European Union News - October 2011

The European Parliament adopted its position on 2012 budget. Basically, MEPs sought to restore the draft budget proposed by the Commission, which the Council cut in July. This implies an increase in payments of 5.2% as compared to this year's budget, resulting in a budget of €133.1 billion.

The European Commission may refer Ireland and Spain to the EU's Court of Justice if they do not modify the way in which they tax leased or rented vehicles from another Member State, as well as company cars in the case of Spain, so as to ensure their rules comply with EU legislation.

The conclusions of the latest Euro Summit shows an agreement among Eurozone ministers with regard to Greece. The new programme agreed includes a contribution by Euro area Member States to the package up to €30 billion. In particular, the new EU-IMF multiannual programme financing up to €100 billion will be put in place by the end of the year. It also includes a voluntary contribution by private creditors who had lent to Greece.

The workshop on the Euroregions organised in the Open Days 2011 framework shows a model of cooperation for European territories. The Euroregion Pyrenees-Mediterranean was showed during the event as an example of this model for cooperation.

The European Commission announced an overhaul of the EU rules to fight illicit drugs, particularly new psychoactive substances, which imitate the effects of dangerous drugs like ecstasy or cocaine and are a growing problem. The EU identified a record number of 41 such substances in 2010, up from 24 the previous year.

The placing online of content on an internet website is to be distinguished from the regional distribution of printed matter, according to a judgment from the Court of Justice of the EU. Victims of infringements of personality rights by means of the internet may bring actions before the courts of the Member State in which they reside in respect of all of the damage caused.

The European Parliament approved a resolution in which asks for more jobs to people with disabilities. In addition, it calls on EU Member States and the European Commission to recognise sign language as an official language in the Member States.

The European Commission has drawn the preliminary conclusion following its investigation that the agreement between Telefónica and Portugal Telecom hinders competition in breach of European antitrust rules.

The European Commission presented some measures which pretends boosting entrepreneurship and responsible business. Among the measures, the Social Business Initiative, that according to the Commission will help this emerging sector to fulfil its unexploited potential.

The European Commission is going to present reform proposals on public procurement rules in December. MEPs therefore suggests to the Commission to include changes to the current rules such as enabling authorities to award contracts not just to the lowest bidder, but to the most innovative in order to benefit the SMEs.

The EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed annual report reveals that this system for quick exchange of information on risks linked to food and feed has further grown in importance. According to the report, the system is an invaluable tool especially at times of crisis.

Commission's Vice-President Siim Kallas met transport ministers of the EU Member States and of the six Eastern Partnership countries on 24 and 25 October 2011 in Krakow in order to move forward with transport cooperation between the EU and those partner countries. Transport ministers summarised key challenges and opportunities for closer transport cooperation in a Joint Declaration.