European Union

The European Union Parliament voted earlier today to include airline emissions in their greenhouse gas emissions reduction program.  The act, to begin in 2012, would allow the airlines to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions.  In addition, each airline would be required to reduce carbon emissions by 3% in 2012 and 5% per year [...]

Parliamentarians Get EPA Update: By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: However, some – including members of Bahamians Agitating for a Referendum on Free Trade (BARF) – have argued that it amounts to The Bahamas giving up its sovereignty. Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing explained to members of parliament during a luncheon at British Colonial Hilton Hotel on Wednesday what

The European Union is increasingly swept up in the anti-immigrant hysteria which impacts many parts of the world. It just passed new legislation which allows EU member nations to hold undocumented migrants in detention centers for up to 18 months and then to ban them from entering EU territory for up to five years. The [...]

The European Union’s competition commissioner, Neelie Kroes, delivered an unusually blunt rebuke to Microsoft on Tuesday by recommending that businesses and governments use software based on open standards. She called using open technology a “smart business decision”.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia raised an interesting and far reaching proposal by calling for nations of Asia and the Pacific to envision their own version of the European Union. He noted how the EU has enabled nations that formerly were enemies to come together in friendship and cooperation. “I believe it is time [...]

Union boss weighs in on EPA proposal: By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, NG Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: Less than a week after scores of Bahamians participated in a peaceful demonstration in the city's center in protest of the government's proposed signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, a leading trade unionist yesterday called for more consultation on the move.

Attempts by European governments to deny knowledge their airports were used by the CIA to fly detainees to facilities where they could be tortured has unravelled. A document obtained by the civil rights group Statewatch confirms that the European Union (EU) agreed to such flights as part of a wider programme of joint security operations with the Bush administration in 2003. Minutes of confidentia

Olli Rehn of the European Union urged Turkey to establish an ombudsman system in order to handle the controversial headscarf issue which has torn apart the nation. He recognized an important issue in Turkey is balancing secular and religious concerns and these might be best resolved by having an ombudsman who deals with indivdual cases [...]

There is growing concern in many European nations over efforts by defenders of secularism in Turkey to use the court system in an effort to destroy the ruling Justice and Development Party(AKP) whose leaders are accused of seeking to impose a strict Muslim code of behavior on the nation. Guther Krichbaum, chair of an EU [...]

The European Union will soon announce a new policy that will allow its member states to only detain illegal immigrants for no longer than six months. The EU wants to create a uniform policy that would be applicable throughout the organization. There are an estimated 10 to 12 milliion illegal immigrants in the EU, some [...]

As noted at 247Gay:"London’s Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford launched an online campaign this week to end the US policy of virtually refusing travel visas to people with HIV, a policy that has no public health rationale. Currently the European Union is involved in visa negotiations with the US authorities to secure visa-free travel (visa waiver) for EU citizens from all of its 27 member states. In the US, gay rights campaigners are trying to get the ban lifted."Sign the petition to lift the ban letting the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the EU Council know this is discriminatory.*Graphic courtesy of jonrawlinson of Creative Commons.

An erosion of democracy:- By The Nassau Institute - Nassau, Bahamas: The new European Union treaty approved at a summit of member states in Lisbon in October, 2007, has attracted fierce opposition in Britain. It has been labeled "the great EU betrayal". The controversy is as much about the accountability of an elected government to its voters, and the implications for democracy, as the nature of the new powers ceded to unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. In an article published in The Tribune last October, the Nassau Institute examined the debate leading up to the EU summit meeting. The treaty was designed, ostensibly, to improve the working of the EU's existing institutions, though many claimed that it was identical to the new EU constitution which had been rejected by French and Du

During the past few years, Turkey has been governed by the Justice and Development Party(AKP) which is based on Islamist principles. The Turkish nation for nearly a hundred years has been committed to secular ideas that derive from its founder, Ataturk. Prime Minister Erdogan and President Gul have aroused controversy by their efforts to end [...]

Speaking of the "Perspective" research department, we also looked into the rumours floating around about a further integration of the member countries. The EU Commission has just announced an... NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE OVERLY RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL OR STUPID!

The European Union expressed “very serious concerns” about reported human rights abuses in Sri Lanka. There are constant reports of abductions, enforced disappearances and unexplained kilings since December, 2005, when hostilities resumed between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tiger rebels. The had been a quiet period of peace for more than three years [...]

Evidently, the members of the European Union have lost their minds. France just won EU approval Tuesday to give $152 million U.S. to several companies hoping to build a European rival to U.S. search giant Google Inc. Have these people looked at history? Any time one "sanctions" the construction of anything, it is filled with nothing but kickbacks and bureaucratic disasters. There is nothing... Click the Headline Link to Visit Copious Dissent and Read the Full Story.

Protest Against EPA By Sasha L. Lightbourne - Nassau, Bahamas: The preliminary signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was deliberate and not an accident according to Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing. Mr. Laing’s comments came on the heels of a protest staged by Bahamians Agitating for a Referendum on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (BARF). BARF (sic) demonstrated with picket signs shortly after the opening ceremonies of the 19th Intercessional meeting of Caribbean Heads of Government. The EPA is designed to open up trade between Caribbean and European countries but according to Fayne Thompson, a member of BARF, the government should not seal away its sovereignty and explain to Bahamians what the EPA is. "We feel that this EPA is a CSME in disguise," h

You should be really angry after reading this story. The EU just came out recently blaming many of the conflicts around the world, including Darfur, on Global Warming. Yes, apparently the liberal elites around the world believe that the religious and tribal genocide, where women and children are murdered senselessly, is due to half of a degree increase in temperature. There are so many... Click the Headline Link to Visit Copious Dissent and Read the Full Story.

FORUM ISTANBUL YOUTH PLATFORM TOWARDS 2023… "EUROPEAN UNION-TURKEY: THE STRATEGIES OF INTERCOMMUNICATION FIRST CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP" March 15, 2008 Bahcesehir University, Fazil Say Conference Hall, Istanbul Forum Istanbul Youth Platform is carrying on the succession of conferences called "Towards 2023" with the new panel and workshop whose topic is "EU-Turkey: The Strategies of

Berlin's Adlershof district is striving to become the place to be when it comes to solar technology. In Europe's largest science park, the experiment to merge science and industry is now taking off.Located on the eastern outskirts of Berlin, Adlershof is a quick 20-minute train ride from the city center. In GDR times Adlershof was Berlin's celebrated socialist science mecca. So when Germany's reunification threatened its further existence, the area embarked on an experiment: the creation of a science park, merging solar technology research with solar industry, in one winning equation.Since 1993, Berlin has invested billions of euros in the area -- billions the heavily indebted city doesn't have. But Adlershof's public relations manager, Peter Strunk said it was money well-invested in a bol

GOV'T: WE WON'T SIGN EPA: By VERNON CLEMENT JONES, Senior Business Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: The Bahamas appears to have made good on what many had hoped was just a threat, announcing Tuesday it will not sign the economic partnership with Europe. "The Bahamas representative at this (CARICOM) meeting has announced that we will not be signing the EPA at this juncture," said Hank Ferguson, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce point man on trade talks now underway in Jamaica. "What it means is that the country's exports will lose their duty-free access, at least in the short term, and be subject to 12- to 14-percent tax. "This (is) particularly disturbing to the private sector of The Bahamas." The announcement came Tuesday as The Bahamas rejoined other CARICOM nations at the negotiating table for a final and crucial round of talks aimed at determining which among them were prepared to sign onto the deal this month — an effort to meet the December 31 deadline. Gary Russell, who se

Freeport's Polymers wants government to sign onto Euro trade deal: By MINDELL SMALL, Guardian Senior Reporter - Nassau, Bahamas: Polymers International Ltd is making one last appeal to the government to sign on to the new Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe (EPA) — an effort to protect an estimated 15 percent of profits generated from that continent. CEO of the Grand Bahama-based company Greg Ebelhar said the proposed EPA, now heading toward settlement, is of significant importance to the plant's future success. "We have the potential for losing about 10 to 15 percent of our business because it would make us non-competitive with Dart Container Corporation, the company that we compete with out of the US for business that's in the UK," Ebelhar said in an interview with The Guardian yesterday. The EPA is aimed at replacing the Cotonou Agreement, which expires on December 31. That unilateral pact grants trade preferences to former European colonies in Africa, the Caribb

Germany's powerful energy companies got fresh political support Tuesday for a bitter attack on European Union plans to split energy producers from their distribution networks, with accusations that... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Germany's powerful energy companies got fresh political support Tuesday for a bitter attack on European Union plans to split energy producers from their distribution networks, with accusations that... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Germany's powerful energy companies got fresh political support Tuesday for a bitter attack on European Union plans to split energy producers from their distribution networks, with accusations that Brussels was destroying property rights and hindering investment.The criticism, led by Burckhard Bergmann, chief executive officer of E.ON Ruhrgas, amounted to one of the most stinging attacks leveled against Neelie Kroes, the European Union competition commissioner. Kroes has consistently taken a tough stance, particularly against Germany and France, for their refusal to "unbundle" the ownership of energy producers from the supply business.Kroes argues that breaking up the giants would promote competition and lower prices across the Continent.But Bergmann took issue with that, insisting that "there was no empirical evidence that unbundling would lead to lower network charges or that it enhances investment cross-border competition."Speaking at the European Autumn Gas Conference, he added:

Germany's powerful energy companies got fresh political support Tuesday for a bitter attack on European Union plans to split energy producers from their distribution networks, with accusations that Brussels was destroying property rights and hindering investment.The criticism, led by Burckhard Bergmann, chief executive officer of E.ON Ruhrgas, amounted to one of the most stinging attacks leveled against Neelie Kroes, the European Union competition commissioner. Kroes has consistently taken a tough stance, particularly against Germany and France, for their refusal to "unbundle" the ownership of energy producers from the supply business.Kroes argues that breaking up the giants would promote competition and lower prices across the Continent.But Bergmann took issue with that, insisting that "there was no empirical evidence that unbundling would lead to lower network charges or that it enhances investment cross-border competition."Speaking at the European Autumn Gas Conference, he added:

The European Commission is setting up a Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) with developing countries, which foresees integrating the tackling of climate change into poverty reduction strategies. The European Commission this week announced the creation of a fund to help developing nations battle climate change, putting in 50 million euros ($69 million) itself to kick it off.Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, proposed the global alliance to help developing nations deal with and adapt to the effects of climate change."We need to maintain structured dialogue on tackling the effects of climate change," he said. "And we have to prepare developing nations for future natural disasters."With global warming affecting many sectors, the EU is keen to integrate "climate proofing" into poverty reduction efforts in order to ensure sustainability. Increasingly frequent, increasingly deadlyAccording to the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED),

The European Commission is setting up a Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) with developing countries, which foresees integrating the tackling of climate change into poverty reduction strategies. The European Commission this week announced the creation of a fund to help developing nations battle climate change, putting in 50 million euros ($69 million) itself to kick it off.Louis Michel, EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, proposed the global alliance to help developing nations deal with and adapt to the effects of climate change."We need to maintain structured dialogue on tackling the effects of climate change," he said. "And we have to prepare developing nations for future natural disasters."With global warming affecting many sectors, the EU is keen to integrate "climate proofing" into poverty reduction efforts in order to ensure sustainability. Increasingly frequent, increasingly deadlyAccording to the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED),

The European Union has put more than 18.3 million gallons of surplus wine up for bid to make bioethanol. The move comes during a continued agriculture crisis for the EU, which is trying to come to grips with over production of wine in the region.The wine is stored in France, Italy, Spain and Greece. The EU is accepting bids until Sept. 10. France, Italy and Spain are the largest producers of wine in the EU, which has been discussing proposals to remove vineyards to cut back production. The wine producers have faced stiff competition in recent years from wineries in America, Australia, South Africa and South America.To eliminate the surplus, the EU Parliament has made several payments to wineries to distill wine into industrial alcohol. A major political battle is expected later this year when the EU debates reform of farm policies regarding vineyards and the elimination of crisis distillation practices. Some winemakers argue that instead of paying to rip out vineyards the government sh

La liberalización del sector energético en Europa no ha conseguido dar el paso necesario para contar con herramientas que propicien una robusta fortaleza regional en lo que a seguridad energética se refiere. Lo que se emprendió en la década de los noventa (Directiva 96/92 sobre Normas Comunes para el Establecimiento del Mercado Interior Eléctrico ) con su máxima expresión en la elaboración de las directivas del 2003* y complementadas de una ruta de liberalización que ha tenido sus claros y oscuros.Algunos Estados miembros, han conseguido cumplir con sus deberes en el cumplimiento de los compromisos comunitarios en este rubro, varios de ellos son los ahora principales promotores de este fortalecimiento de la liberalización de los mercados de la energía. Sobretodo cuando se habla de electricidad y gas.A mi me surgen dudas al desconocer, si antes que todo los europeos tendrían que resolver el gran pendiente que es ¨La Constitución Europea¨, y eso ¿ por que?, sencillo es

A European Union Directive requires member states to have in place a criminal injuries compensation scheme similar to that in England. What does that mean? Simply - if you have received a criminal injury in a European Union country you should be able to make...

Europe's new energy supply lines, from central Asia to Greece.Will they harm the environment and damage tourist sites? See the importance of a common European energy policy... that's in this week's edition of Parlamento.The europeans need to looking for a new energy policy to build a new energy supply. Now there are some challenges from the east side, like the new pipelines.Via: EuroNewsBlogalaxia|europeos Advertise on The ENERGY DATA WAREHOUSEwww.BajaeNergyBLOG.com

Liberalisation of EU electricity and gas sector The programme to create a single European market without internal frontiers, which was completed in 1992, did not include the EU´s energy sector. As the opening of the energy markets was seen as a key factor in improving Europe's competitiveness and welfare, the Commission and member states agreed to tackle this problem. As a result, in 1996 and 1998, the first electricity and gas directives were adopted, representing an important step towards the creation of an internal market in these sectors. The objective of the directives was to open up the electricity and gas markets through the gradual introduction of competition, thereby increasing the efficiency of the energy sector and the competitiveness of the European economy as a whole. By September 2000, most member states had implemented the electricity and gas directives. Nearly ten years after the openingup of Europe's telecommunications market, it's the turn of energy. What is in

The European Union is currently debating the issue of whether or not to ban mercury fillings. "Amalgams," which contain 50 percent mercury, is still standard issue in many European countries. The EU has commissioned two working groups to sort out the potential health hazards, and environmental risks, and to report back by the end of 2007.Mercury is fatal in high doses, but even low doses have been linked to a wide variety of adverse symptoms and illnesses, including: mild tremors neurological damage kidney problems autism Alzheimer's disease If you have not yet seen the telling video Mercury In Your Teeth?, then make it a point to watch it now. A visual demonstration of how the mercury fillings in your teeth vaporizes and spreads is worth more than a thousand words. You may also want to read through Mercury Toxicity and Systemic Elimination Agents, for more in-depth information about how to eliminate mercury toxicity from your body. Reuters July 25, 2007

British Conservatives are opposed to the draft European Union constitutional treaty as proposed becoming UK law without it being submitted and approved by a national referendum as agreed by outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair. (more…)

According to top health experts from European Union (EU), More than fifty percent of adults in EU are obese or overweight and so they are playing the biggest part in making European Continent fattier (From Yahoo News). Lack of proper diet and little or no physical activities have biggest role in making adults more overweight. More and more children are getting overweight everyday and it will lead

A panel from the European Union has started an investigation to find out whether or not Google’s internet search engine is operating in accordance with the European privacy rules. This is a 28 member panel who also advises the European Union governments and European Commission on issues with data protection.  Pietro Petrucci, who is a European Union spokesman, said that the panel wants to see Google address concerns about their method for storing and retaining user information. Petrucci said, “This group has addressed a letter to Google raising a number of questions,” and that according to EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini, the questions raised by the letter are considered to “be appropriate and legitimate.” Google’s global privacy counsel representative Peter Fleischer said that “we believe it’s an important part of our commitment to respect user privacy while balancing a number of important factors, such as maintaining security a

The terms ‘Jihad’, ‘Islamists’, and ‘fundamentalists’ are no longer going to be used in Europe if the EU has it’s way. This is designed to make sure the terrorists don’t get offended. Is this a case of if we ignore them maybe they will just go away? We hope, anyway. They won’t, the problem is western culture, our lifestyle. They want to, and believe it is their destiny to, Islamize the whole world. Not using certain words isn’t going to change that goal. Ignoring the Islamo-fascists will have grave and deadly consequences. How can we fight an enemy if we can’t even call them by name? It’s hard enough trying to fight them because they disguise themselves as friendly Muslims. They are willing to kill innocent Muslim women and children to achieve their goal. Their goal of destroying the west. They are faceless, and now they will be nameless too. An excerpt from the article: The E.U.’s lexicon reportedly recomme

Economic Benefits of EU for UK1. Free Trade with EU trading partners. Trade with EU countries now accounts for over 60% of UK’s trade (compared to 16% for US). This has helped create jobs in the export sector and is an important determinant of UK growth.2. Lower Prices for Consumers. Free trade and increased competitiveness of the EU has enabled consumers to benefit from lower prices, at least for some goods.3. Regional aid. Areas like S. Wales and the North East of England benefited from European regional grants which helped the local economy’s improve. However the UK no longer has any relatively deprived areas (after eastern countries entered)4. Harmonisation of Rules and regulations: These have reduced costs for business.5. EU rebate (negotiated by Mrs Thatcher) means that membership of the EU costs effectively very little.Economics Costs of European Union for the UK.1. Common Agricultural Policy has inflated prices of agricultural goods.2. Common Agricultural Policy has been a

After criticising the EURO, at least arguing the UK should not join. I think it is only fair to remember some of the benefits of the European Union.Not least amongst the achievements of the EU include:Peace amongst nations - European Union countries are no longer at loggerheads like they were in the past.Economic development of countries like Portugal, Ireland and Spain.Free Movement of workers across Europe.Prospect of membership has helped modernise Turkey.There are 50 reasons here at the Independent: 50 Benefits of the European UnionI think the best of all 50 is this one:50. Lists like this drive Eurosceptics mad In the Daily Mail-Sun universe, the EU can never do any good. Brussels is an insane bureaucracy, which secretly plots to have all donkeys painted blue (with yellow stars). The 50th birthday of the European project is a time to celebrate the many positive things which the EU has brought us. European UnionBenefits of Joining EURO

Despite a recent improvement in EU growth (last year GDP growth was 2.9%) there are concerns over fundamental problems with the EU economy. In recent years by far the worst performers in the EU have been the big 3 of Germany, Italy and France. Germany for example has experienced 6 years of sluggish growth and poor productivity rates. The OECD estimates that productivity growth in the EU has averaged only 1.5%, which is lower than comparative rates in the US. Reasons for the Slowdown In European growth Some slowdown inevitable after wonder years of 1950s and 1960s. 50 years ago, as the Treaty of Rome was being signed, the German economy was undergoing a period of tremendous growth, combined with low inflation and low unemployment. To some extent a slowdown from this rapid expansion is a reflection of a maturing economy. However this is only a partial explanation.German Reunification. This has often been used to explain low growth in Germany

Another must-read by Fjordman: In my criticism of the European Union, I have been accused of being too positive towards the nation state. It is true that Western civilization isn't exclusively about nation states. The Renaissance took place in the city states of Italy while nation states were non-existent or weak. It is also true that there is a potentially destructive side to nationalism as opposed to defensive patriotism. However, our current democratic system is tied to nation states. The EU didn't cause all of Europe's problems, but it made some of them worse, and added a few new ones. If the EU collapsed tomorrow, we would still be in a lot of trouble, but at least we would have a fighting chance. I have heard a number of people say that "Europe is already lost." I do agree with them that if the political situation remains as it is today, then yes, Europe is lost to Islam, or at least significant parts of Western Europe, maybe not all of Eastern Europe. But I'm not so sure w

Perhaps the EU can take a page from the Californians and sue the car makers for dangerous emissions. Since the governor of California is from Austria, there is some symmetry to it. The European Union announced that several car companies had not met the continent's clean air standards. While most US car makers and their affiliates made the cut, The European Federation for Transport and Environment said that many Japanese and European car companies did not. This includes Nissan, Audi, Maza, Suzuki, and BMW. If emmission standards are moved from voluntary, where they stand now, to mandatory, there could be hell to pay. A lot of car engine systems would have to be retooled over time. And, that is not cheap. But, with no Detroit companies on the list, chalk up one for the good guys. Douglas A. McIntyre can be reached at douglasamcintyre@247wallst.com. He does not own shares in companies that he writes about.

European Union*EU Television, EU Radio, EU Showreals Online*EU Breaking News and Latest Info by Country*EU Press Releases,Meetings,Events,Audiovisual,Media Info,Documents,Contacts*European Union Virtual LibraryEuropean Union Treaty of Nice(download it free $35 value)*EU Treaty of NiceThe book is available electronically and can be downloadedfor private use.The Treaty of Nice was finally adopted on 26 February after five days of negotiation at a summit in Nice in December 2000. It will not enter into force until it has been approved by all 15 EU Member States, the so-called ratification process.EU Strasbourg, FranceEU In LuxembourgEurope RisingAmerica and Europe Are Destined To Drift ApartMonday, February 21, 2005With the possible exception of Britain, the Europe George W. Bush visits this week is destined to be as much an adversary as an ally in the rapidly changing world of the 21st century.The president's presumed purpose in spending the next three nights in Brussels is to mend, if

An interesting headline in the news today, at least for folks whoare from or have lived in Europe. As of Jan. 1, 2007, both Bulgariaand Romania joined the European Union. This raised the member-ship in the E.U. to 27 countries. The E.U. was originally known asthe European Economic Community and was established in 1957by the Treaty of Rome; it's original members were Belgium, France,Italy, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, and West Germany. Denmark,Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981,Portugal and Spain in 1986, and West Germany became a unifiedGermany in the E.U. in 1990, just a year after the Berlin Wall camedown. Austria, Finland, and Sweden entered the club in 1995, and in2004 the biggest membership jump occurred, when Cyprus, Hungary,Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, The Czech Republic, Slovakia,Malta, and Slovenia all joined. Most had been ex-Iron Curtain nationsprior to the remarkable events of 1989. Now with the addition ofBulgaria and Romania, 2 more of

A few weeks ago, the London Telegraph (via Hot Air) spoke about a comic book being published by some ultra-liberal European Parliament members (which can all be found on their website):What do Euro-MPs do when they are not lunching or filling in expenses forms?It seems that they fall in love with investigative journalists, brave assassination attempts and single-handedly take on corrupt Chinese generals - according to the Liberal group in the European parliament, at least.Tired of its staid image, the 106-strong group has spent £25,000 printing 40,000 copies of Operation Red Dragon, a cartoon storybook depicting the glamorous and daring life of "Elisa Correr", the personification of the "new breed" of "exciting" Liberal Euro-MP. While real parliamentarians fret about whether an amendment to the latest European Union directive might offend the committee chairman, the fictitious Miss Correr is ready to torpedo inter-continental trade deals or take on hit men for the sake of her principl