EU Police Mission in Afghanistan

The European Union is launching a three-year EU Police Mission to Afghanistan this month to help build a more effective Afghan police force.  EU police, law enforcement, and justice experts will monitor, mentor, train, and advise Afghanis on police operations at the national, regional, and provincial levels as part of broader international support for the Afghan government's police reform efforts. MORE

EU-U.S. FDI Sharply Increases in 2006

Flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) between the European Union and the United States increased sharply during 2006, according to new EU figures.  In 2006, the EU invested 71 billion euros in the U.S., compared to 37 billion in 2005. American FDI in Europe jumped from 19 billion euros in 2005 to 48 billion euros last year. MORE

East European High-Speed Rail Line Opens to Passengers

On June 10, the first passengers boarded the inaugural section of the new East European high-speed rail line, which will ultimately carry travelers at speeds up to 200 miles per hour from Paris to Bratislava, Slovakia.  The railway, which received over 240 million euros in EU support, is the first interoperable line between France and Germany and is the world's fastest rail line. MORE

Five EU Nations Join Electricity Markets

Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands have agreed to "couple" their electricity markets, setting the stage for closer energy links across the continent. “Regional markets are a positive step towards the creation of single European energy market, [which] will bring lower prices for consumers, increased security of supply, and investment," said EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. MORE

Counterfeiting: EU Customs Seizures Rise Dramatically

EU customs agencies confiscated more than 250 million counterfeit goods in 2006, a dramatic increase over 2005. The number of seizures rose almost 40 percent, reaching 37,000 last year. China remained the principal source of counterfeit goods, accounting for over 80 percent of all seizures. More than 60 percent of seized articles were cigarettes while seizures of other goods more than doubled in 2006. MORE

New European Chemicals Law Takes Effect

The EU's new chemicals law—Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restrictions of Chemicals, or REACH—officially entered into force on June 1, signalling also the start-up of the European Chemicals Agency in Helsinki, which will implement the new law.  REACH will significantly improve protection of human health and the environment while encouraging innovation and keeping the EU's chemical industry competitive.  "[REACH] is the most progressive chemicals legislation in the world," said EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. MORE

Plans to Boost EU Organ Donations and Transplants

The European Commission has proposed to increase the quality and safety of organ donation and transplantation in the EU, setting out plans to increase organ availability by creating transplant coordinators in hospitals, expanding the use of living donors, and promoting cooperation between EU Member States. The Commission would also raise public awareness through the creation of a European organ donor card and other measures. MORE

EU-Brazil: New Strategic Partnership

The European Commission has proposed to launch a Strategic Partnership with Brazil at the first EU-Brazil Summit in July, highlighting the increasing role Brazil plays on the international stage, its regional clout, and the strong bilateral ties the country has with the EU.  The Commission proposes to cooperate closely on global challenges such as tackling poverty and inequality, environmental issues (particularly climate change, forests, water management and biodiversity), and energy.  The partners would also enhance stability and prosperity in Latin America and work together to conclude the EU-Mercosur agreement. MORE

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