MEPs to push ahead with deal on bank capital funds and bonuses, EP President presses Myanmar for more reform and Spanish MEPs' anger at Chinese fruit dumping.

Banker bonuses / Mandarins / Myanmar

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16237266/n001-130306-002-en.srt

A majority of MEPs are undeterred  by unexpected delays

to plans to shock-proof Europe's  8000 or so banks

by forcing them to build their reserves.

After lengthy talks, Parliament clinched  a deal with most states a week ago,

only to find it's been held up  pending 'technical talks' with Britain,

home to many of Europe's  financial institutions,

which opposes a proposed cap  on bankers' bonuses.

The EP's lead negotiator says  the delay doesn't alter the agreement

and it will go to a plenary vote in April.

In truth it was all  about stabilising the banks.

There is an agreement with the Council  and we will stand by this agreement.

A warm welcome for Myanmar's President,  U Thein Sein,

once a Communist apparatchik, now seen  as a moderate key to a reform effort

that's seen the release of political  prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi,

But before sanctions can be lifted  Myanmar must prove its transformation.

We understand the wish of the country,  the request of the country of Myanmar

to lift the sanctions as soon as possible.  We understand the request

but we also discussed some of  the conditions of the European Parliament.

A sustainable and credible democratic  development is one of our major points.

Proof from Spain's citrus orchards of the  damaging effect of foreign fruit dumping.

Spain is Europe's  biggest mandarin producer.

MEPs this week raised angry complaints  to the European Commission

over a breach in anti-dumping rules  exploited by China.

As for Chinese imports,  from just March to June of last year

operators imported the equivalent  of a whole season's harvest.

The Commission promised  an investigation

with a view to strengthening  Europe's anti-dumping regime.