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Special coverage
The economic crisis – The EU’s response
The European Union is responding to the global economic crisis through actions on different levels.
Fast facts, background information, progress and more in depth information on main EU issues
Stories - April 2012
Fair trial rights: European Commission proposal giving citizens the right to information in criminal proceedings to become law
27/04/2012 - Justice and citizens rights
EU Justice Ministers adopted a new law that the European Commission had proposed to ensure defendants' right to information during criminal proceedings. Under the 'Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings', suspects of a criminal offence will be informed of their rights in a language they understand.
Report on the results of the survey on the access to finance of SMEs in the euro area – October 2011 to March 2012
27/04/2012 - Business
According to the survey results, euro area SMEs’ external financing needs increased between October 2011 and March 2012. At the same time, the survey results show that access to bank loans continued to deteriorate; on balance, firms reported a worsening in the availability of bank loans.
Constructive debate on direct payments for farmers
27/04/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food
At their meeting on 26 April, agriculture ministers discussed the reform of payments for farmers, which make up a considerable part of the EU's expenditure. The debate is part of the broader discussion on the reform of the EU's common agricultural policy.
April 2012: Business and consumer surveys
26/04/2012 - Business / Economy, finance, tax and competition
The Economic Sentiment Indicator remained stable in April in the EU at 93.2. In the euro area it decreased significantly by 1.7 points (to 92.8). The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased by 0.24 points to -0.52.
Infringement decisions: monthly package
26/04/2012 - Institutional affairs
The Commission has taken 185 decisions, including 38 reasoned opinions and 5 referrals to the European Union's Court of Justice.
Post-crisis policy measures in the financial sector give way to longer-term growth goals Commission report finds
26/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition
"We all know that 2011 was a difficult year for Europe," said Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier. "The report's careful analysis of past and current challenges is a solid basis for continuing our reform programme and shaping future policies."
Draft Budget 2013: Investing in growth and jobs
25/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs
The EU's draft budget for 2013, presented by the Commission, reflects the European Council's statements that growth and employment in the EU can only be achieved by combining fiscal consolidation and investment into future growth.
State aid: Commission adopts de minimis Regulation for services of general economic interest (SGEI)
25/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition
The European Commission has adopted a Regulation that exempts from EU state aid rules aid of up to € 500 000 per company over a three-year period that is granted as compensation for the provision of services of general economic interest (SGEI).
Financial framework 2014-2020: discussion on agriculture and cohesion policies
24/04/2012 - Institutional affairs
The negotiations on the multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2014-2020 at the General Affairs Council focused on future expenditure on the cohesion policy and the common agricultural policy – the two policies that together make up around 70 per cent of the Union's budget.
Council strengthens EU sanctions against Syrian regime 
23/04/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The Council decided to adopt restrictive measures on the export to Syria of additional equipment, goods and technology that can be used for internal repression or for making and maintaining such products. It also agreed to ban the sales of luxury goods from the EU to Syria.
10 things we learned in the April plenary
20/04/2012 - Institutional affairs
This week in Strasbourg the EP adopted the new PNR agreement on sharing EU air passengers' data with US authorities. EP President Martin Schulz welcomed twelve Croatian observers and King Abdullah II of Jordan talked about the opportunities created by the Arab Spring in a speech to MEPs. Once again, MEPs debated with Commission President Barroso about how to tackle the economic crisis.
Parliament deplores Argentina's decision to expropriate YPF
20/04/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs
The European Commission should use all appropriate dispute settlement tools available at the WTO and G20 to respond to Argentina's "unilateral and arbitrary" decision to expropriate the YPF energy company, says a resolution adopted by Parliament.
Parliament gives green light to air passenger data deal with the US
19/04/2012 - Justice and citizens rights
A new agreement on the transfer of EU air passengers' personal data to the US authorities was approved by the European Parliament. The deal sets legal conditions and covers issues such as storage periods, use, data protection safeguards and administrative and judicial redress.
MEPs back risk-sharing with private sector to restart stalled cohesion projects
19/04/2012 - Regions and local development
Stalled regional development projects in crisis-hit countries could be kick-started by sharing their investment risks between private and public investors, under plans voted by the MEPs.
Commission presents new measures and identifies key opportunities for EU job-rich recovery
18/04/2012 - Employment and social rights
The proposal focuses on the demand-side of job creation, setting out ways for Member States to encourage hiring by reducing taxes on labour or supporting business start-ups more.
Growth for Greece: Commission points the way to unlock growth and create jobs
18/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Employment and social rights
In a new Communication the Commission highlights the steps that need to be taken during 2012, as part of the programme and explains the huge range of support measures that it can mobilise to help Greece begin to generate new economic dynamism, job creation and social cohesion.
From austerity to growth: MEPs debate about the way out of the economic crisis
18/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition
Once more a debate with Commission president José Manuel Barroso was dominated by talk about the pressing need for measures to promote growth and cut disastrous levels of unemployment in the crisis-stricken euro zone countries.
Euro area annual inflation stable at 2.7% - EU stable at 2.9%
17/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Statistics
Euro area annual inflation was 2.7% in March 2012, unchanged compared with February. A year earlier the rate was 2.7%. Monthly inflation was 1.3% in March 2012. EU annual inflation was 2.9% in March 2012, unchanged compared with February. A year earlier the rate was 3.1%. Monthly inflation was 1.1% in March 2012.
"Energising Development": Commission's new initiative to help achieve energy access for all by 2030
16/04/2012 - Energy and natural resources
The Commission's proposals include a new EU Technical Assistance Facility worth €50 million over the next two years, which will support those developing partners that "opt in" to the initiative by providing EU expertise in the field; thereby promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth.
New partnership between EU and UN Women to enhance gender equality worldwide
16/04/2012 - Justice and citizens rights
The new Memorandum of Understanding signed on the margin of the EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit in Brussels, reaffirms the partnership between the two organisations to support gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world and ensures closer collaboration; sharing information, expertise and analysis in order to effectively advance women’s rights.
Environment: Getting gold from garbage – how some Member States are making waste a resource
16/04/2012 - Environment, consumers and health
How have the best performers turned waste from a problem into a resource? A new report from the European Commission explains that it is by combining economic instruments.
European Commission makes fundamental rights a reality for citizens
16/04/2012 - Justice and citizens rights
The European Commission's second annual report on the Charter finds that fundamental rights concerns are increasingly embedded in EU policy-making.
Entrepreneurship education on the increase
13/04/2012 - Business / Culture, education and youth
Entrepreneurship education is being increasingly promoted in most European countries, according to a new report published by the European Commission. Half of European countries are engaged in a process of educational reforms which include the strengthening of entrepreneurship education.
Survey shows that nine out of ten Europeans think the EU should support developing countries in energy access
12/04/2012 - Energy and natural resources / Statistics
The Flash Eurobarometer survey comes shortly ahead of the EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit in Brussels on the 16th April, which will bring together the EU, UN and developing countries with industry, civil society and the private sector.
Anti-Money Laundering: creating a modern EU framework capable of responding to new threats
11/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition
Without effective rules to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the soundness, integrity and stability of the financial system could be seriously compromised. In light of the recent adoption of revised international standards and of the Commission's own review process, a report on the application of the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive was adopted by the Commission today.
Update on ACTA's referral to the European Court of Justice
04/04/2012 - Justice and citizens rights
The European Commission has taken the next step in the important process of referring the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). By agreeing on the legal submission to be put before the ECJ, the Commission aims to respond to the wide-ranging concerns voiced by people across Europe on what ACTA is about and whether it harms fundamental rights in any way.
Commission slashes unnecessary burden for registering a car in another Member State
04/04/2012 - Business
Each year, EU citizens and companies have to move some 3.5 million vehicles to another Member State. It takes on average 5 weeks to complete the procedure and the cost is estimated at €400 for citizen and for businesses. This is why the European Commission is acting to dramatically reduce this unnecessary administrative burden.
The European Commission updates the European safety list of airlines subject to an operating ban
03/04/2012 - Transport and travel
The European Commission has adopted the 19th update of the European list of air carriers which are for safety reasons subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. Conviasa, an air carrier certified in Venezuela, was added to the list due to safety concerns.
Commission to examine tax measures for cross-border workers
02/04/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Employment and social rights
Member States' tax provisions are to be scrutinised to ensure that they do not discriminate against cross-border workers, in a targeted initiative launched by the Commission. It is estimated that more than 1.2 million people work cross-border in the EU.