Fighting illegal online gamblingStronger cooperation between EU countries, along with common standards an a framework directive: MEPs urged the European Commission to propose stronger cooperation between EU countries in the fight against illegal online gambling. A non legislative resolution voted by the European Parliament states that “member states should be free to set rules on online gambling”. However, since such services are provided “on a cross-border basis”, concerted preventive action is needed in order “to protect vulnerable consumers including children”. Rapporteur Jürgen Creutzmann underlined that 10% of all gambling in Europe, with a value of more than 10 billion euro a year, “takes place over the Internet, via mobile phones or interactive platforms” and it is “a fast growing business”. A “coordinated EU approach” is needed to this regard. The resolution states that EU states should “introduce a licensing model to provide security for gamblers and to ensure gambling providers follow the rules that have been set down”. In order to protect vulnerable consumers like minors, there should be restrictions to access “such as age verification and restrictions for electronic payments”.Climate, “EU should show leadership in Durban””The economic crisis must not be used as an excuse not to act. The EU should back the Kyoto Protocol and work with other countries on a roadmap to ensure a comprehensive climate treaty is in place by 2015 at the latest”: Jo Leinen, Environment Committee and Parliament delegation chair at the at the UN climate summit in Durban (November 29 – December 10), is one of the promoters of a more decisive and “courageous” line of action by EU27 at the UN summit. The position assumed by the EP during its recent plenary meeting echoes the stance announced up by EU27 at the European Council held at the end of October. International climate negotiations “are at crossroads between stagnation and progress”, states the resolution adopted with a large majority vote. The EU “must help to create a new dynamic in Durban”, and “continue the CO2-cutting Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012”. MEPs say “the EU’s economy would benefit from aiming above the current 20% greenhouse gas reduction target”. The resolution calls for a “binding” international agreement. MEPs want the EU to help find agreement on the sources and management of a Green climate fund to support developing countries, which should reach US$100 billion per year by 2020″. MEPs equally call for new measures to curb aviation and marine emissions excluded from the Kyoto protocol.Major expansion of Natura 2000 protected areasNatura 2000, the EU’s network of protected areas, has undergone a significant expansion acting a the Commission’s dedicated tool for the protection of biodiversity. The main countries involved in this latest expansion (almost 19 000 square kilometres, including a major addition of marine areas covering 17 000 square kilometres) are the UK, France, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Lithuania and Italy. Janez Potoènik, European Commissioner for the Environment said: “Natura 2000 is at the moment one of the most effective tools we have in Europe to combat biodiversity loss, and it plays a key role in our strategy to protect our natural heritage”. Natura 2000 “is a vast network of nature conservation areas set up to ensure the survival of Europe’s most valuable and endangered species and habitats”. The network consists of around 26 000 sites. “The new marine sites will provide a vital refuge for many of Europe’s rarest and most endangered species”. In the Atlantic, the UK additions feature “9 coldwater reefs, including reefs off Rockall Island which are biodiversity hotspots home to coral, sea spiders and numerous as yet unnamed species”. In the Mediterranean, the new sites “will improve protection for emblematic species such as the green turtle Chelonia mydas, the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus”. The expansion of protected areas – jointly decided by the EU and its Member States – will also “increase protection for a range of valuable terrestrial habitats, including peat bogs in Lithuania and salt plains in Hungary”.
