The Mobility year 2006 has been designated the European Year for Workers’ Mobility. A series of events were developed in order to promote job mobility in Europe.

The Austrian EU presidency (01/01 – 30/06) Austria managed to find an agreement on financial perspectives that supports a budget framework for the seven next years. 

Bolkestein’s directive (16/02) The new proposal of the Commission about a directive on services has been modified after the controversy it held, especially in France during the Constitution debate. The most contentious points, like the principle of the original country have been rejected. This proposition has been definitely adopted in December.

The debate on Energy (08/03) By publishing The Green Book, the European Commission has launched one of the most important debates of the year 2006. The general consciousness about environmental issues and the questions about energetic resources have raised the question of a European common policy for energy. 

The Constitution (15,16/06) Although France and Netherlands have disapproved the Constitution treaty, the 25 still support the project of a European Constitution, and wish to follow the reflection period. Besides, this question will be the most important project of the German presidency in 2007.

The Finnish presidency (01/07 – 31/12) The great lines of the Finnish presidency have been the definition of a common policy on energy, the fight against climatic changes, and the improvement of the relationships with Russia. On the international level, Finland also had to deal with the crisis between Israel and Lebanon.

The debate on illegal immigration issues (29/11) Summer 2006’s events about the massive arrival of clandestine immigrants on European coasts have raised the question of a common strategy for the security of the EU south borders. The European Mediterranean ministers of Interior Affairs met in Madrid on the 29^th November to talk about this issue.

The proposal for a regulation REACH (30/11) One of the biggest projects of EU as been achieved, establishing a 720 pages legislation aiming at protecting environment and consumers’ health, against the risks related to the use of more than 30 000 chemical products.

The partial suspension of the negotiations for Turkey’s adhesion (11/12) The European Foreign Affairs Ministers decided to suspend the discussions about Turkey’s adhesion on 8 of the 35 chapters of negotiation, to protest against Ankara’s refusal to open Turkey’s ports and airports to Cyprus.