European Union News - 13 January 2009

At the opening of the plenary session on Monday January 12th, EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering called for an immediate cease-fire and the end to the violence between Israelis and Palestinians. President Pöttering accused Hamas of starting the escalation of violence, but he also reminded that the right to defence does not justify violence against civilians. He suggested a political solution to the conflict and supported the plan promoted by France and Egypt.

The Official Journal of the European Union published on its C Series on January, 13th, 2009, a prior notification of concentration between the companies OP Trust, Deutsche Bank London, Lloyds TSB Bank, BNP Paribas and Porterbrook Leasing. Interested third parties are invited to submit their possible observations by January 24th.

Due to the situation caused by the interruption of gas supplies from Russia via Ukraine, an extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council took place in Brussels on January, 12th 2009, under the Presidency of the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade. At this meeting EU Ministers welcomed the steps taken by  Czech Presidency to tackle the crisis.

The Commission will fund with more that 1.1 M€ Transatlantic Exchange Partnerships within the EU-Canada  programme for co-operation in higher education, training and youth. Applications may be submitted until April, 1st 2009.

The Commission has set up, by Decision 2009/17/CE, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the Committee of Experts on Posting of Workers. This Committee will engage with the public bodies responsible for control, such as labour inspectorates. It will also, at appropriate levels and in accordance with national law and practice, formally and regularly involve the social partners, in particular representatives of the social partners in sectors with a high incidence of recourse to posted workers.