European Union News

The Agriculture Ministers did not reach an agreement on proposals for decisions authorising the use of three genetically modified varieties in food, feed and for other uses, neither in favour nor against. In addition, Ministers had an exchange of views on the CAP reform proposal for a regulation on rural development.

The European Commission adopted a Green Paper and launched a public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting. The consultation has been launched because although LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient and versatile forms of lighting,Europe also faces a number of challenges and more input is needed from citizens and businesses to refine the policy. To this end a consultation will run until 29 February 2012 to collect feedback on the Commission's ideas.

The World Trade Organisation's negotiations on government procurement concluded successfully after the Parties of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) reached an agreement on an updated set of tender rules and additional market access commitments. In total, 15 Parties, with the European Union counting as one Party, made commitments to expand market access that they offer to foreign companies.

The capital of the Basque country in northern Spain has been granted with the title European Green Capital 2012. This title recognises and rewards cities that are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly urban living and which can act as role-models to inspire other cities.

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published a special report in which analyses whether the Commission has implemented procedures that enable effective management of State aid control. The assessment concludes that although the Commission has made efforts to ensure that all relevant State aid cases are handled, its systems do not guarantee that all aid is captured.

The Energy Roadmap 2050 presented by the Commission explains the consequences of a carbon free energy system and the policy framework needed. According to the Commission, the Roadmap will allow Member States to make the required energy choices and create a stable business climate for private investment, especially until 2030.

The opinion on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 adopted by the Committee of the Regions calls for more flexibility within budget headings, a stronger role for regions and cities in the elaboration of operational programs and a call to stop wasting time postponing the introduction of a new own resources system including a tax on financial transactions.

MEPs rejected to prolong until February 2012 the current EU-Morocco fisheries agreement and they called for a more environmentally and economically beneficial deal, which should take account of the interests of the Sahrawi population. The current protocol, which has applied provisionally since 28 February 2011, will cease to apply immediately.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in which asks to assesses properly post 9/11 counter-terrorism measures taken in Europe with regard to their cost, effectiveness, democratic scrutiny and impact on civil liberties. In addition, Parliament asks to the European Commission a map of all existing counter-terrorism policies in Europe and establishes whether these measures are subject to effective democratic scrutiny.

The European Commission has published its proposal for the new Europe for Citizens’ programme that will run from 2014 to 2020. The Programme's aim is to increase citizens' awareness and understanding of the European Union. The Commission will thus focus in twinning, remembrance of Europe’s history and civil society debate about Europe.

The European Commission has made legally binding commitments offered by IBM corporation of making spare parts and technical information swiftly available, under commercially reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, to independent mainframe maintainers.

MEPs approved that crime victims will get similar protection from their aggressors in all EU Member States thanks to the European Protection Order. This new rule aims to protect victims of, for instance, gender violence, harassment, abduction, stalking or attempted murder in all Europe. Now, Member States will have three years to transpose this directive into national law.