EU achievements in 2007
- Europe creates new jobs
Unemployment fell across Europe in 2007 thanks to arobust European economy and price stability ensured by astrong euro.
Some 3,6 million new jobs have been created in the EU in 2007, equivalent to a1,5 % increase in employment levels. Economic growth was highest in the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007, bringing more local jobs and providing new business opportunities for firms all over Europe. Cyprus and Malta adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. More than two thirds of EU citizens now use the euro in their daily lives.
- EU leads fight against climate change
The EU has set itself the goals – to be met by 2020 – of cutting energy consumption by 20 % through improved energy efficiency, tripling the share of energy from renewable sources to 20 % and increasing the share of biofuels in petrol and diesel to 10 %. These initiatives will also make the EU economy more efficient and less dependent on energy imports.
- Passport-free travel extended
The highly symbolic removal of remaining East-West border checks means that citizens in the new member countries now enjoy passport-free travel across the EU, less than 4 years after joining. It was timed to take effect before Christmas, making travel easier over the holiday period, especially for those working elsewhere in the Union.
The new rules cover travel by land and sea. Border checks at airports for EU internal flights will be removed by the end of March 2008. The rules do not yet apply to Bulgaria and Romania, which joined the EU in January 2007, or to Cyprus.
The area of frontier-free travel includes non-EU members Iceland and Norway. While the United Kingdom and Ireland belong or will belong to the Schengen system of police and judicial cooperation, they have opted to retain border controls for all travellers entering their territory.
- Eurotariff brings down mobile phone bills
The new 2007 eurotariff for roaming (using your phone outside your home
country) is EUR 0,49 aminute for making acall and EUR 0,24 for receiving one. The previous average roaming rates on calls between two EU countries were EUR 1,1 and 0,58 respectively.
This has been one of highest-profile initiatives by the EU on behalf of the consumer – and one of the most popular. More than 200 million mobile users were already benefiting from the eurotariff by the end of August.
The eurotariff is the maximum price. Anumber of mobile operators are offering even lower rates, despite initial claims in 2006 that the planned cuts could causethem hardship. Under the new law, the eurotariff will fall further in 2008 and 2009 when it will reach EUR 0,43 for outgooing and 0,19 for incoming calls.
- Growing demand for EU election monitors
More and more countries around the world are asking the EU to send teams of observers to monitor their elections. The EU set out nine observer missions in 2007 covering national elections in countries from Timor-Leste in Asia to Sierra Leone, Mauritania and Togo in Africa.
- Energy suppliers compete on service and price
Since July 2007, households across the EU have been able to choose their electricity and gas supplier. You can now shop around to get the best prices and supply conditions from your current supplier or from one of the newcomers, sometimes from other EU countries, that have entered your home market. Market liberalisation is part of awider EU energy strategy whose aims include tackling climate change, ensuring the security of suppliers and encouraging us to use energy more efficiently.
- More choice and cheaper fares on flights to USA
EU and US leaders signed an „open skies“ agreement at asummit in Washington in April 2007. The deal allows European airlines to fly passengers to and from any destintion in the United States and any destination in Europe. They will aslo be able to set their own prices, free of government control. Identical rights apply to cargo carriers. The European Commission estimates that the open skies agreement will crate up to 80000 jobs in the EU and USA in the next 5 years and generate EUR 12 bilion in economic benefit.
European airlines will not be able to carry passengeers or freight on US domestic routes, although the agreement foresees negotiations to open the internal US market to competition by 2010.
- EU promotes healtier eating
In only 2 EU – Greece and Italy – do people eat the amount of fruit and vegetables recommended for healthy living by the WHO/400 grams.
One part of the programme funds action to promote fruit and vegetable consumption, especially among schoolchildren and young people. Another supports the expansion of organic foods, grown without artificial or chemical inputs. EU money will also encourage farmers to join, or crate, producer groups so as to negotiate better prices with supermarket chains.
- Dominant companies cannot limit consumer choice
The EU´s robust competition policy is there to ensure that dominant companies cannot use their market power to restrict competition. The focus is on consumer choice and on maintaining alevel playing field for companies throughout the EU single market.