European Union News

A plan to create a micro-finance to help people at risk of losing their jobs to start their own micro-enterprises was backed by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee on Thursday, but MEPs rejected the funding arrangements proposed by the European Commission.

European Parliament will celebrate a formal sitting to commemorates the 20th anniversary of democratic change in central and in central and eastern Europe. Eighty-nine young people born in November 1989, when the Berlin wall fell, will come to Brussels to celebrate the anniversary of a new Europe.

As part of its efforts to portray the Lisbon Strategy as a way out of the current crisis, the EESC debated the state of play of Lisbon at its November Plenary Session. The discussion singled out priorities for the post-2010 agenda and several key opinions were debated and adopted.

The European Commission is planning to grant subsidies totalling the indicative amount of EUR 150 000 to establish a handbook on exercises and drills in the field of maritime security.

3 million Europeans used cocaine last year, and 13 acknowledged having done so at some point in their lives. This drug is still the most widely consumed stimulant in the EU, according to latest study by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The same study shows that 7% of Europeans used cannabis last year, a fact that, despite everything, is declining.

A user's internet access may be restricted, if necessary and proportionate, only after a fair and impartial procedure including the user's right to be heard. MEPs and Council representatives agreed in negotiations on Wednesday night on this, the last open issue in the telecoms package. The Parliamnent's third-reading vote is scheduled for 23-26 November

The Lisbon Monitoring Platform of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) has launched an online survey on "The European Economic Recovery Plan in Regions and Cities: One Year On", with the aim of assessing the impact of the economic and financial crisis at local/regional level.

Europeans will be able to pay their bills by direct debit from anywhere in the EU. A scheme that lets companies withdraw payments directly from a customer’s account in another EU country has been launched. Holiday home owners, students and retirees living abroad are among those who stand to benefit.

This week takes place in Barcelona the last round of negotiations before the Copenhagen summit, where an international agreement for the post-Kyoto age will be at stake. The EU defends an ambitious proposal of reduction of greenhouse effect gases emissions and compensation for developing countries.

Climate change will be the main theme of the EESC plenary session which will adopt an important resolution on sustainable development and climate change. The future European Parliament's working programme will be presented to the EESC by its President, Jerzy Buzek. The EESC will also award the winners of the third edition of the EESC prize for organized civil society.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the Treaty after having the approval of the Czech Constitutional Court. With this act, all countries have already approved the Treaty, and thus ends the long process of ratification of the text adopted in December 2007 by all 27 EU leaders.

Three films shortlisted for Parliament's LUX Cinema Prize of the European Parliament are being screened at the European Parliament in Brussels. They are Eastern Plays (Bulgaria, Sweden), Sturm (Germany, Denmark, Netherlands), and Welcome (France). The winner will be revealed on 25 November in Strasbourg.