European Union News - September 2011

The European Payments Council (EPC) is undertaking a standardisation process for payments over the internet ('e-payments'). The Commission decided to open an antitrust investigation with regard to this standardisation process to ensure that competition is not unduly restricted, for example through the exclusion of new entrants and payment providers who are not controlled by a bank.

New contact points of the Enterprise Europe Network have been established in Japan and doubling its presence in China. With its expansion, it is intended to see more European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) profit from the fast growing markets in Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day, the 2011 edition of the European Tourism Day will take place in Brussels on 27th September. On this occasion, it will be focus on the industrial heritage, differentiating the European tourism offer.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton, the Quartet reaffirmed its determination to actively and vigorously seek a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, following the application submitted by President Abbas on 23rd September 2011 which is now before the Security Council.

The European Economic and Social Committee underlined that Rio+20 must rise to the challenge of paving the way for a new economic order, where sustainability and not just GDP will play a key role, during a debate with Janez Potočnik, the EU Commissioner for the Environment, and Ricardo Neiva Tavares, Head of the Mission of Brazil to the EU.

The European Commission organises the 10th European Day of Languages on the 26 of September under the slogan from the Czech proverb 'You live a new life for every new language you speak; if you know only one language, you live only once.'. On the celebration there will different events and conferences to attend with the aim of increasing the study of foreign languages.

The EU sanctions against the country's regime has been reinforced in view of the gravity of the situation in Syria. Among the sanctions, the Council banned investment in key sectors of the Syrian oil industry.

On September 21 took place the celebration of World Alzheimer's Day. The sufferers of this disease condition around the world have been honoured and recognised in a drive to push Alzheimer's research to the top of policymaker agendas. This event was also an opportunity to take stock of the research being funded by the European Commission.

The meeting of European Justice and Home Affairs ministers ended without achieving an agreement on the question of Schengen accession of Bulgaria and Romania. On the other hand, they adopted a decision on the signature of the EU-Australia PNR agreement and discussed the stated of play regarding the Common European Asylum System.

On the opinion adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee members during its plenary session underlined that the Single European Sky II package must be implemented quickly, otherwise the air traffic management system in the EU risks falling behind in the global market.

The draft agreement reached between the EP and the Council on the European Protection Order will make possible that Crime victims who have been granted protection in one EU Member State will be able to get similar protection if they move to another. This protection would cover, for instance, victims of gender violence, harassment, abduction, stalking or attempted murder.

EESC members approved on 21 September two opinions to enforce the fundamental rights of EU citizens and combat the exclusion of people with disabilities. The EESC believes that the legally-binding obligation to promote fundamental rights must lead to concrete activities. Furthermore, the EESC warns against any cuts in social expenditure due to austerity measures in times of crisis.