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New on the Open Europe Blog Economic realities push Europe closer to a Greek decision Open Europe Blog Beyond posturing, Germany knows that the UK is needed in the EU Open Europe Blog Déjà vu anyone? EU auditors refuse to sign off EU spending for 18th year running Open Europe Blog
Daily Press Summary Juncker: Troika report on Greece is “broadly positive”; Greek parliament adopts 2013 budget amid protests DPA reports that the EU/IMF/ECB Troika has unveiled the final version of its latest report on the Greek adjustment programme – a few hours ahead of the meeting of eurozone finance ministers. Eurogroup Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker is quoted describing the report as “broadly positive, because the Greeks really delivered.” However, he confirmed that no final decision on the disbursement of the next tranche of the Greek bailout will be made at today's meeting of eurozone finance ministers. Greece has €5bn of debt maturing this week, and is expected to cover for it through a short-term debt auction tomorrow – although there are concerns that Greek banks may not be able to raise the entire amount. In an interview with the Rheinische Post on Saturday, Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann seemed to question the impartiality of the Troika report, as he argued, “How can you objectively assess the completion of the [Greek bailout] programme if you are too afraid of the consequences of a negative conclusion?” Meanwhile, the Greek parliament yesterday passed the budget for 2013, with 167 votes in favour and 128 against. Thousands of protesters took to the street in Athens while the debate and voting were taking place. Open Europe’s Raoul Ruparel appeared on Sky News this morning discussing the situation in Greece and the possible outcomes of today’s meeting of eurozone finance ministers. Kathimerini Kathimerini 2 Kathimerini 3 Rheinische Post: Weidmann Independent Guardian Le FigaroExpansión IHT FT Irish Times Spiegel Süddeutsche FAZ FTD Times Sole 24 Ore Le Monde Euractiv BBCFTD DWN EU budget talks collapse over Commission’s additional €9bn request for 2012; Austria becomes latest member state to threaten to veto over EU’s long-term budget Talks between EU member states and MEPs over the EU’s annual budget collapsed on Friday evening after no agreement could be reached over the Commission’s demand for an extra €9bn to cover outstanding payment commitments for 2012. The parties did not even get on to discussing the 2013 annual budget. Talks are due to resume tomorrow, but if no deal can be struck by midnight, the Commission will have to draft a completely new budget proposal. Separately, Austria’s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger has said that Austria could veto a deal over the EU’s long term budget for 2014 – 2020 if cuts are made to the rural development subsidies coming under the CAP or Austria’s budget rebate, reports Die Presse. City AM Sunday Telegraph Sunday Telegraph 2 Mail on Sunday FT Weekend Saturday's IndependentSaturday’s Express Die Presse Die Presse 2 Open Europe research: Reforming the EU budget In an interview with Die Welt am Sonntag, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble said, “So far, the talks between Cyprus and the [EU/IMF/ECB] Troika have advanced very slowly. Therefore, we will probably be able to look in depth at the [bailout] request in the Eurogroup only in 2013.” Welt am Sonntag: Schäuble EUobserver Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show yesterday, Home Secretary Theresa May said that once transitional controls limiting the ability of migrants from Bulgaria and Romania to live and work in the UK expire on 31 December 2013, the government could “look at” issues such as access to the benefits system and health service Telegraph Sun Express Open Europe research: Free Movement  Eurozone finance ministers are today expected to confirm that Spain is complying with the conditions attached to its €100bn bank bailout, although the first tranche of the package will only be unblocked once the restructuring plans for Spain’s nationalised banks are finalised. Separately, according to a new Feedback poll published by La Vanguardia, Catalan President Artur Mas’s nationalist CiU party would win the regional elections on 25 November, but would not secure an absolute majority. El País Expansión El Economista El Mundo La Vanguardia According to a new YouGov poll, commissioned by the People’s Pledge, 86% of Conservative MPs polled would like to see a pledge to hold a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU included in the party’s election manifesto. This compares to 27% of Labour MPs polled and two thirds of Lib Dem MPs. Express Conservative Home: Montgomerie The Telegraph cites an unnamed senior French defence ministry source suggesting that EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton has told France she will back their proposals for an EU military headquarters if they can gain more allies – going against the UK government’s position. Telegraph EUobserver reports that while taking part in a citizens’ debate on Saturday, EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding argued that, "The veto right in the EU Council [of Ministers] has to be scrapped. Qualified majority voting should be extended to more policy areas, for instance taxation". EUobserver  Handelsblatt reports that European Parliament President Martin Schulz has proposed introducing "special [institutional] procedures" for EU countries that have opted-out of certain EU policy areas – not only separate votes in the Parliament, but also in the Council of Ministers and the European Court of Justice. Handelsblatt Open Europe Blog  According to information available to Reuters, German Finance Minister Schäuble proposed unofficially to the German Council of Economic Experts to establish a report on reform proposals for France.  DWN Welt  In an interview with Die Welt, the new Foreign Minister of the Netherlands Frans Timmermans calls for a deepened partnership with Germany, saying that “the Netherlands orients itself rather towards Britain than Germany, even though the economic developments in Germany are more important for us”. Welt  EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht renewed the call for the EU and US to launch negotiations for a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement “as soon as possible” in order to generate much-needed economic growth, reports the FT. FT Open Europe research: Trading Places