Football: Barroso’s hopes for the FIFA World Cup"I am convinced that football is more than a sport; it is a universal language, a language that helps people from different cultures and backgrounds to unite", says EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso in a message issued ahead of the start of the FIFA World Cup, which is being held in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July. Barroso admits he is a football supporter, and "will be cheering for my team". "The hearts of millions of people around the world he adds will start beating faster on 11 June when the Football World Cup begins in South Africa"; in the opening game the team of the host country will meet Mexico. Barroso says in his message: "I am particularly pleased that it is for the first time that an African nation hosts the World Cup". He then underlines his conviction: "Borders of culture, of language and of nationality will be forgotten thanks to the World Cup", and he adds some reflections on the efforts made to prepare this world event and the legacy it will have in the land of Nelson Mandela. "As the eyes of the world turn to South Africa, I sincerely believe that after the World Cup, the country will go from strength to strength". "What I sincerely hope is that a sense of pride and confidence will embrace the country and the continent".EU to expand education and training strategyA five-point plan to revive vocational training is proposed by the Commission with a document issued in view of the definition of a specific EU strategy. Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Culture and Youth, said on 9 June: "Education and vocational training are a vital link between the world of school and that of work". The proposals (http://ec.europa.eu/education) are intended as a discussion paper for the 27 Education Ministers of EU member states who will meet in the second half of 2010 to define the next EU strategy in this field. The five points in question are intended to: "ensure that access to training and to qualifications be open to all phases in life"; "promote mobility to make it easier to have experience of working abroad or in a different sector of the economy"; ensure the high quality of vocational training; "give greater opportunities to disadvantaged groups", such as "those who have prematurely left school, the unemployed, those with a background of emigration and the disabled"; and "stimulate in students a creative, innovative and entrepreneurial way of thinking".Railways and infrastructures to bring Europe closer togetherRestoring impulse to the transport network policy to tackle the challenges of the twenty-first century: the political objective set by the Commission was discussed at Zaragoza (Spain) on 8-9 June, during a conference promoted by the Executive and by the rotating Presidency of the EU (now held by Spain). The meeting was dedicated to the trans-European network of transport (Ten-T). According to the Commissioner Siim Kallas, the conference represented "a fundamental step in the process of revising the policy on Ten-T aimed at completing the internal market, improving east-west connections and making a contribution to economic competitiveness and growth in Europe". During the conference, the Commission presented a Report aimed at evaluating progress in the development of the 30 priority projects in the field of mobility. Three protocols of understanding were also signed at Zaragoza. The first regards the railway axis traversing France, Spain and Portugal; the second, the railway line that will lead from Lyon to the frontier with Ukraine; while the third will focus on the railway project called Baltic Rail, leading from Warsaw to Helsinki.Fishing and safeguarding the sea: no further delays for EU normsEU states "unanimously" signed the "Mediterranean" regulation for the reform of the fishing sector and the safeguard of the sea, but "have not respected the norms decided together" and now "the adoption of sustainable fishing practices can be deferred no longer". That’s the position announced earlier this week by the Commission, lamenting the fact that the reforms introduced in the fishing sector on 1st June had already been decided in December 2006. "Scientific analyses of fish stocks in the Mediterranean show that over 54% of the stocks analyzed are being subjected to over-exploitation says a statement issued in Brussels -. To rectify this situation, the EU adopted its Mediterranean regulation in 2006. Its aim was to improve fishery management with a view to achieving sustainability in fishing and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of the marine environment". "With the aim of enabling member states to prepare themselves for its implementation, a long transitional period of three years was provided for a certain number of provisions". From 1st June 2010 the regulation has entered into force "in its entirety", but the states concerned "have failed to adopt the necessary measures to ensure its complete implementation". Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs, declared: "I will monitor the strict implementation of this regulation; the period of transition has ended, I therefore ask the States involved to act now".
