European Union News

"You would like to see your commitment and efforts in sustainable energy recognized at European level and have a chance of being rewarded during a prestigious ceremony in the presence of high-ranking EC’s Officials? Join the Sustainable Energy Europe Award Competition now and become an ambassador of European excellence in sustainable energy!" This was the message sent out by the European Commission DG for Transport and Energy promoting its new SEE Awards Competition.

Calling climate change "the single biggest problem humanity has faced", former London mayor Ken Livingstone told a session of the EP's Climate Change committee that the tools necessary to halve emissions are already in place. Though political will and sustainable energy consumption are key requisites, a successful EU climate change policy will have to involve the pooling of best practices across Europe.

On the 24th June 2008, a total of 75 persons suspected of being part of a people-smuggling network were arrested throughout Europe. The operation was supported by Europol and Eurojust and several countries were involved.

On 17 June 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG (‘Porsche’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the Volkswagen AG (‘Volkswagen’, Germany) by way of purchase of shares.

The University of Pisa (UNIPI), the JRC Institute for Energy (IE), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) of Zagreb and the School of Industrial Engineering of Barcelona (ETSEIB) are jointly organizing a seminar and training to transfer competence, knowledge and experience in the area of scaling, uncertainty and 3D coupled code calculations.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an Opinion on the proposed multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies, which was presented by the European Commission in February 2008.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner participates in Berlin Conference on Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law
International support for improving Palestinian Civil Security and strengthening the respect for rule of law will be in the centre of a conference on 24 June in Berlin. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be one of the keynote speakers during the opening session of this conference and confirm the high level of commitment of the European Commission in continued support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

The European Commission launched its online register of interest representatives on the 23rd June 2008. All interest representatives engaged in influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions are invited to register. When registering, they will be asked to disclose some information to enhance the transparency of the relations between lobbies and the Commission.

The Commission has adopted a proposal for the review of the 2001 decision on the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters between the Member States. The purpose of this proposal is to endow the network with a new legal framework, a more effective organisational structure and greater means to enable it to play a lead role within the European judicial area as the essential vehicle for cooperation between all those involved in civil justice in future.

The transition from school to work has become very difficult for the majority of young people in Serbia and Ukraine, according to the results of the report "Transition from education to work" published by the ETF. Unemployment or other forms for joblessness tend to be high among young people in the two countries. Large groups of individuals cannot afford to be without an income due to limited coverage of public social welfare systems. Consequently, emigration and different forms of informal employment have become preferred or only choice for many. In Serbia, one out of three young Serbs spend more than two years to get their first job after leaving school, the report shows.

On the 23rd June 2008 the European Commission published in the Official Journal Prior notification of a concentration between Stena and Ballingslöv.

Just published in the Official Journal of the European Union, is Prior notification of a concentration between Altor Fund II Equity Partners and Akers Group.