European Union News

The Official Journal of the European Union of November 4, 2009 includes the publication of the Media Program Mundus Programme for audiovisual cooperation with third countries, which since January 2011 will support the exchange of ideas and will make market access easier to films made in collaboration with third countries.

For the first time, the European Agency for Safety and Healthy at Work (EU-OSHA) has supported the Healthy Workplaces Film Award for the best documentary on work-related topics at the 52nd International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film. The winner was announced on the award ceremony, on October 31. This action is under "Healthy Workplaces" campaign.

From November 2009 consumers in the European Union should find it easier to switch their current account from one bank to another within their own Member State. From now on, whenever consumers wish to switch their current account to another bank, the new bank will offer its assistance throughout the switching process.

Swedish president, deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, president of the Commission and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy are meeting with the President of the USA in Washington. This is the first EU-USA summit under the presidency of Barack Obama.

The EU devotes 35% of its total annual budget to regional and social policy. Most of the money is earmarked for nationally-administered programmes to boost poorer regions. The European court of auditors estimated in its last report that at least 11% of the total amount reimbursed in 2007 did not qualify for EU financing

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union an amendment to the 2009 call for proposals for indirect actions under the multi-annual Community Programmeon protecting children using the Internet and other communication technlogies.

Heads of state and government meeting in Brussels on 29 and 30 October clinched a deal on climate financing. "The EU now has a very strong negotiating position when the countdown to Copenhagen has started," declared Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, current President of the European Council .The EU continues to take the lead in this process.

The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Regulation on the investigation and prevention of accidents and incidents in civil aviation. More efficient and independent inquiries into the causes of air accidents are essential to enhance the safety of air traffic. The Commission also aims to strengthen the rights of the victims of air accidents.

The European Commission has approved funding for 196 new projects under the second call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2013), the European fund for the environment. The projects are from across the EU and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy, and information and communication. Overall, they represent a total investment of €431 million, of which the EU will provide €207.5 million.

European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, will announce the winners or the first EU Health Journalism Prize in a ceremony in Brussels. This prize aims to stimulate qualified journalism and to underlight the importance of health, safety and prevention.

Climate change, the economic situation and institutional issues related to the Lisbon treaty will be the main focus of the EU summit to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 October.

European Commission has issued a call for proposals which grants ERC (European Research Council) advanced investigators with the aim of supporting research projects to be performed in any Member State or associated country to the Framework Programme