International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Saturday, 04.02.2012, 07:13
Professionals can save the EU: Commission makes a proposal
11.01.2012The working age population in many member states is shrinking and the demand for highly skilled people is growing. If Europe is to meet the challenges, gaps in labour shortages need to be filled, e.g. through mobile and well qualified professionals from other member states. They can be a key source of growth, but only if they can easily go to where jobs are and this requires their qualifications in the EU to be recognised in a fast, simple and reliable way.
Keyword tags: Business in Europe, EU – Baltic States, Labour-market, Legislation, Markets and Companies
New medical research provide ways to commercialisation
09.01.2012Scientists and surgeons from a number of EU states and Switzerland have developed a "virtual liver", using EU research funding, which will help surgeons detect liver tumours, better plan and carry out tumour operations and ensure quicker patient recovery. The project started in 2008 and ended in 2011 with the total cost of about €5,5 mln of which €3,6 mln came from EU funding.
European policy-making: public consultations and new 'alert service'
04.01.2012Starting from 2012, the European Commission gives citizens, businesses and non-governmental organisations at least 12 weeks to comment on plans for new policies and legislation, compared to 8 weeks previously. This will make it easier for them to get involved in EU policy-making at an early stage.
The EU Action Plan to help SMEs acquire financial resources
08.12.2011The Commission conducted a survey on the SMEs’ access to finances covering a sample of more than 15,000 firms across countries participating in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme. The report on the survey provides information on the financial situation, financing needs, access to financing and expectations of SMEs.
New strategic approach to growth in Europe
22.11.2011At a recent research conference, Olli Rehn, Vice-President of the European Commission and member of the Commission responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro delivered a speech “Europe's quest for growth: which way forward” (Brussels, 21 November 2011, SPEECH/ 11/772). The Commissioner underlined some new growth perspectives for the European Union and the member states.
Transport Future in Europe: towards renewed policy
Future of transport situation in Europe for the years and decades to come is one of the Commission’s highest priorities; this policy vision is embodied in the Commission’s White Paper*) on transport, "Roadmap towards a Single European Transport Area". Developmental prosperity in Europe is impossible without efficient transport, argued the EU Commissioner for transport.
New proposal on EU-wide contract law: advantages for firms and consumers
European Commission proposed to develop a draft of the Common European Sales Law to boost trade and expand consumer choice. It will provide firms with an easy and cheap way to expand their business to new markets in Europe while giving consumers higher level of protection. Instead of setting aside national laws, the European Commission is taking an innovative approach to contracts based on free choice, subsidiarity and competition.
Sustainable economy through rational use of resources
Swiss’ Davos is famous for its World Economic Forum taking place each winter. However, the city’s conferences facilities are explored on different occasions throughout the year. Thus, at the Second World Resources Forum which took place in Davos recently (19 September 2011), Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Environment revealed the Union’s policy measures concerning sustainable economy and efficient use of natural resources.
Number of millionaires up in Lithuania
Last year, 1,265 people in Lithuania reported their assets to have exceeded 1 million (EUR 290,000), an increase by 272 year-on-year, the business daily Verslo Zinios writes.
Additional opportunities for growth in Latvia: increased co financing rates in EU funds
In the beginning of August, the European Commission agreed to provide additional contribution to some of the EU member states under severe economic difficulties. The six countries’ share in the EU supported projects, i.e. Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Romania, Latvia and Hungary will be significantly smaller than previously evaluated.
EU provides €244 million for 183 new environment projects in Europe
The European Commission has approved recently the EU funding for 183 new projects under the LIFE+ program, the European Union's environment fund. The projects involve all EU member states and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, climate change, clean technology, environmental policy and information and communication on environmental issues. Overall, they represent a total investment of some €530 million, of which the EU will provide €244 million.
The Commission's new Energy Efficiency Directive
The Commission has issued suggestions for a new energy efficiency Directive to be in forced in a couple of years. The member states will establish national energy saving schemes according to which energy distributors or retail energy sales companies will be obliged to save every year 1,5 % of their energy sales. Besides, 3% of public buildings should be renovated each year, with the clear aim to save energy. Some other measures are discussed below.
Green travel: new priority for tourism and transport in the EU
Most Europeans are willing to compromise on the price and the features of their car in order to reduce harmful emissions, a new Eurostat-Eurobarometer survey has revealed. This survey conducted in all EU-27 member states during spring 2011, showed that the Union’s car users would make substantial efforts in order to reduce emissions and/or consider using public transport. The survey was conducted among 25,570 people in the EU member states at the request of the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.
EU strategy for Single Market
The EU Single Market strategy is still the nucleus and the core economic driving force in European integration. It also remains the most effective means of responding to the current economic crisis. In mid-April 2011, the Commission adopted “strategic aims” for the optimization of the Single Market, SM, which consisted of 12 main “projects” providing stimulus for prospective growth in 2012. Twelve instruments of growth, competitiveness and social progress range from worker mobility to SME finance and consumer protection, via digital content, taxation and trans-European networks.
Promoting IT healthcare system in Europe: Commission’s plan for 2012-2020
European Commission has been coordinating the so-called eHealth research in the member states for over 20 years. Since 2004, when the first eHealth Action Plan was launched in the EU, policy initiatives aimed at fostering widespread adoption of eHealth technologies across the EU had been developing too. The Commission is preparing the eHealth Action Plan 2012-2020 to be presented at the end of 2011. Present eHealth week in Hungary has invited health care professionals, representatives of patients as well as medical, pharmaceutical and ICT industries, legal experts and policy makers.
The europact: outcomes for the Baltic States 
