Annual Growth Survey Adopted (Dec. 04, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 28, 2012, the European Commission adopted the Annual Growth Survey (AGS), which serves to provide guidance to the European Union (EU) Member States to ...

Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: European Union

Parliamentary Committee on Organized Crime and Money Laundering (Oct. 19, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

In March 2012, the European Parliament established a Special Committee on Organized Crime, Corruption, and Money Laundering (COCCML) with the mandate of making recommendations to tackle ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

Increase in Counterfeit Goods (Aug. 01, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 24, 2012, the European Commission, in its annual report, released statistics indicating an increase in counterfeit goods entering the European Union. In 2011, national ...

Topic: Customs
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Commission Addresses Cloud Computing (Aug. 01, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 20, 2012, the European Commission announced that it will soon publish a communication addressing the issue of cloud computing in a comprehensive manner. The ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Commission Asks the Council for Mandate to Open Free Trade Negotiations with Japan (Jul. 25, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 18, 2012, the European Commission requested that the Council of the European Union give the required mandate to open negotiations with Japan for a ...

Topic: Trade and commerce
Jurisdiction: European Union

Parliament Rejects Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Jul. 13, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 4, 2012, the European Parliament (EP) voted against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) that had been negotiated between the European Union, its Member States, ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Cyprus Takes over EU Presidency on July 1, 2012 (Jul. 06, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 1, 2012, Cyprus, itself on the brink of a bailout and still divided, with Turkish forces occupying 37% of its northern territory, assumed the ...

Topic: Politics and government
Jurisdiction: European Union

Commission Recommends Measures to Fight Tax Evasion (Jul. 02, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 28, 2012, the European Commission published the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Concrete Ways to Reinforce the ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: European Union

Notice of Rights for Suspects and the Accused in Criminal Proceedings (Jun. 27, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 1, 2012, Directive 2012/13/EU on the Right to Information in Criminal Proceedings entered into force. (2012 OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (142/1) ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

Justice and Home Affairs Council Adopts Conclusions on De-Radicalization and Disengagement from Terrorist Activities (May. 09, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 26 and 27, 2012, the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the Council of the European Union convened in Luxembourg, where it adopted a ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Austerity Measures in Europe Deemed to Increase Racism and Xenophobia (May. 08, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 3, 2012, the European Commission on Racism and Xenophobia (ECRI) of the Council of Europe (COE), in its annual report, noted that, in general, ...

Topic: Discrimination
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

Commission Requests Opinion of European Court of Justice on Legality of Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Apr. 20, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 4, 2012, the European Commission referred the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for an opinion on the legality ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Court Sides with Turkey in Case Involving Anti-Roma Comments (Apr. 19, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 15, 2012, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a judgment in the case of Aksu v. Turkey and ...

Topic: Discrimination
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Benefits of a Proposal for a Financial Transaction Tax (Apr. 12, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 23, 2012, the European Commission released some data and information related to the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), which was initially proposed through a directive ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal to Establish a European Cybercrime Center (Apr. 09, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 28, 2012, the European Commission re-introduced a 2010 proposal to create a European Cybercrime Center (ECC), designed to protect the interests of individuals and ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Parliament Adopts Draft Regulation on Cross-Border Inheritances (Apr. 04, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

A new regulation adopted by the European Parliament on March 15, 2012, establishes rules to settle inheritance disputes if someone dies and his/her heir raises questions ...

Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Court of Justice Rules on Illegal Downloading of Songs by Internet Users (Apr. 04, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 16, 2012, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rendered an important judgment on the illegal downloading of songs by Internet users. The ECJ held ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Regulation on Export, Import, and Transit of Firearms (Mar. 30, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 8, 2012, the European Union (EU) adopted a new Regulation to ratify the UN Protocol on Firearms. (UN Protocol General Assembly Resolution A/RES/55/255, ...

Topic: Firearms
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Parliament Adopts Resolution Endorsing Women's Preferential Treatment in Elections and High Public Offices (Mar. 27, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 13, 2012, the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on Women in Political Decision-Making Quality and Equality (Resolution (Mar. 13, 2012), European ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Court of Human Rights Denies Claim of Violation of the Right to Vote Abroad for Greek Expatriates (Mar. 26, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 15, 2012, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), in its judgment on the case Sitaropoulos and Giakoumopoulos v. Greece, ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

Agreement to Freeze Its Own Budget for 2013 (Mar. 01, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 16, 2012, in response to the financial crisis that has hit the members of the euro zone, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, by ...

Topic: Budget
Jurisdiction: European Parliament

Revision of Civil Protection Mechanism (Feb. 24, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 20, 2011, the European Commission came up with a proposal to reform the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM), established in 2001, "from the ...

Topic: Disasters
Jurisdiction: European Union

Public Persons and the Right to Privacy (Feb. 13, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 7, 2012, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rendered a judgment in a case involving the right to privacy of public individuals and ...

Topic: Right of privacy
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

Draft Bill on Fair and Speedy Trials (Feb. 08, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On January 30, 2012, the Greek Ministry of Justice, Transparency, and Human Rights submitted to Parliament a bill designed to expedite the administration of justice and ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Greece

Judgment on Blocking Entry of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into NATO (Feb. 06, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 5, 2011, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in The Hague, Netherlands, issued its judgment in a case concerning Greece's actions to block the ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Greece / International Court of Justice

Treaty on Fiscal Compact (Feb. 03, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On January 30, 2012, in the midst of Greece's desperate attempts to avert fiscal default, the European Union (EU) Members except the United Kingdom and ...

Topic: Budget
Jurisdiction: European Union

Assistance Package Authorized and Bank Funds Released (Jan. 11, 2012) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 15, 2011, in response to a request made by Libyan authorities, the European Union adopted a package of assistance for Libya, in an effort ...

Topic: International cultural relations
Jurisdiction: European Union / Libya

Extension of Peacekeeping Force Until July 2012 (Dec. 20, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 14, 2011, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 2026, which extends the mandate of the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Cyprus / United Nations

European Commission Examines Possible Infringement of EU Competition Rules by Apple (Dec. 20, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 6, 2011, parallel to the United States Department of Justice's announcement that it will examine possible collusion between Apple Incorporated and five international publishing ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: APEC

European Parliament Approves EU Membership for Croatia (Dec. 14, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On December 1, 2011, the European Parliament adopted a resolution granting its consent to Croatian membership in the European Union, with 564 votes in favor, 38 ...

Topic: Treaties and agreements
Jurisdiction: Croatia / European Union

Joint Declaration Issued at Recent Summit (Dec. 07, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 28, 2011, during their annual summit, which was held in Washington, D.C., the leaders of the European Union and the United States met at ...

Topic: Trade and commerce
Jurisdiction: European Union / United States

Revision of Directive on Return of Unlawfully Removed Cultural Objects (Dec. 06, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 29, 2011, the European Commission launched a public consultation inviting interested stakeholders, such as museums, libraries, archives, and cultural or customs authorities, to submit ...

Topic: Cultural property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Prohibition on Shark Finning (Nov. 28, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 21, 2011, the European Union (EU) introduced a proposal to ban shark finning, a widespread practice across the globe that involves the cutting off ...

Topic: Natural resources
Jurisdiction: European Union

Evaluation of Legislation on GMOs (Nov. 16, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 28, 2011, the European Commission released the findings of two independent evaluations of the European Union's general legal framework on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: European Union

2011 Progress Report on Turkey's Accession (Nov. 16, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 12, 2011, the European Commission published its annual overview of the enlargement policy and the progress made by candidate countries in their efforts to ...

Topic: Boundaries
Jurisdiction: European Union / Turkey

Court Bans Patents When Human Embryos Destroyed (Nov. 07, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 18, 2011, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) adopted a landmark decision in the case of Oliver Brustle v. Greenpeace e.V. and held that ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Adoption of General EU Criminal Policy on Euro-Crimes (Sep. 26, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 20, 2011, the European Commission adopted a communication that establishes the new legislative authority of the Commission, granted by the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, to ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

Government Introduces New Special Tax on Real Estate (Sep. 22, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

In order to deal with the ongoing financial crisis in Greece, the Greek government has imposed a number of austerity measures in an effort to increase ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: Greece

Commission Considers Possible Regulation of Online Gambling (Sep. 19, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 7, 2011, following the publication of a green paper and a public consultation, the European Commission announced that it intends to draft a communication ...

Topic: Gambling
Jurisdiction: European Union

Parliamentary Assembly Adopts Resolution on Abuse of State Secrecy and National Security (Sep. 12, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

As the United States prepares to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, across the Atlantic, the Council of Europe (COE), ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

Agreement on Security Procedures in Exchanging Classified Information (Aug. 30, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

In May 2011, an agreement was signed between the European Union and Serbia in an effort to strengthen security cooperation between the two partners. The agreement ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: European Union / Serbia

Temporary Limitation of Free Movement of Romanian Workers (Aug. 17, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On August 11, 2011, the European Commission allowed Spain to temporarily restrict the access of Romanian workers to its labor market. (2011/503/EU: Commission Decision of ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union / Spain

Implementation of Judgments Issued by European Court of Human Rights (Aug. 08, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg is the main court defending human rights in Europe and applying the rights and freedoms guaranteed by ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Union

Human Rights Commissioner Criticizes Banning of Burqas (Aug. 03, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 20, 2011, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg, criticized the legislation adopted by France, and more recently by Belgium, ...

Topic: Human Rights
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

New Toy Safety Rules Enter into Force (Jul. 28, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 20, 2011, Directive 2009/48/EC on the Safety of Toys, which repeals Directive 88/368/EEC on toy safety rules, entered into force in the European Union. ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Directive on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (Jun. 03, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union is composed at present of 27 dissimilar tax systems, in which each Member State has its own rules for computing the tax base ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: European Union

Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women (Jun. 01, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 11, 2011, a new Council of Europe convention on protecting women against violence opened for signature in Istanbul, Turkey. The chief purpose of the ...

Topic: Women
Jurisdiction: Council of Europe

Council Recommends Introduction of the European Case Law Identifier and a Minimum Set of Uniform Metadata for Case Law (May. 17, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 29, 2011, the Council of the European Union, within the framework of its multi-annual European e-Justice Action Plan of 2009-2012, adopted its conclusions on ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: European Union

Net Neutrality (Apr. 28, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

The question of net neutrality, that is, whether access to Internet services or content should be regulated or should be unfettered and provided pursuant to the ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Trafficking in Human Beings and Protection of Victims (Apr. 28, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

In early April 2011, the European Union adopted Directive 2011/36/EU on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting Its Victims, 2011 (OFFICIAL JOURNALOF ...

Topic: Trafficking in persons
Jurisdiction: European Union

Firing of Employee for Surfing on Internet at Work (Apr. 19, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 19, 2011, the District Court of Athens upheld the decision of an airline company that had fired a female employee for visiting the social ...

Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Greece

Report on the Quality of Fiscal Data Provided by EU Members in 2010 (Apr. 18, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

One of the essential requirements in order for the European Monetary Union (EMU) to function properly is that the EU members must avoid excessive budget deficits. ...

Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: European Union

Security Council Resolution Considers Specialized Courts to Combat Piracy in Somalia (Apr. 18, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 11, 2011, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), cognizant of the continuing incidents of armed robbery and other violence against ships off the coast ...

Topic: Piracy
Jurisdiction: United Nations

Smart Tags Raise Privacy Concerns (Apr. 11, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

Radio Frequency Identifications (RFIDs), or smart tags, are small, affordable circuits that communicate with a portable device (the reader) and are attached to goods and other ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Microsoft Institutes Antitrust Complaint Against Google (Apr. 11, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 31, 2011, the U.S.-based Microsoft Corporation filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission alleging violation of European Union competition rules by Google, on ...

Topic: Corporations
Jurisdiction: European Union

Response to Catastrophic Events in Japan (Mar. 31, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

In the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Japan on March 11, 2011, the European Union set in motion a number of measures in an effort ...

Topic: Disasters
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Commission Publishes First Report on Trade Barriers (Mar. 14, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 10, 2011, the European Commission published its first Report on Trade and Investment Barriers; it is designed to generate opportunities in exports and investment ...

Topic: Trade and commerce
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Proposal on Fighting Racism and Xenophobia (Mar. 07, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

The Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights in Greece published on its website a new legislative initiative on combating certain types of racism and xenophobia ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Greece

Prohibition of Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles (Mar. 03, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union Directive 2011/8/EU enters into force on March 1, 2011. It contains an important provision for protecting the health of the most vulnerable group ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: European Union

Update on Greece's Economic Reform (Feb. 25, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 11, 2011, members of the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), or the "troika," as the three bodies ...

Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: Greece

New Bill on Tax Evasion and Measures to Assist Greek Economy (Jan. 31, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On January 25, 2011, the Greek Ministry of Finance submitted to the legislature a new, much-anticipated tax bill, which aims, through the adoption of a number ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: Greece

Ruling Against Greece and Belgium on Asylum Procedure (Jan. 24, 2011) by Theresa Papademetriou

On January 21, 2011, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) delivered its judgment in the case of M.S.S. v. Belgium and ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

EU Moves Toward More Air Cargo Security (Nov. 19, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 9, 2010, the European Union's Directorates-General for Justice and Home Affairs decided to enhance existing air cargo security rules. The decision was in response ...

Topic: Aviation
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Parliament Adopts Report on Effect of Online Advertising on Consumers (Nov. 18, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 8, 2010, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament adopted a report on the impact of advertising on the behavior ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Regulation Prohibiting Use of Phosphates in Laundry Detergents (Nov. 08, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 4, 2010, the European Commission made public a proposal for a regulation to introduce a ban on the use of phosphates and phosphate compounds ...

Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Deployment of Rapid Intervention Border Teams to Secure Greek-Turkish Border (Nov. 08, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 2, 2010, at the request of the Greek government, the European Union border management agency (Frontex) gathered patrols from all EU Member States except ...

Topic: Border security
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Commission Issues Communication on Imposing Taxes in the Financial Sector (Oct. 21, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

The recent financial crisis, which unfolded in Europe and elsewhere, coupled with a variety of other emerging issues including climate change and resource efficiency which entail ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: European Union

Right of Journalists to Confidential Source Material Upheld (Oct. 20, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 14, 2010, the Grand Chamber (GC) of the European Court of Human Rights(ECHR) in Strasbourg issued its judgment in the case of Sanoma Uitgevers ...

Topic: Freedom of the press
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

European Court of Justice Issues Judgment on Journalists' Access to Documents during Pending Cases (Oct. 13, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under European Union legislation, access to documents issued by the EU institutions, the European Commission, the Parliament, and the Council, is a basic right of EU ...

Topic: Freedom of information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Agreements with Third Countries on Passenger Name Records for Terrorism Purposes (Oct. 06, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 21, 2010, the European Commission adopted a Communication on exchange of data on passenger name records (PNR) with third countries. It also contains recommendations ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Free Trade Agreement (Sep. 27, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 16, 2010, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union authorized the signing of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and its provisional application ...

Topic: Trade and commerce
Jurisdiction: European Union / South Korea

New Rules on Maritime Safety Proposed (Sep. 17, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 13, 2010, the European Commission introduced new rules to improve the safety performance of seagoing vessels. The Commission will establish and operate a ...

Topic: Maritime law
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Capital Banking Rules to Be Adopted (Sep. 16, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 13, 2010, the European Commission announced its intention to follow the new rules on higher capital standards, adopted recently by the Basel Committee on ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Revision of Old Rules on Animal Scientific Experimentation (Sep. 13, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 8, 2010, the European Parliament, after lengthy negotiations, supported the adoption of revised rules on the use of animals for scientific experiments proposed by ...

Topic: Treatment of animals
Jurisdiction: European Union

Report on Managing the Common European Asylum System and Effectiveness of Biometric Database (EURODAC) (Sep. 02, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On August 3, 2010, the European Commission published the 2009 annual report on the performance and activities of EURODAC. EURODAC was established to compare fingerprints in ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union

Establishment of the European External Action Service (Aug. 16, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 26, 2010, the Council of the European Union issued a decision authorizing the establishment of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and defining its ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: European Union

Renewed Sanctions Against Iran (Aug. 09, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

In July 2010, the European Union adopted a Council Decision to expand its existing sanctions regime against Iran. In the last few years, the EU has ...

Topic: Sanctions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Regulation on Auctioning of Emissions Trading System Allowances (Jul. 28, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 14, 2010, the Climate Change Committee of the European Commission endorsed the Commission's proposal for a regulation that establishes rules governing the auctioning of ...

Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Highlights of Counter-Terrorism Policy (Jul. 26, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 20, 2010, the European Commission adopted a communication that summarizes the major accomplishments of the European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy since its establishment in the ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Commission Proposes "Miranda Rights" for EU Citizens (Jul. 26, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 20, 2010, the European Commission adopted a draft directive designed to ensure that European Union citizens suspected or accused of a criminal offense have ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Directive on Entry and Residence for Third-Country Seasonal Workers (Jul. 26, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 13, 2010, the European Commission, as part of a package of measures proposed in 2005 and endorsed in 2008 to regulate legal migration, adopted ...

Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Labeling Rules and EU Organic Logo Adopted (Jul. 09, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

July 1, 2010, marked the entrance into force of new rules adopted by the European Union on organic food labeling, along with the mandatory display of ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Proposal Imposes Strict Control on Banker Bonuses (Jul. 09, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Parliament and the Member States of the European Union reached a political agreement on June 30, 2010, on draft legislation that imposes limits on ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Extradition Cases of Alleged International Terrorists Declared Admissible (Jul. 09, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 8, 2010, the European Court of Human Rights, which is located in Strasbourg, France, declared as admissible the case of four applicants who were ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Belgium Assumes European Union Presidency (Jul. 02, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

July 1, 2010, marks the beginning of Belgium's assumption, for the next six months, of the rotating Presidency of the European Union, taking over that office ...

Topic: Politics and government
Jurisdiction: European Union

Price Caps Established by EU Roaming Regulation Declared Valid (Jun. 29, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 8, 2010, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a judgment on the validity of the Roaming Regulation adopted by the EU ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Court of Justice

Memorandum on Cooperation in Civil Aviation Research and Development (Jun. 28, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 18, 2010, the European Commission and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) signed a memorandum of cooperation in the areas of civil aviation research ...

Topic: Aviation
Jurisdiction: European Union / United States

Denial of Entry to Head of State Ruled Not a Matter of EU Law (Jun. 28, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 24, 2010, the European Commission issued a reasoned opinion in the infringement proceedings initiated by Hungary against Slovakia for denying the Hungarian President entry ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union

Opening of Accession Negotiations (Jun. 18, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Iceland's application to join the European Union, formally submitted on July 27, 2009, is moving the country a step closer to eventually joining the European Union ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: European Union / Iceland

Draft SWIFT Agreement Faces Intense Scrutiny from European Parliament (Jun. 17, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 15, 2010, the European Parliament (EP) having rejected a previous draft agreement in February 2010 between the European Union and the United States on ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Banks to Be Made to Pay for Failures (Jun. 14, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 26, 2010, the European Commission adopted a communication that outlines its key proposal to impose a new tax on banks within the European Union, ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Finance Ministers Endorse Review of Domestic Budgets of EU Members (Jun. 11, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 8, 2010, the finance ministers of the European Union, in an effort to prevent the economic crises encountered by Greece and other EU Members, ...

Topic: Budget
Jurisdiction: European Union

Recent Measures to Improve Housing for Roma (Jun. 08, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 20, 2010, the European Parliament endorsed the European Commission's proposal of July 2009 that allows the European Structural Funds (ESF) to be used to ...

Topic: Public welfare
Jurisdiction: European Union

Plan to Regulate Credit-Rating Agencies Announced (Jun. 08, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 2, 2010, the European Commission, in an effort to improve transparency and to ensure closer supervision and control of the functioning of credit-rating agencies ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Regulation on Import, Export, and Transit of Firearms for Civilian Use (Jun. 08, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 31, 2010, the European Commission came up with a proposal for a regulation on establishing procedural rules for the export, import, and transit of ...

Topic: Firearms
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal on Organ Donation and Transplantation (May. 25, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 19, 2010, the European Parliament approved a draft Directive on Standards of Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation, initially proposed by ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Legislation on Online Sales of Medicines (May. 19, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union is currently working on drafting new legislation to regulate online sales of medicines. The subject had been omitted from a previous Directive on ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: European Union

Response to Financial Crisis in Greece (May. 19, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 9, 2010, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) of the European Union, in response to the grave financial crisis that is currently unfolding ...

Topic: Government finance
Jurisdiction: European Union

Decision on Jurisdiction over Benefits from Resales of Art Works (May. 19, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union Court of Justice recently considered the issue of resale rights of the works of the painter Salvador Dali. Resale right is an intellectual ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Freezing of Funds Applies Only to Assets (May. 19, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

The Court of Justice of the European Union, in a judgment issued on April 29, 2010, held that Council Regulation (EC) 881/2002, which imposed a freezing ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Court of Justice

New Antitrust Rules on Vertical Agreements (Apr. 26, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 19, 2010, the European Union adopted new, revised antitrust rules (a Regulation and Guidelines) for so-called vertical agreements, that is, supply and distribution agreements. ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: European Union

Conflict Between Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and Privacy Rules (Apr. 21, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February, 22, 2010, Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), an independent authority that plays an advisory role to the European Commission, issued an ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Conclusion of Second Stage of Air Transport ("Open Skies") Agreement (Apr. 21, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Since May 2008, two months after the first-stage of the Open Skies Agreement came into effect, the European Union and the United States have been engaged ...

Topic: Treaties and agreements
Jurisdiction: European Union / United States

Spanish Presidency Endorses Potential Agreement Between European Union and United States on Electronic Health Care (Apr. 02, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 4, 2010, the Spanish Minister of Health and Social Policy, Trinidad Jim;nez, in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Health Kathleen Sebelius, conveyed the ...

Topic: Health
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Rules on Air Safety Proposed (Apr. 02, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 11, 2010, the European Commission unveiled new legislation on safety in civil aviation at a meeting of the European Union transport ministers in Brussels. ...

Topic: Aviation security
Jurisdiction: European Union

Members of Council of Europe Agree to Proceed in Further Reform of European Court of Human Rights (Mar. 30, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) was the forefront issue of a conference held in Interlaken, Switzerland, on February 10, 2010, by ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Interim Agreement on SWIFT Bank Data Voted Down by European Parliament (Mar. 12, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 11, 2010, the European Parliament (EP) voted down an interim agreement between the European Union and the United States, which was expected to enter ...

Topic: Right of privacy
Jurisdiction: European Union

Reorganization of Intelligence Service (Mar. 02, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Catharine Ashton, who is the newly appointed European Union High Representative for Foreign Security and Policy, is reportedly working on restructuring the EU's External Action Service ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: European Union

Court Decides Against Products Originating from Occupied Palestinian Territory (Mar. 01, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under the association agreement signed by the European Union and Israel, products made in Israel and imported into the European Union qualify for preferential treatment. In ...

Topic: Customs
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Legislation Supports Longer Paid Maternity Leave (Mar. 01, 2010) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under a 1992 European Union directive, pregnant women are entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, and employers are required to pay ...

Topic: Women
Jurisdiction: European Union

Moves Toward a Common Patent System and a Patent Court (Dec. 30, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

At the European Union level, the debate about a single European patent system has been going on for the last 20 years without any result, mainly ...

Topic: Intellectual property
Jurisdiction: European Union

Memorandum of Understanding (Dec. 30, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Commission and the Organization of American States (OAS) have been cooperating in several areas of common interest and mutual benefit for the last 20 ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union / Organization of American States

Draft Law on Compensation of Victims of Intentional Violence (Dec. 03, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 26, 2009, the Greek Minister of Justice, Transparency, and Human Rights introduced a new law in order to transpose into the Greek legal system ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Greece

New Rules on Protection of Animals for Killing or Slaughter (Nov. 24, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Within the European Union, 360 million sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle and several billion poultry are killed annually; in addition, 25 million animals are killed for ...

Topic: Treatment of animals
Jurisdiction: European Union

Albania's Progress on Candidacy for Membership (Nov. 20, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

In April 2009, Albania, following its admission to NATO, immediately applied to join the EU. On November 16, 2009, the foreign ministers of the European Union ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: European Union

Lisbon Treaty and European Citizens' Initiative (Nov. 19, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 11, 2009, the European Commission launched a public consultation process by adopting a Green Paper on a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). (Green Paper on ...

Topic: Democratization and democracy
Jurisdiction: European Union

Lisbon Treaty Coming into Force (Nov. 10, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 4, 2009, Vaclav Klaus, the Czech President, who was a strong opponent of the Lisbon Treaty on revamping of the institutional structure of the ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union

Legitimacy of Access to Fingerprints by Law Enforcement Authorities Questioned (Oct. 30, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 8, 2009, Peter Hustinx, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), issued an opinion regarding two legislative proposals of the European Commission that would grant ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Union

Introduction of Stricter Requirements for Nursery Products (Oct. 23, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 21, 2009, the European Commission took measures to ensure that the youngest consumers across the European Union (EU) enjoy safe nursery products, including sleeping ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: European Union

Free Trade Agreement Signed (Oct. 20, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 15, 2009, the European Commission and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) signed a free trade agreement (FTA), following a two-year period of negotiations. ...

Topic: Trade and commerce
Jurisdiction: European Union / South Korea

Food Safety Authority Dispels Health Claims by Companies Making Yogurt and Energy Drinks (Oct. 16, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 1, 2009, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a scientific opinion on the health claims made by so- called probiotic products and energy drinks ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: European Union

European Commission Proposes New Measures to Improve Financial Supervision (Oct. 16, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The serious financial crisis that has affected many European Union (EU) Member States provided the European Commission with the impetus to take drastic steps to deal ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Decision Against Turkey in Missing Persons Case Dating to 1974 Conflict with Cyprus (Oct. 01, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On September 18, 2009, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued its decision in the case of Varnava and Others v. ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Cyprus Sets Stumbling Blocks to Turkey's Accession Negotiations (Jul. 27, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The negotiation process for Turkey's eventual membership in the European Union involves the harmonization of 33 chapters (individual subject areas of law) with the EU's acquis ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Cyprus / European Union / Turkey

Parliament Signals Agreement on Joining European Union (Jul. 21, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under the Treaty on European Union (EU) any European State may apply for membership of the EU (subject to criteria set by the European Council at ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Iceland

New European Parliament Convenes in Strasbourg (Jul. 20, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

A new European Parliament (EP), with 736 Members, opened its first session in Strasbourg for the 2009-2014 term. Approximately half of the EP Members were elected ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal of Revised Rules on Bank Capital and Remuneration in Response to Global Financial Crisis (Jul. 20, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 13, 2009, the European Commission proposed amendments to the existing European Union rules on bank capitalization, that is, the Directive on Capital Requirements for ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Greece Found Responsible for Discriminating Against a Muslim Mother (Jul. 15, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under Greek law, mothers of large families, that is, those who have four or more children, enjoy certain benefits, such as cash incentives, annual monetary government ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Bio-Preparedness (Jul. 02, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

In 2007, the European Commission issued a Green Paper on Bio-Preparedness to initiate consultation at the European Union level between national authorities responsible for risk prevention ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: European Union

Cooperation in Closing Guantanamo Bay (Jun. 30, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Since U.S. President Barack Obama announced the closing of the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in his Executive Order of January 22, 2009, several Member States ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union / United States

EU Members May Restrict Ownership and Operation of Pharmacies to Pharmacists (Jun. 04, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 12, 2009, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a ruling on two cases dealing with the question of whether Italian and German legislation ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: European Court of Justice

Memorandum Signed on Beef Hormone Dispute (Jun. 02, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Community (EC) and the United States have had a longstanding dispute on hormone-treated beef. In the early 1990s, due to consumer concerns about food ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union / United States

Proposed Amendments to Right of Information Law (Jun. 01, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The law on the right of information or, in European Union (EU) terminology, public access to documents produced by EU institutions, is in the process of ...

Topic: Freedom of information
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Members Added (May. 21, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations system, established by the General Assembly in May 2006 by virtue of Resolution ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: U.N. Human Rights Council

Data Protection and Google Street View (May. 15, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Street View, a service offered by Google to its users in the United States and in some countries in the European Union two years ago, was ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Greece

Senate Ratifies the Lisbon Treaty (May. 12, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On May 6, 2009, the Czech Senate, following ratification by the lower house in February 2009, ratified the Lisbon Treaty, with 54 of the 79 senators ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Czech Republic

European Court of Justice Declares Illegal a Secret List of Items Prohibited Aboard Aircraft (Mar. 23, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Commission has a list of standard items that airline passengers may not carry in their hand-held luggage inside an aircraft. The list, based on ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: European Union

Draft Legislation to Promote Employment of Young Adults (Mar. 23, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

In Greece, young adults up to 30 years of age are encountering serious problems in finding employment commensurate with their professional qualifications and expertise. The unemployment ...

Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Greece

Humanitarian Appeal Against Death Penalty (Feb. 23, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 2, 2009, the Czech Presidency of the European Union, together with Sweden, which will assume the Presidency in June 2009, and the European Commission, ...

Topic: Capital punishment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Signing of Agreement on Social Networking (Feb. 18, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

According to the European Commission's Directorate for Information Society and Media, social networking sites are a new social and economic phenomenon, attracting 41.7 million users across ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Parliament Adopts Resolution Urging EU Members to Take Guantanamo Prisoners (Feb. 12, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 4, 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on a 542-55 vote that urges the European Union Member States to accept Guantanamo Bay prisoners ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Iranian Opposition Group off Terrorist List (Feb. 09, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

On January 26, 2009, the foreign ministers of the Member States of the European Union agreed to strike the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) off ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Fiftieth Anniversary (Feb. 05, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), located in Strasbourg, France, reaches a milestone this year, as it celebrates fifty years since its establishment in 1959. ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Arms Exports to Israel (Jan. 13, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

Until December 8, 2008, each Member State of the European Union had the discretion to decide on a case-by-case basis whether to allow exportation of conventional ...

Topic: Export controls
Jurisdiction: European Union

Schengen Area Accession (Jan. 12, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

The Schengen acquis (body of law) came into being in 1985 when the governments of Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands signed an agreement in ...

Topic: Border security
Jurisdiction: European Union / Switzerland

Slovakia Adopts the Euro (Jan. 05, 2009) by Theresa Papademetriou

January 1, 2009, marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the EU common currency, the euro, which was instituted six months after the establishment of ...

Topic: Currency and coins
Jurisdiction: European Union

Legislation on Racism and Xenophobia (Dec. 16, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 28, 2008, after lengthy negotiations, the Council of the European Union Framework Decision on Combating Certain Forms and Expressions of Racism and Xenophobia by ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Union

Public Consultation on Impact of Body Scanners on Human Rights (Dec. 09, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

Regulation 300/2008, which was adopted on March 11, 2008, by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, establishes common standards in civil aviation ...

Topic: Aviation security
Jurisdiction: European Union

New Rules on Tax and Duty-Free Imports (Dec. 09, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

As of December 1, 2008, a new set of rules pertaining to taxable and duty-free imports within the European Union will enter into force, replacing rules ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: European Union

Czech Republic Assumes Presidency in January 2009 (Dec. 08, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

With its ascent to the six-month rotating European Union presidency scheduled to commence on January 1, 2009, the Czech Republic is setting the agenda for its ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: European Union

Mutual Recogntion of Supervision Measures as Alternatives to Provisional Detention (Dec. 05, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

A problem that most European Union Member States face is prison overpopulation. Among the factors identified as contributing to this problem are the excessive use of ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: European Union

Sweden Ratifies Lisbon Treaty (Nov. 28, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 21, 2008, the European Union came closer to its ultimate goal of ratification of the Lisbon Treaty whose purpose is to restructure EU ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union

Stricter Rules on Toy Safety (Nov. 14, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 5, 2008, the Internal Market Committee of the European Parliament voted unanimously on a new directive that establishes stricter criteria on toy safety and ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: European Parliament

Stricter Rules on Animal Testing (Nov. 14, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

For the past eight years, the European Commission has been working on a highly controversial proposal regarding animal testing. The proposal attempts to balance animal rights ...

Topic: Treatment of animals
Jurisdiction: European Union

Sanctions for Hiring Illegal Immigrants (Nov. 06, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

According to European Union estimates, there are approximately four to eight million immigrants who are hired to work in the EU despite a lack of proper ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Parliament

Iranian Group's Status on Terrorist List (Oct. 30, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 23, 2008, the European Court of First Instance (ECFI) annulled a decision of the European Council, issued in December 2007, to maintain the People's ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

National and European Alert Programs to Report Internet Offenses (Oct. 29, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 24, 2008, the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council, which convened in Luxembourg, adopted its conclusions on establishing national alert programs and a ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: European Union

Response to U.S. Financial Crisis (Oct. 03, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

The repercussions of the recent financial crisis in the United States have already been felt across the European Union and in other markets as well. On ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal for Self-Extinguishing Cigarettes (Sep. 04, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

Self-extinguishing cigarettes, which go out automatically within a minute if not puffed, are sold in Canada and in some states in the United States. Recently, the ...

Topic: Tobacco and smoking
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal to Amend Regulation on Ozone-Depleting Substances (Sep. 04, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the ensuing Montreal Protocol of 1987 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer require ...

Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Proposal to Introduce Communication Among Cars (Sep. 04, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

European Union statistics available for 2006 indicate that approximately 42,000 persons died and more than 1.6 million were involved in automobile accidents in that year. Moreover, ...

Topic: Traffic
Jurisdiction: European Union

Exchange of Data with Interpol on Lost and Stolen Passports (Sep. 04, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

Pursuant to Common Position 2005/96/JHA, European Union Member States are required to report information on stolen and lost passports to Interpol. The objective of the Common ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union

EU Emissions Trading System to Join U.N. Carbon Credit Registry by End of 2008 (Sep. 04, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme, which was established in 2005 to meet the EU's Kyoto Protocol commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, enables companies to ...

Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Weekly Publication of Status of Oil Reserves (Jul. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

Amidst skyrocketing fuel prices across the European Union, with allegations that speculators are the cause of the high fuel costs and general uncertainty about the oil ...

Topic: Energy
Jurisdiction: European Union

Return of Illegal Immigrants Directive (Jul. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

There are approximately eight million illegal immigrants in the European Union. These immigrants can be held for a certain period of time until their final status ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union

Ratification of the Lisbon Treaty (Jul. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On July 4, 2008, the Republic of Cyprus became the twentieth European Union Member State to ratify the Lisbon Treaty (whose formal title is the Treaty ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Cyprus / European Union

Emissions Trading Scheme and Airlines (Jul. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

A plan on emissions trading, known as the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), has been in force in the European Union since 1995. Based on Directive 2003/87/EC, ...

Topic: Environment
Jurisdiction: European Union

Rulings Against Turkey (Jul. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On June 24, 2008, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued two judgments against Turkey. The judgments involve two cases, Isaak v. Turkey and Solomou ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights

Amendment to the Framework Decision on Combating Terrorism (May. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, the European Union expedited the adoption of the Framework Decision on Combating ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Anti-Discrimination Legislation for Homosexuals Abandoned (May. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

It has recently been reported that the European Commission has given up its intention to introduce a directive to safeguard the rights of homosexuals, to the ...

Topic: Discrimination
Jurisdiction: European Union

Europol Will Attain New Status by 2010 (May. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On April 18, 2008, after protracted negotiations, the Council of the European Union approved a decision to upgrade the status of the European Police Office (Europol), ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: European Union

Common Law Marriage (Apr. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

The Greek government's plan to introduce a bill that would grant more rights to unmarried couples recently met with strong opposition from the Greek Orthodox Church ...

Topic: Family
Jurisdiction: Greece

Ratification of Lisbon Treaty (Apr. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 21, 2008, Bulgaria ratified the Lisbon Treaty; seven European Union Members that have endorsed the Treaty thus far. The other Members that have already ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Bulgaria / European Union

Data Protection Supervisor's Opinion on Fingerprint Proposal (Apr. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On March 26, 2008, the European Union Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS), Peter Hustinx - who is in charge of safeguarding the personal data and the right ...

Topic: Identification
Jurisdiction: European Union

Commission Imposes New Fines on Microsoft (Mar. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

On February 26, 2008, the European Commission, the European Union's main antitrust law enforcer, imposed new fines of 899 million (about US$1.364 billion) on Microsoft for ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: European Union

Code of Conduct on Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Research (Mar. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Commission has a keen interest in the newly emerging fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The Commission in light of the fact that this ...

Topic: Research and technology
Jurisdiction: European Union

Bill to Protect Companies of National Strategic Importance (Feb. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

In January 2008, following in the footsteps of other European Union Member States, such as France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, Greece adopted legislation designed primarily ...

Topic: Foreign investment
Jurisdiction: Greece

Early Retirement and Removal of Judges from the Judiciary (Feb. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

Under the Greek Constitution, judges are appointed for life, with a mandatory retirement age of 65 for all judges up to the rank of Court of ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Greece

Adoption of the Euro (Jan. 02, 2008) by Theresa Papademetriou

As of January 1, 2008, the national currencies of two European Union Members, the pound of Cyprus and the lira of Malta, have been replaced by ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: Cyprus / Malta

Use of Cameras During Demonstrations Allowed (Dec. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

During the 2004 Olympic Games, the Greek government spent close to 250 million (about US$359 million) to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators and the ...

Topic: Right of privacy
Jurisdiction: Greece

Firearms Legislation (Dec. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

In the aftermath of a recent shooting at a school in Finland, the European Parliament moved quickly to approve at first reading the European Commission's proposal ...

Topic: Firearms
Jurisdiction: European Union

Trade Dispute over Seals (Dec. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Union is the second largest market for seal products originating from Canada. Canada annually exports 12.7 million (about US$18.6 million) worth of seal products ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: Canada / European Union

New Anti-Terrorist Measures (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 4, 2007, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Franco Frattini, announced that the European Commission intends to unveil a package of measures to combat ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: European Union

Introduction of Settlement Procedure for Cartels (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

The European Commission has recently proposed two legislative measures that call for settlement of cartel cases in which the parties involved admit their involvement in the ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: European Union

Reform Treaty (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 26, 2007, the European Union agreed on the text of the Reform Treaty, otherwise known as the Lisbon Treaty, which replaces the EU Constitution ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: European Union

Membership Talks (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

On November 7, 2007, the European Commission published the Enlargement Package. It includes the Commission's annual strategy document on future enlargement and a summary of the ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union / Macedonia

Proposal for a "Blue Card" for Skilled Immigrants (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

According to the European Commission's estimates, the European Union will experience labor shortages that will reach their peak by 2050. Around that time, 25 million Europeans ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: European Union

Mandatory Retirement Age (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

On October 16, 2007, in a case involving an appeal by a Spanish manager who had filed a suit against his employer for forcing him to ...

Topic: Pensions and retirement
Jurisdiction: European Union

Aim of 2008 Membership Application (Nov. 02, 2007) by Theresa Papademetriou

Montenegro, in its quest to join the European Union and following the examples of other western Balkan countries, took the initial step towards becoming a full ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: European Union / Montenegro