European Union News - 28 February 2012

The European Retail Forum for Sustainability published a report which highlights that companies in the forum are paying more attention to the greening of their supply chains, sustainable distribution systems and the use of renewable energies.

The 2012 Campaign "European Professional Football against Hunger", organised by the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Association for European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) intends to raise awareness about the urgent need to assist the victims of hunger and to put them back on the path to self-sufficiency. In addition, the funds for the most deprived in the EU has increased by €500 million in 2012.

The European Commission published a study which highlights that if the internal market for electronic communications were completed, the EU gross domestic product (GDP) could grow by up to €110 billion a year. In addition the study carried out by an international team of experts points out three main types of policy measures to tackle obstacles.

An event celebrated in Brussels by the European Commission marks the launch of the European Agenda for Adult Learning. Overall, this agenda shows a renewed commitment to adult learning at EU level. It focuses on providing second-chance opportunities for low qualified adults by strengthening their basic skills, such as literacy, numeracy and digital knowledge.

The eligibility of Greek bonds used as collateral in Eurosystem monetary policy operations has been temporarily suspended by the European Central Bank (ECB). Additionally, the Governing Council decided that the liquidity needs of affected Eurosystem counterparties can be satisfied by the relevant national central banks. On the other hand, the President of the Eurogroup assured that it was expected the S&P decision to lower Greek ratings to Selective Default.

The Foreign Affairs Council meeting held on 27 of February ended with the agreement on the decision to strengthen the restrictive measures against the Syrian regime. European Ministers called on President Assad to immediately end the killing of civilians, withdraw the Syrian army from besieged towns and step aside in order to make room for a peaceful transition. In addition, the Council agreed to extend EUNAVFOR Atalanta, the EU operation fighting piracy off the Somali coast, until December 2014.