"Budgetary discipline can no longer be a theoretic figure in a political pact, but must be enforced in all budgets in the European Union. This is the only way forward, if we want to provide a long-term solution to the financial crisis", said Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, in a comment to the start of the "European Semester", a budgetary monitoring exercise decided by the EU.

Marking the start of 2011 which will hold a number of challenges for the EU, the ALDE group held a hearing on "Financing the European Union in times of austerity: towards a more independent source of revenue" to analyse the current system based primarily on national transfers and the options for change. At the same time the ALDE group is the first political group to outline its position paper, prepared by Carl Haglund (Svenska folkpartiet, Finland), in advance of proposals this year for the broad budget priorities of the Union, both in terms of revenue and expenditure.

Industry leaders of household name companies, all involved in producing and developing products and services to make energy use significantly more efficient, have signed a joint letter to the European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and all national Heads of State and Government pressing them to fully address energy savings in the upcoming European Energy Summit in Brussels on the 4th February 2011.

Brussels - Improving conditions for private sector investment in high speed broadband networks in line with the Digital Agenda objectives should be the key policy priority of the forthcoming Hungarian Presidency of the EU, reiterated ETNO members on the occasion of a luncheon meeting today with Mr. László Tóth, Head of Department, Office of the Hungarian Minister of State for Infocommunications Zsolt Nyitrai.

"The EPP Group in the European Parliament reaffirms its strong commitment to the protection of freedoms and rights, including the freedom of press. At the same time, it rejects all politically motivated accusations against the Hungarian government. The Commission is, rightfully, analysing the conformity of this law to the European legislation.