European Union News - European Union

In a statement published on 9 of June, the Eurogroup highlighted its support to the Spanish authorities to address the restructuring of its financial sector. Also, it confirmed that the financial assistance would be provided by the EFSF/ESM for recapitalisation of financial institutions; and the loan amount is estimated that would be €100 billion in total.

Justice and Home Affairs Ministers reached a general approach on the both Schengen related legislative proposals that are currently under discussion: Schengen evaluation mechanism and Schengen Borders Code. The compromise text provides for the possibility to reintroduce controls at internal borders in three specific cases.

The European Commission launched one-stop shop throughout a new transparency portal that intends to make the Commission's decision-making processes more open and accessible to citizens than ever before. According to a spokesman for the European Ombudsman, the new portal is definitely a great improvement as regards user-friendliness, compared to the old transparency webpage.

The figures published by Eurostat show that Euro area and EU GDP remained stable during the first quarter of 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2011, growth rates were -0.3% in both zones.

The new proposals of the European Commission intend to avoid future bank bail-outs, according to the announcement of the Commission's President. In particular, the Commission proposes within a framework for resolution, prevention, early supervisory intervention and resolution powers and tools.

The country-specific recommendations issued by the European Commission aims at enhancing financial stability, boosting growth and creating employment across the EU. Among the key messages that emerge from this second set of annual country-specific recommendations, Member States are on the whole taking the necessary action to restore sustainability, but in several cases consolidation should be more growth-friendly.

The opinion "Budget 2014-2020", adopted at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) plenary session, highlights that the financial framework for 2014-2020 must make sure that the EU is able to cope with the upcoming challenges. These challenges can only be overcome with an ambitious and efficiently structured budget, according to EESC members.

In 2011, more than 18.000 citizens used the online interactive guide from the European Ombudsman to obtain advice on where to turn with their problems. In addition, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Ombudsman, received 2.510 complaints last year, and he opened a record number of 396 investigations into alleged maladministration by the EU administration.

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council confirmed on behalf of the euro area leaders that they want Greece to stay in the euro but they also expect that after the elections the new Greek Government make the choice of continuing the vital reforms to restore debt sustainability. In addition to this, members of the Council agreed that they need to mobilise EU policies to fully support growth.

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.
 

According to a report published by the European Commission, the population of the EU is projected to reach 517 million in 2060. The report underlines that this issue will have economic consequences, such as for example that the total number of workers is projected to decline by 15.7 million over the forecast horizon to 195.6 million in 2060. In general, the extent and speed of ageing depend on future life expectancy, fertility and migration. Life expectancy at birth is projected to increase according to the report.

The European Commission adopted its first 'health check', a biannual overview on the functioning of the Schengen area, which shows that, among other findings, the pressure at the Schengen external borders is focused on a limited number of hot spots, in particular the Eastern Mediterranean route via Turkey to Greece. The report is accompanied by guidelines which seek to ensure a coherent interpretation and implementation of the selected issues.