European Union News - European Union

The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has criticised the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for not respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence in an investigation. This follows a complaint from a British consultant, who argued that letters which OLAF had sent to his former and current employers implied that he was responsible for serious irregularities in the framework of EU funded projects in which he was involved, seriously damaging his reputation.

Almost two out of three of Europeans consider that the quality of water in their country is a serious problem, according to a special Eurobarometer survey on Europeans' opinion on water issues published by the European Commission. The report also shows that Europeans see the quantity of available water as an equally serious problem. More than a third of Europeans feel that over the last five years the quality of rivers, lakes and coastal waters has deteriorated. Industry and agriculture are seen as having the biggest impact on the quality and quantity of water in their country and an overwhelming majority of Europeans think climate change will have an impact on water resources.

The juries selecting the award winners of the 2009 European Union Prize for Literature have been established in the 12 countries participating in the first round of the prize, which will be granted in September 2009. The aim of the Prize is to put the spotlight on the creativity, diversity and wealth of Europe’s contemporary literature and to promote the circulation of literature within Europe.

The heads of state and government, meeting in Brussels between March 19th and 20th 2009 affirmed that the implementation of the recovery plan of December is progressing well. The fiscal stimulus of over €400 billion will generate new investments, boost demand and create jobs. The Council also emphasised that the single market was central to making the recession in Europe shorter and less severe. Stressing the need to get lending flowing again to businesses and households, it agreed to speed up agreement on pending legislative proposals on the financial sector.

The European Parliament’s communication strategy for the 2009 elections was unveiled to the media on Tuesday. EP Vice Presidents Alejo Vidal-Quadras and Mechtild Rothe outlined the key message: that the EU has major policy choices ahead which will affect the everyday lives of European citizens – and that by voting in the elections citizens can affect those choices.

Since 2005, the Commission has pushed ahead with its CAP Simplification Action Plan, repealed hundreds of obsolete acts, introduced reforms which streamline the CAP, and improved law-making practices and IT systems. Thanks to considerable progress already made in simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and other measures still to be carried out, the Commission is confident that it will meet its objective of reducing the administrative burden arising from the CAP by 25 percent by 2012.

A total of 126.7 M€ of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted on March 19th by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of non-compliance with EU rules or inadequate control procedures on agricultural expenditure.

Representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union met for the first time in Strasbourg on March 10th as an inter-institutional Working Group on regulatory agencies. The group agreed that the objective should be to reach a common approach on agencies between the three Institutions. Participants committed to deliver its conclusions as soon as possible.

Biometric visas, like biometric passports, should improve security provided the fingerprints they include are reliable. Following an agreement with the Council approved by the EP Civil Liberties Committee on March 16th 2009, children under twelve will be exempted from the requirement to provide fingerprints. MEPs also recommended some management methods as to facilitate registration and access to VIS and to reduce costs for MS.