European Union News - European Union

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.

By Council Decision 2010/336/CFSP of June 14th on EU activities in support of the Arms Trade Treaty, in the framework of the European Security Strategy, published in the OJEU on July 18th, the Council of the European Union has published the activities planned to support the preparatory process for the Conference on Arms Trade Treaty to be held in 2012. These activities aim to support UN Member States in developing and improving national and regional expertise to implement effective arms export and transfer controls.

Cyprus, Denmark and Finland have joined the ranks of member countries with government deficits deemed high enough to pose a threat to the wider European economy. The commission is now recommending they be placed on its list of countries warranting further scrutiny of public finances.

On 14 June, the General Affairs Council reached an agreement on the practical details of how to implement this important innovation in the democratic functioning of the EU. The presidency will now negotiate the details with the European Parliament.

The Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Diego López Garrido, and the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek have signed an amendment to the Regulation governing Community Funds

The European Parliament, in its plenary session in Strasbourg today,  has approved a European Commission plan to allow 14 EU countries to implement rules giving international couples the ability to agree on which law would apply to their divorce. Furthermore, it has backed Commission proposal for stronger rights in criminal proceedings

EU leaders will focus on jobs and growth. They are expected to adopt "Europe 2020", the new strategy for jobs and growth, when they meet in Brussels on 17 June. The one-day meeting chaired by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, will also discuss the forthcoming G 20 summit, economic governance and post-Copenhagen climate strategy.

Under the slogan "CE marking makes Europe's market yours!", the European Commission is carrying out an information campaign on the CE marking. The marking signals that a product is in compliance with all relevant EU legislation, making it eligible to be marketed and sold throughout the EU.