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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-03-27
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
27/03/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Albania: Commission approves emergency humanitarian aid worth ECU 2
million
[02] Commission takes Japan to WTO for favouring US bidders for satellite
system
[01] Albania: Commission approves emergency humanitarian aid worth ECU 2
million
The European Commission has approved a first package of humanitarian aid
worth ECU 2 million for victims of the crisis in Albania. The aid, managed
by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), will enable the
International Committee of the Red Cross to carry out distribution of food
and medical supplies.
[02] Commission takes Japan to WTO for favouring US bidders for satellite
system
The European Commission has decided to request formal consultations with
Japan in the WTO regarding Japan's alleged exclusion of European suppliers
from a US$ 40 million government contract for a global satellite navigation
system. In its call for tender, Japan has restricted suppliers to the use
of US technical specifications, thereby excluding European companies. The
Commission considers this a serious violation of Japan's obligations under
the non-discrimination and transparency provisions of the WTO Government
Procurement Agreement (GPA). If left unchallenged, this could set a
damaging precedent for the development of the world market in a key area of
technology where European firms are some of the most competitive in the
world.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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