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EU Institutions
What’s going on at the European Institutions, plus EU Programmmes, Policies, Legislation and Governance. Also covers European Food Safety Authority.
Please find all related articles below.
EPHA RCP European Parliament Event on Passive Smoking
RCP and EPHA are hosting an event in the parliament to discuss new scientific evidence on passive smoking and children. The event will be followed by a press conference.
PASSIVE SMOKING MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD TO CHILDREN- EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EVENT DISCUSSES NEW SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
On 23 June, the European Parliament will host a policy debate around the new scientific evidence on the impact of passive smoking on children’s health, released by the Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of (...)
European Parliament plenary urged to protect the health of Europe’s most vulnerable through clear food labelling
Following the vote on Food Information to Consumers in the EP ENVI Committee, EPHA is disappointed that MEPs did not give due consideration to public health arguments on food labeling.
EPHA has long been advocating for a traffic light system on food labeling, in line with independent public health evidence and consumer preference. The very tight vote on this specific provision showed that the political debate on this issue is heated. The door therefore remains open for MEPs to reframe (...)
Luxembourg held to account for failing to meet training hours for nurses
Luxembourg National Nurses’ Association successfully brought a complaint against the Luxembourgish government for not meeting the minimum requirements that the European Commission requires. The complaint ends years of talks with the government, and Luxembourg now fully complies with Article 31 of EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
After years of negotiations with the Luxembourg Government, the Luxembourg National Nurses’ Association (ANIL), a member of EPHA member the European Federation (...)
Royal College of Nursing Comments on Health Services Directive
Comment on the European Union’s proposals on patients’ rights to cross border healthcare from Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Dr Carter said : “The RCN cautiously welcomes today’s announcement on European Union (EU) cross border healthcare because it clarifies the rights and responsibilities of patients seeking care in other EU member states.
“However, this new directive will only work if the EU puts in (...)
Presentation on the Open Method of Coordination (French)
On 15 April, Jessica Imbert gave a presentation on the Open Method of Coordination.
The Open Method of Coordination (OMC) is an intergovernmental means of governance in the European Union, based on the voluntary cooperation of its member states. Initially used for social protection issues, the European Council has decided to extend the OMC to health and longterm care.
The OMC is an instrument which involves ’soft law’ and the setting of targets and indicators on health. This is (...)
FEANTSA supports a parliamentary initiative to end street homelessness
The European Federation on National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) is supporting a cross-party written declaration on ending street homelessness.
FEANTSA supports a parliamentary initiative to end homelessness calling upon :
the Council to obtain an EU-wide commitment to end street homelessness by 2015 ;
the Commission to develop a European framework definition of homelessness, elicit statistical data, and provide annual updates on action taken and progress made in EU (...)
New EU trade rules threaten the health of European babies
In July 2006 EU Member States gave way to the European Commission and voted to adopt a revised Directive on the composition and marketing of infant formulae and follow-on formulae wich relaxes the restrictions of the previous Directive.
According to European health, development and consumer organisations, the revised Directive has paved the way for the establishment of a harmful framework for marketing practices. The Directive will be published in the Official Journal in the autumn to be (...)
EPHA briefing : Cohesion policy and Structural funds
The EU has a number of policies designed to reduce disparities across the Union and to promote greater economic, social and territorial cohesion. Financial support is targeted at the national level through the Cohesion Fund, and the regional level through four Structural funds. In both cases, EU money is directed towards the poorest and most disadvantaged countries or regions.
All structural funds are governed by a specific EU Regulation, only one of which - the ERDF Regulation - explicitly (...)
Seminar : alcohol is no ordinary commodity
During the first part of 2005 the Parliament will handle the European Commission’s proposal regarding an Alcohol strategy.
IOGT-NTO, an EPHA member, co-organised a seminar in this issue on 26 January 2005, hosted by MEP Mrs Cecilia Malmström.
Mr Kari Paaso, the representative of DG Sanco who works on the strategy, presented the EC’s position. There were also various guests who gave their perspective on the issue.
Speakers included Dr Michel Craplet (medical advisor of ANPAA, France) who (...)
Exploring the links between health and socio-economic status
Tamsin Rose, EPHA’s General Secretary, gave a presentation as part of a two days conference titled "Social Policy Agenda 2006-2010 : What Future for European Social Policy ?" organised by the Social Platform on 20-21 October 2004 in Brussels.
Speakers included ministers, members of the European Parliament, government officials, members of the Commission agencies, Commission officials and NGO representatives.
The first day of the conference, the Social Platform presented two main documents : (...)
PGEU response to consultation on EMEA road-map
The Pharmaceutical Group of the EU (PGEU), an EPHA member, has submitted a response to the consultation on the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) road-map to 2010 document.
Please find below PGEU’s response.
Discussion Paper EMA Road Map to 2010 - Executive Summary
EMEA’s press release, 14 April 2004
Introduction to EU and health
EPHA presentation on EU institutions and health to a meeting of the network of community self-help groups, organised in Brussels on 5 June 2004.
EPHA presentation : EU Treaty Refom and health
EPHA General Secretary, Tamsin Rose, made a presentation on the EU treaty reform negotiations to the network on EU law and health in Stockholm on 8 June 2004.
EPHA Presentation - Introduction to EU funding programmes
EPHA General Secretary, Tamsin Rose participated in a conference organised by the Open Society Institute Networks in Bled, Slovenia in April 2004.
The theme of the presentation was an introduction to EU funding mechanisms and a subsequent workshop on how to prepare a project proposal.
EP Elections : EPHA members actions and proposals
BMA
The British Medical Association (BMA) has issued a manifesto and election statement raising four public health issues : ban on smoking in public spaces, alcohol advertising, health claims on snacks/foods for children and the environment, all of these being topical issues in EP.
BMA also has four professional concerns for doctors : working time, recognition of qualifications, new professional services directive and free movement of patients and medical devices.
EDF
The European Disability (...)
April 2004 newsletter
Welcome to the April 2004 edition of the EPHA Newsletter,
The European landscape is experiencing rapid change.
More than a decade of political expectation and administrative preparation comes to a climax on Saturday 1 May 2004 as the EU-15 becomes the EU-25.
Recent national elections in a number of European countries have resulted in changes in government and rekindled hope of an agreement on a new EU Treaty by the close of the Irish Presidency.
About 2/3rds of the 732 MEPs elected on (...)
BMA position on the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC)
The BMA fully supports moves to set up the ECDC and sees it as an essential step towards improving disease surveillance and the ability to take prompt and effective action in Europe. Increased mobility of the population, emergence of new diseases and the threat of bioterrorism means that the risks from disease are not diminishing. However, the strength of the Centre should be its role in the monitoring and control of more common but less topical disease such as Legionnaires disease and (...)
Presentation : What does Europe mean for our health ?
Tamsin Rose made a presentation on behalf of EPHA at the AGM of the European region of the Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA).
The presentation highlighted what a ’Europe of health’ might be like, and how EU policies and ECJ judgements impact on national healthcare systems.
European Health Forum Gastein 2003
The 6th European Health Forum Gastein "Creating a Better Future for Health in Europe : health & wealth, economic and social dimensions of health" took place on 1-4 October 2003.
The EHFG was founded in 1998 as a European health policy conference with the aim of providing a platform for discussion for the various stakeholders in the field of public health and health care.
Tamsin Rose represented EPHA at the Forum and made a number of presentations, particularly on advocacy using a case study (...)
Conference : for a European drug policy
A conference "for a European drug policy", hosted by the Greens / European Free Alliance (EFA) group at the European Parliament on 17th September 2003 , was attended by EPHA staff. This conference was organised by Alima Boumedienne-Thiery MEP.
An EPHA member, Arnaud Watson-Simon, from AIDES, was one of the speakers.
The objective of this conference was to support the participation of civil society in the definition and promotion of a European drug policy.
The conference was divided into (...)
Road safety as a public health problem - report of the 4th Annual PIN Conference
On 22 June 2010 the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) organized its 4th Annual PIN Conference. The latest results ranking Member States’ performance in road safety measures during 2009 were presented, and the 2010 PIN Award was granted to the best performing countries.
Winners of the 2010 PIN Award are Ireland and Estonia, both countries having shown most effort and results on reducing road deaths. Representatives from both countries were present to receive the award and to showcase (...)
"Putting cycling at the heart of EU sustainable transport policies"
EPHA offers its support for the Memorandum to the Belgian Presidency by the European Cyclists Federation, Fietsersbond and Gracq. It highlights key issues for bicycle users that these organisations would like to see high on the Presidency agenda and integrated into EU transport policies.
In view of the coming adoption of important pieces of legislation in the field of transport such as the White Paper on a Sustainable Future for Transport, ECF has issued with Fietsersbond and Gracq, a (...)
Health : questioning expertise deficient evaluation and conflicts of interest
In March 2010, the ALDE group held a seminar about industry’s influence on health decisions. The Corporate Europe Observatory has released a report on this seminar that provides a summary of the speakers’ contributions.
ALDE MEPs Corinne Lepage (France), Frédérique Ries (France), and Fiona Hall (UK) co-organised a seminar, "Health : questioning expertise deficient evaluation and conflicts of interest" wiith CRIIGEN, Foundation of Citizen Science and ENSSER on 4 March 2010. This seminar (...)
"More than ever, children’s health is at risk from a changing environment" : Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health
The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe was hosted by the Italian Health and Environment Ministers, in Parma on 10-12 March 2010. The event focused on the protection of children’s health in a changing environment.
The Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health organised by the WHO Regional Office for Europe was hosted by the Italian Health and Environment Ministers on 10-12 March 2010 in Parma. The Conference, (...)
EU Environmental Ministers call for greater protection from "chemical cocktails"
EU Environment ministers in Brussels expressed concerns that the health of European citizens may be at risk from the combined effects of hazardous chemicals.
On 22 December 2009, EU Environment ministers in Brussels rose concerns that the environment and the health of European citizens may not be properly protected from the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly those that can disrupt hormones. The European Environment and Health Strategy (SCALE) and the EU Action Plan on (...)
EU Commission Action Plan For Environment and Health ’Missing In Action’
SCALE was the foundation for the European Commission’s Communication for - ’The European Environment & Health Action Plan 2004-2010’ which has just been published.
The Action Plan has not been well received by the NGO community. As all stakeholders of the Budapest conference had high expectations for the EU’s Action Plan as the most powerful tool from the Region’s powerhouse to deliver measurable and permanent improvements in our children’s environment and health. In contrast Industry (...)
Info on grants from DG Environment
The Annual Work Programme for grants in the environment policy area for 2004 has been published.
For more information, please refer to the European Commission’s overview of the current funding opportunities available from DG Environment and other DGs.
How eco friendly is your MEP ?
The first step for a democratic Europe is to have a view on how your MEPs vote.
Just before the European Parliament elections, a new website highlights the vote (for five years) of MEPs and political parties about environmental issues.
Friends of the Earth Europe, in collaboration with Greenpeace, the European Environmental Bureau, the European Federation for Transport and Environment, and Climate Action Network Europe, chose 10 key environmental decisions taken by the current European (...)
The Kyoto protocol becomes EU law
Last 10 March 2004, all provisions of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol were made legally binding in the EU by a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council (Decision 280/2004/EC concerning a mechanism for monitoring Community greenhouse gas emissions and for implementing the Kyoto Protocol).
This means that the Kyoto Protocol has force of EU law. The Decision reaffirms the EU’s global leadership in fighting climate change.
The Kyoto Protocol is part of the U.N. Framework Convention on (...)
MEP accuses EP to block new EU chemical law
MEPs have been accused of delaying the new EU chemical legislation by Italian socialist Guido Sacconi.
In an interview with an EU online newspaper, Mr Sacconi (who is also the rapporteur for the REACH regulation in the Committee for Environment of the EP) said that MEPs have tried to block the EU’s controversial new chemical law by debating on the procedures and form, and not going into the content of the legislation.
EU competition ministers met in Brussels on 11 March 2004 to look at (...)
EEB warns Competitivenes Council
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) the 8th March exhorted members of the Competitiveness Council to work to restore the balance between the different objectives of sustainable development.
The EEB is very worried about the recent political trend to highlight ’competitiveness’ as a super-objective, given precedence over social and environmental objectives. In past statements from EU institutions in particular, environmental commitments and aims have been presented as a burden to growth (...)
Liikanen presents consultation results on EU chemicals policy review to council
On 22 September, the Council took note of a presentation by Commissioner Erkki Liikanen on the result of Commission’s Internet consultation on draft legislation aiming at overhauling and modernising the existing EU regulatory system for chemicals and welcomed the Commission’s intention to present its final proposal within short.
In May 2003, the Commission launched an eight-week Internet consultation on the draft legislation on chemicals, which aimed at replacing the over 40 different (...)
European Investment Bank committed to environmental objectives
During a conference organised by the Centre for European Policies Studies (CEPS) on 19 September, EIB Vice-President Peter Sedgwick highlithted the bank’s increased commitment to environmental objectives.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union’s financing institution, is in charge of granting loans to support Community policies. The EIB is the biggest public lender in the world with a current portfolio of investments in about 140 countries and an annual lending in the range (...)
European Economic and Social Committee increases its membership
Following the enlargement of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Liaison Group to the sector of foundations and of public health, EPHA has joined the Group representing health interests.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body of the European Union. This part of the web site is dedicated to the general presentation of the Committee including information on its role, work and structure. The organisational chart and the information on the (...)
ALTER-EU is seeking a Coalition-building and Outreach Coordinator
EPHA partner, the ALTER-EU is hiring a Coalition-building and Outreach Coordinator. You can find more information about the requirements and job offer here.
Full-time position in the Brussels office, with regular travel in Europe. Start date : 15 October 2010 (a later start date can be discussed)
Founded in 2005, the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) is a coalition of over 160 civil society groups, trade unions, academics and public affairs firms concerned (...)
European Commission takes on two new deputy Director-Generals
In July 2010 the European Commission has created two new posts at the rank of deputy Director-General in the framework of restructuring the Commission Directorate Generals. DG Enterprise and Industry and DG Economic and Financial affairs will each receive a second deputy Director-General.
DG Economic and Financial Affairs will also take on an additional 37 more staff members to deal with the financial crisis and the eurozone’s sovereign debt difficulties. The new deputy Director-General (...)
The European Medicines Agency release adverse reaction reports on acne drug
The European Ombudsman gave a recommendation that EMA grant access to its adverse reaction reports.
In August 2010, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) accepted the Ombudsman’s recommendation to give access to documents related to a drug used to treat severe forms of acne. In June the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, recommended that EMA release adverse reaction reports for an acne drug. EMA had initially denied access, arguing that EU transparency rules did not apply to (...)
*Updated June 2010* European Council adopts ’2020 strategy’ EU 2020 Strategy launched
*Updated June 2010* On 17 June, the European Council adopted "Europe 2020." The Council Conclusions outline EU headline targets.
The Commission released the EU 2020 Strategy in early March. The Strategy was then discussed by EU leaders at the Spring Summit. In this article you can find the targets of the strategy and the conclusions from the Summit.
*Updated June 2010* On 17 June, the European Council adopted the "Europe 2020" strategy
In its conclusions, the European Council confirms (...)
**Updated July 2010** The Council of the European Parliament discusses draft regulation on the European Citizens` Initiative
**Updated July 2010** the European Citizen`s Initiative has been discussed by the PETI and AFCO Committee in the Parliament.
*Updated June 2010* The Council of the European Union has agreed on a general approach to the European Citizens` Initiative. Negotiations were also requested to start in the European Parliament on the issue.
On 31 March 2010, the European Commission released a proposal on the European Citizens` Initiative (ECI) which outlines the procedures to implement provisions (...)
***Updated June 2010*** Guide to the Lisbon Treaty
***Update June 2010*** 18 additional MEPs are to join in the European Parliament as observers - provided 27 national parliaments ratified this decision.
The Treaty of Lisbon was signed by EU leaders on 13 December 2007. The October ’Yes’ vote from Ireland and signature from the Czech Republic removed the last stumbling blocks. The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1st December. Although it mainly brings institutional changes to the functioning of the European Union, it will also have an (...)
***ALTER-EU Press Release *** Transparency still out of sight on lobby register’s second anniversary
On the second anniversary of the European Commission lobby register, many lobby groups based in Brussels still refuse to sign up. The Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation in the EU (ALTER-EU) released a press release urging for more transparency.
Brussels, 22 June 2010
Transparency still out of sight on lobby register’s second anniversary
Two years after its introduction the European Commission’s lobby register has failed to bring lobbying into the open, (...)
Transparency International calls on European Commission to avoid conflicts of interest
Less than one year after their terms have ended, four former European Commissioners have accepted jobs in the private sector. Transparency International is urging the European Commission to review its Code of Conduct in order to ensure that no conflicts of interest arise.
This debate was sparked when Benita Ferrero-Waldner of Austria (former Commissioner for external relations), Germany’s Günter Verheugen ( former Commissioner for enterprise and industry), Ireland’s Charlie McCreevy (former (...)
Commission Proposal on new Financial Regulation
On 28 May, the European Commission presented its proposal to reform the Union’s Financial Regulation (FR). The European Parliament and the Council will now examine the proposal. The Commission announced that the new Financial Regulation should be operational by 2012. This is of particular importance of organisations or projects co-funded by the European Commission.
The reduction of administrative burden for beneficiaries, contractors and implementing partners will be a benchmark used to (...)
Unveiling the Belgian Presidency
On 1 July 2010 Belgium took over the six-month rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It will be the second Presidency since the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009.
Policy priorities
General Political Programme
The Belgian Presidency has six major priorities for the European Union :
Implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on 1 December 2009 ;
Launch of the EU 2020 strategy, which will guide EU policies in the coming decade ;
Pursuit (...)
ALTER-EU 10-point action plan for more transparency in the EU
The ALTER-EU, which EPHA is a member of the Steering Committee, has developed a new statement with 10 priority reform demands for the Commission and Parliament for the coming years.
Ten steps towards ending corporate lobbying privileges and secrecy
1. A high-quality, mandatory lobbying transparency register
The Commission’s weak and voluntary register must be replaced with a mandatory lobby transparency system that enables EU citizens to see who is influencing EU decision making, on (...)
EPHA encourages NGOs to call for more transparency at EU level
EPHA is encouraging its membership to sign up to the ALTER-EU founding statement and support greater transparency in lobbying and more accountability of EU institutions.
Within the larger framework of EU processes that affect all policy areas, EPHA is encouraging its member organisations to sign up to the ALTER-EU Founding Statement. The ALTER-EU is an alliance of 160 CSOs that advocates for greater transparency in lobbying and more accountability.
ALTER-EU is a coalition of 160 civil (...)
Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines
In March 2010, the European Council issued its Conclusions on the European Commission’s Europe 2020 strategy. On that basis, the European Commission drafted the economic policy and employement guidelines that Member States will have to follow when drawing and implementing National Reform Programmes.
On 26 March 2010, the European Council reached an agreement on the European Commission’s EU2020 strategy.
On that basis, the European Commission drafted the economic policy and employement (...)
Ombudsman : One third of complaints concern lack of transparency in EU administration
At the end of April 2010, the European Ombudsman released his 2009 Annual Report. The Ombudsman used this as an opportunity to urge the EU administration to become more transparent and citizen-friendly. His Annual Report also found that over one third of complaints received by his office deal with a lack of transparency.
During the presentation of his 2009 Annual Report, European Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros called for more transparency within the EU, and for the EU administration (...)
Project Europe 2030- Report by EU ’Wisemen’
On 9 May, Europe Day and the 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the Chairman of the Reflection Group, Felipe González delivered the report of the Reflection Group “Project Europe 2030” to the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy.
The European Council of 14 December 2007 decided to create a ’reflection group’. Its goal is to identify the key issues and challenges that the EU will face in the future and develop a response. The group started its work in (...)
A New Strategy for the Single Market
A new report highlights the importance of the EU’s 20-year-old single market and calls for further integration to boost productivity and competitiveness. The report was written by former Italian Commissioner Mario Monti. Professor Monti presented his report to the IMCO Committee
In October2009, José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, announced that he had mandated Mr. Monti to prepare a report on the future of the single market. Mr. Barroso said that the recent crisis (...)
Campaign for better representation of civil society in European Economic and Social Committee
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will be renewed in September 2010. A group of civil society organisations is calling for the makeup of the EESC to be more inclusive. In this article you can find a briefing note on the EESC, the campaign letter and more information on the process.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body within the European Union. The EESC is the Institution which athers diverse economic, and social actors to take part in (...)
Sixty percent of EU lobbying consultancies do not register in European Commission lobby transparency directory
A new survey finds that a majority of lobbyists do not register which highlights the weakness of the voluntary approach. ALTER-EU urges EU officials and MEPs not to meet with unregistered lobbyists.
On 11 March 2010, the Alliance for Lobbying Transparency and Ethics Regulation (ALTER-EU) published the results of a survey which found that sixty per cent of EU lobbying consultancies are still not registered. This occured despite the fact that two years ago the European Commission launched (...)
The European Ombudsman’s new mandate - What to expect
Nikiforos Diamandouros held a workshop in the European Paliament entitled "The European Ombudsman’s new mandate - What to expect ?" Mr. Diamandouros outlined his priorities for the next five years and invited civil society organisations, businesses, and EU Officials to discuss his new mandate. Another important topic was the effects of the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty on citizen participation in the EU.
Following his re-election as European Ombudsman by the European Parliament on 20 (...)
Oubudsman criticises Commission for refusal of access to documents
For the first time in the history of the institution, the European Ombudsman sent a special report to the European Parliament to protest against a lack of cooperation by the Commission. The conflict started with the refusal of the Commission to release letters concerning the 2006 Carbon Emission Reduction Consultation.
In early March, the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, criticised the European Commission for failing to honour its duty under the Treaty of the European Union (...)
Commission launches the second EU Health Prize for Journalists
The European Commission has launched the second EU health prize for journalists for print and online articles. The prize is part of the ’Europe for Patients’ campaign launched in September 2008. It aims to stimulate and reward high-quality journalism that raises awareness of healthcare and patients’ rights issues. This year’s prize follows on from the first health prize for journalists which attracted over 460 articles from journalists working across the European Union.
Journalists are (...)
EU leaders discuss the creation of a European Monetary Fund
Amid financial problems in Greece and with several EU countries being badly hit by the economic crisis, talks have started of creating a European version of the International Monetary Fund. The idea has gained much support from leaders around the EU.
The European Commission has stated its intentions to create a European Monetary Fund that could help rescue debt-hit countries like Greece. The College of Commissioners had their first discussion on a potential European fund in early March. (...)
New Director-General for health and consumers for DG Sanco
Robert Madelin, the Director-General for health and consumers is leaving DG SANCO to work with DG INFSO as Director-General for information society and media. Mr. Madelin will replace Fabio Colasanti. Paola Testori Coggi, will now take on the position of Director-General as of 1 April 2010.
On 31 March 2010 the College of Commissioners confirmed the appointment of Robert Madelin, the Director-General for health and consumers, as Director-General for information society and media. Mr. (...)
NGOs’ anger at Commission failure on future of Europe
***Update*** Gender-equality advocates highlight flaws in EU2020 Strategy. The Chair of the EP Employment Committee also highlights room for improvement. The 2020 draft now has poverty reduction as one of its three priorities.
On 24 November the European Commission published a public consultation document on a post-Lisbon strategy for the European Union, called “EU 2020”. This is a once-in-ten-year opportunity to influence the future direction of the EU. The post-Lisbon (...)
European Parliament approves new European Commission
After a three month delay and some uncertainty, the European Parliament gave its approval for the Barroso II College of Commissioners on 9 February 2010.
Members of the European Parliament met in Plenary on 9 February 2010 to confirm the new College of Commissioners. The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, approved the new Commission with 488 votes in favour, 137 against and 72 abstentions. The vote was a single vote on the whole College of Commissioners, consisting of one (...)
Parliament gains new powers in its relations with the Commission
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso successfully negotiated with senior MEPs an agreement on future co-operation between the European Parliament and European Commission, which was approved in plenary on 9 February. The agreement was completed on 27 January prior to MEPs vote to approval Barroso’s line-up of Commissioners. These principles will implemented in the cooperation governing relations between the EP and the Commission, reflecting the new position of Parliament under (...)
The Committee of the Regions elects its first women president
The Committee of the Regions has elected for the first time a women president, Mercedes Bresso (IT/PES). In her opening speech Bresso invited the Assembly to be more courageous in pursuing its political aims and hailed the enormous political progress the institution has made in 15 years. Mercedes Bresso is a former member of the European Parliament and was President of the CoR’s PES group from 2006 to 2010.
"The institutional debate is over. It’s time to bring the Treaty of Lisbon to (...)
EU2020 ’does not go far enough’ on environment and energy
Barroso presented the EU2020 strategy on 03 March 2010, which will replace the Lisbon strategy and function as a work plan for the EU. Green growth is one of the three main priorities. One senior Green MEP points out some of the short comings of the draft proposal.
A draft "EU 2020" strategy proposal has been criticised for coming short of creating a road map to green growth, despite public discourse of gaining a competitive edge in green technology. The European Commission’s draft (...)
EP hearing of Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos
Dacian Ciolos, the Commissioner-designate for DG Agriculture and Rural Development, showed his grasp of technical issues at the European Parliament hearing. His main focus will be on ensuring food security and stable incomes for farmers.
Dacian Ciolos, the Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Rural Development, received positive feedback from his hearing. Ciolos had a strong grasp of technical issues and received very few critical questions. In 2007 Ciolos was the (...)
European Parliament re-elects European Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros
On 20 January, 2010, the European Parliament re-elected European Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros to serve a second term.
The European Ombudsman is elected by the EP for five years. It is a significant role as the position represents a way for European citizens to seek redress against maladministration within the EU Institutions or bodies. Mr. Diamandouros has served as European Ombudsman since 1 April 2003. In the past, he had come under fire for his fight for more transparency in (...)
Commissioner-designate De Gucht questioned on Generic Medicine
MEP David Martin questioned Commissioner-designate Karel De Gucht about EU trade policies restricting the access of generic medicines.
Commissioner-designate De Gucht questioned on generic medicine
Karel De Gucht, the current European Commissioner for Development Assistance, is due to take over the trade portfolio in February. During his hearing, David Martin (S&D, UK) asked whether the Commissioner-designate planned to facilitate trade in generic medicines to developing (...)
New Commissioner-designate for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response
Rumiana Jeleva, the Bulgarian Commissioner-designate, resigned. European Commission President Barroso announced that Kristalina Georgieva, a Bulgarian World Bank official, has been nominated for the position.
Bulgaria`s new Commissioner-designate. On 19 January 2010, Rumiana Jeleva, the Bulgarian Commissioner-designate, officially resigned from all political responsibilities. This came after allegations of wrongdoing and a conflict of interest during her parliamentary hearing. (...)
Unveiling the Spanish Presidency of the Council
From 1 January to 30 June 2010, Spain is holding the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (formerly called Council of the European Union), within the framework of the Trio Presidency. This article includes general information on the priorities of the Spanish Presidency political programme as well as more specific health policy priorities, the budget of the Presidency, etc.
On 1 January 2010, Spain took over the Presidency of Council of Ministers. Together with Belgium and Hungary, Spain (...)
Political Groups in the European Parliament outline priorities for the new European Commission
Ahead of the hearings of Commissioner-designates, political groups in the European Parliament have started outlining their vision of the priorities of the future College of Commissioners.
Priorities of the EPP Group
On 16 November 2009, the EPP group (Christian Democrats) formulated five political “demands” the next Commission should respect :
1. A Europe that upholds its values : defend human dignity, tolerance,freedom and peace. Promote a more responsible society based on the (...)
EPHA briefing note on Impact Assessments
Impact Assessment is a tool used to assess ex-ante the potential impacts of policies, in order to better inform the decision-making process. Impact assessment may focus on specific types of impacts (economic, environment, social, health…) or try to assess multiple impacts at the same time. Find out here more about EU’s approach to Impact Assessment !
What is Impact Assessment about ?
Impact Assessment is a tool used to assess ex-ante the potential impacts of policies, in order to better (...)
Tobacco industry leads industry lobby attempt to skew policy-making : new evidence
Researchers writing in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine journal said they had evidence that British American Tobacco (BAT), the world’s second-largest cigarette maker, had since 1995 led a network of companies from the chemical, oil and food sectors to shape the EU’s impact assessment system which analyses policy implications.
New evidence-based research published in the Public Library of Science Medicine on 11 January 2010 by Anna Gilmore and Katherine Smith from the (...)
European Commission launched public consultation on European Citizens’ Initiative
On 11 November 2009, European Commission launched a public consultation on the European Citizens’ Initiative. The European Citizens’ Initiative is a new tool in order to aid public participation in EU policymaking.
European Commission launches public consultation on the Citizens’ Initiative
The Lisbon Treaty introduces a new form of public participation in European Union policy shaping, the European citizens’ initiative, which enables one million citizens who are nationals of a (...)
Herman Van Rompuy named first president of the European Council
On 19 November the 27 Heads of States and Governments named Herman Van Rompuy as the first President of the European Council. Catherine Ashton will be the High Representative for Foreign Affairs of the European Union.
The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1st December 2009, created both positions. The president of the European Council has a two-and-a-half year mandate renewable once. He is meant to provide sustained leadership for the work of the European Council, the institution (...)
French Journalist wins EU Health Prize for Journalists
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers launched the EU Health Prize for Journalists in February 2009, as a part of the "Europe for Patients" campaign. The award gave recognition to excellence in journalism that brings awareness to health care issues and patients’ rights.The Prize was awarded in the spirit of respect for media freedom and pluralism and in the context of the Commission’s desire to improve communication between the European Institutions (...)
New European Parliament faces tough challenge on health
The newly elected Members of the European Parliament will play a key role in ensuring that health is high on the agenda and that it fits with citizens’ high expectations. This role will be even reinforced should the Lisbon Treaty enters into force. Here are some key policy challenges for the upcoming legislative term.
Promoting a health-friendly EU environment
Civil Society Organisations must be recognised as essential partners and the role of ‘health advocates’ in bringing (...)
Exchange of views with Swedish Ministers for Welfare, the Elderly and Public Health
On 1 & 2 September, EPHA attended the first Environment, Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) meeting of this legislature. The agenda included an exchange of views with Swedish Ministers for Welfare, the Elderly and Publich Health.
On 2 September, the Committee heard about the Presidency’s priorities from two ministers, Göran Hägglund (Swedish Minister for Welfare) and Maria Larsson (Swedish Minister for the Elderly and Public Health).
Minister Göran Hägglund was told in no (...)
Jose Manuel Barroso gains majority approval by European Parliament to head next Commission
At the Plenary session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament has voted to approve the nomination of Jose Manuel Barroso as the next President of the European Commission.
The vote had been postponed from the first Plenary of the new European Parliament in July and in the intervening time Barrosso had published details of his political priorities for the forthcoming five years.
The details of the vote were :
In favour:382
Against:219
Abstentions:117
Total votes cast : 718
Barroso’s (...)
President Barroso sets out his political guidelines for the next Commission
José Manuel Barroso, current president of the European Commission and candidate for a second term in the same position, published today his manifesto entitled "Political guidelines for the next Commission".
President Barroso puts forward 5 policy priorities :
Making a successful exit from the crisis ;
Leading on climate change ;
Boosting the new sources of growth and social cohesion ;
Advancing people’s Europe ;
Opening a new Era for Global Europe.
The document only includes few references (...)
The new face of the European Parliament
On 4-7 June 2009, 736 Members of the European Parliament (EP) were elected for a five years mandate. Based on the results, 7 political groups were formed. During the first plenary session in mid-July, MEPs elected the Bureau of the EP and set up the new parliamentary committees. Here is an overview of the new face of the EP. EPHA members can access the full article here.
On 4-7 June 2009, European citizens elected their new representatives at the European Parliament for the next five years. (...)
Call for Expressions of Interest : EU Health Forum
The European Commission is renewing membership of the EU Health Forum. Organisations will be selected based on new criteria, and will participate for a period of three years until the end of the current EU Healthy Strategy in 2013. The call for expressions of interest is open until 17 October 2009.
The EU Health Forum was established in 2001. The overarching goal of the Forum is to contribute to the development and implementation of actions to protect and improve the health of European (...)
Draft general budget for 2010
In July 2010 the Council adopted the draft budget for 2010 with a total of 138 billion Euros. The budget for Citizenship,’ which covers not only public health but also culture, media, and consumer protection, amounts to less than 0.5% of the total budget.
EU budget for 2010
Preliminary draft budget
The Commission adopted a EUR 139bn preliminary draft budget (PDB) for 2010.
The heading ’Citizenship’ includes culture, media, public health and consumer protection.
Draft budget by the Council (...)
The new ENVI Committee
At the first European Parliament plenary session in July 2009, Jo Leinen was elected Chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI). 64 MEPs joined the ENVI Committee.
On 16 July 2009, Mr. Jo Leinen was elected Chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) in the European Parliament.
Jo Leinen is a German member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament and is the former chair of (...)
Draft general budget for 2010
In July 2010 the Council adopted the draft budget for 2010 with a total of 138 billion Euros. The budget for Citizenship,’ which covers not only public health but also culture, media, and consumer protection, amounts to less than 0.5% of the total budget.
EU budget for 2010
Preliminary draft budget
The Commission adopted a EUR 139bn preliminary draft budget (PDB) for 2010.
The heading ’Citizenship’ includes culture, media, public health and consumer protection.
Draft budget by the Council (...)
Open Days 2009 to look at some key health issues
On 6-7 October 2009, the European Commission is holding its European Week of Regions and Cities - the Open Days - in Brussels. EPHA has compiled a list of health-relevant workshops. Interested organisations can register on the dedicated website.
The Open Days’ motto this year is ‘Global Challenges, European Responses’. The programme is structured according to these four themes :
Restoring growth : Innovation in Europe’s regions and cities
Regions and climate change : (...)
Evaluation of Public Health Programme 2003-2007 : very broad and ambitious objectives with limited means
The European Court of Auditors recently released a Special Report on "The European Union’s Public Health Programme (2003-2007) : an effective way to improve health ?" It identifies some strengths and weaknesses of the previous Public Health Programme (PHP) and highlights that the very broad and ambitious objectives of the programme contrasted sharply with the limited means at its disposal.
In July 2009, the European Court of Auditors published a Special Report on "The European Union’s Public (...)
Guide to the Swedish Presidency
From the 1st July to the end of the year, Sweden is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. EPHA has put together an online guide on the Swedish Presidency covering its policy priorities, an outlook on EPHA actions, a calendar of events and a directory of key contacts. The presentation of the Swedish Health Attaché at the meeting on 15 July has also been uploaded.
The many tasks the future Swedish EU Presidency faces are reflected in its slogan for its six months at (...)
Jerzy Buzek elected President of the European Parliament
Former Polish prime minister Jerzy Buzek was elected President of the European Parliament today for a two-and-a-half year term. The Polish centre-right MEP has been elected with 555 of 644 MEPs votes cast, becoming the first person from the former Eastern bloc to chair the Parliament.
Former Polish prime minister Jerzy Buzek was elected President of the European Parliament today for a two-and-a-half year term. The Polish centre-right MEP has been elected with 555 of 644 MEPs votes cast, (...)
EPHA joins the NGO Liaison Group of the Economic and Social Committee
On 17 June 2009, EPHA officially became a member of the NGO Liaison Group of the European Economic and Social Committee. This new status will enable EPHA to present its members’ key concerns and recommendations to another EU institution.
What is the NGO Liaison Group of the European Economic and Social Committee ?
In 2004, the EESC established a Liaison Group to interact with European civil society organisations and networks. The group was designed to be both a liaison body and a structure (...)
Health Aspects of EU Development Policy
The European Union is the largest provider of development aid in the world. The 2008 figures from OECD show that more than €49 billion has been spent on development aid, an increase of about 8% since 2007. At the 2005 European Council, EU leaders had pledged to increase aid levels collectively and individually from all Member States by 2015. The primary objective of EU development policy is the eradication of poverty, including the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). (...)
EP Elections 2009 : EPHA members actions and proposals
Ahead of the European Parliament elections in June 2009, several EPHA members have launched their own European manifestos. Each of them addresses key issues for the public health community.
[Royal College of Nurses’ manifesto
>http://www.rcn.org.uk/nursing/international/european_elections_2009/european_election_manifesto_2009]
Ensure enough nursing staff to meet patients’ needs ;
Stop nurses getting injured at work ;
Meet health and social care needs of patients with long-term or (...)
Future Presidencies of the Council of Ministers
This article will be updated with links to information about each presidency as it becomes available.
The Council of Ministers has confirmed the order of the half yearly rotating presidency until June 2020.
; Year ; January-June ; July-December ; 2006 ; Austria ; Finland ; 2007 ; Germany ; Portugal ; 2008 ; Slovenia ; France ; 2009 ; Czech Republic ; Sweden ; 2010 ; Spain ; Belgium ; 2011 ; Hungary ; Poland ; 2012 ; Denmark ; Cyprus ; (...)
Official Directory of the European Union
The Official Directory of the European Union 2008 is now available both in print and online. Please read on for information on the content and how to access your copy.
The Directory contains information on people within all the main institutions, permanent representations, agencies and delegations. The Directory has over 11 000 names listed, and is a useful tool for knowing who to contact, and where.
This publication contains detailed organisation charts going down to the level of heads of (...)
Commission High Level Groups - whose views do they represent ?
In February 2009, Friends of the Earth Europe published a report on the seven High Level Groups established by the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry under Commissioner Guenter Verheugen. This report states that the democratic nature of these groups is questionable as they were only partly transparent and strongly biased in favour of industry interests.
The Commission led High Level Groups (HLGs), that have the mandate to advise on policy making, often provide the input for (...)
Belgian Presidency discusses financial crisis with NGOs
On 2 March, EPHA attended a meeting organised by the Kingdom of Belgium as part of its preparations for the future EU presidency in 2010. The meeting was on the economical and financial crisis and will be the first of a number on different topics to be held throughout 2009.
Seminar on the Financial Crisis
The Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of Belgium invited civil society organisations to participate in a seminar on the financial crisis (...)
European Parliament changing its approach to health ?
During the first week of March, Brussels was awash with rumours about a possible restructuring within the Parliament on health issues. Commentators were suggesting that health may be removed from its current home in the ’ENVI’ Committee (Environment, Health and Food Safety) to a new Health-only Committee under the 2009-2013 Parliament.
EPHA was asked to comment on these rumoured changes (please click here for the full article in the Brussels press).
If the rumours are correct and health (...)
Guide to the Czech Presidency of the European Union
On 1 January 2009, the Czech Republic has taken over the Presidency of the EU Council. EPHA has prepared a guide to this presidency, with information on its challenges, priorities and calendar.
The EU Presidency trio system is designed to offer continuity in the leadership of the European Union, whilst giving each of the three Member States a large breathing space for activities.
The official motto of the Czech EU Presidency is "Europe without barriers", with the removal of labour market (...)
The European Recovery Plan and EPHA contribution
On November 26 2008, the Commission published details of its important Recovery Plan. A sum of 200 billion euros is to be made available in order to address the current financial and economic crisis. EPHA participated to the Social Platform’s call to mitigate the impact of the crisis on vulnerable people.
On 26 November 2008, the Commission published details of its proposed recovery plan to address the impacts of the current financial and economic crisis.
The plan states that EU countries (...)
*Updated with the results* Worst EU Lobbying Awards 2008
Every year, four pro-transparency NGOs including Corporate Europe Observatory and Friends of the Earth Europe, organise the "Worst EU Lobbying Awards". Here are the results for 2008.
Results
On 9 December, the winners of the 2008 Worst EU Lobbying Awards have been revealed at a ceremony in Brussels, despite a last minute attempt to gag the organisers with legal action from one of the candidates. More than 8500 people took part in the online public vote.
One of the candidates for the Worst (...)
New website details EU funding beneficiaries
On 2 October 2008, the European Commission launched a website making details of the beneficiaries of EU funding publicly available for the first time.
The ’Financial Transparency System’ search engine - part of the wider transparency initiative launched by Administration and Anti-Fraud Commissioner Siim Kallas in 2005 - gives "free access to details of who receives EU funds managed directly by the Commission" and the executive agencies it sets up to manage EU programmes.
"Very few public (...)
*Update with the outcome* The Commission’s Register of Interest Representatives
The ambitious Transparency Initiative launched in 2005 by Commissioner Sim Kallaas has resulted in a voluntary "Register of Interest Representatives" - which is more of a token gesture for transparency than an actual step forward. Working with the Civil Society Contact Group, EPHA will be registering shortly following the particular guidelines outlined below and would like to call all concerned organisations to do the same.
EPHA has been calling for EU lobby transparency since 2005 and (...)
ENVI Committee meeting on the Health Strategy 2008-2013, 9 September 2008
On 9 September, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) adopted unanimously a Draft Report on the White Paper "Together for Health : A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013"
On 9 September 2008, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) met to vote the Draft Report on the White Paper entitled ’Together for Health : A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013’ as well as a series of amendments.
The (...)
Have your say on the development of the DG SANCO 2009 annual work plan
DG Sanco is giving civil society and the general public the opportunity to participate in setting priorities for its 2009 work plan of the 2008-2013 Public Health Programme.
The public health programme, which runs for 5 years, is implemented through annual work plans setting out the areas to be funded that year. The work plan sets out an indicative budget and funding mechanism. These funding of these areas are defined by the priorities. DG SANCO has asked civil society and citizens to (...)
Health Priorities of the French Presidency, July 2008
The French Presidency of the EU will run from 1 July 2008 until 31 December 2008.
On Health issues, the French Presidency has made some priorities :
1. Health Security : Anti-microbial resistance and mandate for the ECDC, Health Security Committee
2. Mental Health : Alzheimer
3. Tobacco : preparation of the EU towards the Conference of Parties, FCTC in November 2008.
4. Health Strategy
5. Directive on the application of Patient Rights on Cross border Health care : please find more information on (...)
**Update** EU lobbying transparency a step closer but still some way to go
On 25 March 2008, the transparency group Alter-EU has accused the Commission of relying too heavily on business and industry lobbyists when drawing up EU legislation. In reaction, the Commission has said it will publish a list of individual experts who sit on its advisory groups by the summer. But, a European Parliament committee would like the EU to go further and called for a mandatory register of the estimated 15-20,000 lobbyists.
Background
The European Commission has long consulted (...)
Public health at the fore in European elections June 2009 ?
As part of our preparations for the elections in 2009, the EPHA Secretariat has been contacting the major European political groups to include public health in their priorities and manifestos.
Although most party’s were receptive to EPHA input, the only European party preparing its manifesto at this time is the European Socialists PES with a broad European Manifesto.
EPHA was given the opportunity to present three main public health goals in the PES Manifesto document. The Manifesto is (...)
What can be expected from the French EU Presidency ?
From 1 July to 31 December 2008, France will hold the EU Presidency, therefore the responsibility to organise and chair the European Council meetings. The French government has already announced that its motto will be "a more protective Europe".
From 1 July to 31 December 2008, France will organise and chair the European Council meetings. It will take over Slovenia and will hand over to the Czech Republic in 2009.
The French government has already announced that its motto will be "a more (...)
New Italian EU commissioner nominated
Italy’s empty seat at the European Commission table has now been officially taken by Antonio Tajani - a man familiar with EU political scene, as headed MEPs from the Forza Italia political party led by Silvio Berlusconi.
Mr Tajani, a 55-year old law graduate and former journalist, is to replace Franco Frattini, the commission vice-president in charge of justice and home affairs dossier. Mr Frattini formally stepped down on Thursday (8 May), following his appointment as Italy’ new foreign (...)
Barroso admits legitimacy problem for Commission President post
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said that the European elections, regularly marked by voter apathy and low turnout, create a legitimacy problem for his post.
"I really believe we have a problem there," said Mr Barroso responding to a question about whether European citizens should have the power to directly elect the person to fill his post.
He added that : "From a formal point of view, its a perfect system" but admitted that in practice it is different.
Under rules of (...)
The Slovenian presidency launches a portal for NGOs
The Slovenian EU Council Presidency has launched a portal for NGOs increasing the possibilities for them to play a role during the Presidency.
The Slovenian EU Council Presidency has launched a web portal for NGOs outlining and facilitating NGO interventions to the Slovenian Presidency.
The basis for NGO involvement in the Presidency is outlined in the Agreement between the Government communication office and web portal Predsedovanje.si which details the communications envisaged before (...)
MEPs fear lack of transparency in quick EU law-making
MEPs looking into how to overhaul the workings of the European Parliament have raised concerns about the number of quick deals that are reached on EU laws.
EPHA believes that such behaviours could risk resulting in poor quality legislation and that the process is not sufficiently transparent.
Background
In 2007, the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, set up a special working group on parliamentary reform. It was chaired by Dagmar Roth-Behrendt MEP and was to improve (...)
The European Court of Justice rules in favour of the indirect disability rights
The European Court of Justice gave a boost to disability rights on 31 January after ruling in favour of Sharon Coleman, a legal secretary in London who suffered “discrimination by association”. This first legal victory could give new rights to millions of carers living in Europe.
According to Poiares Maduro, the advocate general at the European Court of Justice, Sara Coleman, a legal secretary in London, suffered “discrimination by association” when she was (...)
This is the last full calendar year of activity for the Barroso Commission and the annual workplan outlines the key initiatives.
While health policy is not a high priority for the Commission, many of their actions this year have an impact on health.
Worst EU Lobbying and Greenwash Awards 2007
German car manufacturers BMW, Daimler and Porsche were disgraced when they were named winners of the ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award 2007. The German Atomic Forum was also named and shamed with a special prize for ‘Worst EU Greenwash’.
Winner of the Worst EU Lobbying Award 2007
BMW, Daimler and Porsche – nominated together in the worst EU lobbying category – gained more than 30 percent of the votes. Their joint lobbying offensive designed to water-down and (...)
The European Court of Justice pursues greater EU transparency
On the 8 November 2007, the Court of First Instance (see the attached document) annulled the Commission’s denial to reveal the identities of all participants at a meeting involving representatives from the Commission (namely DG Internal Market and Services ), the UK Department of Trade and Industry, and the Confederation des Brasseurs du Marche Commun. The sentence will be recalled by a number of EU advocates as a benchmark towards greater transparency.
Background
In May 1992, the Bavarian (...)
The Reform Treaty : strengths and shortcomings
On 19 October 2007 EU leaders agreed the precise text of the Reform Treaty, which is due to be formally signed on 13 December 2007 in order to take effect in January 2009. The purpose of this article is to explore the main innovations included in the new treaty.
The rejection of the Constitutional Treaty by popular vote in France and the Netherlands was followed by a reflection period. This provided an opportunity to review new options for institutional governance of the European Union. (...)
"Communicating Europe in Partnership" : EU information priorities
The European Commission has presented proposals for "Communicating Europe in Partnership", a document proposes joint communication priorities with other EU institutions and voluntary management partnerships with Member States.
Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy said that citizens want clear information from the EU institutions and that it’s time to end the blame game and work together.
Built on (...)
The European Transparency Initiative : where are we now and what lies ahead ?
Two years after European Transparency Initiative, the European Commission is about to launch the first-ever EU lobbying disclosure system. Unfortunately, no major improvements have been announced on the side of the European Parliament.
Following the European Transparency Initiative launched in 2005, the European Commission proposed in March 2007 to set up a voluntary register of lobbyists active in Brussels. Lobbyists and lobbying associations signing up to the register are required to (...)
MEPs acknowledge need for comprehensive strategy to control cancer
The European Parliament adopted a written declaration that addresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to fight cancer so that it will no longer be the leading cause of death in Europe.
The written declaration has been signed by more than half of the MEPs, which is the required number for a declaration to be adopted. In addition to cancer being the leading cause of death in Europe, one-third of all cancers are preventable and can be detected early and successfully treated.
The (...)
**UPDATED** IGC talks on Reform Treaty : Health provisions at stake !
EPHA’s comments on the on-going Treaty revision are based on the experience of campaigning during the debate on the drafting of the Treaty. Individual EPHA members working at national or regional levels may have a different viewpoint. This is not a legal, scientific nor academic interpretation.
Updated with the changes announced at the June 2007 Council Summit and the agreement reached by Member States on 19 October 2007.
This article compares the legal provisions on public health of the (...)
New dialogue for stakeholders and scientific comittees
Procedure for dialogue with Stakeholders unveiled for DG SANCOs advisory scientific committees.
EU Ombudsman launches information campaign for organisations
The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, launched an information campaign to organisations with a registered office in the EU, about their right to complain to the Ombudsman on 7 June 2007.
The campaign is directed to NGO’s, associations, companies, regional offices, schools and universities. The Ombudsman information sheet explains to these organisations how the Ombudsman can help settle problems with the EU administration, giving the following information :
What can you complain (...)
**Updated** European Commission public health portal launches online newsletter
The Health-EU Portal of the European Commission is now available in 20 of the official EU languages, and has just sent out the "Zero edition" of its online newsletter.
The Health-EU Portal
The Health-EU Portal aims to provide European Citizens with an easy access to reliable, multilingual and comprehensive information on Public Health initiatives and programmes at EU level.
The Portal was launched in English in May 2006 at the health conference in Málaga, Spain. From May 2006 to March (...)
Revision of EU Constitutional Treaty : NGOs raise their voice
With the risk of a political "quick fix" of the Constitutional Treaty at the June 2007 European Council, NGOs call on a Social Europe and improved Civil Society Consultation.
On 21 and 22 June the European Council met for the last time under the German Presidency. The agenda included a point on the review of the EU Treaty.
The German Presidency had announced that they wanted to outline a precise "roadmap" for the review of the Treaty.
The risk of a political ‘quick-fix’at any price and (...)
European Commission and WHO to work together on health
The European Commission (DG SANCO) and the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe have launched seven new jointly funded projects in the area of health. The projects will implemented by WHO/Europe over a three-year period.
The overall budget for the projects is 4,232,963, with the European Union’s Public Health Programme covering 60% of the cost. The two organisations will work together at political, technical and operational levels, with the aim of providing better support (...)
*UPDATED* The EU is 50 years-old : Celebrating the common values of the EU
*This article has been updated with responses to the Berlin Declaration *
The 25th of March 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome which established the European Union. The event offered an opportunity to look ahead to the next 50 years and imagine the EU of 2057.
The ’Berlin Declaration’ was adopted on the 25 March 2007. The Declaration reflected upon the main achievements of the EU so far, and reaffirmed its values :
Solidarity : an enlarged and open Europe requires greater (...)
EPHA press release : Will Europe be healthy in 2057 ? Give us reasons to celebrate ! Don’t forget health !
Brussels, 23 May 2007 - On the 25th March the European Union celebrates its 50th birthday and defines its vision for the next 50 years. European leaders must recognise that the health of European Citizens is key to achieving the mission and values of the EU.
The credibility of the EU’s positions on trade, environment, development and international health issues, rests upon a clear focus and priority on public health in the Berlin Declaration.
Speaking on behalf of the European Public (...)
**UPDATED** Ratification of EU Constitutional Treaty
*This article has been updated with the latest attempts of the German Presidency to revive the Constitution.*
The EU’s first-ever Constitutional Treaty agreed at the European Council in June 2004, was officially signed by EU Heads of State or Government on 29 October 2004 in Rome.
Endorsement of the European Parliament
On 12 January 2004 the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the EU Constitution in a non-binding but politically symbolic vote. The report endorsing the (...)
Improving access to European-funded research results
The European Commission has issued a communication on how to make the results from European Community-funded research available to all.
Although the document is not legally binding, it aims to end the current situation where European-funded research results (ie paid with public funds) are not necessarily made publicly available and may be accessible by subscribing to scientific publications.
In addition, open access to scientific evidence can accelerate innovation and avoid duplication of (...)
Transparency Drive Extends to EU Structural Funds
The EU’s current transparency drive challenges national governments with the new requirement to fully disclose information on recipients of EU structural funds.
Member States are now required to publish detailed data on the recipients, projects and amounts of structural aid cash they receive from the EU.
As of October 2006, a website listing the beneficiaries of the EU Structural Funds is publicly available.
Unless applicants of EU aid agree to provide full openness, they risk losing their (...)
*UPDATED* EU worst lobby Award 2006
*UPDATED with the results* Corporate Europe Observatory, LobbyControl, Spinwatch and Friends of the Earth Europe launch the Worst EU Lobbying Award 2006 which aims to identify the most dubious influence lobbying.
The 2006 edition of the Worst Lobby Award plans to grant a double Prize :
the worst EU lobbying, awarded for the lobbyist or lobby group using the most deceptive, misleading, hypocritical and irresponsible tactics. The winner is ExxonMobil for continuing to manipulate the EU (...)
Participating in Debate on the Future of Europe - A Call for Action
The biggest ever pan-European debate of all 25 EU Member States has been launched to find out what Europe’s citizens want from Europe and which issues matter to them most.
From January to April 2007, 25 national consultations take place at Member State level to discuss the overarching question “What is needed to achieve the Europe we want ?”
The Final Consultation in May 2007 is held in Brussels as an intense debate with a small number of citizen volunteers from the national (...)
Can the Constitution be saved ? If so, how and by whom ?
"Can the Constitution be saved ? If so, how and by whom ?" was the title of the policy dialogue, hosted by the European Policy Centre.
The discussion revolved around the chances of the Constitutional Treaty ever entering into force, as well as the possible alternatives.
About 100 people attended from
EU institutions ;
Assorted embassies, permanent representations and missions ;
NGOs, including EPHA ;
Business associations and industries.
The panel was made up of the following :
Dr Ulrike (...)
Agoras to increase dialogue between citizens and the European Parliament
European Parliamentarians are considering creating regular ’agoras’, or fora for citizens to debate draft laws, in an effort to bring citizens closer to the EU.
The move follows rejection of Europe’s proposed Constitutional Treaty in 2005. The push for ’agoras’ was initiated by the parliament’s vice president, French Green MEP Gerard Onesta.
Under his proposal, the parliament would organise five or six fora per year, with a total of 1,800 participants discussing current legislative issues. (...)
**Updated** European Commission Plan D : regaining the trust of European citizens
**The article has been updated with recent debates, plus the launch of the internet forum.** The European Commissioner Margot Wallström launched its Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate, on the 13 October 2005. It aims to lay the ground for a strong debate about European Union’s future.
Background to Plan D Against the backdrop of the French and Dutch No to the constitutional treaty and the impossible agreement on the budget in June 2005, Plan D aims to open up a debate built on a (...)
Law making in the Council to be more transparent
*Latest update : adoption by the European Parliament of David Hammerstein Mintz report calling to increase Council transparency*
The decision-making process in the European Council is often seen as not being transparent. The European Parliament, the European Ombudsman and the Civil Society Contact Group are acting to end secrecy and lack of transparency in the European Council decision-making processes.
The European Parliament campaign MEPs Chris Davies, Nigel Farage, Timothy Kirkhope, Jean (...)
Fixing Cigarette Prices - France and Belgium Tackled
France and Belgium are being tackled by the European Commission (EC) for fixing of minimum retail prices for cigarettes. The EC decided in June 2006 to send these countries a reasoned opinion.
The Commission believes that such prices do not respect Community law, distort competition and benefit manufacturers only by safeguarding their profit margins.
In order to reduce tobacco consumption - a positive base step in boosting public health - the EC advocates increasing the excise duty on (...)
EESC Hearing on the European Transparency Initiative
On 11 July 2006, EPHA attended a hearing of stakeholders concerned by certain questions addressed in the European Transparency Initiative. The hearing was organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), at the request of and in close cooperation with the European Commission (EC).
Participants included representatives of civil society organisations, consultancies, business sector lobby groups, law firms and think tanks, as well as the EC, the EESC and the office of the (...)
EU High Level Meetings to be Televised
As of June 2006, Council of Minister meetings are to be televised, in a bid to increase the overall transparency, accountability and credibilty of the EU institutions.
The UK has withdrawn its opposition to the new transparency procedures at Council level, ending the European Union tradition of secretive, closed-door ministerial meetings.
EPHA welcomes the new move of the EU Council of Ministers to change their own practices, which is key both for the credibility of the EU Council, as well (...)
The Austrian Presidency’s Health Priorities and Progress in 2006
Austria held the rotating Presidency of the EU from 1 January to 30 June, 2006. What were the health-related priorities of the Austrian government during this period - and were they achieved ?
Future Presidencies of the European Union
Food and food safety
The Austrian Presidency re-opened the current safety assessments done by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which, according to some member states, has approved GM products without proper research. However, Austria’s attempt at (...)
Debating the future of the EU with the European Parliament
On the 24-25 April 2006, the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament organises a forum with civil society organisations.
The objective is to debate on the future of the European Constitution in line with the ’reflection period’. It intends to discuss and define as well European values and priorities of the European Union.
Given that a high attendance is expected, the forum will take place in the hemicycle of the European Parliament.
Contact person : Margit Von Der Heyden (...)
**UPDATED** EU budget in the spotlight
This article has been updated with the latest call for action and an analysis of the consequences of the financial agreement on the Health programme (attached documents). For more information on the agreement reached on the 04 April, read EU leaders agree a budget for 2007-2013
The debate about the EU budget is heating up as the June 2005 deadline for agreement gets closer. It takes about 18 months to prepare the legal paperwork to allow the EU to spend money on programmes so if a deal is (...)
**UPDATED** European Commission High Level Groups questioned by the European Parliament
**Updated with concerns of the European Parliament and the G10** On the 08 February 2006, the Greens/EFA, one of the political groups of the European Parliament, warned about the growing influence of corporate interests on the European policy-making processes.
The Greens/EFA and European Parliament position
The Greens/EFA political group has been aware of a list of invited participants to the "High level group on competitiveness, energy ane environment". This High level group will be (...)
*UPDATED* EU leaders agree a budget for 2007-2013
This article has been updated with the results of the negotiations and adoption by the Council and the European Parliament in April 2006. For information on the consequences for the Health budget, read EU budget in the spotlight
EU summit - December 2005
After 17 hours of negotiations at the EU Summit on 15-16 December 2005, the UK managed to get a political agreement from all Member States on the EU budget for the period 2007-2013.
The European Commission had put forward an ambitious (...)
Withdrawal of 68 legislative proposals by the European Commission
Following the commitment to improve citizens’ confidence, the European Commission Vice-President Günther Verheugen has decided to withdraw more than a third of the pending legislative proposals dated before the 1 January 2004.
The move is aimed to fight against the feeling that the European Union is a bureaucratic giant dealing with uncessary regulations. According to the European Commission, most of the proposals were either inconsistent with the Lisbon Strategy, or did not meet better (...)
**UPDATED** New EU Public Health Programme 2008-2013, February 2008
*UPDATED* Call for proposals under the EU Public Health Programme 2008-2013 has been published.
EU Public Health Programme 2008-2013
The EU Public Health Programme has published its ’Call for proposals’ which allows organisations to participate under a variety of financing mechanisms. The budgetary authority has approved a total budget of 46.600.000 euros for 2008.
The Programme makes a clear distinction between ’grants for an action’ and ’operating grants’
Specified at SANCO’s website, the (...)
UK Presidency’s Health Priorities
The United Kingdom (UK) Presidency of the EU will begin 1 July and last till 31 December 2005.
Future Presidencies of the European Union
Presidency priorities and events
The general priorities of the UK Presidency will be : Economic reform, security, climate change, Africa.
Other issues that will be progressed are : Sustainable development, chemicals regulation for health, environment and competitiveness, reform of EU sugar regime, EU/US - strenghtening economic partnership.
The health (...)
UPDATED EC consultation : health as a driver of cohesion policy
This article has been updated with EPHA’s response to the Consultation (attached).
The Commission adopted on 5 July a proposal for Community Strategic Guidelines entitled “Cohesion Policy in Support of Growth and Jobs : Community Strategic Guidelines, 2007-2013”, setting priorities on the use of the Structural and Cohesion Funds for the period 2007-2013, which includes investment in health.
The draft guidelines present a "healthy workforce" as one of the objectives of (...)
UPDATED - Health and Consumer Intergroup 2005
The Health and Consumer Intergroup of the European Parliament has been officially launched in June 2005.
The Intergroup dedicated website is available at www.hecointergroup.org ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION WILL BE DULY POSTED ON THE INTERGROUP WEBSITE
June meeting - New Health and Consumer Programme 2007-2013
The launch meeting took place on the 22 June 2005 from 14:00 to 15:00 in the European Parliament - Brussels - room ASP 1E3.
The Intergroup aims to provide the first opportunity for (...)
Move for greater transparency in EU lobbying
Background
Lobbying is a booming growth industry in Brussels. Estimates of how many lobbyists haunt the corridors of the EU institutions in Brussels vary from 15 000 to 20 000. Of these, according to the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO), 70% represent corporate interests, 20% regions, cities and international organisations, and only 10% citizens’ interests.
The large lobby industry in Brussels has gained considerable power and influence over policy making, and especially corporate (...)
Consultation on better implementation of EU legislation
The Single Market Observatory (SMO) of the European Economic and Social Committee is preparing an own-intiative opinion on ’How to Improve the implementation and enforcement of EU legislation’ in the context of the British EU Presidency in the second half of 2005. It is also preparing an exploratory opinion on ’Better Lawmaking’.
As part of the consultation process a questionnaire which aimed at better targeting the opinion and including stakeholders viewpoints and recommendations was (...)
EU prepares response to biological or chemical terrorist attack
Policymakers around the world are increasing their planning activities to deal with a potential biological or chemical attack.
What to do in a chemical attack
The European Commission has issued practical guidance for the public about the what do to in the event of a chemical attack. The information is meant to help people understand how to prepare themselves and to make it easier for emergency services to act. The EU has said that this is part of their general approach to civil protection (...)
Commission presents its five year strategy and 2005 work programme
On 26 January 2004, the European Commission announced its strategic objectives for 2005-2009 period and its work programme for 2005.
Strategic Objectives 2005-2009
Strategic objectives are listed under four main headings :
Prosperity (economic growth, competitiveness, higher productivity, more jobs),
Solidarity (social justice, environmental protection, cohesion),
Security (Hague programme, fighting crime and terrorism, managing immigration, environmental and health risks),
Europe as (...)
Public consultation on weight indications on packed products
The Directorate General which deals with Entreprise and Industry of the European Commission has launched on Monday 24 January a public consultation on the metrological requirements in pre-packaging .
This consultation aims at simplifying the rules for producers while at the same time, understanding consumer concerns about weight indications on all packed products.
The Commission wants to bring existing European laws (both at national and European levels) into two main directives that would (...)
New Call for Proposals for EU funding on Emerging Science and Technology
The European Commission’ s DG Research has launched a call for proposals under the budgetline New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST). The deadline for application is April 13 2005.
INSIGHT projects
INSIGHT projects must demonstrate an anticipatory function.
They are scientific investigations designed to provide identification and clarification of discoveries and phenomena that could lead to potential risks for the society.
They should aim at developing scientific understanding (...)
MEPs call for Commission action on autism
On 18 January 2005, the Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in the European Parliament discussed the issue of monitoring autism in the EU raised by the open question to the Commission posed by Kathy Sinnott (ID, IRL).
The Commission representative said that the Commission was not monitoring or planning to monitor the incidence of autism throughout the EU. However, one of the priorities of the 2005 Work Plan for the implementation of the Public Health Programme concerns (...)
ECDC Director committed to improve public health in Europe
Mrs Zsuzsanna Jakab begun working as the first Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in March 2005.
Objectives of the ECDC
Speaking at the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee hearing on Monday 10 January 2005, she asserted very clearly 4 broad functions for the future ECDC :
Organising and coordinating the collaboration between EU institutions, Member States and other partners such as the World Health (...)
Nikiforos Diamandouros re-elected as European Ombudsman
During its plenary session of 11 January 2005, the European Parliament voted to re-elect Nikiforos Diamandouros as European Ombudsman with 564 out of a total of 643 votes cast.
Mr Diamandouros has served as European Ombudsman since January 2003, following the retirement of the Union’s first Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman and his new mandate will run until 2009.
The European Ombudsman is empowered to receive complaints from any citizen of the Union or any natural or legal person residing in a (...)
Public Health Programme information day, 2005
An Information Day on the European Public Health Programme (2003-2008) will take place on Thursday, 3 February 2005 in Luxembourg.
During the meeting, the Commission will present its annual Work Plan 2005 for the implementation of the Programme.
The 2005 Call for Proposals was published on the 17 January on DG Sanco’s website.
The deadline to present proposals is the 15 April 2005.
As part of the programme of the Information Day, the Commission will held several workshops to guide (...)
Executive Agency for the EU Public Health Programme
On 15 December, the European Commission set up an executive agency to carry out tasks relating to the management of the Community programme in the field of public health (2003-2008).
A cost-benefit study carried out by the Commission showed that the executive agency would be a more economical mean of improving the effectiveness of the way in which the public health programme is implemented. This study has not been published so far.
The Commission wants to capitalise on the technical work (...)
EU Presidencies until 2020
EU member states met on 13 December 2004 and reached political agreement on provisions concerning the exercise of the Council Presidency including the order of Presidencies from 2007 to 2020.
The current provision runs out at the end of 2006 with Luxembourg, the UK, Finland and Austria still to come.
The Council set out the order of Presidencies of the Council as from 1 January 2007 and laid down certain modalities concerning arrangements among Member States for the exercise of the (...)
NGO involvement on the ratification of new Treaty
As part of the Act4europe campaign, the Civil Society Contact Group is preparing a handbook for NGOs on the ratification of the Constitutional Treaty.
The handbook will include sectoral assessments of the final text by the Contact Group members and information on what the state of play is in the different Member States.
There will be a section on national NGO views on the ratification process in their Member States, and the involvement of NGOs in the process : whether/how you are organising (...)
Control over imports of chemicals used in illicit drugs
The Council of Ministers agreed on a proposal for a Regulation to strengthen controls on the import of the chemicals that are used to manufacture illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, in particular ecstasy, so-called drug precursors.
The existing legislation in this area, Regulation 3677/90, which the proposed Regulation would replace, must be modernised because in recent years the Community has become one of the world’s leading ecstasy manufacturers and exporters, using (...)
European Parliament hearing on Constitutional Treaty
The Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament organised last 25 November 2004 a hearing with civil society on the Constitutional Treaty.
The Civil Society Contact Group sent a letter to the Committee ahead of the hearing.
The letter calls for an amendment to the EP report which will strengthen the call for sufficient support to be made available for civil society organisations across the EU to engage their constituencies in ratification debates.
In addition to the joint (...)
New European Commission finally takes office
The new Barroso team of 25 began its five-year term of office on 22 November, three weeks later than originally planned. This ends the 5 week stand-off with the European Parliament.
On 27 October, President Barroso chose not to submit his team to a vote in the Plenary after two Commissioners were rejected by their respective Parliamentary Committees. Italian nominee Rocco Buttiglione was rejected by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and Laszlo Kovacs, from (...)
Guide to EU civil society launched
The EU Civil Society Contact Group has published a handbook entitled ’The European Parliament 2004-2009 and European Civil Society : a guide for partnership’.
The guide contains contributions from the six member sectors of the Contact Group (social, development, human rights, environment, women, culture) and introduces the policy areas they work on as well as their views on the key role the European Parliament has to play in these areas.
It also includes overviews of the vast expertise (...)
Consultation on the 7th Research Framework
The European Commission is undertaking a consultation to identify ’thematic domains’ for future European support under the 7th Framework Programme.
The European Commission is using the following three criteria in order to identify which thematic domains will be included in the proposal for the 7th Framework Programme.
Contribution to EU policy objectives
The research topic must generate new knowledge to meet societal needs and catalyse the delivery of a European policy objective(s), (...)
Civil society to present Constitution to citizens
In a debate hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 9 November 2004, representatives of all sectors of civil society met with MEPs Íńigo Mendez de Vigo (EPP-ED, ES) and Richard Corbett (PES, UK).
This was an opportunity for civil society to comment on the Draft Report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) on the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (2004/2129(INI)).
The Draft Report will now be finalised and the final version will be debated (...)
Milestones of the first EU Commissioner for Health
The first EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne, has reviewed the achievements of his term in office, 1999-2004.
" Health and consumer protection policy is an area where citizens expect to see tangible benefits from the European Union. The safety of food and other products, protection of their health and their rights as consumers are topics that touch the every-day lives of citizens. I was acutely aware of this five years ago when I took up the post as the very (...)
Call for proposals : DG Culture supports NGOs of European interest
The Directorate General for Education and Culture of the European Commission issued on October 2004 the call for proposals EAC/68/04 : "Support to non-governmental organisations and associations and federations of European interest 2005".
The deadline for submission of proposals is the 30th November 2004.
Thematic areas :
To promote and disseminate the values and objectives of the European Union ;
To bring citizens closer to the European Union and its institutions and to encourage (...)
Commission reveals results of Consultation on Health Strategy
"Public health continues to be a priority for EU citizens and stakeholders", announces DG SANCO as the results of a public consultation are compiled.
In July 2004, then Health Commissioner Byrne launched a reflection process and public debate on the vision for a health strategy for the EU. A Communication on Health Strategy is expected from the Commission by the end of 2005.
The reflection process generated a major debate across the EU and beyond involving countries as varied as the USA, (...)
Results of the Commissioners’ hearings
On Wednesday, 13 October, the European Parliament sent to Jose Manuel Barroso, the incoming president of the European Commission, 26 evaluation letters drafted by the EP committee chairmen following a series of hearings with all the members of Mr Barroso’s team.
Out of 24 commissioners-designate, two have received negative opinions from the MEPs. The Italian Conservative Rocco Buttiglione, whose opinions on the homosexuality and marriage have shocked a large number of deputies, was (...)
Poverty and health in developing countries : EU and WHO to cooperate closely
A new report by the WHO and UNICEF warns that vicious cycle of ill-health and poverty could defeat human development efforts, with children the first to suffer.
More than 2.6 billion people - over 40 per cent of the world’s population - do not have access to basic sanitation, and more than one billion people still use unsafe sources of drinking water
Entitled Meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) drinking water and sanitation target - A mid-term assessment of progress, the report (...)
New Commission portfolios announced
President-designate of the European Commission, Mr Jose Manuel Barroso has announced the policy portfolios allocated to his team of Commissioners.
Innovations
All Commissioners under one roof at the Berlaymont building
New post Vice-President for institutional relations and communication strategy - Mrs Margot Wallstrom
A Vice President for Competitiveness - Mr Gunter Verheugen
5 Vice-Presidents but all Commissioners equal in decision-making
More informal brainstorming sessions and (...)
The European Parliament holds its constitutive meeting
The newly elected European Parliament begun its five-year term with a plenary session of 20-23 July in Strasbourg.
MEPs have approved the European Council’s nominee, former Portuguese Prime Minister José Durăo Barroso, as the new president of the European Commission. In a secret ballot, Mr Barosso was endorsed by the majority of 413 out of 711 votes cast. The vote revealed a clear left-right cleavage within the Assembly. Whereas liberals, the centre-right EPP-ED and the far-right UEN (...)
Overview of European Parliament groups
The newly elected European Parliament numbers 732 representatives from all 25 EU Member States. In the 1999-2004 Parliament there were 7 political groups which are now being revised as a result of the electoral success or failure of certain parties. Most of the MEPs have already aligned themselves with one of the political groups.
More information about the composition and political approach of the groups can be found in the attached briefing (...)
Commissioner Byrne debates public health in Europe
On Thursday 15 July 2004 European Commissioner David Byrne launched an informal consultation process on how the EU can best contribute to raising health perspectives across the Union.
What value added can be brought by cooperating at EU level ? This can range from combating common threats to health (communicable diseases...), patient mobility, facilitating cooperation between health systems, benchmarking, best practices etc. The economic impact and cost of health is now higher on political (...)
European health card launched on 1 June 2004
On 1 June 2004, the European Health Insurance Card came into circulation in 13 European countries. The aim of the card is to facilitate the access to healthcare within the EU, by replacing all the paper forms needed for health treatment during a temporary stay in another Member State.
According to Romano Prodi : "The European health insurance card will be another piece of Europe in your pocket. The millions of European citizens who travel within the Union every year - on holiday, school (...)
Health in the Dutch presidency, 2004
The Dutch Presidency begins on 1 July 2004 and the website has been launched.
The main theme for the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport’s contribution to the Presidency will be the relationship between health and other policies, with the emphasis on the interests of the citizens in an EU of 25.
For this purpose the ministry is to organize an ’Informal Council’, to discuss the relationship between the internal market and health.
July
October
; 4 ; Employment, Soc. Policy, Health (...)
DG Sanco’s working parties news, June 2004
Lifestyle working party
On 2nd June 2004, DG Sanco made public the mandate of the Lifestyle Working Party (LWP).
Mandate of the Working Party in Lifestyle
Working Party on European Community Health Indicators
The WP on European Community Health Indicators published in June 2004 the draft list of recommended ‘First Phase Core Indicators’ (shortlist).
For more information on DG Sanco’s working parties, please read EPHA’s related article "Working Parties for the EU Public Health (...)
Conclusions of the Health Council, June 2004
The Health Council met on 1-2 June 2004 in Luxemburg to revise negotiating directives for the Commission in respect of the revision of International Health Regulations (IHR) within the framework of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Council also adopted a Decision concerning the conclusion on behalf of the Community of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The Council held a debate on the need to promote heart health and adopted several conclusions (see minutes of (...)
Speeches from health Commissioners, June 2004
Mr David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, gave a speech in the European Health Managers Association (EHMA) Annual Conference in Berlin on the 23rd June 2004.
The speech, titled "Enabling health - Empowering citizens", mentions some of the Commission achivements on health of the past years and emphasizes the necessity of empowering people to assume responsibility for their health.
Byrne also gave a speech in June on "The role of diet : How to inform (...)
IGC adopts a new Constitution for Europe
EU leaders concluded the Brussels Summit on 18 June 2004 by reaching agreement on the text of the new Treaty which provides a Constitution for Europe.
Currently the EU is governed by the Nice Treaty, signed in December 2000 and which came into force in February 2003. The New Constitutional Treaty will, if ratified, enter into force in 2009.
The Irish Prime Minister stated :
"The Constitutional Treaty brings the Union’s basic law into one document for the first time. It reflects the needs of (...)
Two more candidates for Commission President
Thursday 17 June
On Thursday 17 June, EU leaders met to decide who will be the next Commission President.
Bertie Ahern, Irish prime minister and current head of the EU, proposed Guy Verhofstadt (the current Prime Minister of Belgium and politically from the PPE group) also supported by the French and German governments. However his strong position against the war in Iraq and his clear refusal to mention God in the new Treaty resulted in opposition by UK, Italy and Poland.
Silvio Berlusconi (...)
EU Presidency urges action on services of general interest
The Irish Presidency has submitted to the European Council a review of progress since the Spring summit and outlined areas for future priority EU action.
The document highlighted progress achieved on mobility of European citizens, businesses and services ; through legislation on recognition of professional qualifications, social security co-ordination, the Europass and the introduction of the European Health Insurance Card.
The Presidency invited the Council to address drug abuse and drug (...)
IGC final preparatory meeting before Brussels Summit
The IGC met at Foreign Minister level in Luxembourg on Monday, 14 June 2004. The meeting was to prepare final negotiations ahead of the Summit of Heads of State or Government level in Brussels on 17/18 June.
The Foreign Ministers had met on 17-18 May and again on 24 May to identify areas of consensus. Read the related EPHA article. The Irish Presidency commented :
"This morning we had a very productive meeting. Most of our discussion was focused on document CIG 80/04, which was circulated (...)
IGC - results of the Foreign Ministers Meeting on 24 May 2004
The Irish Presidency has prepared a new document CIG 79/04, dated 10 June 2004 on the progress of the IGC negotiations based on the comments and discussions from the EU Foreign Minister’s meetings on 17-18 and 24 May 2004.
The Presidency states that the new draft document includes some additional points on which there now appears to be broad consensus and a series of purely technical/legal adjustments. The new draft text is designed to prepare the Foreign Ministers meeting on 14 June 2004 (...)
Results of the European Parliament Elections
The first European Parliament elections in the enlarged EU were marked by voter apathy and punishment of national ruling parties.
The turnout fell even lower than the 1999 elections. Just 45.5% of voters filled out ballots, with low participation rates in many of the 10 new Member States where an average of 26.4 % of people bothered to exercise their electoral options. The lowest turnout was in Slovakia, where fewer than 17% cast their votes.
The overall balance of the 732-member (...)
BMA Launches Manifesto for European Elections
The British Medical Association has launched it’s manifesto for the European Elections. Titled, "Health Is Our Business", the policy document can be found on the BMA website.
EU Treaty Article on public health discussed, 17 May
EU Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels on 17-18 May 2004 for the next step in the IGC negotiations. In preparation, the Irish Presidency issued two new documents on 13 May that resulted from a Focus points meeting.
Document CIG 76/04 contains the provisions of the Constitution on which the Presidency states that a broad consensus emerged among experts the focal points meeting on 4 May. Article III-179 (ex 152) stays as it was in document CIG 73/04 (for a through analysis of this document, (...)
Presidency publishes new text for IGC discussions, 3 May
In preparation for IGC Focal points meeting on 4 May 2004, the Irish Presidency has published a new draft (CIG 73/04) of the Constitutional Treaty based on Document CIG 60/03 ADD1, incorporating changes to the Naples text of December 2003.
However, the Presidency emphasized that this new document is not an official proposal and that issues related to Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) still need to be worked out. But no new concerns could be tabled by Member States.
The next IGC meetings (on (...)
Website launched on European Parliament Elections
The European Parliament has launched a new website about the elections which will be held across Europe on 10-13 June 2004.
The website includes lists of candidates, statistics about each country and an overview of the outgoing Parliament (1999 - 2004).
EP Elections website
Czech nominee for Commissioner appears before the Parliament
The European Parliament held hearings on 13-15 April 2004 for the new Commissioners nominated by the 10 acceeding countries. Mr Pavel Telicka, the Czech Commissioner designate will shadow Commissioner Byrne on the Health and Consumer Protection portfolio.
Mr Telicka confirmed his interest in remaining for the next Commission (2004 - 2009) but said it would be premature to identify a portfolio. He told MEPs that he preferred for DG SANCO to remain intact in the new Commission (2004 - 2009) (...)
IGC Developments - April 2004
At the European Council on 25/26 March 2004, the Irish Presidency provided a Report CIG 70/04 with the result of bilateral meetings with the EU 25 countries, the Commission and the Parliament.
The latest IGC discussions were based on the Italian Presidency proposals for the Brussels summit on 12-13 December 2003 which ended without agreement.
The UK, France and Germany held a trilateral summit on 16 February 2004 and set out their vision of Europe’s role in health.
The Irish (...)
Working Parties for the EU Public Health Programme
The EU Public Health Programme has three key strands of action : Health Information Systems (Strand 1), Rapid response to health threats (Strand 2) and Health determinants (Strand 3). As part of Strand 1, DG SANCO will create a number of working parties which are designed to advise on further development work in the specific field.
Working Parties that will be established
The working parties will run for the length of the EU Public Health Programme (2003-2008) and may involve sub-groups or (...)
2004 Call for proposals launched
The European Commission has launched the 2004 Call for proposals for projects to be funded through the EU public Health Programme. This follows the adoption on 25 February of the 2004 Work plan which sets out the priorities for this year.
The deadline for submission of proposals is 26 April 2004.
An Information Day for potential project submitters covering the implementation of the Public Health Programme was held on Monday 22 March 2004, 9h30-16h00 at the European Commission in (...)
EU citizens want governments to adopt an EU constitution
A Eurobarometer survey shows that a large majority of people want their government to make concessions to secure agreement on a European constitution. The Commission funded poll was organised on 23/24 January 2004 following the collapse of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). The survey shows that 77% of people in the 25 countries are in favour of the EU adopting a Constitution, with 15% opposed to the idea. More than 60% of people expect that without a constitution the European (...)
Civil society dialogues with EESC on future strategy for IGC
In a dialogue with civil society organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 22 January 2004, Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene (former vice-president of the Convention)and Mr Andrew Duff MEP (Liberals, UK) exchanged their opinions about the results of the IGC with civil society representatives.
The general feeling was that the IGC should continue the debate on the basis of the final text presented by the Convention.
There are two more texts that amend the Convention’s one, the (...)
Irish presidency continues constitutional talks
Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen addressed the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy on 20 January 2004, on the current state of play regarding the IGC.
He announced that EU Foreign Ministers will continue the negotiations on the Constitutional text on 29 January, in the form of an initial informal discussion over lunch at next Monday’s meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council.
The European Council gave the Irish (...)
MEPs to vote on Bowis report on the European Centre for Disease Control
The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy adopted a draft report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation establishing a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COM(2003) 441 - C5-0400/2003 - 2003/0174(COD)).
The rapporteur was Mr. John Bowis MEP.
List of amendments to the draft reportto be voted on 21 January 2004.
For more information, please visit the Cordis (...)
EU Agencies under discussion
The European Council meeting of heads of government on 13 December 2003 agreed on how to distribute EU agencies among the Member States.
It was decided that a Community Fisheries Control Agency should be established as a matter of urgency, and the Agency would be based in Spain. In November 2003, EU countries had agreed in principle to establish a European Borders Management Agency by 01/2005 but no location has been decided yet. But the December Summit agreed that after enlargement in May (...)
Public health in the priorities of the Irish EU Presidency
The Irish Presidency of the European Union has recently relased his official Work Programme "Europeans - Working Together". The document also includes some key references to public health.
The paper states : "The Irish Presidency intends to focus on improved public health protection and added value at European level. It will aim to secure adoption of key health measures while ensuring that health considerations are fully reflected in measures covering other areas of EU activity".
"Key (...)
New Director-General of DG SANCO appointed
The new Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Consumer Affairs (SANCO) is Mr Robert Madelin, a UK national.
Mr Madelin’s previous position was a Director in DG Trade where he was responsible for managing the civil society dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders on EU positions in multilateral trade issues. He will take up his new role at SANCO in early 2004.
EPHA interviewed Mr Madelin in January 2003 on the inter-linkage between health and (...)
IGC ends in failure
The InterGovernmental Conference ended without agreement during the day on Saturday 13 December 2003. The voting weights for Spain and Poland were the issue that brought the IGC to a standstill.
What does this mean for the draft Constitutional Text ? Several commentators have noted that there is likely to be a period of reflection and stock-taking rather than a rush to re-start negotiations. It is expected that the Irish government will produce a status report in Spring 2004 but any (...)
IGC - New Presidency compromise text, 9 December
On 9 December 2003 the Italian Presidency produced new compromise proposals to be used as a basis for the discussions in the European Council meeting of 12-13 December 2003. Following the Naples meeting of foreign ministers, the Presidency has produced an Explanatory memorandum (IGC Doc 60/03) and two new documents.
The first, CIG 60/03 ADD 1 covers issues that the Presidency feels that they have managed to integrate the comments of the various delegations and that this is now a balanced (...)
IGC - Next steps from Naples
EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels on the 8 December, the last opportunity to find solutions for the Constitutional Treaty before the European Council of 12-13 December. The meeting was dedicated to an in-depth examination of two important themes discussed at the Naples Conclave : defence and budget. The Presidency had proposed two documents for the discussion on defence, based on progress made in Naples on the definition of the ESDP in the future Constitutional Treaty. The Italian (...)
Results of Employment, Social and Health Council, 1-2 December 2003
The Employment, Social policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council gathered together 54 Ministers and government representatives and 3 Commissioners in Brussels on 1-2 December 2003. The Agenda included a number of key legislative and policy items :
The meeting adopted Recommendations on Healthy Lifestyles and on Cancer Screening and held a debate on the new proposed European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) which is currently in First reading in the Parliament. The Member States stressed (...)
UPDATED : Conference on the EU competence in health
EPHA and the European Respiratory Society organised a conference in Brussels on 27 November 2003 to discuss the EU competence in public health. The agenda featured speakers from the European Commission, WHO, Member States and a senior lawyer with experience of the Court of Justice
The conference examined whether the draft Constitutional Treaty provides the legal basis to achieve a ’high level of human health’ in the EU. The morning featured presentations about the health status of (...)
IGC - Initial positions of Member States on health
EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels on 27 October 2003 to discuss a number of issues from the IGC. To prepare the meeting, on 24 October 2003, the IGC Secretariat published on their website a summary document of the responses from Member States on non-institutional issues from the Constitutional Treaty.
Article I-3 : EU objectives The Greek government requested that ’public health’ be included
Article III-6 : Services of General Economic Interest Spain requested a return to the original (...)
ERCEG recommends the creation of a European Research Council
An interim report of the European Research Council Expert Group concludes that there are compelling reasons for the establishment of a European Research Council.
The European Research Council Expert Group (ERCEG) was created in December 2002 by the Danish government to explore options for establishing a European Research Council (ERC).
The Group now released an interim report, arguing that there were compelling reasons for setting up an ERC, whose main purpose should be to manage a (...)
11 European health ministers sign the "Prague Declaration"
Last 21 September, Health ministers of eight new Member States (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), as well as Austria, Greece and Italy, set up a Steering Group of health ministers to cooperate more closely in the field of health and social care.
The so-called "Prague Declaration" was signed in the presence of representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Please find it attached at the end of this article.
In this (...)
August 2003, IGC Preparations and Member State Positions on the Convention
THE IGC
Italian Presidency says "European Constitution, Agreement Not Easy, Not Impossible", 28th July
Presidency website. Finding a compromise solution to allow for the adoption of a future European Constitution "will not be easy but it won’t be impossible either," according to Premier and European Union duty president Silvio Berlusconi.
Italy intends to play a neutral role in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which it hopes will complete its work by December 10, he said during a (...)
July 2003, EU Member States set out their positions for the IGC
There is increasing evidence that the Convention’s draft of the Constitutional Treaty will be re-written during the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC). The UK, with the support of Ireland, Scandinavian countries, Spain, Italy and some Eastern European countries, have signalled their intention to re-open the text.
Reports in UK newspapers state that the government will issue in early September a policy statement detailing the areas where it is not prepared to compromise, such as tax (...)
July 2003, What do Europeans think of the Convention ?
A flash Eurobarometer survery released by the European Commission indicates that across the 25 EU/CEE countries only 45 % of those questioned had heard of the EU Convention. Highest recognition came from Greece, which had held the most recent EU Presidency. Lowest scores were found in the UK where 75 % of those questioned did not know what the Convention was.
But about 50 % of those interviewed would be interested in reading a summary of the constitutional treaty. Citizens were confused (...)
July 2003, EPHA guide to the Convention on the Future of Europe
WHY A ’CONVENTION’ ?
As the historic enlargement of the EU to Central and Eastern Europe approached it became clear the need to reform the European Union and its Treaties in order to prepare for a Europe of 25 rather than 15 countries. In addition there was strong pressure to make the EU more democratic, transparent, and efficient. The time had come for a profound debate on the objectives and goals of the EU, its Treaties and its institutions.
In the Laeken Summit, 14-15 November 2001, (...)
Briefing Note : Convention Plenary, 9-10 July
On Wednesday 9 July, the Convention met in plenary session.
The previous draft of Part III (policies) dated 8 July, had not improved article 174 (ex 152) on public health. However, three interventions demanded changes on this article :
Antonio Vitorino pointed out the need to clarify the legal basis of public health, and he referred to the Commission’s amendment in this sense.
Pierre Lequiller supported Mr Vitorino’s intervention on public health.
Marietta Giannaku pointed out the (...)
Briefing Note : Convention Plenary, 4 July
Introduction by Giscard d’Estaing
Convention President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing started with a briefing on the reactions of the heads of Member states gathered in Thessaloniki to the Constitutional text.
He said that there had been ’possitive reactions’ and a recognition of the ’broad consensus’.
Giscard also said that the conclusions of the Council only reflected partially the athmosphere of the debate and the support of the Member States which was more than he had hoped for.
Then he (...)
July 2003, Written Amendments for Convention’s Public Debate on Policies
Plenary to Debate Policies
The European Convention will hold two additional plenary sessions on 4 and 9-10 July to discuss Parts III and IV of the draft Constitution, dealing with the EU’s policies, the issue of ratification by Member States and the procedures for the revision of the Constitution.
Some 1.700 amendments were tabled. Proposals concern the division of powers between the Member States and the Union’s institutions and their competences over a complete range of policies, (...)
Scoreboard Shows Greek Presidency Results
The Greek Presidency issued last Wednesday 25 July the results of the 2003 Greek Presidency by Policy Area.
The ’scoreboard’ can be found in the website of the Greek Presidency.
This document will serve as background material for the debate of the Greek Presidency outcome in the plenary session of the European Parliament on the 1 July in Strasburg.
Speech by Romano Prodi to the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasburg : ’Greek Presidency closes on (...)
Berlusconi to Launch the Italian Presidency in Strasbourg
The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio BERLUSCONI, is due launch the Italian Presidency next 2nd July at the EP in Strasbourg.
Italy takes over from Greece for the second six months of the year.
The Presidency officially starts on 1 July 2003 and will run until the end of the year.
Italian EU Presidency Web Site online starting on 1 July 2003
More on the Italian Presidency’s Priorities in the Health Sector
Link to the European Parliament Press (...)
Commissioner Byrne’s Speeches, June 2003
David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, delivered a speech in the ’Controlling the Food and Feed Chain : 12th Annual Food Law Conference’ in Brussels, last 26 June 2003.
Speech for the 12th Annual Food Law Conference
Commissioner Byrne also delivered a speech at the ’Risk and Governance World Congress’ on Risk Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) in Brussels, last 23 June 2003.
Speech on Risk Society for Risk (...)
May 2003, Praesidium Issues Comments on Social Europe WG Conclusions
INCORPORATION OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SOCIAL EUROPE WG INTO THE TREATY
The Convention Praesidium has prepared a note on how the conclusions of the Social Europe Working Group should be incorporated in the future treaty.
The original text was in French (at the end of this article).
We have translated to English the paragraphs that we think are most important for our activities.
Values to be inserted into article 2 of Part I : the Working Group and discussions in the plenary session have (...)
February 2003, Health stakeholders call for health priority in the EU
The EU Health Policy Forum is a grouping of 45 health stakeholders including NGOs, health professionals, academic researchers, patient groups, hospital managers, trades unions, social insurance partners and industry. The EU Health Policy Forum has agreed this joint statement expressing concern that public health has not been adequately considered and addressed in the Convention thus (...)
Further delays expected in the adoption of rules on health and nutrition claims
It is anticipated that the presentation of the highly controversial draft rules on health and nutrition claims on food packaging will be postponed until late 2009. Aside from the intense Industry lobbying, at a political level, Commission officials from DG Enterprise and DG Agriculture have also objected to certain elements in the DG SANCO proposal.
There are concerns among health campaigners that if this level of political conflict continues, the public health objectives of the Regulation (...)
Agriculture Commissioner speaks to the AGRI Committee on CAP
24 June 2008, the European Parliament Agriculture and Rural Development committee met to discuss the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) health check. Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, spoke to the committee and received questions.
Commissioner Boel opened by saying that in light of the current food crisis, CAP reform was very urgent. On the issue of food security, she said it must be viewed from a broader perspective. She stressed that the package on (...)
*Updated*Promotion of healthy food in Latvia’s schools
The Latvian government has introduced thougher limits to the availability of unhealthy foods at schools and kindergardens by establishing nutrient profiles.
Existing health and safety legislation regarding schools and kindergardens, introduced by the Ministry of Health, has been amended to include reference to the availability of junk food in these settings.
According to recent data, the food for sale in educational institutions has become more and more unhealthy. As a direct consequence, (...)
Transparency over CAP expenditures
EU governments have agreed to publish the names of all recipients of the Union’s farm subsidies and how much they receive from 2009 at the latest, subject to final agreement with the European Parliament.
Such disclosure should lead to better transparency over the end beneficiaries of all EU funds, including the Union’s annual €60 billion spending on farm subsidies. This is in line with the recent debates over the European Transparency Initiative and transparency of the European Council. (...)
The EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health - An Insider’s Perspective
Obesity is one of the most serious health challenges facing Europe today. European Union (EU) citizens are exercising too little and eating too much - too much energy, too many calories, too much fat and sugar, and salt. The main consequence is a sustained, acute EU-wide increase in overweight and obesity. The increase is particularly severe for children and adolescents.
The EU has an important role to play in containing or reversing the current trend. EU policy affects food safety, (...)
EU institutions react on Organic Food and Farming
The Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament has adopted in February an own initiative report by MEP Marie-Helene Aubert (Greens/EFA, FR) calling for more financial and institutional support for organic farming in Europe.
This follows the European Commission Communication : "European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming" (COM (2004) 415) issued in June 2004.
In December 2002 a working document entitled "Analysis of the possibility of a European Action Plan for organic food and (...)
Preparatory meeting for the Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health
A preparatory meeting to lauch the "Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health" was organised on the 15 February by DG Sanco.
This meeting included the members of the Obesity Round Table plus around 20 suggested additional participants and responsibles for health issues of the Permanent Representations of the EU Member States to the EU (involved in the preparation of Health Council meetings).
Amongst these suggested additional participants was EPHA.
DG Sanco’s report to the (...)
Agriculture Council discusses sugar and fruit and vegetables
The 22-23 November 2004 meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, discussed key reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Sugar Reform
The Council completed its thorough examination of the Commission’s Communication on the sugar sector reform.
Summary of the Council discussions :
the need for a reform : all delegations agreed that the status quo in the Common Market Organisation (CMO) for sugar is not sustainable ;
the international aspects of sugar : a large majority (...)
Lamy Discusses CAP Reform with NGOs
EPHA participated last 8-9 May in a meeting organised by Solidar, Oxfam International and CIDSE.
In this meeting NGOs told European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy that the EU, and others, have so far failed to deliver on their promises to make development the primary focus of the current WTO, Doha Development round negotiations.
Lamy recognized that developing countries are sometimes put under unacceptable pressure in WTO negotiations.
He stated that the EU categorically rejected these (...)
Registration open for European Health Forum Gastein, 6-9 October 2010
The13th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), the theme of which is ’Health in Europe - Ready for the Future ?’ will take place from 6th to 9th October 2010 in Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg, Austria.
The EHFG is a high level discussion platform for key actors in European health policy offering an excellent opportunity for an exchange of experience and networking. The participants are decision-makers and experts at national, European and international levels coming from politics & administration, (...)
OPEN DAYS 2008 European Week of Regions and Cities - ’Health Village’
Important annual conference of European regional stakeholders take place 6-9 October 2008 in Brussels.
The participation at the OPEN DAYS 2008 is free, and there will be 143 specialist seminars to choose from and a total of 15,000 seats available.
The OPEN DAYS seminars and debates will focus on four themes :
Innovating regions : Promoting research, technological development and innovation ;
Sustainable development : Regional responses to climate change ;
Cooperation and networking : Exchange (...)
Quick Guide to EU Funds for the period 2007-2013
The ’Quick Guide to EU Funds’ presents the new Community priorities, programmes and other funding opportunities available since 1 January 2007.
The Quick Guide to EU Funds presents selected programmes as a response to the demand for practical and comprehensive information in an easily accessible format. The guide presents the new Community priorities, programmes and other funding opportunities available since 1 January 2007.
The guide provides information regarding the different types of (...)
**Updated** Public Health and the EU : an overview (2007)
In 2007 EPHA commissioned an update of our 1995 publication "Public Health and the EU : an overview", now available in 20 languages, as part of the activities of our European project "EPHA’s project : Building the public health community across Europe".
The Executive Summaries can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
"Public Health and the EU : an overview" is an introduction to the wide range of European Union (EU) activities that affect public health.
It aims to inform local, (...)
EU Eurobarometer opinion survey highlights health checks
A Eurobarometer opinion survey across the EU has found wide differences in health status as well as the use of health checkups across the EU.
Conference on the Operation of the Clinical Trials Directive, October 2007
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) will hold a conference in London at the EMEA premises on Wednesday 3 October 2007 regarding the operation of the Clinical Trials Directive (Directive 2001/20/EC).
The scope of the EMEA conference is on EU clinical trials legislation and its implementation in the context of clinical trials of medicinal products.
The objectives of the EMEA conference :
provide an overview of the experience to date with the operation of the Directives 2001/20/EC and (...)
Launch of the European Regional and local Health Authorities platform
On the 30 January 2006, the newly formed EUREGHA Network (EUropean REGional and local Health Authorities platform) was launched. The objective of the network is to improve coordinated policy communication between EU institutions and regional and local authorities working on health issues.
As regional and local authorities are increasingly affected by health initiatives and have more and more responsabilities in the field, EUREGHA intends to build an administrative regional and local (...)
Open Health Forum workshop discusses stakeholder involvement in ’Health in All Policies’
An EPHA-organised workshop at the Open Health Forum gathered a wide range of stakeholders, including economic drivers, industry and NGOs.
Participants at the workshop gathered to discuss the involvement of non-health stakeholders in health policy decision making, as well as health stakeholders’ involvement in policies which affect health but over which they do not have direct involvement or ownership. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the opportunities and challenges in delivering the (...)
The European Parliament adopts a Written Declaration on Breast Cancer
On 19 April 2010, more than 50% of Members of the European Parliament sent a strong signal to EU institutions by calling for national breast screening programmes to be implemented.
Around 330 000 women are yearly diagnosed with breast cancer amongst which more than 90 000 die. Given that deaths could be avoided with appropriate and effective cancer screening, five MEPs initiated a Written Declaration on the fight against breast cancer in the European Union, which was successfully adopted by (...)
European Commission launches consultation on sport policies at EU level
The European Commission has launched a consultation on sport. The deadline to comment is 1 June 2010. In order to feed into the consultation process, the European Commission launched a Eurobarometer survey which gives indication on current trends in the field of physical activity and sport.
On 8 April 2010, the European Commission has launched a consultation on how to implement the new EU competences on sport policies. The consultation is public and its deadline is 01 June 2010.
The (...)
Launch of the European Colon Cancer Campaign
On 14 April 2010, the European Parliament organised an event to launch the "European Colon Cancer Campaign – Screening saves lives – and money". The European Colon Cancer Campaign aims to provide tools to help save lives by developing prevention and strategies for early detection, notably through screening notably.
It is organised by Prevent Cancer Partnership.
The European Parliament event was chaired by Alojz Peterle MEP (EPP, SLO) the EP Rapporteur for the Cancer Partnership (...)
"Preventing Injuries in Europe - From international collaboration to local implementation"
On 10 March 2010, the World Health Organisation issued the report, "Preventing Injuries in Europe", the fruit of a three year collaboration with the European Commission. EPHA participated in the launch event that took place in the European Parliament.
The Report was presented in the European Parliament on 17 March 2010. Mr Miroslav Mikolasik, EPP MEP and Ms Frieda Brepoels, Greens/EFA MEP, co-chaired the event at which Dr Negret Emiroglu, Director of the Health Programmes Division of the (...)
EESC opinion on the Commission’s Communication on Health Inequalities
On 23 February 2010, Dave Wilcox (UK, PES) Rapporteur on health inequalities for the Committee of the Regions (CoR), presented his opinion on the Commission Communication “Solidarity in health : Reducing health inequalities in the EU”. While he welcomes a number of Commission’s statements, he also regrets that health is rarely mentioned and therefore considered when developing other EU policies. EPHA has summarised the main points developed in the Committee’s opinion.
In his (...)
Alcohol and Health Forum- 11 March 2010
The members of the Alcohol and Health Forum gathered in Brussels to discuss the impact of public awareness and information campaigns to reduce alcohol-related harm, and the various contributions of the digital media to communicating public health messages. EPHA participated in the meeting, which was chaired by DG SANCO, along with a number of EPHA’s members.
The main presentation was given by the Campaign for Smarter Drinking, a Ł100 million UK-based campaign aimed at encouraging 18-24 (...)
CSCG response to Commission’s Green Paper on Citizens’ Initiative
On 11 November 2009, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the Citizens’ Initiative. This consultation will provide the future rules and procedures on using the European Citizens’ Initiative. The Civil Society Contact Group welcomes this initiative and released a response to the consultation.
The Lisbon Treaty introduces a new form of public participation in European Union policy shaping, the European Citizens’ Initiative, which enables one million citizens (...)
Council adopts a Recommendation on smoking prevention
After its adoption by the European Commission in June 2009, the Council of the European Union adopted the Recommendation on Smoking Prevention on 30 November 2009.
Tobacco is the largest cause of avoidable deaths in the EU, with a person dying every 48 seconds in Europe and over a million deaths per year as a direct or indirect consequence of smoking. In order to combat this burden, the European Commission works with national authorities as well as international organisations.
Today, the (...)
*Updated* First meeting of the Partnership for Action against Cancer
Following its Communication from last June, the European Commission launches the Partnership for Action against Cancer. The launch of the event took place on 29 September 2009 and gathered the President of the Commission, Commissioner Vassiliou and more than 300 organisations working in this field. On 7-8 December 2009 the first meeting was held for the members of the Partnership.
The focus of the Partnership will be the activities at a European level that can bring added value to Member (...)
Lisbon Strategy achieves ’limited progress’ for European workers
The 2000-2010 Lisbon Strategy is coming to an end. it is time to assess what has been its successes and weaknesses so far. The European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) has published a Report with this objective and the results are not glory.
Background on the Lisbon Strategy and Benchmarking Working Europe Reports
In March 2000, the European Union launched a "Lisbon Strategy" aimed at making the EU the most competitive economy in the world and achieving full employment by 2010. A list of (...)
Commission proposes harmonisation measures on tobacco taxation.
Mr László Kovács, Commissioner for Taxation and Customs, set forward a Commission proposal aimed at increasing EU excise duties on tobacco on 16 July 2008.
The proposal aims to cut down smuggling and eventually to reduce smoking incidence through harmonisation of minimum taxation across the EU, especially in new Member States.
Commission studies show that cigarette taxation across the EU is very different : in 2006 the purchased in the UK were 6-7 times more expensive than in Latvia for (...)
World AIDS Day : how institutions and advocates approached the event
World AIDS Day was celebrated on 1 December 2007 to remember the victims of the most terrific virus epidemics ever recorded. To date, 25 million people are died throughout the world and 33.2 million are living with HIV/AIDS. After exploring the activities undertaken by Health Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou at the European level, this article will highlight the campaigns undertaken by the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG), an EPHA member, in relation to the event.
Health Commissioner (...)
Commission continues infringement procedure against Finland over oral tobacco
The European Commission has decided to continue the infringement procedure against Finland due to its non-compliance with the Court judgement that confirmed Finland’s failure to comply with a Directive prohibiting oral tobacco from being placed on the market.
In July 2007, The European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Finland for non-compliance with Article 8 of Directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco products.
In addition, the Commission believes (...)
A New NGO Action Group on the EU Child Rights Strategy
A new NGO action group has been set up to monitor the EU’s strategy on the rights of the child.
On 17 April, a hearing on the European Commission’s Communication "towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child" was held in the European Parliament. The NGO Action Group prepared a set of key messages to be distriibuted at the hearing.
The International Federation Terre Des Hommes, World Vision, the European Foundation for Street Children Worldwide, Save the Children, EURONET, Eurochild, (...)
What is European Citizenship and who is responsible ?
The European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) is concerned that "European citizenship" is an issue that belongs to everyone and yet no one is claiming responsibility for it. ECAS has issued a petition to encourage the European Parliament to create a forum in which this increasingly important issues can be discussed.
Many questions need to be answered regarding what it means to be a European Citizen. The European institutions need to ensure that their policies and processes represent the views (...)
*UPDATED* The Revised "Television Without Frontiers" Directive - the public health concerns
A proposal to update the EU’s 1989 "TV without Frontiers" Directive, to keep pace with rapid market developments in Europe’s audiovisual sector, was tabled by the European Commission in December 2005. Among other things, it will regulate advertising on television.
On 13 December 2005, after several public consultations, the European Commission adopted the legislative proposal for the revision of the “Television Without Frontiers” Directive (Directive 97/36/EC). The Commission (...)
**UPDATED** Making your voice heard in the EU - A guide for NGOs - Now also in Italian and Spanish
The Civil Society Contact Group, of which EPHA is a member, has published a new training handbook “Making your voice heard in the EU - A guide for NGOs”. The handbook can be downloaded for free, in 8 European languages.
It is specifically designed for relatively new NGOs and activists that are in the process of establishing a European strategy.
The handbook provides information on EU institutions, the way European NGOs work, as well as lobbying “tips”, illustrated by (...)
*UPDATED* Green Paper on a European Transparency Initiative
**UPDATED with EPHA response** The long awaited Green Paper on a European Transparency Initiative has been adopted in May 2006.
The Green Paper aims to strengthen etchics rules for EU policy-makers and the estimated 15,000 lobbyists, NGOs and other pressure groups who seek to influence them in Brussels.
In a Nutshell... The European Commission adopted the Green Paper on a European Transparency Initiative on 3 May 2006. The European Transparency Initiative aims to strengthen etchics rules (...)
NGO transparency and regulation questioned
Silvana Koch-Mehrin MEP (ALDE DE) has recently questioned NGOs on the ground of lack of transparency. The Civil Society Contact Group responds.
This follows the growing debate on lobbying in Brussels, launched by Siim Kallas, Commissioner for administration and the fight, in 2005 through the European Transparency Initiative. It also coincides with an initiative from Commissioner Frattini to establish a Code of Conduct for NGOs.
The Civil Society Contact Group responds to Silvana (...)
Eurostat’s latest regional data on health
Eurostat has just released the Statistical Yearbook 2005 addressing regional data covering the European Union (EU) 25, as well as Bulgaria and Romania. The Yearbook is meant to be a practical statistical guide to the major issues relating to the evolution of the European Union.
Amongst other issues such as agriculture, transport and science, the Yearbook analyses population statistics and health information. The population chapter particularly focuses on fertility trends and tries to (...)
Driving licences in the EU
The proposal for a European-wide driving license was rejected by a minority of national governments in the Transport Council’s meeting in June 2005.
Transport ministers could not agree on a pan-European license to replace the existing 110 types of licenses that can be found around Europe. Germany, France, Denmark, Austria and Poland created a blocking minority.
They all objcted to the parts of the proposal which would require drivers handing in their current licenses. This objection was (...)
EU must do more to meet targets on women’s health
The Luxembourg Presidency of the EU organised in early February a meeting to review the European implementation of goals stated at the Beijing Conference on Women in 1995. The Beijing confrence identified 12 areas as goals for improvement. Women’s health was one of the priorities.
Although the 25 Ministers responsible for Gender Equality in Luxembourg declared their commitment to improve the situation of women in Europe, “there are still many factors hindering gender equality” (...)
EU showcases research on nutrition and ageing
A workshop entitled "research on nutrition and ageing" organised by the European Commission, took place in Brussels on 29 and 30 November.
The event comprised presentations of three European research projects funded by the EU.
LIPIDIET examines how specific dietary lipids could prevent Alzheimer’s disease
OPTIFORD investigates whether a better supply of dietary vitamin D would reduce osteoporosis
CROWNALIFE assesses the possibilities for functional foods to fulfil the specific needs of (...)
Tobacco or Health in the European Union - Past, Present and Future
EU Health Commissioner David Byrne is bowing out on a high note, unveiling a new report on tobacco control and launching a set of 42 images which are to appear on cigarette packages as tough warnings against the dangers of smoking.
At a press conference in Brussels on 22 October, Commissioner Byrne launched the ASPECT report on EU tobacco control, the first comprehensive overview of the tobacco epidemic in the enlarged EU.
This report was produced by a consortium of experts which featured (...)
EPHA briefing note on the Final report on EU patient mobility
The High Reflection Process examining the issue of patient mobility releases its final report and recommendations
The High Reflection Process, much criticised for its lack of transparency, released its report about the consequences of patients seeking treatment in other Member States (MS).
For the benefit of our members EPHA produced a briefing paper in October 2003, which provided a simplified overview of the process thus far.
In response to this final report, EPHA has produced a (...)
Patient mobility report published - December 2003
The high level reflection proces on patient mobility has ended with the publication on 8 December 2003 of the final report which includes a series of recommendations.
In June 2002 the Commission was asked by Member States (MS) to facilitate a reflection process on patient mobility ; EPHA has been tracking this process on behalf of our members.
What is patient mobility ? The European Union was and remains primarily an economic union, to facilitate the free movement of goods and services. (...)
Commission Communication on Social policy
The Commission has adopted a proposal which aims to improve, simplify and make more visible the EU’s work in co-ordinating Member States’ social protection policies - pensions, social inclusion and combating poverty, healthcare and care for the elderly, social security systems and how they encourage people to work (’making work pay’).
The document highlights the increasing inter-relationship of healthcare systems of EU Member States and the need to address the European dimension of social (...)
Council Recommendation on Drug Dependence
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council has adopted a Recommendation, on the prevention and reduction of health-related harm associated with drug dependence.
The Recomendation calls on Member States to make available a range of different services and facilities, particularly aiming at risk reduction.
Particular emphasis is placed on the prevention of drug-related infections (such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases).
For further details, please consult (...)
European Ombudsman criticises European Medicines Agency over access to documents
The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has called on the European Medicines Agency to grant access to the results of clinical studies and trial protocols of two anti-obesity drugs - after a request by Danish researchers to have access to these documents.
The initial complaint to the European Ombudsman came in 2007 and was lodged by two Danish researchers who questioned the reliability and independence of analysis conducted on the drugs and sought to validate the evidence (...)
European Medicines Agency publishes patient-friendly guide to the Patient Information Leaflet
In May 2010, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) published its first medicinal information “training manual” aimed at members of the general public.
The manual, which explains the documents and processes used to review the patient information leaflet (PIL) and European public assessment report (EPAR), is designed to help European citizens gain a better understanding of how information on medicinal products is written and reviewed.
It details all the documents, procedures and (...)
Information to Patients, not on the Spanish presidency agenda
The Spanish presidency has decided not to continue discussion on the so-called "Information to Patients" proposal. Two other proposals on pharmaceutical policy are moving forward through the Parliament.
A Spanish health ministry spokesman announced that the proposal would not be on the agenda of the Spanish presidency, and stated it was not proper for information on medicines to go direct to patients without the filter of a health professional.
The proposal is viewed by many health (...)
Parliament creates Special Committee on Financial Crisis
The EU Parliament created a special committee to assess what caused the financial crisis and what effect it had on Member States. The committee has a 12 month mandate and will provide recommendations in a mid-year and end-year report. Several members of the ECON committee will also be involved in the new committee.
During the October plenary meeting, the European Parliament decided to create a special committee on the financial and economic crisis (CRIS). The committee will have a 12-month (...)
**Updated 30 July 2009** DG Competition Sector Inquiry on the Pharmaceutical industry
The final report from the European Commission’s (DG Competition) Inquiry into the European pharmaceutical industry was released on 8 July 2009.
The Pharmaceutical Sector Inquiry was launched by Commissioner Neelie Kroes on 15 January 2008 in order to determine the reasons why so few novel medicines were being brought onto the market, [generic medicine] entry is sometimes delayed and the sector is generally not working well.
Final Report
The final report of the Sector Inquiry, released on (...)
*Update* Financial crisis : who, what, and why ?
The world has been by a financial which has now turned into an economic and social crisis. What are the causes of the crisis ? Who is affected ? What is the EU doing to tackle it ?
Background
The financial crisis of 2007–2009, often referred to as "the credit crunch" or "credit crisis", began in July 2007 when a loss of confidence by investors in the value of guaranteed mortgages resulted in a liquidity crisis that prompted a substantial injection of capital into financial markets by (...)
*Updated* Social reality stock-taking : European Parliament response to Commission consultation
This article has been updated with the recent communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, which was adopted on 20 November 2007. As a result of this additional document, the new deadline for responses has been postponed until 15 February 2008.
In an own-initiative report on Europe’s social reality, the European Parliament asks the Commission and Member States to aggressively attempt (...)
EMEA/CHMO working group with patients’ organisations, 2004
The European Medicine Evaluation Agency (EMEA) is a decentralised body of the European Union with headquarters in London.
EMEA’s main responsibility is the protection and promotion of public and animal health, through the evaluation and supervision of medicines for human and veterinary use.
The EMEA is divided in different Committees. The most relevant for human health is the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Giving the importance of this committee, EMEA decided to set (...)
Study on the implications of the Services Directive
The rapporteur of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, Mrs Anne van Lancker (PSE, BE) has commissioned a study to analyse the legal repercussions of the Draft Services Directive and its impact on National Services Regulations.
The study was undertaken by Professor Wouter Gekiere from the Institute for European Law at the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium.
The study notes that the current draft is likely to create legal uncertainty for both the providers and recipients of (...)
Council supports Commission’s communication on the G10
On 22 September 2003, the Competitiveness Council adopted its own set of conclusions on reinforcing the competitiveness of the EU-based pharmaceutical industry.
These were based on the Commission’s communication of 1st July 2003 on the G10 Medicines Groups recommendations.
The Health Council is expected to adopt its own conclusions on the Commission’s G10 Communication at an upcoming meeting.
The G10 Group will continue its work until EU enlargement in May 2004.
Provisional (...)
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Mots-clés dans le même groupe
- Access to Medicines
- accidents and injuries
- Ageing and Older People
- Air Quality and Air Pollution
- Alcohol
- Animal Health and Animal Welfare
- Avian Flu
- Better Regulation
- Biotechnology
- Blood, Plasma and Human Tissues
- Cancer
- CAP reform
- Chemicals and Pesticides
- Children and Adolescents
- Chronic Diseases
- Civil Society
- Climate Change
- Cloning
- Commissioner Byrne’s non-paper and consultation process
- Communicable Diseases