European Commission
The political strategy for 2010
In its Communication of February 17 COM (2009) 73, the European
Commission presented the annual polical strategy for 2010, which
will be the basis of the political agenda for 2010.
The notice represents the starting point to draw up in April the
preliminary draft of the budget, in what is considered to be a
peculial period for the European Executive, in that there will be a
new Commission in 2010, following the European elections, which
will be responsible for reviewing the political priorities in the
light of its strategic goals.
As far as the environment, 2010 will be a very challenging
year.
In fact, in the event that an agreement on post Kyoto can be
reached at COP in Copenhagen, the Commission must ensure that the
agreed objectives will be implemented.
Another challenge is the implementation of the so-called 20-20-20
energy package, recently approved by the Council. Moreover, the
adoption of the new action plan for energy for the period 2010 --
2014 is scheduled for the 2010 Spring European Council.
The biodiversity will be as well among the 2010 priorities. the EC
should indeed complete the Natura 2000 network, and also monitor
the implementation of the existing legislation for the protection
of nature. Following a public consultation, next year the
Commission should submit proposals to reform the fisheries
politics, while as regards the sea, the EU executive intends to
continue to promote and implement the integrated maritime policy,
including the long-term projects on the surveillance of the seas,
on the maritime space planning and on the European Marine
Observation and Data Network (EMODNET).
In the final part of its notice, the Commission points out the
proposed changes in financial planning for each heading of the
multiannual financial framework 2007-2013. as a contribution to the
preparation of the preliminary draft budget 2010.
As far as environment and research are concerned, the Commission
intends to increase the financial allocations of the Seventh
Framework Program for Research and Technological Development of 803
million euros, the resources while for rural development will be
increased by 4.3% compared to 2009 and LIFE+ program will increase
its budget of 6.9%.