Amazon deforestation increased by 28% between August 2012 and July 2013. Brazil’s Environment Minister, Izabella Teixeira, said the government is trying to reverse this “crime” – much like the ruling party has tried to reverse charges against politicians and businessmen convicted in the nation’s biggest corruption trial. Jose Dirceu, Chief of Staff to former President, […]
Best Supporting Actor, Almunia Adopts New Film Rules
European Commission Vice-President, Joaquín Almunia, has adopted revised criteria for EU state aid in favour of films and other audio-visual works. The new Cinema Communication allows aid for a wider scope of activities, highlights Member States’ discretion in defining cultural activities worthy of support, introduces the possibility to give more aid to cross-border productions and promotes film […]
‘Spain! Get With The Programme!’ Says Commission
Olli Rehn sent Spain to the naughty step, again. For the first time, the European Commission has issued opinions on euro area Member States’ Draft Budgetary Plans, which from this year must be submitted to the Commission by 15 October, at the same time as draft budgets are sent to national parliaments. Presenting a major package […]
Rehn Cashes In On Luck Of The Irish
Speaking after the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, Wednesday, Vice-President, Olli Rehn, was more than upbeat, congratulating: “Ireland and Spain, the Irish and the Spanish people, for the decisions of today. Ireland’s decision to exit the programme without a precautionary credit facility is very important. I know the Irish Government reflected very carefully on this matter. […]
The Mother of All Budgets. Budget Committee Approves MFF…
The Mother of All Budgets is inching towards the maternity suite. Parliament’s Budgets Committee has approved the EU’s long-term budget (Multi-annual Financial Framework – MFF) for 2014-2020 and the deal struck in this week’s negotiations on the budget for 2014, the first year under the new MFF. Parliament’s final votes on these budgets are scheduled […]
EU Industrial Production Down On The Month, Up On The Year
In September 2013 compared with August 2013, seasonally adjusted industrial production1 fell by 0.5% in the euro area2 (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU282, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In August3 industrial production increased by 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. In September 2013 compared with September 20124, industrial production rose by 1.1% in the euro area and […]
EU Budget 2014 – “Deal”. Parliament and Council Get It Together…
After negotiating through the night, Parliament and Council struck a deal on the EU budget for 2014, which also provides for remedying payments shortfalls in in the current fiscal year. MEPs ensured that victims of catastrophic flooding and drought in 2013 will be compensated, and that its priorities for 2014 in areas such as employment, […]
TTIP Negotiations. Round Two. Seconds Out.
Negotiators meet for the second round of Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks. The EU and U.S. EU negotiators met in Brussels yesterday for the first day in a second round of talks to foster progress in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The beginning of the week will be devoted to discussions on investment […]
Brutal Reality of Colombian Peace Negotiations Unveiled To Deputies
Women are the first to suffer the brutality of war and are largely ignored during peace negotiations. “This state of affairs must change,” said Nahla Valji, New York office of UN Women. Valji was speaking at the European Parliament at a debate on the inclusion of women within the current Colombian peace talks. Valji said: […]
Turkey Opens New EU Accession Chapter
A new chapter in Turkey’s accession negotiations with the EU will be opened in Brussels tomorrow after a three-year break. Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Linas Linkevičius is to lead a European Union delegation at the Intergovernmental Accession Conference. The EU General Affairs Council recently adopted a decision to open Chapter 22 (Regional policy and Regional […]