European Union News - 2008

On the 11th June 2008 The Commission published notices from European Union Institutions and Bodies. The Council released its conclusions on the Special Report No 9/2007 by the European Court of Auditors concerning ‘Evaluating the EU Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programmes — Could the Commission's approach be improved?’

By the way of the European Year of the Intercultural Dialogue and at the occasion of the special session of its Bureau, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the Economic and Social Council of Slovenia organise a seminar with the title "organised civil society as an engine for Intercultural Dialogue" on 17th June 2008 in Portoroz.

On the 11th June 2008, the European Commission published a directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliment and of the Council from 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe. 'Ambient air' shall mean outdoor air in the troposphere, excluding workplaces.

Taking goods and services together, the EU and the USA account for the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. The significant amount of bilateral trade and investment illustrates a high degree of interdependence of the two economies.

Interoperability, flexibility, security, reliability and end-user friendliness were main features pointed-out by participants of SeBoCom Workshop held last week in Ispra (Italy).

ENISA, the EU Agency for European Network and Information Security, launches its report on “Secure Printing’ with recommendations to business on secure printing and copying of confidential data. Printing/copying devices can be penetrated and hijacked for fraud so that sensitive data or identity is easily stolen. But 350 surveyed European organisations have little awareness of the costs and risks of uncontrolled printing, the Agency report shows.

The 3rd World Forum on Human Rights took place at the International Convention Center of Nantes Métropole between the 30th of June and the 3rd of July 2008. It was organised by the permanent international Secretariat Human Rights and Local Governments, association by French Law (Law 1901).

It is widely recognised that enterprise spirit is a strong driving force for any economy, yet Europeans are still reluctant to embrace the entrepreneurial culture. Recent EU-funded studies have looked at the potential role of the audiovisual media, especially television, in promoting a more positive attitude to entrepreneurship in Europe.

The European Commission's responses to the climate change challenge and agricultural market instability are inadequate, whereas new support models for farmers have yet to be defined, said MEPs and experts at a hearing on the CAP "health check" held by the EP Agriculture Committee on Monday.

The European Commission adopted today a proposal that will facilitate the efficient management of animal by-products, while preserving at the same time the current high levels of protection against risks to public and animal health and the environment. Thousands of slaughterhouses, farms and dairy plants across the EU produce more than 15 million tonnes of animal by-products every year.

Europe and the United States of America are two super powers in terms of business and economics. Working together there is potential for growth and development seen from both sides of the Atlantic. Here are some facts and figures concerning trade and investment between the two continents.

The Commission strongly welcomes the agreement that Member States reached in the early hours of this morning (10 June) on the longstanding issues of the Working Time Directive and the Temporary Agency Work Directive at the Employment and Social Affairs Council in Luxembourg.