112 European Emergency number already connected in all MS
People can now reach emergency services from anywhere in the EU, simply by dialling 112, the single European emergency number. Now that 112 can be called from any phone in Bulgaria, it has achieved complete availability just before the Christmas period when thousands of people travel between EU Member States. It also crowns the combined efforts of the European Commission and EU Member States to make 112 fully available everywhere so that Europeans will always have a lifeline in the EU.
Read more …Czech Republic prepares to take over EU Presidency
At the end of the year, the French Presidency of the EU will draw to a close and the Czech Republic will take over the reins for the first time since it joined the EU in 2004. With occasion of the celebration of the European Conference on Research Infrastructures (ECRI2008) held in Versailles (France), Czech Vice-Minister for Education, Youth and Sports, Vlastimil Ruzicka, presented his country's plans in the fields of higher education and research for the first half of 2009.
Read more …EU Council reaches a historic agreement on climate change package
The last European Council under French presidency, chaired by the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, was held in Brussels on December 11th and 12th. A historic agreement was reached on climate protection and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The Council also reached an agreement on the European economic recovery plan, the Lisbon Treaty and the European Security and Defence Policy.
Read more …Commission clarifies rules on complementary State aid to Motorways of the Sea
The European Commission published on December, 12th, in the Official Journal of the European Union, a Communication setting up the rules which will guide the complimentary aids granted by Member States for the launching of the motorways of the sea. Following them, if Community funding is available but not sufficient to fully support the projects, Member States may fill the funding gap.
Read more …EC publishes a vulnerability assessment on challenges facing regions in 2020
European Commissioner for regional policy, Danuta Hübner, presented on December, 9th, the findings of the "Regions 2020" report, which provides a first prospective analysis of the likely regional impact of four of the biggest challenges facing Europe: globalisation, demographic trends, climate change and energy use and supply.
Read more …Commission gets money back from undue CAP expenditure
A total of 528.5 M€ of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States will be claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure.
Read more …EC launches public call for tenders to rank EU universities
This initiative builds on earlier EU-funded work on mapping the different strengths and missions of universities and responds to an invitation by the French Presidency of the EU to explore and test the feasibility of a new ranking system for higher education and research institutions in Europe, in comparison with other world regions. The first results of the envisaged pilot project will be available in the first half of 2011.
Read more …EP Economic Affairs Committee approves increase in bank deposit guarantee
If a European bank fails, citizens' savings should be guaranteed up to €100,000, said the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs on December 8th, endorsing a Commission proposal to raise the deposit guarantee to this amount. The committee also proposed that holders should be given faster access to their deposits in emergencies and that a mechanism should be established for cross-border cooperation in the event of another economic crisis.
Read more …EC delivers new guidelines on Mobile TV within the EU
The European Commission has taken a decisive step towards the promotion of competitive Mobile TV services in the EU. It has published a set of guidelines for the authorisation of Mobile TV to accelerate roll-out of the service across Europe. Mobile TV revenues worldwide are expected to reach more than €7.8 billion in 2013.
Read more …EC presents a set of measures to achieve cheaper and more competitive food prices in Europe
The European Commission has agreed a Communication that aims to improve the functioning of the food supply chain in order to lower prices for consumers. The prices of food have come down significantly from record levels earlier this year but the underlying causes for the surge in agricultural commodity prices in the medium-term -including regulatory restrictions, insufficient competition and speculation, have not disappeared and must be dealt with.
Read more …EC approves public financing of the German JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven
The European Commission decided on December 10th, not to raise any objections to Germany's plan to support the construction of a new port in Wilhelmshaven. The Commission found that the measures adopted by the German authorities are compatible with the Common market.
Read more …Sustainable transport focuses EU Transport Council
he European transport, telecommunications and energy ministers meeting, held in Brussels on December, 8 th under the presidency of Dominique Bussereau, the French Minister of State for Transport, was devoted to air, land and maritime transport. In this meeting EU transport ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the development of safe, sustainable transport focusing in a major part on maritime sector.
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