European Union News - European Union

Climate change will be the main theme of the EESC plenary session which will adopt an important resolution on sustainable development and climate change. The future European Parliament's working programme will be presented to the EESC by its President, Jerzy Buzek. The EESC will also award the winners of the third edition of the EESC prize for organized civil society.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus has signed the Treaty after having the approval of the Czech Constitutional Court. With this act, all countries have already approved the Treaty, and thus ends the long process of ratification of the text adopted in December 2007 by all 27 EU leaders.

Three films shortlisted for Parliament's LUX Cinema Prize of the European Parliament are being screened at the European Parliament in Brussels. They are Eastern Plays (Bulgaria, Sweden), Sturm (Germany, Denmark, Netherlands), and Welcome (France). The winner will be revealed on 25 November in Strasbourg.

Swedish president, deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, president of the Commission and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy are meeting with the President of the USA in Washington. This is the first EU-USA summit under the presidency of Barack Obama.

Heads of state and government meeting in Brussels on 29 and 30 October clinched a deal on climate financing. "The EU now has a very strong negotiating position when the countdown to Copenhagen has started," declared Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, current President of the European Council .The EU continues to take the lead in this process.

Climate change, the economic situation and institutional issues related to the Lisbon treaty will be the main focus of the EU summit to be held in Brussels on 29 and 30 October.

European Commission has issued a call for proposals which grants ERC (European Research Council) advanced investigators with the aim of supporting research projects to be performed in any Member State or associated country to the Framework Programme

The General Affairs Council, under the Swedish chairmanship, at its meeting in Luxemburg, has adopted the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. Thus, one of the Swedish Presidency's top priorities is brought to a successful conclusion. The ministers also prepared for the summit between the EU heads of state and government on 29–30 October.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) is meeting on 26–27 October in Luxembourg. The ministers will make preparations for the upcoming EU Summit taking plance on 29–30 October and reach a decision on the EU's Baltic Sea Strategy. Points on the foreign policy agenda include an action plan for stronger EU actions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the situation in Sri Lanka after the end of the war and the transition to a stronger EU presence in Bosnia.

The European Parliament has issued a call for the planned EU diplomatic service to be part of the Commission administrative structure and be funded from the Commission budget. This set-up would make the service subject to democratic oversight by the Parliament.