European Union News

The European Commission presented on July 29th, the Proposal for the Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products, the single CMO Regulation. The wine CMO, Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 will be repealed by the present proposal and its substance be fully incorporated into the single CMO Regulation.

Following the codification strategy decided by the Commission in April 1987, the Council has proposed a Council Directive on the common system of taxation applicable to mergers, divisions, partial divisions, transfers of assets and exchanges of shares concerning companies of different Member States and to the transfer of the registered office of an SE or SCE between Member States.

The European Commission has published two consultation documents on CRAs seeking views from all interested parties by 5th September. The first document relates to the conditions for the authorisation, operation and supervision of credit rating agencies. The second proposes policy options in order to tackle what is felt to be an excessive reliance on ratings in EU legislation.

Brussels has presented a proposal to revise the current legislation on the protection of the ozone layer, aiming to simplify the current legislation and reflect the progress made in phasing out ozone-depleting substances in the EU. Although this progress has been good so far, a number of challenges, that need to be addressed globally, still remain. The ozone layer is expected to recover to pre-1980 levels by 2050-2075.

The European Commission has launched a Call for Proposals, funded with 3M€, for the AMICUS Preparatory Action in youth voluntary works, which is part of the Youth in Action European Programme. The deadline for submission of applications is October 31st 2008.

The Report, published on July 23rd., follows the Commission's obligation to regularly monitor the implementation of the actions under the programme in the light of the objectives, set by the Decision No 1786/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of September 23rd 2002, which adopted the programme of Community action in the field of public health (2003-2008).

The Official Journal of the European Union published in July 31st, a Notice of Recruitment of a new Director for Europol, the European Law Enforcement Organisation which aims at improving the effectiveness and co-operation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing and combating international organised crime.

The Official Journal of the European Union published in July 31st, the Regulation (EC) Nº 689/2008 of the Eropean Parliament and of the Council of June 17th, concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals. This Regulation replaces Regulation (EC) Nº 304/2003, following the judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Communities of 10 January 2006 in Case C-178/03.

In July 30th, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) published the Decision 742/2008/EC, of the Parliament and of the Council of July 9th, on the Community’s participation in the research and development programme Ambient Assisted Living Programme, undertaken by several Member States and aiming at enhancing the quality of life of older people through the use of new information and communication technologies (ICT).

The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), published in July 30th, the Decision 743/2008/CE of the European Parliament and the Council, of July 9th, establishing the Community’s participation in a research and development programme called Eurostars, undertaken by several Member States and aimed at supporting research and development performing small and medium-sized enterprises. The financial support will not exceed 100 M€.

This Report assesses the state of play of the practical preparations for the changeover in Slovakia which will enter the euro area on 1 January 2009, following the Council's decision concluding that it fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro.

The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) published on July 29th a Common Position adopted by the Council with a view to adopt a Regulation on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents. This Regulation aims to enhance safety in maritime transport, within the framework of the common transport policy.