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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 8947

14 May 2005
Contents Publication in full By article 17 / 37
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/taxation
Proposed overall compromise of Luxembourg Presidency on reduced VAT rates seeks “equilibrium”

Brussels, 13/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - In April, the Luxembourg Presidency made a proposed overall compromise on the sensitive dossier on reduced rates of value-added tax (VAT). Its objective is to find a “point of equilibrium” between the Commission's proposal of July 2003 (see EUROPE 8506), the extra demands voiced by various delegations, the requirements of equivalent treatment for the new Member States and the restrictive positions defended by other Member States. The Luxembourg...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
A Look Behind The News, by Ferdinando Riccardi: Positive changes for transport infrastructure and reduced VAT
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THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EP/COMMISSION: joint statement by leaders of four main political groups at EP opposing motion of censure
(EU) EU/CYPRUS: EU 'came to Cyprus 'to contribute to facilitating contacts and dialogue between the two communities'
(EU) EP/BURMA: Call for boycott of ASEAN if Burma becomes chair in 2006
(EU) EP/KYRGYZSTAN: EP supports transition to democracy but remains cautious ahead of 10 July presidential elections
(EU) EP/NORTHERN IRELAND: McCartney sisters in Strasbourg welcome adoption of EP resolution - Sinn Fein MEPs explain why they abstained
(EU) EU/EXTERNAL RELATIONS: EP wants control over European Diplomatic Service
(EU) EP/SMALL ARMS: EP takes stance in favour of binding international treaty - Schmit believes one should also tackle problem of munitions - Most light weapons in Africa come from EU, Michel asserts
(EU) EP/TOGO: EP denounces “serious irregularities” marring presidential elections of 24 April with implicit criticism of France
(EU) COUNCIL OF EUROPE: 46 seek to improve European architecture - Warsaw summit to redefine Council of Europe mandate
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/WTO/TRADE: Commission welcomes Pascal Lamy's appointment as next Director General of WTO
(EU) EU/UNITED STATES: Commission to adopt communication next week on boosting partnership with Washington
(EU) EU/EUROGROUP: Growth differential between Member States is serious problem, says Jean-Claude Juncker
(EU) EU/INTERNAL MARKET: Commission's second consultation of interested parties on rights of shareholders in companies quoted on stock exchange
(EU) EU/ECONOMY: Growth of 0.5% in first quarter of 2005
(EU) EU/TAXATION: Proposed overall compromise of Luxembourg Presidency on reduced VAT rates seeks “equilibrium”
(EU) EU/HOME AFFAIRS: G5 consider idea of European force to police external borders
(EU) EU/NUCLEAR SAFETY: Commission announces further EUR 49 million for Chernobyl Shelter Fund
(EU) EU/INDIA:
(EU) EU/COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL:
(EU) EU/ROMANIA: Neelie Kroes advocates accelerated competition reform to avoid postponing accession till 2008
(EU) EU/COURT OF JUSTICE: Judgement against Greece for failing to demand repayment of aid granted to Olympic Airways but considered illegal
(EU) EU/CULTURE: In Cannes, ministers and professionals of film sector discuss diffusion of audiovisual works through new channels
(EU) EU/AGRICULTURE: Conference on sustainable agriculture (17 May)
(EU) EP/CLIMATE: Parliament calls on EU to play principal role in Bonn (16-17 May) to pave way for ambitious commitments post-2012
(EU) EP/COMMUNICATION: EP insists on a clear, objective, more professional and decentralised message - parliamentary TV channel is under study
(EU) EP/TRADE/DOHA ROUND: Parliament calls for liberalisation of services of general interest to be approached with caution
(EU) EP/SOLIDARITY FUND: Resolutions on severe drought and frosts in Spain
(EU) EP/MENTAL HEALTH: Berlinguer and Musacchio call for 'Europe without mental hospitals'
(EU) EP/OMBUDSMAN: Unprecedented rise of complaints in 2004
(EU) EU/IMMIGRATION: Council of Europe adopts guidelines on expulsions before relevant European Commission proposal end June
(EU) EU/WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE: Reaction to EP decision to gradually scrap opt-out provision
(EU) EU/SOCIAL AFFAIRS: ETUC reservations about directive on cross-border mergers of companies with share capital
(EU) EU/SOCIAL AFFAIRS/TRANSPORT: Trade unions call for social dialogue for railways
TIMETABLE
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€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 13/05/2005: