European Union News

Commission's decision to clear acquisition of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn is conditional to the commitment to divest Arriva  Deutschland including the rail and bus business in Germany. Further to this commitment, the Commission approves this transaction in which it is considered to be a sign about potential benefits of cross-border integration in the newly liberalised transport markets.

Halfway through its six month run, the World Expo has already attracted some 37 million visitors, and shown them what sustainable urban development is all about. Among its attractions, the Expo is presenting a vision of the future for the world's city-dwellers. Cultural and sportive expressions will continue to fill the agenda at the European Expo pavilion.

The European Ombudsman has welcomed the announcement of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepting to release documents about adverse reactions related to a drug used to treat acne. This announcement follows the recommendations made in the framework of one of the Ombudsman's inquiry.

The Commission has agreed to disburse 14.9 million Euro for food security in Niger, the worst affected country in the area. This decision follows the Commission's recent proposal to resume aid to Niger for 458 million Euro between 2008 and 2013. The aid provided will develop the humanitarian assistance in order to avoid another food crisis in the area.

The 2009 Annual Environment Policy Review (EPR) released in August 2010 provides an overview of environmental data and trends under the priority areas of the 6th Environmental Action Programme. This year's Report shows that although important progress has been made in some environmental areas, further efforts are needed in many others, in particular concerning the loss of biodiversity.

The Expert Group appears as a multi-stakeholder mechanism integrated by organisations with competence in the areas of Law, Economics and Technology as these apply to the Internet of Things and will aim to advise the Commission on the formulation of the EU strategy to be followed in carrying out the various actions listed in the Communication ‘Internet of Things - An action plan for Europe’.

The European Union is investing 3.1 million Euro to develop better and quicker breast cancer diagnostics through the HAMAM project. This project is developing a prototype workstation to help diagnose breast cancer by integrating multi-modal images resulting from mammography, magnetic resonance imaging and other technologies as well as patient information. Doctors will be able to compare those multi-modal images side by side while viewing the patient’s history and medical analyses.

The International Climate Change Talks have been celebrated in Bonn between 2 and 6 August 2010 as a preparatory intersession in advance of the sixth meeting for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which will take place in Cancun, Mexico in November and December 2010. Although good progress has been made, the Commission still believes that further efforts will be needed specially regarding commitment from non-Kyoto countries.

EU citizens are now much closer to enjoy easier conditions when travelling to Brazil. The European Commission has adopted draft decisions on signature and conclusion of the short-stay visa waiver agreements with Brazil for holders of ordinary passports as well as for holders of diplomatic, service and official passports.

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Swiss pharmaceutical company Alcon by Novartis. After the investigation, the Commission has concluded that some competition concerns might arise and therefore make this decision conditional to Novartis' commitment to divest several products in the ophthalmological pharmaceutical and consumer vision care in EEA or in specific Member States.

According to special Eurobarometer survey 343 on humanitarian aid commissioned by EU's humanitarian aid and civil protection department (ECHO), EU citizens show a high level of solidarity with victims of conflict and natural disasters outside the Union. Almost eight out of ten citizens think it is important that the EU funds humanitarian aid outside its borders, although this approval rate dropped 9% since 2006 rates, due to financial and economic crisis.

The European Commission approved in August 2010 an aid scheme that allows to grant compensation for the damage caused in Poland by the floods of May and June 2010. The measure is in line with EU state aid rules and is available only to cover the material damages effectively caused.