Danube region: more can be doneOn April 9 the EU Commissioner for Regional Development Johannes Hahn presented the first progress report on the European Union Strategy for the Danube Region, two years after it was first launched. "The Danube Strategy is already showing that by working together we can have a far greater impact than if we try to tackle problems in isolation. Now we need to step up a gear. For the 14 countries involved, co-operation cannot be an afterthought or some vague ideal", said the Commissioner who outlined significant achievements, although further progress can be made to the benefit of the citizens of all 14 countries that make up the Danube macro-region, of which 8 are EU member states. These are: Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova. The document highlights significant achievements "in tackling problems from missing transport links, lack of competitiveness, to pollution and crime". The report calls on the Danube governments "to follow up on their political commitments by making the Strategy a priority across all relevant policy areas". For instance, the strategy led to a key agreement on navigability between Romania and Bulgaria and gave impetus to the completion of the Calafat-Vidin Bridge, linking Romania and Bulgaria, while the Bulgaria-Serbia gas interconnector project is advancing. As regards population and territorial protection, 8 countries are cooperating on a Danube Floodrisk Project; measures have been taken to protect the sturgeon. Initiatives were also taken to step up cooperation between small and medium enterprises, universities and research centres, and fighting cross-border crime.Schengen: SIS II, new security system "We stand ready to take over the operational management of SIS II. We are working closely with the Commission and the Member States to ensure a smooth transition to managing the system, providing a 24/7 service to the Member States and contributing to the efforts for a safer Europe": Krum Garkov, Executive Director of the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems thus commented on the adoption of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), "to increase security and facilitate free movement within the Schengen area". The SIS II "allows for an easy exchange of information between national border control authorities, customs and police authorities on persons who may have been involved in a serious crime. It also contains alerts on missing persons, in particular children, as well as information on certain property, such as banknotes, cars, vans, firearms and identity documents that may have been stolen, misappropriated or lost". SIS I dates back to 1995. The new system "has enhanced functionalities, such as the possibility to enter biometrics, new types of alerts (stolen aircrafts, boats, containers, means of payment)". SIS II will also contain copies of European Arrest Warrants (EAW).Responsible consumers: a website for schools"Consumer Education is concerned with teaching people the skills, attitudes and knowledge required for living in a consumer society. It is a fundamental component of general education, which should support consumers in their attempts to organise their everyday lives in a sustainable way". Starting with this indication the EU Commission has decided to support the creation of a website available in 21 languages to promote the dissemination of consumer education, notably in classrooms. The website is operative (www.consumerclassroom.eu). "Many people – is written on the home page – are not only unconscious of their own consumer behaviour, they do not understand how and to what extent they can influence the economy, the environment and the society through their individual consumer behaviour". The dedicated Consumer Classroom website seeks to "promote consumer education in secondary schools across Europe". The Consumer Classroom will provide teaching resources for students aged 12-18, with a clear distinction between students aged 12-14 and students aged 15-18 years old. Each school subject has elements of consumer education – ranging from responsible consumers education to home economics".
