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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-09-08
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] L’absence de prise en compte des retombées sociales de
l’éducation et de la formation coûte chaque année des milliards
d’euros l’Union européenne
[02] Sixth Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Helsinki on 10-11 September
2006
[03] L’UE et la Chine devraient décider d’ouvrir des négociations en
vue d’un nouvel accord cadre global
[04] EU-Korea Summit, September 9th
[05] Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung meets with European
Commission President Barroso
[06] Commission invited business leaders to Brussels to discuss the
European Institute of Technology and the Role of the Business Sector in
Education, Science and Innovation in Europe
[07] Alcohol taxation: Commission proposes increases of minimum rates
[08] EU to deploy Elections Observation Mission to Nicaragua
[09] Commissioner Potočnik visits Romanian research community
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Midday Express of 2006-09-08
Reference: MEX/06/0908
Date: 08/09/2006
EXME06 / 08.9
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
08/09/06
[01] L’absence de prise en compte des retombées sociales de
l’éducation et de la formation coûte chaque année des milliards
d’euros l’Union européenne
Dans une communication adoptée aujourd’hui, la Commission souligne que
l’Europe doit avoir des systèmes d’éducation et de formation la
fois efficaces et équitables pour soutenir la croissance, l’emploi et la
cohésion sociale. La modernisation des systèmes d’éducation et de
formation des Etats membres obéit largement des considérations
d’efficacité et de rentabilité. S’il est incontestable que
l’efficacité des systèmes est indispensable pour obtenir de bons
résultats, la Commission estime qu’elle ne doit pas s’obtenir aux
dépens de l’équité, et propose quatre grands domaines d’action aux
Etats membres.
[02] Sixth Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Helsinki on 10-11 September
2006
The Heads of State or Government of 25 Europe Union Member States and 13
Asian countries, as well as the President of the European Commission, will
hold the Sixth Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Helsinki
(Finland) on 10-11 September 2006. The Helsinki Summit will mark the tenth
anniversary of the ASEM process. President José Manuel Barroso will be
accompanied by the Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The overarching theme of the
Summit is "10 Years of ASEM: Global Challenges - Joint Responses”. The
Summit will have a particular focus on globalisation. Other topics will
include strengthening multilateralism and addressing security threats,
sustainable development and intercultural dialogue. Leaders will also
discuss topical regional and international developments, and are expected
to take a decision on the further enlargement of ASEM.
[03] L’UE et la Chine devraient décider d’ouvrir des négociations en
vue d’un nouvel accord cadre global
Le neuvième sommet annuel entre l’UE et la Chine aura lieu le 9
septembre Helsinki. Les représentants européens et chinois examineront
toutes les questions bilatérales et internationales, en particulier le
renforcement de la coopération pour relever certains des principaux défis
mondiaux actuels. Ils aborderont les questions de l’environnement et des
changements climatiques, de la réadmission et des droits de l’homme,
ainsi que les aspects économiques et commerciaux, notamment
l’amélioration de l’accès de l’UE au marché chinois. Les
discussions porteront également sur la sécurité énergétique, les deux
parties reconnaissant l’importance d’une coopération étroite et
d’une approche du marché fondée sur des règles. L’UE et la Chine
échangeront leurs positions sur les questions régionales et
internationales, y compris l’Asie de l’Est, l’Afrique, l’Iran, la
Corée du Nord, la Birmanie/Myanmar et le Moyen Orient. Les représentants
européens et chinois devraient décider de l’ouverture de négociations
en vue de l’adoption d’un nouvel accord cadre reflétant toute la
mesure de ce partenariat croissant.
[04] EU-Korea Summit, September 9th
EU leaders will travel to Finland to meet the President of the Republic of
Korea Roh Moo-hyun for the Third Summit between the European Union (EU) and
the Republic of Korea (ROK, commonly known as South Korea) in Helsinki on
9th September 2006. Alongside European Commission President José Manuel
Durão Barroso and European Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU will be
represented by the Prime Minister of Finland Mr Matti Vanhanen in his
capacity as President of the European Union and High Representative for
Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.
[05] Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung meets with European
Commission President Barroso
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visited the European Commission’s
headquarters on 8 September and met with President Barroso before
travelling on to Helsinki to attend the 6th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on
10-11 September. The meeting focused on the strengthening EU-Vietnam
political links in the context of Vietnam’s “Master Plan” on
relations with the EU and Vietnam’s role in the region. Prime Minister
Dung’s visit constituted his first official foreign visit since his
designation as Prime Minister in June this year. The Prime Minister Dung
was accompanied by a high-level delegation including, inter alia, Deputy
Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, and Minister for Trade
Truong Dinh Tuyen.
[06] Commission invited business leaders to Brussels to discuss the
European Institute of Technology and the Role of the Business Sector in
Education, Science and Innovation in Europe
A meeting of business leaders was held in Brussels on 7 September at the
initiative of the President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso.
Representatives from some of the most R&D-intensive European enterprises in
key technology sectors, as well as major business organisations, agreed to
take part in the meeting organised by the European Commission's Bureau of
European Policy Advisers (BEPA). Vice President Verheugen, Commissioners
Figel' and Kroes also attended the meeting, which focused on the role of
the business sector in education, science and innovation in Europe, linked
to the Commission's flagship project, the European Institute of Technology.
[07] Alcohol taxation: Commission proposes increases of minimum rates
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to increase the minimum
rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages agreed in 1992,
from 1 January 2008. Considering the need to avoid the EU system of minimum
rates becoming meaningless and in line with the request of the Finance
Ministers of the Member States' to come forward with this proposal, the
Commission proposes to increase the minimum rates taking into account the
inflation since 1992 and, therefore, restore their real value. The majority
of Member States are unaffected by this proposal as their national rates
already exceed the proposed new minimum rates. However, for those Member
States that will have difficulties to increase their national rates
immediately transition periods, up to 2010, are proposed. Although the
inflation rate is 31%, the economic and social impact of the proposal can
be considered as minimal. For example, for beer, the biggest required
increase in national excise duty would be of the order of € 0.01 (one
eurocent) on half a litre of beer, at the latest by 1 January 2010.
[08] EU to deploy Elections Observation Mission to Nicaragua
Following invitations from the state and electoral authorities, the
European Commission has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation
Mission (EOM) to Nicaragua for the Presidential and Parliamentary elections
scheduled to take place on 5 November 2006. The EU EOM will be headed by
Claudio Fava, Member of the European Parliament (Italy), who will serve as
Chief Observer.
[09] Commissioner Potočnik visits Romanian research community
Commissioner Potocnik, European Science and Research Commissioner, will be
in Romania on 11 and 12 September for an official visit. He will visit two
Romanian research facilities, as well as meeting leaders of the science,
research and business communities, and government representatives. During
his trip he will meet the President and Prime Minister of Romania. He will
commend Romania on the efforts undertaken so far to integrate into the
European Research Area, and discuss where improvements can be made.
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Speech by Charlie McCreevy on “IPR – Next Steps” at the Informal
ECOFIN Council in Helsinki
Calendrier hebdomadaire du 11 au 17 septembre
FAQ : Are European education & training systems equitable and efficient ?
Preparation of Eurogroup and Informal Economic and Finance Ministers
Council, Helsinki 8 and 9 September
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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