EU web links

A collection of links to web sites of the European Union institutions and other European business web sites.

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Reform of the EU support scheme for Cotton — 09 November 2007, 16:15 CET

The European Commission on 9 November 2007 proposed a revised reform of the support scheme for Cotton. The new proposal maintains the support arrangements from the current regime, which was annulled by the European Court of Justice because of shortcomings in the impact assessment carried out by the Commission. The proposal foresees that 65 % of the aid should be "decoupled" (i.e. no longer linked to production) and 35 % remain linked to cotton production, in the form of area payments. The Court judgment did not question the reform's approach (i.e. the change of support system) but found that the Commission had failed to carry out an impact study that included labour costs in the calculation of production costs, and failed to assess the effect of the reform on the local ginning industry. The new proposal follows the completion of an in-depth impact assessment and a wide-ranging consultation of stakeholders.

Reform of EU Telecom Rules — 09 November 2007, 15:30 CET

Electronic communication is a true success story for the EU. Since national telecoms markets were opened up to competition in 1998, users and consumers have benefited from more choice, lower prices and innovative products and services. It is this success story of open markets and enhanced competition in the telecoms sector that the Commission intends to continue with the reform of EU's telecommunications rules of 2002.

Autumn economic forecasts 2007 - 2009 — 09 November 2007, 13:47 CET

The European Commission forecasts economic growth in the European Union to continue albeit at a moderating speed. This growth will contribute to further job creation in the EU, while the widespread budgetary improvement this year is set to come to a halt in 2008-2009.

Evaluation of nutrient sources in food supplements and food - update — 08 November 2007, 18:52 CET

During 2005 EFSA received approximately 500 dossiers relating to nutrient substances added to food supplements and foods currently on the market in the European Union (EU). Under current EU legislation, a scientific opinion from EFSA on the safety of such nutrient sources is required prior to any approval of their continued use in food supplements and/or fortified foods and/or foods for particular nutritional purposes.

2007 Annual report from the EU drugs agency — 08 November 2007, 18:49 CET

Drug facts, figures and analyses: across Europe and by country - Latest trends and legal, political, social and health responses - Selected issues: Drugs and driving; drug use among the under 15s; cocaine

European Union Counter-Terrorism Strategy — 02 November 2007, 16:50 CET

Fight against terrorism is one of the greatest challenges the Union is facing today. The challenge lies in the complex nature of this phenomenon. Hence, if the EU wanted to be successful in fighting terrorism, it needed a strategic document which would reflect the comprehensive nature of EU’s response to terrorism.

EU cotton market — 02 November 2007, 16:41 CET

Cotton is an arable crop used both for its seeds, from which oil and oilseed cakes are made, and for its fibre. Today in the EU, cotton is only a small sector which accounts for less than 2 % of world cotton production and less than 0.0025 % of the EU's UAA (utilised agricultural area). The EU is a net importer of cotton. Support for the production of cotton under the Common Agricultural Policy started in 1981, with the accession of Greece. Since then the regime has been revised regularly. Today the EU's main producing countries are Greece and Spain, with some production also in Bulgaria and Portugal.

The IPPC Directive — 01 November 2007, 01:22 CET

Industrial production processes account for a considerable share of the overall pollution in Europe (for pollutants such as greenhouse gases, acidifying substances, wastewater emissions and waste). The EU has a set of common rules for permitting and controlling industrial installations in the IPPC Directive of 1996. In essence, the IPPC Directive is about minimising pollution from various industrial sources throughout the European Union. Operators of industrial installations covered by Annex I of the IPPC Directive are required to obtain an authorisation (environmental permit) from the authorities in the EU countries. About 50.000 installations are covered by the IPPC Directive in the EU.

The EU & the Kimberley Process — 01 November 2007, 00:50 CET

The Kimberley Process is a joint government, international diamond industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds - rough diamonds that are used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments. The trade in these illicit stones has contributed to devastating conflicts in countries such as Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is an innovative, voluntary system that imposes extensive requirements on Participants to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from conflict diamonds. The Kimberley Process is composed of 45 Participants, including the European Community. Kimberley Process Participants account for approximately 99.8% of the global production of rough diamonds. The European Commission has contributed actively to the development of the KPCS since its inception and has taken over the Chair of the Kimberley Process for 2007, succeeding South Africa, Canada, Russian Federation and Botswana.

ACP-EU Trade Website — 31 October 2007, 12:52 CET

Information and analysis relevant to ACP-EU trade relations - non-partisan sourcing and knowledge sharing on ACP-EU trade

Your questions on MiFID — 30 October 2007, 01:14 CET

On this website stakeholders, including firms, trade associations and investors, can ask questions relating to the recently-finalised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2004/39/EC) (MiFID) and its implementing measures (Directive 2006/73/EC and Regulation 1287/2006). MiFID and its implementing measures together establish a comprehensive legislative framework at European level relating to the establishment and conduct of investment firms, multilateral trading facilities and regulated markets.

Undeclared work in the European Union - Eurobarometer 284 — 25 October 2007, 23:26 CET

The Eurobarometer survey 'Undeclared work in the European Union' - the first ever Europe-wide harmonised survey on this sensitive topic – confirms the existence of a large market for undeclared work all over the EU. The Eurobarometer survey reveals that undeclared work is particularly widespread in southern and eastern Europe. Across the EU, 5% of employees admit receiving cash-in-hand wages, varying from 3% or less in most continental countries, the UK and Ireland, to over 10% in some central and eastern European countries. Undeclared work is more concentrated among students, the unemployed and the self-employed, and has a higher incidence in the construction and household services sectors. The detection risk also matters: people who consider the risk to be small are more likely to be involved in undeclared work.

Stepping up the fight against undeclared work - EC Communication — 24 October 2007, 18:20 CET

Undeclared work is still a problem in Europe and is undermining the EU's ability to meet its targets for more and better jobs and stronger growth, says a new European Commission report released today. The EC Communication 'Stepping up the fight against undeclared work' COM(2007) 628 final identifies the main drivers for the informal economy, sets out successful ways to reduce it and proposes a series of concrete follow-up actions at European and national levels. New figures from Eurobarometer – which has carried out the first ever Europe-wide harmonised survey on this sensitive topic – confirm the existence of a large market for undeclared work all over the EU.

GM Food in the EU — 24 October 2007, 15:23 CET

GMOs are organisms such as plants, animals and micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, etc.), the genetic characteristics of which have been modified artificially in order to give them a new property (a plant's resistance to a disease or insect, improvement of a food's quality or nutritional value, increased crop productivity, a plant's tolerance of a herbicide, etc.). In order to ensure that this development of modern biotechnology, and more specifically of GMOs, takes place in complete safety, the European Union has established a legal framework comprising various directives and regulations.

Broadcasting: Lists of Major Events — 18 October 2007, 22:24 CET

The European Commission on 15 October 2007 adopted a decision on the UK list of events of major importance for society to be broadcast free to air, either live or with a slight delay. The list covers not only international events like the Rugby World Cup Final, the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup Finals but also more specific national events like Cricket matches, the Grand National, the Derby, the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games. This Commission website lists major events published by the UK and other EU countries.

Freight logistics in the EU — 18 October 2007, 16:10 CET

Logistics is the planning, organisation, management, execution and control of freight transport operations. It integrates individual transport acts to door-to-door supply chains, determining the efficiency of freight transport. With ever increasing volumes in freight transport, logistics needs to find solutions to the emerging consequences of this growth. In economic terms, these relate to the costs incurred through congestion, labour shortages and to the dependency on fossil fuels. Regarding the environmental and social dimensions the challenge lies in reducing freight transport's negative impacts on the natural and social habitats. Logistics service providers need to help develop solutions to these issues. A Logistics Action Plan was adopted in October 2007, as part of a package of measures. It suggests a range of concrete actions in priority areas such as electronic information on freight, training and quality indicators, simplification of processes, vehicle sizes and loading units, urban transport and long-distance corridors.

EU policies for restructuring and employment — 18 October 2007, 16:54 CET

Faced with a future of increased global competition, the European Union is putting effective policies in place to equip people to cope with change, promote enterprise in areas affected by economic change and to anticipate restructuring. Change does not always mean job losses, but painful restructuring is sometimes necessary. Unlike in other parts of the world, the EU promotes a strong social dialogue to manage change. Workers and regions affected by change also benefit from a wide range of EU measures to limit negative social consequences.

EU Air Transport Research — 18 October 2007, 15:35 CET

Using new technology and innovative operational advances Europe will develop competitive, integrated, safer, ‘greener’ and ‘smarter’ air transport systems for the benefit of all citizens and society that deliver mobility in a sustainable manner by respecting the environment and natural resources. Europe is one of the world’s leading exporters of aeronautics-related products and services. The EU aeronautics and aerospace sectors represent multi-billion euro industries in the European economy and supporting millions of jobs for European citizens. The air transport system in Europe can call on a fleet of some 5,000 aircraft and moves one billion passengers every year.

5th OPEN DAYS-European Week of Regions and Cities — 09 October 2007, 19:43 CET

The 5th OPEN DAYS-European Week of Regions and Cities was held between 8 and 11 October 2007 in Brussels for about 5,000 expected regional policy experts and practitioners. Organised by the Committee of the Regions, the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General and expected 100 regions, cities and other institutions and private partners from all over Europe, this year's headline is: "Making it happen: regions deliver growth and jobs". About 150 workshops and sessions will focus on the new generation of cohesion policy programmes, which will be implemented in the course of 2007 in all European regions. Between 2007 and 2013, the public and private funding made available through these programmes amounts to about EUR 500 billion.

EU Automotive Industry - Safety — 08 October 2007, 16:22 CET

EU initiatives to improve safety in the automotive industry - Advanced safety features and tyres - Hydrogen - Frontal protection systems - Pedestrian protection

Draft EU Reform Treaty — 05 October 2007, 21:09 CET

Draft Reform Treaty of the European Union - now available on the website of the Portuguese EU Presidency - 5 October 2007

Quarterly report on the Euro area — 05 October 2007, 00:16 CET

With this publication, the European Commission's Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs intends to contribute to a better understanding of economic developments in the eurozone and to improve the quality of the public debate surrounding the area's economic policy. The Report will be released at the end of March, June, September and December.

Bluetongue disease : EU measures — 04 October 2007, 12:51 CET

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease of sheep and wild ruminants. It is not known to affect humans.

Eurostars programme — 03 October 2007, 22:06 CET

The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to SMEs. Eurostars will stimulate them to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding. The Eurostars Programme was officially launched in Brussels on 2 October 2007.

Report on the implementation of the Action Plan "Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity 2004-2006" — 27 September 2007, 23:35 CET

The EU Action Plan "Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity 2004-2006" called for a progress review in 2007. A European Commission Working Paper reporting on its implementation was adopted on 25 September 2007. This report outlines the main results of the implementation of the Action Plan "Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity 2004-2006", both at European and national level. It highlights current trends in the reform of educational systems to better promote language learning, takes stock of what has been achieved in the past three years and provides a basis for further action in the field of multilingualism policy.