European Union News - European Union

European Defence Agency (EDA), based on a new task granted to this agency from the Lisbon Treaty, seeks to find Effective Procurement Methods which focuses on the development of innovative ways to consolidate the demand side of the European Defence Equipment Market. The main focus for the EDA in this initiative is the consolidation of demand for European defence equipment, and indeed the identification of current common demand.

According to a resolution approved by the Parliament, the influx of migrants and asylum seekers cannot justify the reintroduction of border controls. In the resolution adopted by a large majority, the MEPs are critical of moves by several Member States to reintroduce border controls, because Schengen main objectives are enhancing freedom of movement and reinforcing EU governance.

Parliament group leaders, met at the usual Conference of Presidents held during the plenary, endorse new Code of Conduct for MEPs. The Code seeks avoid conflicts of interest setting out rules and principles which MEPs will need to follow in their contacts with outside interests.

An expert group established as part of the Seventh Framework Programme's (FP7) regional calls for 2010 has published a new report which highlights cooperative nature of EU's future research policy. The philosophy behind synergy is very much one of joining up the dots to ensure that policies are aligned and don't overlap. For the solution, the team also recommends that the Structural Funds be better exploited and they advise using the European Social Fund (ESF) to promote greater synergies between education and innovation programmes. 

The European Parliament approved in the plenary session the last amended budget by a large majority. On the report approved, the EU Member States' contributions to this year's budget will be cut by a total of €4.54 billion.

The EU closes accession negotiations with Croatia, which should allow for the signature of the Accession Treaty by the end of the year. The accession is foreseen for 1 July 2013, following the ratification procedure in all Member States and Croatia.

The European Commission adopted a series of proposed changes to staff rules which would lead to savings of more than €1 billion by 2020. Among the changes proposed, a 5% reduction of staff in all categories in all institutions over the period 2013-17.

From 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2011, Poland will host the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Poland is taking over the Presidency from Hungary which has presided over the EU for the past six months.

The European Council met on 23 and 24 of June and decided to invite the Council to take all necessary decisions for the conclusion of the accession negotiations with Croatia by the end of June 2011. Therefore, the signature of the Accession Treaty with this country is foreseen to be done before the end of the year. With this decision, Croatia will become the 28th Member State of the European Union.

The Council and the European Parliament have reached a political agreement on the draft regulation amending the regulation concerning the European Agency for the management of operational cooperation at the external borders of the EU (Frontex). The revised rules include strengthened provisions for the protection of fundamental rights and having "European Border Guard Teams" as the common name for teams deployed during Frontex operations.

The joint transparency register for lobbyists and other interest groups is launched on 23 June. The main advantage of this joint register is providing one source of information for citizens and lobbyist will have to register once.