2 November: President Welcomes Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to the White House
Short welcome speech by Bush and a reply by HRH.
Full text: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051102-17.html

2 November United States Files WTO Case Against Turkey Over Rice Restrictions.
At a hearing before the House Agriculture Committee, U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States filed a World Trade Organisation (WTO) case against Turkey due to its unfair restrictions on U.S. rice exports.
Full details at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/United_States_Files_WTO_Case_Against_Turkey_Over_Rice_Restrictions.html

2 November: Secretary Gutierrez Announces U.S. Travel and Tourism Board to Advise on International Campaign
United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board will advise Secretary Gutierrez on how to best increase the number of international visitors to the United States.
Full text: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/1105/tourism_110205.html

8 November: Remarks on the Department of State's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
Secretary Condoleezza Rice gives a short speech to launch the 7th Annual Report on International Religious Freedom in Washington, DC.
Full text: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/56634.htm

8 November: Ambassador John Hanford On the Department of State's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
A short speech the launch of the latest report.
Full text at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/56647.htm

8 November: Department of State and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Form International Women Leaders Mentoring Partnership
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Dina Habib Powell announced a dynamic new U.S. Department of State partnership with Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in a mentoring program for emerging women business leaders from around the world.
Further details: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/56609.htm

8 November: Remarks at the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign’s 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner
A wide ranging speech given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice in the Atrium Ballroom of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, DC.
Full text: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/56689.htm

9 November: Germany After the Elections: Implications for U.S.–German Relations
Testimony given by Dr. Karen Donfried, Senior Director for Policy Programs of The German Marshall Fund of the United States to the United States House of Representatives, Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.
Full testimony at: http://www.gmfus.org/publications/article.cfm?id=151

9 November: 20th Anniversary Briefing of the Secretary's Overseas Security Advisory Council
A Speech given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice at Dean Acheson Auditorium, Washington, DC.
Full text: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/56698.htm

10th November: International Visitation to the U.S. Grows Through August
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 4.3 million international visitors travelled to the United States in August 2005, an increase of almost 7 percent over August 2004.
Full details: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/1105/tourism_111005.html

13 November: Setting the Record Straight: The Washington Post On Pre-War Intelligence
The President refutes a number of allegations made by The Washington Post.
Full details at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051113.html

14 November: President's Statement on H.R. 3057, the "Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2006"
The Act provides funds in support of United States foreign policy objectives abroad.
Full details at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051114-2.html

15 November: Joint Press Availability with European Union High Representative Javier Solana and Quartet Special Envoy Jim Wolfensohn
Joint press conference with Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Javier Solana and Jim Wolfensohn at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem.
Full text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2005/56890.htm

17th November: Opinion Leaders Turn Cautious, Public Looks Homeward America's Place in the World
A Survey by The Pew Research Centre for the People and the Press which concluded that Americans have been shaken by what they perceive as the continuing rise of anti-American Sentiment and are turning inwards. However, they still think that the partnership between the U.S. and Western Europe should remain close. Comparably large majorities of opinion leaders feel a stronger European Union also benefits the U.S., but the public is more divided over this issue.
Full report at:http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=263

18 November: U.S.-EU Air Transport Agreement
The Agreement, if approved, would authorise every EU and every U.S. airline to fly between every city in the European Union and every city in the United States.
Further details: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/57148.htm

30 November: United States and European Communities Reach Agreement on Enlargement Compensation Package
U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman announced that the United States has reached a trade agreement with the European Union (EU) regarding the EU's May 2004 expansion.
Full details at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/United_States_European_Communities_Reach_Agreement_on_Enlargement_Compensation_Package.html



EU ISSUES



4 November: How Structural Funds reinforce competitiveness and help enlargement to succeed
Speech by Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Commission responsible for Regional Policy at the Polish-Fulbright Alumni Association Conference: “In Search of a Safer World”, Warsaw
Full speech: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/672&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

3 November: European Center for Deported Resistance Fighters
Speech by Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, at the opening of the European Center for Deported Resistance Fighters in Struthof camp.
Full details: http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2005/chirac_resistance_fighters110305.asp

7 November: 2686th Council Meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, General Affairs, Brussels
Topics discussed include; Hampton Court Summit, Common Foreign & Security Policy, Avian Flu.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/273&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

7 November: 2687th Council Meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, External Relations, Brussels
Topics discussed include; Balkans, Middle East, Iran, Iraq and WTO/DOHA.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/274&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

9 November: Key findings of the 2005 Progress Reports on Croatia and Turkey
The Progress Reports describe political and economic developments in Croatia and in Turkey as well as the country’s ability to transpose and implement EU legislation. They highlight the main achievements and pinpoint the shortcomings.
Full Press Release at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/05/411&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

9 November: Making Brussels more transparent
The College of Commissioners has launched a European Transparency Initiative. A Green Paper is to be published by the beginning of 2006 to launch a debate with all the stakeholders on how to improve transparency on the Community Funds, consultation with civil society and the role of the lobbies and NGOs in the European institutions’ decision-making process.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1397&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

10 November: Israel – European Union relations: fulfilling the potential
Speech given by Dr Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood policy, at the Prime Minister’s Conference for Export and International Co-operation, Tel Aviv.
Full Speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/675&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

14 November: Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)
GMES ensures that crisis situations can be better anticipated and managed. GMES is an EU-led initiative, in which the Commission will manage related actions for identifying and developing services and the European Space Agency (ESA) will manage the implementation of the space segment.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/05/420&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

15 November: New missions for the European Aviation Safety Agency
The European Commission proposed to extend the tasks of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to rulemaking and control in the field of air operations, qualifications and licences of pilots, and oversight of third country airlines operating in the European Union.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1422&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

16 November: Statement on recent declarations by the President of Iran
Statement by Dr Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European, Neighbourhood policy, in the European Parliament, Strasbourg. It condemns the remarks about the State of Israel made by the Iranian Head of State, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Full statement at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/696&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

16 November: EU brokers deal on progressive internationalisation of Internet governance at Tunis World Summit
The compromise text agreed was based largely on EU proposals presented in the discussions since June. A first element is a new international Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be created. The texts agreed in Tunis also include language that will allow for enhanced co-operation among governments, on an equal footing, on public policy issues.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1433&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

16 November: EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration - Committing to a new EU-Afghan Partnership Strasbourg, 16 November 2005
In a Joint Declaration the European Union and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan committed to a secure, stable, free, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan as laid out in the Afghan Constitution adopted on 4 January 2004.
Full details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/299&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

21 November: 2690th Council meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, General Affairs, Brussels
Issues discussed include; EU Budget, External Relations, European Security and Defence Policy, Development Co-operation.
Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/288&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

21-22 November: 2691st Council meeting, General Affairs and External Relations, External Relations, Brussels.
Issues discussed include; European Security and Defence Policy, Doha, the Middle East Peace Process, Iran and Iraq.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/289&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

22 November: The New German Cabinet
Full details at: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.920440/artikel/The-new-cabinet.htm

22 November: Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Ford Lease Business Partner by Société Générale
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of several business assets of the Ford Group (“Ford Lease Business Partner”) by the French banking group Société Générale.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1453&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

22 November: Advocate General Léger proposes annulment of the Commission and Council decisions on transfer to the American authorities of personal information concerning air passengers
In his view, neither the Council decision approving the agreement nor the Commission decision holding that information to be sufficiently protected by the United States have an adequate legal basis.
Full Press Release: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=CJE/05/98&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Links to the individual cases referred to in the above press release:

Case C-317/04 - http://curia.eu.int/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=en&Submit=Submit&alldocs=alldocs&docj=docj&docop=docop&docor=docor&docjo=docjo&numaff=C-317%2F04&datefs=&datefe=&nomusuel=&domaine=&mots=&resmax=100

Case C-318/04 - http://curia.eu.int/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=en&Submit=Submit&alldocs=alldocs&docj=docj&docop=docop&docor=docor&docjo=docjo&numaff=C-318%2F04&datefs=&datefe=&nomusuel=&domaine=&mots=&resmax=100

23 November: Doha: Goals for Hong Kong
Speech given by Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner to the European Parliament Trade Committee in the European Parliament, Brussels.
Full speech: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/717&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

23 November: "Accession negotiations with Turkey: the time for celebration is over, now comes the time for delivery"
Speech given by Olli Rehn, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement at the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, Brussels.
Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/716&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

24 November: Angela Merkel elected Chancellor
Full details at: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.923196/artikel/Angela-Merkel-elected-Chancell.htm

24 November: Presentation of the 2004 annual finance report
Speech given by Mr Hubert Weber, President of the European Court of Auditors at the ECOFIN Council.
Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=ECA/05/16&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

24 November: Eurostat Yearbook 2005 A portal to European statistics
Differences and similarities within the EU seen through figures.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/05/150&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

25 November: Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Ivax by Teva
The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the US Ivax Corporation (Ivax) by the Israeli company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva).
Full details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1479&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

28 November: Accession negotiations with Turkey: fulfilling the criteria
Speech by Mr Olli Rehn, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Enlargement European Economic and Social Committee at the EU-Turkey JCC in Brussels.
Full text at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/05/733&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

28 and 29 November: Strengthening dialogue and co-operation between civil society players in the EU and Turkey is essential for the negotiation process
The promotion of dialogue and co-operation between economic and social interest groups in the UE and Turkey, the involvement of civil society in the negotiation process, and trade union rights were the key themes of the 20th meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) held in Brussels.
Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=CES/05/136&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

30 November: Customs: European Commission proposes a new customs environment to face globalisation challenges
The European Commission has adopted two proposals to modernise the EU Customs Code and to introduce an electronic, paper-free customs environment in the EU.
Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1501&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

30 November: European Union and United States Ministerial Meeting drives forward transatlantic economic integration
The EU Presidency hosted the first informal EU-US economic ministerial meeting to discuss transatlantic economic integration and shared economic challenges. Senior Ministers and Commissioners welcomed both sides’ agreement to concrete action plans and timelines to tackle the most significant issues in the transatlantic economy, including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), regulatory co-operation, trade and security and improving innovation.
Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1496&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Press release: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/05/331&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

And also at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/us/news/econ_301105.htm



TRADE ISSUES



3 November: Commission authorises import of 1507 maize for use in animal feed
The European Commission has authorised the placing on the market of the genetically modified maize 1507. The authorisation covers the import and processing of this GMO, including its use in animal feed.
Full details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1366&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

8 November: ITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate from France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, And Korea
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) today determined that revoking the existing countervailing duty orders on imports of cut-to-length carbon steel plate from India, Indonesia, Italy, and Korea and the existing antidumping duty orders on imports of cut-to-length carbon steel plate from India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Korea.
Full text: http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2005/er1108cc1.htm

11 November: WTO General Council successfully adopts Saudi Arabia’s terms of Accession
WTO General Council formally concluded negotiations with Saudi Arabia on the terms of the country’s membership to the WTO.
Full details at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres05_e/pr420_e.htm

16 November: WTO Secretariat announces statistics on safeguard measures
The WTO Secretariat, on 16 November, published statistics on safeguards actions notified by WTO Members pursuant to the Agreement on Safeguards during the period 1 January 1995 to 30 June 2005.
Full details: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news05_e/safeg_nov05_e.htm

23 November: Statement from USTR Spokeswoman Neena Moorjani on Interim Wine Agreement between the U.S. and European Community
This exchange of letters is the precursor to the broader Wine Agreement, announced by USTR on September 15, 2005, and ensures that U.S. wine exports to the EU will not be disrupted pending the signing and entry into force of the Wine Agreement.
Full statement: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/November/Statement_from_USTR_Spokeswoman_Neena_Moorjani_on_Interim_Wine_Agreement_between_the_US_European_Community.htm

Note: If you have any comments or if you wish to include any items for inclusion in future newsletters please e-mail me at:
duncan.ritchie@americaneuropeaninstitute.com