European Union News - European Union

The Court of Justice of the EU expressed its views on the case of an Italian MEP who is charged with the offence of making false accusations against a public official in the performance of her duties. The Court highlights that immunity may not be granted unless there is an obvious, direct link between the opinion expressed by the MEP and the performance of his parliamentary duties. In addition, it falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the national court hearing the case.

The Conference of Foreign Affairs Committee Chairpersons (COFACC) held on 4-5 September had as main aim discussing how to enhance the cooperation with the eastern and southern neighbours of the European Union. During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosław Sikorski presented the current foreign policy under the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

The final assessment of the 6th Community Environment Action Programme (EAP) adopted by the Commission shows the accomplishments in the field of environment during the past ten years with examples as the extension of the Natura 2000 network or the introduction of a comprehensive chemicals policy. However this assessment also shows the need of progressing in implementing agreed EU objectives and rules.

In view of the step up of violent crackdown against peaceful protesters in Syria, High Representative Catherine Ashton has noted in a formal statement on behalf of the EU, the complete loss of Bashar al-Assad's legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people and the
necessity for him to step aside.

As revealed by the European Commission, 6,361 requests for access to documents have been filed before its services in 2009. This figure, which is far higher that the very few 450 documents requested only one decade ago, shows the growing interest of citizens about the activities of European institutions.

Almost twenty years after the establishment of EU citizenship and its ionclusion in the Maastricht Treaty, the European Commission has proposed to declare year 2013 as “European Year of Citizens”. This initiative aims to mark one of the major achievements of European integration which has every day a direct effect on the lives of millions of European citizens.

Jean-Claude Trichet, the President of the European Central Bank has made a statement after the recent developments with regard to the tensions happened in some financial markets in the euro area. The President of the ECB reaffirmed what the Governing Council agreed on the 4 of August, its support to the economies of the euro area.

Europeans are starting to be more confident about the economy according to the Spring 2011 Eurobarometer. The bi-annual opinion poll organised by the European Union shows that 43% of Europeans think that the crisis’s impact on the job market has already reached its peak, which means one percentage point more than in the previous survey in autumn 2010. Europeans are also increasingly asking for EU action and stronger European cooperation to tackle the crisis and avoid future problems.

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barrosso and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy stated in different press releases its confidence on the euro area, specially with regard to the latest developments in the sovereign bond markets of Italy and Spain.

Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Commission Vice President announced the extension of restrictive measures against Syrian individuals responsible for and associated with repression. On the 2 of August, the decision has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The European Commission agreed to measures that should make a significant contribution to getting some of the EU's most troubled economies back on track. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Latvia and Hungary would be asked to contribute less to projects that they currently co-finance with the European Union.