European Union News

The European Commission has put forward its proposal for continued financial support to the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy for the period between 2011 and 2013. The proposal is designed to enable the Commission, Member States and maritime stakeholders to keep up the good work in favour of a sustainable use of oceans, seas and coasts.

The Eurogroup, the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB) have welcomed the consolidation measures adopted by the Portuguese government by the end of September as well as the commitment of the Irish authorities to correct the excessive deficit by 2014. They also take note on the announcement made by Irish authorities to reinforce banking sector.

The European Commission has announced a new strategy aimed at helping European cinemas to go digital and to encourage more of them to screen European-made films, thus ensuring a wider choice for cinema-goers. With these measure, the Commission aims at helping European cinemas to integrate this technology which sometimes they would not be able to afford by themselves.

According to the data released by Eurostat the Euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate amounted to 10.1% in August 2010, remaining stable compared with July, although higher that the 9.7% registered in August 2009. In the whole European Union unemployment rate was 9.6% in August 2010, also unchanged compared with July, and a higher than 9.2% in August 2009.

A group of 16 additional ICT firms have agreed to reduce the electricity consumption of their broadband equipment and data centres, a measure which in many cases could lead to reducing their electricity consumption by 50%. Although a voluntary measure, 36 of Europe's biggest ICT companies already apply the codes of conduct. The Digital Agenda for Europe adopted by the Commission in May 2010 wants to ensure that the ICT sector leads the way on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Commission has decided to request France and Spain to abolish specific charges on the turnover of telecoms operators introduced when the Member States concerned decided to end paid advertising on public TV channels. In both cases, the Commission considers these "telecoms taxes" to be incompatible with EU telecoms rules, which require specific charges on telecoms operators to be specifically and directly related to covering the costs of regulating the telecoms sector.

The European Commission today unveiled two new measures to ensure that Europe can defend itself from attacks against its key information (IT) systems. A proposal for a Directive to deal with new cyber crimes, such as large-scale cyber attacks, is complemented by a proposal for a Regulation to strengthen and modernise the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).

The Open Days, the event which each year brings together representatives and experts from all regions of Europe to discuss issues that affect them most directly, will be held in Brussels between 4 and 7 October. Once more, a series of seminars, workshops and debates will be held this year under the theme "Europe 2020: Competition, cooperation and cohesion for all regions."

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the revision of the Tobacco Products Directive (2001/37/EC), in order to find out possible measures to improve awareness of the dangers of tobacco use, increase motivation to quit and discourage initiation of smoking. Interested parties can submit their opinions and comments to the Commission by 19 November 2010.

The European Commission has adopted a legislative package containing the most comprehensive reinforcement of economic governance in the EU and the Euro area since the launch of the Economic and Monetary Union. These measure aim to enhance surveillance of fiscal policies as well as macroeconomic policies and structural reforms.

The European Commission presented on 29 September its conclusions after the assessment on recent developments in France as well as the discussions about the overall situation of the Roma and the enforcement of EU law on free movement of EU citizens. Infringement procedures could be  initiated in the context of October package if full transposition of Free Movement Directive is not notified.

Young scientists from Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary have been acclaimed as 1st prize winners of the 22nd EU Contest for Young Scientists. Their projects have been selected from 85 projects coming from 37 countries. Second and third prizes as well as the International prize were awarded to 7 other projects, from Poland, Germany, Portugal, Latvia, Italy and Brazil.