June news: 6th Framework Programme for Research adopted with Euro 17.5 billion budget; Environmental concerns focus on World Summit on Sustainable Developments (WSSD), European Parliament focus on enlargement, also funding of the new 6^th Framework Programme for Research 

PRESIDENCY ACTIVITIES

The end of June marked the close of the six-month Spanish EU Presidency. Denmark took over the reins from 1^st July 2002.  A European Summit was held in Seville on 21^st and 22^nd June 2002. 

Conclusions from the Summit included: calls for earliest possible adoption of the decisions implementing Sixth Framework Programme for Research; confirmation of an agreed timetable to open up the electricity and gas markets; discussions to review Community guidelines for trans-European transport networks and introduction of a single sky within the agreed time frame; endorsement of European Commission Action Plan for eEurope 2005 objectives and a mid-term review of this by the Spring 2004 European Council meeting; actions relating to open platforms in digital television and third-generation mobile communication, development of eCommerce and e-Government; report on guidelines for State aids to be produced; Council of Ministers invited to implement Commission’s biotechnology strategy and also adopt the package of measures on public contracts.

NEWS ITEMS FROM THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS:

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:

Council of Ministers approves 6^th Framework Programme (6FP): On 3^rd June the Council adopted 6FP for research actions, RTD and demonstration projects for 2002-2006 (Doc. 8829/02) and FP6 for atomic energy (Euratom) (Doc. 5609/02) for which the total budget allocated is Euro 17,500 million of which Euro 16.27 billion are for the European Community RTD programme and Euro 1.23 billion for Euratom.  The documents mentioned above can be found on the Council web-site: http://ue.eu.int

Links between transport and research emphasised: RTD Commissioner Philippe Busquin opened a conference on ‘Surface transport technologies for sustainable development’ in Valencia, Spain on 3^rd June.  He stressed the importance of the need to not only increase investment but improve efficiency of research policies in light of the predictions for increased transport – an estimated 38% increase in freight transport and 24% in passenger transport by 2010.  Advisory boards such as ACARE (aeronautics research) and ERRAC (railways research) contribute to prioritising research.  Commissioner Busquin congratulated industrial groups who had set up a road transport research group – RTRAC.  He advised that it could count on EU support if it were to implement principles and direction of the European Research Area.  Other areas of research mentioned in his speech were a proposed large technological platform on fuels cells and the ‘hydrogen economy’, which could unite all parties involved in this technology. 

Research evaluation: In June the European Commission launched a tender for a Euro 100,000 9-month contract to evaluate the impact of activities completed under the 3^rd & 4th Community research framework programmes.  This is part of the five-year assessment of Community research activities 1999-2003.  Tender documents had to be requested (too soon for monthly briefings!) by 5^th  July & submitted by 15^th July.  Information was published in Official Journal OJ No S 105-082611 of 03.06.02. The European Commission’s information point was D.G. Research, Unit 07 – Planning, programming, evaluation, SDME 2/41,1049 Brussels

New web-site promotes focal point for role of science and technology in meeting needs of developing countries.  “SciDev.Net” which was set up in December 2001 with the backing of the scientific journals ‘Nature’ and ‘Science’ aims to stimulate debate in the run up to September’s World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg through the launch of a ‘science and sustainability’ section.  Users of the web-site are asked for suggestions on concrete actions that could emerge from the WSSD.  Contact relating to the web-site may be made through: info@scidev.net

Industry Council  calls for encouragement to innovation to boost application of environmentally-friendly technologies: The 6^th June EU Industry Council called for a regulatory framework to support and encourage development of/investment in environmental technologies.  The Council also sought to ensure that the new EU strategy for chemicals did not impose costs, test requirements or administrative burdens which would put them at a disadvantage to competitors.  The Council has agreed to regularly examine proposals/initiatives that affect European competitiveness and might hinder ‘the economic component of sustainable development’.

Cambridge high-tech partnering event promotes Europe’s leading academic institutions in IT, communications and bio-technology:  The 20/21 June conference at the Cambridge Technology Exchange offered opportunities in partnering for high-tech growth; in parallel a trading floor was set up to allow established and aspiring global technology companies to demonstrate their capabilities.  Further information on web-site: http://www.cte2002.com

In a speech given by RTD Commissioner Philippe Busquin on 7^th June he announced that in the coming weeks he would present a Communication on how Europe must become more attractive for companies to invest in R &D.  It is likely that more attractive framework conditions and mechanisms will be created for business funded research.  These proposals will re-think the key role of universities, seek to finalise negotiations and implementation of a Community patent to create appropriate intellectual property rights and make provision for science and technology parks and better technology transfer in public-funded programmes.   Other measures will relate to fiscal incentives including support for capital risk. The Commission has also decided to review and simplify existing and planned legislation hampering the introduction of new products and services.  With a lack of R&D human resources: 2 researchers per 1,000 in UE compared with 7 in US, 6 in Japan and 1/3 of current researchers due to retired in the next 10 years, timing of measures is crucial.  To quote Busquin “No enlarged European economy will be viable without a strong EU research effort”.   In a European Business Summit bringing together 1,500 policy makers and business executives to tackle the issue of entrepreneurship and sustainable development in an enlarged Europe, Commissioner Busquin invited entrepreneurs from Candidate Countries to join this policy debate.  “They are fully aware research is the main driver for innovation and economic development.  And they will be key players in achieving the March Barcelona European Council target of raising EU average R&D spending to 3% of European Gross Domestic product” he pronounced. (http://www.ebsummit.org and http://europa.eu.int/comm/commissioners/busquin/index_fr.htm)

Later in June, Busquin presented latest figures on investment in research and technological development (RTD).  US spending on RTD in 2000 was Euro 288 billion (USD 265 billion), compared with outlay in Europe of Euro 164 billion.  The gap of Euro 124 billion, calculated at parity and at constant prices, equals Euro 100 billion, in 1994 this figure was Euro 51 billion.  The trend seen in 2000 is due to a fall in R & D spending by larger member states such as France, Italy and UK, off-set by good performance by Greece, Portugal, Finland and the Netherlands.  The role of private investment also differs – the gap between EU & US companies’ research in 2000 was Euro 104 billion, yet only 14 billion in 1995.  Further information may be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/era/sti_en.html

It may come as no surprise to learn that a report  published by the European Commission on 5^th June shows that women remain a minority in some scientific areas and in engineering.  Women, who now broadly constitute the majority of undergraduates in science, are also in the majority in the medical and biological sciences.  The full report is available on: http://www.cordis.lu/improving/women/Helsinki.htm

More research information: For details on the European nuclear research programme (Euro 1.230 billion budget for 2002-2006), information may be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/energy/fi/fi_en.html and http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/energy/fu/fu_en.html

Industry Ministers call for innovation to boost application of environmentally-friendly technologies: The 6^th June EU Industry Council  also agreed that care must be taken to ensure the new EU strategy for chemicals promotes innovation and preserves industrial competitiveness, without imposing costs, test requirements or administrative burdens which put them at a disadvantage to their competitors.

EDUCATION:

The role of European universities and higher education in the European learning area was highlighted in a report on the subject by Spanish MEP Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines (EP Doc Ref: A5-0183/2002).  This is the first own-initiative report that the Parliament has produced on universities and aims to open the way to a policy supporting universities as training centres for professionals and researchers.  Comparative statistics on European Universities in the research sphere show a decline in their contribution to research.  The report reflects concerns that much top-flight research is being conducted outside the university environment; mass higher education has placed severe strains on teaching, at times reducing quality and competitiveness.

On 10^th -11^th June, representatives from 29 EU and EEA Member States and future members met in Brussels for a European Commission conference on improving quality and performance of vocational education and training in Europe through increased co-operation.  The concluding speech of the conference was given by Director-General Nikolaus G. van der Pas and can be viewed on: http://europa.eu.int/comm./education/bruges/index_en.html

The ENVIRONMENT:

Environmental Liability: The European Parliament’s ”Draft Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage” suggests some substantial amendments to the proposal.  These include: (1) the legal basis (Art. 175 and Art. 95 of the Treaty) to ensure companies do not decide where to establish a registered office is dependent on where the most favourable legislation applies (2) Urging the Commission to urgently produce the proposed legislative framework for a voluntary “Environmental Risk Assessment Management System” (ERAM) to prevent environmental damage, including common European conditions and standards for certifications and for auditors (3) that the Commission prepare a European Fund for non-recoverable environmental damage, to be managed by the European Environmental Agency in Copenhagen or a similar existing European organisation (4) The competent authority of the Member State where damage occurs shall determine which national legislation applies and shall have the lead in the procedure; the competent authority of the Member State where the polluter resides shall be required to provide any necessary information to the authority in the other Member State and to co-operate in any other way upon request.  Further suggestions include a ‘tree fee’ to plant new vegetation inside or outside the EU, to be paid per passenger for all intercontinental flights departing from the EU.  Further information to be found in the report issued: 5^th June 2002, ref COM(2002)17- C5-0088/2002 – 2002/0021

The Council of Ministers had this item on their Environment Council Agenda for 25^th June, focusing on a debate on financial guarantees and the responsibility of competent authorities.  Encouragement of a market in financial guarantees is proposed.  Some delegations prefer an obligatory system; others favour a voluntary one as proposed by the Commission.  Parliament first reading is envisaged for October 2002.

Kyoto Protocol on climate change ratification process: When the EU ratified the Kyoto Protocol on 31^st May at UN HQ in New York, EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstroem expressed confidence that the challenge of attaining the second threshold for the entry into force of the Protocol (ratification of countries responsible for 55% of industrialised countries’ emissions in 1990) was much closer.  However, on 5^th June Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced that his country will join the US in refusing to ratify it, despite signing it some 7 months ago.  Australia’s concerns relate to its coal industry – as the world’s largest coal exporter it fears coal-based companies relocating to developing countries with fewer restrictions.  Countries seen to be making progress in ratification include Japan, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, EU candidate countries and many developing countries.

Parliament report calls for measures to cut industrial accident risk: In a co-decision report by Giorgio Lisi of Italy, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee has called for action to further tighten up the Seveso II Directive.  Risk of further accidents like the Toulouse chemicals factory in September 2001 could be mitigated by measures on land-use planning to include guidelines for harmonised assessment of the dangers of hazardous substances present at industrial plants in or near ‘sensitive areas’; further demands are for clearer definitions of and new thresholds for ammonium nitrate (the chemical that caused the Toulouse plant explosion).  It supports the Commission’s proposal to include mining operation in the scope of the legislation but wants to broaden the definition of these to ensure that plants such as Aznalcollar (1998 dam-burst) are not excluded.  Report : Dangerous substances: major accidents, hazard control (amend. Directive 96/82/EC, Seveso II) by Giorgio LISI Ref: A5-0243/2002. 

Mapping the oceans: The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) chose World Environment Day (5^th June) to announce the launch of a new online atlas of the world’s oceans to combat their unsustainable exploitation.  The atlas presents 14 global maps, links to hundreds of others, including 264 maps showing distribution of fishery resources.  A further 100 show global ice cover, navigation routes, earthquakes and volcanic activity as well as ocean temperature gradients, bottom contours, salinity and other ocean-based characteristics.  Further information can be found on: http://www.oceansatlas.org

Mega-cities offer threat to key resources in S.E. Asia: At an international science roundtable in Bali, (Indonesia) forming part of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, it was noted that renewable and un-renewable resources in S E Asia are being exploited at a rate that could threaten the region’s environmental and economic stability.  Indonesian deforestation has risen from 600,000 hectares per year in the 1980s to 1.6 million hectares today. By 2015 Asia will have 15 mega-cities, with a population of more than 10 million.  Means to manage the impact are seen as improved technology, urban management and lifestyle changes. http://www.igbp.kva.se/prepcom4/

Action Plan for Johannesburg Sustainable Development Summit agreed: At the final preparatory meeting ahead of the Johannesburg Summit (WSSD) Environment Ministers agreed to introduce an Action Plan focusing on the eradication of poverty, changes to consumption and production patterns, and protection and management of natural resources as the basis for economic and social development, globalisation, and health and development in Africa and in small island States.  Ministers concluded that lack of funding has been a main stumbling block to implementing ‘Agenda 21’ adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.  The EU is promoting an initiative on strategic cooperation and priority for the integrated management of water resources – seeking commitment from governments to concrete initiatives and the setting up of voluntary associations between governments, social partners and the private sector to implement Agreements made in Johannesburg.  EU Environment Ministers at the Bali preparatory meeting endorsed the development of such a partnership: this aims to have the number of people lacking access to clean water and proper sanitation by 2015 in parts of Africa and in Central Asia and to pull together widely disparate and uncoordinated programmes and turn them into a coherent and unified platform to tackle water problems.  Further information is on the Spanish Presidency Web-site:  http://www.eu2002.es

Packaging Waste:  in the review of Directive 94/62/EC the Economic and Social Committee recommended: greater backing for innovation and for development of new recovery techniques for packaging waste; identification and development of new markets for recyclates; introduction of CEN standards for recyclates; more responsibility for the various packaging waste sectors; construction dialogue with consumers/citizens and continual improvement of the EU statistical monitoring system.  Further information on European Economic and Social Committee web site: http://www.esc.eu.int  Report ref: COM(2001) 729 final-2001/0291 COD –CES 681/2002  

The Spanish Presidency set forward targets – maximum 80% for recycling packaging waste, no upper limit for recovery; minimum objectives for recycling materials contained in packaging waste, 60% for paper and card, 60% for glass, 50% for metal, 20% for plastic, 15% for wood.  Some delegations have requested  that plastic target increase to 25%, others that metal be cut to 35%

Waste Statistics: The European Parliament has issued a report on this proposed regulation.  To have some idea of import and export of waste, Rapporteur, Hans Blokland proposes a targeted and structured pilot surveys in each Member State to avoid voluntary and time-consuming pilot studies.  A separate category is proposed for animal waste (as suggested by the European Commission).  The report “Recommendation for 2^nd reading on the Council common position for adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation on waste statistics” reference  A5-0231/2002 of 18^th June 2002

National regulations on disposal of packaging waste: A judgement of the Court of Justice in Luxembourg on 6^th June (C-159/00 Sapod Audic v. Eco-Emballages S.A.) ruled that labelling requirements are relevant to whether national rules on waste merely regulate selling arrangements or whether they are technical regulations of which the Commission must be informed (Judgement on http://curia.eu.int)

European Court of  Justice (ECJ) Judgements 1. Hazardous waste disposal: Greece has been ordered to pay costs following a judgement by the ECJ on 13^th June that it failed to supply information required under Art. 8(3) of Directive 91/689 (in the 1994 version 94/31/EC of 27^th June 1994) on disposal and/or recovery of hazardous waste.  Further information: http://curia.eu.int/

2. Environmental impact assessment: Spain was order on 13^th June 2002 to pay costs for its failure to transpose laws on the assessment of public and private projects on the environment (Directive 85/337/EEC).  Information: http://curia.eu.int/

Publication of Environment Survey on World Environment Day: On 5^th June the European Commission released survey results on public reaction to the environment in the 15 EU Member States.  Survey results reveal that 89% of Europeans surveyed are concerned about future trends I the field of environment and health (environmental pollution, chemicals etc); 86% are apprehensive about trends with regard to the use of natural resources and waste generation; 82% are concerned about trends relating to nature and wild-life, 72% about climate change.  Local community concerns include “traffic congestion and over-reliance on cars” (50%); “damage done to the landscape” (40%); “quality of water for swimming lakes, rivers and seaside” (40%); “noise” (36%).  75% of the European public feel that policy-makers do not think enough about the environmental dimension when deciding policy in other areas such as the economy and social policy.  Full ‘Flash Eurobarometer’ results of survey “Sustainable Development and Environmental concerns of Europeans” is obtainable on DG Environment’s web-site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/barometer/index.htm

Sixth Environment Action Programme finally adopted: On 12^th June the Council of Ministers adopted the decision establishing a programme for community action for the environment for the period 2001-2010 in line with the draft agreed with the European Parliament on 1^st May under co-decision procedure.  The four priority fields are climate change; nature and biological diversity; environment and health and natural resources and waste.

Commission consultation on management of waste from mining Interested parties have been asked to provide their comments on a 3^rd draft working document on management of wast resulting from prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage of mineral waste by 2^nd September 2002.  Full information may be found on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/environment/index_en.htm or ~/comm./environment/waste/mining.htm#workingdoc

ENERGY:

Council adopts common position on proposed Directive on Energy performance of buildings: On 7^th June the Council agreed a common position on the proposed Directive (European Council Ref: Doc 8094/2/02 REV 2 2001/0098 (COD)ENER 82 ENV 225 CODEC 469). The main features of the proposed Directive are that it provides a general framework for a calculation method for energy performance of buildings; the application of minimum requirements for new buildings and for existing buildings of more than 1,000 m2 when these are undergoing major renovations; certification of energy performance of buildings and regular inspection of boilers and air-conditioning systems.

Council considerations included specifying that Member States can differentiate between new and existing buildings when setting requirements and may exempt certain categories of buildings such as officially protected monuments.  The Council considers that Member States could implement either the mandatory inspection scheme or an alternative solution that has a broadly equivalent impact.  (Council web-site: http://ue.eu.int)

Control of nuclear waste in Russia: in response to a parliamentary question from Per-Arne Arvidsson, the European Parliament advised that significant progress is being made with a Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (NDEP) Support Fund. The Commission hopes this will soon start operations with full Russian Federation political and financial involvement.  The Commission has indicated willingness to contribute Euro 50 million to the Fund – a pledging Conference in Brussels in July will bring all potential contributors together.  Between 1999 and 2001 the EU committed some Euro 825 million under the TACIS programme to aid international efforts to improve nuclear safety levels in the NIS.   A Multilateral Nuclear Environment Programme in the Russian Federation (MNEPR) which contributes to an improved legal framework allowing donors to operate remains stalled while certain Russian authorities find themselves unable to agree the text.

On 6^th June the European Commission published details of its Workshop on European RTD Strategies for Photovoltaics, held at the EC Joint Research Centre in Ispra Italy on 30^th and 31^st May 2002.  Through the Renewable Energies Unit of IES, the European Commission is scientific co-ordinator of a Thematic Network,  ‘Photovoltaic Network for the Development of a Roadmap for PV’ (PVNET).  The network brings together representatives of relevant research and development and production areas in photovoltaic (PV) to stimulate communication within this research community.  Photovoltaics is a science that examines light-electricity conversion.  Conversion of solar energy carried by photons is transformed by solar cells into direct-current electrical energy.  PV solar technologies permit direct production of electricity from solar radiation without harmful emissions or noise.  Reference addresses: http://www.pv-net.net; Joint Research Centre: http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int/index.asp  

At its 7^th June meeting, the Council reached agreement on several crucial Commission proposals towards greater energy security.  These include a proposal for a Regional on State aid to the coal industry following ECSC Treaty expiry (Ref: COM/2001/423); Common position on the Proposal for a Directive on the energy performance of buildings (Ref: COM/2001/226) and further proposals relating to trans-European energy networks (COM/2001/1775) focusing on seven electricity and five gas priority projects of European interest, use of bio-fuels for transport; proposal to adopt a multi-annual action programme “Intelligent Energy for Europe” (2003-2006) which would build on previous programmes such as SAVE and ALTENER.  The Green paper on security of energy supply (COM/2000/769) and the Energy Charter were also discussed.  Further information: http://ue.eu.int/

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

eEurope 2005 builds on eEurope 2002: The new information infrastructure.

The action plan includes the proposed TEN-Telecom programme on http://www.ten-telecom.org  

Further details on:  http:// europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/news_library/eeurope2005/index_en.html

eEurope+ - A 2-day Ministerial Conference on the Information Society “Connecting Europe” was held in Slovenia on 3 and 4 June with the aim of accelerating the reform and modernisation of EU candidate countries’ economies.  Implementation of the EU acquis (body of regulations) is well on track in particular on telecommunications and e-commerce.  However, cost of internet access varies widely, PC costs are often prohibitive for home users and little data is as yet available on areas such as e-commerce.

New Public Authority Work-plan will promote e-government: The European Commission approved the Euro 23.6 million Work-plan for Interchange of Data Between Administrations (IDA) on 4^th June to improve electronic links between EU countries.  This year’s work-plan changes focus from ‘back office’ work to e-Europe and EU enlargement goals.  Funding will go to 39 projects of common interest in support of EU policies (e.g. health (mutual recognition of healthcare diplomas), consumer protection, internal market, environmental policy, public safety.  A further 31 projects are considered ‘horizontal’ actions and measures.  These include inter-operability measures on directory services, electronic certificates and smart cards for e-government services.  Public and businesses alike will be able to access the Portal of the EU Administration on which public information and services with cross-border implications will be accessible.  This will be complemented by activities supporting electronic procurement.     Further information may be obtained on:  http://europa.eu.int/ISPO/ida/jsps/index.jsp?fuseAction=home

A European Commission study published in June shows that there is clear progress on e-Government since activity was last measured in October 2001.  Availability and interactivity of public services on the internet has risen 10% to 55%.  The study which was carried out for the Commission by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young concluded that public services such as taxes which are usually delivered at central government level are the most developed online and have made most progress; those involving highly complex procedures and taking place at local level (e.g. environmental permits) are mostly still in the online information phase.  Further information: http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/benchmarking/list/2002/index_en.htm

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT:

On 7^th June the Council adopted a Common Position for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on the Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV).   This is considered a major step to simplify technical requirements of procurement procedures (i.e. publishing of contract notices).  The main vocabulary is based on a 5-level hierarchical structure, while the supplementary vocabulary has two levels.  CPV seeks to replace other classification systems such as NACE and CN.  Detailed classification of goods covers more than 250 pages and allows for future modifications.

TRANSPORT :

“EU’s best engineers and scientists have to work together to make our transport sector more innovative, cost-efficient and environment-friendly” declared EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin in the run up to a major conference on Surface Transport for Many ongoing and new research projects are to be showcased at the Valencia Conference.

Further details: http://europa.eu.int/comm./research/growth/Valencia/index_en.html

Road Safety Issues: On 13^th June the European Commission adopted technical specifications for the digital tachograph which will record driving times and rest periods for professional drivers (it retains the information for one year).  The new tachograph will be more secure and easier to check than the present

A European Parliament vote on car design should support improved pedestrian safety.  Industry has committed to design cars according a series of tests to be implemented in 2005 and in 2010.  The tests aim to verify that car design will minimise injuries to pedestrians involved in an accident.  A ban on supply and fitment of rigid bull bars on new cars will be implemented from this year.

The European Commission produced an information leaflet “Safe driving in Road Tunnels” ahead of the summer break to promote a road tunnel safety information campaign.  The leaflet can be downloaded from : http://euopa.eu.int/comm./transport/themes/land/English/lt_7_en.html  A video on the subject can be seen on Europe by Satellite, the EU’s TV news agency – http://europa.eu.int/comm./ebs/index_en.html

Council of Transport Ministers held on 17^th June adopted a common position on access to port services; agreement was also reached on maritime, aviation and road safety.  Of specific interest to civil engineers are the failure of Council to reach agreement on the proposal for an EP and Council Decision amending Decision no 1692/96/EC on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport networks Doc. COM/2001/544IP/01/1288 and IP/01/1357 – the main issue being the updating of the “specific” projects list which includes those adopted by the 1994 Essen and 1996 Dublin European Councils. Eight new strategic projects will be added in the update; their design should change modal split in sensitive areas, clear bottlenecks on routes linking outlying regions to centre of EU and prepare for enlargement.  Several member states are opposed to this update.  Council also failed to reach a broad understanding on a Proposal for an EP and Council Regulation on granting of Community financial assistance to improve environmental performance of the freight transport system (Marco Polo programme) Doc Ref: COM/2002/54 IP/02/193  Some Member States wished to see the proposed Euro 115 million budget reduced to Euro 37 million for 2003-2006.  Several states wanted lower minimum eligibility thresholds to allow for smaller projects.  Political agreement was reached on a Proposed Directive to amend Directive 91/671/EEC on compulsory use of safety belts in vehicles under 3.5 tonnes – a 5 year time limit is now set for implementation (Ref: Doc COM/2000/815).

Road Transport Advisory Committee (RTRAC) launch meeting: The new EU Road transport research advisory committee held a launch meeting on 4^th June to announce its goal of creating “a vision for the long-term future, to have a basis for advising the European Commission and all the stakeholders regarding the future of research”.  RTRAC, which will conduct a study leading to a vision for the year 2020 to promote various research actions, comprises 14 senior experts from car manufacturing companies, suppliers, the oil industry, research institutes and other relevant stakeholders.  RTRAC establishment follows creation of rail (ERRAC) and aeronautics (ACARE) research groups.  (Extract from Cordis news).

ERRAC, European rail research advisory council announced its strategic rail research agenda for 2020 on 7^th June. This recommends using innovative technology to double rail freight and passenger market share and to treble rail freight and passenger traffic volume.  ERRAC sees its task now as developing recommendations for implementation.  Recommendations to improve railway capacity involve investment in infrastructure, technological advancements, improved network integration and inter-operability to be achieved through developing critical technologies in areas of railway inter-operability, intelligent mobility, safety and security, environment, materials and production methods.  ERRAC estimate of investment need to come from rails sector EU and Member States, is a considerable increase in the Euro 1.25 billion invested each year in recent years.  Quality would be raised through enhanced factor productivity, improved information flows throughout supply chain, punctuality and use of intelligent mobility systems: further details on ERRAC are obtainable from: http://www.unife.org/workgroups/errac_1.asp

ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST:  Commission proposal to modify First Company law Directive (68/151/EC) should simplify and modernise provision of company information for limited liability companies.  Through this proposal, company documents and information may be filed by electronic means from 1 January 2005. Companies could also voluntarily file same information in other EU languages, in order to improve cross-border access.

Switzerland has commenced negotiations with the European Commission in four news areas: association to the Schengen agreement; criteria and mechanisms for deciding which state is responsible for considering asylum applications; establishment of a free trade agreement on services and a bilateral agreement in the audio-visual field. Negotiations on savings taxation also commenced in June.

Essential Services: Commission proposed method to assess and improve “services of general economic interest” From 2003 the Commission will produce annual evaluations of the performance of services of general economic interest in 15 EU Member States covering, in principle: air transport, local and regional public transport, electricity, gas, postal services, railway transport and telecommunications.  From 2005 the evaluation will include future Member States. Evolution of competition in these sectors will be analysed and resulting changes in structure of demand and supply; effect of changes on performance including price and quality of service; also user perception.  Full documents on: http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/structuralpolicies_en.htm

The European Investment Bank announced funding for a number of significant projects in June.

• A loan of Euro 42 million has been made to finance the acquisition of trains for passenger transportation across the Oerseund Fixed Link between Copenhagen, Denmark and Malmoe, Sweden.  The Oeresund Fixed Link, which opened in July 2000, is a priority Trans-European network project.  The EIB has lent a total of Euro 1.8 billion for development of the project.
• EIB is providing a Euro 450 million loan to Dexia Crediop SpA in favour of Autostrade SpA to upgrade the Florence-Bologna section of Italy’s A1 toll motorway, a strategic project within TEN (roads network).  This is the first tranche of a Euro 900 million EIB facility for the project.  The A1 has already received a Euro 150 million loan in 2000 to finance two other sections of the A1 motorway near Bologna.
• The UK is benefiting from a Euro 156 million loan to a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) to establish and modernise renewable energy generating facilities in Scotland with a total capacity of 544MWe.  Energy production from the project will meet 50% of Scotland’s renewable energy targets.
• The EIB is lending a total of Euro 200 million for the urban renewal and energy-efficient social housing throughout Poland by means of a 25 year loan to State Owned BGK Bank.  It is also granting Euro 80 million over 20 years to the State to finance the Drogowa Trasa Srednicowa urban expressway in Upper Silesia, following a Euro 100 million loan granted to this project in 1998.  The EIB has lent over Euro 5 billion to Poland since 1990.
• Euro 60 million is being lent towards construction of the last two sections of the Rijeka-Zagreb motorway.  The investment will be co-financed from Autocesta Rijeka-Zagreb d.d. and in parallel to financing from EBRD and KfW.
• EIB loans in Sweden aim to ease road congestion in Goeteborg and Stockholm areas.  The first is Euro 65 million (first tranche of Euro 174 million) to upgrade a busy urban road in central Goeteborg.  The other is the third and final tranche of a Euro 436 million loan for the Southern Link of the Stockholm Ring Road.
• Latvia’s power company SJSC Latvenergo will receive a EURO 80 million EIB loan to help upgrade a combined heat and power plant in Riga and the transmission and distribution networks through Latvia.

·         Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board is the recipient of a Euro 200 million loan to reinforce and extend its electricity transmission and distribution networks for Ireland.

On 26^th June the European Commission adopted a communication on the social dialogue which proposes establishment of a “tripartite social summit for growth and employment”.  This will take place at least one a year on the eve of the Spring European Council that discusses the economic and social situation of the Union.  The “social dialogue” is the mechanism by which the ‘social partners’ come together on employment related issues and policy.  The European social partners are inter-branch organisations UNICE/UEAPME for the employers, ETUC for employees and CEEP for businesses with public participation or sectoral organisations.

NEWS FROM THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:

The EP’s June plenary held in Strasbourg on 10^th -13^th June focussed on EU enlargement.  The European Commission and the Council of Ministers reported to MEPs on 12^th June on progress with negotiations with countries hoping to join the EU in 2004. Related reports include:

 Enlargement negotiations by MEP Elmar Brok of Germany (Ref: A5-0190/2002,24^th May 2002); Financial impact of EU enlargement by Boege of Germany (EP Doc Ref: A5-0178/2002, 23^rd May 2002), Border regions and enlargement by MEP Renate Sommer of Germany (EP Doc. Ref:A5-0096/2002 )

Joint debates were held on implementation of research programmes 2002-266 and on RTD and research and training programmes.  Reports considered included: Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area by Dutch MEP W.G. van Velzen (EP Doc Ref: A5-0211/2002 of 30^th May 2002); Rules for participation in EU and Euratom programmes by Genevieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl of Germany (Ref:COM(2001)822 – C5-0017/2002-2001/0202(COD) of 29^th May 2002)  The report stressed the need to raise public interest, particularly in areas where scientific progress has a greater impact on people’s lives or where their confidence in science and scientists needs to be strengthened; Structuring the European Research Area by Greek MEP Mysirni Zorba (Ref: COM(2002)43- C5-0213/2002 – 2001/0123(CNS) EP Doc. Ref: A5-0206/2002)  This report includes proposals that measures be taken to create a European Higher Education Area, plus promotion of inter- and multi-discipline working; The Joint Research Centre by Yves Pietrasanta of France (Ref:COM(2002)43-C5-0214/2002-2001/0124 (CNS) and EP Doc Ref: A5-0210/2002)  This report emphasised the need to focus on public-health impact of atmospheric pollution, improvements in water quality and waste-water treatment plus soil quality and health safeguards in agricultural production; Nuclear energy by Alyssandrakis of Greece (EP Ref: A5-0209/2002 of 29^th May 2002) and Joint Research Centre for Euratom by MEP Konrad Schwaiger of Germany (EP Ref: A5-0208/2002). 

The European Parliament proposed amendments to the proposed EP and Council Regulation on the establishment of a fund for the compensation of oil pollution damage in European waters.  The Commission initiative will establish a fund (the COPE fund) to improve compensation of victims of oil pollution damage in European waters and to apply a financial penalty for persons who have caused or contributed to damage by grossly negligent conduct.  This builds on the existing international regime – the CLC and IOPC Funds. EP suggestions to oblige ship-owners to pay part of compensation were rejected for reasons of international law.

A further report presented was one on Road Safety and pedestrian protection by Hedkvist Peterson of Sweden (Ref: A5-0154/2002, 25^th April 2002).  Further business included proposals to amend the 1976 Act on electing MEPs (potential abolition of dual mandate); allocation of slots at airports, improving accessibility of public web-sites for people with disabilities and a report on plans to aid recovery of cod and hake stocks.

All the reports referred to above may be obtained from http://europarl.eu.int

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