EU Set for Summit Clash Over Protectionism in Energy Industry
The European Union is set to confront France and Spain for protecting energy companies from foreign takeovers, raising the prospect of a clash among EU leaders at a meeting meant to revive a push for market integration.
``Member states are reluctant to accept the rules,'' Loyola de Palacio, EU energy commissioner for five years until November 2004, said two days ago. ``They are very proud when one of their companies goes abroad and makes a takeover but aren't very happy when somebody else makes a takeover in their country.''
