Europa Newsletter

Keeping up to date with the latest news

and developments on EU websites

14th October 2003 - issue 20

Next issue: 27th October 2003

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======== CONTENTS ========

Coming up...

Iraq reconstruction : the EU sets aside ?200 million

European Council: only a few days to go?

European day of civil justice: chat with Jonathan Faull

Highlights

Recently published...

Intergovernmental Conference: Opening round reveals divisions Commission unveils Growth Initiative Better online public services needed

More information from the last fortnight

Site in Focus...

Green Concerns

Citizens' Interests...

European Council, Council of the EU, Council of Europe?

What is the difference?

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======== COMING UP ========

Iraq reconstruction : the EU sets aside ?200 million

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In a Communication adopted on 1 October, the Commission proposed that ?200 million should be made available for reconstruction in Iraq until the end of 2004. The Communication sets out proposals for the EU's position at the forthcoming Madrid Conference on Reconstruction in Iraq, which will take place on 23 and 24 October.

The funds would be in addition to the ?100 million in humanitarian aid that ECHO is implementing in 2003, and would be gathered from both the Community budget and individual contributions from Member States.

?Whatever the depth of division in the international

community over the war, we all have a stake in a stable,

open, democratic Iraq,? insisted Commissioner for

External Relations Chris Patten.

The Communication outlines a common approach, and stresses

that the success of the project will depend on four factors: security, transfer of power to the Iraqi people, a multilateral framework for reconstruction, and the involvement of Iraq?s neighbours.

A meeting in Madrid of the core group of Iraq donors, including the European Union, US and Japan on 2 October agreed to funnel money to reconstruct Iraq through a trust fund administered by the United Nations and the World Bank.

The Madrid Conference is an opportunity for the international community to come together to agree a multilateral framework for reconstruction and to agree on the immediate priorities for reconstruction for 2004. These will focus on rehabilitation needs such as health, education, water and sanitation and generating employment. Therefore, it will not be a classical donors? conference since it will not be focused purely on pledging, but will represent a political statement of the will of the international community to ensure that reconstruction in Iraq is successful.

index.htm

Website of the World Bank

European Council: only a few days to go?

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The next European Council will take place in

Brussels on 16 and 17 October.

It is likely that the Heads of State or Government

of the Member States will focus on three issues, namely

the follow-up to the Thessaloniki Council on asylum and immigration, economic policy from the point of view of the Growth Initiative, and external relations. With regard to asylum and immigration matters, there may be a debate on the creation of a European agency to manage the external borders of the EU. Ministers are likely to discuss illegal immigration and readmission agreements. Readmission Agreements are set up between the EU and third countries in order to facilitate the return of persons residing without authorisation in a Member State to their own country. As to the Growth Initiative, speeding up the implementation of European transport, energy and telecom-networks and increasing investment in human capital and research and development will be a priority in the discussions.

Thessaloniki Council on asylum and

European day of civil justice: chat with Jonathan Faull

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Jonathan Faull, the Director-General for Justice and Home Affairs in the European Commission, will be taking part in a discussion forum on the Internet between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday 23 October 2003. This chat is one of the events to mark the "European day of civil justice" which the European Commission and the Council of Europe are organising on 25 October.

Civil law concerns all of us in our everyday lives, and it is taking on an increasingly European dimension. With European integration and the removal of borders, Europeans travel more and more. Many people live, get married, work, carry on business, shop or spend their holidays in another country. All these people need to be protected in cases of litigation or judicial proceedings. There are still some invisible borders between Member States: judicial borders. Europe is doing what it can to remove these barriers by establishing a genuine area of civil justice. The European Union currently has a wide variety of national legal systems, and this diversity often creates problems when litigation transcends the national level. The European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters was created to help European citizens find their way in this labyrinth of national systems of civil and commercial law.

Will a foreign divorce judgment be recognised in my country? How are disputes over child custody resolved? What is the European Community doing to make access to the courts easier? What is the Commission doing to promote alternative dispute resolution methods? How do I obtain enforcement of a judgment abroad? How is a succession settled when the person had property in a number of countries? What is the purpose of the European judicial network in civil matters?

Don't miss the opportunity to ask Jonathan Faull about

matters that interest you. He will answer as many questions as possible in the time available for the on-line chat

Alternatively, you can send your questions in advance.

They will either be answered during the chat itself, or you will receive an answer in the following week.

The European

Agenda

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13-14 October:

13-14 October:

16-17 October:

20 October:

/10/20/ev_20ottefrmi.htm

20-21 October :

20-23 October :

24 October:

27 October :

30 October :

30/ev_30ottvertuerpc.htm

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======== RECENTLY PUBLISHED ========

Intergovernmental Conference:

Opening round reveals divisions

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The official start of the Intergovernmental Conference

in Rome on 4 October confirmed that several Member States

are calling for changes to the draft EU Constitution proposed by the European Convention in July.

The leaders of Spain and Poland voiced strong opposition to proposed new voting rules, according to which decisions would be taken by a majority of Member States representing 60% of the population. The two countries determined to stick to the voting system agreed under the Nice Treaty, as they consider that the Convention?s proposal would undermine their voting rights.

Many smaller countries disapproved of the Convention?s plan to restrict the number of EU Commissioners with voting rights to 15, wary of a loss of influence in the EU decision-making process.

Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, the UK and Denmark, however, declared that they are largely satisfied with the draft EU Constitution.

The IGC should reach an agreement before the next elections to the European Parliament, planned for June 2004.

The next IGC discussion will take place on 14 October.

Commission unveils Growth Initiative

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On 1 October, President Romano Prodi presented his ?road map? to boost economic growth in the EU.

The initiative for growth aims at mobilising investment in two key areas of the Lisbon strategy: networks and knowledge.

Without adequate investment, the President warned, the EU will not meet its objective to become the most competitive economy in the world by 2010.

The initiative prompts Member States to boost investment in Research and Development (R&D) to 3% of their gross domestic product (GDP), and to contribute to Trans-European Transport projects throughout Europe.

The growth initiative plans a ?220 billion budget to be spent on 26 priority transport networks between now and 2020.

These projects range from a modernized rail-link through the Pyrenees to a bridge over the Messina Strait from mainland Italy to Sicily, including projects to link Bulgaria and Romania to Greek and Hungarian railways.

The development of transport networks at the EU level will allow for enhanced cross-border cooperation in many domains, such as trade for instance, whereas investment in Research and Development will stimulate competitiveness and innovation.

Funding for these projects would come from a mixture of private funds, and loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) on the one hand, and EU and national budgets on the other hand.

European Investment Bank:

Better online public services needed

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In a Communication published on 29 September, the Commission encouraged Member States to modernise their public administrations via eGovernment.

Electronic Government aims to use Information Society Technologies to improve the quality and accessibility of public services. eGovernment promises to deliver better, more efficient public services and improve the relationship between citizens and their governments. Hence, Iit plays an important role in realising the Lisbon strategy for economic, social and environmental renewal in the EU.

?It is essential for Europe to have a public sector that helps the European economy to grow, that provides high quality services to all and that reinforces democratic involvement,? said Enterprise and Information Commissioner Erkii Liikanen.

In order to reinforce the eGovernment priorities currently being addressed within the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, the Communication also presented a set of key actions: administrations should ensure access to public services for all via multi-platform approaches (such as personal computers, digital TV, mobile terminals,and public access points); trust and confidence building measures should be taken, and electronic public procurement made easier and more widely available. Furthermore, pan-European eGovernment services need to be developed and promoted.

If implemented correctly, eGovernment reduces costs for both businesses and governments, cutting the tax burden and boosting competitiveness. In addition, the development of online public services it makes the public sector more open and transparent, delivering governments which are more understandable and accountable to citizens. This improves civic involvement in policy making and reinforces democracy at every level across Europe.

egovernment/index_en.htm

index_en.htm

action_plan/index_fr.htm

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The European Aviation Safety Agency has been operational since 28 September 2003. Its main task is to ensure a high level of safety and environmental protection in the field of civil aviation. Enjoying its own legal personality, it assists the Commission in the exercise of its legislative and regulatory tasks. It is responsible for issuing certificates for eronautical products and approvals for design and production bodies. Hitherto, certification was the responsibility of the Member States. In future, the Agency will issue certificates recognized EU-wide, which will reduce costs for the aviation industry.

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The World Climate Change Conference was held in Moscow from September 29th to October 3rd, 2003. It gathered people from the scientific community, business, and non-governmental organizations. The EU was also represented. Participants analysed the scientific aspects of climate change, and discussed measures for adapting human society, economies and ecosystems to on-going and future climate change. The results will undoubtedly provide valuable input to the Fourth Assessment Report, which is currently being prepared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ICCP).

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Since its inception by the UN General Assembly in 1985, World Habitat Day has been celebrated annually on the first Monday in October. This year, the global observance was held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro on Monday 6 October 2003. it focussed on the theme of Water and Sanitation for Cities in order to highlight the world?s urban water and sanitation crisis ? a situation far worse than official statistics suggest.

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On 9 October, the Transport Council agreed to fill the legal vacuum to react against unfair competition from subsidised third country competitors in the airline sector. This Regulation will address subsidies and also unfair pricing practices by third country competitors resulting from non-commercial advantages granted by their authorities. Loyola de Palacio, European Commission vice-president in charge of Transport and Energy welcomed strongly this unanimous agreement. The text will have to be seen by the European Parliament and the Council in second reading and might enter into force by 2004.

LANG=1&File=/pressData/en/trans/77544.pdf&Picture=0

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On the occasion of the World Day against the Death Penalty, organised by the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty on 10 October, the EU reaffirmed its longstanding and firm position against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. The Union considers that abolishing the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. A petition against the death penalty is available online.

LANG=1&File=/pressData/en/trans/77544.pdf&Picture=0

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======== SITE IN FOCUS ========

Green concerns

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Against the background of recent climatic extremes and the World Conference on Climate Change that took place in Moscow between 29 September and 3 October, you might want to keep an eye on the latest environmental developments.

If so, the website of the European Environment Agency (EEA) is the place to be!

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has been operational since 1994. Its mission is to collect, prepare and disseminate timely, targeted, relevant and reliable information on the state and trends of the environment at European level. The EEA is open to countries that do not belong to the European Union but share its concern for the environment. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have been members from the start, and 12 out of 13 candidate countries have joined in 2002, making the EEA the first EU body to welcome these countries as members. The Agency also co-operates actively with other relevant bodies and international organisations.

On the EEA?s website, the easiest way to find access to the information you are looking for is through environmental themes.

For each of the 32 themes, ranging from water and air to climate change, you will find a set of indicators, reports, links and data.

The indicators, which measure developments in selected issues, including progress towards agreed targets, and the reports can also be accessed individually in either the indicator or the report sections. Similarly, the data sets used in EEA periodical reports can be accessed in the data service. This service contains aggregated data, typically on a country level, with a geographical coverage of at least the 15 EU Member States. It includes graphs and maps.

The EEA glossary contains about 1120 English terms

(920 unique concepts) with definitions and definition

sources, synonyms and links as well as translations into

the 23 other EEA languages.

The EEA website also has a press room providing the latest

news releases and announcements.

European Environment Agency:

Environmental Themes:

Themes: Water:

Themes: Air:

Indicators:

Reports:

Data Service:

Glossary:

Press room:

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======== CITIZENS' INTERESTS ========

European Council, Council of the EU, Council of Europe?

What is the difference?

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The COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION is the EU's main decision-making body.

The Council is composed of one representative at ministerial level from each Member State, who is empowered to commit his Government. Council members are politically accountable to their national parliaments. Which Ministers attend each Council meeting varies according to the subject discussed, although its institutional unity remains intact. Thus, Ministers for Foreign Affairs attend the General Affairs Council to deal with external relations and general policy questions, while the Ministers responsible for economic and financial affairs meet as the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, and so on. The frequency of Council meetings varies according to the urgency of the subjects dealt with. The General Affairs, Economic and Financial Affairs and Agriculture Councils meet once a month, while the Transport, Environment or Industry Councils meet from two to four times a year.

The Council is the Union's legislative body; for a wide range of EU issues, it exercises that legislative power in co-decision with the European Parliament. The Council also coordinates the general economic policies of the Member States, and concludes international agreements between the European Union and one or more States or international organisations. Furthermore, the Council and the European Parliament constitute the budgetary authority that adopts the EU?s budget. Under the Treaty on European Union, the Council also takes the decisions necessary for defining and implementing the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), on the basis of general guidelines established by the European Council. It also coordinates the activities of Member States and adopts measures regarding Cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA).

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The EUROPEAN COUNCIL brings together the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union and the President of the European Commission. It is hosted by the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council (until 1 January 2004, Italy holds the presidency. The European Council usually meets four times per year (generally in March, June, October and December). The decisions taken at the European Council meetings are a major impetus in defining the general political guidelines of the European Union. The Presidency conclusions are made public at the closing of a European Council meeting. The next European Council will take place in Brussels on 16 and 17 October 2003.

***

The Council of Europe is an international organisation that covers all major issues facing European society other than defence. It aims to protect human rights, pluralist democracy and the rule of law. It also encourages the development of Europe?s cultural identity and diversity.

In more specific terms, the Council of Europe seeks solutions to a whole set of problems facing European society, ranging from discrimination against minorities, xenophobia, and intolerance to environmental protection, drugs and Aids. The organisation currently has 45 Members including all of the EU Member States. Its headquarters are in the Palais de l?Europe in Strasbourg, France.

COUNCIL OF THE EU:

Member States:

000501.html

Cooperation in the fields of Justice and

Home Affairs (JHA):

European Council:

The Presidency of the Council:

Presidency Conclusions:

Council of Europe:

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(c) European Commission 2003.

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