European Union News

The European Commission adopted new rules to ensure that national support measures are designed to preserve the EU objective of decarbonising. In particular, under the new framework Member states may compensate electro-intensive users for part of the higher electricity costs expected to result from a change to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as from 2013.

Under the banner “The Water Challenge – Every Drop Counts”, the Green Week 2012 kicked off. The European Commission informed that it expects some 3000 participants gather for three days to discuss water-related issues. In addition, it presented the new viral clip as part of the "Generation Awake!" campaign, which alerts consumers to the dangers of unsustainable patterns of consumption, such as the excessive water use.

The latest Eurobarometer published by the European Parliament shows that almost half of the Europeans surveyed believes that combining public spending cuts with measures to boost economic growth is the best way to end the current economic crisis. In addition, most Europeans feel that pooling part of the public debt would benefit only those Member States that are in dire straits, but 64% feel that it should be done in the name of solidarity nevertheless.

Joaquín Almunia, European Commissioner responsible for Competition highlighted in a speech last 21 of May that the antitrust investigation launched by the European Commission has led to identify four concerns where Google business practices may be considered as abuses of dominance. Having into account that Google Inc. has repeatedly expressed its willingness to discuss any concerns that the Commission might have, the Commissioner explained that he had sent a letter to Google giving to this company the opportunity to offer remedies to the raised concerns.

The European Commission announced additional humanitarian aid to Yemen in response to a rapidly developing food crisis. According to the Commission, the new funds will increase and improve access to clean water, support feeding programmes, develop cash-for-work schemes and provide cash grants for 200,000 people.

The Council position on two proposals amending the EU's rules on credit rating agencies ("CRA 3") has been agreed by the Permanent Representatives Committee on 21 of May. The draft directive specifically amends current directives on undertakings of collective investment in transferable securities (UCITS) and on alternative investment funds managers (AIFM) in order to reduce these funds' reliance on external credit ratings when assessing the creditworthiness of their assets.

The European Commission presented the Your First EURES job pilot project with the aim at improving cross-border mobility for 5,000 people, and thus, at helping young people find jobs. It will also serve as a testing ground for transforming EURES - the network of Member States' employment services – towards a pan-European employment service.

The Habitats Directive and LIFE, the EU financing programme for the environment, celebrate the 20th anniversary as the two key instruments for the conservation and sustainable use of nature in the EU. According to Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, in the past two decades, the EU has made great progress, and there is much to celebrate, but nature still needs our help.
 

Eurostat published its figures on the taxation trends in the EU which shows the that average standard VAT rate in the EU has risen strongly since 2008. Furthermore, in 2012, the average top personal income tax rate and the corporate tax rates have also increased in the EU.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) agreed to the creation of a €1 billion special fund to start investments in emerging Arab democracies in response to the wave of political change in parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

The G8 initiative for a "New Alliance" with partner countries, donors and the private sector in order to boost productivity, domestic and international private sector investments and supporting innovation and technology in Africa, has been supported by the EU.

The GRATITUDE project that counts with EU funding, seeks new ways of reducing waste during the production of food crops vital to families in parts of Africa and Asia. The main objective of this project is helping the world's poorest people in some of the most deprived regions.