Prodi hails verdict on budget violations

Guardian Unlimited | "Europe's highest court ruled yesterday that EU governments had acted illegally in ignoring a call to punish France and Germany for violating budget rules - a decision that fuelled demands to reform the way the eurozone works.

The ruling by the European court of justice was welcomed by the European commission, which was humiliated last year when its recommendation was overruled by the member states.

Romano Prodi, the commission president, said he was delighted with the outcome, though analysts said he had won only a tactical victory. "
Prodi hails verdict on budget violations

- posted by DD @ 11:00 AM

 
Court overturns finance ministers

BBC NEWS | "The European Court of Justice has annulled a decision by EU finance ministers to suspend action against Germany and France over budget deficits.

Giving its verdict on a case brought by the European Commission, the court said the ministers' decision was not compatible with EU law.

Before the ministers got involved, the commission had been planning to penalise or even fine the two nations.

This is because France and Germany keep breaking the Stability and Growth Pact.
The pact is meant to keep the deficits of eurozone states below 3% of GDP, but several - most notably France and Germany - have breached it.

The pair are on track to breach the deficit ceiling for the third year running. "
Court overturns finance ministers

- posted by DD @ 12:14 PM

 
EU foreign ministers debate Iraq, Israeli barrier

EU Business | "European Union foreign ministers gathered Monday for talks with their Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari and to renew appeals to Israel to stop construction of its 'illegal' security barrier.

Two weeks after the US-led occupying forces in Iraq handed over power, Zebari was expected to lay out how Europe can work with the new administration to rebuild the country.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, whose country took over the EU's rotating presidency on July 1, said the Iraqi minister was 'the best placed to tell us where help is required'. "
EU foreign ministers debate Iraq, Israeli barrier

- posted by DD @ 10:36 AM

 
Economic control hangs in the balance

EUobserver.com | "The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will on Tuesday (13 July) hand down what may be the most significant ruling in its 46 year history.

The case may not sound like much (Judgement C-27/04 Commission v Council), but at stake is who is in control of the EU economy - Brussels or member states.

The European Commission took the Council of member states to court over its decision in November to suspend disciplinary procedures against France and Germany for repeatedly breaking EU economic rules.

Brussels had recommended that France and Germany take measures to bring their budget deficits below the maximum EU permitted level of three percent of gross domestic product (GDP). "
Economic control hangs in the balance

- posted by DD @ 10:34 AM

 
Paul van Buitenen sluit zich aan bij de Groenen in het Europees Parlement

Parlement & Politiek |"Europa Transparant, de partij die verrassend twee zetels won bij de Europese verkiezingen van 10 juni 2004, zal zich in het Europees Parlement aansluiten bij de fractie van de Groenen. Ook GroenLinks is aangesloten bij deze fractie. De twee leden van Europa Transparant, Paul van Buitenen i en Els de Groen i, zullen deelnemen als onafhankelijke leden. Toen Van Buitenen gedurende de jaren '90 in België werkzaam was bij de Europese Commissie, was hij al lid van de Belgische groene partij Agalev (Anders Gaan Leven). "
Paul van Buitenen sluit zich aan bij de Groenen in het Europees Parlement

- posted by DD @ 10:31 AM