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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-05-22Midday 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 Communicationb22/05/08[01] Environment: Commission launches European Green Capital AwardThe European Commission is launching a new annual European Green Capital Award, to be given each year to a city that is leading the way with environmentally friendly urban living. The launch event will be held at 1800 on 22 May 2008 at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, where Commissioner Dimas will sign a Declaration establishing the award scheme together with Paddy Bourke, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and President of the Union of Capital Cities of the European Union. Cities may then apply via an online application form to be selected as the European Green Capital for 2010 and 2011. Mr Jüri Ratas, former Mayor of Tallinn and current Vice- President of the Estonian Parliament, who laid the ground for the award in May 2006, will also be present, along with other mayors. Any European city with a population of more than 200,000 can apply, and a jury will select the winning cities for 2010 and 2011 later on this year. The award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places – "fit for life". The launch of the award also coincides with World Biodiversity Day.[02] World Biodiversity Day: the Commission warns against biodiversity lossToday is World Biodiversity Day, and yet biodiversity is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. The EU has a package of measures in place to try and halt the loss, with an action plan well under way, a huge network of protected areas nearing completion, and a major report forthcoming on the economic consequences of biodiversity loss.[03] Consumers: Empowering consumers in the energy market – consumer and competition policies mutually reinforcingToday, Consumer Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva, delivered a keynote speech at the Slovenian Presidency Competition and Consumer day which was devoted to energy. She highlighted the importance of reinforcing and implementing the rights of EU energy consumers. Only consumers who are informed and confident that their rights will be respected will be active on the market, switching to an offer which best meets their needs. Consumer ability and confidence to make the right choices will reward the best suppliers and overall improve markets. In this way, consumer and competition policies are working hand in hand. The new Consumer Markets Scoreboard, launched in January this year, allows the Commission to assess how retail energy markets are delivering for consumers.(for more information: IP/08/782 - H. Kearns - Tel. 298 7638 - Fax. 296 7912)[04] Industrial new orders down by 1.0% in euro areaIn March 2008 compared with February 2008, the euro area (EA15) industrial new orders index fell by 1.0%. In February the index grew by 0.2%. In the EU27 new orders fell by 0.7% in March 2008 after declining by 0.3% in February. Excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment industrial new orders decreased by 0.3% in the euro area and increased by 0.9% in the EU27. In March 2008 compared with March 2007, industrial new orders decreased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 1.3% in the EU27. Total industry excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment fell by 5.0% in the euro area and by 4.2% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat.[05] Commission launches public consultation on review of the 'Less Favoured Area' schemeToday the Commission has launched a public consultation on a possible review of the 'Less Favoured Area' scheme as the next step in the on-going Impact Assessment exercise. This consultation seeks to collect the opinions and experiences of stakeholders and interested members of the public on four policy options. The options are set out in a comprehensive consultation paper, which has been published by a Commission Inter service steering group, taking into account the results of a series of hearings and discussions which have already taken place with stakeholders, experts and Member States. The consultation is open until the end of June. The paper itself as well as the email and postal addresses to which opinions should be sent can be found at:<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/consultations/lfa/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/consultations/lfa/index_en.htm [06] New Commission analysis looks at the role of China in world agricultureChina is one of the fastest growing economies today and is the third largest trader after the EU and the US. The latest "MAP (Monitoring Agri- trade Policy)", published by the Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, focuses on trade which has been one of the key drivers of economic growth since China joined the WTO in 2001. It has been a net importer of agricultural products since 2003 and is the biggest importer of several key commodities, including soybeans and edible oils. Increases in income and urbanization, leading to increased feed and food demand, mean that China's impact on world agricultural markets can only become stronger.The MAP is available at <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/map/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/map/index_en.htm [07] Enregistrement de deux dénominations de produits agricolesLa Commission européenne a ajouté deux dénominations de produits agricoles et alimentaires à la liste des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP) et indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Il s'agit de "ÄŒeský kmÃn" (Epice - République Tchèque - AOP) et "Cordero de Navarra" ou "Nafarroako Arkumea" (Viande fraïche d'agneau - Espagne – IGP). Les deux dénominations s'ajoutent à la liste d'environ 800 produits déjà 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 à l'adresse: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htmRediffusion [08] Commissioner Michel appeals to Sudanese parties for end of violence in AbyeiLouis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, called on both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan to agree an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of all armed forces from the Sudanese town of Abyei following the recent escalation of fighting.[09] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Antitrust: Commission takes note of Microsoft's announcement on supporting ODF in Office• Memo on Informal Ministerial and conference on Disability • Memo on Social Situation Report 2007 – Social cohesion through equal opportunities • Memo on European Green Capital Award • Memo on Antitrust: Commission opens formal proceedings against Gaz de France concerning suspected gas supply restrictions • Memo on State aid: future regime for cinema support • Memo on Antitrust: Commission welcomes Court of Justice judgement in Methionine cartel case A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : E.ON/Endesa Europa/Viesgo
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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