Global financial integration and the EU single market have enabled the banking sector in some Member States to outgrow national GDP many times over, resulting in institutions which are "too-big-to-fail" and "too-big-to-save" under existing national arrangements.

Public administrations often show too much conservatism in their processes for innovation policy development, by rigid adherence to orthodox definitions of departmental "territory".

Dwindling fish stocks, diminishing catches, too many vessels chasing too few fish, steady job losses and a lack of effective control and sanctions., the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) needs fundamental change.

" We can now see the results of too many years of excessive fishing due to the substantial overcapacity of the EU fleet: too many boats are competing for too few fish.

These challenges are too large and too complex for any country to tackle single-handed, and the need for a collective European response has never been greater.

Towards a new Asia policy: the objectives Policy-makers in the Union and its member states should set their minds on the following overall objectives when formulating a fresh, proactive policy towards Asia: To improve policy coordination within the Union at national and European level To identify clear priorities in terms of countries and sectors, thereby avoiding the use of too many policy instruments on too many countries. To strengthen the Union's economic presence in Asia To raise the profile of Europe in Asia To promote peace and security by strengthening relations with ASEAN and other regional groupings. To encourage further Asian ...[+++]participation in multilateral organisations To pursue further market-opening and improvement in the investment climate To help integrate those Asian countries moving from state controls to market-oriented economies To contribute to sustainable development and poverty alleviation in the poorest parts of Asia Towards a new Asia policy: priorities for action Political dialogue The EU should explore the possibility of continuing or initiating dialogue in a wide range of areas, including: extending the coverage of the UN Conventional Arms Register, itself the result of a joint EU-Japan initiative, as well as extending the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty; reinforcing the efficiency of the safeguards system of the International Atomic Energy Agency; cooperating over the export of sensitive goods and technologies; urging its Asian partners to conclude a universal and verifiable treaty banning nuclear tests; strengthening the policy of encouraging the improvement of human rights.