European Union News - European Union

The Committee on Regional Development of the European Parliament has launched to study a more result and performance-based delivery system in cohesion policy.

The European Economic & Financial Affairs Council of Ministers, ECOFIN, meeting in Brussels on July 13th has decided to give green light to Estonia's accession to the Euro-zone. Estonian Kroonid will therefore be the 17th currency to be part of the Euro by January 1st 2011.

This is the first time in the EU's history that member States have used the “enhanced cooperation” mechanism, which allows a group of at least nine nations to implement measures if all 27 Member States fail to reach agreement. The enhanced cooperation will apply in the 14 participating EU countries for now, in order to adopt this new rules which, once approved, will allow couples to avoid emotionally and financially costly proceedings.

Belgium and the European Commission will host the 12th Annual EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights in Brussels. It will be centred on the topic, “EU Human Rights instruments and the Lisbon Treaty: State of play and way forward”.

Albania has made progress on reform but must do more to curb corruption. On Kosovo, all EU Member States should back a common approach. These are the key points of two resolutions adopted on Thursday by Parliament on the European integration process of the two countries. Provided the Copenhagen EU accession criteria are met, Parliament should back the eventual EU membership of all Western Balkan states, say MEPs.

Official talks on the European Union's accession to the ECHR (European Convention of Human Rights) have started. Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission, marked the beginning of this joint process at a meeting in Strasbourg. They discussed how to move the process forward so that citizens can swiftly benefit from stronger and more coherent fundamental rights protection in Europe.

Two weeks after the Madrid deal on setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS), a package of recommendations on its organisation and working methods was approved by the European Parliament on Thursday. The EEAS is a major new development introduced by the Lisbon Treaty.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution in which the prospect of Iceland becoming a new EU Member State is welcomed. although it is also asked to cease all whaling. On the other hand, the controversy of repayments to British and Dutch governments following the collapse of Icelandic banks needs to be resolved "bilaterally", adds the resolution.

In its plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament has supported the draft Directive intended to simplify and facilitate the administrative procedures for ships entering and leaving European ports. The provisions of the Directive will be phased in between 2012 and 2015. This Directive will contribute to making maritime transport more attractive and supporting maritime activity.

The biggest event for cities and regions in Europe is getting closer. The preliminary programme for Open Days 2010 can now be downloaded, and registration is available in the event website.

State Secretary Olivier Chastel has presented the programme for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees (COSAC). The COSAC is a cooperation that brings committees of the national parliaments dealing with European affairs together with the European Parliament representatives and it will be celebrated in the capital city of the country that holds the EU presidency.