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Most of EU funds in 2011 in Lithuania used in lawfully, correctly - audit

The National Audit Office of Lithuania (NAOL) conducted an audit of the efficiency of the management and control system (MCS) for the use of 2007-2013 EU Structural Funds assistance and of the expenditure in the amount of LTL 4.6 billion (EUR 1.3 billion) declared to the European Commission (EC), the National Audit said in a report. "Although auditors did identify certain irregularities, having regard to the fact that the MCS met the requirements laid down in the EU legislation and functioned sufficiently effectively and that no material errors had been detected in the expenditure de

AFP Europe News Agenda

What's happening in Europe on Wednesday: + New Cypriot finance minister to be sworn in + French ex-minister charged in tax fraud probe + Serbia, Kosovo fail to reach deal NICOSIA: New Cypriot finance minister Haris Georgiades is sworn in at 0730 GMT after the resignation of Michalis Sarris, who stepped down to cooperate with a judicial probe on the causes of the financial crisis. Picture. Graphic. (CYPRUS-ECONOMY-EU-FINANCE)

US criticizes EU restrictions on wine labels

The United States on Monday criticized the European Union's restrictions on wine labeling, saying they hinder US wine exports to the 27-nation bloc. The US Trade Representative's office said the EU's policy of seeking exclusive use of so-called traditional terms such as tawny, ruby, reserve, classic, and chateau on wine labels had an undesirable effect.

CORRECTED: EU top court urged to review ruling on asset freeze test case

A top legal official at the European Court of Justice called Tuesday for it to annul a high-profile 2010 decision that the European Commission had no right to freeze the assets of a Saudi national put on a US list of terror suspects. Advocate General Yves Bot argued that the General Court, which sits below the ECJ, had made several mistakes in its September 2010 ruling against the European Commission after an appeal by Yassin Abdullah Kadi, who Washington had named on a list of terror suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

EU top court urged to review ruling on asset freeze test case

A top legal official at the European Court of Justice called Tuesday for it to annul a high-profile 2010 decision that the European Commission had no right to freeze the assets of a Saudi national put on a US list of terror suspects. Advocate General Yves Bot argued that the General Court, which sits below the ECJ, had made several mistakes in its September 2010 ruling against the European Commission after an appeal by Yassin Abdullah Kadi, who Washington had named on a list of terror suspects after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

EU seeks extra 11.2 bn euros

The EU needs another 11.2 billion euros in its 2013 budget to cover bills left unpaid from last year, the European Commission said Wednesday -- in a demand immediately shot down by Britain. "This is a totally unacceptable request," Financial Secretary to the Treasury Greg Clark said in an unusually hard-hitting statement issued by the London government.

National regulators challenge EU's telecoms price proposal

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission should not set specific fees for telecoms firms seeking access to traditional copper networks as it would mean consumers paying more in Poland, Austria and eight other EU countries, national regulators said on Tuesday. The regulators, which are responsible for implementing the Commission's decisions in their home markets, said they should have the freedom to adjust prices to take into account domestic factors

France threatens to delay quick start of EU-U.S. trade talks

PARIS (Reuters) - France threatened on Monday to delay the swift start of EU-U.S. trade talks if its red lines on culture and farm produce are not respected. Brussels and Washington hope to start negotiations in June on a transatlantic free-trade agreement that would encompass almost half the world's economy, and are seeking as broad a deal as possible to deliver strong economic growth.

British nuclear support plans flout EU rules - lawyers

By Barbara Lewis and Karolin Schaps BRUSSELS/LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's plans to reward nuclear plant operators through fixed prices for low-carbon energy are illegal under existing EU rules and efforts to adapt them are likely to draw opposition from other member states, EU and legal sources said. Britain plans to reform its electricity market to fix a minimum price for nuclear, wind and solar-generated power, which is carbon free.

EU lawmakers to close deal on bank bonus clampdown

By John O'Donnell BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers are expected to agree on Wednesday to bar bankers in Europe from getting bonuses bigger than their salary, with just the timing of the first cap of its kind globally to be decided. EU officials indicated that there could be a further delay to the introduction of the new rules until as late as the middle of 2014 to allow countries time to complete legal preparations - which could spare bankers for one more bonus season.
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