European Union News - 03 November 2009

For the first time, the European Agency for Safety and Healthy at Work (EU-OSHA) has supported the Healthy Workplaces Film Award for the best documentary on work-related topics at the 52nd International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film. The winner was announced on the award ceremony, on October 31. This action is under "Healthy Workplaces" campaign.

From November 2009 consumers in the European Union should find it easier to switch their current account from one bank to another within their own Member State. From now on, whenever consumers wish to switch their current account to another bank, the new bank will offer its assistance throughout the switching process.

Swedish president, deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, president of the Commission and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy are meeting with the President of the USA in Washington. This is the first EU-USA summit under the presidency of Barack Obama.

The EU devotes 35% of its total annual budget to regional and social policy. Most of the money is earmarked for nationally-administered programmes to boost poorer regions. The European court of auditors estimated in its last report that at least 11% of the total amount reimbursed in 2007 did not qualify for EU financing