European Union News - April 2012

The Communication presented by the European Commission sets out a strategy to move to full e-procurement for all public purchases by 2016. It proposes a series of flanking measures meant to support all stakeholders, including SMEs, in completing the transition on time. So far, e-procurement is still used in only 5-10% of procurement procedures carried out across the EU.

The European Parliament approved a resolution which asks for a continuously update of the university courses with regard to labour market, in order to make Europe's higher education more competitive. Thus, MEPs calls on Member States to fund better the higher education institutions.

A document endorsed for public consultation by the European Central Bank gathers recommendations for the security of internet payment. In particular, the text is aimed to contribute to fighting payment fraud and enhancing consumer trust in such services by harmonising minimum security recommendations.

The Informal Environment Council celebrated in Horsens, Denmark, ended with the Ministers agreement in that the inclusive green economy is a vehicle for achieving long term sustainable development to ensure global job creation and for eradicating poverty. Janez Potočnik, the European Commissioner for the Environment, welcomed the strong support for the approach suggested by the Commission which will provide a clear negotiation basis in the run up to the Rio Conference.

The European Parliament refused to remove diesel tax advantage over petrol according to a resolution that was passed in plenary session on the proposal to reform energy taxation. The report approved by the Parliament also provides recommendations to the Council of Ministers, which must decide unanimously for any changes to take effect.

MEPs approved the resolution which backs that stalled regional development projects will be boosted by risk-sharing with private sector in Member States worst hit by the financial crisis. According to the proposal, the EU's financial contribution to the risk-sharing instrument must not exceed 10% of the total 2007-2013 national allocation from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF).

MEPs support the use of a common consolidated corporate tax base (CCCTB). Moreover, for them the system should be compulsory. The CCCTB would only apply to European cooperative societies, which are by nature cross-border. After five years, it would apply to all companies except small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which could opt in if they so wish.

The European Parliament adopted the deal on the transfer of EU air passengers' personal data to the US authorities, and that sets legal conditions and covers issues such as storage periods, use, data protection safeguards and administrative and judicial redress. The data will be used by United States to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute terrorism and serious transnational crimes. Transnational crimes are defined as crimes punishable by 3 years of imprisonment or more under US law.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) published an opinion which highlights the need for specific safeguards for data protection whenever public sector information contains personal data. The Commission proposal should more clearly define in what situations and subject to what safeguards information containing personal data may be required to be made available for re-use, according to Peter Hustinx, the EDPS.

The informal meeting held in Brussels among the EU Defence Ministers confirmed the EU's commitment and its unique position as a security provider in a context of financial austerity and a changing strategic environment. Ministers also endorsed the European Defence Agency’s work so far, and took action signing a Political Declaration indicating that Pooling & Sharing efforts in Air-to-Air Refuelling should get underway.
 

The European Commission presented a set of concrete measures that have as main goal to boost jobs. In particular, the package focuses on the demand-side of job creation, and identifies the areas with the biggest job potential for the future as well as sets out ways for Member States to encourage hiring by reducing taxes on labour or supporting business start-ups more.

A European study founded that two servings of salmon per week give mothers and babies the means to secure the minimum recommended omega-3 fatty acid intake. The researchers also found that salmon does not modify oxidative stress levels, inflammatory response or vascular homeostasis.