ECCE BRUSSELS BRIEF: A quick news roundup on Presidency activities, EU policies and actions on Research and development; Education; Environment, Energy; Transport/Infrastructure; Information Technology; General Interest; Project Financing; News from the European Parliament.  

  ° In the six months ahead, you will be able to find news and background information on the Greek EU Presidency on www.eu2003.gr

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 ° Discussions on creation of European Research Council: Discussions held at the Paris HQ of UNESCO on 19th February do not yet point to a clear direction and structure of the nascent group.  All participants agree that ERC should focus on supporting basic or investigator-led research.  The long-term nature of fundamental research, along with its lack of financial guarantees, meant that industry would be reluctant to provide the necessary funding - an ERC would be an ideal candidate to fill the gap.  Moreover, a recent study indicates that only two of the world’s top 20 research facilities are located in Europe.

Funding however was a divisive issue.  Some believe that the ERC’s budget must be based on new funding, rather than reallocating existing resources.  Suggested amounts for capital for an annual budget varied from Euro 2 billion to Euro 20 and 40 billions.  Whether ERC should compete with national funds proved another problem area for the discussion group.

 ° A Conference on the Sixth Framework Programme in the Balkan and Black Sea countries was held in Thessaloniki on 19th February.  Participants were encouraged to learn from Slovenia’s participation in FP5.  Of 1,345 projects proposed, 300 were accepted for funding, above the EU average).  Further information: http://www.rtd.si/eng/Default.asp

 ° EU and US to collaborate on climate research projects: Following a bilateral meeting on climate change science and technology research collaborative projects will cover a number of relevant themes.  Details are to be found on:  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2003/17 493.htm

° Germany experiences employment growth through university spin-offs: A recent study by the German Ministry of Education and Research shows that 13,000 jobs are created each year through university research and knowledge intensive “spin-offs”.    Such companies have higher than average productivity growth.  15 start-up networks in and around universities have been created in five German regions. Information: http://www.bmbf.de

 ° Sixth Framework Programme in brief: A commission document providing an overview of FP6, including a two-page “FP6 at a glance” summarising the mean features and the differences between FP6 and other public research funding programmes is to be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/research/index.html and on http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/fp6_glance.htm  Information on citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society is found on: http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/citizens.htm whilst the Commission's foresight activities are outlined on: http://www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/foresight/home.html

Presidency research information: http://www.cordis.lu/greece/home.html

EDUCATION:

 ° Commission debate on role of universities: Europe is starting a debate on the role of universities and all higher education establishments (33,000 in EU, 40,000 in Europe as a whole) such as Fachhochschulen, polytechnics and Grandes Ecoles. These institutions are accepting an increasing number of students - >12.5 million in 2000, compared with <9 million 10 years ago.  EU Member States spend 5% of GDP on public expenditure for education, comparable to USA and compared to Japan’s 3.5%.  Europe falls well behind its international competitors in terms of private – mainly family – funding of higher education.  Private income for universities in Europe is 0.2% of GDP compared with 0.6% in Japan and 1.2% in the U.S.  The Commission   Communication “Investing efficiently in education and training: an imperative for Europe” (COM(2002)779 of 10th January 2003): http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/consultations/list_en.html  Please also note information available on: http://europa.eu.int/comm./education/education_fr.html

Professional recognition

 ° In Strasbourg on 13th February a parliamentary question was put by Brian Crowley MEP asking the Commission to explain why its proposal for a directive on the recognition of professional qualification calls for elimination of expert advisory committees which can provide invaluable and unique advice to the Commission on recognition of professional qualifications issues.  This question relates to the proposal for a Directive which “introduces a new, flexible and modern method of consultation…”  A number of professions in the construction sector are critical of the current proposals, including ECCE.  ECCE’s position papers on the Professional Recognition proposal are to be found on http://www.eccenet.org

 ° The European Court of Justice(ECJ) ordered Spain to pay costs for failing to introduce mechanism for recognition of qualifications (Directive 1999/42/EC) in relation to activities covered by the Directive on liberalisation and transitional measures and supplementing the general systems for the general systems for the recognition of qualifications, or by failing to communicate them.(Case No. C-449/02). http://curia.eu.int

Meanwhile the Commission has decided to bring Greece before the ECJ for failure to correctly transpose and apply Directive 89/48/EEC on the recognition of higher-education diplomas awarded on completion of professional education and training of at least three years’ duration.  Incorrect application related particular to the professions of engineer and teacher.

 ° The first world e-learning conference was held in Edinburgh on 9th-12th February.  Discussion included skills issues in e-learning and possibilities and prospects for e-learning in higher education.  Further information is on: http://www.elearninginternational.co.uk/newslettertemplate.html

 The ENVIRONMENT:

 ° Proposed Directive on Environmental Liability – the proposal will be discussed at the Environment Council to be held on 4th March.  The Presidency has set out issues and proposed questions prepared questions.  A supplement to Brussels Brief is attached to this edition.  Also to be discussed at the Council is the Proposal for a Directive on the Quality of Bathing Water.

 ° New head for European Environment Agency (EEA): Professor Jacqueline McGlade, an environmental scientist active across a broad spectrum of the life sciences, is to be the next EEA Executive Director. The European Environment Agency is the main source of information used by the European Union and its Member States in developing environment policies. http://eea.eu.int

 ° “Civil Protection: improvement of public awareness and safety in the face of natural and man-made hazards” The Commission is continuing consultation on its Civil Protection Working Document (available on D.G. Environment’s web-site http://europa.eu.int/comm./dgs/environment/index_en.htm) until 7th April.  Comments to: Christian Faure, D G Environment, Unit Env.-B.4 e-mail: env-disaster-strategy@cec.eu.int

 ° A European Commission strategy for pan-European environmental co-operation has now been adopted to take account of the EU’s new Eastern neighbours following enlargement.  Emphasis on pursuing sustainable development and overall environment protection will include implementation of the agreements made at the September 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development.  Policy will be regionally differentiated, reflecting bilateral agreement.  Co-operation in the Balkans will include institution building and reducing environmental health threats, whilst in the NIS the Commission proposes combating climate change, efficient use of energy, improving public health and improving resource efficiency.

A Conference on European Environmental Ministers will take placed on 21st – 23rd May 2003 in Kiev as part of the “Environment for Europe” process established under the UNECE in 1991.

 ° Directive 2002/96 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and 2002/95 on use of hazardous substances in WEEE. Both Directives are dated 27th January 2003 and are to be implemented by 13th August 2003 following publication of the Directives in OJ L137 of 13th February 2003.  Member States may transpose certain provisions by means of agreements between the competent authorities and economic sectors concerned.  In a joint declaration of 13th February, (OJ L137/39) the European Parliament Council and Commission declared a common intention to examine concerns about financial implications for producers of the present wording of Article 9.

 ° Commission proposes strengthening EU system for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions: The proposal will help EU and Member States comply with international commitments. Compliance of a Party to the Kyoto Protocol will be assessed on the basis of the Party’s annual report of Greenhouse gas inventories to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  Under the Kyoto Protocol, reported data is only recognised after it has undergone international review.

 ° Common position for a Directive on packaging and packaging waste (94/62/EC): The Commission is proposing only a limited revision of the Directive on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis.  New definitions distinguishing mechanical, chemical and feedstock recycling are not accepted as new forms of recycling are not fully developed.  Minimum targets are agreed by Council, with a general deadline of 31st December 2008 (3 Member States get a four-year derogation).

 ° Environmental breaches – waste incineration: Germany is to pay costs following a 13th February 2003 European Court of Justice judgement that its objections to refuse waste transfers to other Member States, for incineration purposes, were unjustified.  Ref: Case C-228/00 of 13.02.2003.  The Commission is to pay costs for a failed action against Luxembourg on incineration of waste.  Ref: Case C-458/00 of 13.02.2003.

ENERGY:

 ° Underground disposal of nuclear waste:  Commissioners de Palacio and Busquin visited the European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of nuclear waste in Clay Environment (EURIDICE) in Mol, Belgium on 4th February where researchers are developing nuclear incineration or “transmutation”, a process that could considerably reduce the volume of waste.  The best-known solution for same management of radioactive waste is deep disposal in stable geological formations – as yet Europe has no deep disposal facility.  Although disposal can be safely carried out today, research is continuing on treatment methods to reduce the time span during which nuclear waste remains dangerous – information on a potential European Joint venture is to be found on http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/energy/fi/fi_en.html

And on http://europa.eu.int/comm/energy/nuclear/index_en.html

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:

 ° E-learning network of cities: The e-Learning Industry Group is to create a network across Europe.  The group will provide advice to the European Commission and national governments on areas such as information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as open standards that facilitate the exchange of e-Learning content and the development of a sustainable market for E-Learning content.  Further information from: secretariat@elig.org

 ° The Competitiveness Council meeting on 3rd March discussion will include the Green Paper on entrepreneurship http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/entrepreneurship/green_paper/index.htm and the Communication “Industrial Policy in an enlarged Europe” http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/industry/policy.htm

 ° Public Procurement infringements: Commission action against seven Member States regarding 10 breaches of EU law on public procurement included a number of construction and engineering related issues. France Portugal, and Germany have been referred to the Court of Justice.   The Commission considers the French legislation (Loi M.O.P) frequently applied to major construction projects to be in breachy of EU regulations and this is now referred to the Court of Justice. Portugal has failed to implement correctly the Directive on remedies for tenderers who consider they have not been fairly treated in the tendering process and in two cases Germany has awarded waste-management contracts without EU-wide tendering.  Two reasoned opinions have been sent to Italy relating to contracts awarded by ANAS, the public body managing the national road network.  One relates to a 1992 award for a tunnel in Olbia, Sardinia, the other to six 1999 contracts for design work for the N106 road in Calabria.

Information on infringements may be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com/index_en.htm

 ° Project financing: Projects receiving financing

EIB: In 2002 the EIB lent a total of Euro 39.6 billion for projects of which Euro 33.4 was in EU Member States and Euro 6.2 billion available in non-EU countries. In future Member States, 48.5% of total lending was for transport and communications infrastructure linking the region and the EU.  26% of lending was for the water sector, to help future EU members meet the EU’s environmental standards. EIB's lending to Italy totalled EUR 6 billion in 2002 (+11%), the highest result ever. Financing for the infrastructure sector more than doubled to EUR 2.1 billion.  Information on European Investment Bank loans is to be found on http://www.eib.org

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development  http://www.ebrd.org

NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:

The European Parliament  held a plenary session in Strasbourg from 10th to 13th February 2003.

Reports of potential interest to professional civil engineers and to the construction sector:

• Report on the Commission White Paper “European transport policy for 2010: time to decide” Rapporteur Juan de Dios Izquierdo Collado MEP,  Ref: A5-0444/2002 of 9th December 2002
• Report on Commission Communication “eEruope:An information society for all – An Action Plan to be presented in view of the Seville European Council, 21/22 June 2002” (2002/2242)   Rapporteur: Reino Paasilinna MEP,  Ref: A5-0013/2003

Report on Commission communication on the impact of the e-economy ion European enterprises: economic analysis and policy implications.  Rapporteur: Bashir Khanbai MEP, Ref: A5-0434/2002

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

 ° E-government Europe summit, Netherlands, 3rd to 5th March

The second annual e-government Europe summit will take place in Noordwijk aan See.  It aims to bring together decision-makers across Europe on key issues: successful knowledge management; moving from technology-led to citizen-led; overcoming the challenge of interoperability; knowledge management; improving communication and efficiency.  http://www.egovernmenteurope.com/html/event.htm

 ° Information Society Conference, Prage 23rd to 25th March 2003

The Conference will look at IST services and public administration and evaluate progress in eGovernment.  It will also prepare the framework for virtual twinning between cities in EU and Central Eastern Europe  http://www.isss.cz/loris/

 ° Innovation in Europe dynamics, institutions and values' ,  Roskilde, Denmark, from 8 to 9 May.

The SEGERA project consortium conference, funded by the European Commission under the Improving Human Potential section of the Fifth Framework Programme, aims to analyse and discuss the dynamics, institutions and values that characterise the innovation process and technological development in Europe, with a focus on the EU.

Discussions will be organised around seven key topics: Systems of innovation, institutions and values in Europe;
 Knowledge dynamics and cooperation;  Intellectual property rights;  Private financing and public-private partnerships for innovation;  Risk society and the governance of science;  Innovation for competitiveness and cohesion;  Information society. Keynote speakers at the event will include Professor Bengt- Åke Lundvall, and Paraskevas Dimitri Caracostas, Head of Unit: Knowledge-based economy and society, from the Commission's Research DG.

For further information, please consult the following web address: http://www.segera.ruc.dk/ 

 ° Seminar on the MED-REUNET (Mediterranean network on wastewater reclamation and reuse) co-operative programme, Izmir, Turkey 29th to 30th May 2003

The event will be used to present initial results from the work of the European Commission-funded network.  Topics for discussion include:  technology and innovation; risk assessment and management; rules and regulations/guidelines; - socio-economic issues; integrated water resources management. Further information: http://www.med-reunet.com

 ° International Congress in Civil Engineering Education, Ciudad Real (Spain) 18th-20th September 2003

The Conference is being held in conjunction with EUCEET.  Some of the subjects to be looked at are: at university programmes and professional requirements, existing and new training contents in civil engineering scientific areas and adaptation to the Bologna Agreement.

http://www.uclm.es/cr/caminos/Congress/index.htm  e-mail: congreso.caminos@uclm.es