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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-10-27Midday 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 Communicationb27/10/06[01] Climate change: Member States need to intensify efforts to reach Kyoto emission targetsLatest projections indicate that the 15 States which were EU members before 2004 (EU-15) will only just reach their Kyoto Protocol target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The EU-15 are committed to reducing their collective emissions in the 2008-2012 period to 8% below the levels of the base year (1990 in most cases). The Commission's annual progress report shows that an 8% cut can be achieved in 2010 – the period's mid-point – provided that all actions planned by Member States are fully implemented and deliver the emission savings anticipated. Seven EU-15 Member States project that they will exceed their individual emission limits, which are binding under EU law. For the 25 current Member States (EU-25), the overall emission reduction by 2010 would be 10.8%.[02] EU and Brazil agree on a new EU poultry meat import regimeThe European Commission has concluded an agreement with Brazil on a new regime for imports of salted poultry meat, preparations of turkey meat and cooked chicken meat into the EU. The agreement modifies the current bound tariff rate concessions for the three items in question and foresees the creation of three new tariff rate quotas (TRQs), in conformity with the procedure set out by GATT Article XXVIII. Under this procedure, a WTO Member has the right to withdraw a concession provided that compensation is offered to the main trade partners.[03] Commissioner Piebalgs and Russian Energy Minister Khristenko meet in the first bilateral Conference on energy strategiesEnergy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will meet the Russian Minister for Industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko on 30 October in the margins of the Conference on Complementarities of the EU and Russian energy strategies organised within the framework of the EU-Russia Energy Dialogue. Commissioner Piebalgs has underlined that "the exchange of information on energy markets and energy policies in the EU and Russia is key to increasing mutual trust and confidence in our energy relations".[04] EU delivers aid to the Turkish Cypriot communityThe Commission has adopted today a financing decision for a total of €38.1 million to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. The financial assistance will focus on three objectives: developing physical infrastructure, promoting economic and social development and bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union.[05] The Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark to visit Commission on 6 NovemberThe Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Princess Mary will be making a visit to the European Union institutions on Monday, 6 November. During their one-day visit, the royal couple will be received by Commission President Barroso, as well as Commissioners Fischer Boel, Rehn, Hübner, Wallström and Potočnik. They will also visit the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The Crown Prince and Princess will spend time in the cabinet of Commissioner Fischer Boel, to gain an insight into the workings of the Commission.[06] EU/Norway/Faeroes agree on mackerel management measures for 2007Agreement was reached last Wednesday in Edinburgh between the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, Norway and the Faroe Islands on management measures for mackerel in the north east Atlantic for 2007. The Parties agreed on a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 422 551 tonnes (2006: 373 535 tonnes) which they will share in the waters under their national jurisdictions. At the annual meeting of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) in November a compatible TAC will be agreed for the NEAFC regulatory area. These arrangements will be confirmed by the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers in December, when they agree on the annual regulation setting fishing possibilities for 2007. This week's agreement was reached within the framework of the long-term management plan for mackerel set up in 1999, and the TAC set corresponds to the range of fishing mortality levels established in the plan. The significant increase in the TAC was made possible by the substantial improvements in control and enforcement that have taken place throughout the north east Atlantic over the past few years. This approach is consistent with the most recent scientific advice received from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in October, that the key to a sustainable fishery on mackerel lies in ensuring that the 1999 long-term management plan is adhered to in practice. The Parties also agreed to request advice from ICES in order to examine issues surrounding substantial underreporting of catches in the mackerel fisheries.[07] Rédiffusion[08] Statement by the President of the European Commission on the occasion of the nomination of the Commissioner designate for BulgariaI am happy to welcome the Commissioner designate from Bulgaria, Ms Meglena Kuneva, proposed by the Bulgarian government in agreement with me. Ms Kuneva is presently the Minister for European Affairs of the Bulgarian government. She has an impressive record in European affairs - I will only mention here her role as Bulgaria’s Chief Negotiator and her participation in the Convention. She knows the European Union very well and she is also a committed European – someone that shares our values. Her record as a lawyer and as a journalist is equally impressive. I have decided to entrust her with the consumer protection portfolio. As you know consumer protection is a very important issue for European citizens. It is also very important for our agenda for growth and jobs in Europe. I believe Mrs Kuneva has all the political, personal and technical competences for this very important job. I am sure that Ms Kuneva will be a very good Commissioner, not only in the portfolio, but also as a member of the college giving her contribution to the decisions that we take in a collegial way in the European Commission. Ms Kuneva’s name will now be forwarded to the Council, and she will then be heard by the European Parliament. This is one further step towards the enlargement of the EU on 1 January 2007. I congratulate the people of Bulgaria for it.[09] Statement by Commissioner Markos Kyprianou on the nomination of Ms Meglena Kuneva as Commissioner Designate for Consumer Protection.Following the announcement by President Barroso on the nomination of Ms Meglena Kuneva as Member of the European Commission from 1st January 2007, Markos Kyprianou Commissioner responsible for Public Health, Food safety and Consumer Protection said: "I extend my warmest congratulations to Ms. Kuneva on her nomination as European Commissioner. Since sometime now, President Barroso and I, agreed that Consumer Protection could be a portfolio on its own, particularly appropriate for a new Commissioner. Consumer Protection is central to the European citizen's agenda and while we have achieved a lot for Europe's Consumers already, there is a substantial work ahead which I'm sure Ms. Kuneva can take forward. It has been a great honor to play a role in promoting and defending Consumer's interests in the EU during the last two years. From the revision of the Consumer Credit Directive, to the new Consumer Program Post-2007, the opening of many European Consumer Centers across the Union much has been achieved. Looking forward the revision of the Consumer acquis will be the next challenge which I intend to set out in a Green Paper scheduled for adoption next month. I look forward to assisting and supporting Ms. Kuneva in preparing to take on this challenge in the weeks ahead".[10] Statement of Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner congratulates Aleksandr Milinkevich on winning the 2006 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought"I congratulate Mr. Aleksandr Milinkevich on winning the 2006 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Mr. Milinkievich has been a courageous fighter for democratic freedom and human rights in Belarus. As the leader of the Belarus united democratic opposition forces, he engaged himself consistently for greater freedom of thought and expression. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought fully recognizes his personal efforts. With this prize, all those in Belarus who bravely fight at their own personal risk for democracy, are also awarded further international recognition. With this price the EU indicates its strong hope to see free and fair local elections in January 2007. “[11] Invitation to first EU Forum on demography - Experts to share ideas on tackling Europe's ageing challengeBrussels 30-31 October, the European Commission will hold the first EU- level expert Forum to exchange policy solutions to Europe's ageing crisis. The 'Forum on Europe's demographic future' will bring together 400 Member State representatives and experts from around Europe to discuss concrete ways of taking on the challenges of a shrinking workforce and ageing population. The event will kick off with a press conference at 09h30am with Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimir pidla, Finnish Social Affairs Minister Tuula Haatainen, and Ursula Von Der Leyen, the German Federal Minister for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. All three will also speak in the opening session of the Forum. The press conference will take place at 09.30 on Monday 30 October - VIP corner - in the Charlemagne Building, rue de Loi 170. The Forum will follow at 10.30 in the same building. Journalists wishing to attend the Forum should send an email to: info@destree.be (please indicate that you represent press/media in the title). Programme available on http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/emplweb/events/event_en.cfm?id=625[12] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Siim Kallas on « The European Union : an Eldorado of corruption ? » at the Conference on corruption at Deutsche Hochschule für VerwaltungswissenschaftenSpeech by Danuta Hübner at the annual General Assembly of the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions in Murcia Speech by Margot Wallström – Opening address at the Stakeholder conference on “Understanding public opinion” in Madrid Speech by A. Piebalgs on “Financing Local Intelligent Energy Projects” at the Third BISE Forum in Riga Speech by Danuta Hübner “Closing address” at the Brussels launch of the South West of England’s Regional Economic Strategy in Brussels Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner « Human Secuirty and Aid Effectiveness – The EU’s challenges » at the Overseas Development Institute in London Memo “Calendrier hebdomadaire du 30 au 3 novembre”
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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