European Union News

Two new programmes for the South Mediterranean region were approved by the European Union for a total of €29 million. The programmes are aimed at contributing to an inclusive growth and reinforcing the sectors of media and culture as vectors of development.

The European Commission presented an Action Plan for a more effective EU response to tax evasion and avoidance. As a first and immediate measure, the Commission also adopted two Recommendations to encourage member states to take immediate and coordinated action on specific pressing problems.

The deal on 2013 EU budget reached by the Cyprus presidency, representatives of the European Parliament and of the European Commission was approved by the Council. President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, confirmed that a majority is emerging which is ready to vote favourably during the vote next week under certain conditions.

The European Commission presented the results of an EU wide screening of websites selling games, books, videos and music which can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. The check shows that over 75% of these websites do not appear to comply with consumer protection rules. National enforcement authorities will now contact the companies concerned to enable them to clarify their position or correct their website.

The second estimates for the third quarter of 2012 published by Eurostat shows that GDP fell by 0.1% in the euro area and increased by 0.1% in the EU during the third quarter of 2012, compared with the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 2012, growth rates were -0.2% in both zones.

The European Commission presented the R&D Scoreboard that shows that despite the continuing economic and financial crisis, major EU-based firms continue to rely on R&D for their competitive edge. In addition, R&D-intensive sectors tended to show above average employment growth.

The European Commission announced that over €300 million will be made available to innovative and high-potential small and medium size companies (SMEs) in the Western Balkans, and to create a regional venture capital market that will facilitate their emergence and growth. The funding will be mobilised through the Western Balkan Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF).

A compromise text on proposals amending the EU's rules on credit rating agencies agreed with the European Parliament was approved on 5 December by the Permanent Representatives Committee. This will enable the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council to confirm the agreement reached with the Parliament and allow for adoption of the legislation at first reading.

The European Commission published guidelines to improve understanding of how aquaculture can be carried out inside Natura 2000, the EU-wide network of protected natural areas. These guidelines focus on the implementation of the provisions on appropriate assessment under the Habitats Directive.

The European Commission presented a package of measures, among which it is the introducing the Youth Guarantee, addressed to the member states to help them tackle unacceptable levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion.

The European Commission announced that it has fined seven international groups of companies a total of €1.47 billion for participating in either one or both of two distinct cartels in the sector of cathode ray tubes ("CRT"). According to the Commission, for almost ten years, between 1996 and 2006, these companies fixed prices, shared markets, allocated customers between themselves and restricted their output.

According to a report published by the European Commission, unemployment is closely related to low skills, and nearly one third of Europe's population have no - or low - formal qualifications. The report suggests to apply mutual experience and policy learning as important tools in the fight against precarity and unemployment.