European Commission lays down strategic and financial foundations for growth

The European Commission adopted on 12 April, a new three year plan for 2005 to 2008 to improve European economic governance by focusing on core growth and job-creating measures, whilst simplifying and reducing the number of guidelines.

The ‘Integrated Guidelines Package’ is concerned with macro and micro-economic and employment issues, and has three broad policy concerns: 1) Making Europe a better place to invest and work in by extending and deepening the internal market; ensuring open and competitive markets; improving regulation at both European and national level; and developing European infrastructure. 2) Developing knowledge and innovation to drive growth, with more research and development investment, steps to improve use of information technologies and to conserve resources, whilst maintaining and improving Europe’s industrial base. 3) Creating more and better jobs by encouraging more people into employment and modernising social protection systems, better training and skills development, and encouraging flexibility throughout the workforce and business environment.

Behind the launch of the new guidelines package lies the need to reinvigorate the Lisbon Strategy. In this respect, the completion of the European Commission’s proposals for the EU’s Financial Framework 2007-2013 is also fundamental. This framework will determine the EU’s annual budgets for the final years of the first decade of the twenty-first century and will provide frontline support to the Union’s policy goals. A budget of EUR 1025 billion is thus envisaged for the 2007-2013 period. This covers agricultural spending (EUR 405 billion, including a substantial environmental protection element), and an allocation of EUR 339 billion to promote cohesion for growth and employment – in other words money disbursed to the Member States through Structural and Cohesion Funds and other regional convergence measures.

In addition, the European Commission proposes significant funds for centrally managed research programmes (the 7th Framework Programme – EUR 68 billion), transport and energy (EUR 21 billion) and education and training (EUR 12 billion). Other priorities and new innovations include: a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, supporting the capacity of business to grow and innovate through better information and environmental technologies; programmes dealing with justice and security, including solidarity and management of migration flows, crime prevention and security against terrorism; health and consumer protection actions, designed to help Europe fight infectious diseases and improve cooperation between Member States

Member States have agreed the principles of the EU’s strategy as outlined in the Integrated Guidelines Package. They must now negotiate over the details of the budget proposal.

The full text of the integrated guidelines can be found at: http://www.europa.eu.int/growthandjobs/pdf/COM2005_141_en.pdf

 

News from the institutions

On-line consultation on origin marking (“Made in”)

Currently, most products marketed in the European Community are not subject to the obligation of indicating the product’s country of origin. Since last year the Commission has explored the potential advantages of introducing a system to identify the origin of products imported into the European Union. An origin marking scheme would enable consumers to be aware of the country of origin of the products they purchase and thus to identify products with the social, environmental and safety standards associated with that country. This kind of information is a crucial part of a fair trade environment. Origin marking of imports could also help reduce product fraud and contribute to the competitiveness of European industries by safeguarding product identity. With these aims in mind, the Commission has recently launched an on-line consultation exercise into the possible development of an EU regulation on the “origin marking” of certain industrial products, particularly in the clothing, footwear and ceramics sectors. The consultation asks European consumers as well as producers to comment on current practices in this area. To take part in the consultation, visit: http://europa.eu.int/yourvoic e/forms/dispatch?userst at e=check ed&form =401&lang= EN&action=changelangformviewer

Warsaw to host headquarters of European Agency for the Management of the External Borders

At its meeting of 14 April 2005, the Justice and Home Affairs Council decided that the headquarters of the new European Agency for the Management of the External Borders will be located in Warsaw. Following a first consultative vote, Malta, Estonia and Slovenia withdrew their bids, whereas the Hungarian delegation first consulted its Government before conceding defeat. Polish Interior Minister Ryszard Kalisz stated that he was “extremely happy about the decision”, which will enable Warsaw to host a European agency for the first time. The mission of the European Agency for the Management of the External Borders, according to the relevant regulation adopted by the Council on 26 October 2004, is “to facilitate the application of existing and future Community measures concerning the management of the EU’s external borders by coordinating Member States’ actions to implement those measures”. Mr Kalisz said the new Agency would be operational in the second half of May, probably towards the end of the month. The exact place where the Agency will be located has not yet been decided, but the Palace of Culture and Sciences, a huge building inherited from the Stalinist period, is a possible candidate. Member States still have to agree on the appointment of a director for the Agency. For additional information, visit: http://www.gouvernement.lu/salle_presse/commu niques/2005/04/14varsovie/

Council Presidency “order of rotation” from now to 2020

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union plays an essential role in organising the work of the institution, particularly in promoting legislative and political decisions. It is responsible for organising and chairing all meetings, including the many working groups, and for brokering compromises. The Council is presided over for a period of six months (from January to June, and from July to December) by each Member State in turn, in accordance with a pre-established rota. Thus, the current presidency, held by Luxembourg, will be replaced in June by the British Presidency, which will in turn complete its term of office in December 2005. Between January 2006 and June 2020, the Council Presidency will adhere to the following half-yearly rotation order: Austria and Finland (January-June / July-December 2006 respectively); Germany and Portugal (2007); Slovenia and France (2008), Czech Republic and Sweden (2009); Spain and Belgium (2010); Hungary and Poland (2011); Denmark and Cyprus (2012); Ireland and Lithuania (2013); Greece and Italy (2014); Latvia and Luxembourg (2015), Netherlands and Slovenia (2016); Malta and the United Kingdom (2017); Estonia and Bulgaria (2018); Austria and Romania (2019); and Finland (January-June 2020). For more information, visit: http://www.consilium.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?lang=en&id=242&mode=g&name=

 

 

News from the networks

European Constitution is “an important but limited step forward,” says EAPN

The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) has stated in a press release that the European Constitution is “an important but limited step forward” in terms of protecting social rights and combating poverty and social exclusion. EAPN highlights the following weaknesses in the proposed Constitution: the “refusal to name poverty in the EU, or to make its eradication an objective of the Union”; the lack of a chapter on social inclusion, along the lines of the chapter on employment policy; the failure to extend qualified majority voting to social inclusion and anti-discrimination policies; and the fact that Article III-210-2 specifically excludes the fight against social exclusion from the areas where “framework laws may establish minimum requirements for gradual implementation”. EAPN also says it is questionable whether the article on “services of general economic interest” is “strong enough to resist the current neoliberal ideological and economic tide”. Among the Constitution’s major strengths, EAPN mentions the EU’s commitment to combating social exclusion; the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights; the inclusion of a new article which identifies the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health as key objectives of the EU; the protection of services of general economic interest; and progress in the field of gender equality. For more information, visit: http://www.eapn.org.

 

Funding opportunities

Interreg IIIB north-west Europe

The Interreg IIIB north-west Europe (NWE) programme has launched a limited call for proposals concerning its priorities 1 and 5 (« An attractive and coherent system of cities, towns and regions » and « Enhancing the maritime functions of NWE and promoting territorial integration across seas of NWE »). The deadline for sending the proposals is 4 October 2005. The total funding available is EUR 14.9 million. For more information,see: http://www.nweurope.org.

Life-long learning of foreign languages in Europe

The Directorate General for Education and Training has recently published an open call to promote the life-long learning of foreign languages in Europe by providing advice and information. The contract involves 3 lots: the main pedagogical principles underlying the teaching of languages to very young learners; the obstacles to the mobility of language teachers, including their own perceptions and attitudes; the effect on the European Union economy of shortages of foreign language skills in enterprise. Tenders can be submitted for some or all lots, provided that separate plans and budgets (10,000 euros for each bid) are provided. Deadline for submission is 31 May 2005. For more information, contact: European Commission, Directorate-General for Education and Culture, Office B7 10/13, Rue de Genève, 1, B-1049 Brussels, call for tender EAC/89/04.

 

Forthcoming events

26 and 27 May 2005, Maastricht (NL)

The European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) is organising a seminar on 26 and 27 May entitled: « Who’s Afraid of European Information? » designed to introduce the key information sources on the institutions, laws and policies of the European Union. Attention will be focused on the information implications of the evolving policy-making processes and the enlargement of the EU; and the increasing trend towards electronic dissemination of information. The event is aimed at those working in EU institutions, public authorities, information networks and stakeholder organisations, as well as « Eurowatchers » who need to find out what is happening in the European Union. The working language of the seminar will be English. Participation fee: 650 euros. The registrations must be completed before the 5 May. For more information, contact: Ms. Diane Urlings, Programme Organiser, T: +31 43 3296 280, F: +31 43 3296 296, e-mail: d.urlings@eipa-nl.com, website: http://www.eipa.nl

2-3 June 2005, Paris (FR)

On 2-3 June, the ASTER network (“Actrices Sociales des Territoires Européens Ruraux”), which aims to promote the exchange of knowledge and skills on women’s issues in rural areas, will be holding a seminar entitled “Penser l’économie autrement” (Rethinking the Economy). Participants in this two-day event will focus on the following themes: minimum pay; incentives for employment in relation to the RMI (“revenu minimum d'insertion” – social/occupational integration minimum income) and the RMA (“revenu minimum d’activité” – minimum employment income); the European Employment Strategy; the place of women in this context; the future of social policy in the EU; the reform of social security systems; the reform of pension systems; the Aubry laws on the ARTT (“aménagement et réduction du temps de travail” – organisation and reduction of working hours) and the calling into question of the ARTT, etc. For additional information, contact: ASTER, 107, rue d’Isle, 02100 Sain Quentin, T: +33 3 23 67 07 54, F: +33 3 23 64 79 54, e-mail: aster.aster @wanadoo.fr

 9-12 June 2005, Limoges (FR)

The third edition of “Projets en campagne” (Projects in rural areas”), a nation-wide event dedicated to the process of welcoming new inhabitants to rural areas, will take place in Limoges from 9 to 12 June. Jointly organised by the association “ Collectif Ville – Campagne”, the CNASEA (a public body attached to the French Ministry of Agriculture) and the Limousin region, the event will comprise a European conference of “host areas” and a Rural Relocation Fair. “Projets en campagne” will also be awarding “best welcome awards” as well as a “Top Prize” to honour the host areas that have been most active in welcoming new inhabitants and to highlight the best practices developed in rural areas. To find out more about the event, contact Collectif Ville Campagne-24 Avenue du Président Wilson-87700 Aixe-sur-Vienne, T: +33 5 55 70 47 00, F: +33 5 55 70 47 01, e-mail: collectifvc@wanadoo.fr, website: w ww.por ojets encampagne.com

 

Publications

From farm to fork – Safe food for Europe’s consumers 

The European Commission’s DG “Press and Communication” has produced a brochure entitled “From farm to fork – Safe food for Europe’s consumers”. Published as part of the “ Europe on the move” series, the new brochure aims to inform citizens about the wide range of EU regulations on food safety. In fact, the EU’s demanding rules have been further toughened since 2000 to ensure that Europeans’ food is extremely safe. The new approach is more integrated: feed and food are carefully tracked “from farm to fork”. The 23-page brochures explains, among other things, how EU authorities carefully evaluate risks and always seek the best possible scientific advice before banning or permitting any product, ingredient, additive or GMO. Available in 11 languages, the brochure can be downloaded from: http://europa.eu.int/comm/publications/booklets/move/46/en.pdf To receive the “ Europe on the move” publications regularly, subscribe on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/publications/subscribe/subscription_en.htm

Working conditions and gender in an enlarged Europe

The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has recently published a comparative study of working conditions for women in 10 central eastern European countries. The purpose of the report, entitled: “ Working conditions and gender in an enlarged Europe” is threefold: to bring together the findings of the national reports; to explore in greater detail the Foundation data in terms of comparison between its 2001 survey of the acceding and candidate countries and its 2000 survey of the EU15; and to use the national reports to evaluate the Foundation findings. The new study shows that the difference in working hours between women and men is much smaller in eight of the new EU Member States from central and eastern Europe than in the former EU 15 countries. It also suggests that women’s pay increases are not developing at the same rate as men’s despite the fact that women are as highly educated as men. This 88-page publication is free-of-charge and is available in English. To download a copy, click here: http://www.eurofound.eu.int/publications/files/EF04138EN.pdf

An on-line help-desk to promote exports from developing countries

The “Expanding Exports Helpdesk” is an online resource, provided by the European Commission, to facilitate access for exports from developing countries to markets in the European Union. The Helpdesk provides relevant practical and regulatory information required by developing country exporters interested in supplying the EU market. This free service helps developing country exporters to take full advantage of the EU’s preferential trade regimes available for developing countries, as well as to identify potential EU markets and find trading partners and contacts within the EU. The on-line service is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish on http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/global/development/thd_en.htm

 

 

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Responsible at Law: William Van Dingenen - Editor in Chief: Isabelle Mirambet - Editors: Monique Braem, Stephen Gardner, Wendy Jones, Eirini Nikolaïdou, Verónica Catediano.