Top News from the European Commission Special Second semester 2009

AGENDA/09/27

Brussels, Friday 24 July

Top News from the European Commission Special Second semester 2009

Background notes from the Spokesperson's service for journalists

The European Commission reserves the right to make changes

Information:

As a supplement to the weekly Top News, you will find a list of up-coming events for the second semester 20089. More detailed information on the topics listed below will be available in the usual Top News format for four weeks ahead which will come back Friday 28 th August.

SEPTEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list 2

OCTOBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list 5

NOVEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list 7

DECEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list 8

SEPTEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list

Events with a set date:

01/09: Launch of the Juvenes Translatores translation contest (schools registration).

01-04/09: The Back to School initiative will take place in Ireland. It will involve European officials going back to their old school, or to another school, to discuss European issues with school students. The purpose of the visits is to strengthen contacts between young Europeans and decision-makers in an attempt to bring Europe closer to its citizens.

02/09: First Meeting of the College of Commissioners after the summer break.

02/09: Proposal for a legislative initiative to create a Joint EU Resettlement Programme for refugees in which Member States would participate on a voluntary basis.

02/09: Adoption of an Innovation package.

07/09/ Agriculture Council - The main topic discussed will be the milk crisis and the proposals in the Commission's dairy market Communication from 22 July.

07-09/9: Conference marking 20 years of the Jean Monnet Programme.

08-09/09: Conference on Rail Safety in Brussels.

09/10: Presentation by Vice-President Barrot on a package on legal migration.

10/09: Presentation by Commissioner Kuneva of the latest consumer sweep investigation aiming at defending consumers' rights and interests in important sectors.

10/9: Likely date for Commission proposals on financial aspects of climate change.

10/09: South Africa-EU Summit in Cape Town in the presence of President Barroso and Commissioner De Gucht.

11/09: Presentation by Commission Borg of a Communication Integrated Maritime Policy in the Mediterranean This Communication will highlight tools and specific actions to achieve an integrated approach to governing maritime activities in the Mediterranean sea basin in line with the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy. This should help remedy the current situation where policies and activities tend to develop in isolation from each other and without proper co-ordination both between different areas of activity, and between the local, national, regional and international actors involved.

14/09: Presentation of Interim economic forecasts by commissioner Almunia.

14-15/09: High-level conference: European Cities and the Global Climate Change Challenge in Stockholm, Sweden - The conference will address issues in relation to how sustainable urban development can be a part of meeting the challenges connected with climate change and at the same time contribute to the conversion to a low-carbon, green economy. The conference also continues the work of previous EU presidencies on sustainable urban development, in particular the initiative taken by the French Presidency in 2008 aimed at facilitating the implementation of the Leipzig Charter on Sustainable European Cities. Organiser: Swedish Presidency of the European Union.

15/09: Annual Statement on the Euro. It will set out headline political and policy messages for the euro area economy, drawing on the Annual Report on the euro area presented the same day.

15/09: Proposal on emission performance standards for new light commercial vehicles and minibuses as part of the Community's integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions following the laws now in place to cover cars

15/09: Proposal for a directive on the conditions of entry and residence of seasonal workers from third-countries to ensure a secure legal status and a reinforced protection against exploitation this particularly weak category. It is part of a comprehensive package of measures, proposed in the Policy Plan on Legal Migration of 2005 and further developed in the Communication on circular migration and migration partnerships of 2007.

16-22/09: European cities and towns have the opportunity to participate in the most widespread event on sustainable mobility, the European Mobility Week. A full week of events dedicated to sustainable mobility will be organised in more than 2000 cities and towns.

20-23/09: High-Level Meeting in New York for the Millennium Development Goals and on climate change with President Barroso and Commissioners Dimas, De Gucht and Ferrero-Waldner. In last European Councils, the European Commission and the EU Member States reaffirmed their commitment to reach a collective overseas development assistance (ODA) target of 0.56% GNI by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015. These commitments should see EU ODA double to over 66 bn euros by 2010.

22/09: Presentation by new Commissioner for Financial Programming and Budget, Algirdas Semeta, of the Commission's financial report 2008.

22/09: Launch of the Platform on languages and business bringing together companies, social partners, and education authorities. The platform will promote multilingualism for competitiveness and employability in Europe.

22/09: European Year of Creativity and Innovation: Brussels Debate on "Innovation policy: time to step on the gas". Panellists will include Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen and German typography designer Erik Spiekermann, Ambassador of the European Year

23/09: Presentation by Vice-President Verheugen of the importance of key enabling high technologies to improve European industrial competitiveness. Aims to launch a public debate on appropriateness of developing an industrial policy framework to ensure timely & widespread exploitation of enabling high technologies in key EU industries.

23/09: Action Plan on urban mobility, follow up to the debate launched by the Green Paper 'Towards a new culture for urban mobility'. It will propose possible actions at the EU, national, regional and local level – including actions by the industry and individual citizens and the appropriate instruments for each action.

23-24/09: President Barroso will attend the G20 summit in Pittsburg. The European mark was clear in the conclusions of the last G20 summit in London on 02 April. We need to introduce a set of rules at global level which enable us to control globalisation. The EU today is particularly well-placed to play a leading role. No other region of the world has as much experience as the EU in terms of agreements concluded on transnational rules and their effective implementation.

24-25/09: Conference on early language learning, Place Jourdan, with activities for children.

25/09: European Researchers' night. Special event to promote research in the Member States. More than 200 000 persons in 150 cities and towns attended the last edition.

25/09: Territorial cooperation and territorial cohesion seminar in Brussels. The purpose of the seminar will be to take stock of contributions to the Green paper on Territorial Cohesion in the field of territorial cooperation (cross-border, transnational and interregional strands).

26/09: The European Day of Languages will be celebrated with a wide variety of activities in Brussels and the Member States. The purpose of this day is to draw the public's attention to the importance of language learning, raise awareness of all the languages spoken in Europe and encourage lifelong language learning.

28-29/09: Commissioner De Gucht will attend the EU-Africa Business Forum in Nairobi.

28/ 09: Brussels - European Literature Prize/European Culture Forum . The European Literature Prize will be handed over for the first time at an award ceremony in Brussels in the presence of newly-appointed Ambassador of the Prize, bestselling Swedish author Henning Mankell, Commission President Barroso and Commissioner Figel'. The Award Ceremony will follow the 'Culture in Motion' Conference – an event presenting project results from the EU's Culture programme. The European Culture Forum, 29-30 September, aims to bring together around 600 participants from culture civil society, Member States and EU institutions to take stock of progress in implementing the European Agenda for Culture.

29/09: Launch event of the European Partnership for Action Against Cancer – Europeans united in speaking about cancer. Personal messages will be heard from cancer patients and cancer survivors from across the EU. There will be also a panel discussion. Every year, around 3.2 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer, which is the second most common cause of death in Europe.

30/09: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will present a communication on EU relationship with Latin America. This communication will reflect how to enhance the strategic partnership between the EU and LA and how to adapt our bi-regional common agenda to better address the new economic and financial global challenges, and in view of the preparation of next EU-LAC Summit that will take place in spring 2010 in Spain (date tbc).

30/09: Likely date for the launch of a consultation on the Lisbon strategy post 2010.

30/09: Expected publication of the European Court of Auditors' annual report. The Court will give its audit opinion on the 2008 EU accounts and on payments made to and from the EU budget.

Events with no set date:

- Legislative proposals for reform of financial supervision in the EU (Creation of a European Systemic Risk Board (ERSC) and European System of Financial supervisors (ESFS), following-up to the Communication on European financial supervision (27 May 2009):

- The Commission will make its annual proposals for fishing possibilities in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. These proposals will be based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

OCTOBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list

Events with a set date:

01/10: Launch of EGNOS   (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service)

02/10: Referendum in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty

2-4/10: Brussels – BRXLBRAVO Festival/Nuit Blanche Europe – A 3-day art festival with events in the whole city of Brussels, under the auspices of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

03/10: Job Days at the Berlaymont, Brussels. Jobseekers and employers can come together to find new opportunities, all with expert EURES Advisers present to offer advice and guidance. The event will cover not only jobs but also traineeships to visitors. In relation to the Swedish presidency a village will regroup Swedish regions and companies.

5-6/10: Lund, Sweden – Conference on the future of the Erasmus programme and learning mobility of young people in Europe. Celebrations of the 2 millionth Erasmus students – with students from 31 countries.

05-08/10: OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities, the biggest event in the world dedicated to regional policy. This seventh annual edition is organised by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate-General, under the headline "Global challenges, European responses", OPEN DAYS 2009 will cover themes related to regional responses to the economic crisis, climate change, territorial cooperation and the impact and future of EU cohesion policy. Seminars and workshops will focus on first impressions on implementation of the 345 cohesion policy programmes running from 2007-2013, worth a total investment of about EUR 500 billion in EU and national funds.

06/10: President Barroso will attend the EU/Brazil Summit hosted in Stockholm by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, in his capacity as President of the Council of the European Union with President Lula of Brazil. The meeting will be the third EU-Brazil summit within the framework of the strategic partnership established at the first summit in Lisbon in July 2007. 

07/10: Package on asylum including two proposals for a Directive on minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and withdrawing refugee status and for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted.

14/10: Proposal for a Regulation on the applicable law, jurisdiction, recognition of decisions and administrative measures in the area of successions and wills.

14/10: Enlargement strategy paper foreseen as well as progress reports on Croatia, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo (Under UN Security Council Resolution 1244), as well as a Feasibility Study on ways and means to further Kosovo's political and socio-economical development and its European perspective.

14-15/10: International workshop on Poverty Eradication and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

15/10: Brussels - European Year of Creativity and Innovation: Brussels Debate on cultural diversity as a factor of creativity and innovation

16/10: Frankfurt Book Fair - Launching of the OPOCE ( The Publications Office of the European Union) Digital Library.

17-24/10: Berlin - ELIA video clip competition (Prix Europa): Award ceremony for the winners of the "Languages through Lenses" competition, a special category of the Prix Europa festival for film students. Creative young Europeans explore in video the potential of multilingualism, the challenges it creates and the innovative solutions it requires.

18/10: Berlin - Radio Day: The European Broadcasting Union, the European Commission and Prix Europa have joined forces for the Radio Day of European Cultures 2009, dedicated this year to the wealth of languages in Europe under the patronage of Commissioner Orban. Radio channels throughout Europe will devote programmes on Sunday 18 October to the issue of multilingualism.

19-23/10: European Week for the Healthy Workplace 2009, organised by OSHA, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao. The continuous improvement of safety and health at work is a key objective of European social and employment policy.

20/10: Green Paper on the right to family reunification of third country nationals . As a follow up of the implementation report of the Council Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification the Commission launches a wider consultation in the form of a Green paper on the future of the family reunification regime.

20/10: Communication on Solidarity in Health: Reducing Health Inequalities in the EU. The initiative embraces: 1. support action by Member States to tackle inequities in health. 2. establish mechanisms to monitor inequities in health across the EU 3. Ensure that relevant EU policies contribute to reducing inequities in health.

20/10: Strategy and second action plan (2010 -2014) on combating HIV/AIDS in the EU and the neighbourhood. Despite considerable progress in diagnosis, treatment and care, the number of new HIV infections is still rising in Europe. The new strategy will focus on priorities and actions towards an improved access to treatment, care and support throughout Europe and on activities against stigmatisation and discrimination and will link to broader Public Health issues such as injuries, drug use and sexual health.

22-24/10: The fourth edition of the European Development Days organised by the European Commission and  the Swedish Presidency will take place in Stockholm. This is the main European meeting of decision-makers in the field of international development cooperation. In addition to the work sessions, two annual prizes will be attributed: the Natali prize for quality journalism in the field of human rights and democracy Africa and the Development Youth prize: for young people with creative views on Africa.

28/10: Action Programme for Reducing Administrative Burdens in the EU. The Communication will take stock of what has been achieved, present a last list of proposals either recently adopted or to be adopted and present sectoral reduction plans.

29/10: Launch of the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion 2010 in Brussels. 80 million Europeans live below the poverty threshold. This figure will dramatically increase due to the consequences of the current economic crisis. This violates the EU principles of solidarity and social justice. There will be a special media event targeted to journalists.

29-30/10: European Council in Brussels

Events with no set date:

- The Commission will present a progress report on implementation of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy, a report on integration of maritime surveillance systems and a communication on the international dimension of Integrated Maritime Policy.

- Manifesto for Creativity and Innovation in Europe: The Ambassadors of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, including Denmark-based innovation researcher Professor Bengt-Åke Lundvall and Erik Spiekermann, a professor and typography designer from Germany, will publish a joint manifesto on innovation policy.

NOVEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list

Events with a set date:

02-03/11: US/EU summit in Washington.

03 /11: Commissioner Almunia will present the Autumn Economic Forecasts for 2009.

06/11: India/EU Summit in New Delhi.

09/11: 20 th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

9-10/11: Brussels Stakeholder conference on the Future of Transport.

9-10/11: Photo competition 'Imagine a new world' Award ceremony: In the framework of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation professional and amateur photographers of all ages from across the EU were invited to express their creativity. A prestigious jury will select the winners who will receive prizes in photographic equipment and trips to EU cities.

16-17/11: Third European Equally Summit in Stockholm. Equal opportunities ministers, heads of equality bodies, companies, media and NGOs from around the EU will meet for the third European equality summit to give some impetus to the fight against discriminations and the promotion of equality.

17/11: European Year of Creativity and Innovation: Brussels Debate on arts and creative industries

20/11: The Back to School initiative will take place in Sweden. It will involve European officials going back to their old school, or to another school, to discuss European issues with school students. The purpose of the visits is to strengthen contacts between young Europeans and decision-makers in an attempt to bring Europe closer to its citizens.

30/11 – 01/12: New methods for Cohesion Policy evaluation: Promoting accountability and learning, Warsaw, Poland - A series of 8 workshops on evaluation methods will reflect on the experience gained so far and have a critical look at the opportunities and challenges ahead, while also exploring more rigorous methods as a complementary approach to evaluate impact. A round-table discussion will then make the link from theory to practice, using these methods. Organisers: European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General.

Events with no set date:

- The annual Employment in Europe report is one of the main tools to support Member States in their employment policies. It provides an overview of the job market situation across the EU and focuses on a number of topics that are high on the EU's employment policy agenda. This year a chapter will be dedicated to green jobs.

- The Commission will make its annual proposals for fishing possibilities in the North-East Atlantic and the North Sea. These proposals will be based on scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

- Report on Progress towards the Lisbon objectives in education and training 2009: This key report will include the latest figures on the performance of education and training systems across Europe. With the help of indicators and benchmarks in fields such as pupils' reading abilities, school dropouts and adult learning the Commission will evaluate progress towards the ambitious goals EU Member States have set themselves under the Lisbon Strategy.

DECEMBER 2009: Non-exhaustive and to be confirmed Top News list

Events with a set date:

07-18: Copenhagen conference on climate change.

10-11/12: European Council in Brussels.

14-15/12: Conference on Cohesion Policy and Territorial Development in Kiruna (Sweden) - The purpose of the conference is to spread knowledge about and experience of conditions for regional growth. Discussions will be held about how structural funds and sectorial policy can contribute to the optimal use of these conditions and how to respond to future territorial challenges, such as climate and demographic change. Organiser: Swedish Presidency of the European Union.

16/12: Brussels, All stakeholders event on the European Year of Volunteering 2011/Golden Stars 2009 ceremony: A panel debate on the upcoming European Year of Volunteering 2011, including high level speakers from EU institutions, Member States, volunteer organisations and a range of other stakeholders. A ceremony marking the annual Golden Star awards for exemplary participatory projects will be the highlight of the event.

16-17/12: Stockholm – Closing conference of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009: This conference involving policymakers and stakeholders will review the outcomes of the European Year and contribute to shaping the agenda for European co-operation on innovation, education training and culture policies.

17/12 (tbc): European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT): Announcement of the first Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) as result of the call for proposals launched in April 2009.

Events with no set date:

- Annual progress report on the Lisbon Str

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