European Union News

The European Commission Directorate general for energy and transport has released Call for proposals under the multi-annual programme 2007-2013 for the year 2008. The the trans-European transport network itself shall be 45 million euros of which 20 million euros shall be devoted to the motorways of the Sea priority project.

To mark the launch of a new calls for proposalr under the annual work programme in the field of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for 2008 and multi-annual work programme for grants in the field of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for the period 2007-2013, the EC has set up a series of meetings on the 16th of May 2008 titled "Information Day". The meetings will be broadcasted live over the Internet.

The European Commission, on the 24th April 2008, published its decision on financial aid from the Community for the year 2008 for certain Community reference laboratories in the field of animal health and live animals.

The European Commission has launched a consultation to prepare an EU Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan by inviting investors, project developers, wind turbine manufacturers, energy companies, government services, environmental NGOs and all other interested stakeholders, including the general public, to help identify the key barriers for the further development of offshore wind energy in Europe and what might be done to overcome them.

EC is studing a new reculation concerning crop statistics as it was presented by in Brussels last 21.4.2008 in the COM(2008)210 final. Statistics on crops are essential for management of the EU markets. It is also considered essential that vegetable and permanent crop statistics be covered in addition to statistics on cereals and remaining crops from arable land currently governed by legislation.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published last 23 April 2008 the opinion of the European Data Protection Supervisor (Peter HUSTINX) on the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ‘Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) in Europe: steps towards a policy framework’ COM(2007) 96.

It has been approved by a Commission Decision of 25 March 2008 and it will apply until 31 December 2012. The ‘Platform on Electronic Data Retention for the Investigation, Detection and Prosecution of Serious Crime’, a group of 25  experts in matters relating to retention of personal data for law enforcement purposes in the electronic communications sector. The group is set up in order to submit by 15 September 2010 to the European Parliament and Council an evaluation of the application of the Directive and its impact on economic operators and consumers

The Official Journal of the European Union has published a Commission decision indication that they do not  oppose to a Joint Venture notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market.

The European Commission has published recently amendments to the European standard for train signaling and speed control – the European Train Control System (ETCS) - which guarantees a common standard that enables trains to cross national borders and enhances safety.

The Agency is currently working towards the modification of its mandate and an extension of its lifespan. Once this has been approved, the Agency will recruit over 50 new staff to various positions including those in project management, legal affairs, financing engineering, GIS systems, finance, IT and administration. Deadline for applications is 8 May 2008.

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) have done the formal adoption on 23 April 2008 of the European Qualifications Framework. The way is clear now for Member States to adopt this voluntary scheme that will promote lifelong learning and mobility by making it easier to understand and compare individuals' qualifications around Europe.

The JRC has informed last 23 April that it is opened the Impact Assessment tools website, IA TOOLS, to the public. This online platform provides policy actors and impact assessment practitioners throughout Europe with a repository of guidance, information and best practices for impact assessment of new policies and legislative measures.