European Union News - 10 January 2013

The European Commission welcomed the presentation of two draft reports on the reform of the EU's data protection rules proposed by the European Commission just a year ago by two MEPs. These two MEPs stress in the reports the need for a high level of protection for all data processing activities in the European Union to ensure more legal certainty, clarity and consistency.

The European Commission adopted its plan for the allocation of over €661 million in humanitarian aid funding for 2013. The largest portion of aid will go to sub-Saharan Africa that will receive €344.5 million. Moreover, part of the budget is dedicated to forgotten crises – populations that receive little media attention.

On 9 of January, it entered into service the high speed section between Barcelona and Figueres, which represents the completion of a project, the high speed line Madrid-Barcelona-French border. This section has had a significant involvement and support of the European Union.

European Commission Vice-President responsible for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes underlinded that the top priorities for 2013 are to increase broadband investment and to maximise the digital sector's contribution to Europe's recovery. Cloud computing is also expected to accelerate through public sector buying power.

On the 8 of January, the Board of Governors of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) decided to appoint Mr Jerzy Pomianowski, currently State Secretary in the Government of Poland, as the Executive Director of European Endowment for Democracy (EED). The Board also discussed the strategic vision and mandate for this new instrument.