European Union News - 29 September 2010

The European Commission has adopted a legislative package containing the most comprehensive reinforcement of economic governance in the EU and the Euro area since the launch of the Economic and Monetary Union. These measure aim to enhance surveillance of fiscal policies as well as macroeconomic policies and structural reforms.

The European Commission presented on 29 September its conclusions after the assessment on recent developments in France as well as the discussions about the overall situation of the Roma and the enforcement of EU law on free movement of EU citizens. Infringement procedures could be  initiated in the context of October package if full transposition of Free Movement Directive is not notified.

Young scientists from Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary have been acclaimed as 1st prize winners of the 22nd EU Contest for Young Scientists. Their projects have been selected from 85 projects coming from 37 countries. Second and third prizes as well as the International prize were awarded to 7 other projects, from Poland, Germany, Portugal, Latvia, Italy and Brazil.

Ministers meeting at the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries held in Brussels on 28 September raised a series of questions relating Commission's communication on the freedom for Member States to decide on the cultivation of genetically modified crops and its compliance with internal market and WTO rules. Among other questions, Ministers also discussed over a proposal for a regulation on distribution of food products for the most deprived persons and specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union.

The European Parliament backed on 28 September a proposal for Directive on single work and residence permit, which will introduce a simplified administrative procedure and equal treatment with national workers on pay, working conditions and social security. This new regulations, drafted in 2007, will complement the blue card provisions.