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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-11-04
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] President Prodi congratulates President Bush on his re-election
(03/11)
[02] Questions and answers on the Commission's revised proposal for a new
EU consumer credit law
[03] Commission offers fresh support for the electoral process in Iraq
[04] Fisheries reform : Commission welcomes creation of first stakeholder-
led Advisory Council
[05] Septembre 2004 par rapport à août 2004 : prix à la production
industrielle en hausse de 0,2% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 0,4% dans
l'UE25
[06] September 2004 : Euro-zone unemployment stable at 8.9% ; EU 25 steady
at 9.0%
Midday Express of 2004-11-04
Reference: MEX/04/1104
Date: 04/11/2004
EXME04 / 4.11
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
04/11/04
[01] President Prodi congratulates President Bush on his re-election
(03/11)
On 3 November, the President of the European Commission Romano Prodi sent
the following message to the President of the United States George W. Bush
: "My warm congratulations to President Bush on his re-election after a
difficult ballot whose outcome was far from sure. As the country's leader
in the most dramatic time of its history, he has had to deal with the
horrifying onslaught of terrorism. I hope his second term will see the
United States and the whole world enjoy the political stabilisation and the
guarantee of collective security we have all done our utmost to ensure.
Europe will continue to work to strengthen its bonds of friendship and
cooperation with the United States. Those bonds, which have never been
called into question, are vital to maintaining peace in the world on the
basis of multilaterally shared principles and values."
[02] Questions and answers on the Commission's revised proposal for a new
EU consumer credit law
The European Commission has made a number of significant changes to its
proposal for a new EU law on consumer credit. The revised proposal
incorporates many of the amendments called for by the European Parliament
when it voted on the draft law in April this year. This is expected to
enable the Council of Ministers to reach a common position early in 2005.
[03] Commission offers fresh support for the electoral process in Iraq
As EU leaders prepare to meet the Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi at the
European Council on 5th November, the European Commission is setting out
the details of a €31.5 million package to support election activities in
Iraq. Most of this sum will be channelled through the International
Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, although the Commission will be
funding a number of additional activities to support the election process,
including European election experts to work with the Independent Electoral
Commission of Iraq and the United Nations in Baghdad, and to train Iraqi
election observers. These measures show the importance that the EU attaches
to the holding of inclusive and transparent elections in Iraq, and its
commitment to supporting the political transition towards constitutionally
elected Iraqi Government. The package, which includes €16.5 million of
fresh money, brings the Commission's total contribution to Iraq in 2003-
2004 to almost €320 million.
[04] Fisheries reform : Commission welcomes creation of first stakeholder-
led Advisory Council
The European Commission has welcomed the creation of the North SeaRegional
Advisory Council (NSRAC) in Edinburgh (Scotland) today. This is the first
of seven stakeholder-led advisory bodies to be created to give the fishing
industry and other interested parties a greater say in the way fisheries
are managed in the areas they cover. These innovative bodies will provide a
permanent framework linking stakeholders at the regional and local level
and the Commission and the Member States concerned. They will enable the
fishing sector to work more closely with scientists in collating reliable
data and discussing ways of improving scientific advice. They will also
provide a forum for the fishing industry to enter into a dialogue and to
work with other interested parties on identifying options regarding the
management of specific fisheries. RAcs will submit recommendations and
suggestions on any aspects of the fisheries they cover to the Commission
and the Member States concerned. The creation of RACs was one of the
pillars of the 2002 reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in response to
the EU and stakeholders' desire to increase the latter's participation in
the CFP process. Moves are underway to set up the other six RACs.
[05] Septembre 2004 par rapport à août 2004 : prix à la production
industrielle en hausse de 0,2% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 0,4% dans
l'UE25
L'indice des prix à la production industrielle dans la zone euro a
augmenté de 0,2% en septembre 2004 par rapport au mois précédent, selon
les estimations publiées aujourd'hui par Eurostat. Dans l'UE25, les prix
ont progressé de 0,4%. En août 2004, les prix avaient augmenté de 0,4%
dans la zone euro et de 0,5% dans l'UE25. En septembre 2004, par rapport Ã
septembre 2003, les prix à la production industrielle se sont accrus de 3,
4% dans la zone euro et de 4,1% dans l'UE25.
[06] September 2004 : Euro-zone unemployment stable at 8.9% ; EU 25 steady
at 9.0%
Euro-zone seasonally-adjusted unemployment stood at 8.9% in September 2004,
unchanged compared to August, Eurostat reports today. It was also 8.9% in
September 2003. The EU25 unemployment rate was 9.0% in September 2004,
unchanged compared to August. It was 9.1% in September 2003. In September
2004, the lowest rates were registered in Luxembourg (4.3%), Ireland (4.4%),
Austria (4.5%), the United Kingdom (4.6% in July) and the Netherlands (4.7%
in August). Unemployment rates were highest in Poland (18.7%), Slovakia
(18.0%), Spain (10.6%) and Lithuania (10.4%).
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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