The European Parliament has pressed the Commission this week over the lack of progress in implementing the upgraded Schengen Information System II (SIS II) and the new Visa Information System (VIS) which have been delayed by more than a year and a half due to difficulties setting up the operational database. The smooth functioning of Schengen border controls and visa issuing is essential to guarantee security and free circulation within the Schengen area, and also to security for the 2012 London Olympics since the UK is set to join SIS II for access to Europ-wide police data

Fuel cell technology can deliver clean, efficient and abundant energy for Europe whilst creating economic growth and local employment, at the speed of funding for SET Plan.

[Brussels, 21 October 2009]

Larger demonstration and deployment projects will need to be funded in view of achieving the necessary economies of scale that will bring the technology to market price conditions.

Strasbourg 20 October 2009

The new revolution in patient power was the topic of discussion at today’s EuropaBio event in the European Parliament, Strasbourg.

The European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the International Union of Railways (UIC) have announced today that they will be working together more closely on a number of technical issues in the future. The main aim is to provide coordinated support from the industry to the European Railway Agency.

Publication date: 19 October 2009

European Commission officials are set to discuss, on 20th October, the technical parameters of tyre pressure monitoring systems for the European Union. Currently, certain commercial interests are lobbying to favour expensive so-called "direct" systems that could saddle car buyers with additional costs of up to several hundred Euros. Cheaper but comparably reliable "indirect" systems, however, would only cost some ten Euros.