European Union News

In September, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined strongly by 3.4 points in both the EU and the euro area, reaching the level of 94.0 and 95.0, respectively. The decrease reflects broad-based cross-sector deterioration in sentiment, with particularly strong losses in confidence in industry and services. In addition the data for the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) showed for the euro area fell for the seven month in a row and is now in slightly negative territory.

A resolution approved by the European Parliament demands that the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people be upheld fully within the EU and defended systematically in its external relations. Also MEPs called for gender identity disorders to be removed from the World Health Organisation's classification of mental and behavioural disorders.

Eurostat published its latest estimations on the holiday trips made by the EU residents in 2010. According to this office, EU residents made one billion holiday trips, of which more than three-quarters were domestic trips, within the country of residence, and around one quarter were outbound trips outside the country of residence.

MEPs approved a non-legislative resolution at the plenary session in which they underlined that EU and national procedures must be simplified to enable poorer regions in particular to access and invest higher rates of EU funding for regional development and building competitiveness.

According to the report published by the European Commission, the EU does not apply properly the Directive on the entry and residence of students, pupils, unremunerated trainees and volunteers from third countries. The report evaluated the state of transposition of the Directive and identifies problematic issues which are impeding the full potential of this EU instrument. It reveals a crucial need for amendments to the Directive.

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, showed himself very concerned with regard to the high number of transparency-related complaints he receives every year. Thus he called on the EU administration to be more pro-active as regards access to documents and information during a conference held in Brussels.

The European Parliament approved in the plenary session the economic governance package of six new draft laws. However the plenary vote was tight with left-of-centre groups abstaining and voting against some parts of the deal for fear that the package is overly focused on budgetary correction. Now the Council can formally agree on the new economic governance plans.

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published a special report on recovery of undue payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). On the report it draws the conclusion that overall, whilst recovery of new debts by Member States and supervision by the Commission have improved since the new regulatory framework was introduced in 2006, certain weaknesses remain.

The Internal Market Committee approved a non-legislative resolution in which it proposes an electronic public procurement passport that could make tendering for public procurement contracts less cumbersome and costly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The European Parliament approved in a resolution to earmark EU structural funds to the tourism industry in order to rehabilitate declining areas, innovate and roll out high-quality services that build on a multicultural heritage. Additionally, MEPs proposed to create a European quality tourism label, identifying common quality criteria, and a European Tourism Card, with a common set of passengers' right.

The European Parliament approved a resolution with 103 measures which intend to halve road accident deaths by 2020. Among the measures, MEPs proposes that the EU should promote the use of alcolocks on commercial goods and passenger vehicles and seek an EU-wide 30 km/h speed limit in residential areas. They also calls for a new road safety action plan as a matter of urgency.

The European Commission launched a contest to promote the ideals of co-operation and interchange between young scientists. It is also aimed to strengthen the efforts made in each participating country to attract young people to careers in science and technology.