European Union News

A report by Janusz Lewandowski (EPP-ED, PL) deals with the guidelines that MEPs would like to establish for the expenditure of the EU institutions other than the Commission in 2009, including the EP. This report refers to the issue of the ceiling of 20% of total EU administrative expenditure (under heading 5 - Administration) voluntarily imposed on itself by the European Parliament, given that the EP's powers and legislative activity will expand if the Lisbon Treaty enters into force.

On 11 April 2008 the Official Journal of the European Union has published the Commission repection of a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation 139/2004 by which the undertakings EADS NV (‘EADS’, the Netherlands) and Sita France SA acquire the joint control of the undertaking T.A.R.M.A.C. Aerosave  SAS (‘T.A.R.M.A.C. Aerosave’, France) by way of purchase of shares.

Next Marco Polo Conference will take place in Venice on 10/11 June 2008. The conference will give the latest information aobut the freight transport in Europe, present ongoing Marco Polo projects and the ingredients of their success and tell you how to apply for Marco Polo funding under future calls for project proposals.

European Parliament (EP) President Hans-Gert Pöttering announced the adoption of written declarations on the subtitling of all public-service television programmes in the European Union (EU) and on the murder of the human rights activist Munir Said Thalib.

The authorities of Brussels-Capital Region, in close partnership with the European Commission and the City of Brussels, are launching a major competition aimed at defining a new urban design for the European Quarter. The area devoted to the competition includes the zone around the rue de la Loi, between the circular ring and the chaussée d’Etterbeek.

On the 10th April, the European Commission (EC) published in the Official Journal of the European union notices from member states including information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1628/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to national regional investment aid. One of the concers from the United Kingdom was the Selective Financial Assistance (SFA) for Northern Ireland aid scheme which has been aloted a budget of 100 million pounds.

On the 10th April the European Commission (EC) published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ), its decision from the 18th March 2008 to release a list of bodies whose researchers may access confidential data for scientific purposes. The decision have been released under Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom.

On 10 April the Official Journal of the European Union has published the non-opposition to a notified concentration in the Case COMP/M.5024 Tui/Royal Caribbean Cruises/JV, in a decision of the Commission.

The parties idea is gradually establish a freetrade area over a period lasting a maximum of five years starting from the entry into force of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and in conformity with those of the GATT 1994 and the WTO. In so doing they shall take into account the specific requirements laid down hereinafter.

The six winners of the 2008 "European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards" are outstanding projects in the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Romania. The prizes announced today serve as recognition of exceptional conservation, research and education efforts and are each worth € 10 000. The prizes are awarded jointly by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage. They will be presented at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony on 12 June 2008 in Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom.

The House voted in favour of approving the new Cypriot Commissioner Androula Vassiliou for Public Health, Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare, with 446 votes in favour 7 against and 29 abstentions. A new Commissioner is needed following the resignation of fellow Cypriot Markos Kyprianou, who left to take up the post of foreign minister in the new Cypriot government.

On 9 April 2008, it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union the Commission decision not to oppose the a new concentration of AXA Group in the Case COMP/M.5055 - Axa/Klepierre/Annecy Courier.