Treaty: the march continues”The European Union has much to gain from the enactment of the Lisbon Treaty. Citizens, enterprises and Member States will benefit from it”. Janez Jansa, Slovenian Premier and President of the 27-Member State council, positively underlined the ratification of the Treaty by Germany (May 23rd). The Countries which gave their definitive approval of the document are now 14. Jansa explained that contrarily to what has been claimed until now, the Treaty is expected to be enforced not January 1st but May 1st 2009, on the eve the of elections for the European Parliament, scheduled for June 4-7 next year. Also the Commission’s President, José Manuel Barroso, expressed his view on the positive vote of the Bundesrat and the Bundestag. “I wish to thank the German parliament and government for the constant support given to the Treaty”, affirmed the head of the Executive. It now “appears to have been ratified by more than half of European Member State Countries. I hope other States will soon follow suit”. The Countries which have already given their approval are, in addition to Germany, Hungary, France, Portugal, Poland, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania and Denmark. The only popular referendum on this issue is scheduled for June 12 in Ireland. Other Countries have opted for ratification expressed through legislative assemblies. Research, science and economy “Better carreers and greater mobility: a European partnership for researchers”. A few days ago the EU Commission presented a communication in support of a partnership between Member States to step up the contribution of science and economy to a knowledge-based economy”. For this reason, it is necessary to support “human resources”. “Europe is facing an ogoing world competition for the most promising talents – explained research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik -. Joint priority actions should make the EU more attractive for researchers granting greater mobility throughout different Countries and between the private and public academic fields”. Major interventions proposed “are aimed at paving the way to employment” and ensuring adequate pensions and salaries. “We must release the potential of our excellent researchers if we intend to achieve the general objectives of the Lisbon agenda and create a European space for research”, the Commissioner added. Among the concrete commitments, the EU indicated: the need to meet the needs of social security and pensions of researchers; encouraging working conditions, such as better contracts, salaries and career development opportunities; ensure that researchers have appropriate training “to transform knowledge into results, in particular stepping up ties between industries and the academic world”. The partnership launched by the Executive, supported by all EU institutions, will need to be verified in 2010, in order to assess its results and take the appropriate corrective measures.Safer and “cleaner” roads Improve car safety, ensure that cars and trucks are more environmentally-friendly. With two different initiatives communicated a few days ago, the Executive intends to make streets safer and decrease pollution. With this first measure the Commission proposes that starting in 2012, “all new cars are equipped with electronic instruments for stability control (Esc), which will improve their security”. While starting in 2013, “lorries and other heavy vehicles must have advanced emergency break systems (Aebs) and systems signalling lane deviation (Ldw)”. In 2007 the team led by Barroso had already proposed compulsory brake assisted systems on vehicles to protect pedestrians. “These measures – according to the Executive – are expected to reduce by 5 thousand the number of deaths caused by car accidents each year”. The Executive proposed also compulsory equipment of tyres with low rolling resistance “which would remarkably reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, containing noise levels while keeping security standards high”. At the same time the Commission launched an awareness campaign for the reduction of fuel consumption, involving 45thousand gas stations in 29 Countries. A brochure will be distributed with simple rules to moderate speed and make road transport “cleaner” and more efficient.
