European Union News - 12 October 2012

The ceremony for the award of the the Erasmus Entrepreneurship Awards 2012 has been the perfect occasion to mark an important milestone of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Programme. The prize, which is one of the actions put in place by this programmes is a key initiative in promoting exchange of knowledge between entrepreneurs and in supporting SMEs.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided on October 12th 2012 to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 to the European Union for its contribution over six decades to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. Innumerate reactions and congratulations for this award came up immediately after the announcement in support of what has been a great project for peace and stability in Europe.

The Committee on International Trade of the European Parliament (INTA) has given its green light to the opening of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with Japan. However, MEPs stressed that these negotiations will be subject to the removal of Japan's existing barriers to trade in some crucial sectors for the European industry.

The European Parliament has presented the procedure for selecting the winners of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize for the 2013 edition. Those projects aimed at improving relations between citizens of different countries and willing to take part in the Prize will be able to submit their proposals until January 28th 2013.

The opinion drafted by the vice presidency of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) calls for an increase in the 2014-2020 budget worth 1.14% of European Union gross national income. This document also reflects CoR's concern about the difficulties that local authorities, regions, and also certain Member states would face in view of the new budgetary framework.