European Union News - Internal Market

A year after two previous texts, the European Commission has adopted a new proposal seeking to strengthen the mechanism for the assessment of the correct application of standards part of the Schengen acquis. This mechanism aims to control the remaining obstacles verifying the elimination of controls at internal borders and to do more effective checks within national territory.

Spain's biggest ever operation against counterfeit tobacco has led to the seizure of 90 million fake cigarettes and the arrest of six men. The investigation saw the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) working closely with Spanish Customs to break up one of the largest tobacco rackets in Europe and prevent the loss of 10 million euros in tax revenue.

President of the Council and Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and Manuel Durao Barroso, expressed their satisfaction over the outcome of the G20 Seoul Summit held between 11 and 12 November 2010. The EU wanted this summit to make progress on joint action to boost global growth and jobs and therefore welcomes that the Seoul Action plan commits the G20 further to global action for balanced growth.

The financial crisis has revealed the origin of a fragile financial system to excessive too exposed to risk by investors and with an inadequate management of this risk. Further to Ecofin's mandate, the Parliament has now given its approval in plenary session to the Directive which seeks to regulate this situation and protect both investors and the financial system of this type of situation.

The European Parliament has demanded the Commission to introduce "efficient and flexible" market mechanisms without delay to curb price volatility and speculation which are damaging European livestock sector. MEPs point to the high cereal prices as a major cause of the crisis faced by farmers which could lead to a significant reduction in meat production in the EU.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has delivered its judgement in the case related to golden shares detained by Portuguese State in the company Energias de Portugal (EDP), declaring that  by maintaining in EDP special rights attributed to it by means of golden shares, Portugal has failed to fulfil its obligations in respect of the free movement of capital.

The Council on Competitiveness met on 10 November in extraordinary meeting with a single item on the agenda: the Proposal for a Council Regulation on the translation arrangements for the European Union patent. Although an intense debate was hold by delegations, no political agreement was reached at the meeting and the Presidency will now try to capitalise the momentum given by representatives of Member States.

The European Commission has presented on 10 November its Communication “Energy 2020” setting the main objectives for EU energy policy over the next ten years. This strategy details the five top priorities, which will be the base for concrete legislative initiatives and proposals to be put forward by Commission within the next 18 months, and which will be on the agenda for the discussion by Heads of States and Governments at the very first EU Summit on Energy on 4 February 2011.

The European Commission has published its 5th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion, where it presents an extensive assessment of the economic, social and environmental situation and trends in EU regions and sets out a number of different options for adapting the policy post-2013. The conclusions put forward by this report will be the base for a public consultation on Cohesion Policy which will be open until 31 January 2011.

The European Commission put forward on 9 November its blueprint for an EU trade policy to help revitalise Europe's economy. The document presented by the Commission proposes a strategy to reduce trade barriers, to open global markets and to get a fair deal for European businesses, addressing issues such as the opening of International public procurement markets to ensuring a fair and inclusive commerce which will contribute to development.

Three films which received co-funding from the MEDIA Programme on support for the EU audiovisual sector, were among those honoured at the closing ceremony of the International Rome Film Festival on 5 November. In total, ten films co-financed in a way or another were part of the Festival.