An informal European Council meeting takes place at Hampton Court near London in late October. The purpose of the meeting was to allow the 25 EU heads of state or government to discuss the future of the European social model in the context of globalization.   According to press reports EU leaders took the opportunity to exert strong pressure on the U.K. Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to reach an agreement on the EU budget for 2007-2013 in time for the December summit.

U.K. Presidency pages:  http://www.eu2005.gov.uk

Next Presidencies:

1st January -30th June 2006: Austrian Presidency

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

° Commission Communication “More Research and Innovation - Investing for Growth and Employment: A Common Approach” has now been published.  Ref: COM(2005) 488 of 12.10.2005.  Full Text  The Commission plans to also produce a Communication to help create a more effective use of tax incentives for R & D across the EU.

° Commission ‘Research Round-up’ looks at EU-funded research projects: the current edition includes information on an EU-funded project, called ‘Sustainable Bridges’.  30 partners across Europe are participating. The project tasks will include monitoring railway bridges electronically, carrying out fatigue testing on steel-reinforced concrete bridges and assessing future traffic demands and how to lengthen bridge life.  Information on this and other projects is to be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/commission_barroso/potocnik/research/researchia_en.htm

° Commission publishes Annual Report on research and technological development activities of the Union in 2004: The Sixth Framework programme (FP6) was launched in 2002 with a budget of 17,500 million euro for the period 2002-06.  This was increased with enlargement of the EU to 19,200 million euro.  The report appears on: Full Text

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:  

° Commission Regulation (EC) No 1654/2005 of 10 October 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 874/2004 laying down public policy rules concerning the implementation and functions of the .eu Top Level Domain and the principles governing registration (Ref:  Official Journal L266/35, 11.10.2005). Full text

EDUCATION:

° Rise in number of European Universities in the ERASMUS University Cooperation scheme:  in 2005 this rose to 87% of all European universities, across 31 countries. Erasmus promotes student and teaching staff mobility, and supports trans-national cooperation between universities.  The scheme also supports “Thematic Networks Projects”, of which 19 were selected this year. http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/erasmus/erasmus_en.html

To read more of ECCE’s involvement in EU-funded thematic networks, please access the “Education Task Force” information under “Activities” on our web-site: www.eccenet.org

° Tempus Programme Annual Report for 2004 available on line: Full Text

° Merger of all EU-level current education and learning programmes  - including Erasmus, Leonardo and Comenius - are due to be merged from 2007 into a single EU Lifelong Learning Programme, to run from 2007-2013. MEPs held their 1st reading of the proposed programme in October.

THE ENVIRONMENT:  

° The Second European Climate Change Programme (ECCP II) was launched at a Brussels stakeholder conference.  The Commission states that ECCP II will analyse what has been achieved under the first European Climate Change Programme and look for new options to reduce emissions, particularly in the fields of geological carbon capture and storage, passenger road transport, aviation, and adaptation to those effects of climate change that are unavoidable.  Information about the stakeholder conference: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm , whilst
information on future action against climate change is available at the following web address: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/future_action.htm

° The Thematic Strategy on the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment, now published, is the second Thematic Strategy that the Commission has adopted following the provisions of the 6^th Environmental Action programme. It will be a key part of the future Maritime Policy which the Commission will propose in 2006. The marine Strategy is one of seven Thematic Strategies the Commission is required to propose under the EU’s Sixth Environmental Action Programme (6EAP). Air pollution Strategy was presented in September 2005, the other Strategies will cover waste prevention & recycling, sustainable use of resources, soils, pesticides and the urban environment. http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/marine.htm for further detail.

° Conciliation agreement reached on revised bathing water directive Member States and Parliament have reached agreement on the revision of the EU Bathing Water Directive. Existing Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC will be repealed and replaced, to reflect scientific knowledge gained since 1976.  Instead of 19 parameters for analysis, inspections will focus on the two parameters considered most important for health.  The new directive will complement Directive 2000/60/EC (the "water Framework Directive") as well as the Directives on urban wastewater treatment and on nitrates pollution from agricultural sources.  The directive is scheduled to be implemented within three years after it has entered into force, i.e. at the start of 2009.

° The Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers exchange views on Court of Justice judgment relating to environmental crime:  This follows a landmark decision by the European Court of Justice on 13^th September 2005 (Case C-176/03).  This issue will be discussed in depth at the Informal Ministerial meeting to be held in Vienna in January 2006. (This issue featured in the September 2005 ECCE Brussels Brief - in its judgement, the Court of Justice annulled Council Framework Decision 2003/80/JHA of 27 January 2003 on the protection of the environment through criminal law. EU Council    

Environmental cases and breaches:

° Greece  was ordered to pay costs for failure to implement directive on waste management Directive 75/442/CEE modified by Directive 91/156/CEE - Articles 4, 8 et 9 : Judgement (C-502/03)
Full text of this Judgment

° The European Commission has sent final warnings to Italy, Spain and Greece for not complying with basic provisions under the EU Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy). 

° The European Commission has decided to pursue legal action against Italy in eleven cases involving breaches of EU environment law. Ten of the cases address the failure to provide key information on air pollution, nature protection, waste management, environmental impact assessment and biotechnology.  The Commission has decided to send the Italian government a supplementary final written warning over the way Italy has implemented the EU directive on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive 85/337/EEC as amended by Directive 97/11/EC.

° 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:

° The Sixth Progress Report on the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue:  The report, prepared by the Russian Industry and EnergyMinister, Victor Khristenko and European Commission D.G. General François Lamoureux follows on the EU-Russia Summit held in London on 4th October.  Today, Russia is the EU’s single most important external supplier of natural gas and oil. Russia accounts for some 50% of total gas imports or 25% of total EU gas consumption, and for over 30% of total crude oil and oil product imports or over 25% of total EU oil consumption.  Further information: (http://www.technologycentre.org/) & (http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/russia/joint_progress/index_en.htm).

° Green Paper on Energy Efficiency: Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs presented his Green Paper for discussion with members of the Commission for Sustainable Development (DEVE) of the Committee of the Regions in October.  The Green Paper predicts that the EU could save 20% in consumption costs by 2020 through a combination of energy efficient technologies and better advice for consumers (an estimated saving of €60 billion at EU level).

TRANSPORT:

° Mid-term review of the White Paper on the European Transport policy - Public consultation open till 31^st December 2005:  The Commission will carry out the mid-term review of the White paper on "the European transport policy for 2010 by the end of 2005.  The review will have to take into account several major new developments which may affect the basic hypotheses of the White Paper.  These include EU enlargement, weak current economic growth, high oil prices and new concerns, such as those relating to the safety of transport.   The Commission has produced a ten-question survey which it hopes will form the basis of consultation responses.

Questionnaire:  English  French  German Comments should reach the Commission's services no later than the 31.12.2005  electronic address: TREN-MID-TERM-REVIEW-WP-TRANSPORT@cec.eu.int

INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING:

° European Investment Bank  

° The EIB is providing a EUR 150 million loan for co-financing of priority projects (i) those co-financed by EU Structural Funds to develop the Latvian economic and social infrastructure and (ii) projects in the fields of the environment and Trans-European Networks co-financed by the EU Cohesion Fund. 

 

° The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 25 million for the upgrading of two existing hydroelectric power plants on the Kemijoki River in Lapland, northern Finland. 

 

°  Opening of EIB’s first project in Russia: Russian President Putin and Mrs Valentina Matvienko, Governor of St. Petersburg were present for the inauguration of the South West Wastewater Treatment Plant in St Petersburg

Further Information on European Investment Bank loans is to be found on http://www.eib.org

° The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  

° Information on EBRD activity is to be found on: http://www.ebrd.org

° Enlargement and accession – status and progress: The European Commission has adopted the 2005 Comprehensive Monitoring Report on Bulgaria's and Romania's preparations for EU accession.  Bulgaria and Romania signed the Treaty of Accession http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/negotiations/treaty_of_accession_2005/index.htm  on 25^th April 2005 with a view to joining the EU on 1st January 2007. However, the two countries have not yet completed full preparations for EU accession. The Commission confirms that Bulgaria and Romania meet the political criteria for membership. Nevertheless, further efforts are needed to strengthen the rule of law, improve public administration and the justice system and fight corruption effectively.  A further review will take place in April/May 2006.

° The European Commission provides substantial financial support to Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession preparations. Total volume of pre-accession assistance available for 2006 is:

° Bulgaria: €545million, Romania: €1,155 million. http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index.htm

° Currently, there are two candidate countries for EU accession: Croatia and Turkey. The Commission makes regular reports on their progress towards meeting the requirements for EU membership.

° Three further potential candidate countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro - are in the process of establishing a contractual relationship with the EU.  The Commission will also report on their progress.

° The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has applied for EU membership - the Commission will give its Opinion on this membership application.

° To establish a clear framework for enlargement policy, the Commission will also adopt a strategy document on the way ahead.

° NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - http://www.europarl.eu.int

In early October Parliament’s Environment Committee recommended a second reading of the legislative amendments drafted by Johannes Blokland MEP.  His proposal regarding , was adopted by 23 votes to 18 with 4 abstentions and will come before the full Parliament in late October in Strasbourg Crossborder shipments of waste

The European Parliament held a plenary session in Brussels on 12^th and 13^th  October 2005 and met in Plenary in Strasbourg from 24th-27th October 2005.

An own-initiative report by French MEP Guy Bono on education was debated on 12^th October – amongst recommendations is an emphasis to be put on lifelong learning and for Member States to speedily implement mutual recognition of qualifications.

MEPs held a first reading of a proposal to improve the financing of TENs projects (transport and energy networks). This report deals with procedures and eligibility criteria for obtaining EU funding for TENs. Amendments tabled at the committee stage also adjust the ceiling for the maximum percentage of EU funding for any project.

MEPs voted on a proposed regarding cross-border shipments of waste which was drafted by Johannes Blokland MEP.  The proposal was adopted by 23 votes to 18 (4 absentions) in Committee

The new Culture and Youth programmes, due to run from 2007-2013 received their 1st reading in the European Parliament in late October.  MEPs on the Culture Committee proposed substantial increases to funding available under both programmes.  For the new Culture Programme, MEPs wish to stress 'cultural heritage of European significance'.

Some reports of interest to members:

° ‘Report on education as the cornerstone of the Lisbon process’ Ref: A6-0245/2005 Rapporteur Guy Bono MEP

° Report on the proposal for a recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on further European cooperation in quality assurance in higher education  Ref: FINAL A6-0261/2005 Full text, Rapporteur: Ljudmila Novak MEP

° Report on the draft general budget of the European Union for the 2006 financial year - Section III - Commission Rapporteur: Giovanni Pittella MEP  A6-/2005 EU budget 2006

° Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on amending Decision No 2256/2003/EC in view of the extension of the programme in 2006 for the dissemination of good practices and monitoring ICT take-up (COM(2005)0347 ­ C6-0247/2005 ­ 2005/0144(COD)) Rapporteur: Giles Chichester MEP Full text

° Second World Science Forum, Budapest, Hungary – 10^th-12^th November 2005

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in partnership with UNESCO and the International Council for Science (ICSU) is organising the second World Science Forum. This will tackle the ethical aspects of knowledge and the responsibility of scientists.  Eminent participants will discuss: The Scientists' Approach - The Political Decision Makers Approach;  Capacity Building and Implementation;  The Role of Business;  Perspectives from the Developing World;  Challenges for the Environment; Educating Future Generations. One result aimed for is for the web site of the World Science Forum to be a basic reference tool of thinking about the questions of science and society. A public e-Forum is available for all to discuss and consider World Science Forum topics : http://www.sciforum.hu/

° Communicating European Research 2005, International Conference, Brussels, 14-15 November 2005 the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research will host the second "Communicating European Research" conference. The event will focus on the manifold aspects of science communication and will provide a forum and meeting place for scientists, communication professionals and journalists. The conference will also take stock of the way towards the Seventh Framework Programme. The first announcement of the conference is now available.

Information on the Calls for Proposals for the Exhibition and Forum is now available.

° 6th National Concrete Congress, Istanbul , 16^th -18^th  November 2005, The subject of the congress is "High Performance Concrete". It will be held at 'Istanbul Tecnical University Suleyman Demirel Cultural Centre, Maslak/ISTANBUL' For further information please e-mail : sevilkarincali@imoistanbul.org.tr    Information also available on the internet: www.imoistanbul.org.tr

° Civils 2005, Olympia, London, 22^nd-24^th November 2005

This is the U.K.’s largest exhibition for the civil engineering industry and is accompanied by conference sessions around themes such as urban regeneration, sustainable development, transport and infrastructure, climate change and flood risk.  Further information: Exhibition - http://www.civils.com/civilshome.asp Conference - http://www.civilsconference.com/ 

° First annual European energy policy conference, Brussels, 28 and 29 November 2005

The conference has been developed to allow stakeholders to discuss major policy issues surrounding energy in Europe, as the long term future of the sector begins to take shape. Topics for discussion will include current innovations, and research and development in the renewable energy sector. Further information: Dan Craft   Epsilon Events   E-mail: dcraft@epsilonevents.com

° Seminar on safer roadside engineering, Budapest, Hungary -30th November to 1st December 2005

This event is to discuss engineering good practices covering such areas as accident data analysis, preventive hazard identification and road safety audits.  It is organised by the EU funded RISER project consortium and the European Union Road Federation (ERF).   Further information

° Global Conference on Social Responsibility, Vilamoura, Portugal 16th- 18th Feb 2006.

The conference, at Vilamoura in Portugal’s Algarve area will focus especially on The Role of Business in Poverty Alleviation. The World Council for Corporate Governance (WCFCG) is testing the idea of widening the scope of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from roots in labour relations and community, to a way of making business pro-active in alleviating poverty.

° BETON 2006 Ready Mixed Concrete Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2006

The congress is accompanied by an international concrete-aggregate technologies and equipment exhibition.  Paper topics are Concrete in Human Life, Special Types of Concrete, Concrete Technology, Production and Application Technology, Architectural use of Concrete, Regulations and Quality Management Systems and Marketing and Industrial Problems.  Deadline for abstract papers is 2 May 2005.  e-mail: beton2006@thbb.org Information: www.beton2006.org

° 13th SEFI MWG Seminar, Buskerud University College, Kongsberg, Norway, 11th-14th June 2006 The main themes will be mathematical e-learning and innovative ways of teaching mathematics. Website: http://dmath.hibu.no/sefiseminar/index.html

The seminar is followed by the 3rd European Workhop on MathML and

Scientific e-Contents 13th-15th June 2006. Here the main themes will be all areas of brand new technology related to interactive mathematics on the web and mathematical and scientific e-learning. Website: http://dmath.hibu.no/workshop/

° Joint International Conference on Computing and Decision Making in Civil and Building Engineering, will be held in Montreal (Delta Centre-Ville Hotel), Canada, on June 14-16, 2006.  For the first time three streams of conferences will gather together at a joint Conference under a common theme: Building on I.T. This will be the largest gathering in computing and decision making in civil and building engineering in 2006. (i) ICCCBE-XI - 11th International Conference on Computing in Civil and Building Engineering  (ii) ICCC-ASCE - 2006 International Conference on Computing in Civil Engineering of ASCE and (iii) DMUCE-5 - 5th Conference on Decision Making in Urban and Civil Engineering.  Further information: http://www.icccbexi.ca,

° International Symposium on Dams in the Societies of the XXI Century,Barcelona, June 18th 2006  Subjects covered will include the role of dams in water management, hydropower, and flood control, viability and acceptability of dams and their alternatives.  Further details from: www.icold-barcelona2006.org.  e-mail: secretariat@icold-barcelona2006.org

° First International Conference on Advances in Bridge Engineering, Brunel University, UK, 26^th -28^th June 2006  CALL FOR PAPERS: Full information and publicity leaflet from www.brunel.ac.uk/sed/bec2006  Further information available by e-mail from: bridgeconf.2006@brunel.ac.uk

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