Commissioner McCreevy: Keep Markets Open

In a speech earlier this month, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy, emphasized the need to resist protectionist tendencies in times of change and uncertainty. It is essential that the EU works to keep markets open.

"We need an open Europe – open to each other but also open to the rest of the world," said Commissioner McCreevy. "A Europe which is confident enough to promote its values, its traditions, its interests, and its rules. A Europe which is a reliable partner in the world."

Commissioner McCreevy is visiting New York City and Washington, D.C., this week to meet with the business community and with Members of Congress. Commissioner McCreevy will also receive the 2008 Atlantic Leadership Award from the European-American Business Council together with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox.

EU Strategy for Trade and Development

The latest EU Focus published by the Washington Delegation of the European Commission explores how the European Union uses an effective combination of trade and aid to support development goals.

The EU has a long history of preferential aid and trade relations with developing countries, particularly in Africa. Using the potent mix of generous grant aid, technical assistance, and innovative trade instruments over the years, the EU has helped many of the world's poorest countries achieve sufficient economic transformation to lift their populations out of poverty.

European Commission Agrees on Far-Reaching Renewable Energy and Climate Change Package

The European Commission last week presented a comprehensive and far-reaching package of proposals to fight climate change and promote renewable energy. The ambitious measures will cut the emission of greenhouse gases 20% by 2020 by dramatically increasing the use of renewable energy and setting legally enforceable targets for governments and enterprises to achieve them. All major CO2 emitters will be given incentives to develop clean production technologies through a thorough reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) that will impose an EU-wide cap on emissions.

"Responding to the challenge of climate change is the ultimate political test for our generation," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. "Our mission, indeed our duty, is to provide the right policy framework for transformation to an environment-friendly European economy and to continue to lead the international action to protect our planet. Our package not only responds to this challenge, but holds the right answer to the challenge of energy security and is an opportunity that should create thousands of new businesses and millions of jobs in Europe. We must grasp that opportunity."

EU Launches Chad Peacekeeping Force

EU foreign ministers on January 28 approved a 3,500-strong peacekeeping force, which will work to protect refugees from Darfur, ease the delivery of humanitarian aid, and ensure the free movement of aid workers.

"In conducting this operation the EU is stepping up its long-standing action in support of efforts to tackle the crisis in Darfur and to address its regional ramifications," the foreign ministers said in a statement.

The European Union plays a growing international peacekeeping role and is currently providing peacekeepers and police support to the Western Balkans, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Darfur, and the Palestinian Territories.

EU Calls for Clearer Food Labels

Under new rules proposed by the European Commission on January 30, all pre-packaged food in the 27 Member States of the EU will have to carry clearer nutritional information on the front of the package. Labels will provide information on the energy, fat, carbohydrate, sugar, and salt content of the food as well as recommended daily allowances and any allergen warnings. Allergen labeling will also cover non-pre-packaged foods sold in restaurants.

"Food labels can have a huge influence on consumers' purchasing decisions," said EU Commissioner for Health, Markos Kyprianou. "Confusing, overloaded or misleading labels can be more of a hindrance than a help to the consumer. Today's proposal aims to ensure that food labels carry the essential information in a clear and legible way, so that EU citizens are empowered to make balanced dietary choices."

Sustainable Energy Week

The second EU Sustainable Energy Week started this week. It is the world's largest open forum on sustainable energy bringing together stakeholders on a local, regional, national, and European level to debate strategies for a more sustainable future in terms of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, clean transport, and alternative fuels. In Brussels and other cities across Europe, 80 events are organized by more than 100 key industry and social players.

"Today it is clear to everyone that energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy sources are the main response to climate change and alleviate the risks of Europe's energy import dependency," said European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs. "But we can be successful in tackling climate change only when we manage to bring together all stakeholders and increase real citizen participation - this is what Sustainable Energy Week is all about."

EU NewsBrief is an electronic publication issued regularly by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. To receive updates on specific issue areas, click on this link.