A forum of experts on EU-China economic relations said plans to open EU 'SME centres' overseas should be reviewed, instead arguing in favour of re-organising existing national structures in order to pool information in the European interest.

The EU is set to draft a definition of energy poverty in a bid to put consumers on the bloc's energy policy agenda.

The imminent entry into force of an EU free trade agreement with South Korea might be delayed, as some countries are demanding the inclusion of new safeguards for European industry, particularly for car manufacturers. The European Parliament yesterday (7 September) postponed a decision over the deal, while Italy is threatening a veto.

175,000 square kilometres of previously-disputed territory was finally carved up between Norway and Russia on Monday (6 September), after 40 years of negotiations with regard to exploiting the area for its oil and gas drilling potential.

The president of the European Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday (7 September) to raise new sources of finance to fund EU infrastructure projects.

European Union finance ministers agreed yesterday (7 September) to submit budget plans for early review by the European Commission and other EU governments as part of moves to strengthen fiscal discipline in the bloc.

EU economy ministers and the European Commission differ on how to rescue defaulting banks in the future, as ministers in favour of a bank levy yesterday (7 September) rejected the idea of putting the fiscal proceeds into a special fund to wind down insolvent banks.

In a letter seen by EurActiv, four EU commissioners call on their president, José Manuel Barroso, to bring key EU funds under the same umbrella from 2014, in order to cut out overlap and ensure better strategic spending.

European Commission President José Manuel Barroso yesterday (7 September) unveiled plans to create a "vacancy monitor" intended to fill four million vacant jobs across the 27-member bloc. The move signals the EU executive's intent to play an active role in boosting job creation.

Better communication of EU affairs by public service broadcasters is key to bridging the gap between the European Union and its citizens, said the European Parliament yesterday (7 September), highlighting in particular the "huge potential" of social media to reach out to young people. 

Romania's employment rate has been on a downward spiral in the last ten years and is currently way behind the EU's target for 2020. Women, young people and the over-45s are particularly struggling to find work in the country. EurActiv Romania reports.

The European Commission infuriated the left, the liberal and green groups in the European Parliament yesterday (7 September) after it failed to provide an answer on whether France had breached EU law by organising the expulsion of hundreds of Roma to Romania and Bulgaria in recent weeks.

Giving his first 'State of the Union' address under the Lisbon Treaty in the EU assembly today (7 September), European Commission President José Manuel Barroso warned hostile members of parliament not to wage "guerrilla" wars against him or risk undermining the EU's attempts to recover from its worst recession in decades.

Political group leaders in the European Parliament were left red-faced yesterday (6 September) after being forced to abandon a decision to force MEPs to attend the European Commission president's first ever 'State of the Union' address under the new Lisbon Treaty rules.

Economy ministers meeting in Brussels today (7 September) will discuss possible market "distortions" which could arise from different national proposals on a bank levy, according to an internal European Commission document seen by EurActiv.

The European Commission has asked German chemical giant BASF to explain how the company's yet-to-be approved genetically modified (GM) potato, Amadea, was grown in Swedish fields.

Farm aid should be reduced to about one third of the European Union's budget and spending could be shifted towards research and innovation, the EU's budget chief said on Monday (6 September) in an interview with Reuters.

University researchers have criticised the €2 billion public-private Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), claiming their participation is at risk unless major changes are made to financial and intellectual property arrangements. 

The consortium behind the Nabucco gas pipeline announced yesterday (6 September) that three international public banks are to start due diligence for loans of up to €4 billion. 

As the European Commission prepares to table its first ever EU sports programme in November, lawmakers are calling for initiatives to clearly prioritise funding for grassroots activities.