European Commission

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn and others holding large certificate celebrating 1000th research grant © EU

Making Europe attractive to top talent

The European Research Council has now funded over 1000 innovative ideas. A further €661m is still available for early-career researchers.

Letter of rights for criminal suspects

Commission introduces legislation requiring EU countries to inform suspects of their rights in writing on arrest. The proposal follows recent legislation entitling suspects to translation and interpretation services.

EU road safety plan for next 10 years

The EU renews its target to cut annual death rate by half.

Estonia set to switch to euro on 1 January

Baltic country wins final approval from finance ministers after getting the go-ahead from parliament, the central bank and other EU institutions.

GM crops – individual governments to have responsibility

EU countries would decide for themselves whether to allow authorised genetically modified crops to be grown at home.

Europeans still face barriers to working abroad

Survey shows one in two Europeans willing to pull up stakes if they can’t find work at home

Deposit guarantee schemes – part 2

Proposals to improve protection for bank account holders and retail investors, and set up similar schemes for insurance policies.

EU travel rights - peace of mind for passengers

EU holidaymakers travelling by plane or train are protected by a whole range of consumer rights. Bus and boat passengers are set to be given the same levels of protection soon.

EU launches debate on future of pensions

Pension systems are under pressure from population ageing and the economic crisis. New EU report presents policy options and invites feedback.

Magnetic Europe: Big plans for tourism industry

New strategy for stimulating tourism in Europe – to realise the full potential of an industry that already plays an important role in the economy.

Getting things done – priority for Belgian Presidency

Belgium has presented an ambitious programme for its 6-month EU presidency in the second half of 2010. Belgium takes over the rotating presidency from Spain on 1 July.

Break on roaming fees for mobile phone customers

New EU rule will help phone-users avoid astronomical bills for web-surfing and downloads abroad.

Latest report on taxation trends in the EU

Eurostat report just published shows that the crisis has brought some lower taxes.

EU agenda for G20 summit: Sustainable growth and financial reform

G20 leaders, finance ministers and central bank governors meet in Toronto on 26 and 27 June for discussions on recovery from the global financial crisis.

Real or fake?

EU competition on counterfeiting and piracy: Greek and Hungarian schools receive top prizes.

Erasmus – record numbers travelling to study and train

Thanks to extra funding more students than ever participated in the EU’s flagship education and training programme last year.

Debt woes, bank taxes and growth plan dominate EU summit

Leaders move to restore confidence in Europe’s financial stability and reinforce economic governance.

Tracing food safety

EU veterinary week focuses on identifying and tracking animals.

Istanbul celebrates EU awards for cultural heritage

Projects to restore Collège des Bernardins (Paris) and Neues Museum (Berlin) among winners of 2010 EU cultural heritage awards.

Bulgaria and Portugal join countries with cleanest bathing spots

Water quality decreases slightly, but vast majority of Europe’s beaches, lakes and rivers still clean enough for swimming.

Makeover for vocational education

Commission seeks to expand and upgrade vocational education and training.

Green week 2010: biodiversity brainstorm

EU opens annual conference on environment policy, gathering thousands of experts for four days of debate.

EU weighs pros and cons of tougher emissions targets

Study shows cost of responses to global warming is lower today than in 2008, when the EU adopted its climate change goals.

Small businesses centre stage for European SME week

37 countries host events in support of small business and entrepreneurs.

Regions in the spotlight

RegioStars awards: the EU recognises the most original and innovative regional projects.

EU unveils its digital agenda

IT and communications technologies are key elements in the EU strategy for boosting economic growth and dealing with major challenges like climate change and population ageing.

EU seeks fishing cuts in 2011

Commission seeks to balance sustainability with stability in setting next year's catch limits.

European talent shines at Cannes

Palme d’Or hopefuls include 6 films made with EU aid.

EU relations with neighbouring nations on right track

The EU's strategy of offering neighbouring nations financial aid and other incentives to embrace reform is paying off.

Europe's open day

Europe Day – a celebration, but also a chance to find out more about the EU and what it does, with events and activities for all ages.

More countries back eCall car safety device

The idea of equipping cars with an automatic SOS system is catching on in Europe.

Shanghai 2010 - a first for the EU

The EU pavilion at the world expo in Shanghai marks the first time the EU has presented itself to a large Chinese audience.

Cutting red tape for research funding

New application rules and accounting procedures for EU research funding.

Discrimination in the spotlight

Annual EU competition celebrates journalism that sheds light on discrimination issues in Europe.

Greening Europe’s cars

EU proposals for developing the market for clean and efficient cars.

Millennium development goals: time to shift gear

Recommendations on how EU countries can meet their pledges for fighting hunger, poverty and disease.

Justice and security: advantages for citizens and businesses

New five-year plan for collaboration between EU member countries on judicial matters and internal security.

The European conformity marking

Commission launches an information campaign on the CE conformity marking - designed to ease the free movement of goods around Europe and inform consumers.

Future of European agriculture - have your say

EU opens public debate on its agricultural policy, the prelude to a major reform in 2013.

Videos on Europe

The EU's video competitions are a chance for film-makers to show off their skills and creativity - and win awards and prizes - by producing short videos on European issues.

Roma: breaking the vicious circle

European countries called upon to make greater use of EU funds available to help the social integration of Roma people.

Rebuilding Haiti

EU pledges over €1.2bn for Haiti’s reconstruction and long-term development.

New exercise in democracy

Europeans will soon have a new way of getting the EU to act on issues that concern them. But how will the ‘citizens’ initiative’ work in practice?

EU translation competition encourages multilingualism

The 27 winners of the EU’s 2009 translation competition receive awards for their language skills.

Protecting the weakest

EU steps up fight against human trafficking and child sex predators.

Striking a balance between privacy and security

EU prepares new negotiations with US government on transfer of bank data for purpose of fighting terrorism.

Sustainable energy for Europe

In European sustainable energy week 2010, new EU energy commissioner presents strategy to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuel.

Chile rebuilds after earthquake

The inauguration of Chile's new president was a moving moment for the EU's new commissioner for humanitarian aid - in more ways than one.

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.

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.

Go digital!

EU launches first e-Skills week

Fruit not fat

EU healthy eating campaign reaches out to children.

Billion-euro refund for taxpayers

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

Red tape – less is more

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

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.

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.