European Union News - 26 July 2011

According to the outcome of the Virobathe research, in almost 40% of more than 1,400 bathing water samples collected from coastal and inland areas in nine European countries, there were viruses discovered. While the concentrations are low, the research suggested that the presence of infectious adenoviruses and noroviruses in water samples could pose a risk to health.

The European Commission published a report in which shows a remarkable fall of 2.5% in real terms and thus, price differentials for new cars in EU narrowing in 2010. According the Commission, the fall in real car prices across the EU continues a trend observed for more than a decade, which indicates that competition between car manufacturers on the market for new cars is working.

The results of the call for proposals for the Special Action for Third Countries 2011 are out. The projects selected will receive funding for more than €2 for cultural cooperation projects between European and Third Country partners. The eligible third country for 2011 was the United States of Mexico.

The EU and the United States authorities presented Joint Report on small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) best practices exchange after holding the conference with the same name in 28-29 June 2011. Participants at the conference discussed topics such as the reduction of trade barriers impacting SMEs, standardisation and regulation or reduction of administrative burdens.

The European Commission proposes a new Europe-wide preservation order to ease the recovery of cross-border debts for both citizens and businesses. Around one million small businesses face problems with cross-border debts and up to €600 million a year in debt is unnecessarily written off because businesses find it too daunting to pursue expensive, confusing lawsuits in foreign countries.

The European Commission has made a series of recommendations for further action in Burlgaria and Romania in judicial reform and in the fight against corruption. The Commission also proposes to make an overall assessment of Bulgaria and Romania's progress under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism since accession in summer of 2012.