European public affairs

Weekly EU news: Monday 30 January - Friday 3 February 2012


Monday 30 January

At the informal European Council meeting, European leaders agreed a new Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline and introducing more automatic sanctions and stricter surveillance within the euro area, in particular by introducing a "balanced budget rule". Press release and a new Treaty establishing the European Stability Mechanism.
Press remarks by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy after the meeting.

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) confirmed the findings made by a Panel in July 2011 that China's export restrictions on several industrial raw materials are in breach of WTO rules. Press release and memo.

Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn gave a speech on the results of the consultation on the European Research Area. Respondents to the online survey indicated deficiencies in research careers and mobility as the most urgent priority. Press release


Tuesday 31 January

The Commission is proposing to add 15 chemicals to the list of 33 pollutants that are monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. The update will be achieved through a revision of the Directive on priority substances in the field of water quality. Press release and memo

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess whether Samsung Electronics has abusively, and in contravention of a commitment it gave to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), used certain of its standard essential patent rights to distort competition in European mobile device markets, in breach of EU antitrust rules. Details

 

Wednesday 1 February

The European Commission has prohibited the proposed merger between Deutsche Börse and NYSE Euronext, as it would have resulted in a quasi-monopoly in the area of European financial derivatives traded globally on exchanges. Press release, FAQ and Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia's speech at the press conference.

The European Commission launched a consultation to gather views and additional information on the possible introduction of EU wide measures related to Sustainable Consumption and Production. The consultation also looks at Green Public Procurement (GPP), the Environmental Footprint of Products (PEF) and the Environmental Footprint of Organisations (OEF). Details

  

Thursday 2 February

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso gave a speech on "European Union Competition policy – a building block for growth and renewal".  

The European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report requesting the European Commission to propose legislation for a directive on the cross-border transfer of company seats. Press release  

Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas gave a speech in Brussels on Transport financing: the way ahead.

 

Friday 3 February

Statistics

  • In December 2011, compared with November 2011, the industrial producer price index fell by 0.2% in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. Details
  • In the third quarter of 2011 compared with the second quarter of 2011, the household saving rate decreased while the household investment rate remained almost unchanged in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. Details
  • In the third quarter of 2011, compared with the second quarter of 2011, the business investment rate rose in both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27. Details
  • The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.4% in December 2011, unchanged compared with November. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.9% in December 2011, also unchanged compared with November. Details
  • In December 2011, compared with November 2011, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.4% in the euro area (EA17), while it rose by 0.3% in the EU27. Details

According to the agenda, the European Commission will publish, on 14 February,  a White Paper on the future of pensions in Europe.