A Commission Communication of 28 April reports that 2.2m-3.3m extra jobs could be created in the EU by 2010, if a positive climate for investment is encouraged. The Commission proposes a three stranded strategy - better use of information, easier information facilities, and structured consultation with relevant bodies. 9m jobs ...

Europe's proposal to ban planes fitted with 'hush kits' from flying in the EU after April 2002 has been postponed until the end of April in order to allow negotiation between the Commission and the US, after the US threatened to ban Concorde in retaliation.(Originally posted by Jason Campbell)

The High Court in London ruled on Thursday, 25 March, that EU Regulations do not prevent money being paid as part of an exchange of takeoff and landing slots between airlines. BA had exchanged slots with KLM, paying compensation to the Dutch airline in recognition of the greater value of ...

The Jamaican army is to be deployed at tourist resorts to crack down on crime and harassment of tourists. The measure followed a recommendation from the Jamaican Hotel and Tourist Association. The Opposition has criticised the measure as detrimental to the country's image and point to a dramatic decrease in ...

The Chinese and Cambodian Governments have signed two accords, one on economic co-operation, the other on tourism. This followed the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen, to Beijing in March.

The UK Government has announced that it intends to give citizens of the British Dependent Territories the right of abode in the UK. This will apply to approximately 150 000 people in the following territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Pitcairn Island, Saint Helena and its dependencies and ...

The four-year public enquiry into the building of a fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport ended on 17 March 1999. The cost of the enquiry is estimated at £80m ($128m), with over 700 witnesses and yet a decision on whether to go ahead with the terminal will not be made until ...

Lord Denning, of Jarvis v Swan Tours fame, died at the age of 100 on 5 March 1999. He was one of the best known and, for many, greatest English judges of the twentieth century. He was famed for his clear, succinct style in giving judgement. He described his approach ...

The World Travel and Tourism Council has reported that the economic slump in South East Asia led to a loss of approximately 2m jobs in the industry and at least $7billion. At the ASEAN meeting in Singapore, the Minister for Trade and Industry. Lee Yock Suan, urged the public and ...

In February, the Lower House of the Dutch Parliament voted to legalise brothels for the first time since 1912. Whilst prostitution was already legal, brothels were merely tolerated. Those promoting the new law argued that it would make it harder for criminals to use sex clubs as a cover and ...

Germany took over the presidency of the EU on 1 January 1999. It has set as its priorities: job creation; internal consolidation and further development of the Union; and strengthening the development of the EU'' profile in relations with other countries. The European Council will take place in Cologne on ...

The Transport Commissioner announced that the Commission is working on recommendations to enable the EU to take decisions on this early in 1999. Within a few years many transport systems will rely on GNSS. The Commission is consulting with the industry, transport users and others in order to define a ...

The Commission has set out proposals "to save Europe's railways from extinction". Included are proposals to liberalise the freight market. The White Paper proposes to speed up modification of the existing legislation (Directive 91/440/EC) so as to extend the rights to railway infrastructure for freight and for international passenger services. ...

Tourism and Employment: The High Level Group on Tourism and Employment have stated that the tourism sector is expected to grow faster than the economy as a whole, increasing turnover by 2.5-4% per annum and creating 2.2-3m jobs in the EU by 2010.

Significant progress has been made and, on completion, the programme is expected to increase EU GDP by 0.5bn ecu by 2030 and create 600 000 jobs. The Vienna European Council emphasised the importance of protecting funding for this despite the need for cuts in public expenditure.

The Commission referred eight Member States to the European Court of Justice for having concluded "open skies" agreements with the USA. The states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and the UK. The Commission argues that these agreements distort competition and disadvantage EU airlines. The Commission itself had ...

The Commission announced proposals to extend the provisions of the Directive to more EU workers in the road, rail, sea, air and inland waterways transport industries. The Directive provides protection against adverse health and safety effects of long hours, inadequate rests and disruptive working patterns. (IP/98/1004).

Banks have indicated that no charges will be levied for converting accounts and payments into euros. The Commission intends to keep the situation under review and have invited persons who have been charged to notify them. The euro operates in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal ...

On 13 January 1999, the UK Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, visited Camp Zeist in the Netherlands which is to be used for the trial of the two Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing. The former US airbase currently used by the Dutch, will technically become part of Scotland for the ...

President Clinton announced new measures to increase contact between ordinary US citizens and Cubans. These do not amount to the lifting of the general embargo against the Cuban Government but inter alia permits more charter flights between the two countries. These flights are intended to provide for visits by athletics, ...

The High-Level Group on Tourism and Employment reported to the Commission last week that tourism could create between 2.2m and 3.3m new jobs in the EU by 2010, expecting growth faster than the economy as a whole. It proposes five main areas for action in order to promote job creation: ...

Judgment of the Court of First Instance given on 15 September 1998 Ryanair sought the annulment of a Commission decision in to permit under Article 93(2) of the EC Treaty payment of IR £50m state aid by the Irish Government to Aer Lingus in support of restructuring. This was the ...

Duty-free sales come to an end on 1 July 1999. From that date, sales on board ships and aircraft on journeys within the EU will be subject to the excise duty at the rate applicable in the country where the goods were loaded on to the vessel or aircraft. VAT ...

The Commission has announced a strategy to establish a free trade area between the EU and its Meditteranean partners by 2010. The strategy includes close co-operation on customs duties. [IP/98/826]

Three British tourists and five Turkish citizens are feared dead after their coach transporting them back to the airport crashed into a taxi. All five occupants of the taxi are believed to have been killed. A further 30 occupants of the coach were injured. The coach was taking holidaymakers to ...

Jim Swire, a spokesman for the relatives of the victims of the Lockerbie bombing has stated that he believes Libya has legitimate concerns about the proposals for a trial of the two Libyan suspects under Scots Law in the Netherlands. Libya has asked for guarantees that the two men will ...

The British Airports Authority has announced £200m plans for Stansted Airport in the South East of England. It will also be seeking permission to boost the number of flights from the current 120,000 to 185,000 thus increasing capacity from 8m to 15m per year. (20/10/98).

The ECOFIN Council approved Greece's convergence programme for 1998-2001 which would enable it to meet the criteria required for it to join the single currency on 1 January 2001.

The International Transport Federation held a day of action to protest about the application of this Directive. This is the largest sector not covered by the Directive. Approximately 3.5m transport workers are employed in the sector. The European Commission threatened to propose legislation for the sector if no agreement was ...

Commissioner Neil Kinnock announced plans to buy and sell take-off slots. In July, British Airways and American Airlines were required to relinquish 267 slots (without compensation) in order to obtain EU approval for their alliance. The plans for buying and selling the slots will require legislative changes and are unlikely ...