European Union News - 2009

The Council adopted on May 6th 2009 decisions approving the granting of a loan of EUR 5 billion to Romania to enable it to face up to its current financial difficulties. The loan is part of a EUR 20 billion package of assistance to support Romania's balance of payments in the medium term.

The Troika Presidencies (the Czech, Swedish and Spanish governments) joined the European Commission, employers and trade unions, in a special summit held in Prague, dedicated to tackling the impact of the economic crisis on jobs in Europe. The summit identified ten actions to fight unemployment and create new jobs. The Commission will build on the summit's discussions when formulating its input to the European Council of 18-19 June.

The European Commission, through its EuropeAid Cooperation Office (AIDCO), has published in the Official Journal of the European Union on May 8th 2009, a public announcement for the selection and recruitment in a vacancy for a Principal Adviser (Grade AD 14). Selected candidate will contribute to improve the accountability of the Commission towards the other
Institutions (EP, Council, Court of Auditors).

In its report about the role of Fair Trade and non-governmental trade-related sustainability assurance schemes as a contribution to Sustainable Development, the Commission highlights that  between 60% and 70% of global sales take place in the European Union. In order to ensure maximum level of transparency the Commission intends to explore the scope for further dialogue, co-operation and, where appropriate, convergence between different private labelling schemes to promote possible synergies and enhance clarity for the consumer.

The full Parliament has given the green light to the revision of the directive regulating the capital requirements of banks. The approved changes will improve risk management and help prevent future financial crises like the present. The legislation, which will be implemented from late 2010, will forbid banks lend more than 25% of their funds to a single customer (or customer group) and will introduce a 5% retention for the securitization of bank products, such as resale mortgage securities.

18 projects and student mobility activities funded by the EU's education and training programmes today received the 2009 European Awards for Lifelong Learning. The awards recognise the important role of these innovative and creative projects and activities in modernising education and training systems in Europe.

The European Parliament wants to make it compulsory for assisting spouses to have social security cover. MEPs are also keen to strengthen the maternity leave rights of self-employed women and assisting spouses. The directive on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding has been referred back to the Women's Rights Committee.

Notice has been given on May 7th 2009, of the launch of a restricted call for tenders (ref.EuropeAid/128163/C/SER/Multi), aiming at the organisation of conferences, seminars and meetings in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, the Union for the Mediterranean and the European Neighbourhood Policy — Regional Cooperation South. Applicants may submit their proposals until June 9th 2009.

At their vote in Plenary Session on May 6th 2009, MEPs have amended a political agreement reached with the Council on the reform of the regulatory framework for electronic communications, including mobile and fixed telephones, broadcasting, wireless and fixed internet. This means that the whole "telecom package" is likely to be subject to conciliation in Parliament's next legislative term after the European elections.

The European Union and the Trade Department of the United States have reached on May 6th 2009, an understanding which allows a way forward in the long-running dispute over hormone-treated beef. According to the agreement the US would not impose new “Carousel” sanctions over a set of EU products, and would in return enjoy additional duty-free access to the EU market for the type of high quality beef traditionally exported by the U.S.

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), as part of the events on Europe Day, opens its doors to senior secondary and tertiary establishments of the greater Thessaloniki area, inviting pupils and students, along with their teachers and professors, to find out more about vocational education and training in the European Union.

Any advertisement that reflects the technical characteristics of refrigerators, washing machines or furnaces should indicate the energy consumption of the product, according to the Parliament decision. MEPs who have voted on the directive that governs the energy labeling, suggest that the label of a product is valid for three to five years and the energy rating standards are updated regularly.