The Assembly of European Regions (AER) took part today in a round table with Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the 5th Report on Cohesion, organised by the Committee of the Regions. AER is globally satisfied with the report’s conclusions, as a good basis for future discussions. It recalls the main principles of cohesion policy, in particular its mission as a policy for all Europeans to overcome challenges ahead and participate in building tomorrow’s Europe. However, even though partnership remains a founding principle, Regions are still not involved as full partners.

Negotiations between the European Council and the European Parliament on the 2011 budget and on political guarantees for the future of European policies deadlocked completely last night.

The reason why these negotiations failed is that some governments maintained their refusal to debate future-related aspects, despite the previous agreement by the Council Presidency to put it on the agenda.   

Brussels, 15 November 2010

The European Commission’s Eurobarometer on public perceptions of life sciences and biotechnology, released on November 11th, indicated that confidence and optimism are on the rise.

The survey, conducted in February of this year, showed that 80% of Europeans are in favour of or are unopposed to biotechnology.  However, findings also highlighted that Europeans are still hungry for facts and communication about the technology.

Over three-quarters of imported lighter models on the European market are potentially dangerous. The Decision of the European Commission on the safety of lighters is still not being respected.

The FIA - Federation International de l’Automobile today announces the appointment of Jacob Bangsgaard as Director General of FIA Region 1.

Jacob Bangsgaard will take responsibility for the mobility activities of the FIA in Europe Africa and the Middle East and support the more than 90 automobile clubs in the region from the new Region 1 headquarter in Brussels, Belgium.