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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-10-19Midday 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 Communicationb19/10/06[01] LIFE-Nature 2006: Commission funds 61 nature conservation projects in 20 countries with over €70 millionThe European Commission has approved funding for 61 nature conservation projects, situated in 20 Member States under the LIFE-Nature programme 2006. The projects will restore protected nature areas and their fauna and flora, establish sustainable management structures and strengthen public awareness and co-operation with stakeholders. They will thus further contribute to the protection of biodiversity in Europe - and more particularly improve the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected sites. The selected projects are situated in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. They represent a total investment of €141.6 million, of which the EU will cover €70.1 million.[02] LIFE-Pays tiers 2006: La Commission octroie 6,5 millions € seize projets environnementaux dans des pays voisinsLa Commission européenne a approuvé le financement de seize nouveaux projets environnementaux dans les régions méditerranéenne et baltique au titre du programme LIFE-Pays tiers 2006. Ces projets seront mis en œuvre en Albanie, Algérie, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Croatie, Égypte, Israël, Maroc, Russie, Syrie, Tunisie et Turquie et incluent deux projets internationaux. Ils représentent un investissement total de près de 10 millions € – dont environ 60 % sont financés par l'UE. Les projets visent améliorer l’environnement et assurer le développement durable en contribuant la création ou au renforcement des institutions politiques, des instruments de surveillance, des installations de formation, des réseaux et des bases de données nécessaires. Ils couvrent des questions environnementales essentielles, comme la gestion des déchets, la prévention de la pollution atmosphérique et la lutte contre cette pollution, la gestion des bassins hydrographiques et le tourisme durable ainsi que la promotion de l'harmonisation avec la réglementation de l'UE.[03] LIFE-Environment 2006: Commission funds 50 innovation projects in 14 countries with €66 millionThe European Commission has approved funding for 50 new environmental innovation projects in 14 countries under the LIFE-Environment programme 2006. These projects will demonstrate new methods and techniques for dealing with a wide diversity of Europe’s environmental problems. The projects are based in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. They represent a total investment of €214 million, of which the EU will provide just under €66 million.[04] Evaluating impact and benefits of EU policies on Freedom, Security and Justice: at European ConferenceThe European Commission organises a Conference "Evaluation of EU policies on Freedom, Security and Justice" on 19-20 October 2006 to prepare a new mechanism for a first global evaluation in this field in 2007[05] Une feuille de route stratégique pour les infrastructures de recherche européennes est rendue publique lors d’un forum de l’Union européenneAujourd’hui, le Forum stratégique européen sur les infrastructures de recherche (ESFRI) a présenté la toute première feuille de route européenne pour les infrastructures de recherche. Le document décrit 35 projets de grandes infrastructures de recherche dont l’ESFRI a estimé qu’ils étaient d’une importance capitale pour les progrès de la science et de l’innovation en Europe. La feuille de route permettra d’aborder la conception de ces installations selon une approche européenne commune et sera très utile pour fixer les priorités et réunir les importants moyens financiers nécessaires leur mise au point. Les infrastructures de recherche sont les grandes installations, principaux éléments d’équipement de recherche, ensembles d’instruments, bases de données et réseaux qui aident les scientifiques dans leur tâche. Parmi les installations de ce type figurant sur la feuille de route, on peut citer les systèmes de grand laser, les observatoires des grands fonds marins, les biobanques et le très grand télescope européen.[06] The international Development community meets in Brussels for the first European Development DaysThe most important players of the international Development community will meet in Brussels between the 13th and the 17th of November for the First edition of the European Development Days (EDD) organized by the Directorate General for Development of the European Commission, under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel. This first edition will focus on the African continent and the challenges in terms of governance as main topics and will include an EU-Africa Business Forum.[07] Commissioner Piebalgs and Bob the Builder remind children of the importance of energy efficiencyAndris Piebalgs was joined today at the European School in Uccle by popular cartoon character Bob the Builder – from a leading pre-school programme that helps children learn teamwork, problem solving and facing obstacles through the power of constructive play. The Energy Commissioner presented the European School with an Energy certificate and spoke to the children about the energy efficiency potential of their school. The visit coincided today with the European Commission's adoption and presentation of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which also highlights the need for immediate action to improve existing buildings in the EU.[08] Économiser 20% d’ici 2020: la Commission dévoile son plan d’action pour l’efficacité énergétiqueLa Commission européenne a présenté aujourd’hui son plan d’action pour l’efficacité énergétique, qui constitue une étape importante sur la voie suivie par l’UE pour relever les défis historiques auxquels elle est confrontée dans le secteur de l’énergie. Le plan d’action comprend un paquet de mesures prioritaires englobant une vaste gamme d’initiatives efficaces par rapport leur coût dans le domaine de l’efficacité énergétique. Il s’agit notamment d’actions visant rendre plus efficaces les appareils consommateurs d’énergie, les bâtiments, les transports et la production d’énergie. Le plan propose de nouvelles normes contraignantes en matière d’efficacité énergétique, la promotion de services énergétiques, des mécanismes de financement spécifiques l’appui de produits plus économes en énergie. La Commission instaurera en outre un “pacte des maires” regroupant les 20 30 villes d’Europe les plus en pointe et proposera un accord international sur l’efficacité énergétique. Au total, plus de 75 mesures sont exposées.[09] € 450 million for restructuring and conversion of vineyardsThe European Commission has adopted two decisions on restructuring and conversion of vineyards. The first decision makes an indicative financial distribution to wine producing Member States of € 450 million for actions in the 2006/2007 marketing year. The second sets the definitive allocations for the 2005/2006 marketing year.[10] Commission and Ukraine sign Memorandum of Understanding on AgricultureEU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, and Ukraine’s Minister of Agricultural Policy, Yuriy Melnyk, yesterday (Wednesday) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on agriculture at a ceremony in Brussels. The Memorandum will provide a structured framework for establishing consultation and cooperation mechanisms on agricultural issues. "Ukraine is a key partner of the EU in the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy and is also a major producer of agricultural products", said Commissioner Fischer Boel. "Ukraine can benefit from our experience in setting up and implementing agricultural and rural development policies. At the same time, the EU will benefit from an enhanced exchange of information on agricultural production and trade." The Memorandum of Understanding will establish a new platform to discuss agricultural issues on a regular basis, as a complement to current institutional structures. This will improve mutual knowledge of the two sides’ agricultural policies and contribute to the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Joint Action Plan under the European Neighbourhood Policy. Cooperation will assist Ukraine’s convergence to international production and trade standards and provide a starting point for introducing agricultural and rural development aspects into the work towards a new Enhanced Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Ukraine’s role in international organisations dealing with agriculture is constantly increasing; this new dialogue will allow the two sides to coordinate, when necessary, their respective policies at such international fora.[11] Commissioner pidla honours young winners of 'Breaking Stereotypes' poster contestA poster designed by a young art student from Poland has been chosen as the winner of the 'Breaking Stereotypes' competition, part of the European Union's "For Diversity. Against Discrimination" information campaign. The design submitted by Aleksandra Woldańska from the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań, Poland was chosen by a jury of experts from across Europe as the most creative and thought-provoking entry. Vladimír pidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, presented the designer and her academy with a prize, before opening an outdoor exhibition of the artwork submitted for the competition. More than 750 students from 270 different academies and universities took part in the poster competition and the best designs will be on display in glass panels outside the European Commission's Berlaymont building from 19 October to 30 November. To coincide with the launch of the exhibition, a banner promoting the messages of the campaign has covered the side of the Berlaymont building from Monday October 16th. The contest is one of many initiatives taking place under the "For Diversity. Against Discrimination" campaign, which aims to raise awareness of legislation to combat discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation. In 2006, the campaign has a particular focus on informing young people about their rights to equality in the workplace. The different activities are developed in close liaison with NGOs, national governments, trade unions and employer associations in each Member State. The poster competition is one of the campaign's EU-wide activities. For more information on the 'Breaking Stereotypes' Poster Contest and the campaign in general see - www.stop-discrimination.info[12] Commissioner pidla welcomes the Mobility Bus Roadshow on its last stop in BrusselsAfter visiting eight countries across Europe, the Mobility Bus Roadshow will make its final stop in Brussels, Belgium today. On the last leg of its journey, the bus will stop at the European Commission's Berlaymont building, where Employment Commissioner Vladímir pidla and other members of the College will pay a visit, before it moves on to Brussels' Grand' Place for a reception with the city's mayor. The Tour will end in front of the opera house at the Place de la Monnaie. Highlights of the Roadshow include 2000 visitors at the first three stops in France, Germany and Poland, a 'mobility village' with special recruitment sessions in Warsaw, Poland, and coverage by the local MTV station in Milan, Italy. The launch event in Paris, France, saw the direct recruitment of 100 candidates in sectors ranging from sales and marketing to accountancy and mechanics. The Roadshow's Helsinki stop coincided with the first Europe-wide Job Fair on 29-30 September, which took in events in over 450 European towns and cities and saw over 200.000 visitors The colourful, nine-metre bus is a joint project by nine national employment services for the European Year of Workers' Mobility and has been providing visitors with access to job opportunities through EURES and expert advice on living and working in another European country. To visit the Bus, journalists are invited to come to the Berlaymont from 11h30 to 12h00 where Commissioner pidla and other Commissioners will be available for a photo opportunity.[13] Rédiffusion[14] Mergers: Commission opens infringement procedure against Spain for not lifting unlawful conditions imposed by CNE on E.ON’s bid for EndesaThe European Commission has formally requested Spain to explain why the conditions imposed by the Spanish Energy Regulator (CNE) that were declared contrary to Community law have not been withdrawn as requested by a Commission decision adopted on 26 September 2006 under the EU Merger Regulation (see IP/06/1265). The request takes the form of a “letter of formal notice”, the first stage of infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply the Commission may decide to issue a formal request to Spain to withdraw the relevant conditions. This request would be in the form of a ‘reasoned opinion’, the second stage of infringement proceedings.[15] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Commissioner Almunia « Discussion Forum on Financial Services and Capital Markets at the Translatlantic Policy Network EU/US discussion ForumSpeech by Commissioner Mandelson to the European Socialist Party Conference on Economic Partnership Agreements Speech by Margot Wallström on the Constitutional Treaty: The way forward at the Notre Europe debate on “Plan B: how to rescue the European Constitution” Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the European Union and Central Asia – building a 21st century partnership at the L.N. Gumilyev Eurasian National University in Astana Speech by Andris Piebalgs on Wind Energy for the Future at the opening ceremony of Wind Technology Platform Speech by Mr. McCreevy on Understanding the Regulatory Challenges organised by AISAM and ACME in Bruges Memo on European Research Infrastructures – 35 projects identified Memo on research shows huge potential energy savings through light-bulbs and household goods Memo on European Conference “Evaluation of EU Policies on Freedom, Security and Justice – 19-20 October Memo on Saving 20% by 2020
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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