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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-04-15
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
15/04/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Chefs d'entreprises et consommateurs européennes: la confiance est à
la hausse
[02] New edition of Panorama of EU industry 1997
[03] EU expresses concern over access to Japanese consumer film market in
Fuji-Kodak case
[04] EU takes Japan to task over trade restrictions on leather
[05] Sondage Eurobaromètre: les Européens favorables à une augmentation du
budget de l'aide européenne au développement
[06] Ritt Bjerregaard: "We must make sure that future generations have the
same access to the rain forest that we now have"
[01] Chefs d'entreprises et consommateurs européennes: la confiance est à
la hausse
Les enquêtes de la Commission européenne auprès des chefs d'entreprises et
des consommateurs révèlent que l'évolution positive de ces derniers mois se
confirme pour mars 1997. En effet, l'indicateur de confiance économique a
poursuivi sa tendance à la hausse. Tous les indicateurs industriels ont
continué à progresser favorablement. Pour la première fois depuis décembre
1995, il existe aujourd'hui une majorité de chefs d'entreprises dans le
secteur manufacturier qui s'attendent à une hausse des prix de vente dans
les prochains mois. Les attentes en termes d'emplois dans le secteur de la
construction se sont améliorées et sont à leur meilleur niveau depuis
novembre 1995. Les résultats des enquêtes auprès des consommateurs se sont
stabilisés.
[02] New edition of Panorama of EU industry 1997
Industry Commissioner Martin Bangemann presented today the 7th edition of
the Panorama of EU Industry, the European Commission's annual statistical
update on European Industry. It reveals that the increased opening of
national economies to world market forces has been a catalyst for
restructuring new technologies and rapidly changing consumer markets driven
by intense competition. However, a main concern is that even though most
EU economies are benefiting from a period of recovery, this might be a
jobless one. Although the unemployment rate in the EU has been decreasing,
it remained in the two digit range, at close to 10.7 % for the EU as a
whole in 1996. To reflect the growing interactions between sectors and
companies in Western and Eastern Europe, this edition of the Panorama
presents a special section on the industrial situation and restructuring
status in Eastern Europe.
[03] EU expresses concern over access to Japanese consumer film market in
Fuji-Kodak case
The European Union (EU) has presented its views in Geneva on the World
Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute between the US and Japan over distribution
of photographic film and paper - the so-called Fuji-Kodak case. The EU has
a direct export interest in the Japanese consumer film market, and shares
US concerns at the difficulties encountered when distributing consumer
photographic film and paper in Japan. The EU is anxious to see fair
competitive conditions established and preserved in the Japanese film
market for imports and domestic products alike, and believes imports are
put at a disadvantage by Japanese government measures in breach of WTO
rules. This particularly affects the access of imports to Japan's
wholesale and distribution channels. The EU takes a specific interest in
the relationship between trade and competition rules, and has also asked to
join separate US-Japan consultations concerning private restrictive
business practices in the Fuji-Kodak case. These consultations have not
yet started.
[04] EU takes Japan to task over trade restrictions on leather
The European Commission will investigate Japanese trade restrictions on
imports of finished leather into Japan. This follows a complaint by the
European tanning industry alleging that it is effectively excluded from the
Japanese market by an array of high tariffs, the dissuasive management of
quotas, domestic price fixing and subsidies to domestic producers. It is
further stated that leather importers have to pay an effective penalty of
up to 270% on the import cost of raw hide if they want to sell finished
leather imports into Japan. Imports have just 2% of the Japanese market as
a result, depriving Japanese consumers of high quality European goods.
European Union (EU) tanners claim companies have gone out of business or
been unable to expand as a result. The Commission is responding to this
complaint by using special new EU rules designed to open export markets
more effectively. Under the so-called Trade Barriers Regulation, the
Commission has launched an investigation which could lead to a challenge
before the WTO if Japan does not give a satisfactory response.
[05] Sondage Eurobaromètre: les Européens favorables à une augmentation du
budget de l'aide européenne au développement
Les citoyens européens jugent l'aide au développement importante et
nécessaire et 83% d'entre eux sont favorables à une augmentation du budget
européen qui y est consacré. Celle-ci est la principale conclusion d'un
sondage "Eurobaromètre" réalisé simultanément dans les 15 Etats membres de
l'Union européenne.
[06] Ritt Bjerregaard: "We must make sure that future generations have the
same access to the rain forest that we now have"
Speaking in Paris at the donors' meeting on the Pilot Programme to conserve
the Brazilian rain forest, Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard
underlined the need for cooperation and participation from all participants
in the Pilot Programme, in order to see sustainable results. The
Commissioner made reference to her visit to the Brazilian rainforest in
November 1996, where she had the opportunity to visit some parts of the
Pilot Project. Mrs Bjerregaard said: "I am convinced that the success of
the Pilot Programme will depend on a strong commitment from all parties.
The Pilot Programme - I hope - will show itself as an opportunity to re-
invent the ways of cooperation between developed and developing countries
on global environment issues."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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