European Union News - European Union

European Commission presented its annual Enlargement Package in which it recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Montenegro, and granting EU candidate status to Serbia. On the package of reports it also assessed the progress towards EU accession made by the Western Balkans, Turkey, and Iceland over the past year.

On the World Day against the Death Penalty, the European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm its united opposition to the death penalty, and their commitment to its worldwide abolition in a joint declaration signed by Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament also expressed Parliament's opposition.

The Council adopted new rules to strengthen Frontex, the European Agency for the management of operational cooperation at the external borders of the EU. Among the new changes, Frontex will now have the possibility to buy or lease its own equipment (cars, vessels, helicopters, etc.) or to buy such equipment in co-ownership with a Member State. In addition, a mechanism for member states to second national border guards and make available equipment to the agency.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has decided to launch a new purchase programme which consists in purchases for an intended amount of €40 billion and in purchases that will have the capacity to be conducted in the primary and secondary markets and will be carried out by means of direct purchases. On the other hand, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged.

The Budgets Committee at the European Parliament finalised its position on EU Budget 2012 proposing changes to the modified proposal of the Council. Key changes proposed include increased spending on Palestine, maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean, managing refugee flows, EU2020 growth strategy-related programmes, funding for vegetable producers and development aid for Asia and South America. Proposed savings include €26 million on Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The European Parliament approved a resolution proposing to extend European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) crisis measures until the end of 2013. In addition, MEPs backed the Commission's proposal to continue the EGF beyond the current multi-financial framework in a resolution adopted by show of hands.

The annual financial report has been published by the European Commission. This report shows detailed information on what the EU money was spent on and how was it managed. According to Commissioner responsible for Financial Programming and Budget Janusz Lewandowski, it is essential that EU taxpayers are provided with the fullest possible information. In addition, the implementation rate of the EU budget reached 97% in 2010.

The Polish presidency of the EU Council announced that Member States' Permanent Representatives have formally confirmed the deal which was brokered by the Ecofin on 19 of September. Now the package must be voted by MEPs in plenary session and then, formally agreed by the Council without further discussion.

Finance Ministers of the EU have reached an agreement on Economic Governance Package. The Polish Presidency will now complete the necessary formal procedures in order to make possible for the European Parliament to vote the package already. According to the Ecofin, the new rules will improve budgetary discipline in the Member States and strengthen stability of the EU economy.

The European Commission new proposals aim to provide a stronger EU-based evaluation and monitoring system to verify and ensure the application of the Schengen rules, and for a more structured European decision-making mechanism that could allow for the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls in case of serious threat to public policy or internal security.

The European Commission adopted to reduced interest rate margins and extended maturities for loans to Ireland and Portugal in two proposals. These proposals are expected to be approved by the Council in the coming weeks in order to enhance liquidity and contribute to the sustainability of both countries.