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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-06-03Midday 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 Communicationb03/06/08[01] L'UE fait connaître le numéro d'appel d'urgence européen, le 112, avant les vacances d'étéLa Commission européenne intensifie ses efforts pour promouvoir l'utilisation du numéro gratuit d'appel d'urgence européen, le 112, au sein de l'UE. À partir d'aujourd'hui, le nouveau site internet ec.europa.eu/112 présentera aux citoyens européens la manière d'utiliser le 112 et les services que ce numéro peut leur rendre, en particulier lorsqu'ils voyagent dans l'UE. Ce site indique également comment le 112 fonctionne dans chaque État membre, avec quelle rapidité les appels sont traités et dans quelles langues.[02] Commission provides more humanitarian aid to fight acute malnutrition in the SahelThe European Commission has allocated an additional €5 million to reduce acute malnutrition and mortality in West Africa's Sahel region. The aid targets the most vulnerable – in particular an estimated 1.3 million acutely malnourished under-five as well as five million pregnant and breast- feeding women. The countries covered are Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger as well as the Sahel regions in the north of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Nigeria and Togo. The €5 million is in addition to the €25 million already made available in June last year (see IP/07/785) and the extra €5 million allocated for further food aid in the Sahel this year. The recent massive global increase in food prices has further intensified the pressure on the most vulnerable groups in a region chronically prone to crisis.[03] Commissioner Hübner opens EU-Russia seminar in Moscow on best practice and challenges in regional policyDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, today opens an EU-Russia seminar in Moscow with Mr. Dmitry Kozak, Russian Minister of Regional Development. The two-day seminar, entitled 'Strategic and governance aspects of regional policy', involves experts from Finland, Germany, Portugal and Spain, together with representatives from Russian ministries, universities and regions. The event takes forward work in progress under a Memorandum of Understanding on regional policy dialogue that the European Commission signed with the Russian Federation in May 2007.[04] ECHA: European Chemicals Agency inauguratedThe European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) was officially opened today by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Vice-President Günter Verheugen together with Gérard Onesta, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and Finnish Prime Matti Vanhanen. Located in Helsinki, ECHA is responsible for managing the implementation of the REACH requirements in relation to the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction processes of chemical substances. ECHA formally began its activities a year ago and its work has been devoted to intensive preparations, including staff recruitment and establishing support structures and procedures. On 1st June 2008 two key processes of REACH entered into operation: Registration of chemicals and pre-registration of the some 30,000 chemicals currently in use (e.g. acids, metals, solvents, surfactants). Manufacturers or importers of chemicals have to pre-register them by 1 December 2008 if they want to continue manufacturing or importing them without interruption. It has been estimated that over 180,000 pre- registration files will be submitted.[05] Brussels: Public debate on Intercultural Dialogue in the workplaceIntercultural Dialogue in the workplace will be in the spotlight on Wednesday 4 June in the fourth Brussels Debate of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The debate entitled “Couscous Culture: is that what Intercultural Dialogue in the workplace is all about?" is organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Network Against Racism. It will take place at 18:30h in the Residence Palace and will be opened by EU Commissioner VladimÃr `pidla.[06] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in Russia for bilateral talksThe launch of negotiations for a new agreement with Russia, preparations for the forthcoming EU-Russia Summit, and international issues will be high on the agenda when Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner visits Moscow on 3 and 4 June. In addition to meetings with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Foreign Minister Sergeij Lavrov, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will address Members of the Duma and representatives of the European business community.[07] Green Week 2008: Only One Earth – Don't waste it!This year's Green Week, the biggest annual conference devoted to European environment policy, will take place from 3 to 6 June at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels. Under the slogan "Only One Earth – Don’t waste it!" Green Week 2008 will focus on the need for Europe and the rest of the world to make its use of resources more sustainable. In addition to 38 conference sessions, there will be an extensive side-events programme, including a ceremony on 3 June at which Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will announce the winners of the European Business Awards for the Environment 2008. Eleven companies from seven Member States have been nominated.[08] Hausse des prix à la production industrielle de 0,8% dans la zone euroL'indice des prix à la production industrielle a augmenté de 0,8% dans la zone euro (ZE15) et de 0,9% dans l'UE27 en avril 2008 par rapport à mars 2008. En mars, les prix avaient crû de 0,7% dans les deux zones.En avril 2008 comparé à avril 2007, les prix à la production industrielle ont augmenté de 6,1% dans la zone euro et de 7,6% dans l'UE27. Ces données sont publiées par Eurostat.[09] Euro area and EU27 GDP up by 0.8% - +2.2% and +2.5% respectively compared with the first quarter of 2007Euro area (EA15) and EU27 GDP grew by 0.8% in the first quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to first estimates released by Eurostat. In the fourth quarter of 2007, growth rates were +0.3% in the euro area and +0.5% in the EU27. Compared with the first quarter of 2007, seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.5% in the EU27, after +2.1% and +2.5% respectively for the previous quarter.[10] Roadmap on visa free travel opens EU doors to AlbaniaToday, in a ceremony taking place in Brussels (16:00PM, Charlemagne building, Room 4/23) Mr Michael Leigh, Director-General of DG Enlargement, and Mr Jean-Louis De Brouwer, Director of Directorate Immigration, Asylum and Borders of DG Justice, Freedom and Security of the European Commission will transmit the Roadmap on visa liberalisation to the Albanian Foreign Affairs Minister Lulzim Basha. The Roadmap gives clear indications to the Albanian authorities on the measures that need to be taken in order to grant visa free travel to all its citizens.[11] Statement by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Brussels, 2 June 2008"I take note of the OSCE/ODIHR preliminary findings on the elections which took place yesterday, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I deeply regret the violence which marred the elections. A day which should have been a peaceful demonstration of democratic values resulted instead in the loss of a life as well as injury to several people. The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission has reported that key international standards were not met. Organised violence, intimidation and ballot stuffing in many places prevented citizens from exercising their democratic rights. The selective application of the law by the state authorities was also a serious concern. It is essential that the authorities address these findings and the recommendations which shall follow. I expect the authorities to duly investigate all reported incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice. I welcome Prime Minister Gruevski's commitment to hold a re-run of the election in all the polling stations where there was violence and disorder. It is imperative that these re-runs are held in line with international standards. The EU is firmly committed to the European perspective of the country. I underline that holding free and fair elections is an essential part of the political criteria of the EU accession process."[12] Commission clears acquisition of Iomega by EMCThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Iomega Corporation (Iomega) of the US by EMC Corporation (EMC), also of the US. EMC provides solutions to companies for storing, protecting and optimising vast quantities of information. Iomega produces electronic portable storage devices for consumers and small businesses. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[13] Open Hearing on Retail Investment Products 15 JulyThe European Commission has published the draft programme for the Open Hearing on Retail Investment Products, to be held in Brussels on 15 July 2008. The Hearing will bring together senior policy makers, industry experts and consumer representatives to discuss a topic that has attracted increasing political attention in recent months, namely the evolving market for retail investment products and whether the current fragmented regulatory framework provides a sound basis for ensuring that investors receive the information and the quality of service they need to make appropriate investment decisions. The Hearing will be opened by the Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy, and will be addressed by Othmar Karas MEP, rapporteur for the European Parliament report on the Green Paper on Retail Financial Services; Theodor Kockelkoren. Member of the Executive Board, Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets; and Thierry Franq of the French Treasury, who will provide perspectives from the incoming French Presidency of the EU Council. Agenda and registration available at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/finances/cross- sector/index_en.htm#hearing">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/finances/cross- sector/index_en.htm#hearing[14] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on 112, the single European emergency number: Frequently Asked Questions• Memo on European Chemicals Agency ECHA - Questions and Answers • Memo on Implementing REACH in practice • Speech by President Barroso '10th Anniversary of the ECB', Frankfurt • Speech by President Barroso 'Working with Finland for a Global Europe of opportunity and results', Helsinki • Speech by Vice-President Wallström 'The citizens' right to know – transparency, access and outreach – essential tools for democracy', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Food security and the CAP Health Check', Ljubljana • Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'EU-Russia cooperation: unlocking the potential of dialogue on regional policy', Moscow • Speech by Commissioner Piebalgs 'Regional cooperation in Europe', Riga • Speech by Commissioner Piebalgs 'Energy Security in the Baltic Sea Region', Riga • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Health Check of the CAP Reform', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Pernod Ricard / V&S Eramet/ Tinfos DPWL/ZIM/Contarsa Lesaffre/GBI UK
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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