European Union News

Albania has made progress on reform but must do more to curb corruption. On Kosovo, all EU Member States should back a common approach. These are the key points of two resolutions adopted on Thursday by Parliament on the European integration process of the two countries. Provided the Copenhagen EU accession criteria are met, Parliament should back the eventual EU membership of all Western Balkan states, say MEPs.

Official talks on the European Union's accession to the ECHR (European Convention of Human Rights) have started. Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, marked the beginning of this joint process at a meeting in Strasbourg. They discussed how to move the process forward so that citizens can swiftly benefit from stronger and more coherent fundamental rights protection in Europe.

The Informal Council of European Employment and Social Affairs Ministers, celebrated in Brussels, focused primarily of the place of employment in the new Europe 2020 Strategy for employment and growth.

Two weeks after the Madrid deal on setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS), a package of recommendations on its organisation and working methods was approved by the European Parliament on Thursday. The EEAS is a major new development introduced by the Lisbon Treaty.

AIDS affects more and more people. Besides, over 33 million people are living with AIDS world-wide and access to antiretroviral treatment remains poor. The European Parliament has approved a resolution calling on governments to pass new laws that ensure more affordable medication and to avoid free trade agreements that favour the commercial interests of the pharmaceutical sector over health needs.

The Official Journal of the European Union publishes on July 8th, the notification sent to the Commission by Honeywell USA, informing about the operation by which it would take control over French company Sperian. After this publication, Commission opens a ten day period for interested parties to present their allegations.

The European Parliament adopted at its plenary session on July 7th the new Directive restricting conditions for payment of bonuses in the banking sector. These rules cap upfront cash bonuses and establishes that at least half of any bonus will have to be paid in contingent capital and shares. The Directive also This new regulation also strengthens rules on bank capital reserves. MEPs also called for an in-depth reform on financial supervision in order to prevent future crises.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in which the prospect of Iceland becoming a new EU Member State is welcomed. although it is also asked to cease all whaling. On the other hand, the controversy of repayments to British and Dutch governments following the collapse of Icelandic banks needs to be resolved "bilaterally", adds the resolution.

Among proposals made by MEPs in a resolution on improving access to the labour market for young people is a "European Youth Guarantee" to ensure that young people who are unemployed do not remain jobless for more than four months.

The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide public debate on how to ensure adequate, sustainable and safe pensions and how the EU can best support the national efforts. Ageing populations in all Member States have put existing retirement systems under massive strain and the financial and economic crisis has only increased this pressure.

In its plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament has supported the draft Directive intended to simplify and facilitate the administrative procedures for ships entering and leaving European ports. The provisions of the Directive will be phased in between 2012 and 2015. This Directive will contribute to making maritime transport more attractive and supporting maritime activity.

The biggest event for cities and regions in Europe is getting closer. The preliminary programme for Open Days 2010 can now be downloaded, and registration is available in the event website.