European Union News

At the last month of the Danish Presidency of the Council, this presidency has been certified as sustainable under the new international ISO20121 standard for sustainable events. On the other hand, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council that will start in July 2012 has already a website where consult the priorities of this presidency.

The European Commission awarded projects from Sweden, Poland, Austria, and two transnational partnerships the RegioStars 2012 Awards. The projects are included in five prize categories for good practice in regional development to projects with EU co-investment.

G20 leaders agreed on the Los Cabos Action Plan for Jobs and Growth in order to address key weaknesses in the global economy. Also the G20 meeting was particularly focused on the situation in the Euro area. Among other things, G20 leaders recognised the value of the European project and of the EU's currency, the Euro.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation in order to gather inputs from stakeholders and citizens on the scope of possible future EU-level actions in demand-side policies for industrial innovation policy. The contributions to this consultation can be made until the 6 of September 2012.

The adoption of the draft directive establishing a single European railway area is closer following the agreement reached between the Council and the European Parliament negotiators. The compromise was endorsed on 19 of June by the within the Permanent  Representatives Committee. To enter into force, the text still needs to be formally approved by Parliament and the Council. The purpose of the draft directive is to increase competition, strengthen market supervision and improve conditions for investment in the Europe's railway sector.

The European Commission proposed a to provide Aragon (Spain) with €1.3 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 320 redundant workers in the construction sector with their re-integration into the labour market. On the other hand, €1.6 million from the EGF will help workers in the region of Comunidad Valenciana.

The debate held by ministers at the Council meeting of 18 of June shows a broadly support to the principle that the CAP should significantly contribute to addressing the challenges concerning environment. However the Council is divided on setting a threshold in recital 28 of the rural development proposal. On the other hand, Ministers approved the conclusions on the protection and welfare of animals.

The European Commission announced an increase of €40 million in additional humanitarian funding to the Sahel, bringing its response to the food crisis to €337 million. In addition, it also announced the launching of a new partnership on strengthening the resilience of the Sahel to future crises.

The contribution of renewable energy up to 12.4% of energy consumption in the EU in 2010 according to Eurostat. In addition, highest share of renewables were recorded in Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Austria and Portugal. The figures has been published in the framework of the EU Sustainable Energy Week that will take place until 22 of June.

The European Commission's Digital Agenda (DAE) Scoreboard confirms the need for structural economic reform across Europe and surplus of ICT jobs; big trend towards mobile services and technology. On the other hand, it also confirms that broadband is nearly ubiquitous in Europe and consumers and businesses are moving fast to mobile.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €100 million loan to Banco Santander for financing the investment projects mainly in the industrial and service sectors of mid-cap companies (with up to 3,000 employees). This is the EIB’s first operation with Banco Santander specifically targeting mid-caps.

The European Commission provided an interpretation of the Directive on weights and dimensions of road vehicles and the conditions to be met when adjacent Member States wish to authorise longer trucks to cross the border between them. The clarification has been sent to the European Parliament following questions asked by the International Road Transport Union.