Global climate effort ‘still inadequate’ as talks continue

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:42:05 +0000

Countries' pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions offer virtually no chance of halting global warming before it reaches dangerous levels, researchers said as negotiators gather in Bonn to continue climate talks next week.

Education targets 'won’t be a problem' for Czechs

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:22:17 +0000

Education, one of the five headline targets of the EU's 'Europe 2020' strategy, is not worrying the Czech Republic - its national targets seem attainable. Yet during the negotiation process, Prague repeatedly stressed that the EU-wide targets must respect the existing absorption capacity of the market. EurActiv.cz reports.

The EU's economic governance: Rewriting the rulebook

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:51:39 +0000

The Greek sovereign debt crisis is forcing Europeans to rethink the coordination of their national economic policies, confronting the euro area with its most severe test since its launch eleven years ago.

EU Kosovo mission steps up corruption crackdown

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:47:25 +0000

EULEX, the EU's law enforcement mission in Kosovo, has carried out a string of high-profile arrests leading to charges against government officials in the former Serbian province, which declared its independence in 2008.

EU regulators to probe financial trading

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:31:10 +0000

Traders who sell complex financial products, like credit defaults swaps, will face increased transparency standards if European regulators investigating high-frequency trading get their own way.

Eurozone economic sentiment jumps to 28-month high

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:27:33 +0000

Eurozone economic sentiment rose strongly in July, buoyed by figures from Germany that point to a recovery as the currency area overcomes the sovereign debt crisis, though the outlook remains uncertain.

EU governments seen opposing GM crop proposals

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:25:10 +0000

European Union governments have signalled their strong opposition to proposals allowing member states to decide whether to grow or ban genetically modified (GM) crops, a Belgian EU Presidency source said on Thursday (29 July).

Berlin's 'creative boom' finds backing from EU

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:24:42 +0000

Although Germany's capital is short on big businesses, small enterprises are abundant, with creative industries in particular blossoming faster than in other cities. In Berlin, this creative boom is aided by a project which helps SMEs to deal with the bureaucratic procedure of obtaining EU regional funds. EurActiv Germany reports.

EU urged to remove obstacles to boosting volunteering in sport

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:24:16 +0000

As the European Commission prepares to table the first EU sports programme by the end of the year, stakeholders are calling for better recognition of the role of volunteering and want the EU to use the new competencies bestowed on it by the Lisbon Treaty to remove administrative obstacles.

France tables strategy for green economy

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:49:50 +0000

Paris hopes to tune into the green economy by increasingly placing eco-labels on everyday products, designing a green industrial policy and developing a more sustainable farming model. EurActiv France reports.

EU considers big tariff cuts to help manufacturers

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:40:27 +0000

European Union countries are embroiled in a deepening dispute over an Italian proposal to temporarily drop import tariffs on dozens of raw industrial goods, a move supposed to help EU manufacturers weather the economic crisis.

2020 education targets: Poland aiming high

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:36:28 +0000

Poland is one of the leading member states when it comes to the EU's 2020 education goals and has set itself high targets. Yet it is lagging behind in other areas, such as kindergarten attendance rates and lifelong learning for adults. EurActiv Poland reports.

Britain pledges millions in electric car subsidies

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:35:40 +0000

Britain's coalition government will commit 43 million pounds (€51.6 million) over 18 months to subsidising the uptake of electric cars, the Department for Transport (DfT) said on Wednesday (28 July).

Sarkozy under fire for taking aim at Roma

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:34:39 +0000

The French left joined human rights groups and specialised organisations in criticising an anti-delinquency initiative launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday (28 July), which is specifically targeted at the Roma community.

Kosovo 'should have been taken away from Milošević'

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:49:56 +0000

The issue of an independent Kosovo should have been resolved when Slobodan Milošević was still Serbian leader and the recent International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling will undoubtedly give encouragement to secessionists elsewhere, Professor Tibor Varady, a member of the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration, told EurActiv Germany in an interview.

US Senate unveils energy bill, doubts on passage

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:29:47 +0000

Democrats in the US Senate unveiled a slimmed down bill on Tuesday (27 July) aimed at reforming offshore drilling, as doubts grew that Congress would be able to pass any substantial energy legislation this year.

Iceland starts EU talks while Turkey's bid remains on ice

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:05:55 +0000

On a visit to Turkey yesterday (27 July), UK Prime Minister David Cameron criticised those who are putting the brakes on Turkey's EU membership talks, highlighting a sharp contrast with Iceland, which started talks on the same day just one year after submitting its bid. EurActiv Turkey contributed to this article.

Immigration pushes EU population above 500 million

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:20:43 +0000

The population of the European Union surpassed the 500 million mark at the beginning of this year, with migration accounting for the majority of growth in 2009, according to estimates released yesterday (27 July).

EU wants diplomatic service up by December

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

EU foreign ministers yesterday (26 July) gave their final approval to the European External Action Service (EEAS), paving the way for the diplomatic corps "to come into being" by December 2010. Attention now shifts to budgetary issues and the battle to assign top positions.

Iran 'ready for talks' as EU imposes new sanctions

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:54:42 +0000

The EU imposed tougher sanctions on Iran yesterday (26 July) over its disputed nuclear programme, approving measures to block oil and gas investment and curtail the country's refining and natural gas capabilities. Hours later Tehran said it was ready to return to negotiations on a nuclear fuel swap, which stalled last year, "without conditions".