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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-03-26
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 26/03/2001
[01] EU lifts Ukraine Textile Quotas in Market Access Deal
The European Union today lifted all quotas on imports of textile and
clothing products from Ukraine. This followed confirmation that Ukraine has
brought down its tariffs for EU textile exports to the maximum rates bound
by the EU in the WTO, implementing the textiles agreement signed on 19
December 2000.
[02] La Commission autorise la prise de contrôle de Litton Industries par
Northrop Grumman
La Commission européenne a autorisé la prise de contrôle de LittonIndustries,
constructeur américain de navires marchands et militaires et fabricant de
systèmes électroniques de pointe, par Northrop Grumman. À l'issue d'un
examen d'un mois, elle a conclu que les activités de ces entreprises
étaient largement complémentaires et que cette opération ne soulevait pas
de problèmes d'intégration verticale.
[03] Slovakia takes next step towards €18 million farm programme
European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries
Franz Fischler will today signe the Multi-annual Financing Agreement and
the Annual Financing Agreement for 2000 with the Slovak Republic. This
represents a key step towards the implementation of the pre-accession
agriculture programmes and towards the enlargement of the European Union.
Before the disbursement of the €18,289 million per year earmarked for
Slovakia can start, the agreements signed today have to be formally
concluded and the Slovak SAPARD Agency has to be accredited by the
Commission. SAPARD aims to support the efforts made by the Central and
Eastern European applicant countries in the pre-accession period as they
prepare for their participation in the Common Agricultural Policy and the
single market. The deadline for spending EU funds earmarked for SAPARD in
the 2000 budget is 31 December 2002.
[04] FMD: General commitment not to re-introduce vaccination by Member
States
All Member States of the European Union confirmed today in the meeting of
the Standing Veterinary Committee their strong commitment to the current EU
policy to eradicate foot and mouth disease. This involves two priorities.
First, the killing and destruction of infected and susceptible animals.
Second, strict controls on the movement of animals to minimise the
potential for the virus to spread. There is no support for general
vaccination of animals.
[05] Poul Nielson to visit El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua
The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr Poul
Nielson, starts a 5-day visit today to Central America. Mr Nielson will
travel to El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua where he will visit the areas
most affected by both the recent earthquakes and the passage of Hurricane
Mitch. Mr Nielson stated, 'With this visit, I intend to provide a clear
demonstration of the very high priority the European Commission attaches to
its relationship with this region which has endured so much in recent
years. I will be bringing a message of solidarity to the people who have
suffered from the recent natural disasters and visiting for myself their
efforts to build a brighter future." As well as meeting with the
governments, local authorities, Non-Governmental Organisation partners and
civil society of each country, he will visit a series of Commission funded
projects. So far this year, the Commission has committed, via the
Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), 10 million to help cope with the aftermath
of the two earthquakes to hit El Salvador. Following Hurricane Mitch in
October 1998, ECHO spent 35 million in emergency aid in the region. In 1999,
the Commission, with medium-term rehabilitation in mind, launched the
Regional Programme for the Reconstruction of Central America (PRRAC), worth
250 million, in the areas of public health, water, housing, education and
training
[06] Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) - France to close its borders to exports
of non treated animal products
Following the confirmation of the first outbreak of FMD in Mayenne, live
animals are not allowed to be exported from France. Additional restrictions
are also applicable to non-treated animal products from the Departments of
Mayenne and Orne ( Milk which is not pasteurised and heat-treated, non heat-
treated meat, non treated skins and hides). The French authorities have
decided in co-operation with the European Commission services to extend the
restrictions applicable in those two departments to the entire French
mainland. These restrictions have been introduced to allow time to fully
investigate a number of previous movements of animals which may have been
exposed to the virus. A second outbreak of FMD in France, discovered today,
is thought to be a consequence of one of these movements. As a
precautionary measure, restrictions have been introduced until any risk of
the further spread of the virus arising from all these movements is
identified and addressed. The situation will be fully reviewed at a meeting
of the Standing Veterinary Committee to take place in Brussels on 27 March
when the French authorities will report the findings of their
investigations. In the light of this report, the Commission will decide on
any further necessary action.
[07] Standing Veterinary Committee Statement on Chocolate, biscuits and
fine bakery wares
The Standing Veterinary Committee at its meeting on 23 March adopted a
statement concerning the protection measures for foot and mouth disease and
milk products. The SVC confirmed that chocolate, biscuits and fine bakery
wares are finished products exempt from foot and mouth disease risks and
thus do not come within the scope of the protection measures with regard to
foot and mouth disease. Chocolate, biscuit and fine bakery wares can
circulate freely within and outside the European Union.
[08] Merger approved under the simplified procedure
Marconi Corporation plc (UK)/Railtrack Telecom Services (UK) Exchange
B.V./BAE Systems plc/JV
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
Results of the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers, 22 March 2001,
Stockholm Securties legislation SAPARD : How the Multi-annual Financing
Agreement works
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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