European Union News

The Council invites Member States to continue the work on the protection of minors by promoting widespread use of awareness-raising campaigns even when Member States have differing approaches to protecting minors. The Council also encourages providers of on line media content to take full account of the protection of minors in the design of their services and to develop and adhere to relevant codes of conduct.

The EU signed a milestone agreement with the Central African Republicto prevent illegal wood imports to EU from this country. By 2014, therefore, all shipments of wood products to the European Union from the Central African Republic will be required to carry a licence certifying their legal origin.

Education ministers adopted a resolution for a renewed European agenda for adult learning. In addition, the Council also adopted conclusions on language competences to enhance mobility, the modernisation of higher education, and a benchmark for learning mobility. Moreover, Ministers  took note of information from the Danish delegation on the Presidency's priorities for the coming semester, in particular, the examination of the "Erasmus for all" proposal, benchmark for employability, and entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting has ended with an agreement to foster the efforts to increase higher education attainment levels to achieve the Europe 2020 education headline target of 40% of 30-34 year olds in the EU having completed tertiary or equivalent education. In addition, it should be Member States' priority developing clear progression routes into higher education from vocational and other types of education, as well as mechanisms for recognising prior learning and experience gained outside formal education and training.

Researchers from Belgium and Germany have published new data on how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is instrumental in regulating skin cancer stem cells. The findings reveal a dual role for this molecule in the promotion of skin cancer stem cell growth and tumour progression, which may have significant implications for the prevention and treatment of various skin cancers.

The European Commission discussed with the Member States the draft list of permitted health claims to be authorised for use on food. With this discussion, the process for the adoption of this list is entering its final stage after long discussions with the Member States and interested stakeholders. The list tabled for discussion includes about 240 health claims covering some 500 entries from the consolidated list of claims submitted by Member States.

The Council reached an agreement in order to amend certain EU financial instruments for developing countries. The decisions modify the EU's financing instrument for cooperation with industrialised and other high-income countries. The funds can now be used for cooperation with developing countries in addition to the original 46 countries in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, which included Brazil, China, India and Iraq. The decisions must still be formally adopted by the European Parliament before entering into force.
 

Member States has given green light to the regulation establishing an EU programme to further promote the development and the implementation of the EU's integrated maritime policy. The programme will support the sustainable use of the seas and oceans, and the expansion of scientific knowledge.

The European Commission published a regulation harmonising qualification and medical requirements for pilots. The new EU-wide licences seek to make flying safer. The rules will be applicable from 8 April 2012 and, according to the Commission, will contribute to a simpler, more cost-effective and efficient framework to obtain both commercial and non-commercial pilot licenses.

The report published by the Commission on the implementation of the Single European Sky legislation shows concerns relate to insufficient steps towards cross-border air navigation service provision and the lack of interoperability of air navigation systems, among others.

According to a Eurobarometer poll, out of ten EU citizens think that the EU needs better tools to fight organised crime, terrorism and extremism. The Commission has also published the first report on the Internal Security Strategy launched last year, outlining issues that need to be given further attention and taking stock of progress made.

According to the European Union, the United Nations climate change conference which will start on 28 November in Durban, must agree on a roadmap and deadline for finalising an ambitious, comprehensive and legally binding global framework for climate action by all major economies.