Competitiveness and solidarity in EU 2009 budget The EU Council and Parliament delivered a deal on the 2009 budget granting funding to a number of sectors including education, enterprises, research, environment, cross-border infrastructures, food and agriculture, along with financial support to anti-terrorism measures, development and humanitarian aid. Total EU spending represents approximately 1% of the 27 Member States’ Gross National Income, which amounts to slightly more than the set level of 130 billion. The funds will be allocated to various areas. Priority will be given to growth, competitiveness, and regional cohesion followed by the Common Agricultural Policy and the protection of natural resources. Other sectors that will be object of funding are freedom and security, citizenship, external policies and bureaucratic expenditure. Negotiations between the budgetary authorities resulted in increased financial resources for research, to Frontex (safe borders’ system) and to the refugee fund. However, the Parliament expressed criticism for the scarce funds granted to “the European Union as World player”. Toy safety: severe regulationsThe European Union has adopted a series of regulations regarding toys designed to assure consumers – children and families in particular – that the products put on Member States’ markets meet global safety standards. “Health and child safety are precious and deserve utmost protection”, declared the vice-President of the Commission Günter Verheugen, in charge of industrial policies. “The new rules – he added – incorporate the newest health and safety standards”. Stronger rules are enforced on toys imported from non-EU Countries, like China. Manufacturers will be banned from using chemicals that can cause cancer, alter genetic information, or hinder reproduction. Stricter limits have been set on the use of various substances like nickel, while bans have been placed on toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury. Allergenic fragrances are forbidden while rules to prevent choking on small parts are strengthened and health warnings must be marked in a more visible and legible manner. Toys included in food packaging (like chocolate eggs) must bear the warning: “It includes a toy; under strict adult surveillance”.Montenegro, a step towards the EU”It’s a historical event that marks Montenegro’s engagement in common fundamental European values”. Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn commented on Montenegro’s recent EU membership request submitted to the EU Council. Commissioner Rein pointed out that the Council will have to establish the next steps, while “the Commission is ready to file a membership application”, a necessary step in order to open negotiations between Brussels and Podgorica. Until 2006 the Country was part of Serbia. Today it’s an independent Republic with approximately 600thousand inhabitants. It signed an Association and Stabilization Agreement with the EU in 2007. According to the Commissioner, “Montenegro made remarkable progress in view of European Integration”. The Country enjoys widespread consensus on the issue.Eurobarometer: “Serious concern over the economy” Community citizens are increasingly concerned over the economic crisis, while they continue to trust European Institutions, viewed as contributing to international political stability. The Autumn Eurobarometer survey (30thousand interviews carried out in the 27 EU Member States from October to the beginning of November) has shown that “the financial crisis has seriously affected people’s perception of the economy and of the current state of affairs”. Accordingly, over two thirds of EU citizens (69%, 20 per cent more than in Autumn 2007), “consider their Country’s economy as going through a difficult phase”. Commission vice-President Margot Wallstrom declared: “Eurobarometer reflects the current difficult times. Citizens are concerned about the economic crisis. The EU’s challenge is to implement the recent financial recovery package. Interviewees “voiced their pessimism over short-term developments. More than half claim that their Country’s economy will further regress in the next twelve months”. As relates to other issues, the Union’s survey centre made known that “48% of the population believes that enlargement strengthened the EU while two thirds claimed that the fall of the Berlin Wall was positive” for the Union.
