In 2011 the term "Cornish pasty" was given protected status by European lawmakers.

BBC: World Pasty Championships start at Eden Project

And European lawmakers also appear to be moving towards a more hands-off approach, opting to let the market decide.

BBC: Broadband companies offer clarity on connection slowing

However, Michel Platini, head of European football's lawmakers UEFA, remains a staunch opponent of the use of technology in football.

CNN: FIFA awards goal-line technology licenses

Bankers' pay wasn't part of the Basel agreements, but lawmakers in the European Parliament insisted on limiting payouts linked to short-term profits because they were seen as driving bankers to take excessive risks in the lead-up to the crisis.

WSJ: EU Reaches Deal to Curb Bank Bonuses

He also told lawmakers at the European Parliament that a one-time tax on bank deposits was "inevitable" given Cyprus' oversize financial sector, though said the burden should be shifted toward taxing big bank deposits of about more than 100, 000 euros.

NPR: Cyprus Has 4 Days To Find Bailout Solution

Prime Minister George Papandreou was in Berlin last week before German lawmakers ratified changes to the European Financial Stability Facility, the euro rescue fund.

FORBES: Still Not A Long Term Bear Market

U.S. lawmakers are crafting a bill designed to stop the European Central Bank from handling business from the Iranian government, a congressional aide said on Thursday, an attempt to keep Tehran from using euros to develop its nuclear program.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | US Congress to Target European Central Bank to Stop Iran from Using Euros

The European Union's flagship program to fight global warming suffered a major blow Tuesday when lawmakers rejected a proposal aimed at shoring up the region's carbon-emissions trading system, putting its survival in doubt.

WSJ: Vote Leaves EU Emissions Trading in Tatters

As European regulators appeared to recognize and take steps to address the backlash against the EU-ETS, lawmakers in the United States also took unprecedented action against the policy.

FORBES: Europe Stops The Clock On Deeply Flawed Aviation Emissions Scheme