The European Commission (EC) issued on November 9 a Communication “Trade, Growth and World Affairs” today. Despite the clear support to ethical considerations in trade by European Union citizens, the European Commission has failed to translate the EU citizens’ views into the EU trade agenda. On 16 March 2010, Commissioner for Trade Mr. Karel De Gucht stated “I see trade policy for developingcountries as one of my key objectives for the years to come....We can and have to help developing countriesmake the most of the market access on offer, develop their capacity to expand their trade and best use trade toreduce poverty”.

The Council today adopted revised versions of the EU staff and financial regulation necessary for the functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS). This follows a first-reading agreement with the European Parliament. The modifications reflect and concretise agreements made in the context of the Council decision on the establishment and functioning of the EEAS which was adopted on 26 July 2010.

The EU has this year delivered €2.2 billion in climate finance to developing countries under obligations agreed last year at the Copenhagen climate conference, according to an EU report to be adopted by finance ministers  on November 17 .The report details progress made in 2010 on delivering the EU's share of $30 billion in so-called fast- start finance to help developing countries cut emissions and adapt to climate change between 2010 and 2012.

A number of European Union governments on November 15 urged the bloc's executive to allow tiny traces of genetically modified (GM) material in food imports for human consumption as well as in animal feed, an EU source said. But it is not yet clear whether enough EU governments support the change to force the European Commission to amend its proposal, and a final decision is unlikely before January at the earliest.

The 300MW high voltage Caprivi connection between Zambia and Namibia was officially inaugurated on 12th November by the Presidents of Namibia, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This will reinforce electricity transmission between Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, linking northern and western parts of the Southern African Power Pool.