EU News > Regulations & directives
France must halt expulsions of Roma immediately
Expressing ‘deep concern’ at recent measures taken by the French authorities and other EU member states, Parliament argued on 9 September that mass expulsions of Roma people violate EU law as they amount to discrimination on the basis of race.
European commissioner meets flood victims
Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response met with victims of the floods in Pakistan, during a two-day visit to the country this week.
Bluefin tuna: EU research achieves breakthrough
EU scientists have succeeded in obtaining viable mass eggs from Atlantic bluefin tuna in captivity, using natural means and without any hormonal induction. If breeding can be developed on a commercial scale, pressure on endangered wild stocks could be significantly relieved.
Industrial new orders up by 2.5% in euro area
In June 2010 compared with May 2010, the euro area (EA16) industrial new orders index rose by 2.5%.
A question of security for humanitarian aid workers
Security represents one of the most challenging issues for the humanitarian community. The conditions in which humanitarian workers operate have become increasingly dangerous.
EU-US Summit to be held in November in Lisbon
The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, will welcome US President Barack Obama at the next European Union-United States Summit which shall be held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 20 November.
Industrial production down by 0.1% in euro area
In June 2010 compared with May 2010, seasonally adjusted industrial production decreased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA16) and remained stable in the EU27.
European Commission give funds to help Pakistan’s people
European Commission adopt a €10m decision to assist those affected by the floods in Pakistan.
EIB gives loan to Armenia for metro upgrade
The EIB has agreed a loan of €5m to go towards the costs of upgrading the metro in Yerevan.
Unannounced inspections in polyurethane foam sector
Unannounced inspections carried out at several premises suspected of violating European antitrust rules.
Deere receives €220m research and development loan
The European Investment Bank has agreed to support research and development at John Deere plants in Germany and France.
€150m loan to enterprises in Turkey
EIB signed two loans to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Turkey.
EU bank lending survey released today
The results reported in the July 2010 bank lending survey relate to changes during the second quarter of 2010 and expectations of changes in the third quarter.
EU27 population 501 million in 2010
On 1 January 2010, the population of the EU27 was estimated at 501.1 million, compared with 499.7 million on 1 January 2009.
Pragmatic and determined accession negotiations with Croatia
State Secretary for European Affairs Olivier Chastel met with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic on 22 July. During their meeting, Olivier Chastel presented the priorities of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council.
EU27 current account deficit €34.8bn
According to the latest revisions, the EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of €34.8bn in the first quarter of 2010, compared with a deficit of €50.6bn in the first quarter of 2009 and a deficit of €13.4bn in the fourth quarter of 2009.
EU information sharing systems
The European Commission has presented an overview of existing EU instruments regulating the collection, storage or exchange of personal data for the purpose of law enforcement or migration management.
Commission outlines measures to halve road deaths by 2020
The European Commission has adopted challenging plans to reduce the number of road deaths on Europe's roads by half in the next 10 years.
A question of road safety in Europe
A Eurobarometer survey on road safety was conducted among more than 25,000 people aged 15 or over from all 27 EU member states.
SG and EIB add €300m for SME investment
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Société Générale have rolled out a €300m credit line in support of projects by French small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
European Parliament of Enterprises
751 entrepreneurs of all sizes and sectors, coming from the 27 EU member states, will gather in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels to debate and vote on specific business-related issues.
European Commission talks climate change
At the informal Environment Council in Gent on 13 July, a joint statement was released by Joke Schauvliege, Flemish Minister for Environment, Nature and Culture, Chair of the Environment Council, and Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action.
Biodiversity: win-win business practices
A new report funded by the European Commission makes a strong case for integrating biodiversity into private sector business plans and core activities around the globe.
OECD unemployment rate edges down slightly
The unemployment rate for the OECD area fell slightly to 8.6% in May 2010 from 8.7% in April. The general pattern of broad stability continues across most OECD countries.
Belgian Presidency: Low Country, High Expectations
After a Spanish Presidency that seemed largely to bypass the business community, with little apparent progress on key policy dossiers, expectations for the Belgian Presidency, which started on 1 July, are considerable. By EUROCHAMBRES
Search for translators/interpreters for EU institutions
The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is launching new competitions to find interpreters and translators to work in the European Union institutions.
First meeting of the Ministers for European Affairs
On 8 July, State Secretary for European Affairs Olivier Chastel welcomed the Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs in Brussels.
OECD commends UK efforts to reduce global poverty
The United Kingdom’s aid was US$11.5bn in 2009, representing 0.52% of its gross national income (GNI). Its planned expenditures for 2010/11 put it on track to reach its target of 0.7% of GNI by 2013.
Call for fair and transparent fish trade
The EU's fishing and aquaculture industries must not be exposed to unfair competition from imports, says a resolution adopted by Parliament on 8 July, which calls for fishery products to be classified as "sensitive" in global trade talks.
Employment must be top priority, says OECD
OECD countries need to create 17 million jobs to get employment levels back to where they were before the crisis, according to the OECD’s Employment Outlook 2010, a new OECD report.
New capital requirements for banks
Following the vote on 7 July in the European Parliament, Commissioner Michel Barnier welcomes the agreement by Council and Parliament on new capital requirements for banks.
EU discusses future of pensions
On 7 July, The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide public debate on how to ensure adequate, sustainable and safe pensions and how the EU can best support the national efforts.
Call for bio-waste directive
The EU needs a specific bio-waste directive, as this could generate major economic and environmental benefits, the European Parliament believes.
Internationally active SMEs yield better results
25% of EU 27 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) export or have exported at some point during the last 3 years. This is revealed in a new European Commission study available online.
Acquisition of citizenship in the EU
In 2008, 696,000 persons acquired citizenship of an EU27 member state, compared with 707,000 in 2007. The new citizens in 2008 came mainly from Africa (29%), non-EU27 Europe (22%), Asia (19%) and North and South America (17%).
Draft agreement for SWIFT to be approved
Parliament should approve the reworked EU-USA SWIFT bank data transfer agreement this week, said the Civil Liberties Committee on 5 July.
Renewables energy generation on the rise
The "Renewable Energy Snapshots" report, published on 5 July by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009.
Euro area unemployment rate at 10%
The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10% in May 2010, unchanged compared with April. It was 9.4% in May 2009. The EU27 unemployment rate was 9.6% in May 2010, unchanged compared with April. It was 8.9% in May 2009.
EUROCHAMBRES: the EU patent saga
EUROCHAMBRES expressed its strong hope that the Commission’s new proposal for a Council regulation governing the EU patent translation requirements would prove to be the final breakthrough on this crucial issue.
Tourism: keeping Europe the world’s top destination
Keeping Europe the world's top tourist destination is the objective of a Communication tabled by the European Commission on 30 June. With 370 million international arrivals in 2008, Europe has more than 40% of the global figure – a position which needs to be retained.
Debt crisis: demand for long-term stability strategies
Anti-debt crisis measures need to be supplemented by stronger economic co-ordination at EU level, with Parliament having the same powers as the Council of Ministers, says a resolution, voted by the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on 28 June.
Paris Initiative launched for G20
A group of 50 Young Global Leaders (YGLs) are about to launch the Paris Initiative for the G20 at an international roundtable under the High Patronage of the French President, which will take place in Paris on 29 and 30 June.
EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo provide €680m for SMEs
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Intesa Sanpaolo Group signed three new agreements on 25 June to provide medium to long-term finance totalling €680m for Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other public and private promoters for projects in the energy, environmental and infrastructure sectors.
Single market for gas and electricity
The European Commission has sent 35 separate requests to 20 EU member states to implement and apply in full various aspects of EU legislation to create a single market for gas and electricity.
EU urges UK to strengthen data protection
The European Commission has requested the UK to strengthen the powers of its data protection authority so that it complies with the EU's Data Protection Directive.
More people struggling to make ends meet
One European in six reports a constant struggle to pay household bills and three quarters believe that poverty has increased in their country over the past year. These are the key results from a new Eurobarometer survey on social impacts of the crisis, presented by the EU Commission on 22 June.
Erasmus reports record numbers of students
More students than ever went abroad for studies and company placements with EU support through the Erasmus programme in 2008/09. According to new figures released on 21 June, almost 200 000 higher education students received grants to study or train abroad.
Progress of policies in Greece
Staff teams from the European Commission (EC), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) visited Athens during 14-17 June to follow up on recent developments and implementation of policies under the economic programme for Greece.
Parliament sets up committee for EU budget reform
MEPs decided on 17 June to create a special committee to prepare for the EU's next long-term budgetary framework. Starting in July 2010, this committee will work out Parliament's budget priorities and propose how the EU budget should be financed in future.
Estonia’s euro currency bid gets green light
Estonia's bid to join the Euro was backed by the European Parliament on 16 June with 589 votes in favour, 40 against and 52 abstentions.
Euro area employment stable
The number of persons employed in the euro area was stable in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the previous quarter, according to national accounts estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
New indicators to come out of the crisis
The Spanish Presidency of the EU organised a ministerial meeting in Madrid on 14 June on Information Society Policies and Metrics, with the aim of reinforcing resources devoted to this area by EU governments and international agencies.
EU27 current account deficit €23.4bn
The first estimate for the first quarter of 2010 reveals a €13.2bn surplus on trade in services.
Sustainable living and civil society
On 14-15 June 2010, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), is to organise a conference on sustainable cities in Bordeaux to discuss ideas and best practices for creating sustainable cities.
Food security in the face of climate change
Twelve top scientists are meeting in Paris to prepare a European–level work programme to coordinate nationally funded research aimed at securing a safe and sustainable food supply.
World Cup fever in the European Commission
Ahead of the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, President Barroso, Commissioner Vassiliou and Commissioner Piebalgs have conveyed their best wishes for a successful World Cup.
Smarter and greener transport innovations
Some of the most innovative and exciting transport research projects funded by the EU are being showcased at the Transport Research Arena (TRA) in Brussels in the week of 7-11 June.
SEPA Council meets for the first time
On 7 June 2010 the recently created SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) Council met for the first time, taking a major step forward in strengthening the governance of the SEPA project at European level.
Social crisis vs banking crisis
Europe's financial and economic crisis is increasingly becoming a social crisis too, and is testing European solidarity to the limit.
Rules for the derivatives market
Proposed EU rules on derivatives trading must be made clearer and tougher, so as to reduce speculative trading and ensure that as many derivatives as possible are traded through open channels that are subject to standards, said the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in a resolution approved on 2 June.
Online piracy: harmonising copyright in Europe
Breaches of intellectual property rights (IPR) on the internet are a growing problem for the economy and require a response at EU level, including the removal of barriers to a single digital market by granting EU-wide copyright licences, according to members of the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee.
European Chambers discuss EU financial framework
On 1 June, EUROCHAMBRES exchanged views with Janusz Lewandowski, European Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, on the new EU financial regulation, the EU budget 2011 and the financial perspectives 2014-2020.
EU demands removal of protectionist trade barriers
Almost 280 trade restrictive measures have been put in place by the European Union's major trade partners during the economic crisis over the last 18 months according to a new report by the European Commission.
Facilitating business transfer could save jobs
Presenting the findings of the project "A Helping Hand for SMEs” at the closing conference of SME Week in Madrid, EUROCHAMBRES argued that 2.8 million European jobs could be secured if the transfer of businesses from one owner to another were adequately supported.
The outermost regions at the heart of Europe
On 27-28 May, the European Commission is organising the first Forum for Outermost Europe in partnership with the Spanish Presidency of the European Union.
Growth rising, risks increasing, says OECD
Economic activity in OECD countries is picking up faster than expected but volatile sovereign debt markets and overheating in emerging-market economies are presenting increasing risks to the recovery, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook.
How can Asia lead the world?
The World Economic Forum has launched the Davos Debates in East Asia to coincide with the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from 6-7 June 2010.
The meeting is under the theme: ‘Rethinking Asia's Leadership Agenda’.
New wheat with more health power
Wholegrain bread and other wheat products are full of components that are good for our health. But new EU-funded research shows that the amount of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals that can be sourced from wheat, varies substantially from one variety of wheat to the next.
Reduced chemicals fees for SMEs
The Commission is taking further measures to ease the implementation of the new EU regulations on chemicals for SMEs and reduce costs.
Euro hits four-year low
The Euro has hit a four year low against the dollar following renewed fears over the strength of the Eurozone economies, with some experts predicting further falls and that it could even attain parity with the dollar.
UK coalition government: the business reaction
Chris Plant, spokespearon for the Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce (SSCCI), comments on the creation of a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government.
Coalition government for the UK
The Conservative party under Prime Minister David Cameron, and the smaller Liberal Democrats under Nick Clegg, are forming the first coalition government in the UK since 1945.
UK hung parliament unsettles international market
Early election results on 7 May show that the Conservatives look set to become the largest party in parliament. But after what is deemed the closest election in 30 years, the UK has a hung parliament without a clear majority.
MEPs demand better cancer detection
With more than 3 million new cases and 1.7 million deaths each year, cancer is the second biggest cause of death in Europe. But one third of cancer cases could be prevented.
European Institutions to establish climate change fund
Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) will establish a joint climate change fund.
260,000 asylum applicants registered in 2009
In 2009, there were nearly 261,000 asylum applicants registered in the EU27, or 520 applicants per million inhabitants.
500 cities pledge to reduce CO2
More than 500 European mayors will commit on 5 May to cut CO2 emissions by more than 20% by 2020.
EU opens office in the US
On 29 April, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has formally opened the European Parliament's new Liaison Office with the US Congress, designed to help forge closer links between European parliamentarians and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
EU accused of lack of transparency
The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has called on the EU administration to become more transparent and citizen-friendly.
Trade flows keep up recovery
Merchandise trade volumes continued to grow in the fourth quarter of 2009 in the G7 countries, albeit at a slower pace than in the third quarter.
Visa Europe to cut interbank fees for debit cards
European Competition Commissioner Joaquín Almunia welcomes proposed commitments by Visa Europe to significantly cut its multilateral interchange fees (MIFs) for debit card payments.
Record number of new drugs reported in 2009
A record number of new drugs was officially reported in 2009 on new psychoactive substances via the EU early-warning system (EWS). This is according to the EMCDDA–Europol 2009 annual report on the implementation of the three-step legal instrument through which Europe monitors and acts on new substances.
ECB to tackle asset-backed securities
Eurosystem has launched preparatory work on the establishment of loan-level information requirements for ABSs in its collateral framework.
High level qualification jobs to increase
The EU Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, said that ‘new skill for new jobs’ is key for preparing the economy for the post-crisis economy.
EU uges new Cypriot leader to continue settlement talks
In a statement by EU Commission and EU, the new Northern Cypriot president is urged to follow his predecessor's efforts towards settlement and reunification.
Economies at risk of ‘jobless recovery’
OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría addressed the challenges facing the global economy and concerns over a ‘jobless recovery’ and persistently high unemployment.
Volcano situation ‘continuously improving’
According to a statement by NATS, the UK air navigation service, the volcanic eruption has reduced and the volcano is not currently emitting ash to altitudes that will affect the UK.
Car registrations up 9.2% in first quarter
In March, new car registrations in the EU member states were 10.8% higher than in the same month of 2009. Over the first quarter of 2010, registrations rose by 9.2% compared to the first three months of last year.
Employers call on EU for proactive enterprise policy
The EESC's Employers' Group called on the European Union to build up a more proactive enterprise policy in Europe in response to the financial and economic crisis.
EU transport ministers hold emergency meeting
The EU tries to coordinate a common response to the closure of European airports as passengers wait for flights to resume.
Learning the lessons from Greece
After Eurozone Finance Ministers agreed measures to address Greece’s financial woes on 11 April, MEPs quizzed leading economic figures, including the chairman of Goldman Sachs on how to strengthen EU economic governance and improve reporting of national statistics.
Continuing growth in development aid
New OECD figures show continuing growth in development aid in 2009, despite the financial crisis. The report also shows that most donors will meet 2010 aid targets.
EU Commission organises SME Finance Forum
The European Commission is organising a high-level conference, the SME Finance Forum, with SMEs, banks and other financial institutions, on how to address the current challenges in access to finance for SMEs
OECD revises treaty to combat tax evasion
The OECD and the Council of Europe have agreed on an update to an international treaty that aims to help governments enforce their tax laws, as part of the worldwide drive to combat cross-border tax evasion.
MEPs discuss EU tax on financial transactions
In a plenary session at the end of March, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) called on the European Commission to explore the impact of a possible financial transaction tax.
EIB supports Russia’s power generation sector
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €250m to Russian company Enel OGK-5 to finance the upgrading of a gas fired power plant located in Nevinnomyssk, South Russia. The loan will contribute to energy efficiency and emission reduction.
Innovation is key for Germany
Innovation, education and more competition in the domestic market would help Germany emerge from the economic crisis with a stronger and more balanced economy, according to the OECD.
European businesses must recruit first employee
The majority of European businesses are ‘one-person-enterprises’ (OPEs), i.e. businesses that do not employ regular staff, according the European Commission.
EU foreign ministers concerned over Iran
European Union foreign ministers have expressed ‘grave concern’ over measures taken by the Iranian authorities to prevent its citizens from freely communicating and receiving information through TV, radio satellite broadcasting and the internet.
EU rules on food labelling
Food labels should give information on energy content and nutritional value, but they must not mislead, said Members of the European Parliament Environment Committee.
EU Council talks biodiversity
The Council set a new EU target for the protection of biodiversity in 2020.
