European Union News

The Official Journal of the European Union has published on the 3 rd September 2008 a set of call for proposals related to the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities in the  Cooperation Specific Programme and in the Capacities Specific Programme for the 2008-2009 period.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published the authorisation for State aid for UK and Belgium in the cases of Vauxhall Motors Ltd and Volvo Cars in Gent.

The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on September 2nd, two new Calls for Proposals with a total budget of 19,5 million Euro for the implementation of a programme of support for the European audiovisual sector (MEDIA 2007).

The informal meeting of the transport ministers in La Rochelle provided an opportunity to discuss urban transport, the amendment of the 'Eurovignette' directive, maritime safety and 'motorways of the sea'.

The so-called EU Telecoms Reform, proposed by the Commission on 13 November 2007 in on debate at the European Parliament (EP) on the 2nd September 2008. Of particular importance in this debate will be the proposals made by the European Commission to give consumers of fixed and mobile phones and Internet services more rights and better choice). The debate among the European Parliament's 785 members will pave the way for a vote of the Commission's entire EU Telecoms reform proposals in first reading on 23 September. The French presidency could broker a political agreement at the Council of Telecoms Ministers on 27 November. New consumer rights would then become law in all 27 EU Member States by 2010.

The Information Society and Media DG, Unit H2: ICT for Government and Public Services has published a tender on the 2 nd august in order to develop good practice services in ICT for citizens and business.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published the information communicated by United Kingdom member state regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles  87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The European Commission has presented to the Council an the European Parliament a report about the agricultural situation in the European Union (COM(2008) 525 final). The report was completed in 2007 and is published in conjunction with the General Report on the Activities of the European Union.

The Directorate-General for Regional Policy, REGIO.C.3 Economic and quantitative analysis has launched a call for tender related to a study of the competences in relation to regional development policies in the Member States of the European Union.

EU secondary schools can now enrol for the second edition of the Juvenes Translatores (young translators) contest, launched by the European Commission in 2007 to promote language learning and translation. Registration will be carried out in two different phases.

The European Commission has launched on the first September the latest edition of its “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Journalist Award. For the fifth successive year, submissions are invited for this European competition which honours journalists from both online and printed media. The award showcases the talents of those media professionals who, through their writing, contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination – on the basis of religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published on the 30 th august 2008 the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending four multi-annual programmes in the culture framework.