ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Markets turn on Portugal as EU trade union opposition grows

05.02.2010 @ 09:23 CET

There was no let-up in the turmoil caused by European budget deficits on Thursday, with investors turning their attention to the weak state of Portugal's public finances.

Palm oil plantations are now 'forests,' says EU

04.02.2010 @ 17:43 CET

The European Commission hopes to redefine palm oil plantations as "forests" according to a leaked document from the EU executive.

Icelandic PM warns EU over Icesave

05.02.2010 @ 09:24 CET

The prime minister of Iceland has warned the European Commission of the "damage" that could be caused by making links between the Icesave banking dispute and economic support being delivered by the IMF.

Spain presents deficit plan to Brussels

04.02.2010 @ 09:26 CET

The Spanish government presented its stability programme to the European Commission on Wednesday (3 February), outlining a timetable to rein in an excessive deficit that reached 11.4 percent of gross domestic product last year.

Cyber-scam artists disrupt emissions trading across EU

03.02.2010 @ 17:42 CET

Emissions trading registries in a number of EU countries were shut down on Tuesday as a result of a phishing scam tricking traders into giving away their emissions allowances.

China and EU set for WTO clash over shoes

04.02.2010 @ 17:41 CET

EU-China trade tensions were further strained on Thursday, after China filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organisation over European shoes tariffs.

BLOGS

	Europeanism: Culture First, PoliticBy Peter Sain ley Berry		Is there a chance to escape de-legiBy Olena Prystayko		In search of a roleBy Honor Mahony
	Good CAP Bad CAPBy Nick Jacobs		Truly European journalismBy Brigitte Alfter		Energy and Ukraine's ElectionBy Alexandros Petersen

Commission wants new EU agency for rubbish

03.02.2010 @ 09:27 CET

The huge rise in illegal waste shipments in recent years and Europe's thousands of illegal landfills means that a dedicated European Union agency devoted to waste is required, the European Commission says.

EU states miss services directive deadline

03.02.2010 @ 09:27 CET

Only one third of EU member states have successfully implemented the EU's services directive, despite the passing of a 28 December 2009 deadline.

Greece facing strict surveillance from Brussels

03.02.2010 @ 17:14 CET

The European Commission has said it fully supports the Greek government's deficit-cutting plan announced last month, but outlined a strict surveillance programme at the same time to ensure targets are met.

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Few countries submit climate pledges by deadline

02.02.2010 @ 09:25 CET

A total of 55 countries have submitted their pledges to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 to the UN climate convention, the global body said on Monday.

Merkel clashes with Switzerland over 'stolen' bank data

02.02.2010 @ 09:27 CET

Germany's centre-right government is considering paying an informant €2.5 million for data on alleged tax evaders in Switzerland, a move the Alpine country slammed as illegal.

Parliament sets out concerns over Colombia trade deal

02.02.2010 @ 18:17 CET

The EU's ongoing free trade negotiations with Colombia featured twice in European Parliament debates last week, with deputies from across the political spectrum raising serious concerns over the South American country's human rights record.

European Commission to back Greek deficit-cutting plan

01.02.2010 @ 17:25 CET

The European Commission is set to back Greek government plans to rein in public spending when the full college of 27 commissioners meets this Wednesday.

Germany says Greece has its 'full support'

01.02.2010 @ 09:29 CET

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle has thrown his country's "full support" behind Greece, as the southeastern EU member state continues to battle its ongoing debt problem.

Finance ministers from Iceland, Netherlands and UK meet to discuss Icesave dispute

29.01.2010 @ 17:42 CET

In a sign of a possible thaw in relations between Iceland and the UK and the Netherlands, finance ministers from the three countries met informally on Friday in the Hague to discuss the Icesave dispute.

SECTIONS

01:56 CET 10.02.2010

Battling the 'Multilateral Zombie' - EU climate strategy after Copenhagen

Sketching the outlines of an European Union strategy to battle what one think-tank has called the "multilateral zombie" ...
[Comment] Iceland is fully committed to honouring its obligations

The Icesave dispute should not jeopardise Iceland's long-term co-operation with the IMF or the EU accession process, wri...
[Comment] Dealing with Europe's China angst

Europe lacks a common voice on China precisely because it lacks strategic confidence in jointly shaping world affairs wi...

BLOG POSTS

Europeanism: Culture First, Politics After
By Peter Sain ley Berry
Is there a chance to escape de-legitimisation of the election results?
By Olena Prystayko
In search of a role
By Honor Mahony
Good CAP Bad CAP
By Nick Jacobs
Ashton, Iraq and Iran
By Peter Sain ley Berry
A no-show?
By Honor Mahony
Calm before the storm...
By Olena Prystayko
Getting visibility for its buck
By Honor Mahony
A wake up call
By Honor Mahony
Questions for Mr Fuele
By Peter Sain ley Berry

MEPs greenlight deal giving parliament more political powers

09.02.2010 @ 12:25 CET

MEPs Tuesday strongly voted in favour of a resolution on relations between the commission and the EP. The deal foresees more face-time between commissioners and MEPs, strengthens the parliament's right to make legislative proposals, and says EU agency heads have to go through parliamentary hearings.

Tymoshenko to contest Ukraine result, report says

09.02.2010 @ 09:20 CET

Ukraine PM Tymoshenko said at an internal meeting on Monday that "[She] will never accept his victory in such elections" after polls showed she lost the presidential vote to rival Yanukovych on Sunday, news agency Ukrainska Pravda writes. Ms Tymoshenko is due to give an official reaction on Tuesday.

Poland outraged by Belarus police action

09.02.2010 @ 09:19 CET

Poland is trying to whip up international criticism of Belarus after police attacked the base of a Polish ethnic minority association in Grodno on Monday. "Protection of minority rights and the opposition is a basic condition of closer EU-Belarus ties," Polish FM Sikorski told Gazeta Wyborcza.

Estonia eurozone moves concerns Latvia

09.02.2010 @ 08:36 CET

Estonia's motion towards adopting the euro is causing concern in neighbouring Latvia, AFP reports. Estonia hopes this summer to receive a nod from the EU to switch to the euro on 1 January next year. Latvia's economy is the worst in the "Baltic trio" which also includes 2014-euro hopeful Lithuania.

Green groups warn EU against electric cars

09.02.2010 @ 08:36 CET

Putting more electric cars on the road may increase CO2 emissions, three leading environmental lobby groups said on Monday - issuing a warning to the EU as it prepares to support the new technology. The Spanish EU presidency is organising an informal ministerial meeting on the topic today.

US concerned at French warship sale to Russia

09.02.2010 @ 08:35 CET

US defence secretary Robert Gates told French officials Monday that he was concerned about their plans to sell amphibious assault ships to Russia, the New York Times says.The deal would increase Russia's capacity to quickly deploy troops and tanks on the shores of another country, such as Georgia.

New organic logo to be used in Europe's supermarkets

09.02.2010 @ 08:34 CET

The EU commission on Monday unveiled a new logo that will have to be shown on all pre-packaged organic products sold in Europe from July. A green leaf incorporating the 12 stars of the EU flag, won the logo competition. It was designed by Dusan Milenkovic, a student from Germany.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Education

The EU Jean Monnet programme has just celebrated its twentieth anniversary in helping universities set up departments and courses on European studies while another key programme, the 22-year-old Erasmus student exchange programme, needs an upgrade, one of its founders says. EUobserver turns the spotlight on the education sector.

Regions & Cities

This section takes a closer look at regions and larger cities throughout Europe.

China - EU business relations

As an official media partner of the 'Understanding China' project, EUobserver is devoting this special section to news and analysis of business relations between the EU and China.

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London, UK (Closing date 2/14/2010)
Internet Service Provider - Sales Engineer (English)

Frankfurt, Germany (Closing date 3/10/2010)
1-800 People - Online Sales Operations (English/Dutch)

Relocation to Dublin, Holland (Closing date 3/11/2010)
1-800 People - Online Sales Operations (English/Dutch)

Dublin, Holland (Closing date 3/11/2010)
SMG - Corporate Sports Sales Executives (English/French or Italian)

Stockholm, Sweden (Closing date 2/21/2010)
Dentsu Brussels - Senior Copywriter (English/French and German is an asset)

Brussels, Belgium (Closing date 3/7/2010)
Truvo Corporate cvba - New Media Product Managers

Antwerp, Belgium (Closing date 2/15/2010)
SWIFT - Financial Auditor

Brussels, Belgium (Closing date 3/7/2010)

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