News

23.05.2007
‘Cities must assist Brussels in helping cities’
Cities must cooperate more closely on a wider range of issues when making their case in Brussels, according to Wim Hafkamp, Scientific Director of the Nicis Institute in The Hague. He comments on the importance of city networking in Europe, the role ...read more

21.05.2007
CoR proposes expert group on new possibilities for territorial cooperation
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) has launched an open call for expression of interest in setting up an expert group on the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). Local and regional actors are invited to participate to share their expe...read more

16.05.2007
World Competitiveness Yearbook: Luxembourg is most competitive EU country
European Union member states have mixed results when it comes to how competitive they are, according to a new world competitiveness report. In the country ranking, there are no EU states among the top three on the list, which sees the US as the world...read more

16.05.2007
European Parliament votes for more options in public transport contracting
At a second reading vote, the European Parliament (EP) generally approved new European Union (EU) rules on public transport by rail and by road. Over the past years, the private sector has become more involved in public transport. The new rules refle...read more

16.05.2007
Eco industries: a better environment, more jobs and more growth
Eco-industries generate 2.1 per cent of the European Gross Domestic Product and currently sustain 3.5 million full-time jobs. This is noted in the European Commission’s 2005-2006 review of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP). It is esti...read more

15.05.2007
European strategy for culture to improve economy, integration and international relations
On 10 May the European Commission (EC) adopted a Communication on the role of culture in a globalising world. It proposes the first-ever European strategy for culture. The policy statement affirms the central role of culture in the process of Europea...read more

14.05.2007
EC: Europe needs bigger families and working moms to maintain competitiveness
On 10 May 2007, the European Commission (EC) has adopted a communication on 'Promoting solidarity between the generations'. In this communication, the Commission is urging action on better gender-equality policies and support for families. Action is ...read more

14.05.2007
CEMR: Strong level of subsidiarity must be respected in urban transport
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has published a position paper on the European Commission’s Green Paper on urban transport. In its paper, the CEMR emphasises the local nature of urban transport policies: the local actors are...read more

14.05.2007
EU Ministers agree to intensify cooperation on integration and intercultural dialogue
At their meeting in Potsdam, Germany, on 10-11 May, the EU Ministers responsible for integration and intercultural dialogue have agreed to greater cooperation in these fields. Exchanging information and experience is key in this cooperation. The role...read more

14.05.2007
EP calls for Europe-wide EU investment in housing
According to a resolution adopted by the European Parliament (EP) on 10 May "housing needs are critical throughout Europe". At the same time, however, only the ten new Member States are able to gain financial support under the Structural Funds. Membe...read more

10.05.2007
EUROCITIES: EU legislations on urban toll systems are unwelcome and counterproductive
EUROCITIES has submitted its contribution to the European Commission’s green paper on urban transport. One of the current ‘hot topics’ in this area is congestion charging. Jacques Barrot, the Transport Commissioner, has welcomed regulations that woul...read more

09.05.2007
“Voluntary work one of the best examples of active European citizenship”
At the end of 2006, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) published an opinion on the role and impact of volunteering in European society. “Voluntary activities are invaluable to society”, comments Ms Erika Koller, member of the EESC. “Th...read more

09.05.2007
Launch of the new ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme
The new ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme will be simultaneously launched on Thursday 10 May in Brussels (Belgium) and Rhodes (Greece). The Europe for Citizens programme promotes the participation of European Union citizens in European issues. One of t...read more

08.05.2007
China on its way to become largest CO2-emitter in the world
This year, China will overtake the United States as the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases – far earlier than thought. The booming Chinese economy and its subsequent growing need for new energy generating plants have led to a staggering increase in ...read more

08.05.2007
European Forum for Urban Safety seeks participants in radicalisation prevention project
The European Forum for Urban Safety (FESU) is to submit a project in the framework of the European Commission programme to prevent violent radicalisation. The main focus of the project will be to encourage an intercultural dialogue, through ongoing t...read more

08.05.2007
“Local authorities are best placed to prevent radicalisation”
Local authorities are best placed to spot and fight radicalisation. In the case of a terrorist incident local authorities are first to curtail the consequences, according to Ciska Scheidel, who works for the Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterr...read more

07.05.2007
Sign up for the European eGovernment Awards
The European eGovernment Awards 2007 for the most outstanding eGovernment solutions are expected to be presented by Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media. The awards will take place at the fourth ministerial eGovernm...read more

04.05.2007
EU Ministers discuss integration and intercultural dialogue
How can the Member States of the European Union (EU) improve their cooperation on integration? And how can they strengthen the intercultural dialogue? These are the two key questions addressed during the meeting of EU integration Ministers in the Ger...read more

03.05.2007
Urban pedestrians are speeding up
Pedestrians all over the world are moving faster than a decade ago, according to a study into the pace at which people walk in 32 cities across the globe. Walking speeds have increased by an average of 10 percent in the past decade. People in the gre...read more

03.05.2007
RECTIFICATION: Report did not express official view of European Parliament
The EUKN Secretariat has reacted prematurely on the conclusions of the study “Possibilities for Success of the Sustainable Communities Approach and its Implementation” that was presented to and debated by the European Parliament Committee on Regional...read more