European Union News

The European Union requested consultations with Argentina at the WTO in a bid to have import restrictions lifted. If no solution is found within 60 days, then the EU can request a WTO Panel to be established to rule on the legality of Argentina's actions. According to the European Commission, these restrictions have negatively affected the EU's trade and investment.

The 2012 winners of the European Business Awards for the Environment are Marks and Spencer (UK) for management; Aquamarine Power (UK) for product; Umicore (Belgium) for process; INENSUS GmbH (Germany) for international business cooperation; and Slovenské elektrárne, a.s. (Slovakia) for business and biodiversity. According to the European Commission, the five winners reflect contributions to sustainable development.

The European Commission published a report from the European Competition Network (ECN) which shows that active enforcement of competition law in the food sector across Europe, in particular at the processing and manufacturing levels, has benefited farmers, suppliers and consumers. From 2004 to 2011, European competition authorities have investigated more than 180 antitrust cases.

The European Parliament approved a resolution which gathers proposals to tackle youth unemployment. Among such proposals, MEPs suggest devising a "European Investment Plan" to create new jobs, reallocating EU structural funds to projects to create them for young people, and introducing a "European Youth Guarantee".

MEPs approved a report which gives green light to the incorporation into EU law of new international measures to further reduce illegal catches of bluefin tuna. On the other hand, the European Parliament also backed the new deal with Mozambique. Thanks to the new agreement, 75 EU vessels from Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and the UK will get fishing licenses.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives endorsed the compromise proposal regarding the directive which amends the directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels. This directive aims to reduce sulphur dioxide and particulate matter emissions to provide a high level of protection for human health and environment.

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council confirmed on behalf of the euro area leaders that they want Greece to stay in the euro but they also expect that after the elections the new Greek Government make the choice of continuing the vital reforms to restore debt sustainability. In addition to this, members of the Council agreed that they need to mobilise EU policies to fully support growth.

The European Parliament approved a report which ask to apply the financial transaction tax even if only some Member States opt for it. MEPs also ask to design better this tax in order to capture more traders and make evasion unprofitable.

The European Parliament approved a report which highlights the need to act together to tackle unfair competition from China and restore balanced trade. At the same time, MEPs call for the creation of a body to monitor China's investment in EU firms and purchases of European sovereign debt.

The European Commission published its figures on the minimum water quality standards set by the Bathing Water Directive which show that most of the waters in the EU meet those standards. Cyprus, Croatia, Malta and Greece had excellent reports on their bathing water sites, while the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Latvia, Luxemburg and Belgium had relatively low proportions of sites meeting the strict guide values, especially as regards inland waters.

The new European Commission's strategy intends to boost the confidence and growth by putting consumers at the heart of the Single Market. For achieving this objective, the European Consumer Agenda has four main objectives, and it also presents a number of key actions to be implemented between now and 2014.

MEPs adopted a resolution which stresses that Member States must formally accept tougher transposition goals. According the European Parliament, it will be also necessary an independent internal market prosecutor with the power to institute infringement proceedings.