European Union News

The European Commission seeks in a report wherever possible to exempt micro-enterprises from EU legislation or introduce special regimes so as to minimise the regulatory burden on them. The aim is to ensure that the EU responds better to the needs of small businesses.

Regional unemployment rates varied widely across the EU in 2010, with the lowest rates recorded in the regions of Zeeland in the Netherlands and Bolzano/Bozen in Italy as well as Tirol and Salzburg in Austria, while the highest rates were registered in the French Overseas Department of Réunion and the regions of Canarias and Andalucía in Spain.

The European Council adopted a single permit and a common set of rights for third-country nationals throughout the EU. The text aims to simplify the procedures for the admission of third-country nationals to reside and work in the EU and to facilitate the control of their status.

The European Commission published a first Communication on the European stress tests of nuclear power plants. According to the Communication, the European stress tests of nuclear power plants are well on track and will further enhance nuclear safety and security in the EU. The final results will be known in 2012 once the tests are finalised.

The Regional Development and Employment Committee debated the cohesion policy reform proposals tabled by the Commission. Among the conclusions drawn from the debate, MEPs welcomed the regulation on provisions common to the various EU structural funds as a big step forward which should enhance the efficiency with which regional policy is implemented by better integrating its components.

The European Commission indicated that there not should be any fundamental change to the basic concept, principles or scope of EU rules on Universal Service. This conclusion is based on a public consultation and its third periodic review of the scope of this service.

The Agriculture Committee approved a resolution which asks for EU and national measures to improve the efficiency of the food supply and consumption chains, sector by sector, e.g. by promoting direct relations between producers and consumers and to tackle food wastage as a matter of urgency. The Committee added that a better education is need to avoid excessive waste.

The Commission presented two additional pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening the surveillance mechanisms and promoting further economic integration and convergence in the euro area. The first piece of proposed legislation will apply to all countries in the euro area, with special provisions made for those which are subject to an excessive deficits procedure (EDP). The second sets out explicit rules for enhanced surveillance.

The European Commission presented its Creative Europe programme which intends to boost cultural and creative industries in the EU. TV, culture, music, performing arts, heritage and related areas would benefit from increased EU support.

The European Commission presented its proposal for the next Erasmus programme. The new EU programme could get the chance to study or train abroad up to 5 million people, almost twice as many as now. In addition, Master's degree students would also benefit from a new loan guarantee scheme set up with the European Investment Bank Group.

The EECALINK project has as priority fostering stronger health research relations between the EU and the Eastern European and Central Asian countries (EECA). In order to accomplish such objective, it is targeting three key stakeholders: policymakers, university and academic partners, and the wider research public.

The Transport Committee adopted a resolution in which sets targets for safe and sustainable transport by 2020 and calls for the abolition of all remaining barriers and borders in order to complete the creation of a single transport area for goods and passengers which is competitive, co-modal and resource efficient.