Great attention was paid to a conference of the Social Democrats in the European Parliament, which focussed on the inclusion of human rights in the EU trade policy.

This week, the European Commission presented in Brussels its ideas for new stricter rules for auditors. Similar to the rating agencies, in particular the large accountancy firms have become the centre of attention because they have given the banks a clean bill of health, in spite of considerable losses. This is about to change.

The 2010 Nobel economics prize was this week awarded to two Americans and a British-Cypriot. The winners have made significant contributions to the understanding of the labour market. Their research looked into why unemployment remains high even at times when there are large number of job vacancies.

The European Commission continues its strategy of mini steps. Timid and slow progress in regulating the financial markets. To add insult to injury it has now even been planned to quietly bury the Financial Transaction Tax and to replace it by a poor imitation, which is cheaper for the banks. The objective: pulling the wool over the eyes of employees and taxpayers and letting the banks off the hook.

This week, the liberal MEP Diana Wallis and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovic, responsible for Inter-institutional Relations and Administration invited to an Information Seminar at the European Parliament (EP). Presented were the first concrete results, which were agreed by a working group for a joint lobby register made up by EP and Commission.

This week, the European Parliament (EP) debated a cost-benefit study on extending maternity leave from 14 to 18 and 20 weeks respectively. The current EU law provides for 14 weeks. The EU Commission wants to extend maternity leave to 18 weeks; the European Parliament even demands 20 weeks. The study shall give the discussion new impetus - things seem to have to come to a standstill over the past months.

In 2009, about € 1.3 billion of the EU budget were spent on the Austrian agricultural sector. This accounts for almost 72 percent of the subsidies, Austria received from the EU budget last year. A particular role within the agricultural sector is played by the so-called rural development, which originally was not supposed to only benefit farmers, but which among others was also intended to increase the quality of life of the rural population.

For months now, the question is circulating in the media what former EU Commissioners after their period in office has ended are allowed to do and what not. Last week, the answer to a parliamentary question filled the debate with new energy.

Since the 80ies, the European Commission has tried to liberalise European Rail transport, thereby opening it also to private enterprises. The intention was to provide a better range of services for passenger and freight transport and to improve quality. The result after 3 liberalisation packages: the share of rail freight transport remains small; the share of road freight transport is even rising.

Viviane Reding, the responsible EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship this week presented the new strategy for equality between women and men. It represents the working programme of the EU Commission for promoting equality between women and men for the next five years.