Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the EU Commission has already published about 30 proposals on regulating the financial market informed EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier at a conference on the role of civil society in financial regulation in Brussels.

On Tuesday, EU Commissioner Antonio Tajani, presented two legislative proposals on the alternative dispute resolution of consumer disputes. Based on these proposals, disputes between consumers and businesses will be increasingly settled out-of-court. This is to result in a faster, cheaper and more effective resolution of a dispute for both parties, said the Commissioner. However, representatives of consumer protection organisations see no reason to be overjoyed: the proposals do not contain anything indicating that the instrument is obligatory.

Europe is facing huge challenges. One of the measures to gain control of the situation was the introduction of the Europe 2020 Strategy at EU level. Targets were set in the areas of education, employment, research and development, combating poverty, including the famous “20-20-20” climate protection and energy target. However, a first analysis of the EU Commission has shown that Europe is currently far from achieving these targets in 2020. A great disappointment.

Employment figures and unemployment rates are the key indicators of the labour market. However, these figures are lacking something: they do not say anything about the quality of jobs. Or about the reconciliation between work and family life. The distribution of income is as little taken into consideration as are the chances on the labour market.

Commission President Barroso and the recently appointed Mr Euro, Commissioner Rehn used this occasion to open a public consultation, which should provide an answer to the question whether issuing a common European Government Bond would be feasible. However, both Barroso and Rehn regard such common European Bonds only as part of the package. In particular the tighter budgetary and economic supervision of the Member States of the Eurozone would have priority. A two-speed Europe is becoming increasingly more likely.

They are among the high priests of casino capitalism. When they put their thumb up or down, most investors follow like lemmings, even when faced with the abyss. The list of their misdemeanours and their failures is long, entailing serious consequences for taxpayers and employees, but without repercussions for themselves. Because they hide behind their own interpretation of freedom of opinion. The rating agencies.

This week, the EU Commission presented its priorities for 2012. The plans of the EU Commission include a total of 129 initiatives next year, as well as further initiatives the Commission intends to have reviewed by the end of its term in office in 2013. Key priorities include the creation of a Union of growth and solidarity, as well as a Europe of stability and responsibility. On the world stage one would like the EU to have a more effective voice. Interesting is the fact that the integration of interest groups is put on the same level as the inclusion of the EU Parliament and the Council.

A number of third countries are currently negotiating new trade agreements with the European Union. If trade agreements until recently excluded public services, the Commission is now proposing to include these services in a discussion paper.

It is crazy. One bubble after the other is bursting; and one sector after the other is targeted. Now the financial sharks have discovered their next victim - after the internet at the turn of the millenium, followed by property only a few years later, they are now speculating on commodities and food commodities. Rice, coffee and wheat have become the daily bread of financial sharks. And this inevitably results in the fact that the indispensable daily bread of others is taken away from them in an outrageous manner.

On the occasion of a high-ranking Commission conference on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, EU Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the future of the EU budget and the new economic crisis. Commission President Barroso did not hesitate to use dramatic words: the EU was in a systemic crisis, the meeting of the G20 and the EU summit on the rescue package would bring important decisions. The banks had to be strengthened (once again).