1st of July of 2013. This is the date in when Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union. Exactly 8 years after its initial bid, accession talks [Read more...]
Croatia to become 28th EU member state in 2013
7 December 2011 By
1st of July of 2013. This is the date in when Croatia will become the 28th member of the European Union. Exactly 8 years after its initial bid, accession talks between the ex-yugoslav country and the Union were finalized on Wednesday. Now, the 300 page long treaty is set to be signed by all European heads of state during the upcoming summit in Brussels.
Unlike Romania and Bulgaria’s accession in 2007, Croatia’s treaty does not include a “safeguard clause” that would slow down the process if final requirements were not met by the croatian state. But recent scandals of corruption will see the Union closely monitoring Croatia’s battle against corruption. In 2009, the former prime minister Ivo Sanader was accused of fraud as he allegedly sent money from state-own companies to a fund for personal use.
Croatian authorities have independently decided to hold a referendum on the EU membership. Recent polls showed that 61% of Croats would vote in favour.
The prospect of EU membership comes straight after elections were held last week. Recession, high unemployment and scandals of corruption removed the center-right party from power after it was in office for nearly two decades. Instead, the newly formed center-left coalition Kukuriku won the elections and will govern with Zoran Milanovic, a 45- year-old lawyer and former diplomat, as the next premier.
Kukuriku also is enthusiastic about membership of the union, so the change of government is not going to turn Croatia’s back on EU membership.
From Life-Cycle Thinking to Action – EurActiv Workshop – highlights
5 December 2011 By
Europe is increasingly looking at assessing the economic, social and environmental impact of all products and materials — from raw material extraction to transport, consumption and final disposal. As part of the process, Life- Cycle Assessment (LCA) has emerged as a key concept to guide sustainable policymaking and business decision- making.
A Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe has been published on the 20th of September: how much is life- cycle thinking reflected in it?
How is LCA done in different sectors, and what are the lessons learnt?
Are existing ISO standards for LCA helpful, and which sectors already use them?
What are stakeholders’ expectations as to the LCA guidelines being developed by the EU’s Joint Research Centre?
Given LCA’s complexity, what should be its practical implications? What actions should assessments trigger?
Should policymakers intervene to support the further development of standards, and how?
Should standards be enforced, or is the creation of benchmarks sufficient?
Speaking in this video are:
David Pennington, Action Leader, Sustainability Assessment, Joint Research Centre
Reinhard Butikofer, MEP
Annick Carpentier, EHSDirector, Coordination & Product Policy, Eurometaux
Jean-Pierre BIRAT, ArcelorMittal Global
Johannes Drielsma, Deputy Director, European Association of Mining Industries
Incoming search terms:
- eu publication titled “a roadmap to a resource efficient europe”
Bubblesconi: Failing EU leadership inspires Dutch artist
5 December 2011 By
The ongoing leadership crisis in Europe is proving to be an unexpected source of inspiration for a Dutch painter of modern art.
As the Eurozone leaders again battle to save the euro, Ilse Wielage is finishing her painting of ejected Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. It’s called Bubblesconi.
Incoming search terms:
- ilse wielage
Belgian unions hold mass protest against austerity measures
2 December 2011 By
Around 50 thousand trade union members marched across Brussels on Friday to protest against austerity measures. In response to the current financial crisis, the newly formed Belgian government agreed last [Read more...]
