EU News

EU and US renewed cooperation on trade, climate and security

Leaders from the European Union and the United States meeting in Lisbon on 20 November reaffirmed their close partnership in the main areas of joint collaboration which can be a resource to face shared upcoming challenges. Common values and political experience as well as a deep economic interdependence are the base for cooperation in the main areas addressed during the Summit.

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Never again! EU research at service of history to make sure Holocaust never happens again

The Holocaust, the genocide of some 11 million Europeans, including Jews, Romani and homosexuals, during the Second World War will forever remain in all minds and history books as one of the most horrific events of modern world. Seeking to get a handle on the dispersed information available for Holocaust research across Europe and elsewhere, is a key objective for European researchers.

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Commission presents EU Internal Security Strategy setting a broad common agenda

The European Commission adopted on 22 November the “EU Internal Security Strategy in Action” which includes a series of 41 actions grouped under 5 strategic objectives aiming to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks, protect citizens businesses and societies, as well as increasing security awareness and improve crisis management and readiness. With the Lisbon Treaty as a new legal framework, the Internal Security Strategy in Action should become the shared agenda for the EU over the next four years.

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EP Agriculture Committee's insights on Commission plans about CAP

The European Commission plans to make EU farm policy fairer to farmers, and at the same time more responsive to public concerns. Although this general objective was welcomed by Parliament's Agriculture Committee, also voiced concerns about how the plans could affect farmers, and the difficulty of putting them into practice.

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EU scientists prove robots can learn to 'think'

EU-funded scientists have tested a groundbreaking theory that sees robots learning to 'think' about the actions they can perform on an object. The upshot is that robots can teach themselves by learning from their observations and experiences.

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EU approves financial assistance package for Ireland

Ecofin minister meeting on a conference call on 21 November, approved the request of the Irish Government for financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Union and euro-area Member States. The European Union and euro-area financial support will be provided under a strong policy programme which will be negotiated with the Irish authorities by the Commission and the IMF, in liaison with the European Central Bank (ECB).

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Regional and local authorities welcome Commission plans for future cohesion policy

Committee of the Regions President Mercedes Bresso supported in a meeting with Commissioner Johannes Hahn that the proposals about future regional funding were a step in the right direction. In the Committee's view, the Commission plans would benefit all regions, supporting their efforts to create better economic opportunities for all, and improving living conditions and sustained development. However, the Committee also considers that the idea of freezing regional aid for overspending countries would unfairly punish regional and local governments for decisions taken at national levels.

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Making European Company Statute really effective for business

The European Commission has presented a Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the Regulation on the Statute for a European Company. In theory, the Statute gives companies operating in more than one Member State the option of establishing themselves as a single company under EU law, allowing them to operate throughout the EU with one set of rules, including a unified management and reporting system.

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Budgets Committee backs EU Solidarity Fund aid for France and Portugal

EU Solidarity Fund aid to repair storm damage in France and Portugal was approved by the Budgets Committee on Thursday. The February 2010 storms flooded large parts of France's Charente-Maritime and Vendée regions, leading to 53 deaths, and caused landslides and severe flooding on the Portuguese island of Madeira. The EU contributions are €35,635,750 for France and €31,255,790 for Portugal.

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EU simplified rules of origin will facilitate developing countries access EU market under GSP

From 1 January onwards new rules of origin will be applied to products imported under the generalised system of preferences (GSP). A new Regulation adopted by the European Commission on 19 November will relax and simplify rules and procedures for developing countries wishing to access EU preferential trade arrangements, while ensuring the necessary controls are in place to prevent fraud.

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Council highlights the role of sport as a source and driver of social inclusion

The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting in Brussels on 18 November 2010 agreed on a series of conclusions on the role of sport as a source of and a driver for active social inclusion. In this document the Council acknowledges that the sports movement can make an important contribution to issues of public interest such as social inclusion and stressed that this potential should be used at all EU levels in order to allow all citizens, and specially young people, to benefit from it.

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A more sustainable and competitive CAP beyond 2013

The reform and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges of the European Union. Its reformulation, as highlighted by the Commission, affects not only farmers but all citizens as consumers and taxpayers. Achieving a competitive agriculture both from economic and environmental point of view is one of the objectives pursued by the Commission in its Communication on the future of the CAP presented on 18 November.

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