EUROPA - Newsroom - Stories

Commission fires starting gun on European Citizens' Initiatives

30/03/2012 - Justice and citizens rights

1 April 2012 marks the launch of European Citizens' Initiatives. From that day, a million citizens from across Europe can come together on an issue that is important to them, and ask the Commission to do something about it. |VIDEO|

European Commission seeks public input on a modern system of European insolvency law

30/03/2012 - Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission launched a public consultation on modernising EU rules governing insolvencies. The results of the consultation will help determine whether and how the existing Regulation needs to be revised in order to bolster businesses and strengthen the EU's Single Market.

March 2012: Business and consumer surveys

29/03/2012 - Business / Economy, finance, tax and competition

The Economic Sentiment Indicator decreased by 0.8 points in the EU and by a marginal 0.1 points in the euro area, to 93.2 and 94.4, respectively. The Business Climate Indicator for the euro area decreased by 0.14 points to -0.30.

Clamping down on the derivatives trade

29/03/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

Legislation to make trade over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives safer and more transparent was adopted by Parliament. Derivatives' trading is widely believed to have contributed to the global financial crisis. |VIDEO|

Road safety: Progress in cutting EU road deaths falls to 2% in 2011

29/03/2012 - Transport and travel

Progress in cutting road fatalities significantly slowed last year (to -2%) compared with a very promising EU-wide reduction throughout the last decade (on average -6%), according to new figures published by the European Commission.

An EU Cybercrime Centre to fight online criminals and protect e-consumers

28/03/2012 - Justice and citizens rights / Science and technology

It is estimated that, worldwide, more than one million people become victims of cybercrime every day.The European Commission proposed to establish a European Cybercrime Centre to help protect European citizens and businesses against these mounting cyber-threats. |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

Mobile roaming: MEPs win deal with Council to lower price caps

28/03/2012 - Science and technology

Data roaming and phone calls abroad should be much cheaper this summer thanks to a deal provisionally agreed by MEPs and the Danish Presidency of the Council of Ministers on Tuesday evening.

Small enterprises: shift to green economy underway, but not at full speed yet

27/03/2012 - Business

According to the Eurobarometer survey on "SMEs, resource efficiency and green markets", 37% of EU SMEs have at least one full or part-time green employee.

State aid: overview of decisions and on-going in-depth investigations in the context of the financial crisis

27/03/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

In 2008/2009, the Commission adopted a temporary State aid framework to enable Member States to deal with financial problems in systemic banks, as well as support access to finance for real economy firms.

Financial framework 2014-2020: first discussion on the negotiating box

26/03/2012 - Institutional affairs

The discussions on the European Union's budget framework for 2014-2020 (the Multiannual Financial Framework, MFF) have entered a new phase: at its meeting on 26 March 2012 the General Affairs Council for the first time discussed the "negotiating box" that contains the most central issues and options. |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

E-Skills Week 2012 - Computer skills in the EU27 in figures

26/03/2012 - Science and technology / Statistics

On the occasion of the e-skills week, which will take place from 26-30 March 2012, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes data on university graduates in computing and computer skills of individuals.

Environment: Commission proposes tighter laws on ship breaking

23/03/2012 - Environment, consumers and health

The European Commission proposed new rules to ensure that European ships are only recycled in facilities that are safe for workers and environmentally sound. |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

More information on the ship dismantling

The financial transaction tax will reduce Member States' GNI contributions to the EU budget by 50%

23/03/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

If adopted as a new own resource of the EU budget the financial transaction tax (FTT) will significantly reduce the contributions of member states to the EU budget. |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

Baltic Sea Strategy steps up co operation

23/03/2012 - Regions and local development

The aim of the Strategy is to increase the impact of EU funds to reach common goals, such as the improvement of water quality in the entire region. The Communication sets three new focuses for co operation: "Save the Sea", "Connect the Region" and "Increase Prosperity".

More information on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

Global goal to increase the number of people with access to drinking water achieved ahead of time; 32 million people benefited from EU actions on water

09/03/2012

Overall, European action has already helped more than 32 million people to gain access to improved water supply and 9 million to sanitation facilities.