European Union News - 18 January 2010

After the catastrophic earthquacke that has devasted Haiti, the European Commission and its department of Humanitarian Aid have launched a new aid decision to provide assistance to victims.

European efforts to tackle the economic crisis need better coordination and faster implementation on the ground, was the message of a conference organised by the Spanish EU Presidency and the Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Palma de Mallorca today, the 5th Territorial Dialogue for Sustainable Growth and Jobs.

The European Commission launched on January 26th a Call for proposals to award grants to actions in support of the policy on integration of third-country nationals. Interested parties may present their proposals until March 3rd 2010.

The foreign ministers of the European Union are meeting today in Brussels at a special meeting to coordinate the actions of EU aid to Nicaragua after the severe earthquake last week.

This year for the third time the European Parliament Prize for Journalism will be awarded to journalists who have covered major European issues or promoted a better understanding of the EU institutions and/or EU policies. The deadline for applications begins January 15 and closes on March 31, 2010