European Union News

The event was organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union. It offers an opportunity to discuss the policy's scope and impact, and paves the way for the forthcoming discussion on the EU budget. The Commissioner will present initial results of its analysis of contributions to the public consultations on the future of Cohesion Policy. A Green Paper on territorial cohesion will be published in September 2008 by the EC services.

The European Commmision decided on 28 March 2008 to initiate proceedings in the case COMP/M.4942 — Nokia/Navteq. The information has been published in the OJ last 5th April 2008.

The Interreg IVA Cross-border Cooperation Programme “Öresund-Kattegatt-Skagerrak” – Programme under the Territorial Cooperation Objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has been approved On 27 March 2008 bye the European Commission with a total budget of around €223 million

The European Commision has published on 4th April 2008 a new call for proposal in the Framework Programme under the 'People' Specific Programme addressed to researchers at all stages of their careers, in both public and private sectors. Researchers are of at least postgraduate or equivalent level and are classified on the basis of professional experience with a budget of 185 Meuros.

The OJ has published on 4th april the Commission Decision of 17 March 2008 amending Decision 2007/176/EC as regards the List of standards and/or specifications for electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities and services in order to include the Digital Video Broadcasting (Handheld) DVB-H as an standard.

Scientists from an EU-supported consortium have discovered that a mutation in a human gene confers nicotine dependence. They have shown that a particular variant of a nicotine-receptor gene impacts smoking behaviour and hence confers a 30% increase in risk of lung cancer and a 20% increase in risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common and debilitating constriction of the arteries to the legs. Roughly half of the people of European descent carry at least one copy of this genetic variant, which does not influence smoking initiation, but makes it more difficult to quit.

The European Commission sent Spain a reasoned opinion on 3rd April, which is the last step before possible referral to the Court of Justice, for providing in its national legislation for discriminatory harbour dues.

The EU-Jordan Association Agreement entered into force in 2002 and aims to create a free trade area between the EU and Jordan over 12 years and to help increase economic growth and business. In 2007, €62 million in Community assistance was allocated to Jordan (€15 million devoted to private sector development; €42.5 million to public finance reform; and €4.5 million for a de-mining programme). The overall allocation for 2007-2010 is €265 million, under the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument.

The European Commission has presented last 2nd april 2008 a Communication related to the damages actions for breach of the EC antitrust rules in a White paper.

The Commission has recognised in a Communication dated on 1st april 2008 the need to reduce the emissions of harmful air pollutants if significant progress is to be delivered towards the objectives established in the 6th Environmental Action Programme. The Commission's communication on a Thematic Strategy on air pollution sets out a significant number of possible Community measures. 

The European Commisison has launched last 1st april 2008 a new comunication related to the Strategy for the evolution of the Customs Union (COM2008 169 Final). The objective is to maintain the pivotal position of Customs as a modern, responsive partner to trade, protecting the fiscal, safety and security interests of the Community and cooperating with other government.

The  concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation has been approved by the Decision of the Council and of the Commission of 25 February 2008 and published in the OJ of 28th march.