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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-09-13Midday 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
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etbCommunication13/09/05[01] Court of Justice strengthens democracy and efficiency in European Community lawmakingIn a landmark ruling today, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg decided that the competences of the European Community to protect the environment also include the power to require Member States to ensure such protection through criminal sanctions for serious offences. The Court annulled a Council Framework Decision adopted in 2003, reserving this competence to an intergovernmental decision under the "third pillar". The Court thereby supported the position of the Commission. The judgement concerns a particular environmental legislation, but it sets an important precedent for Community law in general.[02] L'anchois du golfe de Gascogne : les scientifiques recommandent de maintenir l'interdiction actuellement en vigueurAprès avoir examiné les données les plus récentes disponibles sur l'anchois dans le golfe de Gascogne, le comité scientifique, technique et économique de la pêche (CSTEP), qui conseille la Commission européenne, a recommandé que "l'on s'abstienne pour l'instant d'envisager des mesures de gestion autres que la fermeture de la zone". Forts de cet avis, les services de la Commission lanceront prochainement une procédure interne tendant à proroger l'actuelle interdiction de trois mois, en vigueur jusqu'au 2 octobre, du 3 octobre au 31 décembre 2005. Les responsables ont l'intention de proposer pour 2006, en ce qui concerne l'anchois dans le secteur considéré, un total admissible de captures égal à zéro, en attendant que des données indépendantes établies sur la base d'études à effectuer en automne et au printemps prochain permettent une estimation fiable des quantités d'anchois juvéniles et adultes. Le CSTEP a confirmé que le stock d'anchois est bien en decà des niveaux de sécurité biologique et que les quantités de juvéniles rejoignant le stock sont cette année de beaucoup inférieures à celles observées auparavant. L'aide de l'UE est disponible dans le cadre du Fonds européen de la pêche (l'instrument financier d'orientation de la pêche, ou IFOP), pour aider les pêcheurs mis en difficulté par des fermetures temporaires. Les flottes visées par cette interdiction viennent de France et d'Espagne. Ces deux Etats membres ont mis en place des dispositifs d’aide.[03] Fisheries : restricted access to Shetland and Plaice Boxes to be maintained pending further evaluationIn the absence of clear-cut evidence on their impact and following consultation with stakeholders, the European Commission proposes, in a Communication issued today, the temporary retention of the current restrictions on access to two fishing areas known as the Shetland Box and the Plaice Box (see attached maps). The conditions on access to these areas for some categories of vessels would remain until further evaluation is carried out as to their beneficial impact on the fish stocks concerned. In the case of the Shetland Box, the Commission proposes to keep the measures in place for a further three years. For the Plaice Box, however, no date has been set as there is uncertainty over the length and extent of the study needed, given differing views among stakeholders on what should happen next. The Commission recommends, however, that enforcement of the rules on access to the Plaice Box be strengthened to ensure their effectiveness. In tabling this Communication, the Commission fulfils an obligation laid out in the 2002 basic Regulation on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), requiring it to assess the justification for restrictions on access to waters and fish resources beyond Member States' 12-mile coastal bands and, if required, to propose adjustments to those restrictions.[04] Students' "mini-companies" breathe new life into EU entrepreneurshipNo new products, enterprises or ideas in Europe ? More than 200,000 secondary school students in the EU don't agree. They have set up "mini companies" offering smart ways of washing boats after fishing, a vibrating pillow as an alarm clock, trendy mood reflectors to increase road safety of children, senior entertainment services, and a multifunctional key to change studs in horseshoes. These projects are being promoted by the European Commission as a way of tackling the lack of entrepreneurial spirit in the EU and thereby boosting the creation of jobs. Today, SME Envoy Maive Rute presented the new Commission report "Mini-companies in secondary education". It provides an overview of 82 mini-company programmes in the EU. The Commission is actively promoting the "mini companies" initiatives, which are organised by various actors at European, national and local level. Roughly 15% of the secondary schools in the EU are already involved. The Commission calls upon Member States to step up their efforts to increase the participation rate and public support and to reduce administrative obstacles for these companies.[05] La Commission publie une étude sur les coûts et avantages d'une plus grande intégration du marché du crédit hypothécaire de l'UELa Commission européenne vient de publier l'étude sur les coûts et avantages d'une plus grande intégration du marché du crédit hypothécaire de l'UE qu'elle avait commandée à London Economics, un cabinet de consultants basé au Royaume-Uni. Cette étude s'inscrit dans la foulée du récent livre vert de la Commission sur "le crédit hypothécaire dans l'UE", dans lequel elle exposait ses premières analyses sur les recommandations contenues dans le rapport du groupe de discussion sur le crédit hypothécaire et sur un certain nombre d'autres thèmes liés à ce marché. Elle lançait ainsi une large consultation qui restera ouverte jusqu'au 30 novembre 2005. L'étude, qui s'inscrit dans le cadre de ce vaste processus d'analyse et de consultation, vise notamment à évaluer la pertinence économique d'une intervention de la Commission dans le domaine du crédit hypothécaire dans l'UE et la Commission entend donc en examiner le contenu avec le plus grand soin.[06] László Kovács in Bulgaria (12-13/09)European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union László Kovács paid a two-day official visit to Bulgaria on 12 to 13 September 2005 in order to discuss Bulgaria's preparations for accession to the EU in the taxation and customs areas. There he had talks with Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Minister of European Affairs Meglena Kuneva, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivilo Kalfin and Minister of Finance Plamen Oresherski. He also met high- level Bulgarian customs, taxation and other public officials, the Bulgarian business community and the ambassadors of EU Member States to Bulgaria. In addition, he visited the customs check point at Kalotina on the Bulgaria/Serbia border.[07] Les chercheurs européens sont les stars d'un soir (23/09)Le 23 septembre 2005 aura lieu la première Nuit des chercheurs européens. Cet événement, qui s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'initiative "Chercheurs en Europe" 2005, se déroulera simultanément dans plusieurs villes de toute l'UE. Plus de 30 organisateurs nationaux, régionaux et locaux (entreprises, universités, organismes de recherche, pouvoirs publics) accueilleront des animations et des activités scientifiques dans une atmosphère détendue et festive. La Nuit des chercheurs, avec ses expositions, ses jeux, ses divertissements interactifs et ses expériences scientifiques, a pour ambition de démontrer à quel point la carrière de chercheur peut être passionnante et combien les chercheurs sont importants pour notre société. Chacun, quelle que soit sa formation, pourra s'informer sur le travail des chercheurs et sur les chercheurs eux-mêmes. Bruxelles sera le théâtre principal de la manifestation, quatre grands sites d'animation étant prévus dans la ville.[08] Joaquin Almunia : "The euro and the new Member States"All 10 new countries are expected, and wish, to adopt the euro in the next few years. However "this will be a sequenced and gradual processs", which will take place "at a pace tailored to their own capacities and needs", Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia is expected to tell a lunch-debate organised by the Kangaroo group. Noting that there are six new Member States in the Exchange Rate Mechanism, which provides an anchor for exchange rate stability and that he calls the 'training room' for the euro, Mr Almunia calls for an increased commitment to fiscal discipline and control of inflationary pressures, not only because of the euro-entry criteria but because those are sound policies. The same holds for the four countries that currently retain their exchange rate freedom. "...fiscal reform should not be undertaken only because of the euro, but because it is in the best interest of the country itself". He adds : "It is true that a depreciating currency can support ailing industries and help competitiveness in the short-term, at the expense of trade partners. But this fails to tackle fundamental structural problems. Experience shows that the gains from competitive devaluations erode relatively quickly as the initial gains are compensated through higher inflation. Ultimately, reforms still have to be tackled, possibly at a higher economic cost." The Commission (and the European Central Bank) will publish a second report in 2006 on the state of economic convergence of the 10 new Member States with the other EU countries (so-called Convergence Report). The Commission intends to make proposals on new euro entries only if the economic convergence criteria are stricly adhered to.[09] Autre matériel diffuséTriggering a new generation of entrepreneurs : students breathe new life into EU entrepreneurshipResearchers' Night – 23 September 2005 Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Building a Transatlantic Alliance for the 21st Century" at the Institute for Human Sciences, Boston University (12/09) Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "Herausforderungen für die Europäische Energiepolitik der kommenden Jahre" at the Konferenz FAZ-Institut (Köln) Speech by Siim Kallas : "The 2004 Synthesis report : an accountability tool" at Committee of budgetary Control (European Parliament) Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Fund Management – Regulation to facilitate competitiveness, growth and change" at ALFI-NICSA 14th Annual Europe-USA Investment Funds Forum (Luxembourg) Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "Reform of Sugar CMO" to the EP Committee
on Agriculture and Rural Development
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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