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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-06-26Midday 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 Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb26/06/06[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 toxicomanesA 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 policyDrugs 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 yearsOnly 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 agreementThe 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 CongoLa 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 GrèceLe 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 HeinekenThe 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 businessThe 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 OceansAs 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 regionsEuropean 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 CommunityThe 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 projectThe 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 JuneThe 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 todayToday 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 2006The 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 diffuséThe EU policy in the drugs field : present prioritiesSpeech 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/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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