eGov monitor - A Policy Dialogue Platform - Latest Europe Announcements

France and Structural Reforms: Time for a True Rupture

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:56:48 +0100

France has advanced on the path of reforms in recent years, more than is commonly perceived.

A year ago, President Nicolas Sarkozy was elected on a reformist platform--that he termed a "rupture" with past policies--to tackle long-standing economic difficulties. The government has pushed through several initiatives, including measures to boost work, investment, and purchasing power, but the needed "critical mass" to boost lagging growth and tackle persistently high unemployment is still to come.

IMF Managing Director Strauss-Kahn Praises Euro on its 10th Anniversary; Calls for Reforms to Maintain Success

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:50:15 +0100

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn today praised the economic stability promoted by the euro in its first decade, but also called for economic reforms—as well as a stronger European political voice—to maintain its success in the decades ahead.

Ukraine becomes the WTO's 152nd member

Fri, 16 May 2008 12:35:48 +0100

“I am very pleased to welcome Ukraine as a new member. It is a significant step for the WTO as this new membership will strengthen the multilateral trading system. We will continue facilitating fuller integration into the world economy of other developing countries” said Director General Pascal Lamy.

Hübner welcomes innovation, climate change priorities in Sardinia's new Cohesion Policy programme

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:47:00 +0100

Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, today visits Sardinia at the invitation of Mr Renato Soru, President of the Region. Her visit marks the start of the region's new Cohesion Policy programmes, which put innovation and combating climate change at the top of the agenda. She will visit projects set up with EU co-funding, and meet regional government and council officials, as well as representatives of civil society.

'I welcome the way in which the region has taken on board new priorities for this programming period: now it is playing the innovation card to boost jobs and growth, as well as planning projects to counter climate change,' the Commissioner said ahead of her visit.

Declaration by the EU Presidency on behalf of the EU concerning the resumption of executions in the USA

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:38:22 +0100

On 2 May 2008 the Ambassadors of the European Union in Washington appealed to the relevant authorities in the State of Georgia to spare the life of Mr. William Lynd. Most regrettably, clemency appeals in the case of Mr. Lynd were denied and a subsequent appeal hearing before the Georgia Supreme Court also proved unsuccessful.

Following the deteriorating situation in Burma, Louis Michel calls for an urgent meeting of EU development ministers

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:36:56 +0100

In view of the massive scale of destruction and need caused by the cyclone Nargis, and the acceptance by Burmese authorities to receive international assistance, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has called for an urgent meeting of EU ministers in charge of humanitarian aid to be held in Brussels next Tuesday 13th of May.

European Social Fund 2007-2013: investing in people

Thu, 15 May 2008 10:26:03 +0100

What is the ESF?

Set up in 1957, the European Social Fund (ESF) is the oldest of the EU's Structural Funds pursuing cohesion policy. It is the European Union's main financial instrument for investing in people. It is devoted to promoting jobs and helps Member States make Europe's workforce and companies better equipped to face new, global challenges. In short:

World Bank supports irrigation, access to clean water and sanitation, and critical policy reforms in Moldova

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:55:48 +0100

The World Bank approved three credits worth a total of $30 million to Moldova today through the International Development Association (IDA). The credits are targeted at bolstering efforts of projects that are already working to help farmers be more competitive, to improve access to clean water and sanitation services and to support reforms to make government more efficient and effective.

Innovative distributed training exercise links UK, US and European facilities for the first time

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:51:25 +0100

QinetiQ, Boeing and MOD complete 30-month MTDS demonstrations programme with exercise ‘Avenging Eagle’

European Environment Agency and Microsoft Launch Alliance to Create Pioneering Environmental Observatory

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:22:50 +0100

Microsoft is helping the EEA to inform Europeans on changes to environmental conditions in real time — and empowering citizens to play their part in data gathering.