European Union News

European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over AvtoVaz of Russia by Renault SA of France and Russian Technology of Russia. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. Prior notification of a concentration information has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Waste production should be stabilized by 2012, said the Environment Committee in a second reading report, adopted on Arpil 9th 2008, on a proposal to revise the EU framework directive on waste. For MEPs, a crucial aim is to reduce the amount of landfill and incineration, both of which cause pollution. The committee voted to reinstate most of Parliament's first reading amendments that were not taken up by the Council, and reiterated Parliament's call for re-use and recycling targets.

A record 217 regions and cities from 32 countries have signed up as partners for the OPEN DAYS 2008 European Week of Regions and Cities, the biggest annual gathering of EU and regional policy-makers, experts and representatives of banking, business and civil society groups operator in the regional policy sector.

The OJ has published on 9th April the REGULATION (EC) No 294/2008 of the EP and Council related to the establishment of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) with a initial budget for the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013 of EUR 308,7 million. Regulation will enter  enter into force on the 29th april 2008.

The European Commission (EC) has released notices from different member states including information regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises. (2008/C 88/05). One of the concerns released was the Wales European Collaboration fund with an annual budget for the aid scheme is set at 200,000 Pounds.

Education and training are crucial elements to economic and social change in Europe, the flexibility and security needed to achieve more and better jobs depend on ensuring that all citizens acquire key competences and update their skills throughout their lives.

EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.

European Commission approved PEACE III, the European Territorial Cooperation Programme for Northern Ireland and the Border Regions of Ireland (Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal) for the period 2007-2013 period with €225 million budget. A new open call for proposal is open now.

On the 4th of April 2008, the European Commission published it's Proposal for a decision of the Council on the signature on behalf of the European Community of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community of the one part and the Government of New Zealand of the other part. The Agreement it will be concluded for an initial period of five years and continue in force after this initial period unless either Party notifies the other that it shall be terminated.

The European Commission cleared last 28th March, under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Aearo Company, a US producer of protective equipment, by the US company 3M, a diversified technology company.

The European Commission has introduced rules to harmonise conditions for the take-off of pan-European mobile communication services on aircraft. These services will allow businesspeople and consumers to receive and make calls and messages safely with their own mobile phones while flying all over Europe. This means that the 90% of European air passengers that already carry mobile phones on-board aircraft can remain contactable during flights.

Prospects for agricultural markets and income 2007-2014 was published last 4th April by the DG  Agriculture and Rural Development. It provides a picture of the likely medium-term developments of agricultural markets, based on a certain number of assumptions and on the statistical information available at the end of December 2007.