US DEVELOPMENTS

Nicholas Burns - US Under Secretary of Political Affairs - Speech at Chatham House  
Nicholas Burns the current US Under Secretary of Political Affairs made a speech at Chatham House in London on April 6th. A former Ambassador to Greece and Nato, he focused on a number of key issues of concern in US/EU relations including peace and stability in the Balkans the Middle East peace process, engaging with Russia and the Ukraine and relations with Africa and Asia.

For more details see: http://www.state.go v /p/2005/44378.htm

Secretary of State Rice visits Moscow
The US Secretary of State visited Moscow on the 19 April for discussions with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov in advance of President Bush's visit to Moscow on May 9 to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of War in Europe. Following her visit, Secretary Rice travelled to Lithuania for meetings with Nato Foreign Ministers and the Nato Russian Council and the Nato - Ukraine Commission.

For more details see: http://www.state.gov/secretary/trvl/444 8 2.htm

Nato Foreign Ministers Meeting : Vilnus Lithuania
Nato Foreign Ministers came together in Vilnus in Lithuania for a Nato Council meeting on the 20 April. The meeting focused on a number of key issues including the situation on Darfur in Sudan, long term outlook in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, reform of the UN and greater EU-Nato co-operation.

For more details see:http://www.nato.int/ d ocu/update/2005/04-april/e0420a.htm

EU DEVELOPMENTS


26th March 2005: Louis Michel sees clear opportunity to enhance political dialogue with Cuba
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, welcomed the commitment of Cuban authorities to enhance political dialogue with the European Union, based on mutual respect and frank exchanges on all issues without taboos.

Details at:http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressRel e ases A ction.do?reference=IP/05/380&format=HTML&aged=0& l anguage=E N & g uiLanguage=en

4th April: Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomes US Deputy Secretary of State Zoellick
European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrrero-Waldner met US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick at the Commission Headquarters in Brussels.

Details at:http://europa.eu.int/com m /external_relations/us/news/zoellick040405.htm

14th April 2005: Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner gives a speech on The International Criminal Court, Transatlantic Relations and Co-operation with Third Parties to Promote the Rule of Law
Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner gave a speech at Parliamentarians for Global Action" - International Criminal Court Round Table.

Complete speech can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/228&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN& g uiLanguage=en

16th April: Louis Michel emphasises the importance of the partnership between the EC and the World Bank for development in his meeting with Paul Wolfowitz
The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, and the next President of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, had a first exchange of views on development issues.

Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/440&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

18th April: Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, speech for the opening session of the 7th Annual Meeting of the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) Washington.

Full speech: http://europa.eu.int/rap i d/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/234&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

18th April: Stavros Dimas, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Environment, Speech on Meeting the Climate Change Challenge given at the Brookings Institute, Washington.

Full speech at:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/239&format=HTML&aged=0&languag e =EN&guiLanguage=en

19th April: Mr. Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, speech on "The Euro, Financial Market Integration and Structural Reform in Europe" at St. Regis Hotel, New York.

Open speech at a conference on the Euro and the evolution of Europe's financial market in New York. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/240&format=HTML&aged=0&langua g e=EN&guiLanguage=en

20th April: Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Concluding Remarks, Euro Conference in New York, on "The integration of Europe's financial markets and international co-operation"

Complete speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressR e leasesAction.do?reference=S P EECH/05/247&format=HTML&aged=0&l a nguage=EN&guiLanguage=en

20th April: Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, EU and US Health concerns and policies speech at a lunch hosted by the European Institute, Washington,

Complete speech at:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/244&format=HTML&aged=0&langua g e=EN&guiLanguage=en

20th April: Water and sanitation observation and monitoring mechanisms - Speech by Serge Lepeltier, Minister for Ecology and Sustainable Development.

Details at: http://www . info-france-usa.org/news/s t atmnt s /2005/lepeltier_ n ewy o rk 0 42005.asp

20th April: Commissioner Dimas hopeful about new phase in EU-US relations on climate change
Two days of meetings between the EU Troika and key decision-makers on Capitol Hill have provided a new opening for EU-US co-operation on climate change.

Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressR e leasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/463&format=HTML&aged=0&langua g e=EN&guiLanguage=en

25th April: Bulgaria and Romania set to join the European Union
The Treaty of Accession with Bulgaria and Romania was signed at a special ceremony held in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The signature of the Treaty of Accession by Bulgaria and Romania paves the way for the ratification procedures that will formalise their membership of the Union on 1 January 2007.

Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/100&format= H TML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en .

28th April: Statement by Ferrero-Waldner on proposed new Iraqi cabinet
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner has made a statement on the proposed new Iraqi Cabinet.

Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/505&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

28th April 2005: Accelerating Opportunities for Stronger Transatlantic Collaboration
Janez POTO?NIK, European Commissioner for Science and Research, speech on "Accelerating Opportunities for Stronger Transatlantic Collaboration" at a conference on Promoting innovation and competitiveness - a transatlantic dialogue.

Details at:   http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/2 6 2&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

29 April 2005: Peter Mandelson the EU Trade Commissioner Speech on "Tilting the global balance: Asia's new trade growth" at the WEF Asia Forum in Singapore
In this keynote speech to the WEF Asia Forum Peter Mandelson calls for Europe to renew and consolidate the scope of its relations with Asia to reflect the region's dramatic changes.

Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.d o ? r eference=SPE E CH/05/263&format=HTML&a g ed=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en .

TRADE ISSUES


Commission seeks clarification on Bt10 from US authorities and Syngenta
The European Commission has written to the US authorities and to the Biotechnology Company Syngenta requesting clarification of the situation regarding the unauthorised genetically modified maize Bt10.

Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/382&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition by The Dow Chemical Company of parts of Dupont Dow Elastomers
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed transaction whereby the US company The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") acquires sole control of parts of the US joint venture Dupont Dow Elastomers L.L.C. ("DDE").

Further Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/487&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

25th April: Application of additional customs duties to products imported from the United States
The Council adopted a Regulation establishing additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America, because of the failure of the United States to comply with World Trade Organisation rules.

Further Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/99&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Johnson & Johnson's take-over of Guidant Corporation
The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the planned $ 24 billion (around € 18 billion) acquisition by US healthcare group Johnson & Johnson (J&J) of its competitor Guidant, a US company specialised in cardiovascular medical products.

Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/471&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Register of existing GM food and feed products published
The Commission has published a list of 26 genetically modified (GM) products that have been legally on the EU market since before the new legislative framework for authorising GM food and feed had entered into effect.

Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/439&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Bt10: Commission requires certification of US exports to stop unauthorised GMO entering the EU
The Member States voted in favour of a Commission proposal to adopt an emergency measure requiring imports of corn gluten feed and brewers grain from the US be certified as free of the unauthorised GMO Bt10, as these are the imported products considered most likely to be contaminated.

Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/437&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

US / EU Trade Dispute Civil Aircraft
The US and the EU fail to reach an agreement on the status of US -EU large civil aircraft subsidies following the end of a 90 day period to complete negotiations.

For more details:
http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Spokesperson_Statements/USTR_Spokesman_Richard_Mills_Statement_On_the_Status_of_U.S.-EU_Large_Civil_Aircraft_Subsidy-Litigation_Talks.html

28th April: EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson Warmly Welcomes Confirmation of Next United States Trade Representative Rob Portman
EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson welcomed the confirmation by the US Senate of new United States Trade Representative Rob Portman. Portman will replace Bob Zoellick as the US's chief trade negotiator and Commissioner Mandelson's American counterpart.

Further details at: http://www.eurunion.org/news/press/2005/2005043.htm

21st April: Accounting Standards: Eu Commissioner McCreevy Sees Agreement With Sec As Progress Toward Equivalence
Top officials of the EU Commission and the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), meeting in the context of the EU-US Financial Markets Regulatory Dialogue, reached agreement on a "roadmap" toward equivalence between International Financial Reporting Standards and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Details at: http://www.eurunion.org/news/press/2005/2005041.htm

14th April: US LIGHTER BAN: EU CONVEYS SAFETY CONCERN TO STATE DEPARTMENT
The European Union is questioning the effectiveness and safety of new US rules banning cigarette lighters from air-travellers' hand luggage that will impact flights from the EU to the United States.

Details at: http://www.eurunion.org/News/press/2005/2005034.htm

11th APRIL: AIRCRAFT SUBSIDIES: EU TRADE COMMISSIONER READY TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATION
Statement by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

Details at:http://www.eurunion.org/News/press/2005/2005032.htm

1st April: EU COMMISSION SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON BT10 FROM US AUTHORITIES AND SYNGENTA
The European Commission has written to the US authorities and to the biotechnology company Syngenta requesting clarification of the situation regarding the unauthorised genetically modified maize Bt10.

Details at: http://www.eurunion.org/News/press/2005/2005030.htm