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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-06-29
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 29/06/2001
[01] Handover of Mr Milosevic to ICTY - reaction of the European Commission
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, stated : "I welcome
the extradition of Mr Milosevic to the International Criminal Tribunal
(ICTY) in The Hague. I congratulate the Yugoslav authorities on the way
they have handled this. I have always been confident in Serbian democracy,
and my confidence has been confirmed by recent events." External Relations
Commissioner Chris Patten said : "This is a historic day for the people of
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, for all the peoples of the Balkans, and
all who believe in the rule of international law. I warmly congratulate the
authorities in Belgrade on their decision to comply with their
international obligations and to transfer Mr Milosevic to The Hague. Now,
at last, Mr Milosevic must answer the charges he faces before an
international court of law. Now, at last, the many victims of Balkan wars
have the chance of justice. Now, at last, the people of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia - and its neighbours - can start to put the misery
he created behind them. A year ago, Mr Milosevic ruled supreme in Serbia.
Many thought it inconceivable that a year later, he would be on his way to
trial before the ICTY. To those who seek to evade international justice,
let this serve as a warning. To those who despair of progress in the
Balkans, even as we wrestle with the legacy of Milosevic, let this give
hope. Tomorrow, the European Commission looks forward to hosting, with the
World Bank in Brussels, a vital International Donors' Conference for the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The EU is firmly committed to working with
the people of that country, and all the peoples of the region, to building
a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future. With the extradition of Mr
Milosevic, let us set about that task with new vigour and determination."
[02] Commission pledges substantial financial support to the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia at Brussels Donors' Conference
The European Commission today pledged a total of euro 530 million in a
financial support package of grants and loans for the FRY at a
international donors' conference which it is hosting, jointly with the
World Bank, in Brussels. This pledge is in addition to the pledges by
individual EU Member States that will be made separately at the conference,
and underlines the scale of the overall EU contribution to the reform and
reconstruction effort in the FRY. The European Commission's financial
package is part of the continuing effort to return the FRY to stability and
economic growth that began within weeks of the fall of Slobodan Milosevic
last October. The funds pledged today will assist the FRY authorities with
institution building and economic reform, and will help them in their
efforts to transform their country into a modern, market oriented member of
the family of European democracies.
[03] Economic impact of enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe a
positive-sum game for all
The Southern enlargement of the EU in the 1980s provides a benchmark for
the assessment of the enlargement to the central and eastern European
countries (CEECs). CEECs have generally made great progress in becoming
well functioning market economies. Their commitment to continue and deepen
their reforms will be crucial to the success of enlargement. The economic
gains from enlargement could increase the GDP growth of EU accession
countries by up to 2% on yearly average in the 10 years surrounding the
date of accession, depending on whether additional reforms are undertaken.
The effect for the EU-15 would be a small but positive 0.7 percent
cumulative increase on growth over 2000-9 period, with Germany and Austria
being the greatest beneficiaries. Net-migration flows are expected to be
limited and to affect mainly these two countries. Finally, the impact of
enlargement on the European agricultural sector is foreseen to be moderate
in the first years after accession.
[04] Commission recommends exempting Romanian citizens from visa
requirements as from 2002
In a report adopted today, the European Commission recommends that Romanian
citizens should be exempted from the visa obligation from 1 January 2002.
This implies the fulfilment by the Romanian authorities of a number of
commitments relating to the issues mentioned in the report. A Regulation of
the EU Council of Ministers (539/2001 of 15 March 2001) includes Romania
among the countries whose nationals are exempted from the visa obligation
when entering EU member states. However, the Regulation also stipulates
that this exemption will not enter into force as regards Romania until the
Council of Ministers has decided so at a later stage on the basis of a
report from the Commission. The Commission has now adopted this report,
which gives a positive account of the achievements Romania has reached so
far and of the commitments it has taken on illegal immigration and illegal
residence.
[05] European Union gears up to enter next stage of negotiations with
Mercosur and with Chile
In the next fortnight, a large EU team for the Association Negotiations
with Mercosur and with Chile will be travelling to Montevideo (2-7 July)
and Santiago (9-12 July) for fifth round negotiations. These negotiations
are a priority on the European Union's agenda, in the run-up to the Second
EU-Latin America Summit which will take place in May 2002 in Madrid. In
this regard, the EU welcomes the determination of Chile and the recent
Mercosur Summit decision to accelerate negotiations. This fifth round
launches tariff and services negotiations and includes discussions on the
institutional structure of the agreement as well as topics to be included
in the field of political dialogue and economic co-operation. The EU will
present additional proposals covering trade in goods, services, government
procurement and business facilitation (customs related matters and
electronic commerce).
[06] Meat-and-bone meal ban prolongation and other TSE rules adopted
The European Commission today formally adopted a regulation laying down
transitional measures to permit the change-over to the new Regulation on
the prevention, control and eradication of Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathies (TSE) which is to become applicable as of July 1st. The
regulation forsees a prolongation of the current suspension on the use of
meat-and-bone meal (MBM) in animal feed, the introduction of compulsory
offspring and cohort slaughter (with whole herd slaughter on a voluntary
basis) in the event of the discovery of BSE cases, the extension of the
range of products of animal origin imported into the EU governed by
protective measures with effect from 1 October 2001 and the introduction of
a requirement for import from certain third countries of an effective MBM
ban to ruminants and full tracing to the herd and dam of origin from 1
October 2001.
[07] Margot Wallström on the outcome of the informal consultations on
Climate Change in The Hague
European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström issued the following
statement : "I believe these talks have maintained the momentum we need to
secure results in Bonn. Mr Pronk's paper, which have formed the basis of
the informal consultations in the Hague, remains the best basis for the
forthcoming negotiations. There is no doubt that the talks will be
difficult. However, the EU will continue to do its utmost to achieve an
agreement in Bonn on a comprehensive package, which will pave the way for
ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. The EU is determined to move forward to
ratify by 2002. In the Hague we have shown our willingness to negotiate,
and we have established a good dialogue with developing countries. All
parties must now show flexibility and be realistic. A big responsibility
lies on the shoulders of countries like Japan to make Bonn a success. We
cannot afford to let the climate wait for action any longer."
[08] Pedro Solbes meets with Anthony Leung, Hong Kong Financial Secretary
European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affaires Pedro Solbes and
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Anthony Leung exchanged views on the world
economic situation, the European and Hong Kong economies and the
forthcoming euro changeover. Commissioner Solbes commented that "despite
the US slowdown the EU economy is set to grow at rates close to its output
potential, estimated to around 2.5%, in 2001 and recover to higher growth
rates in 2002". He expressed concern at the continued weakness of the
Japanese economy that adds to the uncertainty in Asia's economic
performance. On the state of the HK economy Mr Leung informed the
Commissioner on the state of the Hong-Kong economy. The Hong Kong
competitiveness has suffered recently from the strong dollar as the HK
dollar is pegged to the US$ by means of a currency board. This has also
affected exports to the Union, which declined by 1.2% in real terms in the
first quarter of 2001, while imports increased by 10% in the Jan-April
period. Mr Solbes raised the issue of euro denominated reserves by HK, the
world's third largest holder of foreign currency reserves after Japan and
mainland China. Mr Leung confirmed the interest for increasing utilisation
of the euro over the medium term.
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Erkki Liikanen : "eGovernment providing better public service and
wider participation for citizens" at the IDEA Democracy Forum 2001
(Stockholm)
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Transports
Calendrier du 2 au 7 juillet
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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