European public affairs
Weekly EU news: Monday 1 March - Friday 5 March 2010
Monday 1 March
The European Commission published its latest Internal Market Scoreboard. The report shows that on average 0.7% of Internal Market Directives for which the implementation deadline has passed are not currently written into national law, down from 1.0% in July 2009. More
At the Brussels Tax Forum, Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta gave a speech: Tax Policies For A Post-Crisis World.
As from today, European mobile phone operators are obliged under EU roaming rules to offer their customers a cut-off limit facility to protect them from 'bill shocks' for surfing the Internet with their mobile phones and laptops while travelling in other EU countries. Details
Tuesday 2 March
The European Commission launched a consultation on future universal service principles in the area of electronic communications networks and services. Deadline is 7 May 2010. Press release
The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument will receive increased funding for 2011-2013. It will also support projects in areas like climate change, transport, energy and environment. Press release
Conclusions of the Competitiveness Council. Main results: conclusions on industrial policy, exchange of views on the future strategy for the creation of growth and jobs, resolution on enforcement of intellectual property rights, conclusions on the mobility and careers of researchers and on ways for improving the structure of the European Research Council.
Wednesday 3 March
The EU and Vietnam have agreed to launch bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Details
The European Commission has launched the Europe 2020 Strategy to go out of the crisis and prepare EU economy for the next decade. The Commission identifies three key drivers for growth, to be implemented through concrete actions at EU and national levels: smart growth (fostering knowledge, innovation, education and digital society), sustainable growth (making our production more resource efficient while boosting our competitiveness) and inclusive growth (raising participation in the labour market, the acquisition of skills and the fight against poverty). Press release
Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik gave a speech on the “Next steps in EU environmental policy”
Thursday 4 March
The European Commission published the 2010 'Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion'. The report presents key messages on how to orientate social policies in the short to medium term to ensure a lasting recovery while also helping to address long-term structural challenges. Press release, memo
The European Commission selected 43 major energy projects, which will significantly contribute to the economic recovery in the EU, while increasing our security of energy supply by creating cross-border infrastructure. With the decision, the Commission grants € 2.3 billion to 31 gas and 12 electricity projects. Details, memo
The European Commission launched a consultation on strategic priorities for an EU radio spectrum policy programme for 2011-2015. Press release
Friday 5 March
Statistics
- Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 0.9% in February 2010. Details
- In January 2010 compared with December 2009, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.7% in the euro area (EA16) and by 0.9% in the EU27. Details
- In January 2010, compared with December 2009, the volume of retail trade decreased by 0.3% in both the euro area (EA16) and the EU27. Details
- GDP increased by 0.1% in both the euro area (EA16) and the EU27 during the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the previous quarter. More
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