European Union News - 2009

Drawing from the China Climate Change Framework Loan (CCCFL), signed with the People’s Republic of China in November 2007, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a total of EUR 220 million in three operations that will contribute to the mitigation of climate change. All projects will seek CDM registration for carbon credit generation.

Notice has been published in the OJEU on April 2nd 2009, of the launch of a call for proposals for Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). KICs will be highly integrated, creative partnerships including education, technology, research, business and entrepreneurship that will produce new innovations and new innovation models and inspire others to emulate them.

One year after the European Commission put in place common rules for safe use of mobile phones on aircrafts and for simple and non-bureaucratic authorisations of this essentially cross border service, 27 European aircraft have been equipped to allow the secure use of standard GSM handsets onboard aircraft while flying in European airspace. The number of aircrafts enabled for in-flight use of mobile phones is expected to double by the end of the year.

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend for five years over the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed between the EU and United States in 1998. This is the second renewal of this agreement, which will continue in force until 2013.

After Washington Summit, world leaders representing 85% of the world's output meet in London on April 2nd 2009, in order to push further economic reforms and a global plan for economic recovery. On the Agenda, key issues are at stake so that the leading economies move together and lay the foundations for a sustainable economic recovery and reach an economic partnership.

The EU’s first nature law, the Birds Directive, celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2 April. The legislation is one of the greatest achievements of European environmental policy and is central to the EU's strategy for halting biodiversity loss. The Birds Directive has played a key role in reversing the decline of some of Europe’s most threatened birds, particularly through its network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

The European Commission has granted temporary clearance to the illiquid asset back-up facility provided by the Dutch State to the financial group ING, with final approval dependent on the result of an in-depth investigation. The Commission found that the measure in favour of ING constitutes state aid. Some of its provisions can be considered in line with the Commission's guidance on the treatment of asset relief measures, and so the measure has been given temporary clearance for six months. Other provisions (including such complex issues such as valuation of the portfolio) require a further in-depth analysis before approval can be given.

The European Commission has decided to lower further the fees payable to the Community agency responsible for granting EU-wide trade mark rights, and to simplify the registration procedure. This measure, which follows an initial reduction in 2005, will make trade mark protection much cheaper and easier to obtain for businesses operating in the EU single market, saving them some €60 million a year. It will come into force on 1 May 2009.

The European Commission adopted on March 31st the 2009 Work Programme of the Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE) Programme aiming at co-financing non-technology projects to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport. This Work Programme will be jointly operated with the European Investment Bank. The objective of the IEE Programme is to support sustainable development and to contribute to the achievement of the general goals of environmental protection, security of supply and competitiveness.

The Directorate-General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission has launched on March 31st 2009 a set of Calls for Proposals in order to award grants to projects in the field of the Trans-European Transport Network for 2009.  Such Calls are launched both under the multi-annual work programme and annual work programme 2009, as well as under the European Economic Recovery Plan.

The Ministers of Transport have today confirmed the agreement on a set of far-reaching measures in the field of aviation. This package, which will be formally adopted by the Council in the coming weeks, makes the single European sky, makes the European Aviation Safety Agency is responsible for all the links of chain security of aviation and provides an impetus to the implementation of new technologies. Taken together, these measures will result in some flights safer, greener and cost tighter.

The European Commission has adopted a € 314 million package of projects to support agriculture and improve the food security situation in 23 developing countries across the globe. This is the first financing decision in the framework of the € 1 billion Food Facility which was adopted at the end of last year as a response to the growing food security problems faced by many developing countries. The Commission also agreed to an overall plan for the use of the entire amount of the Facility, targeting 50 developing countries in total.