European Union News - August 2011

In 2010, the European Commission helped Pakistan with €150 million in humanitarian assistance. A further €76 million has been committed by the EU to cover continuing acute needs in the affected areas such as shelter, water and sanitation, food, livelihood recovery and healthcare. Furthermore, the Commission assured it is prepared to assist again if the upcoming monsoon season proves to be as destructive as in 2010.

New research shows that the Foxp2 gene, which is known for its involvement in speech and language in humans, helps control the brain's neural wiring. The findings help elucidate how the gene directs particular features of the development of the nervous system, helping bridge the gap between genes and complex aspects of brain function. The current study provides the most thorough characterisation of Foxp2 target pathways to date. It offers a number of compelling new candidate genes that could be investigated in people with language problems.

The European Commission agreed to measures that should make a significant contribution to getting some of the EU's most troubled economies back on track. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Latvia and Hungary would be asked to contribute less to projects that they currently co-finance with the European Union.

According to the data released by the European Statistical Office Eurostat, the average unemployment rate registered in the Euro area reached 9.9% rate in June 2011, exactly the same percentage reached in May 2011. With regard to the unemployment rate in the whole EU, the rate was unchanged too from May, 9.4%. It was 9.7% in June 2010.

The European Commission launched a new database in order to improve access to information on unfair commercial practices. The website provides an extensive overview of national laws transposing the Directive, jurisprudence, administrative decisions and references to relevant literature.

Cedefop, the European Agency to promote the development of vocational education and training (VET) in the EU, presented its medium-term priorities which mainly focus in supporting modernisation of vocational education and training systems and continuing training, adult and work-based.