European Union News - 2008

The role of active citizenship in bringing together people of different faiths was discussed on Wednesday 14th of May 2008, as part of the third 'Brussels Debate' organised under the banner of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The debate "New horizons: active citizenship to bridge inter-religious divides" was prepared by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Policy Centre (EPC), an independent, non-profit, Brussels based think-tank.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA15) trade balance with the rest of the world in March 2008 gave a 2.3 bn euro deficit, compared with +7.5 bn in March 2007. The February 2008 balance was +0.8 bn, compared with -1.6 bn in February 2007. In March 2008 compared with February 2008, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 2.9% while imports remained stable. These data are released by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities.

On 29 June 2007 the European Commission decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the Green Paper from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Adapting to climate change in Europe — Options for EU action.

On the 16th May 2008 a report on the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee concerning three main topics was punlished in the Official Journal of the European Union. These topics were:

1. ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down procedures relating to the application of certain national technical rules to products lawfully marketed in another Member State (Regulation (COM(2007) 36 final).
2. ‘Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common framework for the marketing of products’ (Decision (COM(2007) 53 final) .

‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products’ (Regulation (COM(2007) 37 final).

On the 16th May 2008, the European Commission published in the OJ prior notification of a concentration between Renolit, Evonik Degussa and Suncoat.

On 7 May 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration by which the undertaking Ineos Group Limited (‘Ineos’, United Kingdom) acquires control of a plant of the undertaking BASF plc, controlled by BASF SE (‘BASF’, United Kingdom) by way of purchase of assets.

Wales, within the United Kingdom has received a training aid from the European Union. The European Commission published its notification granting the state aid under Commission Regulation (EC) No 68/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to training aid. The scheme is called the Welsh Red Meat (Training for Processors and Marketers) Scheme.

The European Parliment and Council have published a decision oon the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and
the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management.

IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn told MEPs on Thursday that while the worst of the financial market crisis itself was probably over, the impact on the real economy would continue at least for the rest of the year. He also spoke about the food price crisis and reform of financial market supervision.

The European Commission is to create an Expert Group on Financial Education (EGFE). The group will be composed of financial education practitioners and will aim to promote exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices. The group will also advise the Commission on its policy-making in the area of financial education. Interested candidates are invited to send an application to the Commission by 13 June 2008.

EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva announced, on the 15th of May 2008, the launch of an EU- UEFA information campaign and helpline to advise fans travelling to EURO 2008 on their consumer rights and to provide support for those who run into problems between the opening match on 7th June in Basel and the final on 29th June in Vienna.

The European Union has decided to celebrate the achievements and potential of Europe's ocean and seas by declaring 20 May as a dedicated "European Maritime Day". The official launch ceremony will be held in Strasbourg, where Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Council President Janez Janša and the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering will sign a Joint Tripartite Declaration.