Preamble: The medical technology industry contributes greatly  to Europe’s economy. With a total market of roughly €100 billion, equivalent to around one third of the global medical technology market, this sector as an industry provides a substantial potential to Europe’s economy. It provides more than 575,000 high-quality jobs, across almost 25,000 medical technology companies in Europe.

A new Bureau has been formed. The Bureau is the body that lays down rules for Parliament. It draws up Parliament's preliminary draft budget and decides all administrative, staff and organisational matters. The Bureaub consists of the President of the European Parliament, the 14 Vice-Presidents and the five Quaestors elected by Parliament for a period of two and half years (which can be renewed). In the event of a tied vote in the Bureau, the President has the deciding vote. The Quaestors are members of the Bureau in an advisory capacity.

The European Parliament has re-elected Martin Schulz for a second presidential term (two and a half year) with 409 votes from the 751 MEPs. (54.4%).

Back in 2012 he was elected with 387 votes in favour out of 670 cast (57.8%)

From humble beginnings as a bookseller who left school without any qualifications, Schulz was born in Hehlrath, near the German city of Aachen, in 1955. Growing up close to the borders with Belgium and the Netherlands, he speaks German, Dutch and French fluently (as well as English, Italian and Spanish).

Parliament will vote on a proposal determining the numerical composition of each committee and sub-committee on 2nd July 2014. It will then adopt another proposal appointing their corresponding members on 3rd July 2014.

The constituent meetings of the standing and sub committees will take place on 7 July 2014 in order to elect their respective bureau made up of a Chair and up to 4 Vice-Chairs for a two and a half year mandate

The EABC's (European Australian Business Council) 2014 Australian Business Mission to Europe will visit Warsaw, Brussels and Madrid (29 June-4 July).

EABC's Business Missions are strongly supported by the Australian Government and European Unon as an important activity to strengthen bi-lateral co-operation on public and economic policy developmentys affecting issues between Australia and Europe as its lagest economic partner.

The Presidency of the EPP Group in the European Parliament consists of the Group Chairman and 10 Vice-Chairpersons. The Presidency is responsible for leading the Group in plenary settings, representing the Group externally, and informing the Group Assembly of strategic and political decisions it has taken. It meets at regular intervals with the Heads of National Delegations to discuss key guidelines, and prepare decisions of major importance for the Group’s strategy.

Each MEP is also allocated a budget for the employment of staff to assist in the work of the office. The salary levels and terms of employment of staff are set out in regulations laid down by the European Parliament. While some MEPs prefer to hire two well-paid real policy assistants, others prefer to have more secretarial/office management types, whilst others use a combination of both. They can be based in Brussels, in the MEP’s constituency or in the MEP’s national capital. MEPs can have at most 3 Accredited Assistants and 2 Local Assistants.

Brussels-based tech start up Woorank is a dynamic grade on a 100 point scale that represents the internet marketing effectiveness of a website at a given time. The Woorank is based on a website review of 70 factors ranging from key words to usability and social monitoring.

The average score is 50. A score between 50 and 60 can be considered correct even very good for new websites that do not have many visitors yet and back links. A score between 60 and 70 is good for websites that are already well referenced and a score above 70 is considered excellent.

From 1 thru 3 July 2014 will take place the Constitutive plenary session of the new European Parliament (EP). Expected appointments of President, Vice-Presidents, Quaestors and compositio of Committees.

From 7 thru 10 July 2014: Election of the EP Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs

From 14 thru 17 July: EP Plenary session- expected election of the President of the European Commission (Mr. Juncker)

Back in 2004, Tom Spencer, UK MEP from 1979 thru 1984 and from 1989 thru 1999 wrote an open letter to new MEPs, which we’re reproducing here below and hope you will enjoy.  The text has been edited and adapted to the 2014 context.

Dear Colleagues,