European Union News

After Washington Summit, world leaders representing 85% of the world's output meet in London on April 2nd 2009, in order to push further economic reforms and a global plan for economic recovery. On the Agenda, key issues are at stake so that the leading economies move together and lay the foundations for a sustainable economic recovery and reach an economic partnership.

The EU’s first nature law, the Birds Directive, celebrates its 30th anniversary on 2 April. The legislation is one of the greatest achievements of European environmental policy and is central to the EU's strategy for halting biodiversity loss. The Birds Directive has played a key role in reversing the decline of some of Europe’s most threatened birds, particularly through its network of Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

The European Commission has granted temporary clearance to the illiquid asset back-up facility provided by the Dutch State to the financial group ING, with final approval dependent on the result of an in-depth investigation. The Commission found that the measure in favour of ING constitutes state aid. Some of its provisions can be considered in line with the Commission's guidance on the treatment of asset relief measures, and so the measure has been given temporary clearance for six months. Other provisions (including such complex issues such as valuation of the portfolio) require a further in-depth analysis before approval can be given.

The European Commission has decided to lower further the fees payable to the Community agency responsible for granting EU-wide trade mark rights, and to simplify the registration procedure. This measure, which follows an initial reduction in 2005, will make trade mark protection much cheaper and easier to obtain for businesses operating in the EU single market, saving them some €60 million a year. It will come into force on 1 May 2009.

The European Commission adopted on March 31st the 2009 Work Programme of the Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE) Programme aiming at co-financing non-technology projects to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and clean transport. This Work Programme will be jointly operated with the European Investment Bank. The objective of the IEE Programme is to support sustainable development and to contribute to the achievement of the general goals of environmental protection, security of supply and competitiveness.

The Directorate-General for Energy and Transport of the European Commission has launched on March 31st 2009 a set of Calls for Proposals in order to award grants to projects in the field of the Trans-European Transport Network for 2009.  Such Calls are launched both under the multi-annual work programme and annual work programme 2009, as well as under the European Economic Recovery Plan.

The Ministers of Transport have today confirmed the agreement on a set of far-reaching measures in the field of aviation. This package, which will be formally adopted by the Council in the coming weeks, makes the single European sky, makes the European Aviation Safety Agency is responsible for all the links of chain security of aviation and provides an impetus to the implementation of new technologies. Taken together, these measures will result in some flights safer, greener and cost tighter.

The European Commission has adopted a € 314 million package of projects to support agriculture and improve the food security situation in 23 developing countries across the globe. This is the first 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 faced by many developing countries. The Commission also agreed to an overall plan for the use of the entire amount of the Facility, targeting 50 developing countries in total.

On 2 April 2009 at the second High Level Conference on Counterfeiting and Piracy, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, together with Members of the European Parliament, will launch a European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy. By enhancing cooperation across the EU, the Observatory will be at the forefront in the fight against fake goods or illegal downloading and other infringements of intellectual property rights. A wide range of stakeholders representing business, public administrations, enforcement and civil society are expected to attend the event.

Electronic communication services and networks provide the backbone of European economy. 93% of EU companies and 51% of Europeans actively used the internet in 2007. However natural disasters, terrorist attacks, malicious human action and hardware failure can pose serious risks to Europe's critical information infrastructures. Recent large scale attacks on Estonia, Lithuania and Georgia proved that essential electronic communication services and networks are under constant threat. Preparing Europe to act in case of major disruptions or attacks is the goal of a new strategy proposed today by the European Commission.

The Directorate-General ‘Information Society and Media’ has set up a High Level Expert Group on Digital Libraries with a Commission Decision of 25 March 2009 published in the Official Journal of the European Union (28.3.2009  L 82/9)

United Nations negotiations on the next climate change agreement, which will will be held in Bonn between March 29th and April 8th 2009, will be focused on making tangible progress towards an ambitious new global agreement. This new agreement, which would take effect in 2013, is due to be concluded at the Copenhagen U.N. climate conference in December.