A new perspective against the Commission's Green Paper on Innovation Union was adopted unanimously yesterday in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee. Rapporteur for the opinion, GUE/NGL MEP Kyriacos Triantaphyllides (Cyprus) said "innovation, with a strong commitment from the Member States, will generate new opportunities for businesses, particularly innovative SMEs, will strongly support job creation, social cohesion and bring about new and sustainable economic growth, as well as meet the social needs of EU citizens and consumers."

On the occasion of the World Water Day “Water for Cities – Responding to the Urban Challenge”, EUREAU, the European Federation of National Associations of Water and Wastewater Services, underlines the importance of re-using water and finding other alternative water sources in urban areas.

Copenhagen and Rome, 22 March 2011

European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas today participated in a meeting of the CEOs of European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM). The discussions provided a preview on the European Commission’s Transport White Paper due to be published next week, and covered the issues that EIM sees as the most important priorities for the European rail network in the years to come: financing of rail infrastructure, rail freight corridors, asset management, interoperability and safety.

 The European Parliament has opened an investigation following UK press reports yesterday that three MEPs had accepted cash in exchange for tabling amendments to legislation.

Following the scandal, Dutch MEP Dennis de Jong,  from the GUE/NGL group,  has called for urgent action to strengthen the code of conduct for MEPs regarding their relations with lobbyists.