Europe-East articles from October 2005

Europe-East archives from October 2005

NOW THE NEXT TWO HURDLESa.(accession negotiations of Turkey and European Union)
October 8, 2005... One down, two to go. The opening of accession negotiations with Turkey has met one of the European Union's major commitments (and, irrespective of the difficulties that negotiating with Turkey will certainly generate, the EU was in dire need of...

EU/TURKEY: MEPS DELAY APPROVAL OF CUSTOMS UNION EXTENSION.(European Union)(members of Parliament)
October 8, 2005... Protocol put off. The European Parliament was supposed to vote on September 28 on an additional protocol to the EU-Turkey Association Agreement, designed to formally expand the accord to include the ten new member states, including Cyprus,...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: POLITICAL LEADERS STRESS CONSTITUTION oNOT DEADo.
October 8, 2005... European Parliament President Josep Borrell kicked off the discussion about the EUs political priorities in a oback to schoolo speech on September 26. The EP President tried to dispel the sense of crisis surrounding the EU in the wake of the...

BUDGET: EP PRESIDENT CALLS FOR WORK TO START ON 2007 BUDGET.(European Parliament)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The EP President said it was important to put on pressure to get a deal on the medium-term financial perspective. He warned that if there was no agreement, the Parliament would push for the maximum rate of annual increase in the budget as...

EU BUDGET: GRYBAUSKAITE SAYS INFORMAL SUMMIT SHOULD DEBATE 2007-13 FUNDING.(Europen Union)(Dalia Grybauskaite)
October 8, 2005... Mrs Grybauskaite's comments reflect increasing concern among member states, especially from the ten new members, that there might not be a deal by the end of the year. The UK Presidency is expected to present a compromise proposal by the middle...

EU/TURKEY: MEMBERSHIP TALKS START AFTER PROTRACTED MINISTERIAL TALKS.(Europen Union)
October 8, 2005... Austrian issues. An extraordinary dinner-debate the night before the Council meeting had failed to remove the outstanding obstacles to an agreement on the negotiating framework. And when UK Foreign Secretary and Council chair Jack Straw...

EU/CROATIA: MEMBERSHIP TALKS LAUNCHED AS WAR CRIMES COOPERATION CONFIRMED.(European Union)
October 8, 2005... Establishing full cooperation with ICTY was the only remaining obstacle to the start of accession negotiations and the EU has been listening carefully to Ms Del Ponte's advice. Croatia's accession talks were postponed in March as its war crimes...

EU/BULGARIA/ROMANIA: OBSERVERS JOIN THE RANKS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.(European Union)
October 8, 2005... After the signing in April of the Accession Treaty setting out the terms of the countries' prospective EU membership, the EP invited the acceding states to send observer MEPs. The number of observers - 18 Bulgarian and 35 Romanian - is the...

EU/ROMANIA: FRATTINI HOPEFUL ON JUDICIAL REFORM.(European Union)(Franco Frattini)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... "I must admit that we were rather pessimistic at the end of 2004 as to Romanias abilities to considerably speed up the reform of the justice system", the Commissioner told the National Institute of Magistracy in Bucharest. "However, today, I am...

EU/SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO: LAUNCH OF TALKS ON NEW AGREEMENT CONFIRMED.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... EU-25 Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on October 3 had authorised the European Commission to open negotiations at the "earliest opportunity". They also adopted a mandate for the talks. The decisions came on the eve of the fifth...

EU/BOSNIA: NEW LIFE BREATHED INTO POLICE REFORM SAGA.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Previous police reform setbacks had threatened to leave BiH lagging behind other countries of the region on the Euro-integration track. The latest development was welcomed by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. "This decision is an important...

EU/FYROM: MACEDONIAN EXPECTATIONS HIGH AHEAD OF CANDIDACY VERDICT.(European Union)(Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia)
October 8, 2005... The Minister, who was due to hold talks later the same day with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, provided a number of reasons why Skopje was expecting a 'positive opinion' from the European Commission on its March 2004 application to join...

SOLANA STRESSES NEED FOR EU COMMITMENT IN BALKANS AS KOSOVO TALKS APPROACH.(Javier Solana)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Europe's engagement in the Balkans will continue to require substantial resources, including money, people and an expanded security commitment. That was the message from EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana speaking on September 26 before the...

EU/RUSSIA: BLAIR EYES STRONGER TIES WITH MOSCOW.(Tony Blair)
October 8, 2005... Relations. Mr Blair pointed to a common interest in fighting organised crime and terrorism. "The levels of work and cooperation that we are achieving with Russia are immensely important for our own security, peace and safety here in...

EU/RUSSIA: AMBASSADOR KEEN TO SEE VISA-FREE TRAVEL.
October 8, 2005... Visas. Mr Chizhov, a former deputy Foreign Minister responsible for Europe, took up his ambassadorial duties in early September. He is already an EU-Russia summit veteran, having been personally involved in all but the first two of the 15...

NEW EU-RUSSIA TRANSPORT DIALOGUE LAUNCHED.(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot and Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin signed a memorandum of understanding on October 3 to set up an EU-Russia Transport Dialogue. This new framework for cooperation provides for a regular exchange on...

MEAGRE RESULTS FROM FIRST EU/RUSSIA PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL ON ENERGY.
October 8, 2005... Delegates from the Russian Federation and the European Union staged their first Permanent Partnership Council (PPC) on Energy in London on October 3, on the eve of the EU-Russia summit. The European troika (current and future Presidencies of...

EU/UKRAINE: BRUSSELS AND KIEV NAME PRIORITIES AS NEW PRIME MINISTER VISITS.
October 8, 2005... Visas. Mr Yekhanurov said that easing the visa regime for Ukrainian citizens was a "crucially important factor" for strengthening EU-Ukraine relations. He expected talks to start this month on an agreement to facilitate visa procedures for...

EU/UKRAINE: UKRAINE STILL FEELS OUT IN THE COLD.
October 8, 2005... Ukraine's newly-installed Prime Minister, Yuriy Yekhanurov, wants to speed up contacts with the EU, and boost economic and political reform, says Mr Shpek. And he is in a good position to know what the Prime Minister wants: Yekhanurov was his...

UKRAINE MARKET-ECONOMY STATUS ANNOUNCEMENT IMMIMENT, SAYS COMMISSION.(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Ukraine could soon be awarded 'market-economy status' by the EU, the European Commission appeared to hint on September 28. "Our assessment is that overall Ukraine's market-economy status process has been evolving positively", a spokeswoman...

NEW COMMISSION OFFICE TO OPEN IN MOLDOVA, BORDER MISSION TO BE SIGNED.(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... A new European Commission office was expected to be officially opened in Moldovan capital Chisinau as EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner visits the country on October 6-7. The Commissioner was also expected to sign an...

EU/UZBEKISTAN: MINISTERS SET VISA, ARMS BANS.
October 8, 2005... The decision followed months of diplomatic tension between much of the West and Uzbekistan after a prison break and anti-government demonstration on May 13. The demonstration, which survivors said included several thousand people, was scattered...

EU/MIDDLE EAST: COMMISSION SETS OUT SUPPORT PLAN FOR A VIABLE PALESTINIAN STATE.
October 8, 2005... "Until now, we have reacted to events in the short term. The purpose of this strategy is to extend our support over time", explained Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The strategy covers the priorities defined by James Wolfensohn, who called on the...

EU/MIDDLE EAST: EU CALLS FOR RENEWED PEACE EFFORTS FOLLOWING GAZA PULL-OUT.(Europen Union)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The Council also stressed that there was a need for special efforts from both sides. The priority for the Palestinians remains security reform and the Council confirmed that they would receive help from the EU in the form of support for the...

FERRERO-WALDNER URGES SPEEDY INTEGRATION OF LEBANON INTO NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY.(Benita Ferrero Waldner)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The opening of negotiations on Lebanon's integration into the EU's new neighbourhood policy was one of the priorities for External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner's visit to the country on September 29 and 30. The Commissioner...

EU AND IRAQ OUTLINE POLITICAL FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE RELATIONS.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The EU and Iraq signed a joint political declaration on September 21 in New York, on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly, outlining a framework for future relations. The declaration establishes a basis for political dialogue and...

EU/IRAN: TALKS ON TEHRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME TO CONTINUE IN THE WINGS.(European Union)
October 8, 2005... The resolution tabled by the Europeans was adopted by 22 votes for, 1 against (Venezuela) and 12 abstentions (including Russia, China and Pakistan). It was the opposition by these countries (particularly Russia) which forced the EU to drop its...

SAUDI ARABIA KEEN TO PARTICIPATE IN GALILEO PROGRAMME.(Galileo European satellite navigation programme)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Saudi Arabia has expressed an interest in participating in the Galileo European satellite navigation programme, it was revealed during a Galileo Information Day organised in Jeddah on September 26 and 27. A team of experts from the European...

EU/NEPAL/TUNISIA/SERBIA-MONTENEGRO: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CALLS FOR MORE HUMAN RIGHTS.(human rights)
October 8, 2005... Nepal. The parliament resolution describes King Gyanendra's coup in February as "an unconstitutional act", notes that violence has since escalated in Nepal, and says the powers of the Royal Nepalese Army have been unchecked in the absence...

EU/SWITZERLAND: SWISS VOTERS SAY YES TO WORKERS FROM NEW MEMBER STATES.(European Union)
October 8, 2005... The Protocol to extend the 1999 agreement to the new ten member states was signed on October 26, 2004 along with eight other agreements. It will give the EU-10 gradual access to the Swiss labour market, with the Swiss allowed to retain quotas...

MEPS GIVE GO-AHEAD TO REVIEW OF BILATERAL AVIATION AGREEMENTS WITH CROATIA AND BULGARIA.(Meeting in plenary session)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... Meeting in plenary session in Strasbourg on September 27, the European Parliament approved the signing of bilateral aviation agreements between the European Community and Croatia and Bulgaria. As with all agreements negotiated (or under...

TRADE: EU POSTS EURO 3.2 BILLION DEFICIT IN JULY.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The value of the EU's exports rose 5% from euro 87.0 billion in July last year to 91.3 billion this July while imports were up 10% from euro 86.0 billion in July last year to 94.4 billion. Within the EU, dispatches rose 2% from euro 166.2...

HUNGARY STICKS TO 2010 TARGET FOR EURO-ZONE ENTRY.(target of 2010 remains unchanged)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... A government spokesman has moved to quash reports in the Hungarian financial press on September 22 that Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany was planning to announce Hungary was dropping its plan to join the euro-zone. The spokesman...

BUSINESS CLIMATE: EUROPE STILL SETS OBSTACLES TO NEW BUSINESS, SAYS WORLD BANK REPORT.(simplifying tax systems)
October 8, 2005... The report, entitled "Doing Business in 2006", identifies specific regulations that enhance or constrain investment productivity and growth while introducing indicators that are comparable across 155 countries. It says the most reforms over the...

EXTERNAL RELATIONS IN BRIEF.(negotiations on a Trandnistria settlement)(Brief article)
October 8, 2005... The European Parliament condemned in a joint resolution the Belarus regime's "indiscriminate attacks" against any perceived opponents. The EU welcomed in a statement an invitation from representatives of Moldova, Transdnistria, Ukraine,...

THE BORDERS OF EUROPE'S VISION.
October 27, 2005... The new report on migration from the southern and eastern Mediterranean from the Consortium for Applied Research on International Migration (section II) is doubly interesting in light of the European Union's struggle to respond to events on the...

EU BUDGET: BARROSO REJIGS MEDIUM-TERM FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK TO RESTART DEBATE.(European Union)(Jose Manuel Barroso)
October 27, 2005... Presenting his proposals to the European Parliament on October 20, Mr Barroso said that the challenge following the failed negotiations on the financial perspective in June was to reconcile the different views of those member states who wanted...

INFORMAL SUMMIT: BUDGET DEBATE TO MOVE UP EU LEADERS' AGENDA.(economic aspects of summit meetings)
October 27, 2005... The main focus of the summit continues to be, on official level at least, the debate on how the EU should respond to the social and economic challenges of globalisation. In his letter, Mr Blair says that the task facing the EU is to "uphold...

ANGELA MERKEL CONFIRMED AS NEW GERMAN CHANCELLOR.
October 27, 2005... Germany will have its first female Chancellor after it was confirmed that Angela Merkel will take over from Gerhard Schroder in a grand coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD. Following weeks of negotiations between the two largest parties, Mrs Merkel...

NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT TAKES SHAPE.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Germany's new Chancellor-designate Angela Merkel announced on October 17 that her cabinet line-up was complete after the CDU-CSU named eight ministers who would take their place in the cabinet alongside the eight Social Democrats as part of the...

EUROPEAN COUNCIL: SCHROEDER TO ATTEND INFORMAL SUMMIT.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Outgoing German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will attend the informal summit meeting of EU leaders on October 27 despite agreement between the two main parties in Germany that Angela Merkel will become Chancellor. Mrs Merkel's appointment was...

BLAIR AND CHIRAC VOW TO WORK TOGETHER FOR EUROPE.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac have pledged to overcome their differences for the benefit of the citizens of Europe. Following a meeting of the two men in Paris to prepare an informal summit of EU leaders in...

REGIONAL POLICY: 'JASPERS' AND 'JEREMIE' TO IMPROVE USE OF EU STRUCTURAL FUNDS.
October 27, 2005... The idea behind JASPERS is to offer financial and technical assistance to national and regional authorities preparing projects for co-financing through the EU structural funds. The aim is to ensure these authorities present high-quality...

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS: OMBUDSMAN CALLS ON MINISTERS TO OPEN UP THEIR MEETINGS.
October 27, 2005... The Ombudsman's inquiry follows a complaint from German Christian Democrat MEP Elmar Brok and a member of the CDU's youth wing alleging that the Council's own rules of procedure are not in conformity with the Article 1 (2) of the Treaty which...

EU/CROATIA/TURKEY: SCREENING OF CANDIDATES' LEGISLATION BEGINS.
October 27, 2005... Commission officials kicked off the screening process by explaining EU legislation on science and research to Croatian and Turkish representatives sitting together in the same room. The Commission will ultimately explain all areas of the EU...

EU/BULGARIA/ROMANIA: GET READY FOR MEMBERSHIP OR FACE DELAY, COMMISSION REPORTS WILL SAY.
October 27, 2005... The EU has said that it could delay Bulgarian and/or Romanian membership by twelve months if accession preparations are deemed insufficient. The Commission's upcoming reports are not expected to take a position at this stage on the...

REHN SEES PROGRESS TOWARDS ROMANIAN ACCESSION BUT ALSO SHORTCOMINGS.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Romania has made "significant progress" this year in its preparations for joining the European Union in January 2007, but there are still some shortcomings. That, according to EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, will be the gist of the...

BULGARIA URGED TO MAKE FOOD SAFETY HEADWAY AHEAD OF ACCESSION.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Bulgaria can meet its target of joining the European Union in January 2007 but should make further efforts in the food safety realm, according to EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. Speaking on October 11 during a...

ATHENS FLAGS UPCOMING RATIFICATION OF BULGARIAN AND ROMANIAN ACCESSION TREATIES.
October 27, 2005... The Greek Foreign Ministry has said that Greece will ratify Bulgaria's and Romania's EU Accession Treaties on November 2. Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia have already ratified the text that sets out the terms and conditions of each of the two...

EU/SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO: TALKS ON NEW AGREEMENT LAUNCHED.
October 27, 2005... Speaking in Belgrade at a ceremony formally marking the start of negotiations, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn talked of a new stage in relations between the 25-member bloc and Serbia and Montenegro. "This agreement will deepen our...

EU/BOSNIA: LAUNCH OF TALKS ON NEW EURO-INTEGRATION ACCORD RECOMMENDED.(Stabilisation and Association Agreement)
October 27, 2005... SAA. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement is seen as a major stepping stone towards EU membership. The SAA should held help integrate BiH into EU programmes and structures, promoting harmonisation with EU standards and legislation....

EU/BOSNIA: POLICE REFORM AGREEMENT OPENS DOOR TO TALKS ON NEW ACCORD.
October 27, 2005... Progress towards the creation of an effective, state-wide police force has been the main outstanding condition attached to the launch of negotiations on an EU-BiH Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). BiH risks lagging behind other...

EU/ALBANIA: REHN UPBEAT ABOUT CHANCES OF CLINCHING EURO-INTEGRATION ACCORD.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Meeting Albanian Foreign Minister Besnik Mustafaj in Brussels, Mr Rehn said that "it will be our expectation that we could in the not so long future conclude the negotiations". The European Commission is due to issue a progress report on...

DEFENCE: EU 'MUST MAINTAIN' BOSNIAN PRESENCE.(Military operation in the Balkan country)
October 27, 2005... Ministers were reviewing the evolution of the 6,600-strong EUFOR military operation in the Balkan country, the EU's largest military undertaking to date, which took over from NATO in December 2004. Decisions on the operation's future will...

REHN CONFIRMS VERDICT ON FYROM MEMBERSHIP BID FOR NOVEMBER 9.(Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... The European Commission will issue its verdict on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM's) March 2004 bid for EU membership on November 9, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn confirmed as he met FYROM Prime Minister Vlado...

EU/RUSSIA: VISA FACILITATION AND READMISSION AGREEMENTS INITIALLED.(European Union)
October 27, 2005... The initialling formally marks the end of negotiations that have lasted more than five years. It is also a procedural prelude to the actual signing of the agreements. Mr Frattini indicated that he was looking for the agreements' "ratification...

EU/RUSSIA ENERGY DIALOGUE MAKES STEADY PROGRESS.
October 27, 2005... The Sixth Progress Report on the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue, prepared by the Russian Minister of Industry and Energy, Victor Khristenko, and European Commission Energy Director-General, Francois Lamoureux, was one of the key elements discussed...

EU FUNDS UNVEILED FOR ELECTRONIC VOTER LISTS IN UKRAINE.(funds for elections)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Some euro 1 million is to be provided to help Ukraine's Central Election Commission establish an electronic voter list and ensure the proper conduct of March 2006 parliamentary elections. Announcing the move, the European Commission's...

EU AND UKRAINE TO SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON ENERGY COOPERATION.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... The EU and Ukraine are set to state their intent to step up cooperation on energy by signing a memorandum of understanding on the subject at their planned December 1 summit in Kiev. The document is expected to cover five areas in which the two...

NEW COMMISSION OFFICE OPENED IN MOLDOVA, BORDER MISSION SIGNED.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... A new European Commission delegation office was officially opened in Moldovan capital Chisinau as EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner visited the country on October 6-7. The Commissioner also signed a memorandum of...

EU/SOUTH CAUCASUS: STRONGER TIES IN LIMBO DUE TO AZERBAIJAN-NORTHERN CYPRUS FLIGHTS.
October 27, 2005... It had been hoped that the EU would finalise bilateral 'action plans' with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia by the end of the year under European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). This is the policy that looks to enhance the EU's relations with its...

ARMENIAN PRESIDENT LOOKS FOR SWIFT RESOLUTION OF 'NEIGHBOURHOOD' BLOCKAGE.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Armenian President Robert Kocharyan is hoping that delays in drawing up a plan for closer ties between his country and the European Union will be temporary and that an agreement can still be reached by the end of the year. Work on so-called...

EU/MIDDLE EAST: EU MISSION TO RAFAH DEPENDENT ON SHARON-ABBAS AGREEMENT.(meeting for terrorism to be postponed)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... The meeting between Mr Sharon and Mr Abbas, scheduled for October 11, has to be postponed. Israelis and Palestinians explained that they had failed to reach agreement on an agenda for the discussions but confirmed that the meeting would take...

ESDP MISSION TO ASSIST PALESTININAN POLICE FROM JANUARY 2006.(European Union)(Palestinian Police Support )
October 27, 2005... The EU is to launch a mission supporting the Palestinian police from January 2006 under European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The mission will consist of some 30 European police officers charged with advising their Palestinian...

EUROPEANS WELCOME SUCCESSFUL REFERENDUM IN IRAQ.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner underlined the courage of the Iraqi people who turned out to vote in the constitutional referendum on October 15 despite threats of an attack by insurgent forces. Participation is...

EU/IRAN: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS STILL HOPEFUL NUCLEAR TALKS WILL RESUME.
October 27, 2005... And when will they have The Bomb? Just when Iran's nuclear programme will enable it to produce nuclear arms is a subject which divides even the experts, with forecasts varying from 10 to 2 years. On September 20, the National Council of...

EU/MOROCCO: MEPS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS URGE PROBE INTO CEUTA AND MELILLA CRISIS.
October 27, 2005... Frattini's frustrations. The emotionally-charged debate came after EU Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini told the committee about a recent technical mission he sent to the enclaves. Mr Frattini voiced frustration...

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS COUNCIL: FRATTINI URGES HELP FOR MOROCCO IN TACKLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
October 27, 2005... Migrant flow increase. Commissioner Frattini briefed Ministers on the findings of the technical mission he sent to Ceuta and Melilla from October 7-10, following reports of migrants being shot dead at the border and abandoned in the...

EU/MOROCCO: UNFOLDING MIGRATION CRISIS IN SPANISH ENCLAVES OF CEUTA AND MELILLA.(GUE-NGL group)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... In a separate development, six Members of the European Parliament's left-wing GUE-NGL group visited Melilla and briefed the media on what they found on October 11. The flurry of activity comes amidst media reports of border guards shooting dead...

EU/MEDITERRANEAN STATES: COMMISSION TO PROPOSE EMERGENCY FUND TO DEAL WITH INFLUX OF IMMIGRANTS.
October 27, 2005... "We have to make the most of the opportunity presented by Ceuta and Melilla in order to move forward", explained a Commission source. This is why Mr Frattini is going to Madrid as soon as possible, then to Rome before visiting all the...

INFORMATION SOCIETY: CONCERNS OVER HUMAN RIGHTS IN TUNISIA AS WORLD SUMMIT APPROACHES.
October 27, 2005... Concerns were voiced at a preparatory summit in Geneva in September by numerous states and organisations (including Canada, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Australia and the United States) over the Tunisian government's commitment to free speech...

EU ANTI-TERROR CODE OF CONDUCT TO BE SENT TO BARCELONA EUROMED SUMMIT.(European Union. Council of the European Union)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... A code of conduct on combating terrorism was approved by the EU Council of Ministers on October 17. It will be submitted to the summit of EU and southern Mediterranean leaders taking place in Barcelona on November 27/28 to mark the 10th...

EU/MEDITERRANEAN STATES: EU PROPOSES EXTENSION OF CUMULATED RULES OF ORIGIN SYSTEM.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Under the terms of existing rules, the processing stage in another country bars preferential access. The agreement concerns the 25 EU member states and 16 partner countries: the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) the two...

BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER OFFERS SUPPORT FOR JORDAN'S REFORM PROCESS.(water management)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Support for the reform process in Jordan was a high priority during EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner's visit to the country on October 19 and 20. Items on the agenda for discussion with the king, Abdullah II, and the...

ANIMAL HEALTH: BIRD FLU HITS EU AS SUSPECTED CASES FOUND ON GREEK ISLAND.(European Union)
October 27, 2005... Greek case. Greece's Agriculture Ministry confirmed on October 18 that the H5 strain of avian flu has been discovered on the small island of Inousses. Although there have been sporadic cases of bird flu in Europe in the past, including...

ANIMAL HEALTH: EU BANS BIRDS FROM MARKETS, EXTENDS RUSSIA EMBARGO IN AVIAN FLU FIGHT.(European Union)
October 27, 2005... Russia ban. The EU's ban on imports of Russian birds and feathers follows the Russian authorities' confirmation of a new outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu virus 200 kilometres South of Moscow. The new ban applies to all of Russia (with the...

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS: STRATEGY FOR COOPERATING WITH NON-EU COUNTRIES PRESENTED.(European Union)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... The policy paper was drafted in response to a request from the European Council in June for a strategy to be adopted by the end of 2005 on the external relations side of justice and home affairs. Top of the priority list is promoting human...

CORRUPTION: NORDICS THE MOST HONEST, SAYS NGO SURVEY.(Non-Governmental Organization)(Survey)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... Looking at European nations, the old member states generally feature higher up the league table than the new ones. One exception is Greece (47th), which has the third worst score among the EU-25 after Poland and Latvia. Among the candidate...

SATELLITE NAVIGATION: GALILEO STILL GROUNDED AS FUNDING BLOCKED.(Galileo Industries satellite contract)(Galileo programme)
October 27, 2005... One ESA source said that, given this "serious blockage", the Agency is now considering a Plan B which would enable it to sign a contract in November so as to avoid interrupting work on verification satellites. The fear is that the programme...

EU AND JAPAN IN TALKS ON ITER NUCLEAR FUSION AGREEMENT.(international thermonuclear fusion reactor)(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik held talks with Nariaki Nakayama, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, on October 6. The discussion centred on EU-Japan scientific cooperation, in...

EU/AUSTRALIA: VISA ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW MEMBER STATES BROACHED.(European Union)(Electronic Travel Authority)
October 27, 2005... Mr Frattini wants all EU member states on ETA as soon as possible, just like he wants all EU-25 on the US visa-waiver programme. His meeting with Ms Vanstone, which focused on visas, border controls and passport security, came at the request of...

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS: MEPS REPORT BACK ON VISIT TO LAMPEDUSA IMMIGRANT HOLDING CENTRE.(Members of the European Parliament)
October 27, 2005... There was unanimous backing for the report compiled by French Socialist MEP Martine Roure, with her Italian colleague from the Lampedusa delegation, Committee Vice-Chairman Stefano Zappala (EPP-ED), calling it oa perfect snapshot of what we...

EUROPOL AND EUROJUST ASSIST IN AUSTRO-BULGARIAN CRIME BUST.(Brief article)
October 27, 2005... An organised crime network of Bulgarian, Ukrainian and Serbian nationals was smashed on October 5, with Europol and Eurojust advising and assisting the Austrian and Bulgarian authorities who led the operation. The joint swoop resulted in 15...

RESEARCH: DIRECTIVE TO ATTRACT MORE NON-EU SCIENTISTS ADOPTED.(non-European Union countries)
October 27, 2005... The Directive applies to non-EU national university graduates selected to carry out a project by a research organisation recognised by an EU country. Member states should approve research bodies for a minimum period of five years, although 'in...