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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-06-25
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] La Commission européenne (1958-1972) – histoire et mémoires d'une
institution. La Commission publie un livre sur les fondements de l'Europe
d'aujourd'hui
[02] Migration and asylum : new actions to cooperate with third countries
[03] Deux premières demandes d'aide financière du Fonds d'ajustement la
mondialisation (FEM) approuvées par la Commission
[04] Telecoms : Commission insists access network competition must be
maintained in Germany
[05] Le règlement européen sur les tarifs d'itinérance internationale
entrera en vigueur le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres
[06] "Television Without Frontiers" Directive : in Finland more people will
be able to see major sporting events on TV
[07] Douanes : la Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le code
des douanes modernisé
[08] Member States deliver no opinion on the authorisation of GM maize
[09] BSE : Commission adopts new measures for categorising countries
according to risk
[10] Avian influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild swans in Germany : authorities
applying precautionary measures
[11] Proposition visant adapter la classification, l'étiquetage et
l'emballage des produits chimiques aux normes des Nations-Unies
[12] Internal Market : Commission report on motor insurance issues
[13] Preparation Environment Council, 28 June 2007
[14] Switzerland signs up to the 7th Research Framework Programme
[15] EC-Norway energy dialogue : both parties confirm strong commitment to
carbon capture and storage technology
[16] Statement of Commissioner Piebalgs after the signature of a BP-Gazrpom
agreement on the Kovykta gas field
[17] EU and Algeria look for new ways to increase Algerian gas supplies to
Europe
[18] Eurostat clarifies classification of securitisation operations
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-06-25
Reference: MEX/07/0625
Date: 25/06/2007
EXME07 / 25.6
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
25/06/07
[01] La Commission européenne (1958-1972) – histoire et mémoires d'une
institution. La Commission publie un livre sur les fondements de l'Europe
d'aujourd'hui
Pour les 50 ans des Traités de Rome, la Commission publie le 29 juin un
livre de référence sur ses premières années (1958-1972). Cet ouvrage a
été rédigé par des historiens européens sur base de quelque 120
témoignages d'acteurs de l'époque. Il illustre l'invention de la
Commission, ses premiers combats et son développement politique et
administratif. Le Président Barroso a offert l'ouvrage aux membres du
Conseil européen les 21 et 22 juin, pour souligner le rôle plus que
jamais central de la Commission.
[02] Migration and asylum : new actions to cooperate with third countries
The European Commission has launched a new programme to cooperate with
third countries in the areas of migration and asylum with a budget of
€380 million for 2007-2013. Building on the experience of its predecessor,
AENEAS, the programme will seek to support third countries in their efforts
to ensure better management of migratory flows in all its dimensions. The
focus will be countries along the Southern and Eastern migratory routes
towards the European Union, although other migratory routes as well as
South-South migrations will also be covered.
[03] Deux premières demandes d'aide financière du Fonds d'ajustement la
mondialisation (FEM) approuvées par la Commission
Le commissaire européen en charge de l'emploi, des affaires sociales et de
l'égalité des chances, Vladimír `pidla, a annoncé aujourd'hui que les
deux premières demandes d'aide au titre du Fonds européen d'ajustement
la mondialisation ont été approuvées par la Commission et présentées
la décision du Parlement européen et du Conseil de l'Union
européenne. Les deux premières demandes d'intervention du FEM concernent
le secteur de l'industrie automobile française et, plus précisément, les
sous-traitants de Peugeot-Citroën et de Renault. Les sommes demandées au
FEM sont respectivement de l'ordre de 2.558.250 euros pour le premier
dossier, et de 1.258.030 euros pour le deuxième. Les deux demandes ont
pour but d'aider des travailleurs devenus excédentaires la suite de
faillites d'entreprises dans un contexte mondial de relations commerciales
en mutation dans le secteur de l'industrie automobile.
[04] Telecoms : Commission insists access network competition must be
maintained in Germany
The European Commission has today requested the German regulatory authority
BNetzA (Bundesnetzagentur) to secure adequate access and ensure a level
playing field in the transition to high bandwidth Next Generation Networks
(NGN). BNetzA is also asked to complete its market analysis for access to
NGN without further delay.
[05] Le règlement européen sur les tarifs d'itinérance internationale
entrera en vigueur le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres
L'usage du téléphone portable deviendra sensiblement moins cher cet été
grâce l'intervention de l'UE. Par sa publication au Journal officiel de
l'UE la fin de cette semaine, l'acte législatif majeur du marché
intérieur que constitue le règlement européen sur les frais
d'itinérance deviendra contraignant le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres.
Le processus législatif entamé le 12 juillet 2006 par la Commission
européenne pour lutter contre les frais d'itinérance excessifs des
consommateurs et voyageurs d'affaires dans leurs déplacements dans les
autres pays de l'Union aura ainsi été mené terme en un temps record.
Les autorités réglementaires nationales et la Commission surveilleront de
près le passage aux nouvelles règles d'itinérance afin de couper court
tout abus.
[06] "Television Without Frontiers" Directive : in Finland more people will
be able to see major sporting events on TV
Today the European Commission approved the list of major events notified by
Finland. Finland is therefore the seventh EU Member State, following in the
steps of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the UK) to offer
viewers the possibility of seeing major sporting events on TV, in
accordance with the Television Without Frontiers Directive. Whichever
Member State has jurisdiction over them, broadcasters with exclusive rights
to show the listed events must offer the general public free to air
broadcasts of major sporting and other events.
[07] Douanes : la Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le code
des douanes modernisé
La Commission européenne accueille favorablement l'accord politique auquel
est parvenu le Conseil des ministres de l'UE sur un code des douanes
communautaire modernisé qui simplifiera la législation et rationalisera
les procédures et processus douaniers au bénéfice des autorités
douanières et des opérateurs (IP/05/1501). Il reste maintenant au
Parlement européen confirmer l'accord en deuxième lecture, ce qui
devrait se faire dans les prochains mois.
[08] Member States deliver no opinion on the authorisation of GM maize
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today voted on a
Commission proposal to authorise the genetically modified maize 59122 (also
called Herculex RW). However, the Committee returned no definitive decision
either for or against the proposed authorisation. As a result, the
Commission must now transmit the dossier to Council. If the Council does
not reach a position within 3 months, the proposal is sent back to the
Commission for final adoption. Herculex RW received positive safety
assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 2 April 2007.
Therefore, in line with the application submitted by the company, the
Commission is proposing to authorise the marketing of products containing,
consisting of or produced from this GMO for food and feed and for import
and processing (but not for cultivation). The authorisation would be valid
for a 10 year period. Any products produced from this GM maize would be
subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules for GMOs. For
more information, see:
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm
[09] BSE : Commission adopts new measures for categorising countries
according to risk
The European Commission has today adopted a Regulation simplifying and
updating EU measures for the categorisation of countries according to their
BSE risk. The categorisation of countries is a means of determining the
import conditions for live animals, meat and meat products, in order to
provide the necessary guarantees for human and animal health. Today's
Regulation, which amends the TSE Regulation 999/2001, brings the EU
categorisation system into line with that of the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE). It entails listing all countries under one of three
headings – negligible BSE risk, controlled BSE risk and undetermined BSE
risk – and shaping the trade rules according to each risk category.
Detailed criteria for the determination of BSE status, rules on the
collection of specified risk material and rules governing the import of
live animals and animal products into the EU are also laid down in today's
Regulation. The new country categorisation system will replace the 4-
category Geographical BSE Risk (GBR) assessment procedure which has been
applied as a transitional measure up to now. This transitional GBR
categorisation is due to expire on 30 June 2007, and the TSE Roadmap (see
IP/05/592) states that the EU should then categorise countries according to
the OIE headings. The Regulation adopted today will enter into force on 1st
July 2007. For more information, see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/bse/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/bse/index_en.htm.
[10] Avian influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild swans in Germany : authorities
applying precautionary measures
On 24 June, the German authorities have informed the European Commission
that laboratory tests carried out at the regional laboratory in Bavaria and
the national reference laboratory for avian influenza in Insel Riems have
detected the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1
in two swans found dead in the province of Nürnberg, in Bavaria.
[11] Proposition visant adapter la classification, l'étiquetage et
l'emballage des produits chimiques aux normes des Nations-Unies
Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a proposé d'adapter l'actuel
système UE de classification des substances chimiques et des mélanges au
système général harmonisé des Nations Unies (SGH). Les critères de
classification et les éléments d'étiquetage harmonisés et approuvés
mondialement seront intégrés dans la nouvelle législation UE et
remplaceront les textes actuels sur la classification, l'étiquetage et
l'emballage des substances chimiques (directive 67/548/CEE) et des
mélanges (directive 1999/45/CE). Cette proposition revêt une grande
importance dans les efforts déployés l'échelle internationale pour
renforcer la protection de la santé humaine et de l'environnement contre
les effets des produits chimiques dangereux. L'harmonisation des exigences
au niveau mondial donnera un élan au commerce et la compétitivité et
de nouveaux pictogrammes seront introduits. Le règlement proposé
complètera le nouveau règlement REACH concernant l'enregistrement,
l'évaluation, l'autorisation et la restriction des produits chimiques. La
proposition sera dès présent examinée au Parlement européen et au
Conseil.
[12] Internal Market : Commission report on motor insurance issues
The European Commission has issued a report addressed to the European
Parliament and the Council on two motor insurance issues – the
effectiveness of claims representatives in settling claims, and insurance
cover for legal expenses. Based upon various consultations carried out in
2006 with Member States, industry and the public (see IP/06/472), the
report concludes that claims representatives are generally able to handle
claims within the required timescale. The report also concludes that
voluntary legal expenses insurance is available in the large majority of
Member States and that the obligatory inclusion of legal costs in third-
party liability insurance would not produce clear benefits.
[13] Preparation Environment Council, 28 June 2007
The last Environment Council under the German EU presidency will take place
on 28 June in Luxembourg. European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas
will represent the Commission. The Council has a substantial agenda. The
Presidency intends to reach political agreement on the revision of the
waste framework directive, a new directive limiting hazardous emissions to
water and a regulation banning the export of mercury. The Council also aims
to adopt conclusions on the revised EU strategy for reducing CO2 emissions
from new cars, the revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for
greenhouse gases and next year's UN conference on biological diversity. A
further set of conclusions is intended to give new impetus to EU
environment policy. Ministers will discuss whether to authorize a
genetically modified potato for cultivation in Europe and also aim to adopt
a decision on the EU's participation in international negotiations on
liability for damage resulting from transboundary movements of GMOs. A long
list of 'other business' points includes the presentation by the Commission
of a report on the directive on deliberate release of GMOs. German
Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, current President of the Environment
Council, and Commissioner Dimas will hold joint press conferences at
lunchtime and at the end of the meeting.
[14] Switzerland signs up to the 7th Research Framework Programme
At a ceremony held in the margins of the Competitiveness Council in
Luxembourg today, the EU and Switzerland signed an agreement enabling
Switzerland to join the 7th Research Framework Programme. The agreement
will allow Swiss research institutes, universities and companies to take
part in all aspects of the programme, on the same terms as their
counterparts in the EU Member States. Switzerland and the EU will thus
carry on the successful research partnership they have enjoyed since 2004,
when Switzerland joined the 6th Research Framework Programme, which led to
the participation of more than 1800 Swiss organisations in European
research projects. Switzerland's higher education institutes were
particularly strong participants in FP6, making up 59% of all Swiss
participants, ahead of industry with 29%. Swiss research entities
participated in all activities under FP6 and were strongest in Information
Society Technologies (IST). It is estimated that Switzerland's association
will bring an additional €1.4 million to the FP7 budget of about €54
billion. The Agreement was signed for the EU by European Science and
Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Ms. Annette Schavan, German
Federal Education and Research Minister and President of the Research
Council. For Switzerland, the signatory was the Head of the Federal
Department of Home Affairs, Mr. Pascal Couchepin.
[15] EC-Norway energy dialogue : both parties confirm strong commitment to
carbon capture and storage technology
European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Minister Odd Roger Enoksen
met in Stavanger yesterday and today to exchange views on the EU's recently
adopted Energy Policy for Europe and its follow up. The discussion also
focused on the liberalisation of the energy markets, the supply and demand
of gas in the European Economic Area, the possibilities offered by Carbon
Capture and Storage (CCS) technology and international energy cooperation
matters. Both sides took note of the activities of the Joint Energy
Cooperation Group, established in September 2006.
[16] Statement of Commissioner Piebalgs after the signature of a BP-Gazrpom
agreement on the Kovykta gas field
After the signature of an agreement between BP and its partners with
Gazrprom on the Kovykta gas field Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stated on 22
June: "The Commission welcomes the agreement between BP and Gazprom which
provides a mutually acceptable solution to the licenses issue for the
development of the Kovytka gas field. The Commission expects this agreement
will have a positive impact on the investment climate in Russia since the
deal recognises investments already made by TNK - BP in the Kovytka
project. The Commission welcomes intention to create an strategic alliance
to between Grazporm and BP for investment in long-term energy projects
which will thus contribute to EU's security of supply."
[17] EU and Algeria look for new ways to increase Algerian gas supplies to
Europe
The Algerian gas supplies to the EU could increase by 23,5 billion cubic
meters (bcm) per year by 2010 if the common infrastructure projects
currently under construction are achieved according to plan. This was one
of the conclusions of the bilateral meeting that European Energy
Commissioner Andris Piebalgs had with his Algerian counterpart, the
Minister of Energy and Mines, Chakib Khelil on 21 June, in the margins of
the EU-OPEC Ministerial that took place in Vienna (Austria). "Algeria has
been a reliable supplier to the EU for more than 30 years, and we are
looking forward to deepening our bilateral energy cooperation", said
Commissioner Piebalgs after the meeting.
[18] Eurostat clarifies classification of securitisation operations
Eurostat today has taken a decision on the recording, in national accounts,
of securitisation operations undertaken by general government. This
decision complements and amends the decision taken on the same issue in
2002 and follows the observation, in the context of the Excessive Deficit
Procedure monitoring and/or following bilateral consultations with Member
States, of various cases of securitisation operations in the last few years
which have led to uncertainties as to whether the recording in national
accounts was in line with the general principles set out in the European
System of Accounts (ESA 95). The Eurostat decision is consistent with the
opinion adopted by the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of
Payments Statistics (CMFB).
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
New programme to cooperate with third countries in the areas of migration
and asylum with a budget of €380 million for 2007-2013
Avec l'Eurotarif, les appels mobiles internationaux deviennent moins chers
dans l'Union européenne: mode d'emploi de l'itinérance
Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "Going on the offensive: a new approach to
EU agri-food exports" at AGRI / TRADE Conference
Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "EU-OPEC Energy Cooperation" at the 4th EU-OPEC
Ministerial Meeting (21/06)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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