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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-01-11Midday 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[I] Résultats de la Commission du 10 janvier 2007 -
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb11/01/07[I] Résultats de la Commission du 10 janvier 2007 -Outcome of Commission meeting of 10 January[01] Commission proposes an integrated energy and climate change package to cut emissions for the 21st CenturyThe European Commission has proposed a comprehensive package of measures to establish a new Energy Policy for Europe to combat climate change and boost the EU's energy security and competitiveness. The package of proposals sets a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy and aims to create a true internal market for energy and strengthen effective regulation. The Commission believes that when an international agreement is reached on the post-2012 framework this should lead to a 30% cut in emissions from developed countries by 2020. To further underline its commitment the Commission proposes that the European Union commits now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures.[02] Promouvoir les biocarburants comme alternative crédible au pétrole dans les transportsEtant donné l'augmentation considérable des prix du pétrole et les préoccupations croissantes concernant la stabilité et la sécurité des approvisionnements en énergie, ainsi que le respect de l'environnement dans ce domaine, la promotion des biocarburants dans les transports fait partie des priorités de l'Union européenne. A l'heure actuelle, les biocarburants sont le seul moyen de réduire notablement la dépendance par rapport au pétrole dans le secteur des transports. Dans le cadre de sa politique énergétique pour l'Europe, la Commission européenne est résolue à encourager la production et l'utilisation des biocarburants en proposant de fixer un objectif contraignant minimal de 10% pour leur utilisation comme carburant pour les véhicules d'ici 2020.[03] Saving 20% by 2020 : Commission unveils its Action Plan on Energy EfficiencyAs a major step toward meeting the unprecedented energy challenges facing the EU, the European Commission presented its Energy Efficiency Action Plan in October 2006. The Plan contains a package of priority measures covering a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives. These include actions to make energy appliances, buildings, transport and energy generation more efficient. Stringent new energy efficiency standards, promotion of energy services, specific financing mechanisms to support more energy efficient products are proposed. The Commission will furthermore set a Covenant of Mayors of the 20-30 most pioneering cities in Europe and will propose an international agreement on energy efficiency. Altogether, over 75 measures are set forth.[04] Une politique énergétique pour l'Europe : la Commission intensifie son action face aux défis énergétiques du XXIe siècleLe monde d'aujourdhui se trouve face à un défi énergétique et environnemental, qui se pose avec une acuité particulière à l'Europe, et concerne tous les Etats membres de l'UE. Il s'agit de parvenir à assurer à l'Europe une énergie sûre, compétitive et durable, dans le contexte du changement climatique, de la hausse de la demande mondiale d'énergie et des incertitudes qui pèsent sur l'approvisionnement futur. Si un Etat membre ne relève pas ce défi, cette inaction rejaillira sur les autres Etats membres. Si des difficultés surviennent en dehors de l'Union européenne, elles peuvent avoir une incidence sur l'ensemble de l'UE. C'est pourquoi l'Europe a besoin d'une politique énergétique forte. L'analyse stratégique de la situation énergétique réalisée par la Commission européenne constitue une étape importante vers une politique énergétique efficace pour l'Europe.[05] Aiming towards a low CO2 fossil fuel futureClimate protection involves making the most efficient use possible of our available energy sources. The potential to increase the efficiency of converting coal into electricity must therefore be exploited in Europe and worldwide. Furthermore, the technologies for the capture and permanent storage of carbon dioxide produced by power plants must be developed further and used more widely. As part of its Energy Policy for Europe, the European Commission has adopted a Communication on how to generate power from fossil fuels in a sustainable manner with a focus on sustainable coal technologies – these will enable coal to maintain its important contribution to secure and competitive energy supplies for Europe.[06] Commission sets out a new impetus for the internal energy marketThe EU has clearly recognised that the internal energy market is the policy line that ensures fair prices to citizens and industries. At the same time, it guarantees that even smaller companies, for instance those that invest in renewable energy, have access to the energy market. A well functioning market also ensures sufficient investments in power plants and transmission networks to avoid interruptions in power or gas supply. In order to realise the full potential of the internal gas and electricity market, the European Commission has put forward new proposals as part of its Energy Policy for Europe.[07] Approche européenne de l'énergie nucléaire, de la sûreté et de la sécuritéIl appartient à chaque Etat membre de décider de recourir ou non à l'énergie nucléaire. Le nucléaire peut certes prendre une part importante dans la combinaison énergétique de l'Union européenne, mais il est essentiel de continuer à traiter les questions relatives à la sûreté et la sécurité. A partir de ce constat, la Commission européenne a proposé de créer un groupe à haut niveau réunissant les autorités nationales de réglementation nucléaire afin d'élaborer une approche commune et des règles européennes dans le domaine de la sûreté et de la sécurité nucléaires.[08] European electricity and gas networks : Commission calls for urgent improvementsAs part of its Energy Policy for Europe, the European Commission has sounded the alarm over the current state of energy infrastructure and proposed a number of priority actions. Urgent measures are needed to develop an effective energy infrastructure, electricity and gas networks across Europe and to achieve the objectives of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.[09] L'UE est pratiquement en voie d'atteindre l'objectif en matière de production d'électricité à partir de sources d'énergie renouvelables fixé pour 2010En 2001, l'Union européenne s'est fixé comme objectif d'élever à 21% la part de l'électricité produite à partir de sources d'énergie renouvelables (ou "électricité SER") dans les Etats membres d'ici 2010. Dans le cadre de sa politique énergétique pour l'Europe, la Commission européenne a publié un rapport concernant les progrès accomplis dans ce domaine. Bien que, depuis l'élaboration du dernier rapport il y a deux ans, la production de ce type d'électricité ait augmenté de 50%, les chiffres indiquent que la part totale de l'électricité SER sera très légèrement en dessous de l'objectif fixé, en atteignant 19% d'ici 2010.[10] A Renewable Energy Roadmap : paving the way towards a 20% share of renewables in the EU's energy mix by 2020Climate change, increasing oil and fossil fuel dependence and rising energy prices: all these factors are rendering Europe increasingly vulnerable. The key to a sustainable future must involve renewable energies. As part of its Energy Policy for Europe, the European Commission has put forward a proposal for a long-term Renewable Energy Roadmap. The proposal includes an overall binding 20% renewable energy target and a binding minimum target of 10% for transport biofuels for the EU by 2020, and a pathway to bring renewable energies in the fields of electricity, heating and cooling and transport to the economic and political mainstream.[11] Energy Technology for cheaper renewables, greater efficiency and global leadership of the European industryTechnology will play a central role in achieving the targets of the new Energy Policy for Europe. For this reason the Commission will annually invest approximately €1 billion between 2007 and 2013 in energy technology research and innovation. Technology should lower the costs of renewable energy, increase the efficient use of energy and ensure that European industry is at the global forefront. The European Union aims to be a front-runner in changing the way energy is produced, distributed and used: to this end, the European Commission will prepare the first European Strategic Energy Technology Plan in 2007 as part of its Energy Policy for Europe.[12] Concurrence : l'enquête sectorielle sur les marchés de l'énergie lancée par la Commission confirme l'existence de graves problèmes de concurrenceLa Commission européenne a publié son rapport final concernant l'enquête sectorielle sur les marchés de l'énergie ; elle conclut que les consommateurs et les entreprises pâtissent de l'inefficacité et du coût des marchés du gaz et de l'électricité. Parmi les problèmes rencontrés figurent le degré élevé de concentration du marché, l'intégration verticale de l'offre, de la production et de l'infrastructure qui empêche un accès équitable aux infrastructures et débouche sur des investissements insuffisants dans ces dernières, et enfin la mise en place éventuelle de pratiques collusoires entre les opérateurs en place en vue du partage des marchés. Pour remédier à ces problèmes, la Commission poursuivra ses actions de suivi dans des cas individuels, sur la base des règles de concurrence (lutte contre les ententes, contrôle des opérations de concentration et aides d'Etat) et prendra des mesures pour améliorer le cadre réglementaire applicable à la libéralisation de l'énergie (voir également IP/07/29). La Commission a déjà effectué un certain nombre d'inspections d'entreprises lorsque ces aspects particuliers le justifient.[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles[13] Cross-border euro payments now significantly cheaperEU rules on how banks should charge for cross-border euro payments have brought about significant savings for consumers, without leading to an increase in charges for domestic transfers, according to a European Commission report. A €100 cross-border transfer, which would have cost on average €24 before the rules were introduced, now costs on average €2, 50. The rules have also provided banks with an incentive to develop and invest more in an EU-wide payments infrastructure, which in the longer term should help to reduce costs for all consumers.[14] La Commission lance une consultation au sujet de la réglementation applicable aux entités d'audit de pays tiersLa Commission européenne a lancé une consultation publique au sujet de sa stratégie et de ses priorités futures à l'égard des pays tiers en matière de contrôle légal des comptes. Elle souhaite connaître le point de vue des entreprises au sujet des modalités de supervision des entités d'audit de pays tiers et des possibilités de coopération entre l'UE et les pays tiers. Cette consultation devrait aider la Commission a trouver des solutions concrètes et cohérentes dans le cadre de la directive sur le contrôle légal des comptes. Les parties intéressées sont invitées à faire connaître leurs observations avant le 5 mars 2007.[15] Second estimate for the third quarter of 2006 : Euro area GDP up by 0.5% and EU25 up by 0.6% ; +2.7% and +3.0% respectively compared to the third quarter of 2005Euro area (EA12) GDP grew by 0.5% and EU25 GDP by 0.6% in the third quarter of 2006 according to revised estimates from Eurostat. In the second quarter of 2006, growth rates were +1.0% in both zones. In comparison with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP in the third quarter of 2006 grew by 2.7% in the euro area and by 3.0% in the EU25, after +2.9% and +3.0% respectively in the previous quarter. In the third quarter of 2006 and among the Member States for which seasonally adjusted GDP data are available, Latvia (+3.5%) recorded the highest growth rate, followed by Estonia (+2.8%), Slovakia (+2.7%) and Ireland (+2.6%).[16] Commission suspends Election Observation Mission to BangladeshThe European Commission has decided to suspend its Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Bangladesh covering the parliamentary elections on 22nd January. The Commission has called back the long-term observers already on the ground, and will not deploy the other phases of its observation mission, which was due to be led by MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff.[17] "Cohesion policy 2007-2013 can put Silesia in the fast lane", Danuta Hübner tells Urban Policy Conference in KatowiceSilesia has a golden opportunity to make a leap forward by making the best of the €1,570 million the European Regional Development Fund will invest in the Polish region was the message Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner delivered today in Katowice. The Commissioner speech to the 'Urban Policy within the framework of European Union Cohesion Policy 2007-2013' conference focused on the preparation of the Regional Operational Programme for Silesia. The conference is a joint initiative of the Silesian union of municipalities and districts, the city of Katowice and the association of Polish cities. Some one hundred and fifty mayors and other participants from the local authorities in Silesia and other regions of Poland together with a number of guest speakers from other EU Member States are among the participants. Regional development minister Grażyna Gęsicka and member of the European Parliament, Jan Olbrycht, will also address the conference. Commissioner Hübner will have meetings with president of the city of Katowice, Piotr Uszok, the marshal of the Slaskie voivodship Janusz Moszyński, and the voivode of Slaskie, Tomasz Pietrzykowski.[18] Celebrate Europe! New website to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of RomeOn Friday 5th January 2007 the European Commission launched a special website to mark the opening of the festivities surrounding the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. With its interactive and multilingual interface, the website highlights the benefits that European integration has brought to European citizens during the last 50 years, and aims to help re-engage them in shaping the future of the European Union. The new website, which was produced by the European Commission's Directorate General for Communication in collaboration with the other EU Institutions, provides user-friendly information in 22 official EU languages. It is designed to serve as a reference point at the heart of the festivities, offering quick access to information on how, why and where Europe is celebrating its 50th birthday. Alongside historical reminders about the origins of the EU and a section on the major milestones of European integration, EUROPA users can search and choose from a vast array of world-wide events categorised according to country, date, or type of event. The site will be constantly updated and will remain online for the duration of 2007.More information on the Treaties of Rome, which laid the foundations of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, better known as the EEC and Euratom, can be found at: <a href="http://europa.eu/scadplus/treaties/eec_en.htm">http://europa.eu/scadplus/treaties/eec_en.htm. The treaties themselves can be accessed at: <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/treaties_founding.htm">http://eur- lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/treaties_founding.htm 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome site: <a href="http://europa.eu./50">http://europa.eu./50 [19] Autre matériel diffuséLimiter le réchauffement de la planète à 2 degrés CelsiusQuestions and answers on the Commission Communication limiting global climate change to 2°C Energy sector competition inquiry – final report – frequently asked questions and graphics Introductory remarks by Neelie Kroes on final report of Energy Sector Competition Inquiry Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Wymiar miejski Europejskiej Polityki Spójności w latach 2007-2013" at Konferencja 'Polityka miejska w kontekście polityki spójności UE w latach 2007-2013' (Katowice) Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Jakiej Europy potrzebujemy? Polityka
spójności w latach 2007-2013 i jej znaczenie dla Unii Europejskiej" to
Akademia Ekonomiczna w Katowicach (Katowice)
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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