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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-05-15
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 Service Presse et Communicationb
15/05/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Message from Romano Prodi to Wim Kok after the tragedy in Enschede
[02] Message from Romano Prodi to Japanese Prime Minister Mori
[03] Discharge 1998 : Commission replies to Parliament
[04] La Commission autorise la prise de participation de Bertelsmann dans
la librairie Internet nordique Bokus
[05] Commission acts to improve access for the disabled at the workplace
[06] Fonds structurels : la Commission approuve le document de
programmation (DOCUP) de l'objectif 1 relatif au Hainaut (Belgique) pour la
période 2000-2006
[07] Franz Fischler deplores US tightening of wheat gluten quota
[08] EU to send electoral observer team to Zimbabwe
[01] Message from Romano Prodi to Wim Kok after the tragedy in Enschede
Following the explosion in Enschede Saturday night, which caused so many
victims, Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, yesterday sent
the following message to Prime Minister Wim Kok : "I was profoundly shocked
by the tragic loss of lives in Enschede last night. The Commission
expresses its heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of those died, to the
injured and to the Dutch people as a whole at this time of sorrow. We stand
with the Dutch people in European solidarity at this difficult moment and
are ready to examine with you measures to prevent such a tragedy ever
happening again."
[02] Message from Romano Prodi to Japanese Prime Minister Mori
Following the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, Romano
Prodi, President of the European Commission, sent the following message to
Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan. "On behalf of the Commission and on
my own behalf I should like to express our sincere condolences to the
government and people of Japan on the occasion of the passing away of
former Prime Minister Obuchi. Mr Obuchi and his government gave a new
impulse to EU/Japan relations, which will mark the beginning of a new era
in our relations. Under his leadership, Japan also contributed
significantly to international efforts to promote peace and stability both
in Asia and in Europe. My colleagues and I in the Commission would ask you
to pass on our condolences to Mr Obuchi's family."
[03] Discharge 1998 : Commission replies to Parliament
In reply to the European Parliament's resolution adopted in the plenary
meeting of 13th April, postponing the 1998 discharge for the general budget
and the European development fund, as well as for the Parliament, the
European Commission has submitted replies to all articles in the two
resolutions directly concerning it. It has also replied to further letters
submitted since. In total, more than 1500 pages have been submitted to the
Parliament's general rapporteur, Ms Stauner. Budget Commissioner Michaele
Schreyer made the following declaration : "The Commission attaches great
importance to sound and efficient management. I believe that the
comprehensiveness of the replies is a testimony to the Commission's will to
act rapidly and consistently on such matters. I also recognize the impetus
provided by the Parliament in this respect."
[04] La Commission autorise la prise de participation de Bertelsmann dans
la librairie Internet nordique Bokus
La Commission européenne a donné son feu vert à la prise d'une
participation de 50% par Bertelsmann AG dans Bokus AB, une entreprise
spécialisée dans la vente de livres par Internet qui jusqu'ici était
contrôlée uniquement par Kooperativa Förbundet. Le contrôle conjoint de
Bokus, qui sera rebaptisé BOL Nordic, ne conduira ni à la création ni au
renforcement d'une position dominante.
[05] Commission acts to improve access for the disabled at the workplace
Upon a proposal of Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for
disability policy, the Commission today adopted a Communication which is
intended to build the framework for improving access for the disabled at
the workplace and beyond. The Communication outlines key objectives which
the Commission believes the European Union should pursue in order to
improve access in every sense for the disabled and hence to promote full
participation for all Europeans living with disabilities.
[06] Fonds structurels : la Commission approuve le document de
programmation (DOCUP) de l'objectif 1 relatif au Hainaut (Belgique) pour la
période 2000-2006
La Commission européenne a approuvé aujourd'hui le projet de document
unique de programmation (DOCUP) pour le développement régional du Hainaut,
en Belgique, au cours des sept ans à venir. Le PIB (Produit Intérieur Brut)
par habitant atteignait, au Hainaut en 1999, 80% de la moyenne
communautaire et dépassait donc la limite de 75% fixée pour l'intervention
de l'objectif n°1 (régions en retard de développement). Pendant cette
période, la province bénéficiera cependant d'une intervention importante
des fonds structurels de l'Union européenne pour un montant de 645 millions
d'euros qui lui assurera une sortie progressive (phasing-out) du soutien de
ces fonds au titre de l'objectif 1. Au total, l'intervention de ces crédits
européens permettra de mobiliser 2.221 millions d'euros d'investissements
dans le Hainaut, dont 914 millions de cofinancements en provenance du
secteur privé.
[07] Franz Fischler deplores US tightening of wheat gluten quota
Franz Fischler, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development
and Fisheries, today expressed his dismay over reports that the US intends
to tighten the quota on wheat gluten from the European Union for the year
starting 1 June 2000. With the EU already challenging the quota itself in
the WTO, the imminent move by the US to further restrict imports is "most
inopportune", according to the Commissioner. "I deplore this unnecessary
action which further discriminates against the EU industry. The lack of
competitiveness of US wheat processors on the domestic US market will not
be resolved by altering the operation of the wheat gluten quota", Mr
Fischler said. He underlined that the decision would wreak further havoc on
trade relations between EU suppliers and US customers and lead to greater
complexity in the management of the quota. Mr Fischler has outlined his
concern in a letter to US Secretary for Agriculture Dan Glickman.
[08] EU to send electoral observer team to Zimbabwe
On 6 and 7 May, the European Union decided to send an election observer
team to follow the electoral process in Zimbabwe subject to satisfactory
freedom of access and security. A mission team from the Commission will
arrive in Harare on 15 May in order to examine the necessary arrangements.
The mission will be led by the Directorate General for Development and is
expected to leave Harare on 19 May 2000. It will examine conditions for
freedom of access and security, as well as the logistical preparations to
be made in view of the parliamentary elections. The mission will have
contacts with the Zimbabwe government, EU Member State representations, and
non-state actors. It will also coordinate with other election observation
initiatives (South African Development Community (SADC), the Commonwealth
and USA). The EU has expressed concern over events leading up to the
elections and has urged the Government of Zimbabwe to hold fair elections,
free of intimidation and within the timetable prescribed by the
constitution.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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