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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-05-20Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Madrid summit hails conclusion of negotiations for an EU-Chile Association agreementbargo 2 pm !) Chilean President Ricardo Lagos, Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar and European Commission President Romano Prodi signed a joint declaration today acknowledging the conclusion of the negotiations establishing an Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Chile. This achievement constitutes a major step to strengthening the already close relationship between the EU and Chile in the political, trade and cooperation fields. At the signature of the joint declaration in Madrid, President Prodi said : "This Agreement is a very tangible expression of the European Union's political commitment in Latin America. Negotiations have delivered the most ambitious and innovative results ever for a bilateral Agreement of this kind".[02] EU and Mercosur conclude successful Business Forum in MadridEU and Mercosur high-level officials met on 15 May with business leaders from Europe and the Mercosur countries to discuss ways to facilitate trade and business between the two regions. European Commissioners Erkki Liikanen (Enterprise and Information Society) and Pascal Lamy (Trade) represented the Commission. On the occasion of the Business Forum, Commissioners Liikanen and Lamy announced the agreement on an EU-Mercosur Action Plan on Business Facilitation covering practical measures in the areas of customs, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and e-commerce. They paid tribute to the EU-Mercosur Business Forum that has supported the launch of the Action Plan and presented a comprehensive set of proposals at its MEBF Conference on business facilitation in December 2001 in Buenos Aires to which this Action Plan is a concrete response. The Business Forum also reaffirmed the willingness of industry and authorities in both regions to strengthen their links in the field of information Society as illustrated by the recent @LIS-programme. This programme is expected to be an important multiplier for cooperation and to provide a good framework for dialogue and cooperation in this field.[03] March 2002 - Industrial production up by 0.5% in euro-zone up by 0.1% in EU15Seasonally adjusted industrial production increased by 0.5% in the euro- zone in March 2002 compared to February 2002, Eurostat estimates today. This follows a rise of 0.1% in February and of 0.3% in January. Output in the EU15 increased by 0.1 % in March 2002, after a gain of 0.2% in February and of 0.1% in January. In March 2002 compared to March 2001, industrial production fell by 2.9% in the euro-zone and by 3.5% in the EU15.[04] Cinéma : l'élargissement bientôt réalité - huit pays candidats admis dans le programme MediaLa Commission européenne a adopté une série de décisions permettant la participation au programme Media (2001-2005) de huit pays candidats à l'adhésion. Dès cette année si possible, sinon dès 2003, les professionnels du cinéma de ces pays et leurs industries audiovisuelles auront ainsi la possibilité d'utiliser le programme Media pour le développement, la distribution et la promotion de leurs oeuvres, ainsi que pour des actions de formation.[05] European workshop on economic consequences of integrated pollution prevention and controlThe different tools and approaches that regulators can use to assess the economic impact of best available techniques (BAT) were discussed in detail at a European workshop on "The Economic Consequences of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)" in Brussels on 16 May. The introduction of BAT, for reducing industrial pollution in line with the 1996 IPPC Directive, is designed to achieve the greatest possible environmental benefit in the most cost-efficient possible way for industry. Experts reviewed criteria for measuring the impact of BAT on the competitiveness of various industrial sectors, and the tools available to help permitting authorities make appropriate judgements. The workshop was attended by over 150 experts from EU Member States and candidate countries, industry and environmental NGOs.[06] Commission welcomes Arafat announcement of elections and reforms and signature of Law on Independence of the JudiciaryChris Patten, European Commissioner for External Relations, commented yesterday in Madrid the signature of the Palestinian Law on the Independence of the Judiciary by President Arafat on 14 May : "This signature constitutes an important step towards reforming the Judiciary in the Palestinian Territories, and the separation of powers. Adoption of this law constitutes one of several contitionalities attached to the EU budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority regarding administrative, financial and judicial reform. I am pleased that this important step has finally been taken. Every effort must be made now to establish a modern, transparent aznd fully functioning justice system as one of the core elements for a future, viable Palestinian state." Commissioner Patten told the European Parliament on 15 May that "The Palestinian Administration that rises from the ashes of the old must be more democratic, more transparent". In this context the Commission welcomes Palestinian Authority President Arafat's announcement to the Palestinian Legislative Council of holding elections soon and his pledge to press on with reform efforts.[07] Cambodia : Commission earmarks funds for assistance under the agreed strategic framework for assistanceThe European Commission has announced that over the next three years, 2002- 2004, €68,7 million has been earmarked for Cambodia to finance activities in sectors identified in the EU-Cambodia Strategy Paper 2000-2003. The strategy, agreed in 2000, was prepared in consultation with the Government of the Cambodia and EU Member States. The priority sectors agreed for the years 2002-2004 are rural development, the social sector and trade sector development.[08] Lao PDR : Commission adopts strategic framework for assistanceThe European Commission has adopted a five year strategy for its financial assistance to Lao PDR. At the same time, it announced that over the next three years, 2002-2004, €18 million has been earmarked for the Laos to finance this strategy. The strategy has been prepared in consultation with the Government of the Lao PDR and EU Member States. The priorities sent in the strategy are rural development, the social sector and trade sector development.[09] New Chemicals Policy : assessing business impactErkki Liikanen, European Commissioner for Enterprise and the Information Society, and Margot Wallström, Commissioner for the Environment, will open a conference to discuss the potential business impact of the new chemicals policy on 21 May in Brussels. The conference will consider a Business Impact Assessment of the Commission White Paper 'Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy'.[10] Autre matériel diffuséLa Commission adopte une stratégie de coopération avec la Communauté AndineDiscours de M. Lamy à la session d'ouverture de la IIIème conférence du forum des entreprises UE-Mercosur (15/05, Madrid) Presentation by Chris Patten of the Alban Programme at the EU-LAC Cultural Forum (16/05, Madrid) Speech by Chris Patten : "EU - Latin America and the Carribean" (16/05, Madrid) Discours de M. Prodi au Foro Nueva Economía (16/05, Madrid) Note sur la préparation du Conseil Marché intérieur Calendrier du 20 au 25 mai 2002 From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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