European Union News - 20 April 2010

EU countries consider that measures should be adopted to meet the target of 100% coverage of basic broadband to all citizens by 2013 and promote wide take-up of high speed broadband by 2020. The need of digital public services that promote the reuse of public sector information, increase the efficiency of government and reduce administrative burdens on citizens and businesses. Competitiveness of Europe’s ICT sector must be strengthened through further research, development and innovation by means of better adapted programmes for sector firms, SMEs in particular

MEPs urge all Member States to introduce mammography to detect breast cancer earlier. In a written statement, signed by 381 deputies, Parliament points out that this type of cancer is the leading cause of death in european women among 35 and 59. Each year, more than 300,000 women are diagnosed with this disease.

The ministers of transport of the EU, who held an extraordinary meeting on Monday via videoconference, agreed on the need to provide a joint response to the air crisis caused by the ash cloud from the Icelandic volcano that allows for a "progressive and coordinated" reopening of European airspace with full guarantees of safety.

The OJEU of April 2o, 2010, has published Commission's decision that allows it to become a partner of the Global Bioenergy Partnership, an organization that brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders in a joint commitment to promote bioenergy for sustainable development.