European Commission

Working for the EU

EU overhauls selection procedure for civil servants, shifting the focus from formal knowledge to actual knowhow.

Roma success stories

Conference showcasing EU-funded projects to improve lives of Roma.

Monuments to Europe

EU to highlight sites that celebrate and symbolise European integration, ideals and history

Gender equality - worldwide

Empowering women in the developing world is crucial for greater equality between the sexes.

Equal pay for women - not yet

Commission steps up efforts to reduce pay gap.

EU's biggest-ever energy package

43 gas and electricity projects to split €2.3bn, the most the EU has ever spent on energy infrastructure in a single package.

Europe 2020: Commission proposes new economic strategy

Commission sets out a 10-year strategy for reviving the European economy, casting a vision of ‘smart, sustainable, inclusive' growth rooted in greater coordination of national and European policy.

Recovery still fragile

Commission expects GDP in the EU to gradually return to pre-recession levels. But the economy still faces headwinds.

Thumbs up for Iceland

Iceland deemed ready for EU membership talks

Haiti on our minds

Commission calls for €90m more in aid for the quake-stricken country, to be drawn from EU emergency funds.

When president Barroso's first team took office, the economy was doing well and unemployment was declining. Five years on and following the biggest recession in decades, a whole new set of challenges awaits the 2010-14 European commission.

112 - Europe's lifeline

Most Europeans still do not know they can call 112 anywhere in the EU to contact the police, fire brigade or an ambulance.

New commission set to take office

President Barroso’s new team wins backing from parliament.

Think before you post !

50% of teenagers post personal information on the web without always being aware of the consequences, study shows.

Cancer in Europe - the battle goes on

Science and information are at the centre of the EU's crusade to bring down cancer rates.

Greece: EU excessive deficit procedure

Recommendations adopted for correcting Greece’s budget deficit and improving the competitiveness of its economy.

Kristalina Georgieva completes the line-up

Parliament wraps up hearings for next commission.

Taking Europe’s pulse

Europeans quite happy with their personal situation, but less satisfied with economic and social climate in their country.

Posters and videos – get creating!

Competitions for art work promoting children’s rights, business initiative and the EU – with prizes and publicity for winning entries.

Exit strategy for public finances

Lithuania and Malta granted reprieve on budget deficits; Hungary and Latvia on track to meet deadlines.

European police force headed for Haiti

At least 300 military police from the European Union are headed for Haiti to help maintain order in the quake-stricken country. France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands will contribute to the force.

Kristalina Georgieva is new Bulgarian commissioner-designate

New hearing set for 3 February, to be followed by parliament vote on the new commission on 9 February.

Haiti earthquake – EU coordinates aid

Over €130 million is being channelled into relief and rehabilitation efforts. More will follow.

Can we stop biodiversity loss by 2020?

The EU’s goal of stopping animal and plant extinctions by 2010 has not been reached. Now more action is planned – for proper long-term protection of biodiversity by 2020.

New stars share the limelight at Border Breakers awards

European musicians honoured for best-selling debut albums outside their home country.

On the job front

How well-equipped are European companies to meet the challenges of global competition and the recent recession? The 2009 European Company Survey provides some clues.

Let the show begin!

Essen, Pécs and Istanbul celebrate debut as European capitals of culture

Helping the poor at home

2010 – European year for combating poverty and social exclusion.

How safe are your Christmas lights?

EU testing shows serious risk of shocks and fire in many lights. Stay safe – turn them off when you go to bed or leave the house.

After Copenhagen

Barroso calls accord a positive step but not nearly ambitious enough for EU.

Fruit not fat

EU healthy eating campaign reaches out to children.

Seized mafia assets put to good use

EU supports the development of southern Italy by providing funding to convert former mafia property into educational and business centres.

Road to Copenhagen

After negotiations from Bangkok to Barcelona, where does the EU stand?

Making the grade

Education targets - EU meets one goal but will miss deadline for others.

EU spends more on research

Two EU companies among world’s largest investors in R&D.

Staying on top of change

As part of the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation, a diverse group of prominent scientists, artists, scholars and business executives - European ambassadors of the year – has come up with an ambitious manifesto.

Getting out of the red

The economic crisis has left many countries with budget deficits well over the 3% limit. The commission is proposing deadlines for reducing the gaps.

Billion-euro refund for taxpayers

More than €1.1bn EU regional funds to be recovered this year.

EU lobbying under spotlight

Report: Register of interest groups has changed corporate climate.

Red tape – less is more

EU businesses could save more than €40bn a year under proposals for cutting red tape.

Asylum: common standards and higher efficiency

New rules proposed to put a stop to European ‘asylum lottery’.

Wills made easier

Common rules proposed for cross-border inheritances.

Funding a low-carbon future

Solar energy and carbon capture and storage earmarked for lion's share of extra technology funding.

Regional recipes for success

European conference promotes regional solutions to global challenges.

Greener, leaner city travelling

New EU plan to make local transport efficient and sustainable.

Europa site gets makeover

New navigation and layout make it easier to find what you’re looking for on the EU site’s main pages – in any official EU language.

Lights out for traditional bulbs

The EU is phasing out traditional light bulbs over the next three years in favour of a new generation of energy-efficient lighting.

More protection for sharks

Surfers attacked by sharks - a typical summer headline, in some parts of the world. But really it's the sharks who need protecting - over a third of all shark species living in the open seas are threatened with extinction.

Lost luggage

Missing luggage still a big headache for passengers in Europe.

Support for struggling dairy industry

New measures to help farmers through recession as milk prices tumble.

Gourmet police

The EU’s food safety alert system picks up dangerous food products before they land on your plate.

Gearing up for gas emergencies

Proposals for transparency and monitoring to keep gas flowing to the EU.

Seasons in the sun

Tips and advice for a hassle-free holiday in Europe.

Food labels revisited

One day not so far in the future, Europeans may be able to buy a loaf of bread knowing where the flour came from.

Reducing regional disparities in the EU and beyond

EU shares experience of strengthening regions with countries such as Brazil, Russia and China.

Small business, big ideas

First European SME week supports small businesses and encourages entrepreneurship.

Settling accounts

Late payment for work performed, a perennial problem in Europe, is now hampering recovery from recession.

And the winner is…

EU sustainable energy and research projects pick up regional innovation awards.

Energy for the future

Opening a new front in the fight against climate change, cities across Europe vow deeper emission cuts.

Safer medicine

Pharmaceutical companies to provide more information on prescription drugs and consumers to be better protected against counterfeit medicine.

Bon voyage

EU moves to extend passenger rights to bus and ship travel.

Brussels urges car makers to stay on green path

EU to help car makers develop eco-friendly cars.

Charting the future for Europe’s far-flung regions

Development plans to include exploiting local potential for environmental research and pharmaceuticals.

Green mobility

Hundreds of towns and cities are closing some of their busiest streets to cars for one day to discourage people from driving.

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