Administrative Affairs

A European Research Area (ERA) on 31 January focused on the scope of the practical implications regarding the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The European Commission has urged all EU institutions to show restraint in drafting their administrative budgets for 2013, marking the second consecutive year for which the Commission has opted for a public call for caution by the institutions.

The Civil Liberties Committee in the European Parliament considered whether Hungary's new constitution are compatible with EU rules and some MEPs called for a fundamental rights check under Article 7 of the Treaty.

On 1 January, the European Commission provided EU citizens, businesses and NGOs with an extension of the period for commenting on plans for new policies and legislation from eight to 12 weeks, making it easier for them to get involved in EU policy-making.

The Lisbon Treaty included the setting up of a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), and after several battles in the European Parliament, the initiative is set to start on 1 April 2012. Under the proposal, citizens who acquire a million signatories to a petition could have their chosen issue debated at Commissioner level, if they...