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EU and US re-launch aviation talks
- The EU and US on Tuesday (6 February) officially re-launched talks on an ‘open skies’ deal that would open up the market for transatlantic flights. Negotiations stalled in December when the US Congress scrapped proposals to allow European investors greater voting rights in US airline companies.
Verheugen unveils competitive-cars plan
- Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen yesterday (7 February) published his blueprint for increasing the competitiveness of the European car industry. The strategy based on the findings of the CARS 21 stakeholders group covers a broad range of areas, including safety issues, trade, environment, the reduction of red tape and research.
Hands off ECB, minister tells counterparts
- German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück insisted yesterday that member state governments must respect the independence of the European Central Bank. The statement followed calls by member states for greater involvement in interest rate decisions.
Critical infrastructure blueprint
- The Commission on Friday (2 February) took its first step towards improving the protection of critical infrastructure, with definitions of the energy, transport, water and telecommunications sites deemed vital to the functioning of the EU. Currently, protection of such infrastructure is done on a country-by-country basis.
Italian petrol-pump protest
- Italian service stations went on strike yesterday in protest at liberalisation measures that will allow supermarkets to sell petrol. Up to nine out of ten service stations joined the strike, which is expected to last until Friday (9 February). The liberalising measure is one of many to have been introduced by Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Other measures will affect news kiosks, airlines and barbers.
Culture ministers will meet to consolidate an emerging consensus on EU broadcast regulation next week (12-13 February).
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