European Union News - 30 April 2009

The European Commission has put forward a report assessing the progress made in implementing FP7, also pointing put what still remains to be done to fully reach its original objectives. This report provides a basis for the 2010 Interim Evaluation of the programme, for which the Commission will seek advice from an independent expert group, and for further political discussions in the Council, the Parliament and with stakeholders.

The Commission is leading EU Member States' coordination efforts to exchange information on surveillance, case definition and measures taken by EU countries to respond to this novel flu virus. The situation is changing rapidly and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is monitoring the situations on a continuous basis. The Commission holds daily audio meetings with the EU's Health Security Committee and national contact points of the Early Warning Rapid Alert System (EWRS) with the aim of adopting a common guidance document on managing the novel flu virus. This will include information on the case definition, advice to travellers and management of cases.

Five years ago, this central-european country started being part of the European Union. Now, the city of Kosice hosts the  "Five years of reaching to the stars".

The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe announced that Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Oslo, Norway by Snøhetta is the winner of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2009. The Jury also awarded a Special Mention for an Emerging Architect to Lea Pelivan and Toma Plejic STUDIO UP for Gymnasium 46° 09' N / 16° 50' E, in Koprivnica, Croatia. By supporting the prize, the European Commission underlines the role of architecture as a driver for creativity and innovation, opens up culture to audiences beyond national borders and draws attention to the European professionals' contribution in the development of new ideas and technologies that impact Europeans' everyday life.