European Union News

Although the European Union is the world leader in research and technological development in aquaculture and brings to the planet about half of all the consumed fish, that position has not been reflected in an increase in production compared to what has happened in other parts of the world. The Commission therefore intends to relaunch the sector by presenting a new strategy to provide a new impetus and promote sustainable growth.

The European Commission and MTV Networks International have announced an EU-wide initiative called "Can you hear me Europe?", which is aimed at prompting young people to make their voices heard by voting in the European Parliament elections next June.

Despite some improvements during the past years, late payments in commercial transactions between companies or between businesses and public authorities still happen in the EU. This hampers the development of business and is even responsible for bankruptcies of otherwise viable companies, notably if they are Small- or Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Unfortunately up to now the payment culture of public authorities is not always applaudable. Given the current crisis, several Member States have therefore started to address this issue at national level.

Until 28 April, the best works from the international photo competition “Cultures on my street” will be shown in an exhibition at the EU House in Tallinn. The photo competition is organised by the European Commission within the framework of the European year of intercultural dialogue in 2008.
 

The European Commission (EC) has awarded for 18.089.698 euros the development of the external audit external audit of contractors financed by the European Commission under the 6th framework programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2002 to 2006) according to the Official Journal.

The European Investment Bank’s Board of Directors adopted on April 7th 2009 loans to European-based car makers worth a total of 866 million Euro. This loan, which carries on with EIB's support to European Economic Recovery measures, will aim to help European automotive sector to design and build cleaner cars with lower CO2 emissions.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published in the “S” Serie a call for tender foused on the development of the eurocodes promotion campaign with a value of 0,25 Meuros.

The Commission has adopted the Report on the application of Council Directive 2004/80/EC of 29 April 2004 relating to compensation to crime victims, which aims to make it easier for victims to obtain compensation in cross-border situations.

The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry has opened a tender for studying 'tourism exchanges in Europe: enhancing employment, extending the seasonality spread, strengthening European citizenship and improving regional/local economies through the development of social tourism'.

The European Commission has published a new Calls for Proposals for the pilot project "Erasmus for Young  entrepreneurs" with an allotted 4.3 million euros. This call for proposals aims to help new EU entrepreneurs enrich their experiences, learning and networking by spending periods in enterprises run by experienced entrepreneurs in other EU Member States. The overall objective of the preparatory action is to enhance the entrepreneurship, internationalisation and competitiveness of potential start-up entrepreneurs and newly established micro and small enterprises in the EU.

The European Investment Bank’s (EIB) Board of Governors unanimously approved a capital increase of 67 billion Euro, bringing the Bank’s subscribed capital to 232.4 billion Euos. This agreement will immediately take effect.

The Sport Unit from the  Directorate-General for Education and Culture launched last 4th April a call for tenders to develop an study on equal treatment of non-nationals in individual sports competitions.