EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

EU News:  Settling disputes & disagreements through courts is often costly & time-consuming.  Cross-border cases are particularly complex due to different national laws and practical matters like costs or language. The European Union Mediation Directive – which was adopted on 21 May 2008 (IP/08/628) and is in force since 21 May 2011– applies when two parties who are involved in a cross-border dispute voluntarily agree to settle their dispute using an impartial mediator. 

All EU Member States should now have measures in place to transpose the EU legislation.  However, 9 countries have not yet notified all national measures needed to fully implement the Directive. As a result, the European Commission began legal proceedings by sending ‘letters of formal notice’ to the following countries: The Czech Republic, Spain, France, Cyprus, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Finland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.  The countries have 2 months to respond.

Press release & links

PC&PE:  'Subsidiarity' is the principle that the EU should only act if the objectives of that course of action could not be achieved by Member States, either at a central level or at a regional or local level.  Under the Lisbon Treaty, if a national parliament decides that a proposal from the EU does not comply with this principle, it can send the EU institutions a ‘reasoned opinion’- a message explaining why it considers that the proposal does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity. 

At the moment, motions asking for reasoned opinions to be sent to the EU institutions can only be moved by Ministers, even though the Government might not agree with them. This can create a confusing & illogical situation in which a Minister moves a motion but then makes a speech against it. The Committee’s report recommends a change to the Standing Orders of the House to make it possible for the Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee (which recommends that the House consider the motion) to move a motion for a reasoned opinion.

Press release & links

EU News:  The European Commission has proposed stricter limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons and particulate matters for new motor boats, sailing boats, jet skis and other recreational crafts.  In summer NOx concentrations of the some 6m recreational craft in the EU can be significant in the areas of big lakes & attractive sea shores.   Last week’s proposal for a revised Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) will also improve market surveillance, for example by updating the rules on CE marking.

Press release & links

EU News:  Last week, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumers published the results of the public consultation on the upcoming revision of the Tobacco Products Directive. The public consultation generated an unprecedented 85,000 responses.  The vast majority of contributions came from individual citizens, illustrating the great interest in EU tobacco control policy. Other respondents represented industry, non-governmental organisations, governments and public authorities.

Press release & links

EU News:  One in six Europeans plan to take their main holiday outside the EU this year. Overall, Europeans take around 90m trips outside the EU every year for business or pleasure. But what happens if you need help when abroad and your country has no embassy or consulate where you are staying? 

All EU citizens have certain European citizenship rights.  For instance, you can request assistance from another EU country's embassy or consulate in case your own country is not represented.  This right applies to everyday situations, like a passport being stolen, a serious accident or illness, as well as during crises – such as the recent events in  

To increase awareness of this right, all new passports in the EU will have information on consular protection printed along with the address of the EU's dedicated website providing details on where you can find help during your holidays outside the EU:

Press release & links

CH:  A new Chatham House briefing paper, 'On Europe’s Fringes: Russia, Turkey and the European Union', examines what impact the Turkish & Russian economies – and their relations with each other and Brussels – will have on Europe.  Both & are rising powers on the fringes of a declining European Union, and both countries have awkward relations with Brussels .

Press release & links

Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story