European Union News - Social Affairs

By 2020, 25% of the EU's population will be over 65. To respond to this growing demographic challenge, the Council of Ministers approved today a Commission plan to make Europe a hub for developing digital technologies designed to help older people to continue living independently at home. The proposal, presented by the Commission on 14 June 2007, will provide some additional €150 million funding to a new European Joint Research Programme, resulting in a total investment of over €600 million.

The European Commission has filed cases with the Tribunal de Commerce in Brussels seeking compensation from four lifts companies for damages suffered from inflated prices for the installation and maintenance of lifts and escalators. In 2007 these companies were found by the Commission to have operated illegal cartels in several countries, in breach of EC Treaty rules on cartels and restrictive business practices. No final amount of the damage can yet be calculated, given the complexity and variety of contractual relations, but it is expected that expert assessments in the context of the court cases will help identify the total amount of overpayment suffered. The Commission's action covers claims for its own buildings and those of other EU institutions, both in Brussels and Luxembourg.

Standard Eurobarometer 69, Spring 2008: Inflation and unemployment are major concerns for European citizens. Levels of trust in the EU Institutions remains stable, as does support for membership of the EU.

Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, said: "These results reflect the current economic difficulties and show the need for the EU to continue with its policy agenda aimed at improving the quality of people's daily lives. Nonetheless, I am reassured that the level of trust in the EU remains high."

The European Commission has opened negotiations on a treaty establishing a Transport Community with the Western Balkans. This first meeting, held in Brussels with the region's Transport Ministers, will be followed in the autumn by technical meetings with a view to concluding the Transport Community Treaty in 2009.

"You would like to see your commitment and efforts in sustainable energy recognized at European level and have a chance of being rewarded during a prestigious ceremony in the presence of high-ranking EC’s Officials? Join the Sustainable Energy Europe Award Competition now and become an ambassador of European excellence in sustainable energy!" This was the message sent out by the European Commission DG for Transport and Energy promoting its new SEE Awards Competition.

On the 24th June 2008, a total of 75 persons suspected of being part of a people-smuggling network were arrested throughout Europe. The operation was supported by Europol and Eurojust and several countries were involved.

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an Opinion on the proposed multiannual Community programme on protecting children using the Internet and other communication technologies, which was presented by the European Commission in February 2008.

Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner participates in Berlin Conference on Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law
International support for improving Palestinian Civil Security and strengthening the respect for rule of law will be in the centre of a conference on 24 June in Berlin. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be one of the keynote speakers during the opening session of this conference and confirm the high level of commitment of the European Commission in continued support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

The Commission has adopted a proposal for the review of the 2001 decision on the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters between the Member States. The purpose of this proposal is to endow the network with a new legal framework, a more effective organisational structure and greater means to enable it to play a lead role within the European judicial area as the essential vehicle for cooperation between all those involved in civil justice in future.

The transition from school to work has become very difficult for the majority of young people in Serbia and Ukraine, according to the results of the report "Transition from education to work" published by the ETF. Unemployment or other forms for joblessness tend to be high among young people in the two countries. Large groups of individuals cannot afford to be without an income due to limited coverage of public social welfare systems. Consequently, emigration and different forms of informal employment have become preferred or only choice for many. In Serbia, one out of three young Serbs spend more than two years to get their first job after leaving school, the report shows.

On the 21st June 2008, Commissioner Vladimír Špidla will launch the 2008 ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ truck tour as part of the EU's Europe-wide anti-discrimination information campaign. The tour will kick off at the United Islands of Prague music festival (Czech Republic), where 20,000 visitors are expected – before going on to visit 20 cities in 10 different EU countries over the next four months. The initiative – now in its fifth year – aims to raise awareness of the right to a life free of discrimination and has so far reached half a million people. The campaign aims in 2008 to build on the success of the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All, to which its activities last year were closely linked.

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has welcomed the unanimous decision by EU member states to fully lift measures on Cuba. This decision to lift the diplomatic measures, which have already been suspended since January 2005, allows the EU to fully re-engage in a political dialogue with Havana.