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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-03-23
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
Midday Express 23/03/2001
[01] Foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland
The European Commission yesterday adopted interim protective measures
following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the county of Louth in
Ireland. The dispatch of species of live animals which are susceptible to
foot-and-mouth disease from anywhere in Ireland is prohibited. In addition,
the consignment of fresh meat and meat products, milk and milk products and
other animal products from these species from the county of Louth is
prohibited, unless these products are treated appropriately. Vehicles used
for the transport of livestock and milk have to be disinfected. This
decision will apply immediately and until 4 April. It will be reviewed at
the meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee scheduled for the 27 March
2001.
[02] EU, Greece and the USA settle long-running dispute on television
piracy
The European Union, Greece and the United States have settled a long-
running dispute on television piracy. The parties, this week reached an
agreement which brought an end to a dispute that dates back to 1998 when
the US requested consultations under the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism
against the EU and Greece, citing the high level of TV piracy in this
country.
[03] La Commission soutient les élections municipales en Côte d'Ivoire
Avec une enveloppe de 3.1 millions d'euros, la Commission européenne
soutient l'organisation des élections municipales prévues dimanche 25 mars
2001 en Côte d'Ivoire ainsi qu'une campagne d'information et d'éducation
civique relative à ces élections. Celles-ci doivent marquer la fin du
processus de retour à la légitimité constitutionnelle dans ce pays,
processus amorcé par un référendum sur une nouvelle constitution en juillet
2000. Des consultations UE/Côte d'Ivoire au titre de l'article 96 de
l'Accord de Cotonou sont en cours à la suite notamment des incidents ayant
marqué les dernières élections présidentielles et législatives.
L'organisation d'élections municipales libres et transparentes, avec la
participation de l'ensemble des forces politiques, constituera un test
majeur de la volonté et de la capacité des autorités ivoiriennes à
instaurer les conditions d'une vie politique véritablement démocratique.
[04] Euro-zone external trade deficit euro 7.4 billion in January 2001 euro
14.3 billion deficit for EU15
(! embargo 12 am !) According to Eurostat, the first estimate for euro-zone
trade with the rest of the world in January 2001 was a euro 7.4 billion
deficit, compared with -5.0 billion in January 2000. The revised December
2000 surplus was 0.2 billion, against +3.2 billion in December 1999. Euro-
zone trade recorded a surplus of 12.6 billion for 2000, compared with +51.2
billion in 1999. The first estimate for January 2001 extra-EU15 trade was a
euro 14.3 billion deficit, compared with -13.3 billion in January 2000. In
December 2000 there was a revised deficit of 6.5 billion, against -0.8
billion in December 1999. There was a deficit estimated at 84.1 billion in
2000 compared with -19.0 billion in 1999.
[05] Politique de cohésion : le 26 mars 2001, Michel Barnier répondra à vos
questions en ligne et en direct
Michel Barnier, Commissaire européen chargé de la politique régionale,
répondra aux questions des internautes sur la cohésion économique et
sociale lors d'une discussion en ligne qui aura lieu en direct le 26 mars
2000 de 18 à 20 heures. Le débat sera l'occasion de revenir sur l'actualité
et les perspectives de la politique régionale, notamment sur la préparation
de l'élargissement et de l'après-2007.
[06] Michaele Schreyer in Italy
European Commissioner for Budget, Michaele Schreyer, is visiting Italy
today and tomorrow to discuss a series of issues with the responsible
Italian Ministers and other high level personalities. She will notably meet
with the Governor of the Bank of Italy, Mr Fazio to discuss sustainable
development, budgetray and economic issues. She will discuss anti-fraud
issues and the law suit against the US tobacco companies with the Minister
of Finance Mr Del Turco and participate in a series of events and visits in
Rome and Naples focusing on the theme of agricultural sustainable
development.
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Discours de M. Fischler : "Die Zukunft der Landwirtschaft und der
Europäischen Agrarpolitik - die Chancen der Agenda 2000 und die Aufgaben
der Halbzeitbewertung" au Politischer Klub du CSU (22/03, Munich)
Calendrier du 25 mars au 1er avril
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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