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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Netherlands trade — 07 August 2006, 17:30 CET

This website aims to be of assistance to those doing business in Holland. It is expected to expand its services soon. This Trade & Industry site is an initiative of the Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency (EVD) and Holland.com.

Privacy Protection in the EU — 07 August 2006, 13:06 CET

The EU regulatory framework for electronic communications comprises a series of legal texts and associated measures that apply throughout the 25 EU Member States. The goals of the new framework are to encourage competition in the electronic communications markets, to improve the functioning of the internal market and to guarantee basic user interests that would not be guaranteed by market forces. The framework provides a set of rules that are simple, aimed at deregulation, technology neutral and sufficiently flexible to deal with fast changing markets in the electronic communications sector.

EU steel sector — 07 August 2006, 12:43 CET

The European Union, producing 193 million tonnes of crude steel, accounts for 18% of world production. China is the largest producer with 272 million tonnes (26% of world production), followed by Japan with 113 million tonnes and the USA with 99 million tonnes. The value of the annual EU steel production is estimated at EUR 21 billion, representing more than 1% of the Union’s GDP. Employment in the steel sector has contracted steadily over the years, so much so that from 1 million people working in the sector in 1970 there are now just 347,000 employed which represent less than 1.5% of the total employment in EU manufacturing industries.

Future of Europe debate - Europa — 07 August 2006, 12:38 CET

Documents, debates, events about the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) - Opinions of the European Parliament, European Commission, European Central Bank, European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

Air transport in the EU — 07 August 2006, 12:37 CET

Of all forms of transport, air travel has seen by far the most impressive growth in the European Union over the last twenty years. In terms of passenger-kilometres, traffic increased by an average of 7.4 per cent a year between the year 1980 and 2001, while traffic at the airports af the 15 Member States increased five-fold since 1970. Despite the impact on air transport of the 11th of September terrorist attack it's expected that the traffic trend will recover in the coming years - European Commission web site

European Culture portal — 07 August 2006, 12:35 CET

Since its inclusion in the Treaty on the European Union, cultural cooperation has become a new community competency. The European Commission Culture site is aimed mainly at European cultural operators who want to set up cooperation projects with other European partners. Information on the numerous other EU policies for the promotion of culture is available on the European Culture Portal.

Euro Info Centres — 07 August 2006, 12:18 CET

Euro Info Centres or EICs inform, advise, and assist businesses on Community issues. They also provide feedback to the European Commission about community matters affecting SMEs. EICs are well integrated in the local and regional business environment, while their teams are familiar with European practices. EICs are in constant contact with the European Commission and get access to a business support network comprising of more than 300 centres across more than 45 countries.

EU shipbuilding sector — 07 August 2006, 12:16 CET

The shipbuilding industry is an important and strategic industry in a number of EU member states and for the European Community as a whole. There are more than 150 shipyards in the EU, with around 40 of them active in the global market for large sea-going vessels. The production in the EU concentrates increasingly in high-value market segments. The shipyards employ around 100.000 people directly and more than 400 000 indirectly. Since the enlargement of the EU, the annual turnover of the EU shipbuilding industry is more than EUR 11.5 billion.

VAT in the European Community — 07 August 2006, 13:12 CET

The country-specific documents on this European Commission page contain basic information on the application of VAT in the Member States for the use by administrations, business, information networks, etc.

VAT Invoicing Rules in the EU — 07 August 2006, 13:11 CET

The European Council adopted on 20 December 2001 a Directive (2001/115/EC) on VAT Invoicing. This Directive, which amends the 6th VAT Directive, had to be implemented into national Law before 1 January 2004. The Commission says this measure will be of significant practical benefit to firms operating within the Internal Market because it will ensure that they have only to deal with a single, simplified set of rules on invoicing valid throughout the EU instead of fifteen different sets of legislation. At the same time, the Directive requires Member States to recognise the validity of electronic invoices and allow cross-border electronic invoicing and electronic storage.

InfoTech France — 06 August 2006, 11:22 CET

The web site of the international network of CFME ACTIM press offices is funded by both the French government and by french companies. The press offices promote French technology and innovations to the international press.

Invest in France Agency — 06 August 2006, 11:21 CET

The Invest in France Agency is responsible for encouraging long-term international investment and reports to the Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry and to the Minister of Regional Development.

Council of the European Union — 06 August 2006, 11:15 CET

The Council of the European Union is the Community's legislative body; for a wide range of Community issues, it exercises that legislative power in co-decision with the European Parliament. The Council is composed of one representative at ministerial level from each Member State, who is empowered to commit his Government. Council members are politically accountable to their national parliaments.

European Convention — 06 August 2006, 11:14 CET

The European Convention completed its work on 10 July 2003. Its site, the contents of which are dated 31 July 2003 remains open for consultation.

Developing Countries: Expanding Exports Helpdesk — 06 August 2006, 11:09 CET

The Export Helpdesk is an online service, provided by the European Commission, to facilitate market access for developing countries to the European Union. This free and user-friendly service provides relevant information required by developing country exporters interested in supplying the EU market.

REACH - New EU Chemicals Legislation — 06 August 2006, 10:42 CET

On 29 October 2003, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new EU regulatory framework for chemicals. Under the proposed new system called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals), companies that manufacture or import more than one tonne of a chemical substance per year would be required to register it in a central database. The aims of the proposed new Regulation are to improve the protection of human health and the environment while maintaining the competitiveness and enhancing the innovative capability of the EU chemicals industry. REACH would in addition give greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances. This information would be passed down the chain of production. The proposal is being considered by the European Parliament and the EU’s Council of Ministers for adoption under the so-called co-decision procedure.

VAT: special arrangements applicable to services supplied electronically — 06 August 2006, 11:39 CET

The objective is to create a level playing field for the indirect taxation of digital electronic commerce for EU and non-EU businesses and to make compliance for non-EU businesses as easy and straightforward as possible. The changes modernise the existing VAT place of supply rules for services to accommodate the electronic business environment and to provide a clear and certain regulatory environment for all suppliers, located within or outside the EU.

The EU's Lisbon strategy - Growth and Jobs — 06 August 2006, 11:38 CET

The Lisbon Strategy is a commitment to bring about economic, social and environmental renewal in the EU. In March 2000, the European Council in Lisbon set out a ten-year strategy to make the EU the world's most dynamic and competitive economy. Under the strategy, a stronger economy will drive job creation alongside social and environmental policies that ensure sustainable development and social inclusion.

e-Health in Europe — 06 August 2006, 10:34 CET

The EU Health Strategy aims to integrate all EU health-related policies and concentrate resources where the Community can provide real added value. The e-Health action plan was adopted 30 April 2004. eHealth - making healthcare better for European citizens: An action plan for a European e-Health Area

Road Transport in the EU — 05 August 2006, 23:20 CET

EU policy objectives for road transport are to promote efficient road freight and passengers transport services, to create fair conditions for competition, to promote and harmonise safer and more environmental friendly technical standards, to ensure a minimum fiscal and social harmonisation and to make sure that the rules in road transport are effectively applied without discrimination.

Sport and the European Union — 05 August 2006, 23:15 CET

Although not directed specifically at sport, many of the rules, policies and programmes of the European Union have an impact on the sports world or are of interest to it. Within the European Commission's Directorate-General Education and Culture is the Sport Unit, which is responsible for cooperation within the Commission and with other institutions on sport- related issues; cooperation with national and international sports institutions, organisations and federations; bilateral meetings with sports institutions and organisations and international sports federations.

EU policies on new and renewable energies — 05 August 2006, 23:12 CET

New and Renewable Energies - European Commission web site. The development of renewable energy - particularly energy from wind, water, solar power and biomass - is a central aim of the European Commission's energy policy.

EU trade - access to essential medecines — 05 August 2006, 23:08 CET

Infectious diseases are responsible for almost half of all deaths in developing countries, and half of these diseases are caused by HIV (AIDS), tuberculosis and malaria. More than 2 billion inhabitants of the world do not have regular access to adequate treatment and cure. AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria alone kill 5 million people each year mostly in developing countries. European Union initiatives

Audiovisual and Media Policies in the European Union — 05 August 2006, 23:01 CET

The audiovisual sector directly employs over one million people in the European Union. In addition to its economic importance, it also plays a key social and cultural role: television is the most important source of information and entertainment in European Societies, with 98% of homes having a television, and the average European watching more than 200 minutes television per day.

Development DG European Commission — 05 August 2006, 22:59 CET

The mandate of DG Development of the European Commission is to enhance the development policies in all developing countries world-wide. DG Development provides policy guidance on development policy and oversees the programming of aid in the ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). The Cotonou Agreement provides the framework for a 20-year partnership for development aid to 77 ACP countries, funded mainly by the European Development Fund.