Europe’s enlargement confirmed, Denmark’s presidency draws to a close

° The culmination of the Danish Presidency was the Summit held on 12^th-13^th December.  An exchange of views was held on the development of discussions on the Convention on the Future of Europe.  The Convention is chaired by President Valery Giscard d’Estaing.  It will present the result of its work in time for the European Council in June 2003.  Accession negotiations were completed with Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.  The 10 acceding States will now be able to participate in the 2004 European Parliament elections as members. Other issues discussed included European Security and Defence Policy, the Middle-East Iraq situation, maritime safety and marine pollution and alpine transit.

The Danish Presidency review of progress on environmental issues published on 19^th December emphasised two key issues: the Directive to establish a market for trading with CO2 quotas and the controversial issue of the use of gene technology.  Businesses will be able to buy and sell CO2 emissions permits, so that emissions can be reduced where it is most cost-effective to do so.  (Under the scheme operators who fail to comply will face financial penalties.  This system would cover about 46% of total CO2 emissions of the current 15 EU Member Statues, but will also reduce the cost to the economy by +/- 35%.) The results of conciliation procedures with the European Parliament during the Presidency include rules on sulphur free petrol and diesel fuels, new environmental regulations for electrical and electronic products and a ban on animal testing in the cosmetics industry.  Rules have also been agreed that will ensure EU implementation of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental matters.  The forthcoming Greek Presidency will have to build on improvements made by the Danish Presidency in regulation of international trade in hazardous substances as part of the EU policy on chemical substances.  New coherent legislation on chemicals is required.

Presidency web-site: www.eu2002.dk   Environmental information: www.mim.dk/eu2002

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

° CORDIS launched its FP6 Calls service on 17^th December with three calls (all to be found in Official Journal C315) ‘integrating the European Research Area (ERA) (OJ C315/1 of 17.12.02)’, ‘structuring the ERA’ (OJ C315/58 of 17.12.02)and ‘Euratom’ (OJ C315/78 of 17.12.02) specific programmes.  These offer a total of 49 funding opportunities in all, covering a total of Euro 5 billion.  Most of the first allocation (Euro 3.4 billion) will be dedicated to the seven main FP6 priorities, ranging from life sciences to aeronautics, information society technologies to energy and transport.  70% of this funding will focus on new funding schemes such as Networks of Excellence and Integrated Projects.

The CORDIS service offers direct access to key documents – call texts, work programmes, a guide for proposers and further explanations on FP6.  Documents are downloadable and/or sent directly by e-mail.  Users will have quick access to search features to identify partners interested in the same topics and local National Contact Points.  All call announcements published on 17^th December will be set out in the first edition of CORDIS focus in 2003.  Information: http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/calls

° In early December the Commission published two calls for experts to assist in evaluating and selecting proposals for research projects to be funded under the Sixth Framework Programme.  Applications can be filed on-line and afterwards candidates will be contacted individually.  To see the two calls, please access: http://www.cordis.lu/experts/fp6_candidature.htm

° France announces measures in favour of innovation: In December France set out an action plan by which it is hoped that 3% of France’s GDP can be devoted to research and development by 2010.  France finds itself in a weak position (2.2% of GDP spending at present) in comparison to other large Member States with regard to R&D implementation in industry. For further information: http://www.minefi.gouv.fr/forum/planinnovation/planinnov.pdf or http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/fr/p.cfm?ref=381#3

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

° The 2003-2004 work programme for information society technologies (IST) was published in early December. Three technology-specific targets are outlined (1) development of reliable interoperable mobile, wireless, optical and broadband communication infrastructures; increased miniaturisation of microelectronic components and micro-systems; developer of user friendly interfaces that can interpret all senses, such as speech, vision and touch, and can understand multiple languages.

Under the heading of integrate systems, projects will cover: broadband for all, mobile and wireless systems beyond 3G, towards a global dependability and security framework, multimodal interfaces, semantic-based knowledge systems, networked audio-visual systems and home platforms and networked businesses and governments.  Sectoral applications will look at e-safety of road and air transports, e-health and technology-enhanced learning and access to cultural heritage.  The second call for proposals is scheduled for 17 June 2003 and sectoral applications will also cover improving risk management and e-inclusion.

Work programme: http://www.ukishelp.co.uk/framework6/07Documentation.php

° The completion of an EU funded project ‘on-to-knowledge’ has led to the creation of state of the art ontology-based knowledge management tools.  Ontologies are the rules governing how information is structured, which in turn allows that information to be processed by automatic computers.  The project, a collaboration between academic research bodies and industry from Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Norway, received Euro 1.3 million funding. The technology should make search and retrieval of data on the internet more effective and contribute to the next generation web – the semantic web.  Further information: http://www.ontoknowledge.org/index.shtml

° On 20^th December the Commission put forward a proposal for a ‘Decision of the Parliament and Council adopting a multi-annual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning Programme).  It was noted that in the eLearning Action Plan “e-learning” was defined as “the use of new multimedia technologies and the internet to improve the quality of learning by facilitating access to resources and services as well as remote exchanges and collaboration”.  E-learning has come to refer to ICT-based learning seen as an integral component of education and training systems.  It is therefore considered that the ability to use ICT becomes a new form of literacy “digital literacy”.  The plan considers digital literacy to be as important as “classic” literacy and numeracy 100 years ago.  On 19^th December the Commission adopted a proposal for a programme on the use of new information and communication technologies (NICT) to improve quality of and access to training (e-learning).  The Commission wishes to allocate a Euro 36 million budget over 3 years to combat digital illiteracy, to promote virtual campuses “adding a virtual dimension to the ‘Bologna process’” and to facilitate twinning of schools through the internet.

EDUCATION:

° Education Ministers endorse Copenhagen Declaration for strengthening vocational education and training (VET).  The declaration’s four main priorities cover: (1) strengthening European dimension in VET programmes, (2) integrating existing instruments e.g. European CV, supplements to exam and qualification diplomas, the Common European Framework for Languages (CEF) and the EUROPASS into a single framework (3) Calling on Member States to intensify efforts regarding recognition of competencies and qualifications and (4) Seeking to formulate common principles for formal and informal learning with a view to securing greater harmonisation.

° Parliament report slams Socrates Programme management: Following a highly critical Court of Auditors report on the Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes which have Euro 1850 and Euro 520 million funding respectively for the 2002-2006 period, the European Parliament is calling for reforms.  Proposed reforms include: replacing Technical Assistance offices by Community public-law agencies, clearly defining contractual relationship between Commission and national authorities, checking that national authorities have sufficient resources to carry out allocated tasks, defining practical administrative arrangements relating to national agencies’ management with national authorities, setting rules for efficient checking of the final financial accounts for projects, submitting meaningful interim and final reports.  Monitoring and evaluation should be fundamentally improved.

The European Commission is encouraging universities to increase the number of female graduates in mathematics, science and technology by 2010.  The EU produces more technical graduates than the US or Japan, yet fewer of them go into research careers.  Commission officials believe that a better gender balance could correct this.  Efforts to encourage girls and science and technology subjects are needed throughout initial, upper secondary and higher education.  Whilst Ireland, Portugal and Italy have 1.6 male students to each female, the UK ratio is 2:1 and Netherlands 4.7:1

The ENVIRONMENT:

° The Environment Council of 9^th/10^th December covered a wide range of issues including a proposed scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community; proposed regulations on GMOs, dangerous chemicals, monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community.  Progress was discussed on the Proposal for a Directive on environmental liability.  The President called upon delegations to strive towards significant progress during the incoming Greek Presidency with a view to reaching a possible political agreement in 2003. The Commission Communication “Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment” was presented.  The Commission also presented the proposal for a Directive concerning the quality of bathing water.

On 1^st and 2^nd December the Commission celebrated 10 years of the eco-label to promote “greener” products.  The ‘flower’ label, launched in 1992, is now used by 19 different product groups.  More than 120 licences have been awarded to several hundred products including indoor paints and varnishes.  Further information: www.eco-label.com and http://europa.eu.int/ecolabel

° Canada ratifies Kyoto Protocol: Under the Protocol Canada will have to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 6% by 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels.  The European Commission and its Member States jointly ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 31st May 2002.  At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in summer 2002, Russia announced it would ratify the Protocol.  The EU now calls on Russia and other Parties to do so as soon as possible.

° The Agricultural Council met on 19^th December.  The Council adopted a Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE Directive) on which Council and Parliament had reached agreement on the draft Directive on 11^th October.  The Directive provides for a binding annual collection target of 4 kg of WEEE per person from private households; free-of-charge collection facilities at Member State level and possibility for producers to put into practice individual or collective financing schemes for the collection of WEEE from private households.  It allows for measures to be adopted at Member State level to minimise ‘WEEE’ disposal.

° The Council also adopted a Decision establishing criteria and procedures for acceptance of waste at landfills.  This expands on criteria and procedures for acceptance of waste established in Annex II of The ‘Landfill Directive’ 99/31/EC of 26 April 1999.

° Waste Legislation breaches: The European Commission is pursuing action against 9 Member States – Italy, France, Luxembourg, Greece, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Ireland and Belgium for waste legislation breaches which include illegal and uncontrolled waste disposal sites and pollution from existing landfills.

° Infringement proceedings against France, Spain and Italy will start for their failure to provide information on possible breaches of EU environment law. The complaints relate inter alia to pollution and flood-control works, water transfer, waste water discharges and an urban development plan and also failure to carry out environmental impact assessment on a four-lane road project. 

The Commission is also taking legal action against France, Greece, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Italy over the Wild Birds and Habitats Directives.

TRANSPORT: 

° The European Economic and Social Committee is reviewing transport safety issues, focusing on addressing causes of terrorism and other threats to society.  The EESC feels that transport safety requires a harmonised approach within the EU and that governments should undertake co-ordinated action to draw up a comprehensive policy for financing and guaranteeing the highest level of security possible for sea and air travel:  http://www.esc.eu.int

° EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin was presented with a strategic rail research agenda (SSRA) on 18^th December.  This was brought together by the rail research advisory council (ERRAC) which has identified priorities including: increasing the speed of rail transport to reduce transit time by up to 50%; reducing the average cost per passenger/km or ton/km by 50%; reducing freight train noise emissions by 10 decibels and reducing fatalities by 50%.  A primary condition for success is integration along with developing links with research programmes for industries such as telecoms and aerospace.  Further information is to be found on: http://www.unife.org

° Trans-European networks: the Louvain-Liege section of the Paris-Brussels-Cologne-Amsterdam-London high-speed train project was opened in December, an important stage in extending the high-speed line between Brussels and the German frontier.  

ENERGY:

° The INTUSER EU-funded web-site has launched a multi-lingual survey to gauge public attitudes to, and knowledge of, energy issues.  The three-year project has a total budget of Euro 450,000. The project aims to get people to think rationally about costs, benefits, drawbacks and risks of all kinds of energy sources and to encourage scientists and other experts to communicate more effectively on energy issues.  The survey can be completed on-line via : http://www.intuser.net

GENERAL INTEREST:

°  On 5^th December the European Commission proposed a radical simplification of how the EU works.  It is seeking to simplify decision making but to retain the balance between Parliament, Council of Ministers and Commission (who respectively represent the people, the Member States and the general European interest).  It its Communication on the future of the EU, the Commission proposes that :-Parliament’s role in legislative and budgetary matters should be enhanced, the unanimity rule in  Council should be scrapped and Council should decide by a majority vote of member States representing the majority of the EU population.  The Commission’s right of initiative must be reinforced.  EU foreign policy should be strengthened by creating the position of ‘Secretary of the Union’, seated in the Commission and responsible also before the Council of Ministers.  The Commission President should be elected by the European Parliament with appropriate guarantees to safeguard the independence of the Commission.  The Commission should become politically accountable to both Parliament and European Council.  The Communication of the Commission to the Convention will be available on the President’s web-site: http://europa.eu.int/prodi

°  A Commission Communication on Industrial Policy in an enlarged Europe (Ref: COM(2002)714 final of 11.12.2002) was adopted in December to launch a pan-European debate on how best to enhance industry’s world-wide competitiveness. The Commission Is looking for ways to improve effectiveness e.g. by supporting spread of innovation and entrepreneurship, vetting all rules for business to ensure they are ‘business friendly’, ensuring that Internal Market rules work, combining EU policies that aim to enhance industrial competitiveness, and ensuring that industry-wide policy takes greater account of the specific needs of industrial sectors.

All parties are invited to contribute to the process and a final report will be made by end 2003.  The report text is on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/industry/conference/index.htm

°    The World Economic Forum has rated Finland as the world’s second most competitive economy  (after that of the US) industry-wide policy.  The report ranks the global competitiveness of 80 countries. Criteria are growth competitiveness and microeconomic competitiveness.  Finland seeks to regain the no. 1 spot it held two years ago and in December published an evaluation report on its biotechnology.

°  A UN report “The State of the World Population 2002” indicated that global population is projected to increase from 6.28 billion today to 9.2 billion by 2050.  It predicts that the populations of the least developed countries are expected to triple in the next 50 years from 600 million to 1.8 billion.

°  The figures for construction production in the third quarter of 2002 were published showing a decrease of 0.8% in the euro-zone.  The only increase for total construction was in the UK (1.8%) while Denmark (-3.9%), Belgium (-3.5%) and Austria (-3.5%) recorded the highest decrease.

°  The EU Presidency of the Council of Ministers received a report in December on the use of languages in an enlarged union.  It was noted that limited physical, human and financial resources mean that our of necessity some flexibility must be applied in managing available linguistic resources to ensure negotiations are conducted efficiently, without undermining EU principles on language arrangements.

EIB Project financing:

° Croatia is to receive a Euro 50 million loan for motorway rehabilitation for a motorway linking Croatia to Western Europe and providing a connection from Austria and Slovenia in the north to Greece via Serbia and FYROM in the south.

° Greece: EIB Euro 500 million for Olympics 2004 related infrastructure: On 4^th December the EIB approved a credit facility of Euro 1,500 million for the part-financing of a comprehensive Investment Programme being carried out by the Greek Government.  This aims at the successful organisation of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and improving the metropolitan Athens urban environment.

° Turkey to receive Euro 225 million loan for road transport: The loan will provide for upgrading, rehabilitating and extending the capacity of priority roads on the main corridors from Istanbul to the South and Eastern parts of Turkey.  As improvements will aid the private sector, the loan is under the new Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership (FEMIP) established by the EIB in October 2002. FEMIC focuses especially on the private sector.  FEMIP will enable the EIB to gradually scale up its annual lending activity in the region from Euro 1.4 billion to Euro 2 billion.  The Facility aims to liberalise the Mediterranean Partner Countries; economies and expand their potential in the run-up to the EU-MPC Customs Union in 2010.

Funding and Project details:  http://www.eib.org

The European Parliament held a plenary session in Strasbourg from 16^th-19^th December 2002.  The schedule included a debate at second reading on the proposal for a directive on protection of workers from exposure to asbestos; non-binding resolutions on the role of regional and local authorities in the EU decision-making process and on proposals for simplifying the different types of legislations coming out of the EU.  MEPs held a debate and vote on the EU budget for 2003.

Debates included recycling of waste (notably household equipment like fridges and toasters).  Waste electrical and electronic equipment must be collected separately with quotes by December 2006 of 50% recycling for small items such as toasters and 75% recycling for larger items such as fridges.  From July 2006 substances such as lead, cadmium and mercury must not be used in electrical equipment – though the directive does provide a list of exemptions.

Reports of potential interest to the engineering/construction sector include :

• Conciliation agreement on waste electrical and electronic equipment: (Rapporteur: K Florenz MEP)
• Conciliation agreement on restriction and the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (Rapporteur: Karlheinz Florenz MEP, Germany)
• Conciliation agreement on public access to environmental information (Rapporteur: Korhola, Finland)
• Research and technological development activities (Rapporteur: Pietrasanta, France)
• Report on Special Report No 2/2002 of the Court of Auditors on the Socrates and Youth for Europe Community Action Programmes (A5-0386/2002) by Brigitte Langenhagen MEP (Germany)

Further details of the session may be found on http://www.europarl.eu.int

° Industrial Policy in an enlarged Europe, Brussels – 21^st January 2003

Following the adoption of the Commission’s Communication on industrial policy (mentioned in this Brief), the conference will launch a broad public debate on the industrial policy challenges ahead.  Discussion will be opened by Commission President Romano Prodi, followed by two panels introducing prominent industry representatives and key institutions players.  Further details: http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise­policy/industry/conference/index.htm

° CESAER-SEFI Helsinki Seminar, Finland – 7^th-8^th February 2003

The future of Engineering Education in Europe – developments in the light of the Bologna Declaration. 

SEFI will hold its annual meeting in Porto, Portugal from 7^th to 10^th September 2003.  The theme will be the “Global Engineers: Education and Training for Mobility”.  Papers are being sought in the following areas: accreditation, engineering curriculum, global educaiton, world engineering systems, credits, lifelong learning and mobility, Bologna declaration and implications, professional recognition, and global trends.  Abstracts to be supplied by 15^th January, full papers by 1^st May to francois.come@sefi.be     http://www.sefi.be

° FP6 First Call and IST Information day, UK – 11^th February 2003

UKISHELP is organising a free IST information day in London on 11^th February 2003 which will focus on the new IST programme as a whole as well as the first call for proposals under FP6.  Further general information is available from: help@ukishelp.co.uk    See also: http://www.ukishelp.co.uk