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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-08-31Midday 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 Communicationb31/08/07[01] Commission welcomes positive outcome of the electricity supply surveillance system used this summerEnergy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomed today the positive outcome of the electricity suppliers surveillance system deployed this summer being ready to act in the event of any major supply disruptions.[02] L'après-ouragan Dean : la Commission finalise un paquet d'aide humanitaire de €3M pour les CaraïbesLa Commission s'apprête à allouer une aide d'urgence de 3 millions d'euros pour faire face aux dégâts provoqués par l'ouragan Dean dans les Caraïbes. Cette décision permettra de venir en aide à près de 50 000 personnes, victimes de l'ouragan au Belize, en Jamaïque, à Sainte Lucie, à la Dominique et en Haïti. Les fonds seront gérés par ECHO, le service d'aide humanitaire de la Commission européenne, sous la responsabilité du Commissaire Louis Michel.[03] Danuta Hübner in Greece: "In view of the huge damage caused by the fires, the intervention of the European Solidarity Fund can help citizens and local economies"European regional Policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner is flying over the Peloponnese today by helicopter in order to start to evaluate the damage caused by the fires of the last few days. She meets Prime Minister Mr. Costas Karamanlis, the Minister of Economy and Finances Mr.George Alogoskoufis and the Deputy Minister Mr. Christos Folias. She also meets the President of the PASOK party, Mr. George Papandreou.[04] Commission welcomes Uruguay's decision to join European digital TV standardThe Commission welcomes Uruguay's selection of the DVB standards for its digital terrestrial and mobile TV. The terrestrial DVB standard, DVB-T, has already been adopted in Europe and by over 100 countries worldwide and DVB- H is the EU-preferred standard for mobile TV. This decision will support the long term partnership that the EU wishes to develop with Uruguay and the rest of Latin America to exploit the potential of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to foster economic growth, social cohesion, competitiveness and cultural exchanges with Europe. Other countries in the region are expected to decide in the coming months and are now in a position to contribute to join this movement towards creating a truly global standard.[05]August 2007: Economic sentiment remains broadly stable in the EU and weakens in the euro areaIn August, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) stabilised in the EU and continued to decrease in the euro area. The indicator decreased by 0.1 of a point in the EU and by 1.0 point in the euro area, to 113.2 and 110.0 respectively. However, in both areas, the indicator still stands well above its long-term average. [06] August 2007: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area picks up slightly in AugustThe Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area increased slightly in August. The high level of the indicator suggests that economic activity in the industry sector is expected to remain firm in the coming months, despite the deceleration of industrial production growth in the second quarter of 2007. The increase of the BCI was largely due to improved assessments by industry managers of order books and the production trend observed in recent months. Managers' assessments of export order books and stocks of finished products remained stable, while their production expectations declined slightly.[07] Commissioner Kyprianou visits China to discuss improved cooperation on food safety and public health issuesEuropean Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will visit the People’s Republic of China and Hon Kong from 6 to 14 September. The Commissioner will participate in two sessions of the World Economic Forum's 'Inaugural Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2007'. He will have meetings with the Chinese Vice Premier, the Chinese Minister for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and the Ministers for Agriculture and for Health. Increased co-operation between China and the EU on food safety is expected to be a key focus of discussions. The Commissioner will also address the issue of illegal trade in food, and promote the development of more rapid and effective communication between China and the EU on this issue.[08] Report reveals large water saving potential in EuropeAhead of the Informal Environment Council in Lisbon, which will focus on water scarcity and droughts, a report published by the Commission states that water use in the European Union could be reduced by about 40%. This figure is nearly twice as much as previously estimated. In July 2007, the Commission raised a number of issues to be taken into account to ensure the availability of water for all human, economic and social activities and at the same time presented an initial set of policy options. At the heart of these policy options is the need to reduce the amount of water used in Europe and to better manage water resources available on the continent.[09] Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn regrets the latest developments on police reform in Bosnia and HerzegovinaBy rejecting High Representative/EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak's draft police reform proposal even without discussion, party leaders Haris Silajdzic and Sulejman Tihic have undermined ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on police reform. This has set back Bosnia and Herzegovina's chances of concluding a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Bosnia and Herzegovina now risks falling farther behind its neighbours and ending up last on the road to Europe.[10] Autre matériel diffuse[11] July 2007 - Euro area unemployment stable at 6.9%; EU27 down to 6.8%According to Eurostat, euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment stood at 6.9% in July 2007, unchanged compared to June. It was 7.8% in July 2006. The EU27 unemployment rate was 6.8% in July 2007, compared with 6.9% in June. It was 7.9% in July 2006. In July 2007, the lowest rates were registered in Denmark (3.2%), the Netherlands (3.4%) Cyprus (4.1%)and Austria (4.3%). Unemployment rates were highest in Slovakia (10.6%) and Poland (9.7%).(Eurostat news release 118/2007) [12] <!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF -- >Selon une estimation rapide publiée par Eurostat, le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro s'établirait à 1,8% en août 2007. En juillet, le taux était également de 1,8%.(Eurostat news release 117/2007) Mergers: Commission clears the proposed creation of "Vivergo" jointly controlled by BP and ABF Mergers: Commission clears proposed joint control of Magna by Russian Machines and the Stronach Trust Competition: EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes to visit China to strengthen competition policy cooperation Le discours de José Manuel Durão Barroso prononcé à Université d'été du MEDEF le 30 août 2007
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 |