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ESA/NASA Solar Mission Wins Prestigious Award
 A team of European and U.S. space operation engineers won the prestigious International SpaceOps Award for Outstanding Achievement this month for their contribution to the successful Ulysses observatory mission. Ulysses is a satellite designed to give scientists a bird's eye view of the heliosphere, and is now orbiting the poles of the sun. The joint European Space Agency/ National Aeronautics and Space Administration team launched the satellite in 1991 with an intended lifetime of five years, but it has now been in operation for more than 17 years.
“The science from our mission has been of the highest quality, which has made it easier for both ESA and NASA to justify extending the mission on three occasions,” said Nigel Angold, ESA Mission operations manager. MORE
Focus on Climate Change and Energy
 The latest EU Focus, published by the Washington delegation of the European Commission, explores ways to mitigate climate change and develop alternative forms of energy. By 2020, the European Union's goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent, increase the renewable energy share of the energy mix to 20 percent, and improve energy efficiency by 20 percent. To achieve this, the EU launched its Emissions Trading Scheme in 2005 and is continually seeking ways to develop renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency. MORE
Inauguration of the European Chemicals Agency
 Speaking at the inauguration of the European Chemicals Agency, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso said the agency is living proof of how the European Union serves European citizens and will be decisive in turning the new European chemicals legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) into reality.
“The REACH legislation certainly is by far the largest legislative project adopted by the EU over recent years,” said President Barroso. “It replaces 40 legislative texts and creates a single EU-wide system for the management of chemicals produced in Europe or imported into Europe.” President Barroso noted that REACH will provide a high level of protection of human health, animals and the environment while enhancing competitiveness and innovation. MORE
European Customs Union Celebrates 40th Anniversary
 The European Customs Union will celebrate its 40th anniversary on July 1, 2008. Over the past four decades, customs have played a crucial role in the development of the European Community: Without efficient customs control at the EU's external borders, the Single Market would never have been possible. Customs not only facilitate trade and ensure the protection of European industry, but they prevent a flood of unsafe or counterfeit goods from entering the EU, prevent illegal imports of animals and control the movement of chemicals. “Thanks to the effective customs controls at the EU's external borders, the Union's 500 million citizens can rely on the quality and safety of the products that are on the European market,” said László Kovács, EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs. MORE
Ambassador Bruton on the Irish "No" Vote
 In his weekly message, Ambassador Bruton, Head of the European Commission Delegation to the U.S., addresses Ireland voting against the Lisbon Treaty. “The Irish 'No' vote is a problem, but it is not a crisis,” writes Ambassador Bruton and notes that the EU continues to function remarkably well under the pre-existing Treaties.
“It is important to stress that the EU will continue to be a very busy organization in the months ahead,” writes Ambassador Bruton. “It is playing an active role in concluding the World Trade talks. It is in the process of adopting radical and far-reaching proposals on climate change. It is forging a common energy policy. It is highly efficient in protecting consumers and promoting competition. And in all these matters, it is cooperating closely with partners, such as the United States. All this will continue, while the issues arising from the Lisbon vote in Ireland are examined.” MORE
Independent Panel on High-Tech Research Calls for Policy Changes
 An independent panel investigating the effectiveness of high-tech research under the EU's sixth Framework Program for Research and Development concluded that Europe has made considerable improvements with a boost in Micro Computer and Nano-Electronic research, but it now needs to move up a gear to bridge the innovation gap with other parts of the world.
“In recent years Europe's Information Society research has delivered encouraging results from mobile communications to Electronic Stability Control systems in motor cars,” said former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho, who chaired the panel. “However, I believe a systemic change in the EU's research policy is needed to avoid that EU research spending is not more than a mere drop in the ocean. I call on the EU Member States and on the European Parliament to equip the EU with the right, flexible tools to better focus European high-tech research and to open it up to more risk and to new international partners.” MORE
2008 Eurostat Yearbook Shows Diversity of the EU
 The 12th edition of the Eurostat Yearbook shows that the population of the 27 Member States reached 495 million in 2007 compared with 479 million in 1997. Ireland had the highest population growth (+18%), while Bulgaria saw the largest population decrease (-8%). The research also reveals:
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The average labor cost per EU employee paid by employers in 2006 was 20.35 euros ($31.70 USD) per hour. |
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Spain, Italy and France had the highest numbers of nights spent in hotels by non-residents. |
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Almost two-thirds of EU25 (excluding Bulgaria and Romania) households owned their homes in 2005. |
The 2008 yearbook covers a range of issues, including demographic change, the economy, education, health, living conditions and welfare. MORE
EU NewsBrief is an electronic publication issued regularly by the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States. To receive updates on specific issue areas, click on this link. |
