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EU welcomes Hollande's commitment to Europe

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 11:16

The European Commission welcomed Friday French President Francois Hollande's "deep commitment" to Europe and looked forward to seeing promised proposals to boost the flagging EU. "We hail the deep committment of France and the French authorities to Europe," a European Commission spokesman said of Hollande's comments Thursday that he would take the initiative to end Europe's "lethargy" and promote a closer political union within two years.

EU agrees extra 2013 budget, with caveats

Agence France-PresseMay 14, 2013 12:31

EU finance ministers agreed Tuesday to add 7.3 billion euros to the bloc's 2013 budget, a hotly contested move which was crucially tied to a wider accord on its 2014-20 spending plans. Ministers "reached a political agreement" on amending the budget, adding the first tranche of what could be a total 11.2 billion euros to cover shortfalls in member state commitments. This money would be focused on "measures to support economic growth, create jobs and tackle unemployment, especially among youth," a statement said.

Canada loses WTO appeal in renewable energy case, EU says

Thomson ReutersMay 8, 2013 14:37

BRUSSELS/GENEVA (Reuters) - Canada has lost an appeal at the World Trade Organization in a landmark case over incentives offered to local companies, the European Union said on Monday, ahead of the official publication of the appeal decision. Japan and the European Union brought the case over a scheme intended to promote renewable energy in the province of Ontario. They said the incentives were illegal because they discriminated against foreign firms, a complaint that was upheld by a WTO adjudication panel in December 2012.

EU in crunch talks on budget gap

Agence France-PresseMay 6, 2013 11:31

Leading EU officials meet later Monday to try and break a deadlock on the bloc's budget for the rest of the decade with a summit of feuding national leaders looming on May 22. The head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, European Parliament head Martin Schulz and current chair for EU governments, Irish premier Enda Kenny will meet from 1630 GMT, although no decisions are expected to emerge from the talks.

EU-Canada trade talks stalled, overshadowed by U.S.

Thomson ReutersApril 22, 2013 10:45

By Robin Emmott and David Ljunggren BRUSSELS/OTTAWA (Reuters) - Talks to wrap up a multi-billion-dollar free trade deal between Canada and Europe have stalled, diplomats said, raising concerns the agreement could be put on hold as Brussels switches its attention to a much bigger pact with the United States.

France threatens to block start of EU/U.S. free trade talks

Thomson ReutersApril 18, 2013 15:16

By Philip Blenkinsop DUBLIN (Reuters) - France said on Thursday it would block proposed negotiations on a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States unless cultural sectors, such as television and radio, were excluded from the talks. Trade ministers held an unprecedented informal meeting in Dublin on Thursday on the negotiations, which the Commission and most member states want to launch by the end of June. The talks are likely to last two years.

ICCI, EU dialogue for enhancing EU-Pak Trade Ties

AsianetApril 12, 2013 16:49

Pakistan has unique geographical and strategic geo-political location and considered to be the hub of trade in South Asia, therefore, EU countries should also consider Pakistan for enhancing trade and investment. These remarks were made by Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) while addressing at a dinner hosted by ICCI in honour of EU Ambassadors designated in Pakistan. Mr.Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Head of the Delegation and Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Mr.Petros Mavroidis, Ambassador of Greece, Ambassador of France, Au

Pakistan to get GSP plus status by year-end: EU

AsianetApril 12, 2013 10:49

Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Lars-Gunnar Wigemark here on Thursday said that Pakistan would get the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus status by the end of this year which will give a better market access of Pakistani products to EU markets.

ICCI, EU dialogue for enhancing EU-Pak Trade Ties

AsianetApril 12, 2013 09:20

EU regulators want more clout to deal with trade cases - document

Thomson ReutersApril 9, 2013 15:15

By Ethan Bilby BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU trade regulators want to expand the scope of their powers to go after companies in anti-dumping investigations, according to EU documents obtained by Reuters. The proposal, if approved by EU governments and EU lawmakers, would make it legally easier for the European Commission to demand companies hand over sensitive data to prove that some foreign products are sold at below cost in Europe.