European Union News

The European Commission has laid out steps to improve the management of bio-waste in the EU and tap into its significant environmental and economic benefits. Bio-degradable garden, kitchen and food waste accounts for 88 million tonnes of municipal waste each year and has major potential impacts on the environment. But it also has considerable promise as a renewable source of energy and recycled materials.

The DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries manages the first online European Atlas of the Seas, a tool that puts at all the European citizens' disposal updated and detailed information on different issues related to european maritime spaces.

The European Commission has published a report on the progress of Member States in addressing water scarcity and droughts. Despite more rainfall in southern European countries in 2009 than in previous years, greater efforts are still needed to stop and reverse the over-exploitation of Europe's limited water resources

The headquarters of the European Commission hosts until May 31 the exhibition "Architecture without paper", which outlines the work of 15 architectural firms who bet on new technologies as the new medium for its ideas.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Andalusia have signed in Seville a EUR 400 million loan for financing the construction of new schools and refurbishment of existing facilities throughout Andalusia.

The Commission intends to act on the scientific advice it receives on the state of fish stocks when proposing catch limits and quotas for next year with the aim of bringing EU fishing limits back to sustainable levels in 2011, in line with the EU's international commitments and recommendations from the authoritative science bodies which advice the Commission.

European Commission has published a report that says that Europe's digital economy is growing in strength, spreading throughout all sectors of the economy and reaching into all areas of our lives.  However, if Europe wants to fully exploit the potential benefits of the digital economy, it must step up a gear and provide faster broadband and an internet people trust, improve citizens' skills, and encourage even more ICT innovation.

Spanish city of Gijon is hosting this year the activities of European Maritime Day. A three day conference, an exhibition and other acts are part of the programme for this event.

The 3rd European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean Business Summit got underway this Sunday in Madrid under the Spanish Presidency of the EU and in the context of the 6th EU-LAC Summit of Heads of State and Government, which will be held on Tuesday.

The European Economic and Social Committee is organizing a conference jointly with the italian region of Tuscany on the role that education clan play against social exclusion. President Sepi will propose in FLorence a Green Paper to President Barroso on this issue

As part of the implementation of the Structural Funds, DG Regional Policy of the European Commission is holding a series of meetings with the other skateholders involved in the issue from an economic and social view.

European Commission has conducted a survey on the achievements of Youth in Action programme, and the results reveal that the programme boots language skills, job opportunities and the European feeling among the youth.