archnewsmar07

EU relaunches stalled membership talks with Turkey, 30 March 2007

The EU relaunched membership talks with Turkey on Thursday, ending a long hiatus caused by Ankara's refusal to respect its trade obligations to Cyprus.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Turkey/eu-turkey.36

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EU agrees to simplify payments rules, 30 March 2007

EU finance ministers unanimously backed plans on Tuesday to create a single European retail payments market to drive down costs to consumers through tougher competition.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Consumer/eu-payments.13

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Finance ministers agree deal on bank merger rules, 30 March 2007

Finance ministers also backed plans to curb the powers of national banking regulators to block mergers in the sector, which have come under fire over concerns about protectionism.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/bank-mergers.39

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EU tells Poland, Czech Republic to cut emissions quotas, 30 March 2007

The Commission on Monday told Poland and the Czech Republic to slash greenhouse gas emissions quotas on their energy intensive industries, but accepted French plans.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/emissions.9

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Spain, Poland, Italy get best catches from fish fund, 30 March 2007

Spain, Poland and Italy reeled in the best catches from the 3.8-billion-euro European Fisheries Fund for 2007-2013.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Fisheries/fisheries-fund.35

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Greece presses demand for one-euro notes, EU Business Week, 30 March 2007

Greece has urged the European Central Bank to replace one and two-euro coins with notes as a measure to curb inflation in the eurozone.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Euro/greece-euro.88

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Environment

1.9 billion euro for the environment in Europe , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

Under the chairmanship of Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, in Brussels yesterday the Conciliation Committee of the European Parliament and the Council achieved agreement on the EU environmental funding programme LIFE+. "I am delighted that together we have succeeded in reaching LIFE+agreement on LIFE+. The result is a major gain for European environmental protection and nature conservation," said Federal Environment Minister Gabriel at the end of the negotiations.

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Economic and Financial Affairs

Payment Services Directive adopted , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

On Tuesday the 27 European finance ministers, meeting in Brussels, agreed on the text of the Payment Services Directive. Now nothing more stands in the way of the Directive being passed by the European Parliament (EP) in April. The adoption of the Payment Services Directive is a prerequisite for the creation of a Single Euro Payments Area and new pan-European payment products (standard European credit transfer, known as European direct debt, in short: SEPA products). The Directive creates equal legal conditions for payments in the European Union. The consequence is that every cross-border payment in the EU can be treated as a domestic payment. This brings benefits not only for the providers of payment services, but for the customer as well.

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Agriculture and Fisheries

Seehofer: Labelling can improve animal welfare , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

This is the conclusion of the animal welfare conference held today in Brussels within the course of the German Council Presidency and in cooperation with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the EU Commission. The conference started an open discussion with the operators in the food chain, consumer and animal welfare associations and representatives of the scientific community and authorities. Already existing and well-known labelling systems, e.g. for the labelling of eggs and organic farming methods were presented at the conference and their pros and cons were discussed.

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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs

On 19th and 20th April 2007, the EU Health Ministers will be coming together for their Informal Meeting in Aachen , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

The Federal Minister of Health, Ulla Schmidt, will be presiding over the exchange of opinion among the 27 Health Ministers of the European Union's Member States as well as the three candidates for accession (Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) the EU Commissioner Markos Kyprianou and two Members of the European Parliament. A total of some 200 participants are expected to attend. One of the main areas of emphasis of these consultations will be the access of Europe's citizens to high-quality and efficient health care services within the European Union. Furthermore, in Aachen, the EU Ministers of Health will have an opportunity to discuss the priorities of the German Council Presidency as well as other health policy topics.

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General Affairs and External Relations

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the signing of the border treaty between the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation on 27 March 2007 , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

On 27 March 2007, the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Russian Federation signed a border treaty in Moscow following negotiations. On behalf of the European Union the Presidency welcomes the signing of this treaty. It is a sign of the increasing confidence between Latvia and Russia and a contribution to the deepening of a partnership between the EU and the Russian Federation based on trust. The European Union looks forward to early ratification of the treaty. The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia? and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.

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First meeting of the European Union Troika Foreign Ministers with the five Central Asian states , EU Trade News, 29 March 2007

On 27 and 28 March 2007, in the Kazakh capital Astana, the European Union Troika met at foreign minister level with the Central Asian states for a regional dialogue, thus entering a new era of EU-Central Asia relations. The German EU Council Presidency has been tasked by its European partners to draw up guidelines for enhanced cooperation with the Central Asian states ("EU Strategy on Central Asia") by the middle of this year.

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General Affairs and External Relations

Who is Who , EU Trade News, 28 March 2007

The Who is Who of the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers ("Gymnich") is now available on www.eu2007.de.

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Federal Minister Steinmeier invites children to the "Europa Kinderland" workshop in Bremen , EU Trade News, 28 March 2007

On the occasion of the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Bremen (30 - 31 March), 54 children from all 27 EU Member States will gather there to take part in a week-long workshop entitled "Europa Kinderland" (Europe, Land of Children).At the invitation of Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier the 9 - 10-year-old children will discover Europe for themselves in a joint project: The starting point is the song entitled "Kleine Europäer / Europa Kinderland" (Little Europeans / Europe, Land of Children).

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General Affairs and External Relations

EU Presidency Statement on the submission today to the UN Security Council , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

The Secretary-General of the United Nations submitted today to the UN Security Council the proposal for a Kosovo status settlement drawn up by Martti Ahtisaari, the UN Special Envoy for the Future Status Process for Kosovo. The Presidency of the European Union strongly supports the proposal put forward by the former President of Finland. His proposal for a Kosovo status settlement is designed to foster the building of a multi-ethnic, democratic society in Kosovo based on the rule of law.

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Europe is our common future , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

In bright sunshine the Berlin Declaration was adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the European Union on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of its founding. Besides recalling the EU's achievements, the document identifies the EU's future goals as well as the challenges it faces: safeguarding the European way of life and assuming global responsibility.As Chancellor Angela Merkel noted in the very personal speech she made at the ceremony, "Fifty years of the Treaties of Rome - that means for me, to put it in a nutshell, a dream has come true." The dream of peace and prosperity could come true because - after devastation and destruction - the Europeans had let themselves be guided by the quality that is their most important attribute: tolerance.e Eigenschaft besonnen haben: die Toleranz.

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Accreditation for the "EU-Russian Federation Summit" (18 May 2007) in Samara, Russia, is possible from 30 March to 5 April , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

Venue: Samara/Russia, Date: 18 May 2007, Media advisory: On 30 March 2007 an invitation to apply for accreditation for the EU-Russia Summit will be posted on the Kremlin website at www.kremlin.ru. Journalists can apply for accreditation there from 30 March to 5 April 2007. To apply, the following information is required: name, date and place of birth, passport number as well as the date of issue and expiry and details of your medium as well as whether you require a hotel booking in Samara. Please note that persons with accreditation do not require an invitation to obtain a visa. Visa applications should be sent to the Russian embassy in your home country.

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Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

Massive human suffering was brought to the African continent by the trans-atlantic slave trade. Over a period of more than 300 years, millions of men, women and children were shipped to the Americas. Millions more died in the slave hunts in Africa and during what has been called the "Middle Passage" to destinations in the New World of the Americas. The European Union acknowledges and profoundly regrets their tragic plight .

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"Research and Development for Civil Society" - Speech by the Acting President of the Council of the European Union and Federal Minister of Education and Research Dr. Annette Schavan , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

Vice-President Verheugen, Vice-President Frattini,Professor Buzek, Mr. Fagerlund, Ladies and Gentlemen,The Treaty establishing the European Economic Community was signed fifty years ago yesterday. The preamble to the Treaty states that the signatories are: "Resolved by [.] pooling their resources to preserve and strengthen peace and liberty." The desire for peace and security was certainly one of the main motives for European unity. Europe has brought us security and freedom. Security and freedom go hand-in-hand. The great scholar Wilhelm von Humboldt once said: "Without security man is neither able to develop his strengths nor to enjoy the fruits thereof; for there is no freedom without security." 1 It is essential to preserve this freedom.

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others

Information paper , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

Informationen about the Informal Meeting Humanitarian Aid Committee can be download at www.eu2007.de

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Economic and Financial Affairs

Organisational Information , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

The organisational and technical information of the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Economics and Finance is now available on www.eu2007.de.

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Education, Youth and Culture

German Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan: "Research for Securing Citizens' Freedom" , EU Trade News, 27 March 2007

The development of civil security technologies is now a priority of research support in the European Union: The EU has earmarked a total of 1.4 billion euro for civil security research in the period 2007 to 2013. Security research is now firmly anchored in the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme. "In our technology-driven world, research for civil security is becoming increasingly important for securing the freedom of citizens in Europe", said the German Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan in Berlin on Monday, when she opened the European Security Research Conference together with the EU Commissioners Günter Verheugen (Enterprise and Industry) and Franco Frattini (Justice, Freedom and Security). "We must protect against the hazards of terrorism, crime and natural disasters and at the same time consolidate freedom and the rule of law", Schavan added.

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General Affairs and External Relations

Europe is turning 50: Article by Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

On 25 March, the European Union is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The EU's 50th birthday gives us Europeans the opportunity to look back on this unprecedented success story. Together we can be proud of what the people in Europe have achieved in the last 50 years. And that is why 25 March is also a day of confidence for Europe.

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Celebrating Europe , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

The European Union is turning 50 - a reason for real celebration. For the signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957 was the start of an unprecedented success story. As President of the European Council, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited all the Heads of State and Government of the other 26 EU Member States, the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso to Berlin for the occasion. On Saturday afternoon they will all arrive in Berlin. A city that symbolizes like no other the healing of the division of the European continent. As the Chancellor emphasized in her weekly video message published today, "we have succeeded in overcoming the division of the Cold War and we have succeeded in bringing together almost the whole of Europe in the European Union."

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Congratulations Europe! , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

The celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome have begun.With the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March 1957, the foundation stone for the European Union was laid. The Heads of State and Government of all 27 Member States have gathered here today in Berlin to celebrate the occasion. This morning they adopted the Berlin Declaration. This weekend the German capital is Europe's focal point and the central venue for the celebrations.

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EU Presidency Statement on the detention of British seamen by Iran , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union calls upon the Iranian Government to immediately release the 15 British seamen detained yesterday. It is consulting closely in this matter with the Government of the United Kingdom. The German Ambassador in Tehran has made a demarche vis-à-vis the Iranian Government in the same vein.

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" A stronger Europe for a successful globalization" speech by José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission at the official ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

Sehr geehrte Frau Ratspräsidentin, liebe Angela Merkel, Exzellenzen,wir feiern heute ein halbes Jahrhundert europäische Einigung. Wir haben allen Grund, uns darüber zu freuen. Wir tun dies in Berlin, der Hauptstadt des vereinten Deutschland. Von Anfang an war Deutschland ein verlässliches und treibendes Mitglied dieses vereinten Europas. Die Europäische Union von heute - unser erweitertes Europa - gäbe es nicht ohne das Engagement und die Solidarität Deutschlands.

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Speech by Dr Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and President of the European Council, at the official ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

Presidents, Prime Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Today we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The venue of our celebrations today could hardly be more symbolic. For we are celebrating in Berlin. A city that until 18 years ago was divided by a Wall, by barbed wire, by soldiers with orders to shoot. In which people paid with their lives for seeking to escape to freedom.I grew up east of this city, in the German Democratic Republic. When the Treaties of Rome were concluded I was just three years old. I was seven years old when the Wall was built. It divided also my own family. I did not believe I would ever be able to travel to the West until I was a pensioner. Only a few metres from here was the point where any walk I took would be at an end. But then the Wall collapsed after all. That was a defining moment for me: I realized that nothing ever has to stay the way it is.

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50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome: Berlin Declaration signed today , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

At the official ceremony in the German Historical Museum in Berlin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel as President of the European Council, President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso today signed the so-called "Berlin Declaration".

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Berlin Declaration , EU Trade News, 26 March 2007

You can download the text of the Berlin Declaration in all official languages of the European Union.

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General Affairs and External Relations

EU Presidency Statement on the situation in Somalia , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

The Presidency of the European Union views with grave concern the recent fighting in Mogadishu. It condemns the presumed shooting down of a plane and calls on all parties to end the fighting immediately. The Presidency of the European Union welcomes the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement between the Ethiopian Army and the Hawiye Clan on 22 March in Mogadishu and sees this as an important step towards a permanent cessation of hostilities.

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Speech given by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the debate marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 22 March 2007 in the German Bundestag , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

Mr President, The message is loud and clear, here in the Bundestag, too: Europe is turning 50. We have talked about it a great deal in the last few weeks. Now the event is upon us. In just a few days, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, and today's debate is rightly dedicated to this occasion. Why is this date so special? Let us take a look back.In 1957, Europe had two devastating wars behind it. People were still clearing the rubble from the last conflict.

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EU Presidency Statement on the violent clashes in Kinshasa (Congo), EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

The Presidency of the European Union views with grave concern the recent outbreak of violence in Kinshasa. Since yesterday afternoon (22 March) violent clashes have occurred in several parts of the city.The Presidency strongly appeals to all parties to end the fighting immediately and refrain from any action that could lead to a further escalation of the situation. The suffering of the civilian population must not be allowed to continue.

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European Union Troika travels to Central Asia , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

The European Union Troika will be travelling to the Kazakh capital Astana next week (27 and 28 March) for talks with the Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian states. The German Presidency has been asked by its European partners to draw up an EU strategy on Central Asia by the middle of this year. The aim is to consult with the Central Asian Foreign Ministers in Astana in order to identify areas where there is interest in enhanced cooperation. In addition to this, regional and current international issues will be discussed at the consultations, the first to take place at Foreign Minister level. Central Asia is of growing strategic importance to Europe. Historically and culturally the region has close relations with the European continent and it is also the link between Europe and Asia.

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EU Presidency statement in advance of the March 25 demonstrations in Minsk , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

The Presidency of the European Union is deeply concerned by ongoing intimidation by the authorities of Belarus toward NGO activists, political party leaders and young people in advance of a planned peaceful demonstration in Minsk on March 25. We urge the Government of Belarus to allow its citizens to exercise their right to assemble peacefully and express their views without harassment or interference.

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Economic and Financial Affairs

A quality agenda for fiscal policy - Speech by the Federal Minister of Finance Peer Steinbrück , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

Joaquin Almunia,Ladies and gentlemen, I, too, wish to extend my warmest welcome to you today to the Federal Ministry of Finance for this joint conference together with the Centre of European Economic Research as part of our presidency of the EU.

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European Council

Peace and democracy should not be taken for granted , EU Trade News, 24 March 2007

In this interview with the "Bild", Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks about European achievements and the social advantages offered by the European Union. She also advocates establishing a European army.

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EU hopes for deal on mobile phone roaming rates end June, EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

EU telecoms ministers reached broad agreement on trimming the high cost of using mobile phones abroad Thursday, raising hopes for a "roaming fees" deal to be sealed by the end of June.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Telecoms/eu-roaming.2

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EU fails to ease Russian concerns on Polish food exports, EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

Despite months of efforts, the EU has failed to allay Moscow's concerns about the safety of Polish food exports.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Food/poland-food.16

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EU proposes lifting diesel taxes to avoid 'tank tourism', EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

The Commission is proposing to lift minimum diesel taxes to discourage hauliers from tanking up in EU countries with the lowest rates.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Transport/diesel-taxes.37

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British Airways loses antitrust appeal in EU court, EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

British Airways has lost its appeal against an EU court decision to fine the company EUR 6.8 million for abusing its dominant market position in Britain.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Competition/ba-court.92

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EU warns against further delays to Galileo system, EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

The Commission says it will examine new ways to complete the Galileo satellite navigation system after the project stalled amid doubts about profitability.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Telecoms/eu-galileo.93

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Irish lead European binge-drinking league, EU Business Week, 16 March 2007

One in 10 Europeans confesses to regular binge-drinking, according to a Eurobarometer study published on Wednesday.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Social/binge-drinking.47

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EU summit breaks off without climate agreement, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

European Union leaders broke off talks late Thursday with no final agreement on an ambitious action plan to fight climate change.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/eu-summit.5

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Spain given week to drop restrictions on E.ON Endesa bid, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

The Commission has given Spain a week to drop restrictions on a bid by German energy group E.ON for Spanish power company Endesa.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Competition/eon-endesa.08

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Microsoft licenses technology under EU antitrust mandate, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

Microsoft has announced its first software licensing deal under a program mandated by a 2004 EC anti-trust ruling.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Competition/microsoft-eu.85

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India sees quick solution to alcohol row with EU, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

India expects a quick solution to a major row with the EU and the United States over alcohol duties ranging as high as 550 per cent.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Trade/india-wto.16

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Ex-communist EU newcomers embrace nuclear power, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

Former communist newcomers to the Union have openly embraced nuclear energy and are actively developing the sector.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Energy/nuclear-eu.0

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European women better educated, worse paid than men, EU Business Week, 9 March 2007

Women are filling most new EU jobs but still face barriers to equality with male counterparts, not least where pay is concerned.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Employment/gender-equality-eu.06

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EC commits Euro 8 million for implementing EU-India Joint Action Plan, New Delhi, 2 March

The Head of Delegation of the European Commission to India, Bhutan and Nepal, Ambassador Francisco da Câmara Gomes and India's Joint Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Mr. Kumar Sanjay Krishna signed the Financing Agreement for the EU-India Action Plan Support Facility Programme (APSF) here today.

The European Commission is committing Euro 8 million for the APSF which has been designed to implement the Joint Action Plan endorsed at the EU-India Summit of September 2005 in the framework of the EU-India Strategic Partnership adopted in November 2004. The Strategic Partnership acknowledged India as one of the world's most important international actors along with the US, China, Canada and Russia.

"The EU-India Action Plan Support Facility Programme is a decisive instrument for providing a prompt and immediate support to sector policy dialogues between the EU and the Government of India and taking action in the main priority areas identified by the Joint Action Plan," said Ambassador Francisco da Câmara Gomes.

The APSF will provide support to policy dialogues in the key sectors of environment (e.g. waste, climate change), energy (e.g. clean technologies, energy efficiency and renewable energies), education (Contemporary Study Centres), employment, labour issues and social policy (e.g. skills, training and employment issues), industry policy and business co-operation (e.g. investment opportunities, industrial standards, etc.).

APSF main activities include joint sector studies and research works, seminars and workshops, needs assessments, advice and technical assistance (capacity building), study tours and exposure visits. The APSF also includes specific actions for promoting the development of Contemporary Study Centres on both sides and supporting cultural exchanges.

The APSF is going to be implemented over a period of 4 years, laying the foundation for further possible actions foreseen under the next programming period of EU-India Co-operation.

Contact: Sylvain MANISSIER, E C Delegation in New Delhi, Tel: +91.11 24629237
Website: www.delind.ec.europa.eu