Mobile phones on aiplanesThe Commission approved a new regulatory framework establishing conditions for the use of mobile phone services on aircrafts. Each passenger will soon be able to use his mobile for calls or text messages during European flights. “It will be possible for 90% of plane passengers, who already carry their phones on board, to be reached during their flights”, explained Commissioner Viviane Reding. The news was welcomed positively by air companies (some of which, like Air France, are already technically ready for its implementation) and by most passengers, although some said they preferred when they ‘could avoid being disturbed’ on the plane. “In order to implement this service – Reding explained – norms regulating the airspace of the entire continent were needed”. The Executive is now awaiting for “operators’ transparent and innovative tariff offers. Mobile phone services on board might be of great use especially for those who need to communicate wherever they are. However, if consumers should get extremely high bills, the service won’t take off. An open problem is still “to create the necessary conditions on aircrafts enabling those who use their mobile not to disturb other passengers”. Eurostat: the Europe of micro enterprises An economy constellated with small and very small enterprises: this is the picture which emerges from the Eurostat report issued April 8 in Brussels. In the era of globalization and multinationals, the Statistics Office of the EU Commission registered a “fragmented” situation in Member States. “Almost all enterprises” active in Europe in 2005 – which is the latest available – are “micro, small, or medium enterprises”. The first, with up to 9 employees, represent 92% of the overall number (research was conducted on all enterprises except for those in the agricultural, public and financial sectors), they provide employment to 38 million people, representing 30% of EU manpower. Micro enterprises are typical of production systems in Greece, Italy and Portugal; they are less numerous in Germany, Denmark and Romania. The importance of micro, small, (10 to 49 employees) and medium enterprises (up to 249 employees), in terms of occupation and wealth creation, is however “less than their relevance as relates to the number of enterprises”, explained the Eurostat report. In fact, large enterprises, amounting to 40 thousand in the EU (0.2% of all enterprises), “ensure 33% of employments contributing 42% of the total added value”. EU, “Concern for Zimbabwe”The European Union followed “with attention” Zimbabwe’s elections of March 29 and “praised the populations’ determination to put into practice their fundamental democratic right to vote”. “It encourages all interested parties to preserve this constructive approach”, were current Slovenian EU Council presidency’s remarks on the situation of the African Country, presently undergoing a difficult transition phase. The delay in the official disclosure of electoral results and the tug-of-war between the different political parties risk triggering a chaotic situation. “I’m worried for what is happening in Zimbabwe”, explained President José Manuel Barroso on April 9 in the Commission’s press room. “There have been too many delays in the results of the elections, while people need a reliable and transparent democratic procedure”. At the same time, “the Country needs a government which will undertake the fight against extreme poverty and will aim at relaunching economy.” According to Barroso, Zimbabwe needs “institutional stability, international aid from the EU and from the entire international community, and good relations with neighbouring African Countries”. Council of Europe: religions and cultures The religious dimension of intercultural dialogue was the issue debated in Strasbourg in the seat of the Council of Europe of April 8. Participants included members of the Council of Europe, politicians, religious and academic personalities as well as journalists. The meeting was introduced by the report of Jean-Paul Willaime, who underlined “the usefulness of dialogue between religious communities and non-believers; a confrontation based on clear objectives and on the values contained in the documents of the Council of Europe” concerning democracy, peace, human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as cultural diversity. “The Council of Europe adopts a secular approach whose key elements are intelligence and dialogue, this approach belongs to all Europeans”, the Professor explained. The rapporteur recalled that the Council of Europe “is dealing with the teaching of religious elements pertaining to faiths in the framework of public school education for all children”. A large debate followed. The Minister Committee of the Council of Europe will reflect on the results of the day next May 7th and will express their decisions over more initiatives concerning the religious dimension of intercultural dialogue.
