European Union News - September 2011

The EU-funded GalileoCast project brings together three small companies to develop innovative weather-related services that use satellite positioning technologies. 'GalileoRoads' is one such service being launched by this project, using hybrid methods that combine fixed and mobile meteorological observations to produce very-high-resolution road condition models and weather forecasts.

The world's largest magnetic confinement fusion device, the Joint European Torus (JET), goes back to work following a 22-month period where the device was out of action whilst being upgraded and commissioned. Thanks to this device the European scientists are about to embark on the first round of experiments of fusion power as a safe, clean, and virtually limitless energy source for future generations.

The European Heritage Days, a joint action of the European Commission and Council of Europe which gives access to visitors to thousands of rarely opened sites and unique events, expects counting with more than 20 million people participating in 50 countries across Europe.

The Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairpersons (COFACC) held on 4-5 September had as main aim discussing how to enhance the cooperation with the eastern and southern neighbours of the European Union. During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski presented the current foreign policy under the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

According to the data released by Eurostat, the volume of retail trade grew by 0.2% in the European Union in July 2011. However, these figures show that in annual terms retail sales index decreased by 0.2% in both zones in July 2011.

The decision to bring trade relations with global partners at EU level further to the establishment of the common market, has facilitated Europe to become the largest trading bloc in the world. This position which implies that the European Union must keep an open approach in its trade relations, also provides that it can stand firm in demanding openness and reciprocity from other trading partners.

European scientists have discovered how honeybees depopulation is directly related to the exposure of colonies to low doses of insecticides, as they have a higher risk of dying from infection by Nosema ceranae (N. ceranae). These findings support the theory that combining more N. ceranae with a high pesticide content in beehives could contribute to colony depopulation.

Following the positive outcome of the quarterly review on the implementation of the stabilization programmes in both countries, the Council of the European Union adopted on September 2 two decisions in order to facilitate the release of the next instalments of financial assistance for both Member States. Accordingly, Ireland would receive 7.5 billion Euro and Portugal 11.5 billion Euro.

Scientists at Cemagref, the French research institute of science and technology for the environment designed the Government Resource Planning (GRP) software for SCHAPI, France's National Hydrometeorological and Flood Forecasting Centres, in order to forecast river flooding and warn authorities and the public about potential floods, giving vulnerable zones the crucial time they need to protect themselves.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, in July 2011 compared with June 2011, prices in total industry excluding the energy sector increased by 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU. On the other hand, prices in the energy sector gained 11.9% and 13.8% respectively compared to July 2010.

The European Commission has rolled out the competition to give names to the Galileo satellites constellation. Children aged 9–11 can participate and the child with the best drawing related to space or aeronautics in each Member State will have his or her name given to a satellite of the Galileo programme.

The International Trade committee at the European Parliament unanimously recommended that the European Parliament should consent to a pending agreement between the EU and the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. In addition, the EU signed a Joint Declaration on EU support to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and two Contribution Agreements for a total of €45 millions.