En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
At the EU-Russia Summit today Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the Russian Minister for Regional Development, Viktor Basargin, signed the Financing Agreements for five cross-border co-operation programmes (CBC). These financing agreements are central to the implementation of cooperation programmes between the border regions of the European Union and Russia. The programmes have a total budget of approximately €437 million until 2013, and are funded by different sources: European Commission (€267 mio), Member States (€67 mio) and the Russian Federation (€103 mio). The co-financing by the Russian Federation confirms the spirit of partnership at the core of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). ... The innovative character of this kind of cooperation lies in its balanced partnership: for the first time partner countries and EU member states apply a single set of implementing rules, share one single budget and take decisions together within a common management structure. Common needs are identified by local partners on both sides of the border for activities that are most relevant to their local situation, creating an approach from the bottom and according to real needs. The programmes involving Russia are: "Kolarctic-Russia" (Sweden Finland, Norway, Russia) - €70.48 mio "Karelia-Russia" (Finland, Russia) - €46.40 mio "South East Finland-Russia" (Finland, Russia) - €72.36 mio "Estonia-Latvia-Russia" - €73.08 mio "Lithuania-Poland-Russia" (the Kaliningrad programme) - €176.13 mio
...
The innovative character of this kind of cooperation lies in its balanced partnership: for the first time partner countries and EU member states apply a single set of implementing rules, share one single budget and take decisions together within a common management structure. Common needs are identified by local partners on both sides of the border for activities that are most relevant to their local situation, creating an approach from the bottom and according to real needs.
The programmes involving Russia are:
"Kolarctic-Russia" (Sweden Finland, Norway, Russia) - €70.48 mio
"Karelia-Russia" (Finland, Russia) - €46.40 mio
"South East Finland-Russia" (Finland, Russia) - €72.36 mio
"Estonia-Latvia-Russia" - €73.08 mio
"Lithuania-Poland-Russia" (the Kaliningrad programme) - €176.13 mio
There is a wide array of issues that can be addressed in Cross-Border-Cooperation programmes - examples include promotion of small and medium enterprises, business and trade, transport, technology, research, and tourism. The regions will address common challenges in the areas of environment, nature protection and renewable energy, culture or protection of historical heritage.
With more than 11 million new fixed lines laid in a year, the take up of broadband internet continues to grow in Europe. According to a report published today by the European Commission, 24% of the EU population had a broadband access line subscription in July 2009, up from 21.6% in July 2008. The report also shows that mobile broadband is gaining momentum in Europe, with a 54% increase since January and now at a penetration rate of 4.2% per 100 citizens. Last but not least, broadband internet connections in Europe are increasingly faster. 80% of broadband lines in the EU now have download speeds of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater (allowing the use of Web 2.0 and video streaming), which is 5% up from last year. "Despite the economic slowdown, Europe continues to have a very dynamic broadband market. Enhanced competition is driving better services, and consumers nowadays regard their broadband internet access as an essential part of life, " said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding. "This is a good starting point for the next European Commission. Vibrant high-speed broadband markets in a competitive single telecoms market are a strategic priority in the European Digital Agenda that is currently being prepared in the Commission. High-speed internet broadband, whether via fibre networks or wireless, is a pre-condition for a strong digital economy in Europe and for European leadership in new technologies and applications. After the European Parliament and the Council have agreed, on 5 November, a new and pro-competitive regulatory framework for Europe's telecoms markets ( MEMO/09/491 ), I expect that the drive for the roll-out of high speed internet will now intensify across all EU Member States. Europe is clearly ready to make the next decade thoroughly digital." New figures published today by the Commission show that in the last year the number of broadband lines continued to grow throughout the EU by 10.7% on average (between July 2008 and July 2009), despite the gloomy economic environment . On 1 July 2009, there were around 120 million fixed broadband lines in the EU, of which 11.5 million lines have been added since July 2008.
"Despite the economic slowdown, Europe continues to have a very dynamic broadband market. Enhanced competition is driving better services, and consumers nowadays regard their broadband internet access as an essential part of life, " said EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding. "This is a good starting point for the next European Commission. Vibrant high-speed broadband markets in a competitive single telecoms market are a strategic priority in the European Digital Agenda that is currently being prepared in the Commission. High-speed internet broadband, whether via fibre networks or wireless, is a pre-condition for a strong digital economy in Europe and for European leadership in new technologies and applications. After the European Parliament and the Council have agreed, on 5 November, a new and pro-competitive regulatory framework for Europe's telecoms markets ( MEMO/09/491 ), I expect that the drive for the roll-out of high speed internet will now intensify across all EU Member States. Europe is clearly ready to make the next decade thoroughly digital."
New figures published today by the Commission show that in the last year the number of broadband lines continued to grow throughout the EU by 10.7% on average (between July 2008 and July 2009), despite the gloomy economic environment . On 1 July 2009, there were around 120 million fixed broadband lines in the EU, of which 11.5 million lines have been added since July 2008.
of course if you have put a lot of energy buying up national media and systematically dumbing down the electorate to keep it in your rancid pocket, the last thing you want is your faithful voters figuring out they are being treated like mushrooms, kept in the dark and fed copious amounts of horseshit.
so for fear of political and social freedom, italy is condemning herself to missing the digital grand euro plan, and being almost totally marginalised in the web 2.0 economy.
nice work silvio, stymie a whole nation's evolution to keep your ass out of the clink. ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
And why would it be "against all odds" that penetration for a valuable service increases? A case of [Europe.Is.Doomed™ Alert] within the EU Commission? In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Enhanced competition is driving better services, and consumers nowadays regard their broadband internet access as an essential part of life
So it certainly looks like this Europe.Is.Doomed case is not coming from the EU Commission itself, but can be narrowed down to the people who are entrusted to putting EU press releases in English language together. What does it tell us, hmmmm? Europeans think a hundred miles is a long way. Americans think a hundred years is a long time.
Serious PeopleTM conventional wisdom that dictates that: Broadband is a luxury item, not a basic utility like water, electricity or sanitation
Never mind that the obligation to identify pay-as-you-go customers comes from the EU and has nothing to do with consumer rights but with State security concerns...
The pay-as-you-go applies to mobile phone SIM cards, not residential broadband, no?
I'd like to know how widespread Japan's famed 100MB really is. 100MB in urban areas is not that special - you can find it in parts of London.
As a revealing indicator, I'd be more interested in the baseline service on Japan's less central islands.
I recently came across a mail from someone trying to kill a project, asking for various calculations before it could go on, that had to take into accounts some powers expressed in kW.h/h.
I mentioned in passing that it simplified nicely as kW and that it did not bode well for the person's competence. Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
You can achieve 10 kW.h/h with 10 kW during one hour, or 600 kW during one minute and then 0 kW during the following 59 minutes... Europeans think a hundred miles is a long way. Americans think a hundred years is a long time.
And average power should still be expressed in kW.
Anyway, I know you're trying to catch me ;-) Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi
If one wants to denote average power over some time frame, one should specifically say so. Also, different kernels (weighting functions) result in different output - the naive 'sum of previous n values/n' rectangle filter is very lumpy in frequency space (sinc function), instead it's better to use something monotonic like the exponential weighting function (each average is a convex combination of the current value and the previous average).
(The thing about nitpicks is that there is always someone more pedantical than you :)
Commissioner Borg said: "The Council's continued support for an integrated approach to maritime affairs is a fitting way in which to bring the first phase of the Integrated Maritime Policy to a close. Now we can set about taking this ambitious policy to a new level. In response to the Council's requests, we will now open the IMP out still further, in order to address the medium- and long-term challenges for Europe's seas and coasts and focus on economic growth, quality jobs, environmental protection, safety and security, and citizens' well-being." On maritime surveillance, the Commissioner added: "By welcoming the Commission's Communication and endorsing our approach, the Council has yet further confirmed that the integration of maritime surveillance is on the right track, and fully deserves its place at the heart of our Integrated Maritime Policy. It is clear that all concerned parties share the conviction that integrated maritime surveillance will deliver benefits across the board, through better use and effectiveness of existing resources, which will also result in cost effectiveness." The GAERC Council called on the Commission to maintain the momentum behind the Integrated Maritime Policy. It pointed to the need to enhance the economic potential of maritime sectors, improve the effectiveness of governments' actions at sea and generate synergies in pursuing economic growth, environmental stability and a solid social dimension for maritime activities.
On maritime surveillance, the Commissioner added: "By welcoming the Commission's Communication and endorsing our approach, the Council has yet further confirmed that the integration of maritime surveillance is on the right track, and fully deserves its place at the heart of our Integrated Maritime Policy. It is clear that all concerned parties share the conviction that integrated maritime surveillance will deliver benefits across the board, through better use and effectiveness of existing resources, which will also result in cost effectiveness."
The GAERC Council called on the Commission to maintain the momentum behind the Integrated Maritime Policy. It pointed to the need to enhance the economic potential of maritime sectors, improve the effectiveness of governments' actions at sea and generate synergies in pursuing economic growth, environmental stability and a solid social dimension for maritime activities.
remember radio caroline? ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
but what will they look for?
'Quality' jobs, with any luck.
A Franco-German alliance behind the appointment of Europe's first president has been exposed after a diplomat inadvertently revealed Angela Merkel's preferred choice. Berlin's silence over whom it backs for the new job was broken by Reinhard Bettzuege, the German Ambassador to Belgium, who let slip that his Chancellor was behind Herman Van Rompuy, the Belgian Prime Minister. Mr Van Rompuy has emerged as favourite to become the EU's first full-time president, overtaking Tony Blair. Ms Merkel admitted what President Sarkozy has been claiming for weeks: that Paris and Berlin will agree on their candidates before tonight's summit of the 27 leaders in Brussels to select the president and EU foreign minister, another post that has been created by the Lisbon treaty. Under the new rules national vetoes have been abolished and any vote on the candidates would be based on a qualified majority -- with large countries counting for much more than smaller ones. The deal completes a revival of the Franco-German axis, which was the centre of the EU before its enlargement to include countries from the former Eastern bloc.
A Franco-German alliance behind the appointment of Europe's first president has been exposed after a diplomat inadvertently revealed Angela Merkel's preferred choice.
Berlin's silence over whom it backs for the new job was broken by Reinhard Bettzuege, the German Ambassador to Belgium, who let slip that his Chancellor was behind Herman Van Rompuy, the Belgian Prime Minister. Mr Van Rompuy has emerged as favourite to become the EU's first full-time president, overtaking Tony Blair.
Ms Merkel admitted what President Sarkozy has been claiming for weeks: that Paris and Berlin will agree on their candidates before tonight's summit of the 27 leaders in Brussels to select the president and EU foreign minister, another post that has been created by the Lisbon treaty.
Under the new rules national vetoes have been abolished and any vote on the candidates would be based on a qualified majority -- with large countries counting for much more than smaller ones. The deal completes a revival of the Franco-German axis, which was the centre of the EU before its enlargement to include countries from the former Eastern bloc.
European leaders are heading for a fierce battle on Thursday after Germany and France were accused of plotting to bounce their favoured federalist candidate into the post of EU president. Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy were revealed to have made a pact to railroad Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium's Prime Minister, into the powerful Brussels job created by the Lisbon Treaty. The attempted "stitch-up" angered Britain, Spain, Italy and Poland along with other central and east European countries.
Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy were revealed to have made a pact to railroad Herman Van Rompuy, Belgium's Prime Minister, into the powerful Brussels job created by the Lisbon Treaty.
The attempted "stitch-up" angered Britain, Spain, Italy and Poland along with other central and east European countries.
It is the stated goal of the next rotating presidency (Spain, Belgium, Hungary) to "restore the institutional balance" and limit the dominance of the large member states and their directoire style. They have their job cut for them... En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
Should we start an ET betting pool?
A cross-party group of MEPs have called for former Irish president Mary Robinson for the role of EU president.
In addition, the French-German initiative has caused unease to Fredrik Reinfelds, prime minister of Sweden, who holds the Union's presidency and who, as such, is charged with making the nominations for the appointments.
Well, Reinfeldt can't propose a candidate on his own, what he wanted (it's somewhere on ET) was to propose a single name in public after consultations with everyone behind closed doors, for a show of unity. Meanwhile the leaders of France and Germany were said to have wanted to keep their support for a joint candidate confidential, too, for fear of a repeat of the Barrroso selection. So this leak of support for van Rompuy is either a diplomatic mishap, or a reaction to a Brown/Bliar maneuver. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Will the new President be a Belgian, a Latvian, or even a Brit? Only one thing is certain: it won't be a snap decisionThe finals of the European Job Contest will take place in Brussels tonight, without the cheap glitter of the musical version but with the same sort of secret, national horse-trading and, most probably, the same kind of unmemorable winners. EU heads of state or government will meet over dinner to choose the first ever President of the European Council and the first ever High Representative for foreign affairs. Confusion over the likely outcome was so great last night that the Swedish government, which will chair the meeting, made emergency plans for dinner to extend to breakfast, and even lunch, on Friday.
The finals of the European Job Contest will take place in Brussels tonight, without the cheap glitter of the musical version but with the same sort of secret, national horse-trading and, most probably, the same kind of unmemorable winners.
EU heads of state or government will meet over dinner to choose the first ever President of the European Council and the first ever High Representative for foreign affairs. Confusion over the likely outcome was so great last night that the Swedish government, which will chair the meeting, made emergency plans for dinner to extend to breakfast, and even lunch, on Friday.
made emergency plans for dinner to extend to breakfast, and even lunch, on Friday.
Russia has made a surprise pledge to cut its greenhouse gas emissions at a summit with European Union officials in Sweden. Energy issues and Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization were also high on the agenda. EU officials have said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to cut his country's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. The announcement came after a summit between European Union officials and the Russian president designed to lay the groundwork for a new economic and political partnership between Moscow and Brussels. Medvedev did not comment publicly on the new emissions target but European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said "with the Copenhagen conference starting in just over two weeks we have made very important progress today.
EU officials have said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to cut his country's greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2020.
The announcement came after a summit between European Union officials and the Russian president designed to lay the groundwork for a new economic and political partnership between Moscow and Brussels.
Medvedev did not comment publicly on the new emissions target but European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said "with the Copenhagen conference starting in just over two weeks we have made very important progress today.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Russia made a surprise pledge to cut back on CO2 emissions at a summit with the EU in Sweden on Wednesday (18 November). Russian diplomats said the country is ready to cut emissions by 20 to 25 percent below 1990s levels by 2020, up from a previous commitment of 10 to 15 percent. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was unclear on the country's WTO plans The move, coming two weeks before the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, falls short of the EU target of 20 to 30 percent for developed countries. It also fails to clear up the issue of Russia's unused carbon credits, which could cause a crash on the carbon exchange market if Moscow cashes them in. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the CO2 decision. "We are currently negotiating among the world capitals," he said about pre-Copenhagen talks. "But you cannot negotiate with nature. You cannot negotiate with physics."
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Russia made a surprise pledge to cut back on CO2 emissions at a summit with the EU in Sweden on Wednesday (18 November).
Russian diplomats said the country is ready to cut emissions by 20 to 25 percent below 1990s levels by 2020, up from a previous commitment of 10 to 15 percent.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev was unclear on the country's WTO plans
The move, coming two weeks before the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, falls short of the EU target of 20 to 30 percent for developed countries. It also fails to clear up the issue of Russia's unused carbon credits, which could cause a crash on the carbon exchange market if Moscow cashes them in.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the CO2 decision. "We are currently negotiating among the world capitals," he said about pre-Copenhagen talks. "But you cannot negotiate with nature. You cannot negotiate with physics."
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, a leading candidate to win the presidency of the European Council, is strongly opposed to Turkey ever joining the European Union. "Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe," Mr Van Rompuy said during a meeting of the Council of Europe on the subject of Turkey's possible entry into the EU, held in the Belgian parliament on December, 2004. The Belgian leader believes Turkey would threaten Europe's 'Christian values' During the speech, the Belgian leader underscored Europe's Christian "fundamental values," which would be undermined by admitting Turkey into the union. "An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past. The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey," the then opposition politician said in a speech that until now has remained buried.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, a leading candidate to win the presidency of the European Council, is strongly opposed to Turkey ever joining the European Union.
"Turkey is not a part of Europe and will never be part of Europe," Mr Van Rompuy said during a meeting of the Council of Europe on the subject of Turkey's possible entry into the EU, held in the Belgian parliament on December, 2004.
The Belgian leader believes Turkey would threaten Europe's 'Christian values'
During the speech, the Belgian leader underscored Europe's Christian "fundamental values," which would be undermined by admitting Turkey into the union.
"An expansion of the EU to include Turkey cannot be considered as just another expansion as in the past. The universal values which are in force in Europe, and which are also fundamental values of Christianity, will lose vigour with the entry of a large Islamic country such as Turkey," the then opposition politician said in a speech that until now has remained buried.
(But I'd prefer Juncker.) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Russia imposed the moratorium after it joined the Council of Europe in 1996 and signed the European Convention on Human Rights, but it has not ratified the document yet. "This decision is final and shall not be appealed," court chairman Valery Zorkin said reading out the ruling. Zorkin said the moratorium on executions will be in place until Russian parliament ratifies Protocol 6 to the European Convention banning the death penalty.
"This decision is final and shall not be appealed," court chairman Valery Zorkin said reading out the ruling.
Zorkin said the moratorium on executions will be in place until Russian parliament ratifies Protocol 6 to the European Convention banning the death penalty.
However, a few kilometers later, the bus was stopped by a civilian car. Two men in civilian clothes boarded the bus. They claimed to be police investigators, but showed no identifications, only a pistol on the belt. They took the second conflict party.
Said boy, a Roma, was thrown out at a tank station, and reported that he was insulted, beaten, his ID card and cell phone were taken, and told to shut up or face a repeat performance.
The two fake policemen were caught today.
