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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-05-08
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Zagreb Summit for more regional cooperation in South-East Europe
[02] Danuta Hübner at "Europe Day" kick off event in Regensburg, Bavaria
[03] S'approprier l'Europe: le lancement du nouveau programme «L'Europe
pour les citoyens» est imminent
[04] European electronic customs: Commission welcomes progress to reach
political agreement
[05] World looks to Helsinki as Eurovision sings for diversity
[06] Le Parlement européen accueille une exposition sur les bâtiments de
l'Union européenne à Bruxelles
[07] Enregistrement de quatre dénominations de produits agricoles
[08] "Europe goes local": EU external assistance staff visit schools on
Europe Day
[09] Statement by Commissioner Danuta Hübner on the new executive in
Northern Ireland
[10] Meeting on logistics and freight transport in the European Union held
today
[11] Joe Borg congratulates Libya on decision to implement international
bluefin tuna recovery plan
[12] Rédiffusion
[13] The Netherlands is the first Member State to give assurance on
spending EU funds
[14] Commissioner Piebalgs in close contact with Ukranian authorities after
gas explosion
[15] Electronic Stability Control to reduce car accidents by 20%
[16] Commissioner Kyprianou welcomes Council agreement on animal welfare
rules for broilers
[17] Autre matériel diffusé
[18] (!embargo: 18h00!) Speech by Günter Verheugen: "Transatlantic
Business Dialogue" at the TABD Innovation Conference Healthcare in Berlin
Midday Express of 2007-05-08
Reference: MEX/07/0508
Date: 08/05/2007
EXME07 / 08.5
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
08/05/06
[01] Zagreb Summit for more regional cooperation in South-East Europe
On 11 May 2007 Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and Enlargement
Commissioner Olli Rehn will attend the meeting of the Heads of State and
Government of the South-East European countries in Zagreb, at the 10th
summit of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP). The Summit,
which will also be attended by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, holder
of the current EU Presidency, and the President of the European Parliament
Hans-Gert Pöttering, will take stock of regional cooperation in South-East
Europe and discuss further ways of strengthening it.
[02] Danuta Hübner at "Europe Day" kick off event in Regensburg, Bavaria
EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner is attending today a "Europe
Day" organized by the Bavarian government in Regensburg (Germany) to mark
the European week in Bavaria. The event will celebrate 50 years of European
integration in the context of the German Presidency. The celebration of the
Europe Day starts with an extraordinary session of the Bavarian Government
in the city hall and is dedicated to European affairs. Commissioner Danuta
Hübner and Minister President Stoiber will be attending a joint press
conference as well as a discussion with students on European issues. An
information exhibition entitled "Europe succeeds through strong regions"
will be inaugurated in the city centre to which citizens are invited to
attend.
[03] S'approprier l'Europe: le lancement du nouveau programme «L'Europe
pour les citoyens» est imminent
Le nouveau programme «L'Europe pour les citoyens» sera lancé ce jeudi 10
mai lors d'une manifestation qui aura lieu simultanément à Bruxelles
(Belgique) et à Rhodes (Grèce). Plus de 500 participants, parties
prenantes et parties intéressées de toute l'Europe s'y réuniront pour
examiner la manière de relever le niveau de participation civique des
Européens et discuter de son importance pour l'intégration européenne.
À Bruxelles, l'accent sera placé sur la fourniture d'informations aux
représentants des médias et des organisations de la société civile,
ainsi que des groupes de réflexion et des pouvoirs locaux ou régionaux.
À Rhodes, la manifestation sera axée sur le lancement du nouveau
programme, et elle sera combinée avec une conférence sur l'une de ses
composantes, l'action de jumelage de villes.
[04] European electronic customs: Commission welcomes progress to reach
political agreement
The European Commission welcomes the progress made by the European Council
of Ministers to reach a political agreement on the implementation of pan-
European electronic customs. After long discussions Member States have
agreed on the next steps towards a paper free environment for customs
(IP/05/1501). Member States and the Commission favour a step-by-step
approach where electronic systems will be implemented in several phases.
The compromise agreement now needs to be confirmed by the European
Parliament in a second reading which is expected to come in the next
months.
[05] World looks to Helsinki as Eurovision sings for diversity
The eyes and ears of Europeans and television viewers across the world will
focus on Helsinki from 5-12 May as the Eurovision Song Contest searches for
a new musical superstar while highlighting the European Year of Equal
Opportunities for All.
[06] Le Parlement européen accueille une exposition sur les bâtiments de
l'Union européenne à Bruxelles
Dans le cadre de la célébration du 50e anniversaire de l'Union
européenne, le Parlement européen accueillera une exposition retraçant
l'évolution des bâtiments et de l'architecture de l'Union européenne Ã
Bruxelles. Cette exposition montrera comment la ville de Bruxelles est
devenue la capitale politique de l'Europe durant les cinquante années qui
ont suivi l'arrivée des premiers fonctionnaires européens en 1957. Elle
contient des plans, des propositions concernant l'urbanisme, des maquettes
et diaporamas, et est non seulement rétrospective, passant en revue les
changements survenus durant les cinquante dernières années, mais
également prospective, par le biais de plans architecturaux pour le futur.
Elle offre également un aperçu de plans n'ayant jamais été réalisés.
La pièce centrale de l'exposition sera une maquette complète de la
totalité de la ville de Bruxelles.
[07] Enregistrement de quatre dénominations de produits agricoles
La Commission européenne a ajouté quatre dénominations de produits
agricoles et alimentaires à la liste des appellations d'origine protégées
(AOP) et indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Il s'agit des
produits français "Tome des Bauges" (AOP - fromage) et "Pomme du Limousin"
(AOP - fruit) et, pour la République tchèque, de "Pohořelický kapr"
(AOP – poisson) et de "Žatecký chmel" (AOP – houblon). Les
dénominations s'ajoutent à la liste d'environ 800 produits déjÃ
protégés en vertu de la législation sur la protection des indications
géographiques, des appellations d'origine et des spécialités
traditionnelles. Des renseignements sur les produits de qualité ainsi que
la liste des dénominations protégées sont disponibles sur l'internet Ã
l'adresse : <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm
[08] "Europe goes local": EU external assistance staff visit schools on
Europe Day
On 9 May, some 100 officials from the European Commission will travel to
regions across Europe to meet pupils in their schools and to engage in
dialogue with students across the European Union (EU). The 'Europe Day in
Schools’ initiative, organised in collaboration with the European regions,
aims to raise awareness among young people of the actions undertaken by the
European Union around the world. By going local, to regions such as Liberec
in the Czech Republic and Jelgava in Latvia, to talk directly to European
students (13-18 year-olds) and listen to their views, these Commission
volunteers, who work in the field of external cooperation, will stimulate
debate on the values and principles that underpin European solidarity, as
the EU celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
[09] Statement by Commissioner Danuta Hübner on the new executive in
Northern Ireland
"I am delighted at the creation of the new executive in Belfast. This is a
great day for the people of Northern Ireland. The European Commission has a
long and on-going history of support to Northern Ireland. Over the last 20
years European Cohesion policy has contributed more than €2.5 billion of
investments in economic and social development, and more than €1.5
billion has gone to the process of peace and reconciliation through the
Peace Initiative and the International Fund for Ireland. The Commission
will continue to provide support in the years ahead. But as important as
the financial investment is the approach that has been used for
implementing these European policies. They have been built on the widest
consensus possible and on the full participation of all parts of the
community, creating a partnership of all those with an interest in
improving the daily lives of the people of Northern Ireland. This, I hope,
has been a valuable contribution in bringing Northern Ireland to where it
is today", stated EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner.
[10] Meeting on logistics and freight transport in the European Union held
today
More than 150 representatives from industry, public administration and
civil society are meeting in Brussels today to discuss measures in support
of logistics and freight transport in the European Union. The conference,
organised by the European Commission and the German Presidency of the EU
Council, is looking at how innovation and new technologies, administrative
simplification and improved qualifications of staff can help overcome the
challenges facing freight transportation. At the top of the agenda are the
expected 50% growth in freight transportation by 2020 and the need to do
more to protect against the environmental effects of transport, including
CO2 emissions, noise and pollution. The Commission is preparing a plan of
actions to address these issues, which Vice-President Jacques Barrot will
present in autumn this year. The action plan is expected to focus on
encouraging the complementarity and combination of different modes of
transport.
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/consultations/2006_04_26/2007_05_08_conference_logistics_action_plan_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/consultations/2006_04_26/2007_05_08_conference_logistics_action_plan_en.htm
[11] Joe Borg congratulates Libya on decision to implement international
bluefin tuna recovery plan
"I very much welcome Libya's decision to implement the recovery plan for
bluefin tuna that was adopted by the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas last November. By withdrawing its objection
to the plan, despite some remaining concerns, Libya clearly demonstrates
its commitment to living up to its international obligations and to playing
its part in ensuring the recovery of this stock. This move sends a strong
signal to all ICCAT parties that we must all urgently pull together if we
are to prevent the collapse of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean
bluefin tuna, and, as an unavoidable consequence, the collapse of all
related fisheries" commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries
and Maritime Affairs. The International Commission for the Conservation of
Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a resolution, last November, in Dubrovnik,
to establish a long-term recovery plan for the overfished bluefin tuna
(IP/06/1632). Over fishing is seen as the result of fleet overcapacity and
lack of enforcement of the rules. This plan, which enters into force this
year, includes gradual reductions in fishing possibilities, longer closures
of the various related fisheries and the setting up of an international
control scheme. ICCAT Parties who object to its resolutions are not bound
by the related rules. Yesterday, Libya informed the European Commission
that it was lifting its objection and would implement the plan from 2007.
[12] Rédiffusion
[13] The Netherlands is the first Member State to give assurance on
spending EU funds
The European Commission has warmly welcomed a voluntary national statement
from the Dutch government on the financial control and regularity of EU
funding in the Netherlands in 2006.
[14] Commissioner Piebalgs in close contact with Ukranian authorities after
gas explosion
The European Commission is in close contact with Ukrainian authorities to
gather information on the explosion that has affected part of a gas
pipeline in Ukraine today. Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is in close
contact with the Ukrainian Fuel & Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko to find out
the causes of the explosion and its effects in the supply of gas to the
European Union. According to preliminary information provided by Minister
Boiko, the supplies to the EU will not be affected as additional pipeline
interconnections are available to carry the necessary volumes towards the
EU. Commission services will continue to monitor the developments on gas
supplies from Ukraine to the EU after the incident.
[15] Electronic Stability Control to reduce car accidents by 20%
Every year more than 40,000 people die and over one million are injured in
road crashes in the EU. Loss of control (e.g. skidding) has been identified
as the main cause of traffic accidents involving serious injury or death.
As a result Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is becoming the most
promising eSafety technology on the market. ESC is an important active
safety device, which can help Europe meet its goal of halving road
fatalities by 2010 as set out by the EU in 2001. A Europe-wide 'Choose
ESC!' campaign will be launched at the Bridgestone European Testing ground
near Rome on 8th May 2007.
[16] Commissioner Kyprianou welcomes Council agreement on animal welfare
rules for broilers
Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health, has welcomed the
Council's political agreement today on new rules to improve the welfare of
chickens kept for meat production (broilers). The Directive aims to reduce
the overcrowding of chickens, by setting a maximum stocking density of
33kg/m2, or 39kg/m2 if stricter welfare standards are met. The new
legislation also lays down a number of other conditions to ensure better
animal welfare, such as lighting, litter, feeding, and ventilation
requirements. The Directive also provides for the Commission to possibly
introduce further measures in the future, based on the scientific data and
practical evidence collected by the Member States. The Council also adopted
today conclusions on animal welfare labelling and the Commission will now
carefully study this issue and report on the various options.
[17] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Oli Rehn on "Open debate on enlargment" at the European
Parliament, Foreign Affairs Committee
Speech by Charlie McCreevy "SEPA: An opportunity for Europe – Role of the
public sector" at the SEPA Conference in Brussles
Memo on Zagreb summit – recent achievements in regional cooperation and
concrete measures to make the EU perspective tangible for the citizens of
the Western Balkans
[18] (!embargo: 18h00!) Speech by Günter Verheugen: "Transatlantic
Business Dialogue" at the TABD Innovation Conference Healthcare in Berlin
Speech by Danuta Hübner "Europa – unsere gemeinsame Zukunft" at the
Festakt zur Eröffnung der Europawoche 2007 in Bayern.
Speech by Commissioner Janez Potocnik "Sustainability: we can't build it
alone" at the Conference "Sustainable Neighbourhood – from Lisbon to
Leipzig through Research" in Leipzig
Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel on "Annual Policy Strategy in Agriculture
for 2008" at the meeting with Agricultural Committee at the European
Parliament in Brussels
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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