The Newsletter4301 mars 2010

La Lettre

Pascale Joannin

1 March 2010

Foundation

Schuman Report on Europe

1 January 1970

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The fourth edition of the "State of the Union, Schuman Report on Europe 2010" is being published by Editions Lignes de Repères. This reference work on Europe will be presented to the press on 2nd March together with the French Secretary of State for Ecology, Chantal Jouanno and Secretary of State for European Affairs, Pierre Lellouche, who like 24 other authors wrote an article for this edition.

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Referendum/Iceland

1 January 1970

On 6th March the Icelanders are being called to vote by referendum for or against the approval of the terms of the Icesave Agreement negotiated with the British and Dutch governments. According to the polls nearly two-thirds of the Icelanders (65%) are preparing to vote "no" and 38% say they will vote in favour of the law signed in the night 30th/31st December 2009.

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Financial Crisis

Commission

1 January 1970

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On 25th February the Commission published a report on the EU and euro area's growth forecasts. The EU's economy is progressively emerging from crisis but it is still facing difficulties. In the third quarter of 2009 the real GDP started to grow again thereby putting an end to the longest and deepest period of recession in the EU's history. The exceptional crisis measures set in place in the EU played a major role in the economy's recovery. However in line with the forecasts made in autumn 2009 growth slowed in the fourth quarter when the effects of certain temporary factors started to wane. According to the most recent data the EU's economic prospects remain practically unchanged. GDP growth in 2010 is estimated at 0.7% for the EU likewise the euro area. Inflation forecasts also stay the same at 1.4% in the EU and 1.1% in the euro area.

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WTO

1 January 1970

According to the World Trade Organisation the crisis led to a 12% reduction on international trade in 2009. This decline in international trade was greater than forecast with the WTO counting on a 10% decline at the beginning of December. In a speech delivered on 24th February Pascal Lamy WTO Director General called for a renewal in the Doha Cycle. It is "economically vital to conclude them this year," he said. The aim of these discussions is to dismantle the barriers which prevent poor countries from exporting to the rich.

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Greece

1 January 1970

A delegation of European Commission, European Central Bank and IMF experts were in Athens from 22nd to 25th February to monitor the implementation of the public finance stabilisation programme set in place by the Greek government. Inspectors say that Greece will not be able to achieve its goals for 2010 ie reducing its public deficit by 4 percentage points, simply by adopting new measures aiming to save the State an additional 4.8 billion euros. If measures are to be announced it will be after the visit to Athens by European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn on March 1st.

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Spain

1 January 1970

The Spanish State's budgetary deficit increased sharply in 2009 to 99.785 billion euros ie 9.49% of the GDP said the Economy Minister on 24th February. Public deficit (State, communities, social security) were estimated at 11.4% of the GDP in 2009. In 2008 the budgetary deficit lay at 2.81%. But in 2009 Spain faced a deep recession which weighed heavily on tax revenues and forced the government to make major spending to support the economy. Hence corporate tax revenues declined by 26.1% in 2009 whilst TVA revenue plummeted by 30.1%.

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Germany

1 January 1970

Economic activity stagnated in Germany in the fourth quarter and contracted by 5% in 2009 according to national figures published on 24th February by the Federal Statistics Office. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) a barometer of economic health stagnated over the last three months of the year (0%) after a rise of 0.7% in the third quarter and 0.4% in the second according to a press release by Destatis. It was mainly exports which supported the German economy in the fourth quarter: they increased by 3% over the trimester whilst imports decreased by 1.8% over the same period. However consumption and investments declined, thereby impeding German growth.

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Denmark

1 January 1970

Growth in Denmark totalled 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009, slightly less than in the previous quarter (+0.3%) which witnessed the country's emergence from recession said the National Statistics Institute on 26th February. This recovery is in line with analysts' expectations who were interviewed by the Dow Jones Newswires and RB Boersen; they forecast a GDP rise of 0.2%. But the GDP declined by 3.4% in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2008 and by 5.1% in 2009 stressed the institute in a press release.

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Austria

1 January 1970

The Austrian government is prepared is tax banks according to the American model in an attempt to refill the State coffers said Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann on 22nd February after having met with the managers of the country's most important banks. "We are going to introduce a bank tax," he declared during a joint press conference with the Vice-Chancellor and the Finance Minister, Josef Proell and the Director the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny.

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UK

1 January 1970

Growth in the British economy at the end of 2009 heralded the end of the recession in the UK and figures were reviewed up on 26th February. According to a second estimation published by the National Statistics Office, the UK's GDP rose by 0.3% in the fourth quarter in comparison with the previous one and is clearly more vigorous than the initial estimate of 0.1% only announced at the end of January by the institution.

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Serbia

1 January 1970

On 23rd February an IMF delegation gave the greenlight for the release of the third part of a loan of nearly 3 billion euros to Serbia after a two week assessment mission. "The IMF mission and the Serb authorities came to an agreement (...) which will enable Serbia to receive 350 million euros" said the IMF in a press release. The mission observed that "the programme (planned for in the agreement between Belgrade and the IMF) was well adapted and that the main objectives planned for had been achieved, including with regard to the budgetary deficit which lay at 4.25% of the GDP in 2009."

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European Council

Parliament

1 January 1970

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On 24th February the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy spoke to MEPs about the economic situation and notably the difficulties experienced by Greece. The European People's Party called for better budgetary coordination of the euro area - the social democrats asked for a more huamn exit to the crisis and the liberals condemned the monetary union for not having any real economic union. In his introductory speech Herman Van Rompuy reviewed his role within the European Union's institutions asking at the same time for this to be established. He guaranteed MEPs of his commitment and promised to act as a "bridge between the national authorities and the European institutions."

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IMF

1 January 1970

In a speech delivered in Brussels on 25th February the President of the EU Herman van Rompuy implicitly pleaded in favour of a single seat for the euro area countries within the IMF in spite of the reticence with regard to this ideas amongst the interested parties. "It should not be a taboo subject", he said. The idea of the single seat at the IMF is supported by the European Commission and the Chair of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker who believes that European countries were "ridiculous" within the institution due to their fragmented representation. Robert Schuman Foundation Chairman, Jean-Dominique Giuliani called for this measure on 19th February in an editorial - recalling with figures in support what the Union would gain if it were united within the IMF.

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Commission

Bluefin Tuna

1 January 1970

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On 22nd February the European Commission proposed that the EU pushes for a ban on international trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna and for it to enter into force next year. It is asking that the 27 support the ranking of the bluefin tuna amongst species threatended with extinction. The three most affected countries France,Italy and Spain have already said yes. The proposal will be looked into by the Member States to reach a common position in time for the next Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) that will take place in Doha, Qatar from 13th to 25th March 2010.

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Iceland

1 January 1970

The European Commission recommended the launch of membership negotiations with Iceland in an opinion published on 24th February. The Commission acknowledges that Iceland meets the common requirements set by the Union such as democracy, rule of law and the respect of human rights. It also notes the challenges the country has to rise to on the path to accession. In the wake of the Commission's recommendation it is now up to the Council of the European Union to decide on the opening of membership negotiations with Iceland. Iceland hopes to join the EU in 2012 but its hopes may be compromised in part because of Icesave.

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Frontex

1 January 1970

On 24th February the Commission presented its proposals to strengthen FRONTEX the European agency responsible for the management of our borders. These proposals notably aim to enhance the judicial framework to ensure the full respect of fundamental rights in FRONTEX's work and to increase the agency's operational capabilities to help out Member States. In line with the new proposals the Member States will provide more equipment and staff to the agency. FRONTEX will be able to co-manage patrol operations on the boarders wtih Member States. The Agency will also be able to provide technical assistance to third countries and to deploy liaison officers there.

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Balkans

1 January 1970

On 25th February the European Commission decided to extend the exceptional trade preferences it grants to the Western Balkan countries until 2015. The aim is to continue to support economic cooperation between the EU and the region.

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Chili

1 January 1970

Following the declaration by its President, José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission decided on 28th February to allocate emergency humanitarian aid of 3 million euros to Chili in response to immediate requirements after the earthquake which hit the country. The funds will be managed by ECHO, the humanitarian aid and civil protection department at the Commission which is under the responsibility of Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva.

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Single Sky

1 January 1970

During a conference organised on 25th and 26th February in Madrid under the patronage of the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency all players in the European aeronautical sector decided to boost the implementation of the European Single Sky legislation to complete it without further delay. This legislation is vital for the future of European aviation. It will help reduce the costs of flights by 50% and their environmental impact by 10% and to improve capabilities and results, which are already good, in terms of security in the European airspace.

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Parliament

Maternity

1 January 1970

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The minimum maternity leave in the EU should be increased from 14 to 20 weeks and be paid in full believe MEPs of the Women's Rights Committee. The right to a minimum two weeks paid paternity leave was also approved by the parliamentary committee. The changes brought to the draft regulation on the health and security of pregnant workers prepared by rapporteur Edite Estrela (S&D, PT) were adopted by 19 votes, 13 against and 1 abstention.

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Fisheries

1 January 1970

On 25th February MEPs adopted a resolution (456 votes in favour, 50 against, 65 abstentions), on the reform of the common fisheries policy that must, in their opinion, adapt to particular regional features and give a greater role to professionals in the sector. They hope to facilitate access for coastal fishermen to the European Fisheries Funds (EFF), with the aim of re-evaluating their products on the markets and making them more competitive. MEPs have also asked for an increase in financial resources granted to the CFP. They asked the Commission to improve consumer information on the origin and quality of products. With this in mind they are proposing to establish "a specific ecological labelling programme". Finally the attribution of quotas and fishing rights should no longer be based only on the criteria of "historic captures", but on environmental and social criteria.

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Human Rights

1 January 1970

On 25th February the European Parliament announced in a press release the themes it would like to address in the next session of the UN Human Rights Council Organisation (CHR), which will take place in Geneva from 1st to 26th March. According to MEPs the CHR should address the fight against Human Rights infringements, the clarification of detention rules as part of the fight against terrorism, the settlement of the conflict in Gaza and in the south of Israel as well as opposition to Iran's candidature to join the Council.

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Energy

1 January 1970

On 25th February MEPs adopted a series of amendments to the draft regulation on the notification of investment projects relative to energy infrastructures in the EU. The draft plans that Member States collect information relative to energy projects every two years - including the nature of these and how they are to be funded - information is then to be delivered to the European Commission so that the development of the Union's production capabilities can be better monitored. Amendments adopted by Parliament aim to modify the legal base on which text is written to lend strength to article 194 of the Lisbon Treaty which gives Parliament codecision power in this matter, a modification which the Council and the Commisson are both against - the aim is also to give more detail with regard to the information that is to be collected.

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Council

Foreign Affairs

1 January 1970

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The 27 Foreign Ministers under the chairmanship of High Representative Catherine Ashton expressed their support to the Portuguese people and government on 22nd February after the floods that affected Madeira. They looked into the situation in Haiti and the coordinated response the EU is continuing to provide. They looked into ongoing diplomatic efforts deployed to settle the dispute between Libya and Switzerland which has led to Libya suspending the issue of visas to the Schengen area. They also looked into the murder of Mahmoud al Mabhouh in Dubai. Finally they adopted conclusions with regard to the situation in Zimbabwe and more sanctions imposed by the EU because of inadequate progress achieved by the country in its domestic reform.

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General Affairs

1 January 1970

On 22nd February the 27 Foreign Ministers debated the establishment of a new European strategy for growth and employment and on climate change; in particular they looked into the follow-up to be given to the Copenhagen Conference. They also expressed their agreement to inform the USA of the EU's decision to end the provisional application of the EU/USA surveillance programme agreement on the funding of terrorism. This decision follows the rejection of the agreement by the European Parliament.

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Agriculture

1 January 1970

On 22nd February the 27 Agriculture Ministers discussed the future reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and more precisely market management measures. They debated the means to adopt to balance market oriented production whilst protecting the viability of European agriculture. The recent milk crisis showed that the market could not settle all problems. This discussion was part of negotiations on the 2014-2020 financial prospects which may receive aggressive criticism with regard to the CAP budget since some States believe it too high.

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Defence

1 January 1970

On 24th February the 27 Defence Ministers studies the means to increase effectiveness of joint military operations; this includes the ones ongoing in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Somalia as well as those that may be organised in the event of emergencies or natural disasters. Hence they agreed to widen objectives with regard to the Atalante operation of the Somali coast to include the monitoring of Somali ports where pirates moor their boats and the possibility of "neutralising" supply ships which enable the pirates to work over 1000 km off shore. They mentioned the role of the European Defence Agency and the means to boost meetings to "be more effective and to make decisions more rapidly."

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Justice/Home Affairs

1 January 1970

The 27 Ministers of the Home Affairs and Justice Council debated a strategy for the EU's internal security on 25th and 26th February - they also discussed the establishment of a Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI), the adoption of conclusions with regard to measures to enhance the protection of external borders and the fight against illegal immigration and the situation of the European protection mandate. They looked into progress made on the directive on interpretation and translation rights as part of criminal procedures, as well as the EU's membership of the Council of Europe's convention for the protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties.

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Court/Justice

Israel

1 January 1970

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Merchandise that comes from the Israeli colonies on the West Bank cannot benefit from the preferential customs regime granted by the EU to Israel said the European Court of Justice in a decision published on 25th February. In this affair which will probably establish jurisprudence the German company Brita is challeging the refusal of the German customs authorities to apply the preferential regime granted to Israeli merchandise because it has been produced in occupied territory. "Products from the West Bank are not included in the field of application of this agreement" between the EU and Israel "and could not therefore benefit from the preferential regime thereby established," said the European Court.

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Germany

Afghanistan

1 January 1970

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German MPs approved on 26th February 429 votes in favour out of a possible 586 the dispatch of 850 additional soldiers to Afghanistan bringing their maximum number up to 5,350; they extended their deployment by one year.

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Employment

1 January 1970

Unemployment in Germany increased slightly in February with the labour market continuing to withstand the effects of the crisis said the Federal Employment Agency on 25th February. The gross unemployment rate which is the reference in public debate lay at 8.7% of the working population in February after 8.6% the previous month. In all 3.64 million people were looking for work ie +26,000 in comparison with January.

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Denmark

Reshuffle

1 January 1970

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Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen undertook a major reshuffle of his government on 23rd February "to promote growth" and to inject "new optimism". For the first time two women have made their debut to the positions of Defence Minister, Gitte Lillelund Bech and Foreign Affairs, Lene Espersen. This government comprises ten men including the Prime Minister and nine women. Finance Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen is one of the rare ministers to have retained his post just like Refugee, Immigrants and Integration Minister, Birthe Roenn Hornbech. Justice Minister Brian Mikkelsen has moved to become Economy, Industry and Trade Minister and leaves his post to Lars Barfoed who held the Transport portfolio. In all 7 ministers have left the government.

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France

Women

1 January 1970

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On 23rd February French MPs adopted 462 votes in favour 7 against a draft resolution, the so-called "the most advantaged European woman clause" that aims to improve and harmonise women's rights in Europe. More than 100 MPs did not take part in the vote. The clause aims to make an inventory of the best legislation in Europe and to retain the best and then to encourage the government to draw up a draft law in this sense.

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Serbia

1 January 1970

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will be in Belgrade and Pristina on 1st and 2nd March. He notably intends to invite Serbia, an EU candidate country, to make its peace with Kosovo.

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Greece

Macedonia

1 January 1970

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UN mediator Matthew Nimetz said he was confident on 26th February of Athen's commitment to helping find a solution to the problem of Macedonia's name which should lead to progress in Skopje's accession procedures to NATO. "The Greek government told me it is fully committed to settling the issue of Macedonia's name in a way that would meet the requirements of both countries and lead to progress in accession to the Euro-Atlantic Alliance on the part of Macedonia," indicated Matthew Nimetz.

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Hungary

Danube

1 January 1970

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On 25th February as part of the "Danube Strategy" the Prime Ministers, Foreign Ministers and European Affairs Ministers of 14 countries which lie on the banks of the river met in Budapest to define the projects they want to accomplish in the future for the development of the Danube basin. They adopted a declaration at the end of the conference. In June 2009 the European Council asked the Commission to set down a new strategy which is due to be adopted in March 2011 when Hungary will take over the rotating presidency of the EU.

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Ireland

Trade

1 January 1970

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The Irish trade surplus increased by 3% in December rising to 2.715 billion euros against 2.635 billion in November, since imports fell more than exports over one month said the Irish Central Statistics Office (CSO) on 24th February. According to seasonally adjusted data exports declined by 2% to 6.153 billion but imports decreased at the same time by 5% to 3.438 billion euros. Over the first 11 months in 2009 exports were down by 3% to 77.5 billion whilst imports collapsed by 23% to 41.1 billion said the CSO in its press release.

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Italy

Trade

1 January 1970

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According to estimates issued by the National Statistics Institute (Istat) on 22nd February in January 2010 exports towards non-EU countries increased by 4.7% in comparison with January 2009 whilst imports decreased by 3.7% with a trade deficit of 3.195 million euros, slightly lower than that of the previous year. Excluding energy, the trade balance is positive however (482 million euros in comparison with -57 million euros in 2009). On a monthly basis exports decreased slightly (-0.3%) whilst imports grew by 5.4%. Exports especially grew towards Turkey (50.6%) and China (38.9%), whilst they decreased with Japan and Russia (-10%); the decrease in imports involved all trade partners except for Turkey (+30.8%) and India (+8%).

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Netherlands

Early Elections

1 January 1970

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Having received the resignation of the government led by Jan-Peter Balkenende on 20th February Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands asked the resigning government to prepare for the dissolution of the lower chamber of the Dutch parliament and to organise early elections on 9th June next. Jan-Peter Balkenende's government resigned after the Labour Party announced it was withdrawing from the government coalition because of a disagreement over the Afghan issue. Labour Ministers were relieved of their office by the Queen and the posts were distributed to the two other parties in the coalition.

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Portugal

Madeira

1 January 1970

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On 22nd February the Portuguese government decreed three days of national mourning in solidarity with the victims of the mud slides that ravaged the island of Madeira on 20th and 21st February. The government also announced that it had adopted a series of measures enabling the start of reconstruction as soon as possible; it also said that it has asked for aid from the EU's Solidarity Funds. During a press conference in Lisbon the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso said that the amount of aid given would be decided on according to the estimated damage.

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UK

Afghanistan

1 January 1970

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British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband declared on 25th February to the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee that the situation in Afghanistan was still the government's N°1 priority. The main goal is to enable the Afghan authorities to take over their country's affairs. The Moshtarak operation undertaken with NATO and the Afghan forces to fight against rebels is one example of NATO's cooperation with the local authorities.

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Albania

Crisis/End?

1 January 1970

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The Albanian opposition returned to Parliament on 25th February - it had been boycotting work for the last six months but it warned that it would walk out again if the majority did not accept its demands. It is notably demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the elections with a new count of the voting slips, a request the ruling Democratic Party has qualified as "illegitimate."

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Armenia

Turkey

1 January 1970

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On 25th February the Armenian Parliament adopted amendments that may finally be used "as an exit" to the historical normalisation agreements signed in October with Turkey and which now seem to have reached stalemate. Adopted by a large majority these texts will give the Armenian President Serge Sarkissian the possiblity of suspending the ratification and to withdraw from the international agreements that have already been signed. "These amendments have obviously been made necessary by the present situation in the ratification procedure of the Armenian-Turkish protocols," explained the chair of the Parliamentary committee for Foreign Affairs, Armen Roustamian.

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Georgia

Russia

1 January 1970

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On March 1st Russia and Georgia re-opened their land border more than three years after it was closed - this is a sign of detente in their relations since the war in August 2008 said the Georgian Foreign Minister. An agreement in this sense was found between the two countries under Swiss mediation on 24th December.

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Iceland

Icesave

1 January 1970

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The failure of Iceland's negotiations with the British and Dutch governments over the Icesave bank is increasing concern over the economic and political future of the island just one week before the referendum on the issue in which the "no" is running favourite. Surviving on the supply of international funds, ruined by the collapse of its banks that were once flourishing, Iceland is running the risk of increasing its isolation and of suffering another political crisis and also of creating an Anglo-Dutch obstacle to its accession to the EU. In a memo to investors on 26th February the financial ratings agency Moody's stresses that "the road to emerging from the crisis in Iceland is now more difficult". "The failure of the negotiations will probably lead to delays in the IMF's financial assistance programme, weaker economic recovery and possibly political instability," said Moody's which is planning to reduce its rating on Icelandic debt once again.

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Ukraine

Inauguration

1 January 1970

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On 25th February Viktor Yanukovich was inaugurated as president of the Ukraine. In his speech he said he hoped that the Ukraine would be a "non-aligned European state" and he said he wanted "re-establish confidence in Ukraine and bring the country which as suffering 'a colossal debt, a collapsed economy and poverty' out of the crisis". His first visit abroad will be to Brussels on March 1st. He will then travel to Moscow on 5th March. Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the outgoing coalition is still Prime Minister and continues to challenge the election of Mr Yanukovich, although she withdrew her complaints for fraud which she had lodged to obtain the invalidation of the presidential election. Mr Yanukovich now has to try and form a parliamentary coalition either with Ms Tymoshenko's party, the BYUT or with the former President's party, Our Ukraine-People's Self-Defence.

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EIB

Results 2009

1 January 1970

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79 billion euros - this was the total amount granted in loans in 2009 by the European Investment Bank. Loans were granted as a priority to SMEs, struggling regions in the Union and to the energy sector in the fight against climate change. This figure represents a rise of 37% in comparison with 2008. In spite of a difficult context the EIB remains financially strong and succeeded in raising capital greater than the total of its loans on the market notably thanks to its excellent credit standing.

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EBRD

Results 2009

1 January 1970

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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) which works in former countries of the USSR announced on 24th February that it wanted to increase its investments slightly in 2010 and to maintain these at their present levels until 2015 in spite of record losses in 2009. The bank said in a press release that it made a clear loss of 746 million euros last year, an increase of 24% in comparison with 2008, which is a new record for the international financial institution. This loss can be explained by provisions made for future potential losses, and depreciation associated with investments made by the banks some of which witnessed a drastic decline during the crisis. In spite of this the bank invested a record total of 7.9 billion euros in 2009 ie 55% more than in the previous year to help companies in its area of work (ie the States of the former USSR) to overcome the economic and financial crisis.

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Eurostat

Industry

1 January 1970

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In December 2009 the industrial new orders index increased by 0.8% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU as a whole in comparison with the previous month according to data published by Eurostat on 24th February. The increase was 2.7% and 2.4% respectively in November.

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Tourism

1 January 1970

On 22nd February Eurostat published data relative to the number of nights spent in hotels in the EU in 2009. These decreased by 5.1% in comparison with 2008 (with nearly 1.5 billion nights recorded) with a greater decline in 2008 (0.2%).

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Inflation

1 January 1970

According to figures published by Eurostat on 26th February the annual inflation rate in the euro area lay at 1% in January 2010 against 0.9% in December 2009. A year prior to this it lay at 1.1%. The monthly inflation rate was -0.8% in January 2010. The EU's annual inflation rate lay at 1.7% in January 2010 in comparison with 1.5% in December 2009. A year ago it lay at 1.8%. Monthly inflation was -0.5% in January 2010.

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Unemployment

1 January 1970

According to Eurostat statistics published on March 1st the seasonally corrected unemployment rate lay at 9.9% in January in the euro area unchanged in comparison with December 2009. It lay at 8.5% in January 2009. In the EU the unemployment rate rose to 9.5% in January 2010 unchanged in comparison with December 2009. It lay at 8% in January 2009. 22,979 million men and women were unemployed in January 2010 in the EU of whom 15,683 million were in the euro area.

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Eurobarometer

Dental Health

1 January 1970

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According to a Eurobarometer survey on European citizens' dental health published on 25th February only 52% of the French consult their dentist at least once a year. The Dutch take greater care of their teeth (83% of them consulted their dentist over the last year), ahead of the Danish (78%), Luxembourgers (77%) and the Germans (77%). The bad boys are the Romanians (34%) and the Hungarians (35%). Only 31% of Europeans have false teeth. The British take the lead in this ranking with 38% of the population wearing false teeth ahead of the Poles, (37%), the Portuguese (37%) and the Belgians (37%). Finally the three reasons mentioned for not consulting the dentist over the last two years are negligible dental problems (33%), the fact that they did not have any teeth or had false teeth (16%) and the high cost of dental consultations and treatment (15%).

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European Opinion

1 January 1970

Eurobarometer published a report on the public opinion in the EU that was undertaken in the autumn 2009. Six months after the Eurobarometer of spring 2009 and one year after the start of the crisis the new Eurobarometer survey seems to confirm some signs of recovery in the opinion. Indeed, more Europeans thought that the crisis had reached its high point than in the spring of 2009. Concern about the economic crisis has now died down and short term expectations with regard to the economic situation have taken an upturn. This being said unemployment is still the main point of concern on the part of Europeans and the forecast which declares that the national employment situation is due to decline continues to dominate public opinion to a large degree; there is no improvement to be seen on this index.

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Studies/Reports

Transport/Balkans

1 January 1970

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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) of Washington and the Hellenic Center for European Studies (EKEM) of Athens have published a survey entitled "Re-linking the Western Balkans: The Transportation Dimension" which analyses the challenges the Balkan countries are facing to build a modern,integrated environment friendly transport network. It makes recommendations short, mid and longterm and insists on the interaction between the modern transport network and economic development.

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Biomass

1 January 1970

On 25th February the European Commission adopted a report on the requirements for the environmental sustainability relative to the use of solid and gas biomass for the production of electricity, heating and cooling. The report includes recommendations with regard to environmental sustainability criteria for use by Member States who want to introduce a national scheme in view of avoiding impediments to the running of the internal biomass market.

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Spain

1 January 1970

The weight of the Spanish parallel economy grew in 2009 because of the economic crisis and represents nearly 25% of the GDP according to a study by the Technicians Syndicate at the Budget Ministry (Gestha) which was published on 23rd February. The parallel economy represented 23.3% of the GDP in 2009 ie 244.9 billion euros said Gestha in a press release.

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Publications

Euro/2019

1 January 1970

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The Financial Economy Review has devoted its edition for the first quarter 2010 to the European currency under the title of "The Euro in 2019". Many key people have written articles in this edition: Jacques Delors, former European Commission President, Christian Noyer, Governor of the Bank of France, Jacques de Larosière, former governor of the Bank of France.

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Strategy/Crisis

1 January 1970

Odile Jacob publishing has released "Les Conséquences stratégiques de la crise" under the management of François Heisbourg. Amongst the specialists in strategy and geopolitics who present an initial complete overview of this world transformation features Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation.

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Culture

Louvre/Russia

1 January 1970

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The Louvre Museum is devoting an exhibition to Russia from March 5th to 24th May. It aims to tell the history of this country from its origins to Peter the Great (ie from the 9th century to the 18th century). The initial eras, Byzantine, Mongol domination, Christian renaissance, the crowning of Ivan the Terrible, the first members of the Romanov family ...

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Exhibition/Munich

1 January 1970

The Municipal Lenbachhaus Gallery in Munich is hosting an exhibition from 27th February to 30th May 2010 on the modern artist Maria Lassnig on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The exhibition focuses mainly on her latest works and notably on those of 2009 which are on show for the first time.

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Sport

Olympic Games

1 January 1970

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108 medals of which 31 were gold is the total number of medals brought home by the 27 EU Member States from the Olympic Games in Vancouver. The EU would be classed first if the medals were counted from a European point of view.

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Agenda

Newsletter Archives

A Union of criminal law - the vital European area of freedom, security and justice.

General elections 26 October in Georgia: a referendum on Europe

What the European Parliament should ask of future Commissioners

The European Union between the United States and China: should we choose between equidistance and following?

What future for European defence?

The Editors of the Newsletter :
Stefanie Buzmaniuk, Helen Levy

N°ISSN : 2729-6482

Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice

Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin

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info@robert-schuman.eu

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The Newsletter n°430- version of 1 mars 2010