Brussels, 19 December 2008. - The three e's - the economy, energy and external relations - are announced to be the incoming Czech EU Presidency's main priorities. In the framework of its traditional advocacy work towards the successively forthcoming holders of the EU Presidency, Caritas Europa met representatives of the future Czech representatives for an informal dialogue on relevant policy issues. This was an opportunity to underline the need for a stronger emphasis on the social and humanitarian dimension of the EU agenda.

19 December 2008

Cogeca, representing European agri-cooperatives, welcomes the decision of the EU Commission to approve the merger plan submitted a year ago by the dairy cooperatives Friesland and Campina.

In particular, Cogeca recognises the positive stance taken by the EU Commission to approve the merger proposal therefore reflecting the interests not only of the Dutch farmers owning the cooperative, but of European consumers and taxpayers as well.

The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) congratulates the European Commission for releasing the communication and the proposal for a Council recommendation on patient safety.

Patient safety is one of the EU's most pressing health care challenges.
ESICM supports the free movement of patients and health professionals within the EU and is of the opinion that high quality of care and free movement of patients and professionals are intertwined topics that should all be addressed within a Community framework.

19 December 2008

“We call upon the Czech Presidency to continue the debate on the objectives and principles of the future Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 and to retain a firm stance in the WTO negotiations,” said Pekka PESONEN, Secretary General of Copa-Cogeca.