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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8843

8 December 2004
Contents Publication in full By article 17 / 38
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/ecofin council
Debate on excise rates for alcoholic drinks focuses on zero minimum rate for wine

Brussels, 07/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - Re-kindling the debate on excise rates applicable to alcohol - such is the wish expressed by the Commission which, represented by Laszlo Kovacs, presented its May 2004 report to Council Tuesday on excise rates applicable to alcohol and alcoholic beverages (EUROPE of 28 May). The Taxation Commissioner acknowledged that, in this field, "there is still a great deal to be done".

The report is the second since adoption of the Community legislation in this...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
A Look Behind The News, by Ferdinando Riccardi: A few essential parameters of the EU's attitude towards its trade and economic relationship with third countries
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/TURKEY: Presidency proposes amendments to conclusions on Turkey (including reference to torture) but leaves most sensitive issues for European Council
(EU) EP/TURKEY: "no" to Ankara on 17 December would upset reform process but real work begins on 18 December affirms Borrell
(EU) EP/TURKEY:
(EU) PE/CONSTITUTION: Jan Zahradi campaigning against constitution
(EU) EU/SUDAN: Louis Michel calls on SPLM/A leader to sign global peace agreement before end of year to allow relaunch of EU-Sudan cooperation
(EU) EU/KOSOVO: Solana calls on new provisional government to implement standards and protection of minorities
(EU) EU/HUNGARY:
(EU) EU/RUSSIA:
(EU) EU/DEFENCE: Luxembourg to contribute to EU's civil and military capabilities for allowing intervention in strategic zones to ensure security, where necessary
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/EUROGROUP: Call to large economies to brake rise of euro - Commission decision on French and German financial deficits next week
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Confirmation that views differ on 2007-2013 financial perspectives - future Luxembourg Presidency undertakes to do everything it can to reach agreement in June 2005
(EU) EU/ECOFIN/ITALY: Joaquin Almunia worried by Italy's past deficit figures - Differences of opinion on figures for 2004 and 2005
(EU) EU/ECOFIN: Shared responsibility for Greek statistics
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Political agreement on extending scope of Merger Directive
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: No agreement reached on VAT for provision of services
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Debate on excise rates for alcoholic drinks focuses on zero minimum rate for wine
(EU) EU/EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL/SOCIAL: Political agreement on minimum health rules for workers exposed to optical rays
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Progress in the field of financial services
(EU) EU/ECOFIN COUNCIL: Consensus on including terrorism financing in money laundering directive
(EU) EU/FOOD/HEALTH COUNCIL/CONSUMERS: Council agrees on guidelines for Luxembourg Presidency to continue work on proposals for nutritive and health claims
(EU) EU/JHA COUNCIL: European Fund for Refugees adopted for 2005-2010
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: IUPT wants more money for public transport
(EU) EU/EUROPOL/AUSTRALIA:
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES:
(EU) EU/WTO: Pascal Lamy, EU's candidate for post of WTO director general
(EU) EU/TRADE/USA: both sides want dialogue but don't rule out WTO panel In Airbus/Boeing saga
(EU) EU/NEIGBOURHOOD: Commission will adopt seven initial action plans on Thursday including Ukraine's
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Commission proposes unchanged potato starch production quotas for next two years
(EU) EP/COLOMBIA/MINERS:
(EU) EP/GREENS/EFA/TERRORISM:
(EU) EP/JHA: EP in favour of biometric passports, although many vote against
(EU) EP/ALBANIA: Far more progress is needed for closer EU integration
(EU) EU/EIB: global loan of EUR 20 million to support small and medium-sized investment in Czech Republic
(EU) EU/INFORMATION SOCIETY: Presentation of 2004 report on regulation and European electronic communications market
(EU) EU/TAXATION:
(EU) EU/INTERNAL MARKET: CEPLIS conference looks at dovetailing between future "Services" and "Recognition of Professional Qualifications" directive
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 07/12/2004: