compromise text soon
(EU) DEFENCE: Joint action on European Weapons Agency
(EU) IRAQ: Patten/Solana strategy
(EU) EU/ASEM: Cancellation of ministerials
(EU) EU/CUBA: Council confirms common position of EU and its concerns about human rights violations in Cuba
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS: Lower turnout and arrival of large group of opponents to European construction paves way to uncertain parliament
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/PES: Poul Nyrup Rasmussen sees "dynamic situation" developing with possible formation of "new centrist group" - Enrique Baron refuses to speculate on Schulz presidency of PES group
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/EPP-ED: Martens asserts they will remain biggest group even if twenty or so "dissidents" have left them - EPP to attempt to present candidate from its group for presidency of European Commission
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/ELDR: Graham Watson to meet Romano Prodi and François Bayrou in next few days - Not looking for "numbers", but pro-European political force (not excluding alliance with EPP)
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/GREENS: Greens hope to extend group and are open to co-operation with others, says Pierre Jonckheer (who is interested in idea of new centre grouping) - Bert Staes wants to bolster Greens in new Member States
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/GUE/NGL: Helmuth Markov hopes Europe will go "a bit further to the left"
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/EDD: Mr Bonde hopes to work with Mr van Buitenen
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/COMMISSION: Mr Leinen and Mr Nassauer ask for 2009 candidate for Commission Presidency to be presented before elections
(EU) EU/COMMISSION: Tony Blair may support Antonio Vitorino - Costas Simitis and Bertie Ahern to stand?
(EU) EP/ELECTIONS/CONSTITUTION/UNITED KINGDOM:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/MERCOSUR: Free trade negotiations continue this week, despite lack of progress last week on public procurement
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Member States get extra month for simplified area aid
(EU) EU/INDUSTRY:
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: Council reaches political agreement to strengthen social legislation in road transport sector but again defers adoption of proposal on weekend ban on HGVs
(EU) EU/USA/AGRICULTURE: "Wine" negotiations experience difficulties
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: ICES requests fishing reduction for deep sea species
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Action plan on organic farming development welcomed by COPA and COGECA
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: € 10.7 million support for promotion of products
(EU) EU/ENERGY: Commission go-ahead to construction of new Finnish nuclear power plant (first in EU for over a decade)
(EU) EU/EIB: EUR 100 million support for regional Middle East gas pipeline
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: European Commission provides financial backing via EIB to Galaxy, a European fund for transport infrastructure
(EU) EU/EIB: EIB provides global loans of EUR 90 million for small and medium scale investments in Czech Republic
(EU) EU/EESC: Tourism at centre of 6th round table
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Virgin Express files complaint against Alitalia for predatory pricing
(EU) EU/ECB: Decisions taken after enlargement
(EU) EU/WORLD BANK/KOSOVO: World Bank report calls for more reforms more rapidly
(EU) EU/COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS/JUNE PLENARY: Inauguration of new members - Dutch Presidency's priorities - Commissioners Barrot and Balazs attend
(EU) EU/AUDIOVISUALS: Towards finalisation of international Treaty on protection of broadcasters' rights
(EU) EU/EUROSTAT:
WEEKLY SUPPLEMENT
European Library: No. 602
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 14/06/2004: