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EU News Flashes and Events for 96-12-04
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS
[01] European summit promises peace
[02] EU/oil imports
[03] No agreement on Synergy programme
[04] Progress in gas talks
[05] Agreement on Energy Charter Treaty
[06] Debate on renewable energy
[07] Deal on trans-European networks
[08] AHOLD/Central Serveis deal
[09] Cardo/Thyssen rail brakes deal
[10] EU/Belgium/state aid
[11] Van Miert/Thomson
[12] Chirac/Kohl meeting
[13] Chirac/NATO still difficult
[14] Presidency to avoid row at summit
[15] US move to drop WTO grain panel
[16] EU/US/veterinary pact
[17] Presidency three possible deals
[18] EP/Commission handling of BSE
[19] EP/disabled people
[20] Court/EU agreement with India
[21] Main EU events for December 4
[01] European summit promises peace
LISBON - A European security summit ended on Tuesday by promising peace and
cooperation to all in the 21st century, but bitter arguments over the protests
in Serbia and the problems of former Soviet republics spoiled its vision.
[02] EU/oil imports
BRUSSELS - European Union energy ministers said on Tuesday that the Union
would continue to depend heavily on imported oil, adding that "there is an
ongoing need for vigilance in both the short and long term.".
[03] No agreement on Synergy programme
BRUSSELS - European Union energy ministers failed on Tuesday to reach a deal
on the Synergy programme on international cooperation, CO194, due to different
views on the budget.
[04] Progress in gas talks
BRUSSELS - EU energy ministers made progress in talks on Tuesday on opening up
natural gas markets to more competition but remained split on key issues and
agreed that much work remained before a deal could be struck.
[05] Agreement on Energy Charter Treaty
BRUSSELS - The Energy Council reached a political agreement on Tuesday on the
draft decision on the conclusion of the Energy Charter Treaty.
[06] Debate on renewable energy
BRUSSELS - Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said he was encouraged on
Tuesday by support shown for the Commission's proposals in a debate among EU
energy ministers on the use of renewable energy sources.
[07] Deal on trans-European networks
BRUSSELS - European Union energy ministers reached a political agreement on
Tuesday on an updated list of trans-European energy networks which may receive
financial support, adding 31 new gas and electricity projects.
[08] AHOLD/Central Serveis deal
BRUSSELS - The European Commission said on Tuesday it had cleared an operation
under which Dutch company Koninklijke Ahold NV and Central Serveis Ciencies of
Spain will acquire joint control of Spanish retail chain Store 2000 SA.
[09] Cardo/Thyssen rail brakes deal
BRUSSELS - The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday that it had cleared a
joint venture between Cardo AB of Sweden and Thyssen Industrie in the field of
brake systems for rail vehicles.
[10] EU/Belgium/state aid
BRUSSELS - The Belgian government must reclaim 11.4 billion Belgian francs of
illegal state aid it paid to exporting companies, European Union Competition
Commissioner Karel Van Miert said on Tuesday.
[11] Van Miert/Thomson
BRUSSELS - The European Commission is still waiting for France to provide
further information about the recapitalisation of defence and consumer
electronics group Thomson SA, European Competition Commissioner Karel Van
Miert said on Tuesday.
[12] Chirac/Kohl meeting
PARIS - French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl met
for the second time in four days on Tuesday to hammer out joint positions on
the road to a single European currency and reform of the European Union.
[13] Chirac/NATO still difficult
PARIS - French President Jacques Chirac said on Tuesday that essential
problems still had to be solved to give European allies their rightful role in
the NATO alliance.
[14] Presidency to avoid row at summit
BRUSSELS - European Union president Ireland, seeking to avoid a potential row
at next week's summit in Dublin, is set to unveil a draft treaty for the 15-
nation bloc that leaves out the most contentious items.
[15] US move to drop WTO grain panel
BRUSSELS - The European Commission welcomed on Tuesday a decision by the
United States to drop a demand for a World Trade Organisation dispute panel on
European Union grain tariffs.
[16] EU/US/veterinary pact
BRUSSELS - Senior European Commission and U.S. officials discussed on Tuesday
obstacles to an agreement on mutual recognition of veterinary standards.
[17] Presidency three possible deals
BRUSSELS - Agreement is possible this month on veal crates, cereals penalties
and protection of regional foods, according to the Irish EU Presdidenc
[18] EP/Commission handling of BSE
BRUSSELS - The European Parliament, flexing new investigative powers,
interrogated the European Union's farm chief and Britain's chief veterinary
officer on Tuesday to try to determine what went wrong in fighting mad cow
disease.
[19] EP/disabled people
BRUSSELS - Handicapped people face shocking physical and psychological abuse
in the European Union and need legal protection, Euro-MP Mary Banotti told a
news conference in the European Parliament on Tuesday.
[20] Court/EU agreement with India
LUXEMBOURG - The European Court of Justice confirmed on Tuesday the validity
of an agreement designed to promote cooperation between India and the European
Union and said its objective was to establish a framework for cooperation.
[21] Main EU events for December 4
BRUSSELS - European Commission weekly meeting begins at 0800 GMT; Commissioner
Cresson holds news conference on European voluntary service at 1100 GMT;
Commissioners Cresson, Bangemann and Kinnock hold joint news conference on EU
and space at 1120 GMT; Commissioner Bjerregaard holds news conference on
introduction into the EU of furs and products from certain wild animal
species, on ecolabels and on environmental responsibility at 1145 GMT;
Commissioner Flynn holds news conference on current and future role of the
Community in the fight against tobacco consumption at 1215 GMT.
BRUSSELS - European Radical Alliance hearing on employment "Labour: for a new
approach" begins at 0830 GMT.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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