- July 3rd, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
OPINION: An open row between the powerful French President and the European Commission has posed a new threat to international trade deals where Australia has high stakes.
As Lee Duffield reports from Brussels, the new development has upset arrangements that the Australian government wants — and in Europe it has brought on a new political challenge to the existence of the European Union itself, in its present shape. … Read More »
- June 21st, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
European leaders ended their Brussels conference on Friday (20.6.08) unsuccessful in settling political problems over their governing Treaty, but declaring confidence in being able to find a way in the coming year.
The 27 heads of government and heads of state have also taken up a package of short term measures, to ease crisis brought on in parts of the European Union, by steeply rising prices for foodstuffs and oil. … Read More »
- June 20th, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
The European Commission has produced a short-term assistance package to help industries and private citizens hit by sharply rising oil prices and related costs for food and other commodities. … Read More »
- June 20th, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
European Union heads of government meeting in Brussels have been told world food prices have passed their peak, but will continue high, demanding new levels of international cooperation.
High prices, shortages and a sharp run-down of global stocks of food have pushed themselves onto the agenda of this gathering of twenty-seven government leaders. … Read More »
- June 19th, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
The din of heavy tractors and semi-trailers blocking the streets of Brussels – farmers and truckies protesting over petroleum, and prices – has set the scene for a tense meeting of European Union heads of government this week (19-20.6.08).
Their talks about reworking and expanding the EU will be more difficult than planned, thanks to voters in Ireland turning down the plan at their referendum, hardly one week ago.
Possibly more demanding for the political heads will be the economic realties beginning to bite very hard.
Lee Duffield writes from Brussels.
… Read More »
- June 1st, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
Commentary:
Rising world food costs have had to be taken into account in the latest phase of building a new agriculture policy for Europe.
The long retreat from direct subsidies linked to farm production has seen elaborate and costly environmental and regional supports set up instead – better for the long-term on the land, less disruptive in world trade. … Read More »
- April 3rd, 2008
- Posted by Lee Duffield
The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, has proposed a new “partnership with Europe”, and a two-third cuts in farm protection — in a speech at Brussels. … Read More »