Amnesty International’s Secretary General 20 & 21 January Brussels visit: interview availability

(Brussels, 13 January 2014) Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Salil Shetty, will visit Brussels on 20 and 21 January to meet senior European Union (EU) representatives. He will discuss human rights obligations and actions within, at the borders of, and beyond the EU. Mr. Shetty will also deliver a speech at the European Policy Centre (EPC) on EU migration policy: ‘Lives at Risk, Rights in Danger – Has Europe Lost its Way: reasserting human rights obligations in EU policy and practice’

As the EU prepares for the 2014 European elections, and a new Commission, Amnesty International’s Secretary General will discuss the human rights records of the outgoing Institutions, their representatives, and member states. He will look forwards to how their legacy can define future EU human rights work, and what more could be done.

Mr. Shetty will raise the need to revise EU migration policy following tragedies such as Lampedusa, and Amnesty International’s report on the resettlement of Syrian refugees; call for an internal human rights strategy to ensure the implementation of member states’ human rights commitments on their own soil (in response to, not exclusively, hate crime, and Roma discrimination); and discuss EU external human rights work (not exclusively) in the context of next week’s Brussels Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).

Amnesty International’s Secretary General will meet: President of the Council Herman Van Rompuy; President of the Commission Jose Manuel Barroso; Commission Secretary General Catherine Day; Commission Vice President Viviane Reding; Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström; and Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis.

St Nicholas of Myra (Documentary)

Happy Saint Nicholas (the history)

Spokesperson availability on recommendations to the Lithuanian EU Presidency: mid-term review

(Brussels, Wednesday 24 October) As Lithuania reaches the mid-point of its European Union (EU) presidency, Amnesty International will meet ministers in Vilnius on Friday 25 October. We will discuss Lithuania’s progress in implementing our recommendations to promote human rights within and beyond EU borders. And we will hear from Lithuanian ministers on further action to be taken before the Greek presidency in January 2014. Amnesty International will publish its evaluation report on Monday 28 October.

 Nicolas Beger, director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, will be available for interviews in Vilnius. Natacha Kazatchkine, expert on human rights in the EU, will be available for interviews in Brussels.

 Amnesty International has urged the Lithuanian presidency to strengthen human rights and the rule of law within the EU, with a particular but not exclusive focus on: changing European migration policy to prevent further loss of life of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers; ensuring accountability for European involvement in CIA rendition and secret detention programmes; promoting effective Roma integration measures; and preventing and combating violence against women. EU support for these measures is vital if it is to uphold its role as a credible human rights actor.

EU must stop turning a blind eye to refugee and migrant rights violations by third countries – Egypt

(Brussels, 17 October 2013) Following the recent deaths of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe, today's Amnesty International report, ‘We cannot live here anymore’: Refugees from Syria in Egypt, shines a light on Egypt’s hard-line stance towards refugees from Syria. The report demonstrates how vulnerable people trying to escape the bloody conflict in Syria find themselves in deplorable conditions often after dangerous interception operations en route to Europe. Rather than finding safety in third countries, they are often forced to flee once more with tragic consequences.

The report documents human rights violations in Egypt against refugees from Syria, such as dangerous interception operations, unlawful detention, and forced returns (‘refoulement’). It shows that refugees from Syria are trying to escape discrimination and human rights violations by taking boats to Italy. Amnesty International has learnt that on 17 September shots were fired into the hull of a boat during an Egyptian interception operation, causing the deaths of two refugees. 

"Given the deplorable detention and deportation measures, it's not surprising that so many refugees from Syria are leaving Egypt and risking their lives again at sea to reach Europe. What is surprising and shocking is that EU member states appear to be turning a blind eye to the human rights violations by third countries. By closing the borders and preventing the arrival of refugees on European shores, member states are further aggravating the plight of refugees", said Nicolas Beger, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions.

The report clearly shows the dangers of current European migration control policies. Amnesty International has repeatedly urged the EU and member states to do more to prevent further loss of life. Search and rescue capacity must be increased, safe routes to Europe must be created, and migration control cooperation with third countries flouting human rights obligations must stop. As the death toll rises, EU leaders must ensure a fundamental change in migration policy at the 24 to 25 October European Council. Now is the time for action!

(sender:AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL)

The EU Children of Peace projects: how the European Union keeps bringing peace closer to those who need it the most

A year ago, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union for its six decades of service to the advancement of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights. On the occasion of the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December 2012, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz announced their decision to dedicate the monetary value of the award to projects supporting children – victims of conflict around the world. The reason for this decision was that every girl and every boy, no matter where they were born, should have the opportunity to develop their talents and grow up in peace.

The European Commission matched the award value with its own funding bringing it to a total of €2 million for 2012 and €4 million for 2013. The European Commission invested this fund in humanitarian aid projects for children in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The past year has seen intensive work developing the projects.

Today, 28,000 children benefit from these projects in very practical ways: through access to education and child-friendly spaces, so badly needed in conflict zones.

Among the beneficiaries of the EU's commitment to peace are around 4000 Syrian refugee children in camps at the border between Iraq and Syria. This is indispensable support for the most vulnerable victims of the Syrian crisis; without support like that of the European Union, they risk becoming a 'lost generation'. The EU Children of Peace project for Syrian children has so far provided €400,000 for education and other activities helping kids. A "Child-friendly space" opened in Domiz camp, for example, offers one of the few places where children are able to participate in supervised recreational and therapeutic activities.

The consequences of conflict can last long after the hostilities have abated, and keep hurting the most vulnerable members of the affected population: children. In Colombia and Ecuador, the EU Children of Peace project is helping educate and protect the kids affected by conflict. The European assistance (€400 000) translates into school materials and uniforms, into renovating schools and dedicating spaces where it is safe for children to play and study, away from the risks of illegal recruitment by armed groups. More than 5,000 Colombian children, many of them refugees in Ecuador, benefit from this project.

Nearly half of the EU Children of Peace funding goes for children in Africa: more than 11,000 children benefit from the European initiative in Ethiopia's Dollo Ado refugee camps and in Northern Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo. In both countries, children get what many of them never had before - safe learning spaces, schoolbags, teachers' kits and other items that keep them in schools and give them much-needed respite from their difficult surroundings.

In Pakistan, similarly, the EU Children of Peace project has in the past year reached out to 3,000 children in the conflict-affected north of the country. There are 20 more schools in the Jalozai camp today thanks to the European assistance (€300 000) reaching out, in particular, to Pakistani girls, few of whom had access to education before. The European assistance also includes school-in-a-box supplies, training for teachers and psychosocial counselling.

Committed to keep making the difference for children who need special care to overcome the consequences of conflict, the EU Children of Peace initiative will continue beyond its first year. In 2014, the European Commission intends to increase its funding for education of children in conflict zones – a new symbol of the European Union's dedication promoting real, lasting peace where it is so badly needed.

On 20 November (Universal Children’s Day) an event analysing the track record of the EU Children of Peace initiative in its first year will take place. This will also be the opportunity to announce new EU Children of Peace projects to be run by EU humanitarian partners and thus ensuring a lasting legacy from EU's Nobel Peace Prize.

Award of the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): Statement of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission

"On behalf of the European Commission I would like to convey our sincere congratulations to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2013.

The decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee is a powerful recognition of the important role of the OPCW in curbing the use of chemical weapons. The EU is determined to assist in the destruction of the stock of chemical weapons.

About 100 years ago, during World War I, Europe has experienced the suffering caused by the use of chemical weapons itself. Syria now demonstrates that these abhorrent acts are still not eradicated from human behaviour. The OPCW faces an unprecedented challenge in its current effort in Syria, where its joint mission with the United Nations is being actively supported by the European Union.

The international community carries a collective responsibility to end the use of chemical weapons once and for all. The OPCW plays a key role in this collective effort, which the European Union fully supports, politically and by being the biggest contributor to OPCW.

In the light of many worrying developments over the last year, the European Union will continue to work tirelessly for peace and reconciliation, for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights and offer concrete support and solidarity to those people and countries in need."

Background:

In 2012, the European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize for its contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.

Committed to keep making the difference for children who need special care to overcome the consequences of conflict, the EU Children of Peace initiative will continue beyond its first year. In 2014, the European Commission intends to increase its funding for education of children in conflict zones – a new symbol of the European Union's dedication promoting real, lasting peace where it is so badly needed. Read more about the state of play of the EU's Children of Peace initiative.

In October 2013 the EU has decided to fully meet the OPCW request and provide ten new armoured cars to support its mission in Syria. The EU is also supplying detailed maps for the mission. Further EU assistance is being considered depending on the needs.

No more excuses: EU and member states must follow EP lead on CIA renditions

(Brussels, 10 October 2013) Amnesty International applauds today’s vote in Strasbourg by the European Parliament which calls for truth and justice regarding EU countries involvement in the CIA-led rendition and secret detention programmes. 

“We commend the European Parliament for maintaining a consistent and strong position on this crucial human rights issue,”said Nicolas Beger, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office. “Will this finally mark the end of the Commission and Council’s excuses and inaction?”

 Since last year’s landslide vote to adopt a resolution documenting EU countries’ alleged complicity in torture and enforced disappearances carried out by the CIA in Europe, not one recommendation has been followed. It is particularly striking that Lithuania, currently holding the Presidency of the Council, has consistently failed to comply with requests to reopen investigations into CIA black sites on its territory.  Even now, new victims are emerging and there is mounting evidence of EU countries’ complicity in illegal transfers, torture and detention of individuals. We trust that, in line with the resolution adopted today, the European Parliament will continue its work on this matter even beyond its current term. Current debates on strengthening human rights and the rule of law in Europe cannot afford to ignore this pressing issue. 

( Sender: Amnesty International )

Enhance industrial cooperation with Brazil – win-win for businesses on both sides

Brazil is a key market for European business. Brazil is the EU's largest trading partner in Latin America: in 2011 Brazil's trade with the EU accounted for 37% of the EU's total trade with the region, and 43% of all EU's investments in Latin America went to Brazil. But the wealth of opportunities in this vibrant and growing economy are hindered by a series of challenges to both EU and Brazilian companies. European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani will therefore travel to Brasilia today 10 October to hold discussions exploring opportunities for industrial cooperation between the EU and Brazil. The EU seeks to further enhance business opportunities with Brazil during a meeting of a dedicated EU-Brazil working group, established as a pragmatic way of looking at how to further underpin the important economic bonds between Brazil and the EU. The Group, chaired by Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, works in close liaison with the European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, and the Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

During the two day trip from 10 to 11 October, meetings will be held with members of the Brazilian government, including Fernando Pimentel, Minister for Development, Industry and International Trade;Aloizio Mercadante, Minister for Education; Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, Minister for Foreign Affairs; and the acting minister for Small and Micro Enterprises and for Science, Technology and Innovation.

Strategic fields the Working Group seek to address include:

• Strengthening contacts between business communities, in order to promote a better business climate and more investment
• Exploring industrial cooperation as a growth driver, especially in the innovative and hi-tech sectors; as well as enhancing exchanges in industrial innovation, and strengthen cooperation in research and development
• Simplifying the administrative environment in order to facilitate business
• Supporting micro, small and medium sized enterprises

For its part, Brazil proposes to explore a number of concrete areas, where increased cooperation could benefit both sides. These include:

• Technical and regulatory specifications, in particular on standardisation and certification, in order to facilitate trade between the EU and Brazil
• Research and investment - including creating a professional exchange program 
• Cooperating in research, innovation and technology clusters – sharing information, tools and experiences in order to promote cooperation in key sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructures and renewables
• Relaunching the support for the internationalisation of SMEs in specific sectors
• Encouraging nascent EU companies to participate in a Brazilian start up programme.

The EU is Brazil's most important trading partner

The EU is the number one area for Brazil's exports and imports. More than 18% of Brazil's exports go to the EU. And 20% of Brazil's imports come from the EU.

Trade data indicates a slight growth of overall bilateral trade flows with Brazil, from €75 bn in 2011 to €76.7 bn in 2012. In 2012 the also EU recorded, for the first time, an overall trade surplus in goods with Brazil of €2.2 bn; in 2011 the deficit was €3 bn. EU companies exported goods worth €40 bn to Brazil, an increase of 10% over the previous year. However, due to the economic crisis in the EU, exports from Brazil to the EU decreased by 4.7% in 2012, from €39 bn in 2011 to €37 bn in 2012.

Goods traded

Around 90% of EU exports to Brazil in 2012 were manufactured goods - automotive, aircraft, chemicals, and other machinery. Transport equipment and machinery consisted of 49% of exports, and chemicals accounted for 21%.

Primary products such as food and drink and raw materials - soy beans, oilcake, iron ore, coffee and crude oil - accounted for more than 70% of EU imports from Brazil. The largest export category from Brazil to the EU is crude materials representing 35% of Brazil's exports into EU. Brazil still remains the EU’s most important provider of agricultural products. The second most important export category is food products, which represented 28% of Brazil's exports into EU.

Trade in services and investment

The EU had a surplus of €5.7 bn in trade in services with Brazil, exporting €12.7 bn of services to Brazil in 2012, while imports amounted to €7 bn.

Brazil attracts 40% of the EU's foreign direct investment (FDI) outflows into Latin America. In 2011, €28 bn of EU FDI went to Brazil, a decrease from the €43.9 bn reached in 2010.

The EU is also the biggest foreign investor in Brazil with more than 40% of the total stock of FDI in the country in 2011: €238.9 bn - more than twice the amount of EU's FDI stocks in China.

The EU is the most important recipient of Brazilian FDI. Brazilian direct investment flows into the EU decreased from €10.2 bn in 2010 to €3 bn in 2011.

The EU has overtaken the US as the largest investor in Brazil in the last few years, but China is also growing in importance as an investor in Brazil, in line with a general trend in Latin America.

Barriers to trade

The Brazilian market is relatively highly protected, with an applied customs tariff averaging 12%. And such barriers are increasing: according to a recent report - the 10th EU Report on Potentially Trade-Restrictive Measures - since May 2012 there has been a sharp increase in the use of trade restrictive measures applied by Brazil, in particular tax incentives linked to local content conditions and tariff increases. Of all countries surveyed in the report, Brazil also accounted for more than one-third of restrictions related to government procurement. Such restrictions can force the use of domestic goods and relocation of businesses. Brazil also continues to strongly shield some of its domestic industries from foreign competition, to the disadvantage of their consumers and other industry sectors.

The EU therefore consistently encourages Brazil to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, and also to maintain a stable regulatory environment for European investors and traders.

Background

Following the 6th EU-Brazil Political Summit in January 2013, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, decided to strengthen cooperation between Brazil and the European Union by formally establishing a high-level dialogue in the form of a Working Group. The Groups aims to more systematically analyse bilateral economic issues, including competitiveness and investment and its outputs will form the foundation for the preparation of the 7th EU-Brazil Summit, to be held in 2014.

The Group's objective is to explore industrial cooperation opportunities between the EU and Brazil, in particular focusing on innovative sectors and technology and improving the environment for business and investment. The Group also aims to strengthen trade in industrial innovation, research and development, and support small businesses.

During the same meeting, BusinessEurope, CNI and EuroChambres agreed to launch in parallel an additional Joint Working Group to explore options to advance the bilateral agenda. Both groups work closely together to develop synergies and complementarity.

European and World Day against the Death Penalty – EU underlines commitment to universal abolition

Today is World and European Day against the Death Penalty. Consistent with its strong and principled policy against the death penalty, the EU is undoubtedly one of the most prominent international players and lead donors in the abolitionist cause worldwide.

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, have issued today a joint declaration to mark the occasion.

The fight against the death penalty is at the heart of the EU's Human Rights policy and a personal priority for the HR/VP. The EU uses all tools available in order to promote its abolitionist policy, according to the relevant EU guidelines. In the course of 2012 and during the first half of 2013, the EU has issued 54 Statements/Declarations and carried out 30 démarches, thus mapping the capital punishment situation worldwide.

The Foreign Affairs Council of 22 April approved the revised and updated text of the EU Guidelines on Death Penalty, the first ever Human Rights text of its kind adopted in 1998 and subsequently revised twice (2001 and 2008). The new text is a consolidation of the EU's experience in its leading role worldwide towards the abolition of the death penalty. As was the case in the past, the EU Guidelines will continue to provide the basis for the Union's action in the field.

In 2012, the EU led an intensive lobbying campaign for the UN General Assembly resolution on a “Moratorium on the use of the death penalty”. The UN General Assembly on 21 December 2012 adopted the resolution with an unprecedented number of 111 votes in favour whereas the number of co-sponsors rose to a record number of 91.

As well as leading contributions to the efforts of civil society organisations aimed at the abolition of the death penalty, the EU is the first regional body to have adopted rules prohibiting trade in goods used for capital punishment (or torture and ill-treatment), as well as on the supply of technical assistance related to such goods.

Text of Joint Declaration

Joint Declaration by Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and Catherine Ashton, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, 10 October 2013

"Today, on the occasion of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the Council of Europe and the European Union reiterate their strong opposition to the use of capital punishment.

They continue to underline, whenever and wherever possible, the inhumane and cruel nature of this unnecessary punishment and its failure to prevent crime. Although we are encouraged by the growing momentum towards abolition of the death penalty worldwide, the resumption of executions and breaches of decades of moratoria in different parts of the world clearly mark the necessity to pursue our long-standing action against the death penalty, in Europe and worldwide. Voices in favour of the death penalty within some parts of society, including in our continent, show that there is a continuous need to spell out why the death penalty runs contrary to the right to life and to human dignity.

Based on the fact that no execution has taken place on their territory for the past fifteen years, the European Union and the Council of Europe share the common overarching objective to consolidate the abolition within and beyond its borders. Protocols Nos 6 and 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights as well as Article 2 (2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as today binding on the European Union, call for the death penalty to be abolished. In this context, we urge all European States which have not yet abolished the death penalty de jure in all circumstances, to do so by ratifying the relevant protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Council of Europe and the European Union regret the continuous use of death penalty in Belarus, the only country in Europe still applying it. We urge the authorities of Belarus to examine and explore all possibilities available in order to introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition.

We welcome the extraordinary efforts of the cross-regional alliance that successfully led and guided the adoption, with an unprecedented number of votes, in December 2012, of the UN General Assembly Resolution on a Moratorium on the use of death penalty.

We would like to stress the symbolic and substantial importance of the 5th World Congress held in Madrid on 12-15 June 2013 and warmly congratulate the organisers, the four European countries which acted as main sponsors and the other European countries which contributed to the event. The extensive and diverse participation to this Congress clearly shows the worldwide tendency against the death penalty. The Council of Europe and the European Union will continue to work closely with all interlocutors, governmental and civil society, with a view to developing synergies towards universal abolition.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Iceland+ and Serbia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration."

* The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process + Iceland continues to be a member of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.

Tajani welcomes EP decision on cleaner recreational boats - helps also tourism industry

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani has welcomed the approval of the European Parliament of the recreational boats directive. It will reduce the boat’s annual emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons by 20% and emissions of particulate matters by 34%. This is valid for several millions of motor boats, sailing boats, jet skis and other recreational crafts that navigate the European shores, lakes and rivers. In summer NOx concentrations of recreational craft can be significant in water tourist resorts. In addition the revised Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) will also improve market surveillance, such as rules on CE marking. Member States will have to ensure that adequate checks are carried out, both at the EU external borders and within the EU including visits to premises of producers/importers to ensure that recreational crafts presenting a danger are not made available on the market. Finally boat safety will be strengthened as new habitable multihull craft can no longer invert or must have sufficient buoyancy to remain afloat in the inverted position.

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship said: “I thank the EP and welcome its decision to follow our line of making recreational boats more respectful of our marine environment. This is not only good for the environment, as it will also improve the quality of holiday resorts and boost job creation in the tourism industry. Cleaner and safer boats will help recreational craft enterprises save costs as they will be able to serve the world market with a single production line as we are aligning our standards to world standards. The EP decision is therefore supporting our goal of strengthening industrial production in Europe.

Background

Improved market surveillance is necessary to guarantee a level playing field, as the Directive lays down essential safety requirements for boats as well as the limits for exhaust and noise emissions from marine propulsion engines which producers and importers need to respect if they wish to place their products on the EU market. Therefore the obligations for manufacturers, importers and distributors will be strengthened to better guarantee compliance with the requirements for market surveillance. As the import of recreational craft by individuals from third countries to the EU for their own use is a specific feature of this sector, stricter obligations will apply for private importers also.

The competitiveness of the European industry will be strengthened as a result of a simplified legislation and of the similarity of technical requirements with the EU major trading partners. The revision of the Recreational Craft Directive should help to save costs for the EU manufacturers, in particular with respect to development, manufacturing and certification costs, since it will not be necessary to keep two separate production lines in place anymore.

The industry is strong both in the EU and the US: The vast majority of recreational craft manufacturers (RCD) is active on the EU market and the US market and two thirds of worldwide sales of recreational marine engines are realized at both markets. Currently US legislation regulating the exhaust emissions is stricter than the current EU rules. Some EU Member States have undertaken efforts to reduce emissions from recreational craft by resorting to local (national) measures for speed limits or ban of boats in specific areas. In order to better protect the environment, ensure a global market for RCD and to prevent national single solutions leading to a fragmentation of the Internal Market it was regarded necessary to strengthen the exhaust and noise emissions at EU level.

At the same time the vulnerable position of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) should be taken into account as 97% of businesses of the recreational craft sector are SMEs. Producers of small engines will benefit from an extended transition period.

Approximately 6 millions of recreational crafts are in use in Europe. The recreational marine activities across Europe involve some 37 000 companies which represent a wide range of activities such as marinas, boat builders, engine or marine equipment manufacturers, hire charter and sailing schools, marine solicitors, insurance brokers etc. This sector which is gradually recovering from the economic crisis directly employs today some 272 000 workers.

EU Fund Management Directive 'puts 107,000 jobs at risk'

Brussels 9 October: A new EU directive aimed at the fund management industry is putting more than a hundred thousand jobs at risk, according to new research.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, implemented in July this year, could inflict as many as 107,000 jobs losses in Europe and must be reassessed, according the report.

The study, by Brussels think tank New Direction, says the European Commission has failed to analyse the risks of the directive properly. The authors use the EU’s own economic models to measure employment losses if the industry in Europe loses its competitive advantage.

The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive is already controversial, with industry reports showing that nearly three quarters of firms say their business could be harmed by the measure.

The directive is designed to regulate pay and reduce risk in the sector, but imposes costs on business that could force them to move to other jurisdictions. The Real  Economic Impactof the EU’s Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive calls into question the EU’s own analysis of the tax, saying that it does not produce evidence on the macroeconomic impact of the directive.

It argues that the European Commission should reassess the regulation at the end of 2014, basing its conclusion on the real experience of the industry, instead of a planned evaluation in 2017.

“With €15 trillion under management, this sector is an important part of the European economy and one in which Europe enjoys comparative advantages. It supports about half a million jobs across the EU”, said Tom Miers, the think-tank’s director. “At a time of economic weakness we need to be much more careful about imposing red tape on businesses. The Commission should reassess this measure as soon as it can.”

Member State	Jobs at Risk
UK	35,000
France	18,000
Germany	18,000
Italy	5,000
Netherlands	4,000
Rest of Europe	27,000
Total	107,000

Report in brief:

• The Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFMD) has been approved and will be in place across the whole of the European Union by the end of July 2014.
• Hedge funds, private equity funds, commodity funds, real estate funds and infrastructure funds (among others) will be covered by the AIFMD.
• The AIFMD addresses a number of issues, including remuneration practices in financial institutions to tackle “incentives for excessive risk-taking.”
• The economic impact assessments produced by the European Commission are notable for their lack of empirical evidence on the impacts of the AIFMD.
• Deloitte published a survey of UK based asset managers which found that nearly three quarters of respondents viewed the AIFMD as a threat to their business and more than two thirds suggested that the AIFMD will reduce the competitiveness of the industry in Europe and the AIFMD will lead to fewer non-EU managers operating in the EU.
• The overall asset management industry has an annual impact of €102.6 billion (GVA) and 510,000 jobs across Europe.
• If Europe lost its competitive advantage in fund management because of the AIFMD, around €21.5 billion and 107,100 jobs would be at risk from the regulation.
• The European Commission should bring forward a new impact assessment to be completed by the end of 2014 assessing the real costs incurred on the industry by the AIFMD.

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn congratulates winners of Nobel Prize in Physics

European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn has today congratulated Belgian physicist François Englert and British physicist Peter W. Higgs for winning the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics. They received the prize for "for the theoretical discovery of a mechanism that contributes to our understanding of the origin of mass of subatomic particles, and which recently was confirmed through the discovery of the predicted fundamental particle, by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider." (http://www.nobelprize.org/)

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn said: "This is recognition of the contribution made to modern physics by François Englert and Peter Higgs. I would also like to pay tribute to the thousands of scientists who have worked tirelessly at CERN over many years to detect this elusive particle. EU-funded research has contributed to the research at CERN, including enabling the processing of the huge amounts of data from the LHC experiments that confirmed the predictions."

EU support for the LHC experiments at CERN

CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world's leading laboratory for particle physics. It has its headquarters in Geneva. At present, its member states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The European Union is supporting the work at CERN through its research programme, while the European Investment Bank helped finance the construction of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in which the experiments to discover the Higgs Boson were conducted. CERN is currently taking part in 95 projects under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) with an EU contribution of more than €100 million.

What is the LHC?

The breakthrough discovery of the Higgs Boson was the result of hundreds of thousands of experiments in the world's largest science machine: the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a 27 kilometre-long, circular tunnel beneath the French and Swiss Alps, where – with the help of super-cooled magnets – beams of protons were accelerated and smashed into each other to disintegrate into new particles and to confirm assumptions about the particle. The LHC was financed by CERN's 20 European member states and third countries including the U.S., Japan and India. The European Investment Bank lent the project €300 million euro.

What is GÉANT?

GÉANT is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and Europe’s National Research and Education Networks (NRENs). The GÉANT network connects 38 NREN partners serving 43 countries, together reaching in excess of 50,000,000 end users from more than 10,000 universities, higher education institutes, research institutes, libraries, museums, national archives, hospitals, etc. and a further 22,000 primary and secondary schools. It is operated by DANTE (UK), which leads the project consortium of 41 partners.
Research networks, including GÉANT are critical components in the global infrastructure behind the LHC, delivering experimental data to scientists around the world for analysis and then sharing their results amongst the entire community. To share this data GÉANT and its NREN partners have been involved in the LHC experiment since it began in 2008. Together they have deployed a vast optical private network (LHC OPN) to facilitate distribution of data to processing centres around the world .

The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG)

The Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG) is a global collaboration of more than 150 computing centres in nearly 40 countries, linking up national and international grid infrastructures. The mission of the WLCG project is to provide global computing resources to store, distribute and analyse the ~25 Petabytes (25 million Gigabytes) of data annually generated by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

This effort started some 10 years ago in April 2004, when the Enabling Grids for E-Science in Europe (EGEE) project received financing from the European Commission. CERN has pioneered work that provides access to high-throughput computing resources across Europe and the world using grid/cloud computing techniques. The European Grid Infrastructure (EGI), as it is known nowadays, links centers across Europe to support international research in many scientific disciplines.

EU-backed researchers in team behind Higgs discovery

30 scientists supported by the European Union's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for research training and mobility were involved in the discovery of the Higgs Boson. The 30 scientists worked on the 'ACEOLE' and 'TALENT' projects, which made important contributions to the breakthrough. ACEOLE helped to develop the data readout systems used at the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator tunnel at CERN, where the particle was identified. TALENT, which provided operational support for the experiment, is developing measurement tools for a better understanding of the precise nature of the new particle. Altogether the 30 scientists will receive about €6.5 million in EU funding.

Parliament approves €3.7 million in EU aid to get Italian workers back into jobs

Parliament has approved aid worth €3.7 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGAF) to help workers in Italy who lost their jobs as a result of globalisation or the economic crisis to re-enter the labour market.

Some 1,030 workers were laid off by the high-end automobile maker De Tomaso Automobili S.p.A. in the Torino and Livorno provinces. A further 529 workers lost their jobs when two computing firms in Lombardy,, Anovo Italia S.p.A. and Jabil CM S.r.l., went under. The aid was approved by 585 votes to 66, with 13 abstentions. 

The Italian authorities will receive €1,164,930 to help the redundant workers in Lombardy, and another €2,594,672 to help those formerly employed by De Tomaso Automobili. The EGAF, with an annual ceiling of €500 million, contributes to packages of tailor-made services to help redundant workers find new jobs. The aid was approved by 584 votes to 67, with 7 abstentions. 

Parliament's decision still needs to be endorsed by Council.

“Quality of Life in European Cities” Survey: a snapshot of citizens’ anxieties and hopes in urban centres

The European Commission has today released the results of the 3-yearly Eurobarometer survey on the “Perception of Quality of Life in European Cities”. The survey was conducted in 79 cities of all EU Member States as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey. 41,000 urban dwellers rated their satisfaction with various aspects of urban life, in particular public services.

The survey found:

1. As in 2009, healthcare, employment, education and training are the issues most people want their cities to deal with above all.
2. The survey suggests citizens in most European cities feel finding a job is hard. Only in 9 cities did a majority of citizens say it is easy to find employment. Compared with 2009 this job insecurity has increased significantly, though in some cities the outlook has become more positive.
3. In 50 cities, at least one person in two disagrees that it is easy to find good housing at a reasonable price.
4. The survey also records a low satisfaction with schools and educational institutions in many capitals.
5. On a more positive note the survey finds that in all but 5 of the cities surveyed, a majority of the respondents agree with the statement that the presence of foreigners is good for the city and that foreigners are well integrated. 
6. There are wide disparities between cities on how people assess the quality of public transport, health care services, or their personal financial situation.
7. High satisfaction with public spaces, green areas, cleanliness and feeling safe seems closely linked with the overall satisfaction felt by people about in their city. When asked if they are "satisfied" living in their own cities, a majority - at least 80% in 71 cities - said they were. 
8. The survey also suggests that more people than in previous surveys think their cities are active when it comes to fighting climate change. This is particularly the case in capital cities.

The "Quality of Life in European Cities" survey will be formally launched later today during OPEN DAYS 2013 in Brussels - a four-day event focusing on the EU's future regional and urban policy. 

Speaking ahead of the event European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn said, "This survey provides a useful snapshot of how Europeans feel about the cities that they live in. It reminds us of the many elements that contribute to a sense of wellbeing and a good quality of life in our urban environments. I hope the results will inspire and guide policymakers, urban planners and civil society to address urban problems through a more holistic and integrated manner as we are now encouraging in the next period of Regional and Urban Policy for 2014-2020."

EU Regional and Urban Policy will give better support to cities in 2014-2020. Currently nearly 40% of the European Regional Development Fund is invested in cities. Depending on the priorities of Member States, this is expected to grow. On top of this, in the next period EU countries should promote investments that combine different kinds of actions to tackle the particular economic, environmental, climate and social challenges of urban areas. At least 5% should be set aside by Member States for this type of integrated approach. 

Background:

Since 1973, the Commission has been monitoring the evolution of public opinion in the Member States on a wide range of topics. For this survey, 41 000 people have been interviewed in 79 cities. Via a range of questions, citizens were asked to express their views on the various dimensions of urban life. How do they assess the quality of services such as public transport, health care, education, cultural and sport facilities? Do they consider foreigners as an asset for their city? How do they perceive job availability or affordable housing in their cities? Are people satisfied with the place they live, the life they lead, or the financial situation of their household?