International

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 04:14 UTC

  Chile/EU agree to improve energy cooperation and increase trade

  

  Within the framework of the European Union/Latam leaders’ summit held in Madrid, the EU and Chile agreed to “improve and strengthen relations,” with a special focus on energy and trade, five years after the launch of the Association Agreement.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 01:02 UTC

  EU 27 and Latam/Caribbean 33 trade reached 140 billion Euros in 2009

  

  Between 2000 and 2009, the European Union 27 exports of goods to the 33 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries grew more slowly than imports: exports rose from 59 billion Euro to 66 billion, while imports increased from 54 billion to 74 billion, according to a Europa press release on the eve of the Madrid summit.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 01:00 UTC

  EU countries divided over extent of agriculture talks with Mercosur

  

  While in Madrid the re-launching of trade European Union/Mercosur trade talks was announced, in Brussels, a meeting of the Agriculture Council showed how sensitive the issue is and how divided EU members are on market access for highly competitive produce from the South American block.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 00:20 UTC

  Black list for governments that violate press freedom

  

  President Barack Obama has signed a law that requires the US State Department to compile a public list of foreign governments that violate press freedom.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 00:16 UTC

  European Commission launches discussions on fishing limits and sustainability

  

  The European Commission published Monday its report launching discussions on fishing opportunities in EU waters in 2011. The document sets out how the Commission intends to act on the scientific advice it receives on the state of fish stocks when proposing catch limits and quotas for next year.

• Tuesday, May 18th 2010 - 00:02 UTC

  EU and Mercosur agree to re-launch trade talks next July

  

  The European Union and the Latin American trade bloc Mercosur announced Monday that they were re-launching talks to create a free trade area of 800 million people. A tentative first meeting is scheduled for next July according to EU officials.

• Monday, May 17th 2010 - 05:01 UTC

  Australia celebrates 16 year old Jessica’s round the world sailing feat

  

  Australians gathered Saturday around Sydney harbour to welcome back teenager Jessica Watson from her record round-the-world sailing adventure. The 16-year-old is said to be the youngest person to sail non-stop, solo and unassisted around the world.

• Monday, May 17th 2010 - 01:46 UTC

  Europe living “truly dramatic times”, the most difficult since WWI, says Trichet

  

  European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet called for more effective sanctions against countries violating the region’s Stability and Growth Pact and said the ECB acted independently when it bought government bonds, Spiegel magazine reported, citing an interview.

• Monday, May 17th 2010 - 01:42 UTC

  Spanish unions have ten days to agree on labour market reforms

  

  Spanish unions and employees organizations have ten days to come up with an agreement of labour reform or the government will approve the initiative by decree, according to reports in the Madrid press.

• Saturday, May 15th 2010 - 04:49 UTC

  World Stock Markets Plunge and Euro Falls to 18-Month Low

  

  World stock markets plunge Friday and the Euro hit an 18-month low against the dollar, on growing fears that the austerity packages unveiled across Europe could tip the continent back into recession and stifle global economic recovery.