European Union News

The Official Journal of the European Union of March 13th 2009 has issued a Corrigendum to Call for Proposals EACEA/33/08, under EU-Canada Programme for cooperation in higher  education, training and youth. According to this publication, application deadline is extended until May 8th 2009.

MEPs adopted on March 12th 2009 a report warning about the growing use of online gaming and mobile devices, which make it difficult to control content entering the minors. To resolve this, the EP suggests including a "red button" on computers and consoles, with the parents to block violent games or control access to video games at certain times. The text also encourages the industry to further develop mechanisms of self-contained.

The European Commission's cooperation office, EuropeAid, will hold its first ever "Auction Floor" conference in Brussels on March 13th 2009. A total of 86 projects aiming at protecting biodiversity, conserving forests and promoting sustainable energy as well as fighting climate change, desertification in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe will be presented.

The Official Journal of the European Union, DOUE of March 12, 2009 has published Regulation (EC) No 192/2009 of 11 March 2009 on implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 177/2008 of the European Parliament and Council, which establishes a common framework for business registers for statistical purposes, as regards the exchange of confidential information between the Commission (Eurostat) and Member States.

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union, Regulation (EC) Nº 193/2009 and Regulation (EC) Nº 194/2009 imposing respectively, a provisional anti-dumping duty and a provisional countervailing duty, on imports of biodiesel originating in the United States of America. This decisions close the anti-dumping and  anti-subsidy proceedings, initiated by the European Commission on June 2008.

The "Erika III" package, aimed at protecting Europe's coasts from maritime disasters and improving passenger and crew safety, was adopted by the European Parliament on March 11th 2009. The eight regulations and directives will tighten safety requirements for ships flying an EU Member State flag or navigating in European waters and thus help prevent disasters such as the Erika and Prestige shipwrecks from spoiling European coasts.

The European Commission adopted on March 10th 2009, a proposal for an amendment to the 'slots' Regulation which it is submitting to the European Parliament and the Council for urgent adoption. This temporary measure aiming at reducing the effects of economic crisis over the air transport sector, would allow airlines to keep their rights over slots while reducing their activity to meet the current loss of passengers.

The Council of Economics and Finance Ministers, ECOFIN, met in Brussels between March 9th and 10th 2009. During this meeting, which was focused on discussions over the economic situation and outlook in the euro area, in light of the recent economic and financial developments, the Council reached a political agreement on the use of reduced rates of value-added tax (VAT) in certain sectors. Council also endorsed terms of reference for the EU's participation in the meeting of G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors on March 14th that will prepare the April London G-20 summit.

The European Commission is launching a consultation on the improvement of supervision for the financial services sector. Following the report of the high-level group on financial supervision in the EU chaired by Jacques de Larosière, published on February 25th 2009, the Commission intends to come forward by the end of May 2009 with a Communication setting out its proposals on the future of the EU supervisory architecture followed by specific legislative measures in autumn 2009 . Before doing so, it wishes to take into account the views of all interested parties.

Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, announced on March 9th 2009 that 105 billion Euro will be invested in the "green economy" through the EU Cohesion Policy. The funding, which represents more than 30% of the regional policy budget for 2007-2013, offers a solid platform for job creation and a significant boost for regions and cities in their quest to maintain Europe's global leadership in the field of green technologies.

The European Parliament's Industry Committee,  meeting in Brussels on March 9th 2009, agreed on a maximum charge for making mobile phone calls while abroad. These charges  should fall from the current €0.46 to €0.40 per minute (excl. VAT) in summer 2010. However, MEPs rejected some proposals to set further and lower price caps for 2010-2013.

Policy makers and top managers of the most important transport operators, manufacturers and logistic companies meet in Brussels between March 9th and 10th at a conference chaired by Vice President Tajani. During these two days, experts will have the opportunity to discuss the future challenges for the transport sector and kick off the preparation of the 2010 White Paper on the Future of Transport Policy.