European Union News - European Union

Members of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament, meeting on 1 February 2010, raised some questions about the fact that the decision to address a limited reform of the Lisbon Treaty in order to establish EU permanent stability mechanism was taken as an intergovernmental choice. Some MEPs also expressed concerns over the tight timetable given to the reform.

Foreign Affairs ministers meeting in Brussels on 31 January in the Council chaired by High Representative Catherine Ashton, analysed the situation in Egypt after the considerable loss of life during demonstrations over the last few days. Ministers in charge of Foreign Affairs recognised the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people and urged the Egyptian authorities to embark on an orderly transition to a process of genuine democratic reform and take  urgent, concrete and decisive measures.

Members of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee consider that EU membership negotiations with Croatia can be completed in the first half of 2011 provided its reforms stay on the right track. The biggest challenge remains, however, in obtaining support from the population, who is still skeptical about the benefits of EU membership.

By ratifying the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement at the European Parliament's Plenary session on 19 January, Serbia is now one step closer in its path towards the European Union. Although some issues are still to be solved, such as reinforcing Belgrade's full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, this is a positive step on the path to EU membership.

In a resolutions approved in Parliament's plenary session on 20 January, MEPs called for sanctions to be taken against Belarusian authorities by imposing a travel ban and asset freeze on Belarusian officials, judges and security officers involved in the violent election crackdown of 19 December 2010. Lifting these measures should be conditional upon the release of imprisoned opposition leaders.

The European Commission has published a report on Member States' performance in the prevention and recycling of waste. This report shows that despite some Member States have made excellent progress, there is still some way from achieving the long-term goal of becoming a 'recycling society', a society  that not only avoids producing waste but also uses it as a resource.

The dual circulation period ended in Estonia on Friday 14 January, and the euro is now the only currency to be legal in the country. The changeover was very smooth and successful and no major problems were encountered as banks, post offices and retailers have been coping well with the extra workload caused by the changeover process and the parallel handling of two currencies.

The European Parliament Delegation for relations with Maghreb countries called in a formal declaration on 10 January for an independent inquiry to be set up into the death of street protesters in Tunisia. This request followed the formal statement made by High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Füle, who also expressed EU's concern about the situation in Tunisia.

Following the meeting of the European Commission with the Hungarian Presidency, President Barroso expressed Commission's readiness to work hand in hand with Hungary's presidency to make this semester a success for the European Union. In President Barroso's view there is an urgent need for serious and joint reforms to be taken, both at national level and at the European level. During this meeting Prime Minister Orban also expressed Hungary's commitment to take all the necessary efforts to work with the Commission and clear any legal issues regarding the new Hungary media law.

On 6 January 2011 took place the official ceremony where Hungary took the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union from Belgium. Yves Leterme, acting Prime Minister of Belgium, and Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary attended the ceremonial event hosted in the Cupola Hall of the Houses of Parliament, where Hungarian MPs as well as the government seat. They both highlighted the turning point EU is facing and the need to face the challenges of current global situation.

The changeover to the Euro in Estonia is proceeding according to plan. By the end of Wednesday 5 January, an important milestone was passed as more than half of cash payments in shops were made in Euro only and virtually all customers were also getting their change in the currency they now share with some 330 million Europeans.

The European External Action Service will enter a new phase on 1 January 2011 with the transfer of staff from Council and Commission. 1643 permanent officials will be part of the new service, completing the fully implementation of this service introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, which was launched on 1 December 2010.