Category Archives: Law

Law Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

EC recommends to the Council to abrogate Excessive Deficit Procedure for 5 EU member states

Brussels, 30-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  Commission takes steps under the Excessive Deficit Procedure.   Which decisions has the Commission taken today as regards the Excessive Deficit Procedure? The Commission has today recommended that the Council abrogate the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) … Read the full press release

EC cleared the deal between Lutosa of Belgium & McCain of Canada

The clearance is conditional on the divestment of Lutosa’s branded retail business in the European Economic Area (EEA) Brussels, 29-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Lutosa of Belgium by McCain … Read the full press release

EDPS: ‘Smart, sustainable, inclusive Europe’: only with stronger and more effective data protection

Brussels, 29-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The lobbying surrounding the current review of the EU data protection law by organisations both from Europe and elsewhere has been exceptional. Following the presentation of his Annual Report of activities for 2012 to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs … Read the full press release

EC approves Syniverse of the US acquisition of Mach of Luxembourg, subject to conditions

Brussels, 29-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  Following an in-depth review, the European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Mach of Luxembourg by Syniverse of the US. The approval is conditional upon the divestiture of Mach’s Data Clearing (“DC”) services … Read the full press release

EC 2012 competition policy report shows how competition policy helps unlock potential of EU Single Market

Brussels, 29-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission’s 2012 report on competition policy shows that without an effective European competition policy, the internal market cannot deliver its full economic potential. Private barriers to trade and competition would risk replacing the public … Read the full press release

voestalpine AG statement on Deutsche Bahn press release regarding the German rail cartel

27-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Dr. Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of voestalpine AG, made the following statement regarding the agreement with Deutsche Bahn: “We are very pleased that, after very intense negotiations, agreement with Deutsche Bahn has … Read the full press release

EU-wide restrictions on pesticides harmful to Europe’s honeybee population enter into force on 1 December, 2013

Brussels, 27-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — A restriction on the use of three pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid family was today adopted by the Commission. These pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam) were identified as being harmful to Europe’s honeybee population. This restriction will … Read the full press release

EC approves Munksjö AB / Ahlstrom Corporation merger

Brussels, 27-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Following an in-depth investigation (see IP/12/1338), the European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger of Munksjö AB of Sweden and the label and processing paper business of Ahlstrom Corporation of Finland in the … Read the full press release

The European Ombudsman: more than 30 000 complaints and almost 3 500 investigations in the past ten years

27-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, dealt with more than 30 000 complaints and opened almost 3 500 investigations into alleged maladministration in the EU administration during his ten years in office. In 2012 alone, he received 2 442 complaints (2510 in … Read the full press release

Air Canada, United and Lufthansa commit to address EC concerns over revenue-sharing joint venture

Brussels, 24-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Antitrust: Commission renders legally binding commitments from Star alliance members Air Canada, United and Lufthansa on transatlantic air transport passenger market. The European Commission has accepted commitments offered by Air Canada, United and Lufthansa to address the … Read the full press release

The European Parliament voted to endorse EC’s proposal for EU-wide protection for victims of domestic violence

EU-wide protection for victims of domestic violence to become law Strasbourg, 23-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Victims of violence, in particular domestic violence, will soon be able to count on EU-wide protection, after the European Parliament voted with an overwhelming majority (602 … Read the full press release

The European Parliament adobted Commission’s proposal to make the internal market for pyrotechnic articles leaner

Brussels, 23-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission welcomed today’s adoption by the European Parliament of the Commission proposal to make the internal market for pyrotechnic articles leaner. Further to this vote fireworks will soon become safer to use thanks to new rules … Read the full press release

EESC: Tax evasion costs Europe EUR 1 trillion a year

Civil society urges the Council to end tax evasion 23-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The EESC is urging the Council to send out the right signal to the European public and to prove that Europe is able to tackle this fundamental … Read the full press release

University of Warwick Professor of Law Shaheen Sardar Ali in 100 most influential Pakistani women

22-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Professor Shaheen Sardar Ali, Professor of Law at the University of Warwick and Vice-Chair of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, has been included in a list of the 100 most influential Pakistani women in … Read the full press release

The European Parliament adopted the EU legislative proposal on safety of offshore oil and gas operations in EU

Energy Commissioner Oettinger welcomes Parliament adoption of offshore legislation Brussels, 21-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Günther Oettinger, EU Commissioner for Energy said: “I welcome this major step enhancing the safety of offshore oil and gas production in the EU. Past accidents have shown … Read the full press release

EU Court of Justice delegation to officially visit Bulgaria

Luxembourg, 21-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — As part of the constant contacts which the Court of Justice of the European Union maintains with the highest courts of the Member States, a delegation from the Court will make an official visit to Bulgaria, from Saturday, … Read the full press release

CNMV: Advertencia Al Público De Entidad No Registrada En Supervisores Internacionales

21-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — La Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) hace públicas las advertencias recibidas a través de los supervisores de los mercados de Bélgica, Irlanda, Luxemburgo, Noruega y Reino Unido. El supervisor belga informa de que I-RISK BVBA … Read the full press release

KBC reacts to legal action against Blagosostoyanie’s acquisition of Absolut Bank, KBC’s banking subsidiary in Russia

Brussels, 20-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — KBC takes note of the legal action started before the President of the Brussels Court of Commerce by four private customers of Blagosostoyanie against the Russian pension fund’s acquisition of Absolut Bank, KBC’s banking subsidiary in Russia. … Read the full press release

Professor Jon Rushman: You can understand why Governments are nervous about Bitcoin

Jon Rushman talks about Bitcoin on BBC’s Today 20-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Professor Jon Rushman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he believes in the long term cyber currencies like Bitcoin could see the end of central banks and foreign … Read the full press release

Colruyt verrast door uitspraak van correctionele rechtbank ivm tabaksreclame

Halle, 20-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Colruyt is verrast dat de correctionele rechtbank te Brussel vandaag heeft geoordeeld dat de verkoop aan een prijs die lager is dan de prijs die de fabrikant op de fiscale zegel heeft gezet, tabaksreclame is. Het is … Read the full press release

European Union & Swiss Confederation competition authorities to cooperate

Brussels, 17-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Union and the Swiss Confederation have signed an agreement that will strengthen co-operation between their respective competition authorities, the European Commission and the Swiss Competition Commission. This is the fifth such agreement signed by the … Read the full press release

EC opens anti-dumping and an anti-subsidy investigation on mobile telecommunications networks from China

Statement by EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht on mobile telecommunications networks from China Brussels, 17-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — “The European Commission has today taken a decision in principle to open an ex officio anti-dumping and an anti-subsidy investigation concerning imports of … Read the full press release

EC confirmed unannounced sugar sector inspections

Brussels, 17-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission can confirm that on 23 April 2013 Commission officials undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the sugar industry in several Member States. The inspections relate to the supply of white … Read the full press release

Ryanair welcomed EU Court Confirmation That European Commission Failed To Investigate “State Aid” granted to Alitalia

16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost carrier (ULCC), today (16 May) welcomed the EU Court’s ruling which confirmed that the European Commission has failed to investigate “State Aid” granted to Alitalia. Ryanair had initially notified the European Commission … Read the full press release

EC approved Istituto Sviluppo Agroalimentare equity investment in Ferrarini Group-controlled NewCo

Brussels, 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —   The European Commission approved today a €12.5 million equity investment by the Italian public investor Istituto Sviluppo Agroalimentare (ISA) in the share capital of the company NewCo, controlled by the Ferrarini Group. The Commission concluded that … Read the full press release

Ford España under EC investigation for proposed public financing

Brussels 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to examine whether Spanish plans to grant public financing to the Ford group for an investment project in the Valencia region are in line with EU state aid … Read the full press release

EC temporarily approves €100m rescue aid for LOT Polish Airlines by the Polish government

Brussels, 16-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a rescue loan of PLN 400 million (around €100 million) granted by the Polish government to LOT Polish Airlines was in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission found, in … Read the full press release

EC approved €39.8m France aid for “Genesys” research programme

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  The European Commission has decided that the aid granted by France to the P.I.V.E.R.T. Institut d’Excellence en Énergies Décarbonées (IEED, institute of excellence in the field of low-carbon energy) to conduct the Genesys research and development … Read the full press release

EC finds Copenhagen multiarena public co-financing in line with EU state aid rules

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that the proposed public co-financing of a new multiarena in Copenhagen, Denmark was in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission found that the public funding was both proportionate … Read the full press release

EC to investigate public financing for German paper mill Propapier after EU General Court judgment

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — State aid: Commission opens investigation into public financing for German paper mill Propapier after Court judgment After the annulment of its 2008 decision to authorise a regional investment aid granted by Germany to Propapier for the construction … Read the full press release

EC clears acquisition of the Parlophone Label Group by Access Industries Inc., owner of Warner Music Group

Brussels, 15-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Parlophone Label Group (“PLG”) by Access Industries Inc., the ultimate owner of Warner Music Group (“WMG”). The Commission’s investigation confirmed that the … Read the full press release

Joaquín Almunia welcomes Visa Europe’s proposed commitments to cut inter-bank fees for credit cards

Brussels, 14-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Vice President Almunia welcomes Visa Europe’s proposed commitments to significantly cut its inter-bank fees for credit card payments, to a level of 0.3% of the value of the transaction (a reduction of about 40 to 60%) and … Read the full press release

Sapa joint venture deal between Orkla ASA & Norsk Hydro ASA cleared by the EU Commission

14-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The EU Commission has today approved the transaction between Norsk Hydro ASA and Orkla ASA to form a 50/50 joint venture, to be named Sapa. Pending necessary approval from Chinese competition authorities, the parties expect the transaction … Read the full press release

EC clears Banco CEISS restructuring plan

Brussels, 14-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a modification to Banco CEISS’ restructuring plan, opening the door for an acquisition of the bank by Unicaja Banco, is in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the Commission … Read the full press release

EC approved the merger between Norsk Hydro ASA and Sapa Holding AB, subject to conditions

Brussels, 13-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed creation of a joint venture between Norsk Hydro ASA and Orkla ASA’s wholly-owned subsidiary Sapa Holding AB, both Norwegian companies active in the soft-alloy aluminium extrusions … Read the full press release

EBRD report: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan need Functioning Insolvency Systems To Support Growth

EBRD’s Law in Transition report: Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan need to do more to help, not kill, struggling businesses 13-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ —  There will be no real growth without working insolvency systems in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan, … Read the full press release

Court of Justice of the European Union: The Flemish Decree on land and real estate policy is contrary to EU law

Judgment in Joined Cases C‑197/11 and C-203/11 Eric Libert, Christian Van Eycken, Max Bleeckx, Syndicat national des propriétaires et copropriétaires ASBL, Olivier de Clippele v Gouvernement Flamand  Luxembourg, 9-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The condition that there exists a ‘sufficient connection’ between the prospective buyer … Read the full press release

The Court upholds the judgment of the General Court: Eni SpA is definitively required to pay a fine of €181.5 million

The Court upholds the judgment of the General Court concerning the cartel on the synthetic rubbers markets as regards the Italian company Eni SpA Luxembourg, 9-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — In 20061 the Commission imposed fines totalling over €519 million on 13 … Read the full press release

Algirdas Šemeta: Tax evasion and avoidance: time for ambitious actions

Algirdas Šemeta – Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Statistics, Audit and Anti-fraud European Parliament Economic Committee on Taxation Brussels, 9-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Ladies and Gentlemen, I am very happy to be here with you today. I would like to … Read the full press release

ECB: Marketable debt instruments issued or fully guaranteed by Cypriot government again eligible collateral for the purposes of Eurosystem credit operations

Frankfurt am Main, 8-5-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Marketable debt instruments issued or fully guaranteed by the Republic of Cyprus and fulfilling all other eligibility criteria shall again constitute eligible collateral for the purposes of Eurosystem credit operations, subject to special haircuts. … Read the full press release