Category Archives: Law

Law Press Releases & News distributed via EuropaWire

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Irish electrical company Cooper Industries by rival Eaton

Posted on 27, November 2012 by

Brussels, 27-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Cooper Industries of Ireland by Eaton Corporation of the US. The transaction combines the electrical equipment and component businesses of Cooper and Eaton. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, Electronics & Machinery, European Union, Financial, Government, Ireland, Law

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And yet it’s coming: a gender quota in business leadership

Posted on 27, November 2012 by

Ms Viviane Reding — Vice-President, Member of the Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Women’s Finance Forum Hamburg, 27-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ —  Key statements: We did it: yesterday, the European Commission made gender equality history. After years of empty promises and … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Germany, Government, Law, Politics, Society

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Workshop on access to clinical-trial data and transparency kicks off process towards proactive publication of data

Posted on 26, November 2012 by

26-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — “The European Medicines Agency is committed to proactive publication of clinical-trial data, once the marketing-authorisation process has ended. We are not here to decide if we publish clinical-trial data, but how.” This is how Guido Rasi, Executive Director … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Healthcare, Internet & Online, Law, Society, Technology

EDPS: greater accountability of EU institutions and bodies and involvement of DPOs for better data protection

Posted on 26, November 2012 by

Brussels, 26-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted a Policy on Consultations in the field of Supervision & Enforcement which provides guidance to EU institutions and bodies and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) on consulting the EDPS when drawing up measures or internal rules which … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Technology

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MOL: factual misconceptions in the comments of the initial ruling of the former Prime Minister of Croatia

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Following the sentence announced by the Zagreb County Court yesterday, MOL issued a statement noting that this was an initial ruling and that we continue to reject categorically the accusations made against MOL as part of the case … Read the full press release →

Posted in Croatia, Energy, Gas & Oil, Hungary, Law

Buying consumer credit on-line: following EU action, over 75% of websites checked now give satisfactory information to clients

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

Brussels, 23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Before consumers enter into a loan, they need to understand its real cost and take the time to reflect, especially on the monthly repayment. Following a crackdown on websites offering consumer credits, more than 3 out of 4 … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Law

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Serbia: good work in improving the judiciary

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

Brussels, 23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle met in Brussels today Serbian Minister of Justice and Public Administration, Nikola Selaković, to discuss Serbia’s Justice and Public Administration progress towards EU integration. “As a candidate country, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Serbia

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MOL Group statement on the first sentence of the Sanader-trial

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — It is not our duty to comment the first sentence the Zagreb County Court made today. Being the biggest investor in Croatia, obviously we need to respect it and regard it as a decision of an independent juridical … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Croatia, Energy, Gas & Oil, Hungary, Law

Competition: European Competition Network refines its Model Leniency Programme

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

Brussels, 23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Competition Network (ECN), composed of the European Commission and the competition authorities of all EU Member States, has strengthened the Model Leniency Programme (“MLP”), around which ECN competition authorities align their own leniency procedures. The MLP … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Law

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Commission takes Belgium to Court for failing to issue biometric passports with fingerprints

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

Brussels, 23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — More than three years after the deadline was set for issuing biometric passports with fingerprints, Belgium still fails to comply with this requirement.As a result, the Commission has today referred the country to the Court of Justice of the EU, requesting Belgium to speed-up the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Technology

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MEPs vote to give rules against cruel shark practice extra bite

Posted on 23, November 2012 by
Wholesale shop keeper displaying a shark fin

23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Never mind what the popular Jaws films will have you believe: people pose a greater threat to sharks then they to us. Several shark species have been pushed to the brink of extinction due to fin hunters cutting … Read the full press release →

Posted in Environment, European Union, Government, Law, Society

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Electronic money: Commission asks Court of Justice to fine Belgium for not implementing EU rules

Posted on 23, November 2012 by

Brussels, 23-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has decided to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the EU for failing to implement the Directive on the taking up, pursuit and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutions. The Commission has … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law

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Driving licences: Commission proposes reduced fine for Cyprus

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission decided today to amend its decision referring Cyprus to the European Court of Justice for not fully transposing the Directive on driving licences. Since the previous court referral decision in June (IP/12/642), Cyprus has notified … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Cyprus, European Union, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

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Internal energy market: Commission refers Poland and Finland to Court for failing to fully transpose EU rules

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Internal energy market: Commission refers Poland and Finland to Court for failing to fully transpose EU rules The European Commission is referring Poland and Finland to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to fully … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Energy, Gas & Oil, European Union, Finland, Government, Law, Poland

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State aid: Commission endorses €1.56 billion compensation for Poste Italiane for public services delivered over 2009-2011

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, two compensations received by Poste Italiane for delivering two public services in the period 2009-2011, namely a compensation of €1.1 billion for the universal postal service and a … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Italy, Law

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State aid: Commission finds sale of LOT Polish Airlines’ subsidiaries did not involve state aid

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that the sale of LOT Services, LOT Catering and LOT Airport Maintenance Services, subsidiaries of LOT Polish Airlines, was carried out on market terms and did therefore not involve state aid in the meaning of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Poland

State aid: the Commission approves a new Spanish scheme for the early depreciation of assets acquired via finance leases

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has ruled that the new Spanish system for the early depreciation of the cost of certain assets acquired through finance leasing does not constitute state aid under EU rules, inter alia because it is not selective. Joaquín … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Spain

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Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of German kitchen manufacturer Alno by Whirlpool

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the German kitchen manufacturer Alno AG by the US household appliances company Whirlpool Corporation. The Commission’s investigation showed that there were enough alternative suppliers … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Electronics & Machinery, European Union, Financial, Germany, Government, Investment, Law

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State aid: Commission clears UK umbrella support scheme for broadband investment ‘BDUK’

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found that a UK umbrella support scheme for investments in next generation access (NGA) broadband networks, ‘BDUK’, is in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the scheme is aimed at supporting local … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Telecom, United Kingdom

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Mergers: Commission approves joint acquisition of HDI Poland by Talanx and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance

Posted on 22, November 2012 by

Brussels, 22-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over two Polish insurance companies HDI Asekuracja S.A and HDI-Gerling Życie S.A by Talanx International AG and Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, respectively a German … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Germany, Insurance, Investment, Law, Poland

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Council conclusions on the Republic of Moldova – Action Plan on Visa Liberalisation

Posted on 21, November 2012 by

3199th FOREIG AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 19 ovember 2012 Brussels, 21-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The Council adopted the following conclusions: “The Council reaffirms the EU’s commitment to the shared objective of visa-free travel for the citizens of the Republic of Moldova in due … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Moldova

Fight against arms trafficking: Where do we stand?

Posted on 21, November 2012 by

Cecilia Malmström — EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Conference – “Fight against illicit trafficking in firearms. Where do we stand” Brussels, 21-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — I am delighted to welcome you all to our conference on the fight against illicit trafficking in firearms, in … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law

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State aid: Commission approves amendments to the restructuring plan of ING

Posted on 21, November 2012 by

Brussels, 21-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Following an agreement between the European Commission and The Netherlands, the Commission has approved an amended restructuring plan of the Dutch-based financial institution ING under EU state aid rules. ING agreed to a fixed repayment schedule and revamped … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Netherlands

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Acquisition of citizenship in the EU EU27 Member States granted citizenship to around 810 000 persons in 2010

Posted on 20, November 2012 by

20-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — In 2010, 810 500 persons acquired citizenship1 of an EU27 Member State. The highest number of citizenships were granted by the United Kingdom(195 000 persons), France (143 000), Spain (124 000) and Germany (105 000) which together accounted for 70% of all citizenships granted by the EU27 Member … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Law, Society

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Question and Answers on the EU’s fight against illegal fishing

Posted on 20, November 2012 by

Brussels, 20-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — How was the Commission’s decision to warn eight third countries of the risk of being identified as non-cooperative countries taken? The Commission’s decision to warn eight third countries (Belize, Cambodia, Fiji, Guinea, Panama, Sri Lanka, Togo and Vanuatu) … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Belgium, European Union, Government, Law

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State aid and public procurement: For or against European firms?

Posted on 19, November 2012 by

Against the background of the current economic crisis, the European Union should make the best use of taxpayers’ money. At its November plenary session, the EESC called for better access to public procurement and more flexible state aid rules. 19-11-2012 … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Law

A historic day for gender equality

Posted on 19, November 2012 by

Viviane Reding — Vice-President of the European Commission, EU Justice Commissioner  Brussels, 19-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Today is a historic day for gender equality! After decades of empty promises and failed attempts at self-regulation, we still have an effective 85% male quota on the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Law, Society

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ZALTRAP® (aflibercept) Receives CHMP Positive Opinion in the European Union for Previously Treated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Posted on 19, November 2012 by

Paris, France and Tarrytown, NY, 19-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) adopted a positive opinion … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, France, Government, Healthcare, Law, Pharma & Biotech, Science

Emissions trading: Commission presents options to reform the European carbon market

Posted on 19, November 2012 by

Brussels, 19-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is taking two important steps to address the growing supply-demand imbalance of emission allowances in the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS). As an immediate first step to address the rapid build-up of the surplus … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, Environment, European Union, Government, Law

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BP Announces Resolution of All Criminal and Securities Claims by U.S. Government Against Company Relating to Deepwater Horizon Accident

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

Resolution of all criminal claims with Department of Justice includes $4 billion paid in installments over a period of five years Resolution of all securities claims with Securities and Exchange Commission includes $525 million paid in installments over a period … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, Financial, Government, Law, United Kingdom

Statement About Proposed Resolutions of US Federal Government Criminal and SEC Claims Against BP in Connection with the Deepwater Horizon Incident

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

16-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — BP confirms that it is in advanced discussions with the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding proposed resolutions of all US federal government criminal and SEC claims against BP in … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, Government, Law, United Kingdom

Tax online gambling to fight mafia business

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

16-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Removing the financial control of mafia organisations over banks should be a priority in the EU’s fight against organised crime. Monitoring high-risk clients’ activities and sharing information on an EU database are among the proposals debated at a … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Entertainment, European Union, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Society

Statement on Financial Transaction Tax and Savings at ECOFIN Council

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

Algirdas Šemeta — Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud ECOFIN COUNCIL Brussels, 16-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — I would like first to thank the Presidency for addressing the FTT at today’s meeting. It is important to move forward quickly on this file, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law

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Commission Communication on tax fraud and tax evasion – Council conclusions

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

3198th ECO OMIC and FI A CIAL AFFAIRS Council meeting Brussels, 13 ovember 2012 The Council adopted the following conclusions: “1. The Council underlines the importance of intensifying action against tax fraud and evasion as requested by the European Council in June 2012, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law

New framework for quality schemes in agriculture adopted today

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

Brussels, 16-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The Council adopted a regulation on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs following a first reading agreement with the European Parliament (41/12). This regulation should achieve a simplified regime for the quality schemes under one single legal instrument and a … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Belgium, European Union, Food & Beverage, Government, Law

Tackling child poverty

Posted on 16, November 2012 by

László ANDOR — European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion 7th European Forum on the Rights of the Child Brussels, 16-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Ladies and gentlemen, First of all I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to join … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

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EFSA and DG SANCO hold high level event to discuss ‘challenges of tomorrow’

Posted on 15, November 2012 by

15-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — This year marks the 10th anniversary of the General Food Law and the establishment of EFSA, a defining moment in food safety in which the European Union turned firmly towards science to point the way forward. To recognise this … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Food & Beverage, Government, Law, Society

Putting victims first: New rules on victims’ rights to become law

Posted on 15, November 2012 by

Brussels, 15-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — A new European law to improve rights for an estimated 75 million crime victims across the European Union each year will be published in the Official Journal – the EU’s statute book – tomorrow. The directive on victims’ … Read the full press release →

Posted in European Union, Government, Law, Politics, Society

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Commissioner Georgieva welcomes the European Union’s ratification of the new Food Assistance Convention

Posted on 15, November 2012 by

Brussels, 15-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — With a decision of the Council, today the European Union ratifies the new Food Assistance Convention. I welcome this news – together with the European Parliament’s consent given on 25 October, this decision makes the EU a founding … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Food & Beverage, Government, Law, Politics, Society

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Statement on Financial Transaction Tax and Savings Directive

Posted on 14, November 2012 by

Algirdas Šemeta – Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-fraud ECON Committee (European Parliament) Brussels, 14-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Madam Chair, Honourable Members, I am very happy to have the opportunity to continue our regular dialogue on taxation. Nobody questions today … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Law, Politics

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