European Union News

The European Commission will run between May 4th and July 27th 2012, a public consultation concerning the the future of the Maritime Antitrust Guidelines. This consultation aims at gathering views from affected stakeholders as regards to the eventual phasing out of the specific regime of maritime transport sector.

According to the results published by the European Investment Bank in its Annual Activity Report for 2011, the bank focused over that year in those which have been its top priorities – i.e., contributing to the Europe 2020 strategy, helping the EU to stay at the forefront of the climate agenda, and supporting the Union’s external policy goals. This activity has been put in place by lending up to 61 billion euro.

During the meeting held in Barcelona (Spain) in May 3rd, the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to maintain the interest rates applicable to date. This decision was taken in a scenario in which, although a gradual recovery is expected over 2012, the levels of uncertainty in euro area economy still remain.

The fourth consecutive annual health prize for journalists was launched by the European Commission, in order to award journalists that submit articles on the Europe for Patients campaign; Active and healthy ageing, in light of the European Year for active ageing and solidarity between generations 2012; or smoking cessation.

The Various Interests' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised a conference in which it was reached the conclusion that the implementation of a new sustainable development strategy with clear inter-linkages between the social, environmental and economic pillars requires a renewed sense of urgency, ambition, policy coherence and accountability.

The European Commission announced the Galileo's second launch of 2 satellites with the aim at creating a 4-satellite mini-constellation that will enable testing of the functioning of the Galileo infrastructure. According to the Commission, Europe's investment in satellite navigation technology opens the global market for European industry.

A qualified majority of EU delegations are in favour of a provisional compromise text with regard to the proposals to amend the EU's rules on capital requirements for banks and investment firms. Besides revising the existing capital requirement directives, the proposals divide them into two new legislative instruments.

The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.9% in March 2012, compared with 10.8% in February. Regarding the whole EU, the unemployment rate was unchanged in March 2012 compared with February. In March 2012, the youth unemployment rate was 22.6% in the EU and 22.1% in the euro area, a slight increase compared with the figures released in February 2012.

The European Commission presented a new strategy to give children the digital skills and tools they need to benefit fully and safely from the digital world. According to Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President, this initiative brings every type of player together so that children get more of the quality content, services and protection they need to enjoy a positive experience online.

The European Commission presented through its Joint Research Centre a set of guidelines for conducting cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of smart grid projects. The guidelines are based in a JRC study that serves as key input to the definition of an eligibility assessment framework for "common interest" smart grids projects.

The European Commission presented an outline of the principles that should guide EU countries when they organise the participation of the relevant partners in the different stages of the implementation of the EU Common Strategic Framework funds. In addition, it announced the preparation of a European Code of Conduct on partnership.

EU Justice Ministers reached a partial general approach on a directive on criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation, the so called "market abuse directive". The directive would create an obligation for Member States to ensure that these conducts are punishable as criminal offences. They also agreed that that awareness of the rights of victims needs to be raised.