LUXEMBOURG TAKES UP EU PRESIDENCY

Looking back on the Dutch Presidency:

In their review of their Presidency, some of the more pragmatic progress relating to the interests of ECCE members includes Results in the field of Education, Youth and Culture 

(1) Member states have accepted the obligation to strengthen vocational education.

(2) A working plan on culture was adopted. Member states committed to a clear and results-based multiyear agenda.

(3) In the research field, the main features of the Seventh Framework Programme have been adopted; it is due to begin in 2005. The member states have asked the Commission to elaborate the programme, to continue European cooperation projects, take European technological initiatives, encourage excellent fundamental research at European level and coordinate national research programmes.

Results in the field of Environment:  Under the Dutch Presidency, the EU reached political agreements on (4)managing mining waste to prevent environmental disasters and on (5) limiting the emission of fluoridised greenhouse gases. (6) An agreement was being prepared for the 20 December environment council on the EU’s accession to the Aarhus Convention (public access to information on environmental issues) and on (7) legislation on battery recycling. (8) Following a Dutch Presidency initiative, EU member states expressed political support for sustainable mobility. This should allow progress on decision-making for measures to make road traffic cleaner, quieter and more economical.

(9) The EU has decided to tackle flood protection on a European scale.

Results in the field of Transport: (10) Under the Dutch Presidency, the competitive position of short sea shipping was strengthened by agreements to promote coastal navigation (e.g. reducing the administrative burden). (11) A general position was reached on harmonising river information services, a package of information services and agreements, along with a partial political agreement on technical regulations for inland vessels to optimise cooperation in inland navigation.(12) Progress was made on improving competitiveness of the European aviation industry (e.g. political agreement on harmonising technical standards and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation and a general approach to harmonising the training and mobility of air traffic controllers).(13)  The EU agreed in principle to amend the driving licence directive.

The Dutch Presidency web-site is to be found on: http://www.eu2004.nl

Luxembourg Looks Ahead

The key issues (see : dossiers) of the Luxembourg Presidency, include:

·         the negotiations on the European Union  2005 will be a pivotal year in view of ratification of the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. This new founding pact will enter into force only after ratification by the 25 Member States.  Most Member States aim to complete their national ratification procedures during 2005.

·         the financial framework for the 2007 to 2013 period.  The discussion on the next long-term EU budget for 2007-2013 is expected to come to a conclusion in June 2005,

·         the mid-term review of the Lisbon process  The objective of the Lisbon process is to give the European Union the means to become a knowledge-based society with a competitive economy able to meet the social and environmental expectations of its citizens. The Commission will provide an ‘orientation report’ for the meeting of the European Council to be held in March. The task will be to relaunch the strategy around the three pillars (economic, social and environmental) by identifying a limited number of priorities. Simplifying management of the process will enable everyone to better understand what is involved.

·         the adaptation of the stability and growth pact : The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is the concrete EU answer to concerns on the continuation of budgetary discipline in  Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Adopted in 1997, the SGP strengthened the Treaty provisions on fiscal discipline in EMU foreseen by articles 99 and 104.  The full provisions took effect when the euro was launched on 1 January 1999.  A Presidency priority is to reinforce economic governance of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and clarify implementation of the stability and growth pact.   The Luxembourg Presidency aims to conclude the examination of the stability and growth pact and will seek to reach an agreement on its precise content in March 2005.  For some time it has been considered that there is a strong need to reform the Pact. France and Germany persistently breached deficit rules, but in November 2003 the Council decided not to take further action against the two member states. In late 2004 Greece admitted that it had under-reported statistics for its public debt and deficit between 1997-2003 in order to gain access to the Eurozone.

·         the signature of the accession treaties with Bulgaria and Romania The membership treaty with Bulgaria and Romania will be finalised with a view to signature in the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in April 2005. Once it has been signed, this will mark the end of the current accession cycle.

·         the opening of negotiations with Croatia A new cycle, that of the Balkan countries, is being set up on the basis of the conclusions of the Thessalonica European Council. Membership negotiations with Croatia should commence on 17 March 2005. Following its membership application, the FYRM (former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) will submit its responses to the questionnaire from the Commission in order for the Commission to give its opinion.

·         The preparations for accession negotiations with Turkey  Preparations for membership negotiations with Turkey are not likely to begin before early summer 2005.

·         Completion of the internal market   The Luxembourg Presidency will seek to ensure that efforts to accelerate and improve the transposition of directives is maintained and continues to generate positive effects. The Presidency considers that the emergence of new economic powers means that setting up an effective and integrated internal European market is now becoming an absolute necessity for the European Union to be able to face global competition.

·         External relations The Presidency will be responsible for implementing the European Security Strategy adopted in 2003.One of the primary focuses of this strategy is the priority given to multilateralism. At the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Presidency will favour rapid conclusion of work on the Doha Round, which is essential to developing the global economy and integrating developing countries into global trade.

http://www.eu2005.lu/en/presidence/index.html

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

° Commission expects  final decision on future research policy to be made in mid-2006 following a formal response from the Parliament and the Council.  The European Parliament’s research committee held a hearing on research policy in January.

° Commission Communication calls for reconsideration of  'constantly decreasing relative priority given to environmental and energy research'.  The Communication points to three broad goals for 2005: stepping up implementation of measures to meet Kyoto commitments; launching an international discussion on emission reduction measures post 2012; and preparing to adapt to unavoidable climate change.  For further information: 2004 Environmental Policy Review

° New CORDIS Marie Curie service aims to develop and enhance human resources in the European Research Area (ERA): New EU initiatives offer researchers from the EU Member States, as well as candidate, associated and third countries, to improve their career prospects, develop their research skills and gain experience in another country http://www.cordis.lu/mariecurie-actions/  Information on Marie Curie actions within FP6 can also be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/m ariecurie-actions/

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:  

° Five years assessment concludes that IST programme must be preserved, but with reforms: A panel chaired by Professor José Mariano Gago, former Portuguese Minister for Science and Technology analysed the effectiveness of the IST programme 1999-2003.  Professor Gago recommends that the programme should urgently address scientific digital publishing and archiving in order to retain Europe's global competitiveness. The panel also advises continuing to administer the IST research programme through DG Information Society (an entity separate from the rest of the EU's research administration). Justification is that DG Information Society has the competence to implement both the IST research programme as well as IST policies.  Concerns centre on the sharp decline of participation in the programme by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe - down from 25% to 15%. http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/information_society/evaluation/ist_rtd/5_year_assessment/index_en.htm

° Commission Consultation open till 12th February : Information Society for all – making ICT products and services more accessible :  The Commission hopes to stimulate accessibility regarding three key areas – public procurement, certification and the use of legislation.  For further details: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/policy/accessibility/com_ea_2005/index_en.htm http://europa.eu.int/comm/lisbon_strategy/index_fr.html

° eChallenges e-2005 - 15th instalment of annual Commission-supported eChallenges conference) to  take place 19th-21st October in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Themes for this year's conference include: eBusiness, eGovernment, eWork, eEurope beyond 2005, information communication technology (ICT) take-up by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and international cooperation on the information society.  A call for abstracts for technical papers, visionary papers and business case studies will be open until 28 February. For further information, please consult the following web address: http://www.echallenges.org/2005/

° Common Consultation on Information Society to make ICT products and services more accessible: This consultation is a first step in the Commission’s attempts to remove technical challenges and difficulties faced by people with disabilities and others when trying to use electronic products or services such as computers, mobile phones or the Internet. The public consultation focuses on three key areas in which the European Union could promote eAccessibility: public procurement, certification, and the use of legislation. Interested parties have until 12 February 2005 to comment on these proposals. The results of the consultation will feed into a Commission Communication on eAccessibility to be adopted before June 2005. Further information:

http://europa.eu.int/information_society/policy/accessibility/com_ea_2005/index_en.htm

http://europa.eu.int/comm/lisbon_strategy/index_en.html

EDUCATION:

° Commissioner points to need to recruit one million between 2000-2015:  At an ETUCE (European Trade Union Committee for Education) hearing entitled 'Europe needs teachers', EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism Mr Jan Figel called for a greater focus on skills and training within Europe. Whilst in many EU countries large numbers of teachers are close to retirement, Europe must focus on attracting high quality teachers in order to achieve the Lisbon objectives he stated.

° Actions relating to the Copenhagen Process: This was initiated in November 2002 at a meeting in the Danish capital to agree a Declaration on enhanced European cooperation in vocational education and training (VET).  The Copenhagen process is an accelerated measure to improve the quality and attractiveness of VET, which is lagging behind other fields of education, and to raise the parity of esteem between them.  One achievement is the launch of “Europass” a single framework for transparency of qualifications and competences at a special conference under the Luxembourg Presidency on 31 Jan. – 1 February 2005. http://www.vetconference-maastricht2004.nl/ and also

THE ENVIRONMENT:  

° DG Environment Consultation Document on Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste – Comments are expected by 12th March 2005.  (Please refer to Full text ). The Hazardous Waste Directive is one of the oldest EU legislative acts on waste. Its provisions are indispensable for safeguarding a high level of environmental protection; and the differentiation it introduces between hazardous and non hazardous waste is along with the differentiation between recovery and disposal laid down in the Waste Framework Directive a key element of waste management policy.  Comments to be sent by 12/03/2005 to: Martin Pohlmann , Environment Directorate-General/G4, 1049 Brussels. e-mail: env-hazardous-waste@cec.eu.int

° GIS system to monitor how clean Europe's coasts are The 3-year EU-backed project ‘I-MARQ’ funded under the Information Society Technologies (IST) programme is finalising a prototype geographical information system (GIS) to deliver real-time data on coastal water quality. This information can be used to help decision-makers take appropriate action against contamination. I-MARQ can estimate and forecast several important factors affecting water quality. These variables include: amount of suspended sediment in water (often accompanied by waste), water temperature, land runoff that washes pollution into the sea, salinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate levels, chlorophyll (algae) and microbial risk. http://www.imarq.info/keyfacts.htm

° Environmental Management Systems (EMS) - Transition Plan to ISO 14001:2004 Details have now been released of the 18-month period for organizations implementing environmental management systems (EMS) certified as conforming to the original 1996 version of the ISO 14001 standard to make the transition to ISO 14001:2004, the newly revised and improved version.  The transition period extends from 15 November 2004, when ISO published the revised standard, to 15 May 2006. IAF GD 4:2004 Transition Plan for Accredited EMS Certification from ISO 14001:1996 to ISO 14001:2004 Provides guidance for the transition to ISO 14001:2004 up to a maximum period of 18 months following the publication of the revised standard.  See also Joint IAF-ISO Communique - Migration to ISO 14001:2004

° Commission Communication concerning the quality of bathing waters : Please click here (Full Text) for Communication form the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a European Parliament and Council Directive concerning the quality of bathing waters
 

° Environmental cases: Greece was ordered to pay costs for failure to transpose EU law on incineration of waste Directive 2000/76/CE: judgment (C-61/04) (Full text of this Judgment). France was order to pay costs for its failure to implement the EU regime for information about dangerous substances (Directive 2001/58/CE, reference also Directives -91/155/CEE; 1999/45/CE; 67/548/CEE): judgment (C-32/04) Full text of this Judgment . Ireland is being pursued by the Commission for breaches of environmental law in eight cases.  The first relates to agricultural and sewage-related water pollution i.e. Directive 91/676/EEC on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agriculture and Ireland’s failure to adequately comply with a Court judgement Case (C-396/01) from 2004).  The other issues are final reminders relating to:  protecting citizens from noxious sewage odours, ensuring safe waste disposal, ensuring that significant projects are properly environmentally assessed, restoring an important nature site and getting Ireland to participate more fully in wider efforts to curb air pollution and protect the Earth’s ozone layer. The European Commission is taking legal action against Belgium in four cases involving violations of EU environmental laws, and against Luxembourg in one case. The Commission has decided to take Belgium and Luxembourg to the European Court of Justice for not fully transposing the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) into their national law. The deadline for doing so expired almost one year ago. The Commission is also taking legal action against Belgium over greenhouse gas emissions trading, petrol and diesel quality and ozone-depleting substances. The European Commission has decided to pursue legal action against Finland, Sweden and Denmark for violations of EU environmental laws on nature protection and industrial pollution. The Commission is referring Finland to the European Court of Justice over hunting of wolves and sending Sweden a final written warning over the hunting and destruction of cormorants and rooks. Denmark is to receive a final written warning over its approach to controlling pollution from large pig and poultry farm (Directive 96/61/EC on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control -IPPC). The European Commission is taking the Netherlands to the European Court of Justice over three cases where the Netherlands has not implemented EU environmental laws on time or has done so inadequately. The laws cover industrial emissions (Directive 96/61/EC ), packaging waste (Directive 94/62/EC ) and water protection (Directive 2000/60/EC).  The European Commission is sending a final written warning to the United Kingdom asking it to comply with the 1991 Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC).  The European Commission has decided to pursue legal action against France in six separate cases where France has failed to comply with judgments of the European Court of Justice. These cases concern EU laws on nature conservation, public access to environmental information, water protection, waste and genetically modified micro-organisms.  

° Boost to  Kyoto-style emissions trading from Netherlands fund and EBRD: The Netherlands Emissions Reduction Co-operation Fund, managed by the EBRD, is helping a Bulgarian paper mill obtain carbon credits to finance green energy. PFS (Paper Factory Stambolijski) has switched from oil and gas to biomass energy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The Fund has purchased the  ensuing carbon credits which may now be sold using the new Kyoto Protocol. www.ebrd.org

° JUDGEMENT: Natural habitats: a judgement by the European Court of Justice on 13th January 2005 regarding Case C-117/03, Società Italiana Dragaggi SpA and Others v Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti and Regione Autonoma del Friuli Venezia Giulia indicated that the protective regime for conservation of natural habitats applies only to sites on Commission's list of sites of EU importance but sites that may qualify in future must also be treated with care by national authorities: judgment  Full text  The case relates to Directive 92/43/EEC - Conservation of natural habitats - Wild fauna and flora - National list of sites eligible for identification as sites of Community importance - Conservation measures and may prove of interest to construction companies.

See also: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com/index_en.htm#infractions

For rulings by the European Court of Justice see http://curia.eu.int/en/content/juris/index.htm

ENERGY:

° Proposed Directive on Energy End-Use Efficiency and Energy Services.  A Summary of Written Replies to the Questionnaire discussed on 16^th November 2004 is attached for information: Full text of Document 5434/05    Suite of documents 5434/05

TRANSPORT:

° UK government outlines issues of transport policy during its EU Presidency - see  The UK Presidency of the EU: Transport Issues The UK and Luxembourg’s agreed programme of the main work the two Presidencies will take forward during 2005 was published on 20 December 2004. The transport agenda will include measures in aviation, shipping, road, rail, cross-cutting proposals, and measures in other Councils, such as Environment. Luxembourg Presidency's first Transport Council is scheduled for 21 April 2005, the following one for the end of June.

° TEN-T Public consultation on the extension of the major Trans-European transport axes to the neighbouring countries and regions: Comments are required by 31st March.  A meeting will be held in Brussels on the 5th April 2005 with the different stakeholders (Register online) Stakeholders are invited to express their ideas and views. A Commission working document as well as a list of questions to the stakeholders for the Public consultation has been prepared to ‘guide reflections’.   Further information from Other documents available   and from Energy and Transport DG

INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING:

° European Investment Bank  

° The European Investment Bank announced in early January that it was willing and ready to launch a long-term lending programme for financing South-East Asia reconstruction at favourable terms. (For an amount of up to EUR 1 billion).   The EIB foresees providing loans with a long duration of up to 30 years and with a 7 years grace period free of capital repayments to avoid excessive financial burdens. Combining EIB loans with EU grant aid or by granting an interest rate subsidy with EU budget funds was also being considered. The lending programme would be implemented in close coordination with the Commission, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Further Information on European Investment Bank loans is to be found on http://www.eib.org

° The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  

° Netherlands fund & EBRD to boost Kyoto-style emissions trading in region: the Netherlands Emissions Reduction Co-operation Fund, managed by the EBRD, is helping PFS (Paper Factory Stambolijski) an EBRD funded Bulgarian paper mill to cut greenhouse gas emissions by means of a €5 million switch to from oil biomass energy and reduce its costs.  The ensuing carbon ensuing carbon ‘credits’ using the new Kyoto Protocol.

° EBRD-managed fund provides €93 million A consortium of the German companies RWE Nukem and GNS–Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service has been awarded the contract for the construction of a spent fuel storage facility at the Lithuanian nuclear power plant Ignalina. The €93 million contract includes design, manufacturing, constructing, testing and commissioning of the storage facility. The facility is scheduled to be operational in 2008.  Ignalina II is scheduled to close by 2009. To date more than €340 million has been contributed to the fund by Austria, Belgium, Denmark, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The EU’s contribution is part of a programme by the European Community under which until 2006 almost €500 million will be provided to assist with Ignalina’s closure.

The EBRD is currently managing six Nuclear Safety Funds on behalf of various governments

° WTO Director-General post: The World Trade Organisation has until end May to appoint a successor to this post.  Four candidates introduced themselves to member states in Geneva on 26^th January, including former EU Commissioner Pascal Lamy.  The mandate of current Director General, Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand expires on 1^st September 2005.

° The European Commission has published an Action Plan on electronic public procurement to assist Member States in implementing the new Procurement Directives adopted in 2004. 

° Following the publication of a Eurobarometer survey highlighting Europe's lack of entrepreneurship, a package of measures will be proposed on 2 February to kick-start EU competitiveness. Download reports on http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/survey/eurobarometer83.htm

° The European Parliament held a plenary session in Brussels on 26th-27^th January

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso presented his strategic objectives for the next five years to the European Parliament, promising to combine the quest for greater prosperity with social solidarity.(Detailed review will appear as an Annexe to the February 2005 Brussels Brief). The week included a public hearing on research policy to Committee whilst Parliament’s agenda included President Yushschenko of Ukraine and the EU digital content programme (2nd reading).

On 17th-21st January 2005 MEPs were in Brussels for a full week of committee meetings.  The week’s highlights included: Criminal sanctions for pollution at sea - adoption 2nd reading and a revised driving licence directive - adoption 1st reading (Transport Committee); Intellectual Property and the WTO TRIPS agreements (public hearing in International Trade Committee); Carbon Emissions Trading Schemes -  a ‘mini-hearing’ in Industry Committee. Luxembourg ministers attended most committee meetings to present the work programme of the Luxembourg Presidency.

There was also a public hearing on the REACH chemicals proposal.

° The European Parliament’s committee on industry, research and energy (ITRE) held a public hearing on the future of European research on 24 January.  Discussions focused in particular on basic research and the proposed European Research Council (ERC), small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and innovation, thematic priorities and technology platforms.

° Parliament’s Transport Committee reviewed a recommendation at second reading on ship-source pollution and the introduction of sanctions. The recommendation was drafted by Corien WORTMANN-KOOL (EPP-ED, NL). The Committee demanded strict EU sanctions against illegal oil pollution in EU waters and for ship-source discharges of polluting substances to be regarded as criminal offences if committed with intent, recklessly or by gross negligence.  They stated that prison sentences should not be ruled out in the most serious cases. The recommendation was approved by 26 votes to 4, with 20 abstentions.

° Workshop on web-based project management, networking and dissemination tools for FP6 projects, Cambridge, UK, 1^st March 2005

A one day workshop on understanding the principles of electronic collaboration and dissemination tools to facilitate implementation of FP6 projects and the effective dissemination of research results. The event will draw on case studies and practical examples from the first and second call FP6 projects. email: andrew.jackson@scientiasolutions.com  Internet: www.scientiasolutions.com

° Advantages for Real Estate and Construction Sector, Helsinki, 13^th - 16^th June 2005

The 11^th Joint CIB International symposium aims to put modern construction management and economics into a perspective of modern real estate and construction businesses and projects.  Topics of interest include the evolving sector, firms and their businesses, projects and processes, IT and construction processes, Foundations of our thinking and practice. The call for Papers will be available in October 2003.Symposium web-site: www.ril.fi/cib2005  Tentative registration: kaisa.venalainen@ril.fi

° Inaugural Building Exchange (BEX) to be held in Athens on June 13 to 15, 2005

The keynote address at this 2 ½ day event will be given by Reinhard Klein, Head of the European Commission Construction Unit in D.G. Enterprise. BEX offers senior directors and heads of projects from leading builders, engineering consultants, architectural practices and suppliers the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and to do business. Information/Registration: http://www.b-e-x.com

ECCE Contact Details | ECCE Homepage