Euro Briefs: 17/12/04

eu enlargement phase agreed

EU HEADS of state will agree the next phase of EU enlargement in Brussels today (Friday).

The summit is likely to conclude negotiations with Romania and Bulgaria, approving their accession in 2007. It will also decide when to start talks with Croatia and whether to open negotiations with Turkey.

sugar export appeal delayed

THE EU’s appeal over the recent WTO ruling against its sugar export policy is being delayed by six weeks to Jan 31, 2005. As such, the WTO”s disputes settlement body will not issue its final ruling until next May, which will in turn delay the launch of legal proposals for reforming the EU sugar regime.

cut beef output to win price rise

IRISH BEEF producers should cut production by 10% next year if the meat factories fail to deliver sustained and substantial price rises, says Irish Cattle and Sheep Association president Malcolm Thompson. Buyers should realise that “the game of exploitation is over”, he told the ICSA’s agm.

lamy nominated for top wto job

FORMER EU trade commissioner Pascal Lamy has been nominated to become the next boss of the World Trade Organisation in Aug 2005. The Frenchman has a reputation as a trade liberaliser, having masterminded the “everything but arms” agreement.