European Union News - European Union

The political agreement already reached between the European Parliament and the Council to reform the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has been officially ratified by the Council. The main objectives of the reform are to increase the efficiency of OLAF's investigation, to strengthen cooperation between the office and the competent authorities of the member states and third countries, and to increase OLAF's accountability.

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Ombudsman, reported that the overall rate of compliance by the EU institutions with his suggestions was 82% in 2011. The best performers were the EU Agencies with a 100% compliance rate.

Ana from Spain, Elena from Italy, Ilona from Poland and Larkin from Malta, will join EU leaders in Oslo for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. These four young Europeans won the drawing and writing contest organised by the EU institutions, in partnership with the European Youth Forum.

The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), which is composed of the ambassadors of the 27 EU member states, endorsed on the 30 November a "draft package" agreement on the 2013 EU budget and draft amending budget nº 6 for 2012. However, the European President Martin Schulz, stressed that there can be no talk with the Council of an agreement on the EU budget 2013 at this stage.

The first report on the operations of the Transparency Register put in place by the Commission and the European Parliament with the support of the Council, shows a positive balance. According to the report the objectives set for its first year of operation have been met. Given these positive results both institutions will work on new objectives and the development of platform towards 2013.

The new Commission's proposal takes into account the necessary elements in order to bring closer positions between the European Parliament and the Council. The proposal also seeks to provide a solution in order to meet the budget commitments already made.

EU Council meeting of Heads of State and Government held in Brussels between November 22 and 23, ended without an agreement for the next financial framework. Although important differences between Member states still remain, the talks and discussions held at this summit have shown certain points for convergence to work on over the next months in order reach an agreement early next year.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted a Policy on Consultations in the field of Supervision & Enforcement which provides guidance to EU institutions and bodies and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) on consulting the EDPS when drawing up measures or internal rules which involve the processing of personal information.

The report on the state of the Schengen area was published by the European Commission. Among the conclusions, the Commission highlights that the Visa Information System (VIS) has worked well but the European institution will continue to find ways to improve the data collection and analysis of irregular migratory movements.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution that suggests that European political parties should propose candidates for Commission President at the next European elections. The resolution also recommends that each European alliance of political parties should propose a candidate to run for European Commission President and lead their 2014 European election campaign.

The European Commission approved a new funding assistance for the Turkish Cypriot community. The €27.2 million programme will focus on promoting the economic integration of the island, with the overall objective to help prepare for its reunification.