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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-09-18
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
18/09/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Jacques Santer in Scotland: "I hope the United Kingdom will join Euro
at the beginning or soon after"
[02] Commission statement on fatal helicopter crash in Bosnia
[03] The European Commission asks WTO to rule on Korean liquor tax regime
[04] La Commission approuve la création d'une entreprise commune dans le
secteur du crédit à la consommation
[05] Commission authorises the creation of the joint venture HOS LIFLINE by
BERTELSMANN and BURDA
[06] Yves-Thibautl de Silguy "The transition to the euro will be smooth"
[07] 16% des personnes actives travaillent à temps partiel
[01] Jacques Santer in Scotland: "I hope the United Kingdom will join Euro
at the beginning or soon after"
Addressing today the Scotland Europa Members, Jacques Santer, President of
the European Commission said that the Scotish referendum result clearly
underlined deep desire for more devolution."This seems to me a clear
example of the subsidarity principle being put into practice." Concerning
Economic and Monetary Union, he said that the result of the Mondorf meeting
of Finance Ministers was "further evidence of EMU irreversibility." "There
will be dozens of declarations until the last minute. We will hear from
more experts that we believed existed about this aspect or that. Some may
advocate delay or change. No. We are the eve of the most crucial political
decision in the European Union for generations. I am confident that a large
number of Member States will be in the first wave on 1 January 1997." He
recalled that the United Kingdom has an opt out and that the decision is in
British hands. "Naturally, we hope you will join us at the beginning, or
soon after. The time is right."
[02] Commission statement on fatal helicopter crash in Bosnia
On behalf of the European Commission, Hans van den Broek expressed his
condolences to the families of the victims of the helicopter crash in
Bosnia, which appears to have cost the lives of 11 people, among them Gerd
Wagner, deputy to the High Representative Carlos Westendorp. "It is with
deep sadness that we learned of the horrible accident that has led to this
tragic loss. We are deeply distressed by the fact that colleagues
dedicated to rebuilding peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina under
extremely difficult circumstances have had to pay for their efforts with
their lives. Our thoughts go out to their family and friends, as well as
to the governments of the victims. We must continue the efforts of those
no longer with us in their spirit."
[03] The European Commission asks WTO to rule on Korean liquor tax regime
The European Commission has requested the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to
rule whether Korean taxation of alcoholic beverages violates world trading
rules. The request will be formally tabled this month at the next meeting
of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body, which is in charge of solving trade
disputes between WTO Members. At issue is the wide gap between the tax
rates imposed on imported spirits and on local produce. Whisky faces 100%
tax and vodka 80% while the local soju spirit only faces 35%. European
exports of spirits amount to some ECU 4,000 million a year, and employ 50,
000 people in the EU.
[04] La Commission approuve la création d'une entreprise commune dans le
secteur du crédit à la consommation
La Commission européenne a autorisé l'acquisition du contrôle commun de
FINCONSUMO, actif dans le secteur du crédit à la consommation en Italie,
par Banco Santander et l'Istituto Bancario San Paolo di Torino (ISPAO).
FINCONSUMO est actif essentiellement dans le secteur du crédit à la
consommation notamment, dans les régions du Piemont et de la Ligurie.
Compte tenu de la position sur le marché des parties à la concentration, il
apparaît que l'opération notifiée n'aura pas d'effet sur la concurrence
dans le marché commun.
[05] Commission authorises the creation of the joint venture HOS LIFLINE by
BERTELSMANN and BURDA
The European Commission has approved the operation by which Bertelsmann and
Burda create the joint venture HOS Lifeline (Lifeline). Lifeline will
provide information of all kind of health related issues on Internet. The
proposed operation did not raise competitive concerns. Lifeline will be an
online service on Internet which is available free of charge to the general
public. The only source of revenue is advertising. Lifeline will offer on
its pages space for advertising customers.
[06] Yves-Thibautl de Silguy "The transition to the euro will be smooth"
Speaking to an audience of bankers and industrialists in Bangkok, Yves-
Thibault de Silguy, European Commissioner for economic, monetary and
financial affairs said that the changeover to the euro "is backed by solid
guarantees and the financial markets are carefully preparing for its
introduction". To reinforce legal certainty some third countries
legislators - for example the State of New York - have already decided to
transpose EU legislation on the continuity of legal contracts. "The euro
will be a credible currency". The conditions for its creation are strict
and will be respected. It will be managed by an independent central bank.
Strict regulations, with no equivalent anywhere in the world, will
guarantee lasting, sound public finances in Europe.
[07] 16% des personnes actives travaillent à temps partiel
Selon un rapport publié aujourd'hui par Eurostat, l'Office statistique des
Communautés européennes à Luxembourg, 16% des personnes actives dans l'UE
travaillent à temps partiel. La part du travail à temps partiel varie d'un
minimum de 5% en Grèce, 7% en Italie, 8% au Luxembourg, 8% en Espagne et 9%
au Portugal à un maximum de 21% au Danemark, 23% en Suède, 24% au Royaume-
Uni et même 38% aux Pays-Bas. Dans l'ensemble de l'UE, 63% des salariés à
temps partiel âgés de 25 ans et plus affirment qu'ils ne veulent pas
exercer d'emploi à temps plein. Les Pays-Bas et le Royaume-Uni
enregistrent les pourcentages les plus élevés (respectivement 88% et 84%).
Pour 18% des salariés à temps partiel, le travail à temps partiel n'est pas
la forme de travail qu'ils souhaitent, mais ils n'ont pas réussi à trouver
d'emploi à temps plein. C'est notamment le cas en Finlande (46%), en
France et en Grèce (37% chacun). Au Danemark, en Suède, en Finlande et aux
Pays-Bas, 40% à 57% des 15-24 ans travaillent à temps partiel. Dans
l'ensemble de l'UE, la moitié d'entre eux combinent leur emploi avec une
formation.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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