EU News

GDP per capita varied in the EU between 41% and 268%

According to the data released by Eurostat, the GDP per inhabitant varied in the European Union from 41% to 268%. These data are based on first preliminary estimates for 2009 and provide information for EU27, as well as candidate countries, EFTA and four Western Balkan countries.

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EC allocates 40M€ extra resource to fund research actions under COST programme

The European Union has agreed to provide additional 40 million Euros to the international Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) programme. This new amount of funds will place the total amount of funds available under COST Programme in 250 M€ to disbursed until the end of FP7. COST Program funds research projects which bring together scientists from at least five countries and is one of the key elements of EU scientific cooperation.

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EU institutions reach a political agreement on a European External Action Service

Representatives from EU institutions meeting in Madrid in June 21st, reached a political agreement in which they agreed work in a constructive way for the formal adoption of a Council decision regulating the European External Action Service (EEAS).

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EC backs Ministerial Declaration for the integration of electricity markets in the Maghreb

The Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian energy ministers met Commissioner Oettinger in Algiers on June 20th and agreed in the signature of a Ministerial Declaration which confirms the joint objective to integrate the electricity markets and defines a concrete plan of action for the next few years, as well as the principle of an annual meeting of ministers to monitor progress.

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Record figures for Erasmus performance in academic year 2008/09

According to new figures released by Commissioner Vassiliou, almost 200. 000 higher education students received grants to study or train abroad, a figure which represents an increase of 8.7%. This increase is even more significant in the case of  of students going on company placements, as figures went up more than 50% in relation to the previous year. Besides, more than 36.000 staff from higher education institutions also benefited from the possibility to receive training in any of the 31 countries taking part in the Programme.

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Commission and US agree to cooperate on civil aviation

The European Commission and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have officially concluded negotiations for the establishment of a Memorandum of cooperation in civil aviation research and development, in a meeting hosted by the EU Spanish Presidency.

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MEPs call for EU to take action in regulating players' agents activities

The European Parliament has recently approved a resolution aiming to introduce some community rules to govern the activities of sports agents. Among measures proposed by MEPs are the prohibition of remuneration to agents in cases of minor players transfers, the creation of system of licenses, a mechanism of discipline and control, a progressive remuneration system based on compliance of the contract and strict exam criteria in order to become an agent.

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EU Council adopts “Europe 2020” a new Jobs and Growth Strategy for Europe

The meeting of the European Council taking place in Brussels on Thursday June 17th 2010, which ended up Spanish Presidency of the European Union, achieved the adoption of a new 10-year strategy for jobs and growth. European leaders also reinforced their determination to ensure fiscal sustainability, committing to ensure financial stability and agreed on the need to reinforce coordination of economic policies.

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2 million euros to improve the training of professionals in European funding

The EuropeAid Co-operation Office has published a call for a short-list to improve the professional skills and knowledge about the European Union and the ENP (European Neighbourhood Policy) of relevant staff from within the civil service and public administrations of countries ENP partners to be held for 36 months.

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EU publishes the activities to support the preparation of the United Nations Conference on the ATT

By Council Decision 2010/336/CFSP of June 14th on EU activities in support of the Arms Trade Treaty, in the framework of the European Security Strategy, published in the OJEU on July 18th, the Council of the European Union has published the activities planned to support the preparatory process for the Conference on Arms Trade Treaty to be held in 2012. These activities aim to support UN Member States in developing and improving national and regional expertise to implement effective arms export and transfer controls.

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Luxembourg, the only Member State which escapes from the "excessive deficit watchlist"

Cyprus, Denmark and Finland have joined the ranks of member countries with government deficits deemed high enough to pose a threat to the wider European economy. The commission is now recommending they be placed on its list of countries warranting further scrutiny of public finances.

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Council defines the requirements of European citizens' initiative

On 14 June, the General Affairs Council reached an agreement on the practical details of how to implement this important innovation in the democratic functioning of the EU. The presidency will now negotiate the details with the European Parliament.

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