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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-06-26
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Journée mondiale contre la drogue 2006 : la Commission souligne
l'engagement de l'Europe dans la lutte contre le trafic de drogues et
l'aide aux toxicomanes
[02] Commission improves dialogue with civil society on EU drugs policy
[03] Fighting rare diseases 22 new orphan drugs in five years
[04] EU and Madagascar initial new fisheries partnership agreement
[05] La Commission contribue la réhabilitation de la justice l'Est de
la République Démocratique du Congo
[06] Ouverture d'une distillation de crise pour le vin en Espagne et en
Grèce
[07] Commission clears acquisition of ON by KPN and Heineken
[08] Commission clears Continental's acquisition of Motorola's automotive
electronics business
[09] José Manuel Barroso opens regional consultation event in the Azores
on the Future of the Oceans
[10] Danuta Hübner in Finland, discusses with next EU presidency the new
Cohesion policy for competitive, innovative and attractive regions
[11] Andris Piebalgs attends the opening the central institution of the
Energy Community
[12] Andris Piebalgs welcomes agreement to accelerate Nabucco gas pipeline
project
[13] Benita Ferrero-Waldner to attend G8 Foreign Ministers meeting,
Conference on Drug Trafficking 28/29 June
[14] Research cooperation with Western Balkans : new platform launched
today
[15] Preparation Environment Council, 27 June 2006
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-06-26
Reference: MEX/06/0626
Date: 26/06/2006
EXME06 / 26.6
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
26/06/06
[01] Journée mondiale contre la drogue 2006 : la Commission souligne
l'engagement de l'Europe dans la lutte contre le trafic de drogues et
l'aide aux toxicomanes
A l'occasion de la Journée Internationale contre l'abus et le trafic
illicite des drogues, instaurée par les Nations unies, M. Franco Frattini,
vice-président de la Commission européenne chargé de la justice, de la
liberté et de la sécurité, Mme Benita Ferrero Waldner, commissaire
responsable des relations extérieures, et M. Markos Kyprianou, commissaire
la santé et la protection des consommateurs, ont souligné
l'engagement de la Commission participer aux efforts internationaux
visant lutter contre la drogue, soutenir les pays tiers par le biais de
projets communs et trouver des solutions aux problèmes sanitaires liés
la toxicomanie.
[02] Commission improves dialogue with civil society on EU drugs policy
Drugs related health and social harm, and drug related crime are perceived
as a major concern by public opinion. Since the 1990's, a European model,
based on a balanced and integrated approach to drugs has been developed.
Action against drug supply, including the adoption of EU legal instruments
to fight trafficking, and action on reducing demand and protecting health
are equally important and mutually supportive. In implementing the EU Drugs
Strategy for the period 2005-2012 and the Action Plan for 2005-2008, it is
crucial that drugs policy continues to benefit from the ideas and
experience of the many civil society organisations active in field. In a
Green Paper adopted today, the European Commission proposes to formalise on
a more permanent basis and to structure the dialogue between the EU and the
wide range of organisations active in this field.
[03] Fighting rare diseases 22 new orphan drugs in five years
Only a small number of patients suffer from each of the 5,000 to 7,000 rare
diseases in the EU. Orphan medicinal products are intended for treatment of
such rare and life-threatening or very serious conditions. For five years
the European Commission, the European Agency for the Evaluation of
Medicinal Products (EMEA) and Member States have provided incentives to the
pharmaceutical industry for the research, development and marketing of such
orphan medicinal products in the fields of cancer, metabolic disorders,
immunology, and cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Under normal
market conditions no such medication would have been developed. A report
published today shows that the EU policy for orphan drugs works. In the
period between April 2000 and April 2005, the incentive programme has
triggered more than 450 applications for orphan designation. The first 22
new orphan medicines for the treatment of 20 different life-threatening or
chronically debilitating rare diseases have already received a marketing
authorisation. In addition, some 270 further medicines have already been
designated as orphan medicinal products, but are still undergoing clinical
tests.
[04] EU and Madagascar initial new fisheries partnership agreement
The European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, and Madagascar,
have concluded a new 6-year fisheries partnership agreement (FPA) that will
replace the current agreement, due to expire on 31 December 2006. This new
agreement, which exclusively covers tuna, marks a new era in fisheries
relationships between the two Parties, founded on a partnership approach
which puts the promotion of sustainable and responsible fisheries in
Madagascar's waters at the heart of the agreement. It also provides
additional fishing opportunities for the European tuna fleet as the number
of EU vessels will increase from 80 to 88 vessels, in return for an EU
financial contribution of €990,000 per year.
[05] La Commission contribue la réhabilitation de la justice l'Est de
la République Démocratique du Congo
La Commission européenne a approuvé une contribution de €7.9
millions au programme de réhabilitation de la justice l'Est (REJUSCO).
La restauration de la justice en République Démocratique du Congo, et
plus particulièrement l'Est du pays, dans les zones touchées par les
années de conflit, fait depuis quelques années l'objet de plusieurs
initiatives européennes.
[06] Ouverture d'une distillation de crise pour le vin en Espagne et en
Grèce
Le comité de gestion des vins a émis un vote sur les propositions de la
Commission européenne visant ouvrir une distillation de crise pour le
vin en Espagne et en Grèce. Dans le cas de l'Espagne, une quantité
maximale de 300.000 hectolitres de vin de qualité pourra être offerte
la distillation. En Grèce, la distillation de crise a été ouverte pour
une quantité maximale de 370.000 hectolitres de vin de table et de 130.000
hectolitres de vin de qualité.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of ON by KPN and Heineken
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of ON B.V (ON) of The
Netherlands by Dutch companies Koninklijke KPN N.V. (KPN) and Heineken
International B.V. (Heineken). KPN provides telephone and internet services
to customers through its fixed network in the Netherlands, as well as
digital terrestrial television services. Heineken is the holding company of
the international activities of the Heineken Group, which produces and
distributes beer and other beverages. ON is active in the exploitation of
interactive on-premise TV outside the home environment, mainly in
restaurants and bars. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure.
[08] Commission clears Continental's acquisition of Motorola's automotive
electronics business
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
acquisition of Motorola's automotive electronics systems business by
Germany's Continental AG. The Commission concluded that the proposed
transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the
European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
[09] José Manuel Barroso opens regional consultation event in the Azores
on the Future of the Oceans
As part of the drive to establish a European Maritime Policy to meet the
challenges of the twenty-first century, the President of the European
Commission José Manuel Barroso travelled to the Azores on 25 June to open
one of the first regional consultation events on the Commission's Green
Paper on Maritime Policy. Launched on 7 June in Brussels, the publication
of the EU's Maritime Paper marked the start of a year long consultation
process which will ultimately set the course for an integrated and
sustainable EU maritime policy for years to come. The review process set
out in the Maritime Green Paper aims to increase the competitiveness of
maritime activities, strengthen the protection of our marine environment
and reinforce the development of maritime regions. As part of the
consultation process, events will be held throughout the EU over the next
year to encourage stakeholders to get involved and to contribute to the
consultation process. One of the first of these events is this two day
conference entitled "European Maritime Policy and the Regions" which will
be hosted by the Regional Government of the Azores from 25-27 June.
President Barroso will give the opening speech at the Conference on Monday
26 June at 10h00. Commissioner Joe Borg, responsible for Fisheries and
Maritime Affairs, will also participate in the opening session of the
conference.
[10] Danuta Hübner in Finland, discusses with next EU presidency the new
Cohesion policy for competitive, innovative and attractive regions
European Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, is visiting Finland
to discuss the priorities of the Finnish EU-presidency, to start on July 1,
and the new Cohesion policy 2007-2013. During her stay in Helsinki, the
Commissioner will meet Prime Minister, Matti Vanhanen, and Regional and
Municipal Affairs minister, Hannes Manninen. Commissioner Hübner is also
meeting in Tampere the regional authorities of West Finland to discuss ways
to benefit from the 2007-13 Cohesion policy to generate growth and create
quality jobs. On her two-day visit the Commissioner is addressing the
future challenges for European Regional Policy during a lecture at the
Finnish Institute of International Affairs in Helsinki and having a
discussion with students representatives in Tampere.
[11] Andris Piebalgs attends the opening the central institution of the
Energy Community
The European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs together with President of
the EU Energy Council, Dr. Martin Bartenstein visited today in Vienna the
Treaty Secretariat, the central co-ordinating body of the Energy Community
Treaty. The Secretariat will run the day to day work of the Energy
Community and undertake analytical work, both tasks under the coordination
of the Commission. The first Director of the Secretariat will be Mr
Slavtcho Neykov, a Bulgarian, who was instrumental in negotiating
Bulgaria's accession process in the energy sector and who has also worked
previously in the Energy Charter Secretariat.
[12] Andris Piebalgs welcomes agreement to accelerate Nabucco gas pipeline
project
The Energy Ministers of Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey
together with European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs agreed to
accelerate commercial, regulatory and legal work to build the Nabucco gas
pipeline in the shortest possible time. The agreement was signed in the
form a joint declaration at the end of a ministerial conference on Nabucco
that took place today in Vienna. The pipeline is critical to the long-term
necessity for Europe to connect its gas market to the Caspian region and is
likely to be the first of many supply routes through Southern Europe. The
European Union had conceived a scenario in which 10-15% of its gas would
come from this region by 2025.
[13] Benita Ferrero-Waldner to attend G8 Foreign Ministers meeting,
Conference on Drug Trafficking 28/29 June
The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, travels to Moscow tomorrow for the G8
Foreign Ministers meeting (29th June), and the second Ministerial
Conference on Drugs Trafficking Routes from Afghanistan which will precede
it (28th June). The Foreign Ministers meeting will cover the full range of
current international issues, including Iran, North Korea, the Middle East
Peace Process, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner
will present colleagues with the latest developments on the Temporary
International Mechanism for the Palestinians among other issues. Russia,
currently president of the G8, is expected to issue a Chairman's statement
on a range of the questions discussed at the meeting, and Foreign Ministers
will be asked to agree draft statements on non-proliferation and counter-
terrorism to be endorsed at the G8 summit next month. The Conference on
Drugs Trafficking will bring together Ministers and representatives from
over 50 countries in an effort to strengthen international cooperation in
this field.
[14] Research cooperation with Western Balkans : new platform launched
today
Today Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research, is
participating in the official launch of a steering platform on research for
Western Balkan countries in Vienna, organised by the Austrian Presidency.
Research is an invaluable tool for the region to enhance cooperation, boost
sustainable economic development and facilitate integration into the
European Union. All Member States, candidate countries and Western Balkan
Countries, as a follow-up to the Thessaloniki S&T Action Plan, are
encouraged to participate actively in this initiative, as its success
relies on a concerted joint effort. Mr Potočnik will call upon other
institutions present in the region, such as the Stability Pact for Eastern
Europe and the European Investment Bank, to contribute to scientific
capacity-building in the Balkans. The Steering Platform will be assisted by
an Information Office, financed as a Specific Support Action by the
International Cooperation Programme of the Sixth Research Framework
Programme. This Steering Platform is another demonstration of the priority
the Commission attaches to research links with potential and current
candidate countries.
[15] Preparation Environment Council, 27 June 2006
The final Environment Council under the Austrian Presidency will take place
on 27 June in Luxembourg. The Council is due to reach a political
agreement on a new Directive to combat floods. The Council will seek an
informal agreement on a new Air Quality Directive. A common position on the
new financial instrument for the environment, LIFE+, will also be adopted.
Council Conclusions are expected on the Thematic Strategy on waste
prevention and recycling, as well as on the Thematic Strategy on the Urban
Environment. The Council will discuss GMO policy as well as the potential
of biomass and biofuels. Over lunch, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas
will report to ministers on the implementation of the Environmental
Technologies Action Plan (ETAP) and inform ministers of the possibilities
of using the cohesion fund for the implementation of environmental policy.
A joint press conference will be held by Austrian Environment Minister
Josef Pröll and Commissioner Dimas at the end of the morning.
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
The EU policy in the drugs field : present priorities
Speech by Andris Piebalgs at the opening of the Secretariat of the South
East Europe Energy Community Treaty (Vienna)
Joe Borg visits the Azores
Discours de M. pidla au lancement du rapport «Roma in the South East
Europe» au Parlement européen (! embargo 17h00 !)
Closing speech by Joe Borg at the Regions and Globalisation conference
(24/06, Azores)
Speech by Janez Potočnik : "Research excellence at the heart of Europe" at
the 56th Nobel Laureate Meeting (25/06, Lindau)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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