European Union News

EU proposes new rules across Europe to monitor the credit rating agencies and opens a public debate on the management of financial institutions.

Companies from the UK, Belgium, Germany and Spain have won the 2010 European Business Awards for the Environment. The awards recognise "the best of the best" businesses that have already succeeded in competitions at national level.

The European Commission is sending a first warning to twelve Member States for failing to submit their plans for managing Europe's river basins, as required by EU water legislation. The river basin plans are the cornerstone of the Water Framework Directive and essential for achieving the EU's objective of 'good status' for European waters by 2015.

On the basis of the Ambien Assisted Living joint programme, a high-leve panel established to advise the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the issue.

A "European Youth Guarantee" enabling young people not to be unemployed for over six months, a decent income and good quality traineeships: these were the proposals made by Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee as part of efforts to improve access to the labour market for young people.

A group of business innovators and economists put together by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science are looking for a tool that indicates how innovative we are. The right measurement indicator would help track Europe's progress on its quest to become a more innovative economy.

The European Union and Russia have agreed to increase their co-operation in the areas of science and cutting-edge technology, during a summit that sought common ground for the next G20 meeting, but which also issued a joint statement condemning the attack on the humanitarian flotilla near Gaza.

An agreement to fight international drug trafficking and to move forward on establishing enhanced cooperation in terms of legislation regarding divorces and separations are some of the main legislative matters that the ministers of Justice and Interior will be debating in the JHA Council, which will take place on 3 and 4 June in Luxembourg.

The European Environment Agency has published the latest EU inventory of greenhouse gas emissions showing that emissions fell again significantly in 2008, the first year of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. European Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard welcomed the news. The fall marks the fifth consecutive annual decrease

Complaints about difficulties in exercising the citizen's right to free movement, obtaining residence permits for third-country family members, and having qualifications recognised, made up a large share of almost 2,000 citizens' petitions received by the European Parliament in 2009, says the Petitions Committee's annual report. Citizens are entitled to speedy redress and greater transparency from all EU institutions, and petitions can help deliver them, it said.

A new report, put together by the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management, indicates that legislators and policymakers looking to make the most impact on the Earth’s well-being should use taxes and other incentives to encourage more eco-friendly agricultural practices and reduce the use of fossil fuels.

The Spanish Presidency of the EU has called a meeting with the countries of the Western Balkans to 'solemnly reaffirm' Europe's commitment to allowing them to join the Union, in exchange for receiving their commitment to carrying out the agenda of reforms agreed on for joining the EU.