European Union News - July 2012

The new technologies applicable to constructive methods represent an important opportunity not only for the construction of new buildings but also for renovation of the existing housing stock. This opportunity is one of the elements the European Commission has considered in its new strategy for the European construction industry, a sector which accounts for more than 10% of employment in the EU.

Nearly four years after the adoption of EU guidelines on state aid for environmental protection, the European Commission considers that i is time to take stock on the current situation and the results of their application. The conclusions drawn from this analysis will inform the draft of new guidelines in 2013.

The European Commission will hold a conference in Brussels on October 15 to debate on European Capitals of Culture, one of the most successful European initiatives and best known by the public. This conference will allow to share best practices among cities which have hosted a European Capital of Culture in the past, current Capitals and cities willing to host a Capital in the future.

Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, announced the forthcoming celebration of a round table which will open dialogue on competitiveness of the European steel industry. Steel sector has been one of the most affected by the financial crisis as it is heavily exposed to international competition.

The European Commission has adopted the action programme 2012 for Morocco which will include actions aimed at improving policies for forests management and protection as well as actions to support economic reform and institutional capacity building. In addition to the €112 million adopted within the action program 2012 for Morocco, the Commission has also allocated a €80 million additional envelope within the SPRING programme.

The European Commission has put forward a proposal with a series of measures aimed at strengthening the European security industry, a market whose turnover in the EU is estimated at €30 billion in the European Union. This program will contribute to create a true internal market for EUe security industry.

The European Union supports thousands of projects across Europe every year in the most varied sectors and with very different objectives. From public transport improvement to small business support, these projects really make a difference in citizen's daily life. In order to highlight this support, the European Commission invites all citizens to share photos portraying projects near them and take part in the Europe in my region photo competition.

According to the decision taken within the European Commission's Direct Payments Management Committee, Member States will be allowed to advance 50% of the CAP direct payments to farmers having requests aid during 2012. Thus, farmers will receive aid by October 16th instead of December 1st.

The European Commission announced that this year it has been received over 400 projects to compete for a chance to enter the European Enterprise Promotion Awards. The 57 national competition winners will now go forward to the pan-European Awards, whose jury will begin reviewing the entries before releasing in September a shortlist of the top 12 entrants to go forward to the final competition.

The Spring 2012 Standard Eurobarometer published by the European Commission shows a strong public support for Europe 2020 Strategy. People’s views on the Europe 2020 strategy, which is the EU's growth strategy, are encouraging to the Commission, particularly in relation to the importance of the initiatives and the level of ambition.

The European Commission decided to increase its support in €40 million for the victims of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. Especially in South Sudan, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated drastically in 2012. This brings to €127 million the Commission's relief aid in the two countries for this year.

The European Commission announced the launching of the European Data Access Service (EDAS), a new commercial service of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), designed to make satellite navigation in Europe more reliable and thus more effective for use in commercial applications in difficult surroundings.