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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 9158

24 March 2006
Contents Publication in full By article 35 / 40
GENERAL NEWS / (eu) eu/state aid/tansport
Green light to promote Lithuanian maritime sector

Brussels, 23/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday the Commission approved the introduction of a mechanism in Lithuania to refund employers' social insurance contributions in respect of EU seafarers working on vessels carrying the Lithuanian flag. The mechanism allows for the partial or full refund of employers contributions of social insurance payments in respect of seafarers whose wage is higher than 470.9 Euro per month. In any case, this reduction will not exceed the total amount of...

Contents

A LOOK BEHIND THE NEWS
A Look Behind The News, by Ferdinando Riccardi: Euro-Mediterranean relations and “Dialogue of Civilisations” contain positive elements but also cause for concern
THE DAY IN POLITICS
(EU) EU/EP/EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Borrell calls on governments to approve financial perspectives to meet national governments' expectations and not to question balance struck by EP on services - Energy must become essential component of foreign policy, Borrell says, stressing EP's concern for protectionist measures by some Member States
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT: Schüssel “in fighting spirit” and “optimistic” about objectives for final conclusions - Liberal prime ministers sceptic - debate with Zapatero on ETA offer
(EU) EU/EUROPEAN COUNCIL/PROTECTIONISM: Lack of support causes Italy to give up on declaration on protectionism
(EU) EP/SPRING SUMMIT:
(EU) EU/EP/EMPA/PALESTINE:
(EU) COUNCIL OF EUROPE/UKRAINE:
(EU) EP/ITALY/NETHERLANDS: Joint statement from MEPs on comments by Italian Minister Giovanardi on euthanasia
(EU) EU/EP/ENLARGEMENT: Borrell, Barroso, Zapatero and Socrates celebrate 20th anniversary of Spanish and Portuguese accession
(EU) EU/BALKANS: Solana hopes forthcoming Macedonian elections will pass off smoothly and makes plea for stable and multiethnic Kosovo
(EU) EU/SERBIA-MONTENEGRO:
(EU) EP/BELARUS: MEPs call for more support for opposition and “smart sanctions”, Commission assures its full involvement in their preparation - Council will raise situation with Russia: call from MEPs to raise problem at G8 Summit
(EU) EP/AFGHANISTAN/RELIGION:
GENERAL NEWS
(EU) EU/TRIPARTITE SOCIAL SUMMIT: National social partners want to play bigger role in growth and jobs strategy - social dialogue essential to restore citizens' confidence in Europe
(EU) EP/TRADE/WTO: “Hour of truth is nigh”, Pascal Lamy says - United States and G-20 must move but Union must show “proof of flexibility” on agricultural tariffs and sensitive products
(EU) EU/JHA/RUSSIA: Russia is to sign several cooperation agreements with Europol, Eurojust and Frontex - final signature of readmission and visa facilitation agreements by end May 2006
(EU) EU/ASYLUM: Greece again accused of arbitrary practices against asylum seekers - Commission examines compatibility of these practices with Dublin II regulations
(EU) EU/JHA/HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
(EU) EP/COMMISSION PROGRAMME 2007: Presenting his priorities for 2007, Barroso calls on MEPs to reach compromise on financial perspectives
(EU) EP/POVERTY:
(EU) EP/ENERGY: Lively debate at European Parliament on security of supply as prelude to European spring summit
(EU) EU/SOCIAL/ENLARGEMENT: Germany confirms restrictions on free movement of workers from East European countries
(EU) EU/TRIPARTITE SOCIAL SUMMIT: Presentation of European social partners' new work programme for 2006-08
(EU) SPRING SUMMIT/INDUSTRY: Round table appeals against “economic nationalism”
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/POVERTY: President Borrell says will for more equitable society is needed, as well as specific objectives
(EU) EU/ENVIRONMENT/TRADE: European NGOs affirm that EU trade policy is incompatible with social justice, gender equality and sustainable development
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/SOCIAL:
(EU) EU/SPRING SUMMIT/SME:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION:
(EU) EU/COMPETITION: Commitments on media rights to Premier League football made binding
(EU) EU/TRADE: Belgian regulator calls for break-up of some Suez and GDF assets
(EU) EU/STATE AID/TRANSPORT: Commission awaiting clarification from: Nicosia on Cyprus Airways restructuring plan
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission closes inquiry into financing of RTP Portugal
(EU) STATE AID: Green light to different mechanisms for French cinema and audiovisual support
(EU) EU/STATE AID/TANSPORT: Green light to promote Lithuanian maritime sector
(EU) EU/TRANSPORT: Regional aid in Italy to promote combined transport is approved
(EU) EU/STATE AID: Commission calls for abolition of Spanish tax incentive mechanism for foreign investment
(EU) EU/WTO/UNITED STATES: WTO calls on Washington to pre-empt “possible protectionist sentiment”
(EU) EU/FINANCIAL SERVICES:
€ VALUE IN DIFFERENT CURRENCIES ON 23/03/2006: