Tag: energy taxes

Energy efficiency was a central topic of discussion in Paris last week (3-5 July) among EU environment and energy ministers concerned about high oil prices. But to date, efforts to decrease the energy intensity of the EU economy remain lacklustre.

Parliament's Committee on Industry has backed a report by MEP Fiona Hall, which charges that Commission and EU member states have largely failed to realise their own commitments to reduce energy consumption.

EU finance ministers meet in Brussels to prepare the Spring European Council and to resolve deadlock on harmonising VAT rates.

After five years of discussion, the Council on 27 October adopted a new directive on energy taxation. The aim of the directive is to create an EU-wide system for the taxation of all energy products.

EU finance ministers instructed the Commission and the EIB to study the implications and possibilities of a "New Deal" for Europe.

As 25 European finance ministers meet on 13 May to discuss the Union's economic policy prospects for 2004, the 12 euro zone ministers seek to boost their group's status.

Italy and Austria blocked an accord on 19 March in the latest round of talks between the 15 Member States on long-sought common rules to an EU-wide tax package and energy taxation.

France was heading for a showdown with the euro zone over its breach of the EU's deficit control pact as finance ministers prepared to review the pact and their declining economies on 7 March.

During the ECOFIN Council of 3 December, the EU's finance ministers again failed to reach a compromise on the proposed taxation of energy products. Germany is the only country still opposing the Danish Presidency's compromise proposal, which needs unanimity to be adopted.

The EU's foreign ministers threatened on 30 September to stall negotiations on other dossiers if Switzerland remains opposed to a deal on exchange of information on savings of EU citizens

During their informal meeting on 6-7 September, the EU Finance Ministers will discuss the tax package, energy taxation and the euro stability pact.

The finance ministers of the 15 EU Member States and 13 candidate countries discussed measures against the financing of terrorism, as well as structural reforms and macroeconomic stability at their second meeting on 4 December.

European Commission releases downgraded growth and inflation data for Union ahead of decision by European Central Bank not to cut interest rates

In a show of unity, a clear majority of EU finance ministers closed ranks behind the ECB to resist US pressure for a cut in interest rates

Environment Commissioner Wallström outlines ideas for sustainable energy use and enhanced cooperation on EU energy tax

During their informal ECOFIN meeting in Versailles, EU finance ministers ruled out lowering taxes on fuel products

As expected, EU finance ministers could not reach a compromise on the proposals for an EU-wide tax on savings.

Ecofin ministers issued a statement expressing their common concern about the weakness of the Euro, but failed to call for an ECB intervention to support the currency