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Europe
More trouble in paradise: EU threatens to sue 10 members
2005-03-16
EFL
The European Union's energy policy chief threatened on Wednesday to take 10 members, including Germany, to court if they fail to sufficiently open their gas and electricity markets within two months. Under EU law, all 25 members should have opened their natural gas and electricity markets by last July 1 for business customers. Only five countries had adopted the necessary laws by the deadline. Apart from Germany -- Europe's largest economy and biggest energy market -- Piebalgs targeted his complaints at Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Greece, Spain and Luxembourg.
They all love the EU, they just don't follow its rules.
Posted by:Tom

#10  I'm as much against the EUSSR as anyone, but tearing down trade barriers is the one good thing its done (mostly by its predecessors, I guess) and is something I support everywhere for everyone. After all, the WTO has ruled against the US before, and Congress fusses and complains, but complies with the rulings. And remember how Pat Buchanon went to the White House nowhere on that issue. If you sign the treaty, you should keep it, or abrogate it.

I'm agreeing with Aris here. h!
Posted by: Jackal   2005-03-16 4:36:28 PM  

#9  The question is "why isn't Greece"?

Was *that* the question? I had thought the thread had been a criticism of the EU instead, but am glad that you atleast are directing the criticism where it should indeed be directed.

I'm sure each national monopoly still loves enjoying its monopolical practices. And the more monopolical it had been, the more it's unwilling to let go.

40 percent of the EU countries are being threatened with lawsuit by the EU. I'd say that's a significant problem for the EU.

40 percent of the EU countries are being threatened with lawsuits on the issue of "dragging their feet" by the EU. These member states are reluctant and slow to apply what has already been mutually agreed.

I'm afraid you won't get much of an EU crisis out of this issue, no matter how you desire it. 20 states (meaning 80%) were slow in applying the rules, vs only 5 states that applied them in time. 10 applied them after the deadline had passed, 10 still remain. Eventually all of them will apply them.

Rethinking EU participation, or just trying to have rights without responsibilities?

The latter, obviously. Delaying their responsibilities as much as possible.
Posted by: Aris Katsaris   2005-03-16 4:23:19 PM  

#8  I'm all in favor of free competition. The question is "why isn't Greece"? The EU chose free gas and electric markets two years ago and Greece does not seem to be implementing the policy according to the implementation schedule. Forty percent of the EU countries are being threatened with lawsuit by the EU. I'd say that's a significant problem for the EU. Why is Greece not in compliance? Rethinking EU participation, or just trying to have rights without responsibilities?
Posted by: Tom   2005-03-16 4:07:36 PM  

#7  Tom the Troll, are you in favour of free competition or aren't you? The free movement of goods, services, capital, people are four fundamental freedoms that lie at the core of the whole EU concept.

That's why communists and fascists and all people craving a monopoly of power hate the EU. Our "sovereign legislatures"? The industrial monopolies of each nation you mean.

Barbara, do you respect the result of referendums where the people decided in favour of EU membership, or don't you?
Posted by: Aris Katsaris   2005-03-16 3:45:52 PM  

#6  Excuses, excuses. Tell it to the judge.
Posted by: Tom   2005-03-16 3:11:26 PM  

#5  Nice seeing everyone of you in favour of statist protectionism, when the EU urges for free market instead.

I mean, something like:
"The EU directive to open the energy market was approved by EU governments in 2003 to allow companies to freely choose their energy suppliers. The deregulation is due to be widened to include household consumers by July 2007."

I understand why the idea of *free competition* and "deregulation" should horrify all of you.

Hey, Europe - isn't it fun having your masters in Brussels tell your sovereign legislatures what laws they have to pass, and when

In this case it's ofcourse Brussels telling our "sovereign legislatures" what laws they *can't* pass.
Posted by: Aris Katsaris   2005-03-16 3:00:29 PM  

#4  Hey, Europe - isn't it fun having your masters in Brussels tell your sovereign legislatures what laws they have to pass, and when?

Naughty legislatures! To the woodshed with you! :-D
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut   2005-03-16 2:51:20 PM  

#3  Another damned stupid thing in the Balkans JM.

Posted by: Shipman   2005-03-16 11:47:46 AM  

#2  Maybe the EU should consult their Code of Federal Regulations Constitution.
Posted by: badanov   2005-03-16 9:45:52 AM  

#1  Wonder where their Ft. Sumter will be.
Posted by: JerseyMike   2005-03-16 9:25:46 AM  

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