European Union News

From January 19th 2013, all new driving licences issued across the EU will have a standard European format and tougher security protection. Existing licences are not affected, but will be changed to the new format at the time of renewal or at the latest by 2033.

Eurofound published a new report on active inclusion of young people with health problems or disabilities. The report underlines that there are good practices across the European Union that include flexible benefits, promotion of better school-to-work transitions and taking a pathways-to-employment approach. However, the report also points out that until now public policies have not given enough support to implementation of this positive and pro-active approach.

The European Parliament objected to the European Commission's plans to withdraw the proposed "made in" regulation. MEPs stressed that the EU must make the use of "made in" origin labels on goods imported from third countries mandatory.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) published an opinion which puts forward an alternative to the plan for “unleashing the potential of cloud computing in Europe” presented by the European Commission. In stead, the EESC proposed a three-legged strategy, i.e. expand the use of the cloud, develop cloud-based software, and build cloud computing in Europe.

The European Commission will finance with €5 million from the TEN-T Programme a project to construct nearly 8 km of high speed railway track bed near Valladolid (Spain). According to the Commission, the project will bring considerable benefits to rail traffic in the area.

The European Commission adopted a new strategy with regard to the air quality in the EU and has declared 2013 as the year of air, with new proposals on improving air quality across Europe.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution that points out that the Eurozone is unique in having a single currency, but no common bond market. The resolution keeps up pressure on the Commission and member states to explore all avenues for pooling sovereign debt.

MEPs adopted a resolution calling on EU employment ministers to agree in February 2013 to a Council recommendation that all member states introduce "Youth guarantee" schemes to ensure that no young person in the EU goes without a job, education or training for more than four months.

MEPs adopted the new rules aimed at regulate when and how credit rating agencies may rate state debts and private firms' financial health. According to MEPs, agencies' shareholdings in rated firms will be capped, to reduce conflicts of interest.

Three EU regions will be awarded with the label 'Entrepreneurial Region of the Year 2014'. The Committee of the Regions announced that the period for submitting application to this label competition is now open until the 28 February 2013.

The roadmap for the continuation of the Eurostars Programme published by the European Commission shows the support of this European institution to the continuation of the Programme. However, this document is published just for information and is subject to change.

Biopiracy of multinationals, the practice of patenting and marketing the use of traditional knowledge and genetic resources of indigenous peoples without authorization from source countries, must be fought by the EU according to the European Parliament.