European Union Simulation Docket:

(1) New Social Charter

$ Free movement of labor (reduce vesting periods but keep 3-month rules to prevent social tourism). Eliminate all other border controls on labor flows.

$ Implement works councils in the EU-25 and allow the Commission to enforce.

$ Increase the ESF 20%.

$ Implement mandatory paid holidays for 7 weeks throughout the EU-25.

$ Require a minimum wage (standard to be set through negotiation).

$ Increase own resources (VAT & fourth resources) to accommodate spending increases.

Background:

http://europa.eu.int/pol/socio/index_en.htm

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1812391

http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2550082

(2) New Competition Policy

$ Strengthen articles 85 and 86 (now 81 and 82) and 92 (now 87) of the Treaty of Rome to allow the Commission to rule on mergers larger than 4 b. i.

$ Unify competition regulation through Commission enforcement.

$ Increase strict limits on member state aid to industry.

$ Tighten rules of origin regulations to reduce foreign dumping.

Background:

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/s12000.htm

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2266322

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=139481

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1429439

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=275226

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=288185

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1403564

http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=903970

(3) New Cohesion Fund

$ Triple existing cohesion funding to 12 b. i.

$ Add a new fund for environmental preservation and cleanup (1 b. i).

$ Set aside 50% of Cohesion Fund to prepare Eastern Europe for the next wave of accessions.

$ Increase EU own resources to accommodate spending increases.

Background:

http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/s24000.htm

(4) The Steel Dispute with the U.S.

The U.S. has reinstated steel tariffs during the election year. The Commission must act. Will it?

Background:

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=1120348

http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2216227

http://www.economist.com/agenda/displaystory.cfm?story_id=2261621