Portugal Assumes EU Presidency

Portugal stepped into the "rotating" Presidency of the European Union on July 1.  Over the next six months the Portuguese Presidency will focus on EU economic growth; enlargement of the border-free "Schengen area" in Europe; strengthening the EU's role in the world, especially Africa through an active dialogue of policy, trade, aid, and development; continued work in the Balkans on reforms for possible EU membership and efforts to resolve the final status of Kosovo; and the negotiation of a Reform Treaty for the EU on the basis of broad agreements reached under the EU's German Presidency. MORE

Historic EU-Brazil Summit in Lisbon Breaks New Ground

Citing "close historical, cultural and economic ties" and committing themselves to concluding the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement, the EU and Brazil launched a comprehensive strategic partnership at their first-ever bilateral Summit, held on July 4.  The Summit's Joint Statement set out other points of agreement and commonality: "Both sides share fundamental values and principles such as democracy, rule of law, promotion of human rights and basic freedoms and a market-based economy. Both sides agree on the need to identify and promote common strategies to tackle global challenges, including in peace and security issues, democracy and human rights, climate change, biodiversity, energy security and sustainable development, [and the] fight against poverty and exclusion." MORE

European Research Fights Hearing and Vision Loss

Two EU-funded research projects have identified several genes and mutations that lead to blindness and deafness, laying the groundwork to investigate possible therapies. Over the last seven years, the EU has dedicated more than 37 million euros into research in the area, addressing the needs of many millions in Europe and around the world suffering from impairment of hearing and sight. MORE

EU Joins World Customs Organization

As of July 1, the European Commission enjoys full membership in the World Customs Organization (WCO), underscoring the important role played by the EU in customs policy and international customs cooperation.  WCO membership will strengthen the EU's ability to implement a modern customs policy combining border control with trade facilitation and development. One of the earliest achievements of European integration was the Customs Union, which made possible the free movement of goods across national lines within the EU. MORE

EU-Serbia SAA Negotiations Resume

Following improvements in Serbia's cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, the EU and Serbia have resumed negotiations on a Stabilization and Association Agreement to govern bilateral relations, including trade and development assistance and wide-ranging cooperation in policy areas such as environment, agriculture, energy and transportation.  European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said, "I commend the Serbian government for the actions it has taken to meet the conditions for resuming the talks. The SAA will bring concrete trade and economic benefits for Serbia. It is a key step for Serbia on its path to the EU." MORE

Europeans More Optimistic About EU

According to the most recent "Eurobarometer" survey, EU public opinion has grown more favorable towards the European Union and its institutions since last fall.  Other findings: 49% of Europeans support further EU enlargement while 39% do not.  A majority of Europeans (52%) feel confident about the economic situation in their individual countries and 88% consider global warming an issue the EU should be dealing with urgently. MORE

President Barroso Observes Global Warming Effects in Greenland

Witnessing the dramatic melting of glaciers in Greenland, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso noted that Greenland was on the front line of a global struggle against climate change. "We literally risk a meltdown if we do not act now, not just for Greenland but for Europe and the world," he said.  While in Greenland, residents in the community of Ilulissat informed President Barroso of the day-to-day consequences of climate change.  The President also visited a research vessel that collects scientific evidence of climate change effects in the polar region. MORE

50 Years of the European Social Fund

2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the European Social Fund (ESF), the main EU financial instrument to help citizens, including the most vulnerable in society, enhance their education, skills, and employment prospects.  Noting that the ESF represents 10% of today's EU budget, EU Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimír Spidla said, "Boosting jobs and growth is one of the areas that matters most to people in Europe and today the ESF is more important than ever before in achieving just that." MORE

EU Seeks to Boost Algerian Gas in Europe

Algerian gas supplies to the EU could increase by 23.5 billion cubic meters per year by 2010 with the completion of several infrastructure projects currently in progress, noted EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs following a meeting with his Algerian counterpart at the recent EU-OPEC Summit. The EU is working to strengthen cooperation with Europe's traditional energy suppliers, such as Algeria, the third largest provider of natural gas to the EU.  The European Commission and Algeria also agreed to eliminate territorial restrictions and other anti-competitive clauses in certain Algerian gas supply contracts. MORE

Corporate Governance: EU Strengthens Shareholder Rights

A new EU law will enable shareholders in publicly-traded companies throughout the European Union to exercise their rights more effectively and hold management accountable for their actions and decisions.  The EU Directive will ensure that shareholders have timely access to relevant information before meetings, enable them to vote easily in absentia, and provide additional protections.  "This is good news for all shareholders, for the integration of EU financial markets and for the economy as a whole," said EU Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy. MORE

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