Dutch join the EU's northernmost states at the top of quality-of-life rankings that correlate closely with health, work and wealth.
EU executive vows to impose stricter controls on old ships sent for dismantling in the developing world.
European Commission report says migrant workforce from EU's newest members has "made a significant contribution to sustained economic growth".
Hungary and Romania join Italy and Greece on the list of countries that are particularly slow to adopt EU legislation.
European Parliament calls for fresh legislation and, possibly, sanctions to bring pay for men and women into line.
Despite continued emergency rule, the EU will send observers to monitor elections that it hopes will return Bangladesh to full democratic, civilian rule.
Investors in dismantled energy giant believe case highlights Russia's failure to honour treaty governing EU's energy relations with Russia.
Social Democrats name their candidates for the European Parliament elections.
Agreement particularly aims to reduce the number of products whose makers are unknown.
News in the newspaper


Commissioner slams “false pretexts” as states look to provide aid – more slowly – from a range of financial pots.

CCS could be funded with ETS money; agreement could speed up building of test-sites.

The EU looks to exploit the oil and gas riches of the Arctic.

Review aims to improve security of supply; better access to gas from Caspian Sea region desired.

Proposed liberalisation raises hackles, with milk quotas, help for mountain famers and transfer of funds likely to be key sticking points.

EU and Russian leaders meet in Nice; only Lithuania opposed resuming talks.

Over-regulation ‘threatens next-generation networks'; ETNO boss warns of high investment risks.

EU is set to hold a trilateral meeting with China and the US in an effort to forestall repeat of toy recalls.

Dozen EU states pool military aircraft in bid to ease missions' logical problems.

EU delays by a year a decision on the future role of the international community in Bosnia.
Politics
Médécin Sans Frontières says the European Commission needs to multiply its "deeply inadequate" spending as tuberculosis returns to Europe.
European commissioner laments budget's inflexibility, which leaves the EU “running after events”.
European Parliament orders British MEP Den Dover to repay €609,000 that he received for staff and office costs and paid to a firm employing his wife and daughter.
Leader of the European Greens accuses the European Parliament's largest and “most lobbied” political groups of a stitch-up.
Pan-European panacea 'needed' for rare diseases
EU executive touts pooling of resources and extra funds as ways to reduce the problems faced by the 8% of EU citizens who suffer from a rare disease.
Gathering fails to produce major breakthroughs, but the EU finds support on a number of key issues.
Concerns about the Georgia crisis and missile systems dispute could be aired in a large, OSCE-chaired summit in mid-2009.
Leading voice in the European Parliament expresses anxiety about UN plan for the EU's mission in Serb areas of Kosovo.
José Manuel Barroso and Andris Piebalgs have presented proposals to help the EU meet its ambitious ‘triple-twenty' energy targets.
The only Mediterranean country with no formal contractual ties to the EU starts talks with the European Commission.
European Commission plans fundamental overhaul of its control system, including a points system that could strip fishermen of their licences.
EU competition authorities approve Italy's guarantee and debt-swap schemes, but has yet to decide on a proposed recapitalisation of the country's banks.
The European Environment Agency says in a report that biofuels could harm the environment.
Misshapen fruit and vegetables set to return to European tables despite opposition from most EU states.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
17-20 November: European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg. On the agenda: cross-border enforcement of road safety measures debate, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) debate, presentation of the Court of Auditors Report.

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Opinion
Iceland's financial crisis has galvanised support for joining the EU.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
A key foreign-policy tool – financial sanctions – faces failure. A few tweaks and it could be saved.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
The European Union wants the EIB to play a role in its response to the economic crisis – but it must make sure the EIB meets its existing responsibilities better
Friday, 14 November 2008
The EU should engage the Caucasus's realist leaders, rather than the romantics.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Ireland should define more clearly its relationship with the EU to avoid being a hindrance to further European integration.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
EU member states' silence both on Turkey's failings and its membership prospects have reduced its leverage and strengthened those who oppose reform.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Columns
Thursday, 20 November 2008 Thursday, 20 November 2008Why waste time over a name?
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The good news and the bad news about Estonia's security
A spy scandal rocks Tallinn, while Estonia receives mixed messages on defence from its Finnish neighbours.
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Special report

Commission wants EU-wide strategy for rare diseases ![]()
Industry needs to inform and reform (II): Dagmar Roth-Behrendt ![]()
Industry needs to inform and reform (1): Françoise Grossetête MEP ![]()
Fake medicines regulation in dispute ![]()
Battle looming over medicine information ![]()
Big pharma shows vital competition ![]()
Where have all the drugs gone? ![]()
A stirred pharma industry fears the big shake-up ![]()
Under threat from a generic attack ![]()
Budgeting for development aid (I): Danute Budreikaite ![]()
Budgeting for development aid (II): Josep Borrell Fontelles ![]()
Analysis
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
People
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Artificial arguments fail to persuade ![]()
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Letters
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Parliament's vote ignores land-use change research ![]()
Thursday, 13 November 2008

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