European Union News - 08 March 2012

The European Council has adopted a new legislation which sets up stronger regulations to combat trafficking of firearms. In addition, the new regulation improves the tracing and control of imports and exports of civilian firearms from and to the EU territory.

The European Commission has reacted swiftly to the explosion that ocurred in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo's capital, and which took the lives of close to 200 people and injured more than 1,500. It joins the operations to bring first aid to the victims and in order to strengthen the response to the emergency, the Commission will release €200,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) identified how the rights of women are violated in a way that is often exacerbated by other forms of discrimination. It has released some reports and fact sheets on the occasion of International Women's Day, as well as the launching by the European Institute for Gender Equality of the call for nominations to the "Women Inspiring Europe" Calendar 2013.

The European Commission launched its edition 2012 of the European Enterprise Promotion Awards, which focuses in 2012 edition on SME funding for those entrepreneurs that want to extend their business and enter new markets. The best measure proposed will be awarded during the 2012 SME Assembly.

The Commission has decided to start the second stage under EU infringement proceedings – to send Hungary two reasoned opinions, and two administrative letters, after which the matter may be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Commission still has concerns about measures affecting the judiciary and the independence of the country’s data protection supervisor. In addition, the Commission requested in a recommendation a Council recommendation asking Hungary to take steps to correct its excessive deficit in a sustainable and credible manner by 2012.

the European Commission adopted new health warnings for the tobacco packs. The 14 new health warnings were chosen from amongst 24 possible messages following tests among focus groups made up of citizens from all 27 Member States through a Eurobarometer study.