European Union News - 22 November 2010

The European Commission adopted on 22 November the “EU Internal Security Strategy in Action” which includes a series of 41 actions grouped under 5 strategic objectives aiming to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks, protect citizens businesses and societies, as well as increasing security awareness and improve crisis management and readiness. With the Lisbon Treaty as a new legal framework, the Internal Security Strategy in Action should become the shared agenda for the EU over the next four years.

The European Commission plans to make EU farm policy fairer to farmers, and at the same time more responsive to public concerns. Although this general objective was welcomed by Parliament's Agriculture Committee, also voiced concerns about how the plans could affect farmers, and the difficulty of putting them into practice.

EU-funded scientists have tested a groundbreaking theory that sees robots learning to 'think' about the actions they can perform on an object. The upshot is that robots can teach themselves by learning from their observations and experiences.

Ecofin minister meeting on a conference call on 21 November, approved the request of the Irish Government for financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union and euro-area Member States. The European Union and euro-area financial support will be provided under a strong policy programme which will be negotiated with the Irish authorities by the Commission and the IMF, in liaison with the European Central Bank (ECB).

Committee of the Regions President Mercedes Bresso supported in a meeting with Commissioner Johannes Hahn that the proposals about future regional funding were a step in the right direction. In the Committee's view, the Commission plans would benefit all regions, supporting their efforts to create better economic opportunities for all, and improving living conditions and sustained development. However, the Committee also considers that the idea of freezing regional aid for overspending countries would unfairly punish regional and local governments for decisions taken at national levels.