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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8891

18 February 2005
Contents Publication in full By article 27 / 49
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/competition

17/02/2005 (Agence Europe) -The European Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of Italian company FinecoVita SpA by CNP Assurances SA of France and FinecoGroup SpA of Italy. FinecoVita is active in life insurance products and CNP is principally active in the life insurance sector in France but not in Italy. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
A Look Behind The News, by Ferdinando Riccardi: World agricultural trade: a few good ideas making their way
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES: EU recommends pragmatic approach (“What can we do together?”) to strengthen transatlantic relations - Hope for more active involvement by Washington on Iranian problem - Practical arrangements and agenda of Bush's visit
(EU) EU/USA: Javier Solana wants to use new Trans-Atlantic atmosphere “correctly”
(EU) EP/COMMISSION: Socialist group criticises 2005 legislative programme
(EU) EP/COMMISSION/PORTUGUESE ELECTIONS:
(EU) EU/EPP/UKRAINE:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT: Guy Verhofstadt proposes Community strategy for growth of European economy
(EU) EU/EUROGROUP: Optimism on reform of Pact a must - Presidency to make proposal for resolution at next Eurogroup
(EU) EU/ECOFIN/GREECE: Council warns Greece to reduce its excessive deficit by 2006 at the latest
(EU) EU/ECOFIN/GREECE: Kerosene tax discussions
(EU) EU/ECOFIN/LAUNDERING: Common position on controlling liquidity
(EU) EU/ECOFIN: Ministers ratify multi-annual programmes for eleven Member States and begin preparations for next European Council - Lorenzo Bini Smaghi to join ECB directorate
(EU) EU/ECOFIN: Political agreement on extending field of mergers directive
(EU) EU/TRADE:
(EU) EU/CYPRUS: Council approves extension of north-south trade
(EU) EU/COMPETITION/ENERGY: Removal of restrictive anti-competitive clauses in gas contracts between OMV and Gazprom prompts Commission to close inquiry - Investigations into Gazprom, Sonatrach and German, Italian and Spanish operators continue
(EU) EU/SPACE: “Nobody wants to go it alone” with space policy, says Commissioner Verheugen at international conference on space cooperation - Commission wants to put 2nd Space Council back to June at earliest
(EU) EP/TRANSPORT: Towards 2nd reading agreement on sanctions for marine pollution
(EU) EP/SOFTWARE PATENTS: Conference of Presidents calls on EP to again look at draft directive on computer-implemented inventions - Greens attack Microsoft
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: Further to Capgemini affair, hearing scheduled for 18 February is cancelled
(EU) EU/JHA:
(EU) EP/INTERIOR MARKET/ITALY:
(EU) EU/TAXATION: László Kovács and Hans Eichel think tax regimes should comply with Lisbon objectives
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Green light for German state aid system to shipyards
(EU) EU/COMPETITION:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION:
(EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES:
(EU) EU/BSE: seven new rapid BSE screening tests
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Commission report shows sharp increase in sales of African bananas in Europe
(EU) EP/FISHERIES: EP debate on bycatch reduction
(EU) EU/FISHERIES: Ban on trawling in Polish waters
(EU) Eu/fisheries: Regulation on fishing of Madagascar
(EU) EU/UNIONS/CHEMICAL PRODUCTS:
(EU) EU/TRADE UNIONS/FINANCE: John Monks calls on finance ministers to reconsider Stability Pact in sense of reconciliation between “Maastricht” and “Lisbon”
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: European Disability Forum welcomes new measures proposed for improving rights of air passengers with disabilities
(EU) EU/SOCIAL/LISBON:
(EU) EP/GREENS/UNITED STATES: Jeremy Rifkind sings praises of “European Dream” compared to “American Dream” which has lost its force - response from Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Maria Joao Rodrigues, Pascal Lamy and Martine Aubry
ECONOMIC INTERPENETRATION
(EU) Investments:
(EU) Privatisation:
(EU) Banks:
(EU) Telecommunications:
(EU) Telecommunications:
(EU) BTP:
(EU) Agro-food:
(EU) Agro-food:
(EU) Pneumatics:
(EU) Postal services:
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 17/02/2005: