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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-02-19
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Quick and transparent solution for funding the Convention
[02] Commission clears acquisition of JCP by E.ON AG and OFG
[03] December 2001 - Industrial production up by 0.8% in euro-zone ; EU15
up by 0.6%
[04] Commission approved Leader+ Programme in Saxony (Germany)
[05] Interreg programme : EU contributes €47 million to cross-border
cooperation in Northern Europe
[06] Programme Interreg : l'UE accorde une aide de €28 millions en faveur
de la coopération transfrontalière entre l'Allemagne et la France (Sarre-
Moselle/Lorraine-Palatinat occidental)
[07] Interreg programme : EU contributes €9.6 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Storstrøms Amt and Ostholstein-
Lübeck)
[08] Interreg programme : EU contributes €9.9 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Fyns Amt and K.E.R.N.)
[09] Interreg programme : EU contributes €13.8 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Sønderjylland and Schleswig)
[10] David Byrne at WHO ministerial in Warsaw - Commitment to turning the
tide on the tobacco epidemic
[11] EU welcomes clear WTO decision on US safeguard on line pipe : clear
implications for upcoming steel decision
[12] Erkki Liikanen to meet European business leaders on policy for small
enterprises
[13] Financial services action plan : leading players meet to assess
progress and boost momentum
[14] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 19/02/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 19/02/2002
[01] Quick and transparent solution for funding the Convention
European Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer welcomed the quick solution
found for the financing of the Convention on the Future of Europe. This is
a "sign of transparency within and good cooperation between the
institutions", she declared. Last night an extraordinary meeting of the
three institutions paved the way for the financing of the Convention. The
European Parliament, the Council and the Commission agreed to provide €4
million for the budget of the Convention. The Convention, created by the
European Council in Laeken, is, as has been emphasised by the Council's
presidency, a structure 'sui generis'. It was hence necessary to also have
recourse to extraordinary procedures to ensure that it has the financial
means for working properly. The representatives of the governments of the
member states meeting within the Council will decide to create a dedicated
fund outside the community budget. The institutions, European Parliament,
Council and Commission, decided in an inter-institutional agreement to
contribute directly to the Fund with respectively €1 million, €0.4 million,
and €2.6 million. The decision establishing the fund aims at guaranteeing
maximum transparency and accountability. In fact, it grants each of the
contributors equal footing as concerns the budget, on its establishment, on
transfers and on the discharge. The Commission is now urgently drawing up
Preliminary Draft Amending Budget 1/2002 to create the necessary structure
for the contributions by the three institutions to the Fund. This Amending
Budget as well as the inter-institutional agreement should be adopted and
signed at next week's EP plenary session in Brussels, just in time for the
Convention's inaugural session on 28 February.
[02] Commission clears acquisition of JCP by E.ON AG and OFG
The European Commission has granted clearance under the Merger Regulation
to the acquisition of joint control of the Czech Republic undertaking
Jihoceská plynárenská a.s. (JCP), active in suplying natural gas to end
consumers, by the German company E.ON AG (E.ON) and the Austrian
Oberösterreichische Ferngas AG (OFG). (The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure)
[03] December 2001 - Industrial production up by 0.8% in euro-zone ; EU15
up by 0.6%
Seasonally adjusted industrial production increased by 0.8% in the euro-
zone in December 2001 compared to November 2001, Eurostat estimates today.
This follows a fall of 0.7% in November and of 1.6% in October. Output in
the EU15 increased by 0.6 % in December, after a drop of 0.4% in November
and of 1.6% in October. In December 2001 compared to December 2000,
industrial production dropped by 4.1% in the euro-zone and by 4.4% in the
EU15.
[04] Commission approved Leader+ Programme in Saxony (Germany)
The European Commission approved the programme for the EU Initiative
Leader+ in Saxony (Germany). Welcoming the decision, Franz Fischler,
Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, said : "This
programme aims to pilot new ideas to help build a more sustainable society,
economy and environment for rural Germany." During the period 2001-2006,
total expenditure under the programme is €43.720 million. This includes an
EU contribution of €21.860 million and a contribution of €14.573 million
from the private sector.
[05] Interreg programme : EU contributes €47 million to cross-border
cooperation in Northern Europe
Michel Barnier, European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, has
announced the approval by the Commission of a programme "Nord" for cross-
border cooperation between Finland, Sweden and Norway, financed by the
Interreg III Initiative. Its main objectives are to foster economic
development and cooperation. The European funding amounts to €47 million
and will attract €81 million of national co-financing, private sector
involvement and Norwegian own resources, creating total resources of €128
million. The programme will finance business cooperation, skills
development related to information technologies and strengthening the
identity and social conditions of the Sami community. The funding for the
Russian regions involved is provided by the Tacis programme.
[06] Programme Interreg : l'UE accorde une aide de €28 millions en faveur
de la coopération transfrontalière entre l'Allemagne et la France (Sarre-
Moselle/Lorraine-Palatinat occidental)
M. Michel Barnier, Commissaire européen chargé de la politique régionale, a
annoncé l'approbation par la Commission d'un programme de coopération
transfrontalière entre l'Allemagne et la France, financé par l'initiative
Interreg IIII ("Sarre-Moselle/Lorraine-Palatinat occidental"). Son
principal objectif est de promouvoir le développement économique et la
coopération des deux côtés de la frontière. Le concours communautaire
représente €28 millions et attirera encore €28,5 millions dans des
investissements provenant du secteur public, les ressources totales
s'élèveront à €56,5 millions. Le programme vise à faire participer à des
projets transfrontaliers une centaine de réseaux et plus de 250
partenaires. Il financera des activités destinées à renforcer le
développement régional intégré sur une base économique, socio-culturelle et
écologique. La région compte une population d'environ 2 millions
d'habitants.
[07] Interreg programme : EU contributes €9.6 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Storstrøms Amt and Ostholstein-
Lübeck)
Michel Barnier, European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, has
announced the approval by the Commission of a programme for cross-border
cooperation between Storstrøms Amt in the South of Denmark and Ostholstein-
Lübeck in northern Germany, financed by the Interreg III initiative. Its
main objectives are to foster economic development and cooperation on both
sides of the border. The European funding amounts to €9.6 million and will
attract €9.6 million in further investment from national public funds,
creating total resources of €19.2 million. The region has a population of
about 0.7 million.
[08] Interreg programme : EU contributes €9.9 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Fyns Amt and K.E.R.N.)
Michel Barnier, European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, has
announced the approval by the Commission of a programme for cross-border
cooperation between Fyns Amt in the South of Denmark and the K.E.R.N region
in northern Germany, financed by the Interreg III Initiative. Its main
objectives are to foster economic development and cooperation on both sides
of the border. The European funding amounts to €9.9 million and will
attract €11.5 million in further investment from national public funds,
creating total resources of €21.4 million. The region has a population of
about 1.4 million.
[09] Interreg programme : EU contributes €13.8 million to cross-border
cooperation between Denmark and Germany (Sønderjylland and Schleswig)
Michel Barnier, European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy, has
announced the approval by the Commission of a programme for cross-border
cooperation between Sønderjylland in the South of Denmark and Schleswig in
northern Germany, financed by the Interreg III Initiative. Its main
objectives are to foster economic development and cooperation on both sides
of the border. The European funding amounts to €13.8 million and will
attract €14.5 million in further investment from national public funds,
creating total resources of €28.3 million. The programme aims to create
about 60 cross-border networks and to stimulate 250 people to learn the
language of the neighbouring country. The region has a population of about
0.7 million.
[10] David Byrne at WHO ministerial in Warsaw - Commitment to turning the
tide on the tobacco epidemic
David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection,
participated today at the WHO Ministerial Conference for a tobacco-free
Europe which is taking place in Warsaw organised in collaboration with the
Polish Ministry of Health. Nearly all 51 Member States of the WHO's
European Region participate, most of them on ministerial level. He
presented the most recent legislative activities of the EU and the
preparations which the European Commission is making for the next round of
negotiations in March for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(FCTC). The Commissioner underlined the importance of making a success of
these global negotiations on tobacco control which will have a major impact
on the health of future generations across the globe. He referred to the
need to win around some reluctant EU Member States to agree to a more
ambitious Convention on issues such as advertising to young people and
passive smoking. He announced the imminent launch of a major EU funded anti-
smoking media initiative aimed at young people. The conference will adopt
the "Warsaw Declaration" setting out the support of the European WHO
Members for the FCTC and the WHO's action plans for a tobacco-free Europe.
[11] EU welcomes clear WTO decision on US safeguard on line pipe : clear
implications for upcoming steel decision
In a case launched by Korea, the WTO Appellate Body (AB) has confirmed on
15 February that a US safeguard on line pipe is in breach of several WTO
rules. In particular, the AB has clarified that a safeguard cannot be used
to impose an excessive burden on imports when the causes of the industry's
problems are also internal. This ruling essentially confirms EU views on
the safeguard mechanism, and warrants careful attention in relation to
future possible cases. The EU welcomes therefore this ruling.
[12] Erkki Liikanen to meet European business leaders on policy for small
enterprises
As part of the European Commission's preparations for next week's
Conference of European SME Ministers in Aranjuez, Spain, Enterprise and
Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen will tomorrow meet leaders
from European business organisations. The main item for discussion is the
recently adopted implementation report on the European Charter for Small
Enterprises. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to exchange views
on enterprise policy developments ahead of the Ministerial Conference, and
the Commission will unveil the results of benchmarking projects - concluded
this month - on the administration of start-ups and the management of
business incubators.
[13] Financial services action plan : leading players meet to assess
progress and boost momentum
At the European Commission's invitation, leading figures from EU
institutions, governments, regulatory bodies and the financial services
industry will meet at the Bibliothèque Solvay in Brussels on Friday 22
February to assess progress towards European financial integration. This
mid-term review of the Financial Services Action Plan (FSAP) adopted in May
1999 (see IP/99/327) will look at the state of play so far and at what
still needs to be done to meet the target of full implementation of the
FSAP by 2005. Commission President Romano Prodi will address the meeting,
as will Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, economic and
monetary affairs Commissioner Pedro Solbes, current President of the EU's
Council of Finance Ministers Rodrigo de Rato y Figaredo and Belgian Finance
Minister Didier Reynders. Other speakers will include Danish Finance
Minister Thor Pedersen and Baron Alexander Lamfalussy, who chaired the
Committee of Wise Men on the Regulation of European Securities Markets.
Christa Randzio-Plath, Chair of the European Parliament's Economic and
Monetary Affairs Committee, will also attend the meeting.
[14] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Agriculture
Speech by David Byrne : "Latest developments in relation to BSE" at the
Agriculture Council (18/02)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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