European Union News - European Union

Since 2nd July and until 7th July, Turin is hosting the Euroscience Open Forum, a meeting which aims to boost scientific research and to study its impact on the European society.

The European Commission's own research arm, the Joint Research Centre (JRC), has published its new strategy for the period 2010-2020. The new guidelines aim to reinforce scientific support to EU policy-making based on assessments of policy options identified in close collaboration with the Commission's policy Directorates-General.

Keeping Europe the world's top tourist destination is the objective of the European Commission. For that reason, the Commission has issued a Communication outlining a policy that aims at supporting this essential sector of the European economy and proposes initiatives to promote its competitiveness, its sustainable and quality-based development and the visibility of Europe as an outstanding tourist destination.

On July 1st 2010 Belgium takes the floor, starting the six-months period of Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In order to celebrate this special occasion, Belgian Presidency will organize on Saturday July 3rd, the day after official opening ceremony, a unique festival to celebrate this special occasion.

The Spanish six-months Presidency has come to an end with the approval of what will be the roadmap for European growth and economic modernisation, the EU 2020 Strategy, and a series of measures which will allow the economic union to be consolidated, both key priorities of the Spanish programme.

President Barroso and President Van Rompuy state after the conclusion of the summit meeting of the G20 in Toronto between June 26th and 27th, that this meeting has proven to be what it said it would be: the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Leaders meeting in Toronto have agreed on the next steps to take in order to ensure a full return to growth with quality jobs, to reform and strengthen financial systems, and to create strong, sustainable and balanced global growth.

Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanackere and State Secretary for European Affairs Olivier Chastel launched the new official website for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The website will be the nerve centre for communication during the Belgian EU presidency, and the official source for information.

Aiming to adapt the legal framework for the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) to Iceland's application for membership of the European Union, the Official Journal publishes on June 24th 2010, Regulation (EU) Nº 540/2010 amending Council Regulation (EC) Nº 1085/2006 regulating the instrument.

As full member of the G20 and G8, the European Union will be present in the forthcoming meeting in Toronto (Canada). A few days before the launch of the Summit, President Barroso and President Van Rompuy have sent to other leaders a letter presenting EU's position and objectives over the issues to be dealt in Toronto.

Representatives from EU institutions meeting in Madrid in June 21st, reached a political agreement in which they agreed work in a constructive way for the formal adoption of a Council decision regulating the European External Action Service (EEAS).

The meeting of the European Council taking place in Brussels on Thursday June 17th 2010, which ended up Spanish Presidency of the European Union, achieved the adoption of a new 10-year strategy for jobs and growth. European leaders also reinforced their determination to ensure fiscal sustainability, committing to ensure financial stability and agreed on the need to reinforce coordination of economic policies.