EurActiv - European Union Information Website (EU and Europe)

EU-Argentina disputes escalate (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:27:12 +0200

The European Union filed a suit against Argentina's import restrictions with the World Trade Organization (WTO) today (25 May), intensifying the disputes between the South American nation and its trading partners.

MEPs blast Switzerland over workers quota, taxi restrictions (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:32:55 +0200

The European Parliament overwhelmingly passed a resolution yesterday (24 May), “highly regretting” the recently-introduced Swiss quotas for workers from the eight Central European countries which joined the EU in 2004. MEPs also blasted Berne for not allowing German and Austrian taxis to take passengers from Zurich airport.

Europe’s airline CEOs blast “crazy” carbon pricing scheme (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:23:18 +0200

Europe’s airline executives launched a new salvo against the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) yesterday (24 May), just weeks before an international working group is due to make new proposals aimed at resolving the dispute over pricing air carbon emissions.

Ukraine asks EU to be patient for Tymoshenko solution (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:46:08 +0200

All the major political parties in the European Parliament united yesterday (24 May) to back a resolution putting pressure on Ukraine to free the jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Parliament backs resource-efficiency roadmap (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:14:31 +0200

The EU's roadmap for a resource-efficient Europe received a green light from the European Parliament yesterday (24 May), in a bid to “turn talk into reality” for green economic growth.

MEPs want stronger consumer rules for seniors, children (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:54:00 +0200

Europe’s consumer laws fail to protect the most vulnerable people, say member of the European Parliament who called for tougher measures to prevent senior citizens, children and the disabled from being victims of rip-offs or aggressive marketing.

Policymakers weigh options for EU water pricing (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:53:32 +0200

Putting a price on water is essential to encourage savings but EU policymakers are cautious not to spark a social backlash with a one-size-fits-all solution. "Pay more if you use more" is, however, a model which could work, the MEP in charge of water issues told EurActiv.

Iran rejects West’s plan, talks to continue in June (News)

Fri, 25 May 2012 07:42:40 +0200

Iran and six world powers wrapped up talks yesterday (24 May) still far apart over how to oversee Tehran's nuclear program, but with resolve to keep dialogue going as an alternative to possible military action.

EU wins landmark ruling over credit, payment card fees (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:14:55 +0200

Mastercard lost a challenge to an EU ban on its cross-border card fees in a ruling that puts rival Visa Europe squarely in the sights of the European regulators over its charges.

Greece's choice: a hard landing or a crash (Analysis)

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:24:15 +0200

Even though austerity depresses economic output, the Adjustment Programme is not the root of Greece's woes, argues Nikos Chrysoloras, a Brussels-based correspondent for Kathimerini, Greece’s leading newspaper and a Robert Bosch Stiftung “EU Journalism Fellow” for 2012, on a journalism practice with EurActiv.com. The op-ed was first published on the Euro Crisis blog.

Energy efficiency: a clear path to a green future (Analysis)

Thu, 24 May 2012 13:45:13 +0200

From an industry perspective, it is difficult to understand the widespread reluctance in Europe to adopt the Energy Efficiency Directive that can generate thousands of jobs and save private households millions of euros, says Lars Clausen.

Europe tackles sulphur emissions from ships (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:12 +0200

EU governments on Wednesday agreed on legislation to limit the maximum sulphur content of shipping fuels that will come into effect in Europe at the end of the decade.

Miracle sweetener stevia faces potential EU hurdles (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:20:15 +0200

The meteoric rise of Stevia, a natural and healthy alternative to sugar - a holy grail for the food industry - faces possible hurdles in being defined as "natural" in some European Union markets.

EU leaders tell Greek voters to make 'the right choice' (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:44:07 +0200

EU heads of state made a pitch in Brussels yesterday (23 May) for Greek voters to support centrist pro-EU/IMF bailout parties in the country's election next month, as talk of a Greek exit from the euro zone continued to gather pace.

Brussels urges EU countries to act on Roma integration (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:34:06 +0200

The European Commission has scolded EU states for not delivering on their commitment to implement national strategies for actively integrating Roma communities into society.

Europe’s beaches proclaimed fit for summer (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:15:19 +0200

More than nine out of ten of Europe’s bathing waters last year met the EU's minimum water quality standards, the European Environment Agency announced yesterday (23 May) in its annual report.

Sweden's Reinfeldt warns EU against 'creative accounting' (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:15:02 +0200

Ahead of yesterday's EU summit, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt criticised both the 'project bonds' and the 'Eurobonds' that were put forward as a way to relaunch the European economy.

Firms scramble to boost water-saving culture (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:04:03 +0200

From pet food manufacturing to wastewater treatment, companies show no lack of imagination when it comes to improving water efficiency at this year's annual Green Week event in Brussels.

EU prepares for 'new stage' in economic union (News)

Thu, 24 May 2012 08:03:14 +0200

European leaders will discuss plans for deeper economic integration in the euro zone at their next meeting in June, after an inconclusive summit yesterday (23 May) saw open divergences between France and Germany over ways to kick-start the EU's sluggish economy.

EUrid: Being green pays off in increased competitiveness (Interview)

Wed, 23 May 2012 21:05:05 +0200

It is not by making new regulations that policy-makers will force ICT companies to reduce their carbon footprint, but rather pushing member states to implement existing rules and convincing companies that they gain in competitiveness, argues Marc Van Wesemael, EURid CEO, in an interview with EurActiv.