On 11 July the Commission tabled proposals to cut average emissions from new cars to 95 grams of CO2 per km in 2020 from a mandatory target of 130g in 2015. Emissions from vans will be reduced to 147g CO2/km in 2020 from a mandatory target of 175g in 2017. “The 2020 targets are achievable, economically sound and cost effective: the technology is already available and affordable.

German GUE/NGL MEP Jürgen Klute will take part in a European Parliament delegation to Paraguay from 16 to 18 July to assess the impeachment of President Fernando Lugo.

"The European Parliament has serious doubts about the legality of the political decision that ousted President Fernando Lugo. We will evaluate the consequences of recent events in Paraguay, notably their role in the recent massacre in Curuguaty" said Klute.

Commissioner Kroes took a reassuring step today by suggesting that Europe can expect durable regulatory guidance for all of the investors in next generation infrastructure.  She gives a positive signal of confidence to those in the digital communications market engaged in the long term investment in tomorrow’s broadband infrastructure.

Europe must learn from the experience of practitioners and businesses over the last ten years and come up with a framework for dealing with cross-border insolvencies which optimise the chances of saving jobs and paying dividends to creditors. At the same time, business policy must aim to rehabilitate ‘honest’ business people so as to give them a second chance – while providing proper safeguards for shareholders and customers.