european

Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, told CNA that within the next 40 years, a single market with Northern Africa will exist, he “is sure” about it. In addition, Oettinger stated that the main obstacle for a truly effective European energy single market is the lack of key infrastructures. In this sense, he stressed the need to build electric lines through the Pyrenees and the Alps, linking Central and Southern Europe with Northern Africa.

The “export vocation” and “good management of economic, tourism and trade competences” will ease Catalonia’s recovery from the crisis. This is the opinion of José Manuel González-Páramo, member of the European Central Bank’s Executive Board.

In response to a parliamentary question by the Member of the European Parliament, Ramon Tremosa, from the Association of Liberals and Democrats of Europe (ALDE) group, the EC wages for this railway network to be built before the end of 2012. This rail track is an essential part of the Mediterranean Rail Corridor, which will link Southern Spain to France via the Mediterranean harbours.

The Catalan Group on the Future of Europe sent their conclusions to the Reflection Group on the Future of Europe before the Reflection Group presented their results to the European Council. Today’s event was a way to foster debate in Catalonia on these issues and a way to show the results from the analysis by the Catalan Group on the Future of Europe. President of the Reflection Group on the Future of Europe 2020-2030 (and former Spanish PM) Felipe González. has summed up the conclusions.

The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) will be reformed. Catalonia wants to have a say in the future of the CAP. To do so, it is lobbying together with other European regions that lead fruit and vegetable production. A joint declaration with 10 ways to improve the sector has been agreed on.

137 municipalities from the Barcelona area have joined together to fight global warming, participating in the European Union Covenant of Mayors. Today they were in Brussels to share their experiences.

233,538 students in 954 programmes throughout Catalonia will begin the 2010/2011 school year in the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The EHEA is an objective of the Bologna Process to create a common and compatible university system throughout Europe.

The European Parliament, Council and Ombudsman have accused the Spanish Government of not translating legal texts and citizens? communications into and from Catalan. A binding agreement was signed in 2006 obliging Spain to pay for the translations.

Catalonia will be the first European region to implement the Small Business Act 2010-2013, a common strategy to strengthen small and medium-sized companies. These businesses are at the core of the European economy and therefore are a key asset

Ivars i Vila-sana, near to Lleida, will host the European pond terrapin tortoise, threatened with extinction. This semi-aquatic species is threatened by a recently introduced tortoise from North-America, which is stronger and competes in the same habitat.

Catalan sanitary company Roca has been fined 38.7 million euros for participating in a cartel (agreeing on prices competitors) with 16 other sanitary companies for over 12 years. Masco informed the European Commission of the covert operation.

A newly approved Tunisian law prohibits citizens to criticise the Tunisian government in front of other countries and organisations. A band of writers met in Barcelona to take a stand against this action.

The pressure of Catalan Euro MPs has worked out. The European Commission has changed its initial position to not renew its only Catalan translator. Commissioner Reding has personally engaged in finding a replacement.

EU economic spokesman says 'fiscal discipline must be respected at all governmental levels'

Delay aims to provide more scope for action on talks between Arabs and Palestinians