Top News from the European Commission 13 December 2010 – 16 January 2011 Background Notes from the Spokespersons' Service for Journalists

AGENDA/10/40

Brussels, Friday 10 December 2010

Top News from the European Commission 13 December 2010 – 16 January 2011 Background notes from the Spokespersons' service for journalists. The European Commission reserves the right to make changes

Tuesday 14 December: Cutting costs and red tape for citizens and businesses in recognising court rulings and civil status documents 2

Wednesday 15 December: Launch of the eGovernment Action Plan for better online services to citizens and businesses 4

Wednesday 15 December: Agreement on the European Citizens' Initiative 6

Thursday 16 December: Towards faster, simpler and more secure payments – Roadmap for SEPA migration end- dates 7

Thursday 16 December: Presentation of the new Europe 2020 flagship initiative "A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion" 9

Friday 17 December: Strategy for equal opportunities for women and men in the European Commission for 2010 – 2014 10

Tuesday 11 January: Launch of 2011 EU-China Year of Youth 11

Editor Michael Karnitschnig +32 2 299 60 66 SPP Coordination and Planning

Tuesday 14 December: Cutting costs and red tape for citizens and businesses in recognising court rulings and civil status documents

The news: The European Commission will present two new measures to cut legal and administrative red tape and make life easier for citizens and business when travelling and operating across the EU.

First, the Commission will propose to improve judicial cooperation between Member States in civil and commercial matters with a revision of the so-called "Brussels I Regulation." This measure is fundamental to cross-border litigation because it allows for court judgements in one Member State to be fully recognised in another country. However, companies still have to pay on average €2000 in additional legal costs when they want to have a legal judgement recognised in another EU country. This costly and cumbersome process – known as exequatur – burdens companies without providing any additional legal security. In more than 90 percent of cases, this procedure is a pure formality. The new regulation will improve the current legal framework, notably by abolishing the exequatur while maintaining procedural safeguards.

Second, the Commission will launch a consultation on reducing red tape in administrative procedures related to documents for citizens living, working and travelling in other EU countries. The consultation is the first stage in a process to make sure that public documents – such as a contract or deed to a property – circulate without the need for additional procedures, and that civil status documents – such as a birth or marriage certificate – are recognised wherever citizens are in the EU.

The background: The Brussels I Regulation facilitates civil judicial cooperation in the European Union by identifying the most appropriate jurisdiction for solving a cross-border dispute and ensuring the smooth recognition and enforcement of judgments issued in another Member State. This, in turn, helps the Single Market function properly. Eight years after the original Regulation came into force, the Commission’s revision is now making it more efficient. Smooth circulation of public documents and recognition of civil status documents concerning main “life events” (such as birth, adoption, marriage or registered partnership) are essential for citizens who move to another EU country. Member States' registries and administrative systems vary considerably, causing cumbersome and costly formalities (translation, additional proof of authenticity of documents). These problems make it difficult for citizens to fully enjoy their rights within the EU. According to a recent Eurobarometer survey, 73% of Europeans believe that measures should be taken to improve the circulation of public documents between EU countries.

The event: Vice-President Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, will hold a press conference on both issues on 14 December at 15.00 in Strasbourg.

The sources: European Commission adopts plan to bring concrete benefits to EU citizens on the move MEMO/10/525

European Commission sets out plans to strengthen the Single Market with measures to boost growth and enhance citizens’ rights IP/10/1390

Justice Newsroom: http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/intro/news_intro_en.htm

Homepage of Viviane Reding: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm

I-047744 -Stockshots: Judicial Cooperation - 2005

The contacts: Mathew Newman +32 2 296 24 06 [email protected] Mina Alexandrova Andreeva +32 2 299 13 82 [email protected]

Wednesday 15 December: Launch of the eGovernment Action Plan for better online services to citizens and businesses

The news: Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, will present the eGovernment Action Plan 2011-2015 - 'Harnessing ICTs to promote smart, sustainable and innovative eGovernment' - at the eGovernment Conference in Brussels, on 15 December 2010. The eGovernment Action Plan will help the EU achieve the commitment in the Digital Agenda to deliver innovative online public services to citizens and businesses and increase the take-up of these services. Only 42% of EU citizens (38% in 2009) use the internet to access eGovernment services, compared to 75% (72 % in 2009) of businesses. The European Commission aims to increase the take-up to 50% of EU citizens and to 80% of EU businesses by 2015.

In times of economic constraints, public administrations must deliver more with less. The use of efficient and cost-effective ICTs can help provide services tailored to the real needs of EU citizens and businesses. Most public online services for instance do not work across borders. The eGovernment Action Plan will address this problem by making it easier for companies to set up and run a business and for citizens to study, work, reside, receive health care and retire anywhere in the EU.

The background: The eGovernment Action Plan for 2011-2015 is the European Commission's response to the call of Member States for a shared eGovernment policy in the EU. This is in line with the priorities identified by Ministers and the Commission in the Malmö Ministerial Declaration on eGovernment (2009) (IP/09/1738).The Action Plan also builds on the results of cross-border services piloted by the ongoing EU Large Scale Pilot projects (STORK, PEPPOL, SPOCS and epSOS) with the aim to make it easier for citizens and businesses to access online services across the EU.

The event: The eGovernment Conference 'Lift Off Towards Open Government', 15-16 December 2010, SQUARE – Brussels Meeting Centre, rue Mont des Arts B-1000 Brussels. www.square- brussels.com

The event is organised by the Belgian Presidency of the EU with the support of the European Commission. With more than 700 participants expected and 50 exhibitors, the conference will provide a forum for discussion on achievements so far, their impact on citizens and industry and on the future of online public services.

Key-note speakers include: Neelie Kroes, Vice-President of the European Commission for the Digital Agenda; Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council; and Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgian Minister for Enterprise and Administrative Simplification.

The programme includes: A 'battle of CEOs' which will bring together CEOs from the telecoms, IT, software and internet sectors to discuss their views on eGovernment in future markets; An exhibition with leading IT companies and the EU Large Scale Pilots presenting live demonstrations of online services. Mrs Kroes will make a short tour of the exhibition with Minister Van Quickenborne at 10.30.

A pre-conference will be held in Ghent on 14 December. It will focus on the role of local authorities in eGovernment.

Available on EbS 4

The sources: Malmö Ministerial Declaration on eGovernment press release eGovernment Conference 'Lift Off Towards Open Government' The European eGovernment Action Plan for 2006-2010 Digital Agenda for Europe STORK – (Secure Identity Across Borders Linked) PEPPOL – (Pan-European Public Procurement Online) SPOCS (Simple Procedures Online for Cross-border Services) epSOS (Smart Open Services for European Patients) Vice-President Kroes' website

Media registration

The contacts: Jonathan Todd +32 2 29 941 07 [email protected] Linda Cain +32 2 29 990 19 [email protected]

Wednesday 15 December: Agreement on the European Citizens' Initiative

The news: The European Parliament is expected to adopt the Regulation on the European Citizens' Initiative, paving the way for this to enter into law early next year and apply from 2012. The ECI will for the first time allow citizens to directly suggest new EU legislation. It will introduce a whole new form of participatory democracy to the EU. It will also foster a cross border debate about what is happening in Brussels and thus contribute to the development of a real European public space. .

The background: An innovation contained in the Lisbon Treaty, the ECI it will allow at least one million citizens from at least one quarter of EU Member States to invite the European Commission to bring forward legislative proposals in areas where the Commission has the power to do so. The organisers of a Citizens' Initiative, a citizens' committee composed of at least seven citizens who are residents of at least seven different Member States, will have one year to collect signatures and the Commission will have three months to examine an initiative and decide how to act on it. The event: Press conference (tbc) by Maroš Šefčovič, Commission Vice President for Inter-institutional Relations and Administration. Wednesday, 15 December, tbc, European Parliament, Strasbourg. Press release and memo to be published.

The sources: Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/sefcovic/index_en.htm

The contacts: Michael Mann: +32 2 299 97 80 [email protected] Marilyn Carruthers: +32 2 299 94 51 [email protected]

Thursday 16 December: Towards faster, simpler and more secure payments – Roadmap for SEPA migration end-dates

The news: The Single European Payments Area (SEPA) is meant to enable Europeans to make payments in Euro throughout the EU as quickly, safely and easily as they make national payments. Progress done so far to make SEPA a reality is disappointingly low and certainly not sufficient to unlock the economic benefits of an integrated payments market.

A quick and smooth migration to SEPA would foster competition between banks in payments markets to the benefit of consumers and business, increase transparency in banking fees, create economies of scale and, ultimately, provide a basis for customer- friendly payment instruments through internet and mobile telephony technology. According to Commission estimates, more that € 125 billion over the next 6 years could be the potential gain of a full and timely implementation of SEPA.

Following an extensive consultation with stakeholders, Commissioner Barnier will propose that pan-European credit transfers and direct debits -applying EU-wide standards and requirements - replace national instruments. This changeover will take effect within 2 years after the approval of the Commission's proposal by the governments of the EU Member States and the Members of the European Parliament.

The background: The Single Euro Payments Area, or SEPA, is an industry initiative seeking to extend the possibilities offered by the Euro to electronic and non-cash payments. It is therefore a natural progression to the introduction of the Euro and a major step towards realising the full potential of the Single Market. The event: Press statement with Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier in the Berlaymont press room at midday Available on EbS IP and MEMO available on the day

The sources: IP/09/1296 Single Euro Payments Area: Commission presents actions to make SEPA a success (10 September 2009)

IP/09/884 Commission launches consultation on possible end-date for Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) migration (8 June 2009)

Website of Commissioner Michel Barnier: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010- 2014/barnier/headlines/topics/financial_services/retail_financial_markets/index_en.htm

European Commission website on Internal Market and Services: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/payments/sepa/ec_en.htm#migration

I-056056 - Stockshots: Single Euro payments area (SEPA)

The contacts: Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected] Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 65 12 [email protected]

Thursday 16 December: Presentation of the new Europe 2020 flagship initiative "A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion"

The news: EU Commissioner for Employment, Social affairs and Inclusion László Andor will present the new flagship initiative 'A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion'. Under the Europe 2020 strategy the flagship is an important part of the Commission's commitment to support achievement of the agreed EU headline target of lifting at least 20 million people out of poverty and exclusion by 2020. The initiative mobilises all new and existing means across all policy areas to achieve this goal, and sets out proposals for action and for better working methods. The Commission's initiatives to tackle poverty and promote inclusion include areas like access to the labour market for those furthest from it, child poverty, homelessness, education, migration and anti-discrimination and calls for better use of EU Funds to support social inclusion. It also promotes social innovation, partnership between the public and the private sector, and the potential of the social economy, as well as opening a dialogue on how to improve policy co-ordination with the Member States.

The background: The Commission's proposal of 'A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion" is a flagship initiative in the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. The event: 16 December: Commission adopts Communication on "A European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion". A Press Release and a Memo will be issued. Press Conference by Commissioner László Andor at 11h15. Available on EbS

The sources: Commissioner László Andor 's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/andor/index_en.htm

European Commission's DG Employment, Social affairs, Equal Opportunities website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/andor/index_en.htm

I-064367 - Stockshots: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, Part 1 I-064939 Stockshots: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion: Roma people, Part 1 I-065996 - Stockshots: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010, Part 2 I-067189 - Stockshots: European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010, Part 3

The contacts: Cristina Arigho +32 2 298 5399 [email protected] Maria Javorova +32 2 299 8903 [email protected]

Friday 17 December: Strategy for equal opportunities for women and men in the European Commission for 2010 – 2014

The news: The strategy has three main elements. Its purpose is to attract, develop and retain a balanced and committed workforce. Its target measures include multiannual objectives for the representation of women at management level. These objectives were set out following a forecasting exercise on staffing levels.

The second element of this strategy involves the promotion of a more flexible, considerate and result-orientated working environment.

The third element - a cross-cutting objective - is to create the conditions for ownership and accountability at the highest level. Equal opportunities must be systematically incorporated into human-resource management within the DGs. The importance of equal opportunities should be conveyed more forcefully to management and staff.

The background: Attracting and retaining the most talented people and making the most of their skills is a strategic challenge for the European Commission. Making the best use of the pool of talent which it has, using the creativity and innovation of its staff to the full and in doing so taking account of the potential of the men and women who show their commitment on a daily basis is a key issue for the Commission if it wants to respond efficiently to the challenges of the next few years.

A public service where equality is at the heart of human resource management.

A public service which reflects European citizens and which recognises and values all of its female and male staff in line with their talents and aspirations.

The event: Vice-President Šefčovič will present this new strategy at the lunchtime meeting on 17 December.

The sources: Website of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/sefcovic/index_en.htm

The contacts: Michael Mann +32 2 299 97 80 [email protected] Marilyn Carruthers +32 2 299 94 51 [email protected]

Tuesday 11 January: Launch of 2011 EU-China Year of Youth

The news: The 2011 EU-China Year of Youth will be officially launched by Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, and her Chinese counterpart, in the presence of German Olympic gold-medal winning fencer Britta Heidemann, Goodwill Ambassador of the Year, and 200 young people from the EU and China. The EU and Chinese leaders will sign a joint declaration on strengthening dialogue and cooperation on youth issues.

The background: The youth representatives from the EU and China, who are gathering for the first time, will follow a two-and-a-half-day programme of exchanges and discussions on issues including volunteering, mobility, culture and creativity. The aim is also to develop ideas for joint youth projects, which could be supported through the EU's Youth in Action programme. Goodwill Ambassador Britta Heidemann is 28. She studied Chinese and now divides her time between Köln and Beijing. The launch ceremony will be the first of a series of events to be held throughout the Year in Europe and China.

The event: 11 January 12:30 - Press conference with Commissioner Vassiliou, Chinese leader representative and Britta Heidemann in the press room, Berlaymont Building, Brussels. 14:30-18:00 – Official launch ceremony, Alcide de Gasperi room, Charlemagne Building, Brussels

The sources: European Commission's youth website: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm

Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou's website: http://www.ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/vassiliou/index_en.htm

EU-China Year of Youth Joint Action Plan: http://ec.europa.eu/youth/news/news1824_en.htm

Available on EbS

The contacts: Dennis Abbott +32 2 295 92 58 [email protected] Dina Avraam +32 2 295 96 67 [email protected]