European Union News

The EU’s Erasmus programme for student and staff exchanges in higher education has received the "Prize for Excellence in integrating young people into the workforce" awarded by the NoviaSalcedo Foundation of Bilbao, Spain. The Erasmus programme was the winner of the "public bodies" category for its exemplary action in promoting excellence in the professional integration of young people.

The European Commission has adopted a Communication setting out potential policy responses to mitigate the effects of rising global food prices. The document will be discussed at the European Council on 19-20 June 2008.

On 8 May 2008, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration by which the Apollo Group (‘Apollo Group’, USA) through Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (‘Hexion’, USA) acquires control of the whole of the undertaking Huntsman Corporation (‘Huntsman’, USA) by way of purchase of shares. The official text was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 21th May 2008.

On the 21st May 2008 the European Commission Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission as part of the EC Treaty concerning State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products. Two of which were directed towards the Agricultural sectors of different regions of England, United Kingdom.

On the 21st of May 2008, the European Commission published a series of authorisations for State aid as part of the EC Treaty. No objections were raised. One of which, adopted on the 10th of Janurary 2008, was for the Post and telecommunications sectors within Wales, United Kingdom. The scheme which comes in the form of a direct grant is called the Fibrespeed broadband project Wales.

On the 21st of May 2008, the European Commission published its decision from the council for the establishing of the European Migration Network (‘EMN’) which will provide support and analysis  within the needs of Community institutions and of Member States’ authorities and institutions on migration and asylum. By providing up-to-date, objective, reliable and comparable information on migration and asylum, the Network aims to support policymaking in the European Union in these areas.

The Operational Programme "Mediterranean Programme" or Transnational Cooperation Operational Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), between Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain (with participation from Croatia and Montenegro) will be in opperation from 2007 until 2013.

The Operational Programme "Mediterranean Programme" or Transnational Cooperation Operational Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), between Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain (with participation from Croatia and Montenegro) will be in opperation from 2007 until 2013.

The Operational Programme "North Sea Region" or Transnational Cooperation Operational Programme under the European Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom (with participation from Norway) will take place in between 2007-13.

The European Commission proposed, on the 20th of May 2008, to further modernise, simplify and streamline the Common Agricultural Policy and remove remaining restrictions on farmers to help them respond to growing demand for food. These changes will free farmers from unnecessary restrictions and let them maximise their production potential.

The European Commission authorised on the 20th of May 2008, a Czech State aid scheme to operators of inland waterway freight transport vessels. The aid has a total budget of CZK 443.5 million (EUR 17.33 million) and will be co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund.

The European Commission has launched a new online database of the ingredients used in cosmetic products making it easier for companies to find up-to-date information on substances needed to develop new cosmetics or to improve existing ones. Companies will no longer have to search through various documents to get the full picture. EU law on cosmetic products is now more accessible and transparent and this will make life easier for companies and reduce costs. It will also facilitate market surveillance by the Competent Authorities and contribute to the safety of cosmetic products.