State aid: Commission approves broadband scheme in Catalonia, Xarxa Oberta. Brussels, 12 August 2010 State aid: Commission approves broadband scheme in Catalonia, Xarxa Oberta The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules the rollout of a public open network (Xarxa Oberta) in the Spanish region of Catalonia. The network will serve the connectivity needs of the regional administrative centres in the region and will be open at wholesale level to electronic communications operators seeking access to it.
EU 2020. Big business demands accountability on EU 2020. The biggest names in European industry will monitor the implementation of pro-growth reforms as part of a concerted push to force political leaders to follow through on their commitments.
Frustrated by the failure of the Lisbon Agenda, big business has stepped in to force Brussels and governments across Europe to deliver on political promises designed to improve Europe's competitiveness in the face of mounting challenges from climate change, an ageing population and Asian rivals. The European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) has launched a comprehensive paper entitled 'Vision for a competitive Europe in 2025,' which urges governments to cut public spending in a number of areas. "Many political leaders make European commitments but by the time they cross their own national border they forget about it.
If Europe wants to be competitive in 2020 or in 2025 then that should not happen," Wim Philippa, ERT secretary-general, told EurActiv.