A new Communication on the EU financial framework has now started the official discussion on a reform of the budget of the European Union. Behind the scenes, however, negotiations have been ongoing for months, who should benefit from the EU funds. What is particularly conspicuous is the fact that the Commission hardly mentions its Common agricultural policy in the 28-page strong work. It just devotes slightly more than a page to the area, which in 2009 alone, received € 50 billion or 45 percent from the total funds of the EU budget.

This week, the French Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier presented in Brussels the plans of the Commission on the future of the internal market. "The markets must benefit the economy and our citizens", said Barnier. Whether the 50 proposals, which the Commission has presented, have done anything to improve the somewhat damaged trust of workers in the EU remains to be seen.

The Chamber of Labour of Vienna asked Univ. Prof. Dr. Rebhahn to research in a study which initiatives for minimum standards might be conceivable and promising towards further European Labour Law Minimum Standards. “Minimum standards” refers to normative requirements of the Union, wherefrom the Member States may deviate solely to the benefit of employees.

A connection between tax rate and economic growth cannot be established. This is the result of a new study under the heading "Do higher tax ratios result in lower economic growth?" which AK Vienna presented this week in Brussels. The results of the analysis were supported by Univ. Prof. Brigitte Unger and Gerhard Huemer, Director of UEAPME, European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The representative of the Commission, Jean-Pierre de Laet, also acknowledge the results of the study, but sees - even if differentiated - an influence of the tax ratio on economic growth.

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.

On 13.07.2010, the EU Commission has submitted a proposal for a Directive on intra corporate transfer. The purpose of this proposal is to harmonise the regulations on the admission of employees, who are transferred by a company with seat outside the EU to a company of the same corporate group within the Union, throughout the EU.

On 13.07.2010, the EU Commission has submitted a proposal for a Directive on seasonal work. The purpose of this proposal is to harmonise the regulations on the admission of thirdcountry seasonal migrants across the EU.

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.