European Union News - 2009

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union on February 7th 2009 two Calls for Proposals related to the Programme of support for the European audiovisual sector, MEDIA 2007 and to the Preparatory Action MEDIA International part of the said Programme. The total budget allocated to these Calls amounts to 6,86 M€.

After carrying an extensive study into the economic and cultural impact of territorial spending obligations imposed in film support schemes, the European Commission has decided to keep its present policy about the State aid assessment criteria until new rules on State aid to cinematographic and other audiovisual works come into effect, or, at the latest, until December 31st 2012.

The EU's “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” prize for journalists has been awarded today to a French article about gay football players, in a tie with a Danish article about women who convert to Islam. The third prize went to a Portuguese article while the special Roma Award has been won by a Greek journalist. The award ceremony took place in Prague on February5 at the Kaiserstejnsky Palace.

The European Commission (EC) has cleared the proposed acquisition of joint control of Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited and its subsidiaries (Porterbrook) of the UK by OP Trust Private Markets Group (OP Trust) of Canada, Deutsche Bank AG (DB) of Germany, Lloyds TSB Bank plc of the UK and Antin Infrastructure Partners FCPR, a UK investment fund controlled by BNP Paribas SA (BNP) of France. The EC concluded that the proposed operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.

As pointed out in its drafted report, the European Parliament believes that lack of trust in the security and safety of transactions and payments constitutes the most important danger for the future of e-commerce. MEPs call on the Commission to investigate the causes and to redouble its efforts to create mechanisms for strengthening businesses' and individuals' trust in international electronic payment systems, as well as establishing suitable means for resolving disputes related to illegal commercial practices.

In a recently adopted report, the European Parliament urges the Commission and Member States to enable EU SMEs to develop in a harmonious manner, gain access to new markets and to expand their export activities and internationalisation. MEPs consider that the internationalisation of SMEs is a primary objective of trade policy and should constitute a cornerstone of the European Small Business Act, and stress the need to improve access to finance, for SMEs, especially to micro-credit, as well as their access to public procurement.

The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control of Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited and its subsidiaries (Porterbrook) of the UK by OP Trust Private Markets Group (OP Trust) of Canada, Deutsche Bank AG (DB) of Germany, Lloyds TSB Bank plc of the UK and Antin Infrastructure Partners FCPR, a UK investment fund controlled by BNP Paribas SA (BNP) of France.

The European Commission has adopted the first ever EU Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks, which aims to ensure that effective steps are taken to help rebuild shark stocks wherever they are under threat, if necessary on a precautionary basis, and to set down guidelines for the sustainable management of the fisheries concerned, including those where shark are taken as by-catch. The plan also includes measures to improve scientific knowledge of shark stocks and shark fisheries.

The proposal of a Council Decision published in the OJEU on February 5th, follows an initiative of the French Republic, and aims to reinforce cooperation between customs administrations, by laying down procedures under which customs administrations may act jointly and exchange personal and other data concerned with illicit trafficking activities, using new technology for the management and transmission of such information.

This Agreements are the result of the conversations held during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to the European Commission. The visit has been instrumental in giving a high-level impulse to bilateral cooperation within the EU-China strategic partnership which the Commission intends to continue to develop and enhance based on mutual interest.

The Official Journal of the European Union, OJEU, published on February, 4th 2009, the Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Community, of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. This Protocol aims at implementing coastal management as to ensure sustainable development and integrating all the related economic activities, respecting the ecosystems and landscapes as well as Mediterranean cultural heritage.

The European Parliament adopted in its Plenary Session on January 3rd, a report in which MEPs call call for mandatory emergency action plans in case of gas supply shortages, more grid interconnections among Member States, a specific road map for investments in nuclear energy, and new climate targets to be achieved by 2050, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%. These wide-ranging recommendations would make up the EU's future energy policy.