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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-10-04Midday 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] Commission closes certain proceedings against IMS HealthThe European Commission has closed a probe into the practices of IMS Health Inc in five European Union countries after it concluded that the world leader in data collection on pharmaceutical sales and prescriptions had stopped alleged malpractice either voluntarily or upon intervention by the competition authority of one of the countries concerned. Further fact- finding has enabled the Commission to conclude that other aspects of IMS Health's conduct were not abusive. These proceedings are separate from the so-called "1860 brick system" German case, which awaits decision at the Court of First Instance.[02] Recherche : la Commission présente ses initiatives pour l'industrie de la constructionAvec 10% du Produit National Brut (PNB), l'industrie de la construction est l'un des premiers générateurs d'emploi en Europe. A l'initiative de ECCREDI (European Council for Construction Research Development and Innovation) avec le soutien de de la Commission européenne, près de 200 chercheurs, ingénieurs, professionnels de l'industrie européenne de la construction, et représentants des pouvoirs publics se sont réunis, du 2 au 4 octobre 2002 à Bruxelles pour débattre du rôle de la recherche communautaire dans ce secteur. Aujourd'hui la Commission finance quelque 223 projets de recherche dans ce domaine, mais elle vise à une augmentation importante des projets axés sur la construction au sein du 6ème Programme Cadre de Recherche et Développement (6ème PCRD 2003-2006). Mais les fonds européens ne sont pas suffisants. La Commission a donc plaidé pour un effort supplémentaire dans la recherche un message surtout pour les entreprises.[03] Commission presents results of Expressions of Interest in EU research framework programmeThe results of a call for expressions of interest (EoIs) in the €17,5 billion 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6 2003-2006) were today announced by the European Commission. The European scientific community and enterprises were invited on March 20 2002 to put forward ideas on the most promising topics for research. Some 12,000 Eols were received in response to this invitation. They can be consulted through an on-line database. Most EoIs were addressed to the Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems priority (2822), followed by Information Society Technologies (2591), Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health (1997), and by Nanotechnologies and Nanosciences, Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials and New Production Processes and Devices (1670). EoIs involve several hundred thousand research groups representing more than 50 countries.[04] European Business Award for the Environment : Commission rewards ten companies from nine European countriesTen companies from the European Union and Candidate Countries received the European Business Award for the Environment from European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström yesterday evening in Budapest. The companies obtained the prize for their efforts to integrate sustainable development in their activities in four different areas management, processes, products and international cooperation.[05] Commission provides €11 million to support UNHCR in protection, registration and staff securityThe European Commission has approved an €11 million funding decision for humanitarian operations by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The resources will be used to support UNHCR programmes in the fields of protection, registration and staff security in refugee hosting countries, especially in Africa. The funding will be channelled through the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson.[06] Commission signs €29 million aid package with the Pacific island countries(! embargo 05/10, 00.30 hours !) The European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, Poul Nielson, on a two-week tour of the Pacific islands, today signed the Regional Strategy Paper for the Pacific Region. The document provides a comprehensive framework for EU-Pacific cooperation for the next five years and makes a €29 million initial contribution to the attainment of jointly defined objectives. Commissioner Nielson stated at the signing ceremony : "I welcome this agreement. It heralds a new era of comprehensive and intensive dialogue between the EU and the Pacific Region. It is the first of six such documents to be adopted by the EU in support of regional integration in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (the ACP)."[07] Pascal Lamy in Athens : "Europe in the International Economic System" Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, 3 October 2002European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy visits Athens invited by the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, where he will deliver a speech on the position of Europe in the International Economic System. Today, Mr Lamy will be meeting the Minister for the Economy, Mr Christodoulakis, the Foreign Minister Mr Papandreou, Mrs V. Papandreou, Minister for Environment as well as representatives from Greek NGO's. The visit provides a timely occasion to prepare the trade agenda of the upcoming Greek Presidency of the EU. Mr Lamy will be sharing with Greek civil society the state of play of the on-going WTO negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda.[08] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Chris Patten : "America and Europe: an essential partnership" at the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations (03/10)Speech by David Byrne : "Fair commercial practices" at the Annual Conference of the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA) Speech by Chris Patten at the George C. Marshall Lecture (Vancouver Washington, ! embargo 10 pm !) Note on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (08/10) Calendrier du 6 au 12 octobre From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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