Transport 

US, EU begin fresh ‘open skies' talks

Second phase of liberalisation talks focuses on mergers and aligning rules governing the US and EU aviation markets.

Commission calls a halt to noisy tyres

Tyre firms say targets are 'technically unfeasible"; proposal will also cover braking systems.

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Agencies 

Satellites of (institutional) change

Galileo's new-found status as an EU-funded project has brought changes to the institutional structures charged with its oversight.

Europe's ‘parallel' civil service?

What is the best way to administer the expanding and ever more diverse European Union? This question, relevant to all EU institutions, presents [...]

EU governance 

From vocational training to satellites

The number of EU agencies has exploded since the first two were set up in the 1970s. Starting with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training in Berlin and the Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in Dublin, the EU's tally of agencies is now approaching 30. Four more are supposed to be set up in the next year to deal with telecoms and energy market regulation, satellite positioning and innovation. Agencies have been created for many reasons, whether to provide specialised advice, specific regulatory functions in assessing medicines or foodstuffs, or to counter the perception of an overcentralised EU concentrated in Brussels by spreading the institutions and staff to different locations across Europe.

Charting an energy-efficient career path

A Polish head of unit in the European Commission's environment department relishes the progress made in those EU member states that were once in the Soviet bloc.

Europe's ‘parallel' civil service?

A thorough evaluation of existing decentralised agencies and inter-institutional dialogue will help answer the question of how to organise European administration.

Business 

Spain facing court over Endesa case

European Commission threatening to take Madrid to the European Court of Justice.

Do manufacturers lack drive for greener cars?

A UK expert on greener vehicles has no sympathy for foot-dragging carmakers.

Patent plan could sink if international treaty floats

Change in mood towards an international accord