International Law

Submission 3/2008 by Guilaume FABRE and Daniel CREVEL-SANDER

Posted on April 28, 2008
?L?arrêt BUPA du TPI du 14 février 2008 et la mise en ?uvre des principes posés dans l?arrêt Altmark? Abstract The BUPA case gave an opportunity to the CFI to revisit the [...]

6th experts? forum on new developments in european state aid law 2008

Posted on April 23, 2008
You can find out more about the event here.

Submission 2/2008 by Etienne CHASSAING

Posted on April 14, 2008
“Effectiveness of State Aid Recovery and National Procedures: What is Left of Procedural Autonomy?” Abstract La procédure de contrôle des aides d?Etat vise notamment la récupération des aides nouvelles que la Commission européenne a déclarées incompatibles avec le marché commun, et ce afin de rétablir les conditions d?une concurrence libre et non faussée...

Institute for European Public Law (EN, DE, PL)

Posted on March 17, 2008
Established under the French law of 1901, the Institute for European Public Law is an initiative of a European general interest. Its purpose is to host a single interface on the production of ideas touching upon public law in Europe. Our website will host an online journal...

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Institut pour le droit public européen (FR)

Posted on March 14, 2008
Association loi de 1901, l?Institut pour le droit public européen est une initiative d?intérêt général européen dont la vocation est d?accueillir sur une interface unique la production d?idées sur le droit public en Europe. Notre site, accueillera une revue juridique en ligne...

Pomoc pa?stwa: Komisja wszczyna szczegó?owe post?powanie dotycz?ce pomocy w kwocie 47 mln EUR na rzecz dzia?aj?cej w Polsce spó?ki grupy BVG

Posted on March 14, 2008
Na mocy przepisów Traktatu WE dotycz?cych pomocy pa?stwa Komisja Europejska wszcz??a formalne post?powanie wyja?niaj?ce w sprawie przeznaczenia 47 mln EUR ?rodków publicznych na rzecz projektu inwestycyjnego realizowanego przez BDN Sp. z o.o. Sp. k., nale??cej do niemieckiej spó?ki BVG Medien Beteiligungs GmbH (?BVG?)...

Aiuti di stato: la Commissione autorizza un regime di aiuti italiano volto a promuovere l?impiego del biodiesel

Posted on March 14, 2008
Conformemente alle norme in materia di aiuti di Stato previste dal trattato CE, la Commissione europea ha autorizzato l?istituzione in Italia di uno sgravio fiscale volto a favorire la produzione e l?impiego di biodiesel. La misura modifica e proroga un regime approvato in precedenza e introduce un obbligo di fornitura di biocarburanti...

State aid: Commission refers Italy to Court of Justice for failure to recover illegal state aid

Posted on March 14, 2008
The European Commission has decided to refer Italy to the Court of Justice for failing to comply with a Commission decision of 14 December 2004 (see IP/04/1494) declaring tax incentives in favour of companies taking part in trade fairs abroad incompatible with the Single Market and ordering their recovery from the recipients...

Aides d?Etat : La Commission autorise un régime fiscal français de réduction d?ISF pour favoriser l?investissement dans les PME

Posted on March 14, 2008
La Commission européenne a décidé de ne pas soulever d?objection en vertu des règles du traité CE sur les aides d?Etat à l?égard du régime français de réduction fiscale accordée aux redevables de l’impôt de solidarité sur la fortune (ISF) qui investissent dans des PME...

State aid: Commission requests Italy to recover ?123 million of unlawful fiscal aid from nine privatised banks

Posted on March 14, 2008
The European Commission has closed its in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the provision of Italy?s 2004 Finance Law that allowed former public-owned banks to release hidden capital gains matured during their privatisation by paying a nominal tax of 9% instead of the ordinary company tax of 37...

Antitrust: la Commission inflige aux prestataires de services de déménagements internationaux en Belgique une amende de plus de ?32,7 millions en raison d?une entente complexe

Posted on March 11, 2008
La Commission européenne a infligé des amendes pour un total de ?32 755 500 à Allied Arthur Pierre, Compas, Coppens, Gosselin, Interdean, Mozer, Putters, Team Relocations, Transworld et Ziegler pour avoir fixé les prix, s?être réparti les marchés et avoir manipulé les procédures d?appels d?offres des services de déménagements internationaux, et ce en violation de [...

Staatssteun: Commissie akkoord met 3,5 miljoen euro opleidingssteun voor Volvo Cars Gent

Posted on March 11, 2008
De Europese Commissie heeft besloten dat de 3,54 miljoen euro aan steun van het Vlaams Gewest voor de financiering van opleidingsacties bij Volvo Cars Gent (”VCG”) verenigbaar zijn met de staatssteunregels van het EG-Verdrag. Het Vlaams Gewest had de steun voor in totaal 6,02 miljoen euro in mei 2007 aangemeld...

Aides d?Etat : La Commission autorise une aide de la France de 99 millions d?euros en faveur du programme de R&D « QUAERO »

Posted on March 11, 2008
La Commission européenne a décidé de ne pas soulever d?objection en vertu des règles du traité CE sur les aides d?Etat à l?égard du soutien financier de 99 millions d?euros accordé par la France au programme de recherche-développement (R&D) intitulé « QUAERO »...

Commission seeks common approach on the future governance of European Agencies

Posted on March 11, 2008
The European Commission today called for a new approach to looking at the role and governance of European agencies. In recent years, using agencies to implement key tasks has become an established part of the way the European Union does its business. The communication calls on the European Parliament and the Council to give a [...

Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of DoubleClick by Google

Posted on March 11, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the online advertising technology company DoubleClick by Google, both of the US. The Commission?s in-depth investigation, opened in November 2007 (see IP/07/1688), concluded that the transaction would be unlikely to have harmful effects on consumers, either in ad serving or in [...

Staatliche Agrarbeihilfen: EU-Kommission beendet Verfahren bezüglich der Steuervergütungen für den Unterglasanbau in Deutschland

Posted on March 11, 2008
Im Rahmen der EU-Vorschriften über staatliche Beihilfen hat die Europäische Kommission heute das Verfahren bezüglich der Steuervergütungen für den Unterglasanbau in Deutschland mit einer positiven und teilweise negativen Entscheidung abgeschlossen. Nach Prüfung der Maßnahme kam die Kommission zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Regelung mit dem Gemeinsamen Markt vereinbar ist, soweit sie dem Gemeinschaftsrahmen für staatliche [...

Concentrazioni: la Commissione approva la proposta di acquisizione di UBI Vita da parte di Aviva Italia

Posted on March 11, 2008
La Commissione europea ha autorizzato ai sensi del regolamento UE sulle concentrazioni l’acquisizione proposta dell’italiana UBI Vita, il ramo assicurazione vita di UBI S.c.p.a., da parte dell’impresa italiana Aviva Italia Holding S...

Komisia za?ína konanie vo veci formálneho zis?ovania na základe s?a?nosti na mo?nú ?tátnu pomoc Ryanairu poskytnutú bratislavským letiskom

Posted on March 11, 2008
Na základe s?a?nosti sa dnes Európska komisia rozhodla za?a? formálne zis?ovanie týkajúce sa zmluvy o poskytovaní letiskových slu?ieb na bratislavskom letisku, ktorá údajne zvýhod?uje Ryanair. V rozhodnutí Komisia od letiska po?aduje aj predlo?enie kópie zmluvy, ?o letisko doteraz odmietalo...

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of CICA by ACE

Posted on March 11, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Combined Insurance Company of America (CICA) by ACE Limited of the Cayman Islands. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it...

Le Luxembourg n?a toujours pas transposé la directive européenne sur l?égalité de traitement entre les hommes et les femmes dans le domaine de l?emploi

Posted on March 10, 2008
Dans un arrêt rendu aujourd?hui, la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes (CJCE) a estimé que le Luxembourg avait enfreint le droit communautaire en n?accommodant pas dans son droit interne les dispositions de la directive sur l?égalité de traitement entre hommes et femmes dans les domaines de l?emploi, la formation et la promotion professionnelles et [...

Sentencia del Tribunal de Justicia en el asunto C-196/07

Posted on March 10, 2008
  ESPAÑA INFRINGIÓ EL DERECHO COMUNITARIO AL NO RETIRAR LAS CONDICIONES IMPUESTAS PARA LA ADQUISICIÓN DE ENDESA POR PARTE DE E.ON   ES ; FR ; DE : EN

Statistics concerning judicial activity in 2007: increase in the volume of community litigation

Posted on March 10, 2008
1 259 cases were brought before the three courts comprising the Court of Justice ? the highest figure in the institution?s history. EN ; FR ; DE ; PL ; ES ; IT ; RO

EU Review of the United States? ?Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme?

Posted on March 10, 2008
The European Commission has designated Judge Jean-Louis Bruguière to undertake a review on behalf of the European Union in respect of the procedures governing the handling, use, and dissemination of personal financial data from the EU that is carried over the SWIFT network and obtained by the U...

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Emap by Apax Partners Worldwide and Guardian Media Group

Posted on March 10, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over Emap plc, the UK media services company, by Apax Partners Worldwide LLP (?APW?) and Guardian Media Group Plc (?GMG?) of the UK. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition [...

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle assets by Carlsberg

Posted on March 10, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of certain assets of the UK-based brewer Scottish & Newcastle (S&N) by the Danish company Carlsberg. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of [...

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Continental?s cooling fans and electric motor drives business by Brose

Posted on March 10, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the cooling fans and electric motor drives business of Continental AG by Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, both of Germany. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic [...

Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of Galvex by ArcelorMittal

Posted on March 10, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the galvanised steel business of the Estonian Galvex Group by ArcelorMittal, a leading global steel company based in Luxembourg. The Commission?s investigation found that the proposed transaction would not impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial [...

Antitrust: Commission welcomes E.ON proposals for structural remedies to increase competition in German electricity market

Posted on February 29, 2008
The European Commission has welcomed structural remedies offered by E.ON to settle ongoing antitrust cases in the electricity sector. E.ON proposes to commit to sell its electricity transmission system network to an operator which would have no interest in the electricity generation and/or supply businesses and to commit to divest 4800MW of generation capacity to [...

Marchés publics: procédure d?infraction contre la France

Posted on February 29, 2008
La Commission a décidé de saisir la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes d’un recours contre la France concernant les dispositions du code des marchés publics relatives à la procédure dite des marchés de définition. FR ; EN ; DE

Qualifications professionnelles: procédure d?infraction contre la France

Posted on February 29, 2008
La Commission a décidé d’introduire un recours contre la France devant la Cour de justice des CE pour avoir enfreint tant les articles 39, 43 et 49 du traité CE que la directive 92/51/CEE relative au système général de reconnaissance des diplômes, consolidée dans la directive 2005/36/EC, en refusant aux moniteurs de snowboard [...

Liberdade de estabelecimento: processo por infracção contra Portugal

Posted on February 29, 2008
A Comissão Europeia decidiu intentar uma acção contra Portugal no Tribunal de Justiça Europeu, relativa às restrições ao estabelecimento de Centros de Inspecção Automóvel, incompatíveis com o artigo 43.° do Tratado CE. PT ; EN ; FR

Port security: European Commission sends reasoned opinions to Germany and Poland

Posted on February 29, 2008
The Commission has decided to send reasoned opinions to Germany and Poland for failing to transpose into national law the European rules for improving port security. Sending a reasoned opinion is the last step before possibly taking a matter to the Court of Justice...

Energy Performance of Buildings: Commission launches Court proceedings against Belgium and the UK

Posted on February 29, 2008
The European Commission today launched court proceedings against Belgium and the United Kingdom for failure to notify adequate national implementing measures as required by the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. The goal of the Directive is to reduce energy consumption in buildings and it thus forms an important part of EU legislation aimed at [...

Ecodesign Directive: Commission sends Reasoned Opinions to five Member States

Posted on February 29, 2008
Today, the Commission sent Reasoned Opinions to the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Portugal and Luxembourg, who have not communicated their transposition of the Ecodesign Directive. The Directive aims at lowering the environmental impact of energy-using products and is one of the pillars of the EU strategy on energy efficiency...

Fusiones: la Comisión autoriza a Telefónica y Orizionia a adquirir el control conjunto de la agencia de viajes online española Rumbo

Posted on February 29, 2008
La Comisión Europea ha autorizado, con arreglo al Reglamento CE sobre Fusiones, la propuesta de adquisición por el operador de viajes español Orizonia Corporation (a través de su sucursal Turmed) y por Telefónica, S.A. del control conjunto sobre la agencia de viajes online Rumbo (”Red Universal de marketing y Booking Online”)...

2853rd Council meeting Justice and Home Affairs

Posted on February 28, 2008
The Council reached an agreement on two issues regarding a proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Police Office (Europol): the lifting of immunity for Europol officials when participating in operational activities, especially Joint Investigation Teams (JITs), and the principle of staff rotation and the possibility for Europol staff participating in JIT to receive [...

Commission puts forward proposals to the European Council on sovereign wealth funds and financial stability

Posted on February 28, 2008
The European Commission has today adopted communications on sovereign wealth funds and on adapting European and global financial systems to better promote financial stability. These communications are the Commission contribution to EU leaders’ discussions on these subjects at the Spring European Council on March 13-14...

Staatliche Beihilfen: Kommission untersucht staatliche Finanzspritzen für IKB und Sachsen

Posted on February 28, 2008
Die Europäische Kommission hat gemäß den Beihilfevorschriften des EG-Vertrags eine eingehende Prüfung der staatlichen Maßnahmen zur Unterstützung der IKB und der Sachsen LB in Deutschland eingeleitet. Beide Banken waren nach ihren Investitionen in US-amerikanische Subprime-Märkte in eine finanzielle Schieflage geraten...

Ajutoare de stat: Comisia cere României s? recupereze un ajutor ilegal în valoare de 27 de milioane de euro de la Automobile Craiova

Posted on February 28, 2008
Comisia European? ?i-a finalizat investiga?ia aprofundat? privind privatizarea Automobile Craiova, efectuat? în temeiul normelor privind ajutoarele de stat prev?zute de Tratatul CE. În urma investiga?iei deschise în octombrie 2007 (a se vedea IP/07/1467), s-a constatat c? România a impus o serie de condi?ii referitor la vânzare care aveau drept obiectiv asigurarea unui anumit nivel de [...

Staatssteun: Commissie sluit onderzoek financiering Vlaamse openbare omroep VRT af

Posted on February 28, 2008
De Europese Commissie heeft de zaak afgesloten waarbij zij de financieringsregeling van de Vlaamse openbare omroep VRT in het licht van de staatssteunregels van het EG-Verdrag heeft onderzocht. Zij kon de zaak afsluiten omdat de Belgische autoriteiten toezegden de bestaande regeling aan te passen...

State aid: Commission welcomes proposed changes to financing of Irish public service broadcasters and closes investigation

Posted on February 28, 2008
The European Commission has decided to close its investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime of the Irish public service broadcasters RTÉ and TG4 following commitments from Ireland to amend the current regime. The main modifications concern the clarification of the public service remit, the entrustment of new activities, the transparency [...

Antitrust: Commission imposes ? 899 million penalty on Microsoft for non-compliance with March 2004 Decision

Posted on February 28, 2008
The European Commission has imposed a penalty payment of ? 899 million on Microsoft for non-compliance with its obligations under the Commission?s March 2004 Decision (see IP/04/382) prior to 22 October 2007. Today?s Decision, adopted under Article 24(2) of Regulation 1/2003, finds that, prior to 22 October 2007, Microsoft had charged unreasonable prices for access [...

Commission approves special support for farmers in Southern Finland

Posted on February 28, 2008
The Commission has today approved a transitional national support programme for farmers in the South of Finland. The programme contains structural aid and income support and will be in force from 2008 to 2013. Article 141 of the Finnish Accession Treaty provides a basis for temporary special support programmes for farmers in Southern Finland...

Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of Packard Bell by Acer

Posted on February 28, 2008
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Dutch-based company Packard Bell by Taiwan-based personal computers manufacturer Acer. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it...

JUSTICE and HOME AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Posted on February 26, 2008
The background note for the next Justice and Home affairs Council (02/28/08) is available here.

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Arysta by Permira

Posted on February 25, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Japanese company Arysta LifeScience Corporation by Permira Holdings Limited of the Channel Islands. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it...

Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of various Hagemeyer subsidiaries by Rexel subject to conditions

Posted on February 23, 2008
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Dutch company Hagemeyer’s subsidiaries in several EEA countries and in Russia by Rexel of France. Both companies are active in the wholesale distribution of electrical products...

Antitrust: Commission confirms sending a Statement of Objections to Alcan

Posted on February 23, 2008
The European Commission can confirm that it has sent a Statement of Objections (SO) to Alcan on 21st February 2008. The SO outlines the Commission?s preliminary view that Alcan has infringed EC Treaty rules on abuse of a dominant position (Article 82) by tying its dominant aluminium smelting technology with handling equipment sold by Alcan’s [...

New European Commission proposals for fast track administrative burden reductions

Posted on February 23, 2008
Simplifying the statistical reporting duties of Small- and Medium- Sized Enterprises (SMEs), reducing paperwork for micro enterprises or facilitating the market introduction of new radio and telecommunication equipment. These are some examples of new possible Fast Track Actions (FTA) to reduce quickly administrative burdens...

Integrated Border Management - Fifth Annual Ministerial Conference on Border Security Cooperation in the Western Balkans

Posted on February 23, 2008
The text of Commissioner Franco Frattini?s address at the Fifth Annual Ministerial Conference on Border Security Cooperation in the Western Balkans is available here.

Antitrust: Commission takes note of Microsoft?s announcement on interoperability principles

Posted on February 21, 2008
The European Commission takes note of today’s announcement by Microsoft of its intention to commit to a number of principles in order to promote interoperability with some of its high market share software products. This announcement does not relate to the question of whether or not Microsoft has been complying with EU antitrust rules in [...

Competition Policy challenges in 2008

Posted on February 21, 2008
The text of Commissioner Neelie Kroes?s address at the 100th meeting of the OECD Competition Committee is available here.

Ombudsman achieves friendly solution with Commission on Italian state aid case

Posted on February 19, 2008
The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has welcomed the European Commission’s adoption of a decision in an Italian state aid case, following a complaint from an Italian firm. The company complained about a more than three year delay in adopting this decision...

Modernised Community Customs Code

Posted on February 19, 2008
The Modernised Customs Code will simplify legislation and administration procedures both from the point of view of customs authorities and traders. More?

Public procurement: Commission issues guidance on setting up Institutionalised Public-Private Partnerships

Posted on February 18, 2008
The European Commission has published guidance on the founding of Institutionalised Public-Private Partnerships (IPPP). IPPP are undertakings jointly held by public and private partners and are usually set up to provide services for the public, in particular at the local level...

Criminal protection of the EU?s financial interests: Commission report reveals persistent shortcomings due to insufficient action by Member States

Posted on February 18, 2008
A report now adopted by the European Commission takes stock of how the EU Member States fulfilled the obligations they agreed upon when signing the EU Convention on the Protection of the European Communities? financial interests and its three Protocols...

Commission adopts 5th Report on Union Citizenship

Posted on February 17, 2008
Today the European Commission adopted its fifth report on citizenship of the European Union. The report assesses the application of the rights conferred on Union citizens by the Treaty establishing the European Community during the period 1 May 2004 to 30 June 2007...

European Competition Policy in the age of globalisation ? towards a global competition order?

Posted on February 08, 2008
Download the full speech by Commissioner Neelie Kroes at the Forschungsinstitut für Wirtschaftsverfassung und Wettbewerb (FIW) here (source : EC).

Submission 1/2008 by Mariia MATSEPA

Posted on February 04, 2008
« Football and The Free Movement of Workers » Abstract Mariia Matsepa’s article examines the free movement of workers within the framework of a specific example, that of football. The author initially states under what conditions this sport is subject to Community law and, using typical cases, defines the modalities for its implementation...

Arrêt de la Cour dans l?affaire C-380/05 Centro Europa 7 Srl / Ministero delle Comunicazioni e Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni

Posted on February 03, 2008
LE RÉGIME ITALIEN POUR L?ATTRIBUTION DE RADIOFRÉQUENCES POUR LES ACTIVITÉS DE RADIODIFFUSION TÉLÉVISUELLE EST CONTRAIRE AU DROIT COMMUNAUTAIRE Ce régime ne respecte pas le principe de libre prestation de services et ne suit pas de critères de sélection objectifs, transparents, non discriminatoires et proportionnés...

Telecoms Rules: Commission refers Poland and Belgium to the European Court of Justice

Posted on February 03, 2008
In a new round of infringement proceedings for Telecoms Rules, the European Commission has decided to refer two cases to the European Court of Justice, and opened two new infringement proceedings. Three reasoned opinions, the second stage of an infringement proceeding, have also been sent and eight infringement cases are now closed...

State aid: Commission requests Italy to respect Court rulings on recovery of incompatible state aid

Posted on January 31, 2008
The European Commission has formally requested Italy to implement two European Court of Justice decisions ordering the recovery of illegal and incompatible state aid. Although the relevant ECJ judgements date back to 2004 and 2006, the Italian authorities have still not notified the Commission that the recovery has been successfully completed...

Création officielle de l?Institut pour le droit public européen - Introducing the Institute for European Public Law

Posted on January 25, 2008
Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer la parution des statuts de l?Institut pour le droit public européen au Journal Officiel de la République française. Association loi de 1901, l‘Institut pour le droit public européen est une initiative d?intérêt général européen dont la vocation est d’accueillir sur une interface unique la production d?idées sur [...

Electricity and gas market liberalisation plan ?goes too far?

Posted on January 25, 2008
European Commission proposals aimed at further liberalisation of the EU’s electricity and gas markets are too far-reaching, according to the findings of a consultation organised by the Committee of the Regions’ Subsidiarity Monitoring Network...

State aid: guidelines on state aid for the environment ? frequently asked questions

Posted on January 23, 2008
Why issue state aid guidelines for environmental protection? State aid must fulfil certain criteria and be authorised by the European Commission. The Commission issues guidelines and frameworks to help Member States by announcing in advance which measures it will consider compatible with the common market, thus speeding up their authorisation...

Advocate General Poiares Maduro suggests that the Court annul the Council Regulation freezing the funds of Mr Kadi

Posted on January 18, 2008
In his opinion, the Community Courts have jurisdiction to review measures enacted by the Community in order to implement UN Security Council Resolutions. Exercising that jurisdiction, he considers that the regulation infringes Mr Kadi?s fundamental rights under Community law...

Academy of European Public Law - Académie de droit public européen

Posted on January 16, 2008
We are pleased to promote the following event. The 14th session of the Academy of European Public Law will be held between August 31 and September 20. Find out more about the program here (français) and here (English).

State aid: Commission launches public consultation on the future framework for State funding of public service broadcasting

Posted on January 10, 2008
The European Commission has published a consultation paper on the future framework which will apply to State funding of public service broadcasting. This consultation gives Member States and stakeholders the opportunity to submit their views at an early stage, before any Commission proposal, on the possible revision of the Broadcasting Communication ? first adopted in [...

2008 summer courses at the European University Institute

Posted on January 09, 2008
We are pleased to promote the following events. The programs of the 2008 summer courses at the Academy of European Law (EUI) are available here (EU Law) and here (Human Rights law). Find out more about the Academy of European Law here.

Advanced European Union Legal Practice- Special Reform Treaty Edition Jul 14 - 26, 2008, Budapest

Posted on January 08, 2008
We are pleased to promote the following event : This advanced course is about the practice of European Union Law. Participants receive hands-on insider analysis about the functioning of the European Union. The program is designed to combine seminars on different subjects as well as workshops supporting the topics addressed in these seminars or some aspects [...

On the European Aviation Safety Agency

Posted on January 04, 2008
MEPs Jörg Leichtfried, László Zsolt Becsey, Inés Ayala Sender, Ar?nas Degutis, Edmund Mieczys?aw Janowski, Eva Lichtenberger, Jaromír Kohlí?ek, Philip Bradbourn, Ulrich Stockmann, Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Reinhard Rack, Silvia-Adriana ?ic?u, Timothy Kirkhope and Commissioner Jaqcues Barrot discuss the powers of the European Aviation Safety Agency...

Telecoms: Commission supports new efforts of the Belgian telecoms regulator to enhance competition in the broadband market and asks for speedy and effective action

Posted on January 03, 2008
The Commission has today recognised the recent efforts made by the Belgian telecoms regulator, IBPT (Institut Belge des services postaux et des télécommunications) to enhance broadband competition in the Belgian market by making the regulation more effective...

State Aid: The Commission launches a consultation on the draft Guidelines on State aid to railway undertakings.

Posted on December 23, 2007
These draft Community Guidelines aim at providing guidance on the compatibility of the EC Treaty State aid rules regarding railway undertakings. Rail transport is a safe and non-polluting transport mode, which confers many advantages to it. The sector which is in the process of liberalisation is confronted with a strong competition of different transport modes [...

European Council (Conclusions)

Posted on December 15, 2007
The conclusions of yesterday’s European Council are available here.

State aid : new Scoreboard available

Posted on December 14, 2007
The European Commission’s latest state aid Scoreboard shows that Member States have been moving over the past six years towards the European Council objective of less and better targeted aid. In particular, the EU-10 Member States have progressively reoriented their state aid towards horizontal objectives of common interest such as regional development, R&D, SMEs and [...

Charter of Fundamental Rights: the Presidents of the Commission, European Parliament and Council sign and solemnly proclaim the Charter in Strasbourg

Posted on December 12, 2007
The Presidents of the Commision, European Parliament,and the Council today signed and solemnly proclaimed the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in Strasbourg, thus opening the way for the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon tomorrow. The Charter will give European citizens a catalogue of rights legally binding on the institutions and bodies [...

About The Reform Treaty

Posted on December 11, 2007
With less than two days to go before the Lisbon summit and the European Council we thought it?d be interesting to present several of the works that have been written on the Reform Treaty. (This list is by no means exhaustive).