Developments in European information issues: Networks and relays – Services – Products, June 2002

Seville Presidency Conclusions

Rounding up the work of the Spanish Presidency, the Conclusions of the European summit in Seville are now available on the Spanish Presidency web site at http://www.eu2002.es/. Denmark is well prepared to take over the provision of information on developments that take place during its six months period at the helm. In a press release of 20th June 2002 the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the launch of the official Danish Presidency site at http://www.eu2002.dk/. Available in English, French and Danish, it already contains a considerable amount of information. Key areas will be a meeting diary; a media service aimed at the press, offering a range of support and assistance; and the latest news, including press releases, speeches, articles, statements and agendas. It will be possible to subscribe to a news e-mail alerting service. A range of background information about the EU, the priorities of the Presidency, the programme of work and a forum for debate are also included in the site. The focus on enlargement is demonstrated by the prominent positioning of the enlargement heading in the top menu bar. The site is clearly laid out with a clean look. No doubt information professionals will be re-visiting it frequently in the coming months. For access to information about recent and forthcoming presidencies and their web archives, see the Council's Presidency web site at http://ue.eu.int/en/summ.htm/

Expiry of the ECSC Treaty

The Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, agreed for a period of fifty years, is due to expire on 23rd July 2002. A portal has been established at http://europa.eu.int/ecsc/index_en.htm/ to provide information on the implications of the expiry from a variety of aspects - institutional, political, budgetary and financial. The texts of documents examining the effects and proposing approaches to dealing with the issues are available on the site, together with a range of background material.