European Union News - European Union

The Council of the European Union held 16 September, which was partly dominated by the debate about reactions following the expulsion of Roma people from France, was the occasion for an institutional debate about the development of EU external relations within the new framework given by the Treaty of Lisbon. European leaders also  took stock of progress achieved in the Task Force on economic governance.

Recently-released Cuban political prisoners Ricardo González Alfonso, Normando Hernández, Antonio Díaz and Alejandro González Raga urged Parliament's Human Rights Subcommittee on 13 September for not revising the Council policy decision on Cuba of 1996. This policy decision determines the dialogue with La Havana to progress in human rights and political openness on its part.

On 7 September 2010 the European Parliament plenary session held the first debate on the state of the Union, which would define the present and the future of the European Union. President Barroso addressed the House making a revision of the main challenges the Union will be facing in the coming months, challenges towards which MEPs stressed the need for the Union to adopt an ambitious position.

The European Commission has presented a Proposal of Decision in order to designate 2012 as European Year for Active Ageing. The initiative aims to help create better job opportunities and working conditions for the growing numbers of older people in Europe, help them take an active role in society and encourage healthy ageing.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, expressed in an statement Union's encouragement to the positive outcome of the launch of direct peace talks for the Middle east. She also took the opportunity to comment Commissioner De Gucht declarations confident that they were not intended to offence any of the parties.

Next 2nd and 3rd December in Brussels it was given the award for the 2011 Accessibility Award Access City that promotes improving accessibility for people with disabilities in the European scene.

The Commission has launched a fifth Quantitative Impact Study (QIS5) that will be run by the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS) from August to November 2010. The European Commission strongly encourages insurance and reinsurance companies across the EU to participate in this exercise.

Last 15th July 2010 the merger of the two Dutch meat producers was notified and now the Commission has approved it.

The EC has reiterated the potential of existing EU-rules on mediation in cross-border legal disputes, reminding Member States that these measures can only be effective if put in place by Member States at national level.

The "Back to School" project sends EU civil servants back to school for a day , if possible to a school where they were once a student, to talk about what the EU does.

A Report confirms new procedures of EU funding in education, youth and culture are quicker and more efficient.

The Commission adopted a series of recommendations for Greece to correct the excessive budget deficit, improve competitiveness through structural reforms and provide reliable statistics.