European Union News

According to Eurostat, in 2011, 27% of children aged less than 18 were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU, compared with 24% of adults (aged 18-64) and 21% of the elderly (aged 65 and over). Data by member state shows that the highest shares of those aged less than 18 who were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2011 were registered in Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Hungary and Ireland.

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes announces new EU research grants in 2013 to develop '5G' technology, with the aim to put Europe back in the lead of the global mobile industry. Overall, from 2007 to 2013 EU investments amount to more than €700 million for research on future networks.

The European Commission presented an Action Plan that represents a further step towards full visa liberalisation with Georgia. The Commission highlighted that it clearly sets out all technical conditions to be met by Georgia before the possible establishment of a visa-free travel regime.

EU ministers held two policy debates within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. In addition many of them supported the proposal of the Austrian delegation for launching initiatives allowing the development of a protein supply system specific to the EU. The Commission also gave an overview of the current situation regarding food products containing horsemeat mislabelled as beef.

Following a first reading agreement with the European Parliament, the Council adopted regulations laying down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the EU and in the smaller Aegean islands. Among other things, a specific provision has been added to the regulation allowing a one-off payment of €40 millions in 2013 in order to allow the sector of banana production in outermost regions to adapt to the reduction of banana tariffs following the latest trade agreements.

The latest report published by the Joint Research Centre highlights the lack of harmonised reporting on oil and gas offshore accidents across the EU, and the poor access of information for researchers, consultants and the public. The statistical analysis also reveals that offshore accidents with severe and long-lasting consequences are not extremely rare events as initially thought, at least concerning failures, causes and chain of events.

The European Commission launched two public consultations on specific measures which could improve tax collection - EU Tax Identification Number (EU TIN)- and ensure better tax compliance across the EU - the EU Taxpayer's Code. The consultations will run until 17 May 2013.

Ministers were invited to answer two questions raised by the presidency, one focussing on whether the draft directive adequately fulfils its objectives of addressing indirect land-use change emissions and encouraging the transition to advanced biofuels, and the second relating to its support for the achievement of the existing energy and climate change objectives in the EU.

Eurostat reported that EU international trade in goods with Ukraine grew strongly from 2000 to 2008, then fell sharply in 2009 before partially recovering between 2010 and 2012. In addition, the largest surpluses in trade with Ukraine in 2012 were observed in Germany and Poland, and the largest deficit in Spain. The figures are published on the occasion of the EU-Ukraine summit that takes place in Brussels on 25 February.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Director stressed in a roundtable on "Scientific support to Internal Market" that the JRC stood ready to build on its current research and contribute, along with policy Directorates General, both to short and long term efforts to improve the functioning of the single market.

The European Commission published a report that shows that in 2012 in 28% of Europeans were exposed to second hand smoke in bars in 2012 – down from 46% in 2009. In addition, the report dispels concerns about smoking bans impacting negatively on the revenues of bars and restaurants, by showing that the economic impact has been limited, neutral and even positive over time.

The European Commission published its winter forecast 2012-14 that shows the contrast between the improved financial market situation and the muted macroeconomic prospects for 2013 is to a large extent due to the balance-sheet adjustment process, which continues to weigh on short-term growth.