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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-12-04
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission tightens up recovery management
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] La Commission accélère la mise en place de l'Agence Européenne pour la
Sécurité maritime
[03] Vous avez l'intention d'acheter vos cadeaux de Noël à l'étranger cette
année ? 10 conseils aux consommateurs
[04] Commission indicator forecasts euro area quarterly GDP growth of 0.2
to 0.5% for 4th quarter and -0.2 to 0.2% for 1st quarter of 2003
[05] First estimates for the third quarter of 2002 : euro-zone GDP up by
0.3% ; EU15 GDP up by 0.4% ; +0.8% and +0.9% compared to the third quarter
of 2001
[06] Commission launches European network of GMO laboratories to improve
traceability in food chain
[07] EU mine action strategy 2002-2004
[08] EU tables plan to strengthen Special and Differential Treatment of
Developing Countries in the WTO
[09] Chris Patten to visit Albania and FYROM (05-06/12)
[10] Pascal Lamy participe au débat sur les droits de l'homme au travail
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 04/12/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 04/12/2002[I] Résultats de la Commission
du 3 décembre 2002 - Outcome of Commission meeting of 3rd December
(voir aussi see also ME of 3/12)
[01] Commission tightens up recovery management
The European Commission is tightening up its measures to recover unduly
paid funds more quickly. "If controls by the Member States, the Court of
Auditors or the Commission reveal that payments from the EU budget were
unwarranted or excessive, the funds involved must be recovered. The
Commission is tightening up its management and we also expect the Member
States to make every effort to recover unduly paid agricultural or
structural aid", said Michaele Schreyer, Budget Commissioner. The measures
listed in the Communication presented yesterday are another contribution to
the reform of financial management.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] La Commission accélère la mise en place de l'Agence Européenne pour la
Sécurité maritime
(! embargo 16h00 !) Sans attendre davantage la décision du Conseil européen
sur le siège de l'Agence Européenne de Sécurité maritime, la Commission
européenne a pris toutes les mesures pour en accélérer la mise en œuvre
opérationnelle. Cette nouvelle agence, créée au lendemain de la catastrophe
de l'Erika, a pour mission de fournir aux Etats membres et à la Commission
l'aide technique et scientifique nécessaire pour améliorer le niveau des
normes en matière de sécurité maritime, pour veiller à leur application
uniforme en Europe et pour promouvoir leur diffusion dans le monde entier.
Dès que furent connues les dernières nominations par les Etats membres de
leurs délégués, Loyola de Palacio, vice-présidente de la Commission en
charge des transports et de l'énergie, a décidé de convoquer la réunion
inaugurale du Conseil d'administration dans les bureaux de la Commission à
Bruxelles. Cette réunion s'est déroulée aujourd'hui et a permis de
déterminer le plan d'action. La Commission a, pour sa part, lancé dès le
mois d'août dernier la procédure de recrutement du directeur exécutif, qui
devrait être nommé en janvier 2003. "C'est une étape importante qui est
franchie, car l'Agence Européenne de Sécurité maritime est la clé de voûte
du dispositif pour mieux protéger nos côtes", a rappelé Loyola de Palacio.
"Je n'ai cessé de le dire : il est urgent d'agir et j'espère que toutes les
mesures décidées au niveau européen seront appliquées très rapidement. La
Commission fera tout ce qui est en son pouvoir pour rendre cette agence
pleinement opérationnelle dans les plus brefs délais", a-t-elle ajouté.
[03] Vous avez l'intention d'acheter vos cadeaux de Noël à l'étranger cette
année ? 10 conseils aux consommateurs
En décembre 2002, il est probable qu'un nombre record de consommateurs
profiteront du marché intérieur pour acheter leurs cadeaux de Noël à
l'étranger. Pour la première fois, les consommateurs de douze des quinze
Etats membres de l'Union européenne n'auront même pas besoin de changer
leur argent avant de faire un saut de l'autre côté de la frontière pour
acheter leurs cadeaux de Noël dans un autre pays de la zone euro. De plus,
dans tous les Etats membres, les chasseurs de bonnes affaires pourront
profiter de la transparence des prix affichés en euros pour comparer les
prix dans l'UE. Mais que se passera-t-il si les achats transfrontaliers
tournent mal ? Pour garantir un joyeux Noël à tous les consommateurs
européens, David Byrne, commissaire européen chargé de la santé et de la
protection des consommateurs, a publié aujourd'hui une liste de dix
conseils avisés à l'intention des personnes ayant l'intention de faire
leurs achats de Noël à l'étranger.
[04] Commission indicator forecasts euro area quarterly GDP growth of 0.2
to 0.5% for 4th quarter and -0.2 to 0.2% for 1st quarter of 2003
The 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
fourth quarter of 2002 compared to the previous quarter. The sluggishness
of consumption in the euro area captured in the model with car
registrations and confidence in the retail indicator suggests to maintain
the same forecast range as last month. For the first quarter of 2003,
quarter on quarter growth is forecast to be in the range of -0.2 to 0.2%.
This first estimate is due to recent developments in the variables used in
the model, notably survey indicators both in the US and the EU, and the
financial variables. However this deceleration of growth is compatible with
the baseline scenario of a gradual recovery in the course of 2003 sustained
by sound fundamentals, as published in the Commission Autumn forecasts.
[05] First estimates for the third quarter of 2002 : euro-zone GDP up by
0.3% ; EU15 GDP up by 0.4% ; +0.8% and +0.9% compared to the third quarter
of 2001
Euro-zone GDP grew by 0.3% and EU15 GDP by 0.4% during the third quarter of
2002, compared to the previous quarter, according to first estimates out
today from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities in
Luxembourg. The same growth rates of 0.3% and 0.4% respectively were
observed in the second quarter of 2002. Compared to the third quarter of
2001, GDP grew by 0.8% in the euro-zone and by 0.9% in the EU15, after
increases of 0.6% and 0.8% respectively in the previous quarter.
[06] Commission launches European network of GMO laboratories to improve
traceability in food chain
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin today inaugurated the
European network of genetically modified organism (GMO) laboratories at a
launch in Brussels. This new network consists of more than 45 control
laboratories located in EU Member States. The objective is to improve
traceability of GMOs in the food chain and to support regulation of their
use in Europe. The network will develop and validate methods for detecting
and quantifying GMOs in food and feed. Activities will be coordinated by
the Commission's Joint Research Centre.
[07] EU mine action strategy 2002-2004
On 3 December, the European Commission adopted the EU Mine Action Strategy
for 2002-2004, and a detailed Multiannual Indicative Programming, which
will mobilise through various EU instruments alone (geographical, ECHO, APL
and RRM budget lines), approximately €105 million over the period 2002-
2004. Using these instruments in an integrated way, the EU will support
mine action activities (surveys, clearance and assistance to victims) and
the economic and social rehabilitation of the de-mined regions and the
resettled populations.
[08] EU tables plan to strengthen Special and Differential Treatment of
Developing Countries in the WTO
The European Union today tabled a proposal aimed at strengthening the
Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) enjoyed by Developing Countries,
in particular Least Developed Countries, under WTO Agreements. The EU
proposes a package of concrete measures, to be adopted by the end of the
year, a key one being the adoption of a streamlined and simplified
procedure for accession of poorest countries to the WTO. The proposals aim
at fully integrating developing countries into the world trading system.
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "Development is the
leitmotif of the entire Doha Development Agenda. It is therefore important
that we adopt concrete actions to help developing countries, and
particularly the poorest among them, to fully benefit from the
opportunities offered by the world trading system. Adopting concrete
actions by the end of this year is therefore a must."
[09] Chris Patten to visit Albania and FYROM (05-06/12)
European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten will be visiting
Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on 5th and
6th December as part of the Commission's close relationship with these two
countries under the Stabilisation and Association process (SAp). In each
case the objective is to review progress and encourage further efforts for
reform. In Albania, Mr Patten will discuss the date for the opening of
negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement and outline the
Commission's intention to conduct in parallel, a thorough examination of
Albania's capacity to implement the future agreement. In FYROM the
Commissioner will meet senior figures in the new government. He will
underline the urgent need to implement fully the "Ohrid" Framework
Agreement and step up the fight against organised crime and corruption. In
particular, he will announce the EU's interest in supporting the
development of a new anti-riot capacity in the context of the overall
police reform in the country. On the eve of his visit, Commissioner Patten
said : "The European Union is a union of values. Respect for human and
minority rights, good governance under the rule of law with independent and
impartial judiciaries, accountable and impartial policing, transparent and
accessible decision making are at its core. We hope that the SAp will lead
to EU membership for all the countries concerned, but that will mean a very
determined effort by their respective governments. Albania and the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia face common challenges. No agreement,
however carefully negotiated, will count for much unless it is also
implemented, with real impact in the areas that need attention".
[10] Pascal Lamy participe au débat sur les droits de l'homme au travail
Pascal Lamy, Commissaire européen au Commerce, a participé hier au débat
sur 'Les Droits de l'Homme au Travail" organisé par le Comité économique et
social. Il a notamment déclaré : "Les droits de l'homme au travail, mieux,
la promotion de ces droits, sont une exigence incontournable si nous
voulons progresser sur la voie d'une mondialisation maîtrisée et non
sauvage, dans le sens d'une économie mondiale ouverte et non ultra-libérale
; dans le sens d'une économie inévitablement globale, mais qui soit durable
et puisse faciliter l'intégration sociale dans les différents pays. Car
sans la protection de ces droits, sans la sauvegarde de la dignité des
travailleurs, c'est l'un des postulats même du développement durable qui
risque de s'effondrer."
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Discours de M. Prodi : "L'Europe de demain, entre défis et espérances" au
5ème Forum européen 'L'Europe face aux décisions - Elargissement UE et
défis mondiaux' (03/12)
Speech by Erkki Liikanen : "The eEurope Broadband Strategy" at the European
Telecommmunications Network Operators' Association (ETNO) Conference
(03/12)
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Ecofin (aspects fiscalité et services
financiers)
Note sur la préparation du Conseil Télécommunications
Note sur la préparation du Conseil Transports
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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