There are currently more than 20 rail signalling systems in Europe since each country has developed its own railway infrastructure, equipment and operational rules. This has led to increased costs and technical and operational complexity. Therefore, the European Rail Industry, supported by the EU Institutions, is working on the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), […]
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European decision-makers and local and regional governments call for European policies to give greater support to rural areas
Against the backdrop of ongoing discussions about the EU’s next financial framework, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), members of the European Parliament and the International Association Rurality-Environment-Development (RED) met at a conference in Brussels on 12 November to talk about the specific needs of rural areas post-2020. They urged the European Commission to include provisions […]
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Total agricultural output in the EU up by 0.6% in 2018
The economic accounts for agriculture show that total agricultural output in the European Union (EU) stood at €434.3 billion in basic prices in 2018, slightly up (by 0.6%) compared with 2017. In 2018, the equivalent of 58.2% (or €252.6 bn) of the value of agricultural output generated was spent on intermediate consumption (input goods and […]
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European Commission launches infringement proceedings against the UK following its failure to name a candidate for EU Commissioner
The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breaching its EU Treaty obligations by not suggesting a candidate for the post of EU Commissioner. Dead line The UK authorities have until Friday 22 November at the latest to provide their views. This short time period is justified by […]
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A new labelling for tyres towards a greener and safer transport
The new labelling scheme for car and truck tyres aims to increase consumer awareness and fuel savings, improve safety and decrease noise pollution. he new regulation on the labelling of tyres will repeal and replace the 2009 Tyre Labelling Regulation once it enters into force. New labelling Under the new rules, the labelling will have to […]
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The EESC proposes a certification for artificial intelligence products
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) suggests that the EU should develop a certification for trustworthy AI applications, to be delivered by an independent body after testing the products for key requirements such as resilience, safety, and absence of prejudice, discrimination or bias. The proposal has been put forward in two recent EESC opinions […]
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Parliament marks 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall
Parliament commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall during a ceremony in Brussels on 13 November. Parliament President David Sassoli and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble paid tribute to the German citizens who gained independence when the wall fell in 1989, but warned of the danger of losing the hard-won values of freedom and democracy and […]
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GDP up by 0.2% and employment up by 0.1% in the euro area
GDP growth in the euro area and EU28 Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.3% in the EU28 during the third quarter of 2019, compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the second quarter […]
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Seeking energy efficiency in aircrafts
An emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of aircraft means EU-funded scientists have been researching ways to reduce drag using an aircraft’s small, active components to make them more energy-efficient and reduce emissions. Reductions in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from aircraft are directly related to an aircraft’s fuel burn, drag and aircraft weight. […]
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