European Union News - October 2012

Cyber Europe 2012 is an exercise which brings together hundreds of cyber security experts from across the EU in order to test their readiness to combat cyber-attacks in a day-long simulation across Europe. The exercise is testing how they would respond and co-operate in the event of sustained attacks against the public websites and computer systems of major European banks.

The European Commission decided to ask Court of Justice of the EU to fine Poland, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Slovenia for not implementing defence procurement rules. In particular, the Commission refers this four countries to the Court of Justice for failing to fully implement the Directive on procurement of arms, munitions and war material (and related works and services) for defence purposes, as well as the procurement of sensitive supplies, works and services for security purposes.

The European Commission proposed a new policy to help vulnerable communities across the world build resilience to future crises. The measures proposed range from improving access to food through supporting partner countries to ensuring that governments are alerted quickly at the outbreak of crises. With this new policy, the Commission puts resilience at the heart of its work on fighting hunger and poverty.

The European Commission Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy presented new proposals on improving the EU's support to countries undergoing major political, social and economic reforms, the so-called transition countries. Catherine Ashton highlighted that support needs to combine long-term strategies with tangible short-term achievements. The EU can make sure to secure quick wins in such areas as facilitating credible elections, supporting programmes for job creation and growth but also by strengthening peace and security.

The European Commission presented the Single Market Act II with the aim to boost a strong, deep and integrated Single Market. The Act II includes twelve priority actions which are concentrated on four main drivers for growth, employment and confidence: integrated networks, cross border mobility of citizens and businesses, the digital economy, and actions that reinforce cohesion and consumer benefits.

The European Commission made a proposal in a form of Communication on the Second Regulatory Review on Nanomaterials, which includes the Commission’s plans to improve EU law to ensure the safe use of nanomaterials. In the Communication, the Commission underlines nanomaterials' diverse nature and types. There is an increasing body of information on the hazard properties of nanomaterials, which are difficult to generalize and justify specific risk assessments.

The European Parliament group leaders adopted on 2 of October a negotiating position on full Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). MEPs stressed that the power transfers to EU level necessary for a real EMU should be accompanied by stronger democratic legitimacy. They also requested more transparency and representativeness for national budget and economic policy coordination.

During a high-level conference in Brussels, speakers and participants appreciated the innovative character and important added value that the Connecting Europe Facility would provide. According to the European Commission, with up to €50 billion the Connecting Europe Facility could become a key instrument for targeted infrastructure investment at European level to ensure the smooth functioning of the Single Market and boost sustainable growth, jobs and competitiveness across the European Union.

The European Commission published a report on the situation of unaccompanied children in the EU that are traveling to Europe seeking a new life. The report calls on the need of gathering and exchange quantitative and qualitative data, and the need of continuous engagement and exchanges, by the EU and by Member States, with countries of origin and transit.

The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) has revised its broadband common positions, originally adopted in 2006 and 2007, to reflect both technological developments and regulatory developments. It is therefore consulting interested parties on this topic until 18 of October 2012. In addition it launched a consultation on its 2013 work programme until 26 October.

The European Commission received the recommendations from the High-level Expert group on reforming the structure of the EU banking sector. The group recommends among other things a mandatory separation of proprietary trading and other high-risk trading activities, the possible additional separation of activities conditional on the recovery and resolution plan, and possible amendments to the use of bail-in instruments as a resolution tool.

The European Commission confirmed the provision of €4 million to ensure the continuation of emergency assistance to the people of Bangladesh affected by the monsoon floods and landslides which hit the south-eastern part of the country in June-July 2012. The aid is being delivered through cash transfer programmes.