European Union News

The Official Journal of the European Union, OJEU, has published on May 5th 2009 the notice of prior notification of a concentration between the Air France KLM Group and Royal Air Maroc (RAM), and Aerotechnic Industries S.A., controlled by RAM. Interested parties may submit their observations to the Commission within ten days after this publication.

The European Ombudsman, has launched a public consultation inviting all interested third-parties to take part in his Own Initiative Inquiry on the European Commission's "Early Warning System" (EWS). The EWS is a computerised information system containing details of certain third parties who are deemed to represent a threat to the Communities' financial interests and reputation.

In the Commission's spring forecast, GDP in the European Union is projected to fall by 4% this year and to broadly stabilise in 2010. The main factors behind the recession are the worsening of the global financial crisis, a sharp contraction in world trade and ongoing housing market corrections in some economies. However, with the impact of fiscal and monetary stimulus measures kicking in, growth is expected to regain some momentum in the course of 2010. Labour markets will be severely affected, with the unemployment rate expected to increase to 11% in the EU in 2010. The public deficit is also projected to rise sharply, to 7¼% of GDP in 2010, reflecting both the slowdown and the discretionary measures taken to support the economy, in line with the European Recovery Plan proposed by the Commission.

 The European Commission has launched the seventeenth edition of the Lorenzo Natali Prize. This prize rewards the journalists who write on topics relating to human rights, democracy and development stories in print and digital press, radio and television.

Higher education institutions (HEIs) willing to participate in the cooperation activities embodied within the Erasmus Programme as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP), can already apply for their Erasmus University Charter. According to the Specific Call for Proposals published in the OJEU on May 1st 2009, those institutions must submit their proposals by June 30th 2009.

The European Commission has put forward a report assessing the progress made in implementing FP7, also pointing put what still remains to be done to fully reach its original objectives. This report provides a basis for the 2010 Interim Evaluation of the programme, for which the Commission will seek advice from an independent expert group, and for further political discussions in the Council, the Parliament and with stakeholders.

The Commission is leading EU Member States' coordination efforts to exchange information on surveillance, case definition and measures taken by EU countries to respond to this novel flu virus. The situation is changing rapidly and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is monitoring the situations on a continuous basis. The Commission holds daily audio meetings with the EU's Health Security Committee and national contact points of the Early Warning Rapid Alert System (EWRS) with the aim of adopting a common guidance document on managing the novel flu virus. This will include information on the case definition, advice to travellers and management of cases.

Five years ago, this central-european country started being part of the European Union. Now, the city of Kosice hosts the  "Five years of reaching to the stars".

The European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe announced that Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Oslo, Norway by Snøhetta is the winner of the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2009. The Jury also awarded a Special Mention for an Emerging Architect to Lea Pelivan and Toma Plejic STUDIO UP for Gymnasium 46° 09' N / 16° 50' E, in Koprivnica, Croatia. By supporting the prize, the European Commission underlines the role of architecture as a driver for creativity and innovation, opens up culture to audiences beyond national borders and draws attention to the European professionals' contribution in the development of new ideas and technologies that impact Europeans' everyday life.

Economic recovery is at the heart of next year’s spending, as put forward by the preliminary draft budget for 2010 adopted by the Commission on April 29th, with €139bn expenditure. The proposal channels the biggest share of funds (45%) into growth and employment measures to help restore competitiveness across the Union. Funds for major programmes linked to research and energy will increase by more than 12% and cash for cohesion policy will grow too, with the EU-12 set to receive 52% of cohesion and Structural Funds. All headings in the budget will see an increase, reaching a total of €138.6bn in commitments (1.18% of GNI) and €122.3bn in payments (1.04% of GNI).

The European Commission has adopted a € 394 million package of projects to support agriculture and improve the food security situation in developing countries. This is the second financing decision in the framework of the € 1 billion Food Facility which was adopted at the end of last year as a response to the growing food security problems in many developing countries.

The European Commission has launched two calls for proposals under the Lifelong Learning’ Programme aiming at the award of grants for actions to develop and implement the European Qualifications Framework (Eqf), including national and sectoral qualifications frameworks, on one hand, an to provide support for European cooperation in education and training. Interested applicants can submit their applications by August 14th 2009.