Brussels, 30/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The traditional start of the year working meeting between the European Commission and the new Presidency of the Council of the EU will be held in Vienna on 9 January (see EUROPE 9097 on schedule of meetings under Austrian Presidency in first six months of 2006, and 9099 on recent statements by upcoming President of the Council, Ursula Plassnik). The first weekly meeting of the European Commission in 2006 will be held in Brussels on 11 January. Issues on the agenda for the first College of Commissioners meeting include:
EMU. The Commission may decide to start proceedings against the UK because the budget deficit exceeded the 3% GDP reference point in 2004 and 2005 (see EUROPE 9032). Although the UK is not a member of the eurozone, it must make efforts to keep its budget deficit down, but no real sanctions can be applied if it fails to do so. The Commission will also give its views on the stability or convergence programmes of 6 Member States, namely Finland, Denmark, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
GMOs. The Commission is expected to give the go-ahead to the marketing of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L hybrid MON 863 x MON 810) to resist root eating beetles and Lepidoptera parasites. The Commission is also expected to authorise the marketing of food ingredients made from MON 863 genetically modified maize (see EUROPE 9055 on absence of qualified majority either way during Council vote).