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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-11-07Midday 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] La Commission salue une nouvelle avancée vers une meilleure protection des passagers à bord des naviresLoyola de Palacio, vice-présidente de la Commission européenne en charge des transports et de l'énergie, a fait part aujourd'hui de sa grande satisfaction après le vote du Parlement européen en faveur d'une sécurité accrue du transport maritime de passagers, notamment des ferries. "C'est un grand pas en avant qui complète parfaitement les nombreuses propositions que nous avons déjà, faites ces dernières années pour améliorer la sécurité maritime", a-t-elle indiqué. "Nos propositions visent à éviter des accidents dramatiques comme celui de l'Express Samina en 2000 : elles prévoient des prescriptions plus strictes et étendent les normes spécifiques de stabilité à travers toute l'Union européenne : en somme nos citoyens bénéficieront en tous lieux des mêmes niveaux élevés de sécurité, quel que soit le pavillon du navire", a-t-elle expliqué. Les propositions datent de mars 2002 et devraient être définitivement adoptées en décembre prochain, en une seule lecture, car le Parlement européen et le Conseil se sont accordés sur un texte similaire. "Il est toujours satisfaisant de voir le Parlement et le Conseil décider aussi rapidement sur des propositions de cette importance touchant à la sécurité, comme ce fut le cas avec les paquets ERIKA I et II, et de nouveau cette fois pour la protection des passagers", a-t-elle ajouté.[02] Mario Monti proposes radical reform to European Merger ControlIn a speech given today at a conference organised by the Commission and the International Bar Association, European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti announced a comprehensive set of reforms to the way merger control is conducted in Europe. Besides modifications to the Merger Regulation itself, he emphasised the creation of the role of a Chief Competition Economist and of a peer review Panel, both independent from the Merger Task Force, as well as a more flexible review timetable and a strengthening of the rights of defence. "It will be the most far-reaching reform of European merger control since the adoption of the Merger Regulation in December 1989", Commissioner Monti said.[03] Commission indicator forecasts euro area quarterly GDP growth of 0.2% to 0.5% for 3rd and 4th quarter of 2002The indicator-based model for quarterly GDP growth for the euro area, developed by the European Commission's Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, forecasts a range of 0.2% to 0.5% for GDP growth in the third quarter of 2002 compared to the previous quarter. For the fourth quarter of 2002, quarter on quarter growth is forecast to be in the same range. No significant change in the indicators used in the model has been recorded since last month. Hence, this forecast is unchanged compared to the forecast released on 10 October 2002.[04] Troisième estimation pour le deuxième trimestre 2002 : le PIB de la zone euro et celui de l'UE15 en hausse de 0,4% ; +0,7% et +0,8% respectivement par rapport au deuxième trimestre 2001Le Produit Intérieur Brut (PIB) de la zone euro et celui de l'UE15 ont augmenté de 0,4% au cours du deuxième trimestre 2002, selon les estimations publiées aujourd'hui par Eurostat. Ces résultats font suite à une croissance de 0,4% dans les deux zones au cours du premier trimestre 2002. En comparaison avec le deuxième trimestre 2001, le PIB de la zone euro et celui de l'UE15 ont augmenté respectivement de 0,7% et 0,8%, après une hausse de 0,3% et 0,5% au cours du trimestre précédent.[05] Commission welcomes outcome of the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT)The European Commission welcomes the results of the Annual meeting of ICCAT which was held in Bilbao (Spain) from 28 October to 4 November 2002. Agreement was reached on issues of major interest to EU fisheries such as on strengthened action to fight illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and the introduction of multi-annual management plans, including total allowable catches (TACs) and fishing quotas, for key tuna and tuna- like fish stocks. Although for some stocks, such as bluefin tuna, the EU had called for more stringent management measures, the adopted multi-annual approach provides nonetheless for a set of complementary conservation and management measures as well as stable catch possibilities. "It is encouraging that decisions were taken at multilateral level on the multi- annual management of tuna fisheries and that the agreements reached took into account the concerns of both developed and developing countries. I also welcome the reinforced measures to combat the scourge of illegal fishing which weakens our efforts to achieve sustainable fisheries and, given the parlous state of many fish stocks, constitutes a serious threat for entire fisheries", Franz Fischler, Commissioner responsible for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, said.[06] Commission publishes study on possible options for the reform of the EU's milk sectorA 'Study on the impact of future options for the milk quota system and the common market organisation for milk and milk products' has been published today by the European Commission. Aimed at assessing how dairy markets and production outcomes will be affected by alternative policy reforms, the study performs an ex-ante quantitative assessment of alternative dairy policies for the EU for the period 2000 to 2014, with the help of modelling tools. The report analyses the impact of four different sets of scenarios for the future of the EU milk quota regime : a status quo scenario which corresponds to the Agenda 2000 policy package ; repeating the Agenda 2000 approach which assumes the Agenda 2000 reform is deepened over the period 2008-2010 ; a two-tiered and cut quota scenario; and the quota abolition scenario. The impact on the milk and dairy products markets and EU milk producers are also evaluated, as are the consequences for the EU budget, EU consumers and the processing sector. Commissioned by the European Commission, the study was undertaken by a consortium of experts from the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA, France) and the University of Wageningen (Netherlands). The findings contributed to the Commission's Report on Milk Quotas. For the full report, please see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/publi/reports/milkquota/index_en.htm For the Commission's Report on Milk Quotas, please see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/mtr/index_en.htm[07] Intensifier le dialogue entre sport et politique en Europe : 11ème forum européen du sport (07-08, Copenhague)Sport et droit communautaire, année européenne de l'éducation par le sport et promotion du volontariat sportif seront à l'ordre du jour de ce forum, qui réunira représentants des gouvernements des Quinze et des pays candidats et responsables des organisations sportives. Le forum sera ouvert ce jeudi par Viviane Reding, commissaire européenne en charge des Sports, Brian Mikkelsen, ministre danois de la Culture et des Sports, Juan Antonio Gomez-Angulo, secrétaire d'Etat espagnol chargé des Sports, et Mario Pescante, président des comités olympiques européens.[08] Chris Patten welcomes the freeing of Peter Shaw"I am delighted and very relieved at the excellent news that Peter Shaw, a British Tacis consultant held hostage in Georgia for over four months, is now free and safe. Mr Shaw has told us that he was kept in the most intolerable conditions : tethered by the neck, unable to move,alone and in darkness. It is a tribute to Peter's personal strength that he has emerged from his ordeal in such good shape, and we are doing all we can to guarantee his swift re-entry into normal life with his family. The European Commission has worked closely with the British authorities to keep up pressure on the Georgian government to do all in its power to secure Mr Shaw's early release. My special envoy, Denis Corboy, has played an important role in this regard, and I am very grateful to him. We are also grateful to the Georgian authorities for the operation which yesterday resulted in Mr Shaw's escape. The European Commission demands that the kidnappers now be swiftly brought to justice."[09] La Commission accorde une aide d'un montant de 101 millions d'€ à la Communauté de développement de l'Afrique australe (CDAA)Le commissaire européen chargé du développement et de l'aide humanitaire, Poul Nielson, a signé aujourd'hui à Maputo, Mozambique, où il assiste à la réunion ministérielle UE-CDAA, un document de stratégie régionale avec la CDAA. Ce document constitue un cadre global pour la coopération UE-Afrique australe pour les cinq années à venir (2002-2007) et accorde une contribution initiale de 101 millions d'€ pour atteindre des objectifs communs. Ces fonds non remboursables ont été alloués sur le 9ème Fonds européen de développement, l'instrument financier de l'accord de partenariat UE-ACP signé à Cotonou en juin 2000. A l'occasion de la signature avec le Dr P. Ramsamy, secrétaire exécutif de la CDAA, M. Nielson a déclaré qu'il se réjouissait de cet accord parce que le nouveau programme consolide non seulement les relations entre la CDAA et l'UE, mais annonce aussi une nouvelle ère de coopération et de dialogue entre les deux régions sous les auspices de l'accord de Cotonou. Les fonds seront utilisés pour soutenir l'intégration régionale renforcée en Afrique australe, notamment dans les domaines de l'intégration économique, des échanges, des transports et des communications.[10] Participation of non-state actors in the EU development policy : Commission adopts policy paperEssential for the success of development policies is ownership by developing countries themselves. This includes the involvement of all sectors of society in partner countries, not just governments and public authorities. This is the main message of the policy paper adopted today by the European Commission which aims to strengthen the participatory approach of civil society in the development process. The Communication entitled "Participation of Non-State Actors in the EC Development Policy" gives an overview of current practices and clarifies the European Union's expectations regarding the level and scope for dialogue and consultation with non-state actors. Mr Poul Nielson, Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, stated : "The participation of non-state actors through bilateral dialogues with all of our partner countries is essential for good development policy and is essential in promoting good governance. The Commission is moving towards long-term sector programmes. Non-state actors active in these sectors who represent various local interests and sensibilities are well placed to participate in the activities of the Commission."[11] Foot-and-mouth disease : Paraguay and BrazilAn outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported by the Paraguayan authorities in an area (region of Canindeyu) close to the border with Brazil. Because the export of meat and meat products to the European Union from this area is not allowed, no specific protective measures have to be taken by the EU. However, the surveillance area of the outbreak affects part of the territory of Brazil. The Brazilian authorities immediately put in place measures to avoid the spread of the disease into the Brazilian territory, in particular vaccination and movement controls of the animals along the border area. Due to this situation, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health voted in favour of a Commission proposal to suspend the importation into the EU of deboned and maturated bovine meat from the municipality of Sete Quedas, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. The import of deboned meat produced before 31 October is still authorised. The situation in Paraguay and Brazil will be kept under ongoing review.[12] EU submits ambitious programme for tariff reductions in ongoing WTO trade talksDelivering on the Commitment undertaken in Doha the EU has tabled an ambitious proposal for tariff reductions in industrial goods. The EU proposes a compression mechanism : eliminating tariff peaks and high tariffs, and significantly reducing tariff escalation. This bold initiative advances meaningful liberalisation across all non-agricultural products which represent over 70% of developing country exports. It also includes development-friendly proposals to eliminate all export restrictions on raw materials and make deeper cuts for textiles and footwear, bringing these tariffs within a narrow common range as close to zero as possible. The EU is also adding some one-sided elements it is prepared to shoulder with other key WTO members in order to take greater account of the needs and interests of developing countries.[13] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Romano Prodi : "The reality of enlargement" at the plenary session of the European Parliament (06/11)Speech by Chris Patten : "China and Europe an important partnership" at the Cathay Pacific China Trader Award Dinner (Kasteel De Wittenberg) Statement by Franz Fischler in response to oral question on the Common Agriculture Policy at the European Parliament (06/11) Speech by Frits Bolkestein : "Nuclear energy needed more than ever" at the Institute of Economic Afffairs (London, ! embargo 7.30 pm !) Speech by Poul Nielson at the opening session of the EU-SADC ministerial meeting (Maputo, Mozambique) Speech by Poul Nielson at the signature of the SADC regional indicative programme (Maputo, Mozambique) Speech by Franz Fischler on behalf of Chris Patten : "Zur lage im Nahen Osten" at the plenary session of the European Parliament (06/11à Note d'intervention de M. Barnier sur le rapport du groupe de travail sur la gouvernance économique - Convention européenne (Parlement européen) Speech by Franz Fischler at the ministerial meeting with all Agriculture ministers of the Candidate Countries (Prague) Note sur la Convention européenne : vers une meilleure coordination des politiques économiques From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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