The European Commission is thinking about tampering with Contract Law, by working towards a voluntary legal framework at EU level which could unnecessarily complicate business-relationships that at present appear to function suitably well. Orgalime President, Richard Dick commented “The Commission claims that due to differing contract law regimes in the Member States, companies are prevented from doing business between Member States.

Brussels, 2 February 2011 - The automotive market situation is expected to remain mixed in 2011, with strong demand in the so-called BRIC countries while the economic situation in Europe is likely to keep dampening new passenger car sales in this region. Commercial vehicle sales in Europe may record a relatively strong growth, however against the backdrop of the low market levels of the recent crisis.

BG and RO language versions will be available on the EPP Group website soon

The Chairman of the main European parliamentary Group (EPP Group), Joseph Daul MEP, has asked the President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, Viktor Orbán, to forward the SCHE-VAL Report to the European Parliament on the state of the preparation of Romania and Bulgaria for the Schengen area.

GUE/NGL MEPs criticised the EU's energy strategy priorities ahead of the European Council meeting this Friday, which will focus on energy and innovation.

"Energy is clearly vital for creating new jobs but governments continue to insist on outdated energy policies" Portuguese MEP Marisa Matias objected. "We need an energy revolution, not more public-private partnerships. Attachment to "old energy" and a lack of ambition in terms of "new energy" means this is unfortunately a Council of continuity, when it could be a first step toward real change."