Germany took over the presidency of the EU on 1 January 1999. It has set as its priorities: job creation; internal consolidation and further development of the Union; and strengthening the development of the EU” profile in relations with other countries. The European Council will take place in Cologne on 3-4 June.
Germany takes over the Presidency Read More »
The Transport Commissioner announced that the Commission is working on recommendations to enable the EU to take decisions on this early in 1999. Within a few years many transport systems will rely on GNSS. The Commission is consulting with the industry, transport users and others in order to define a possible EU role in GNSS.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Read More »
The Commission has set out proposals “to save Europe’s railways from extinction”. Included are proposals to liberalise the freight market. The White Paper proposes to speed up modification of the existing legislation (Directive 91/440/EC) so as to extend the rights to railway infrastructure for freight and for international passenger services. Existing legislation will be modified
Tourism and Employment: The High Level Group on Tourism and Employment have stated that the tourism sector is expected to grow faster than the economy as a whole, increasing turnover by 2.5-4% per annum and creating 2.2-3m jobs in the EU by 2010.
Significant progress has been made and, on completion, the programme is expected to increase EU GDP by 0.5bn ecu by 2030 and create 600 000 jobs. The Vienna European Council emphasised the importance of protecting funding for this despite the need for cuts in public expenditure.
Trans-European Transport Networks Read More »
The Commission referred eight Member States to the European Court of Justice for having concluded “open skies” agreements with the USA. The states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and the UK. The Commission argues that these agreements distort competition and disadvantage EU airlines. The Commission itself had been negotiating an agreement with
Air Agreements with the USA Read More »
The Commission announced proposals to extend the provisions of the Directive to more EU workers in the road, rail, sea, air and inland waterways transport industries. The Directive provides protection against adverse health and safety effects of long hours, inadequate rests and disruptive working patterns. (IP/98/1004).
Working Time Directive Read More »
Banks have indicated that no charges will be levied for converting accounts and payments into euros. The Commission intends to keep the situation under review and have invited persons who have been charged to notify them. The euro operates in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The ecu has
On 13 January 1999, the UK Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, visited Camp Zeist in the Netherlands which is to be used for the trial of the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing. The former US airbase currently used by the Dutch, will technically become part of Scotland for the purposes of the trial, which
President Clinton announced new measures to increase contact between ordinary US citizens and Cubans. These do not amount to the lifting of the general embargo against the Cuban Government but inter alia permits more charter flights between the two countries. These flights are intended to provide for visits by athletics, social, religious and other groups
