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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-09-17Midday 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[I] Résultats de la Commission du 17 septembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 17 September 2008
[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb17/09/08[I] Résultats de la Commission du 17 septembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 17 September 2008[01] Commission proposes to expand food programme for the most deprived persons in the European UnionThe European Commission today proposed to improve the current food distribution programme for the most deprived persons in the European Union by increasing the budget by two thirds to around €500 million from 2009 and extending the range of products which can be provided. Originally designed to provide surplus stocks of farm produce ("intervention stocks") to needy people, the scheme was amended in the mid-1990s to make it possible to supplement intervention stocks with market purchases in certain circumstances. Now that surplus stocks are extremely low and unlikely to increase in the foreseeable future, the scheme should allow market purchases on a permanent basis, to complement remaining intervention stocks. The choice of food would be for the Member States and food distribution plans would be established for three-year periods. Food would continue to be distributed in cooperation with charities and local social services. From the 2010/12 plan, the scheme would be co-financed (75 percent from the EU budget, and 85 percent in cohesion areas). From the 2013/15 plan, co-financing would be split 50/50, with the EU budget providing 75 percent in cohesion regions. The Commission believes an increase in the budget to be necessary because rising food prices are adversely affecting the food security of needy people and increasing the cost of providing food aid. In 2006, more than 13 million EU citizens benefited from this aid scheme. The revised programme should be available from 2010.[02] Olympic Airlines et Olympic Airways: deux décisions en matière d’aides d’ÉtatLa Commission européenne a conclu aujourd’hui que le plan présenté par les autorités grecques afin de privatiser certains actifs d'Olympic Airlines et d'Olympic Airways Services sous une forme groupée ne constitue pas une aide d’État, condition que les engagements donnés par les autorités grecques soient pleinement respectés. La Grèce a donc reçu le feu vert de la Commission européenne pour procéder la privatisation. Cette décision fait suite une décision distincte, mais connexe, de la Commission consistant clôturer partiellement la procédure officielle d’examen en matière d’aides d’État qu’elle avait ouverte le 19 décembre 2007 propos d’aides accordées par la Grèce Olympic Airways et Olympic Airlines. La Commission a conclu que depuis sa dernière décision de septembre 2005 concernant le transporteur aérien national grec, Olympic Airways et Olympic Airlines avaient perçu de nouvelles aides d’État d’un montant estimé plus de 850 millions EUR. La présente décision de la Commission conclut que ces aides sont incompatibles avec le droit communautaire.[03] Mme Marian O’Leary désignée directrice de l’Office pour les infrastructures et la logistique LuxembourgLa Commission a désigné aujourd’hui Mme Marian O’Leary en qualité de directrice de l’Office pour les infrastructures et la logistique Luxembourg (OIL), qui est chargé de la gestion du portefeuille immobilier, des infrastructures sociales et de la logistique de la Commission sur son site de Luxembourg.[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles[04] Women, peace and security –it’s time to boost awareness and action on full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325At the initiative of Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, over forty women leaders from politics, business, civil society have asked UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to convene a ministerial level meeting in 2010 to review implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This initiative is a follow-up to the conference “Women: Stabilising an Insecure World” which united an outstanding group of over 40 leading women from all four corners of the globe at the invitation of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner in Brussels in March 2008.[05] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner attends EU-Central Asia Ministerial Troika and EU-Central Asia Security Forum in ParisCommissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be attending both the EU-Central Asia Ministerial Troika and the EU-Central Asia Security Forum in Paris on the 17/18 September. The EU Troika will hold its fourth joint meeting with their Central Asian counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the evening of the 17 September. Their discussions will cover topics such as EU-Central Asia relations, including cooperation in the area of education, environment and water management, border management, rule of law, fight against drug trafficking as well as international matters of common concern. Furthermore, ministers will prepare the first EU-Central Asia Security Forum, which will take place the following day. In her speech at this Forum, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will focus on how the EU and Central Asia can work together to fight against key threats and security challenges such as energy insecurity, organised crime, drug trafficking, environmental challenges and climate change. Cooperation on these issues is already anchored in the Central Asia Strategy adopted in 2007.[06] Déficit de € 2,3 milliards du commerce extérieur de la zone euroD’après les premières estimations pour le mois de juillet 2008, la zone euro (ZE15) a enregistré un déficit du commerce extérieur de € 2,3 milliards avec le reste du monde, comparé € +5,0 milliards en juillet 2007. Le solde enregistré au mois de juin 2008 était de € -0,2 milliard, contre € +7,5 milliards en juin 2007. En juillet 2008, par rapport juin 2008, les exportations corrigées des variations saisonnières ont augmenté de 3,7% et les importations de 5,8%. Les premières estimations du solde des échanges extra-UE27 pour le mois de juillet 2008 indiquent un déficit de € 21,5 milliards, contre € -13,6 milliards en juillet 2007. En juin 2008, le solde était de € -20,0 milliards, contre € -9,1 milliards en juin 2007. En juillet 2008 par rapport juin 2008, les exportations corrigées des variations saisonnières ont augmenté de 3,9% et les importations de 4,1%. Ces données sont publiées par Eurostat.[07] Construction output up by 0.1% in the euro areaIn the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production increased by 0.1% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.2% in the EU27 in July 2008, compared with the previous month. In June, production decreased by 0.9% and 0.7% respectively. Compared with July 2007, output in July 2008 dropped by 3.3% in the euro area and by 1.5% in the EU27. These first estimates are released by Eurostat.[08] Commission proposes compulsory origin labelling for virgin and extra virgin olive oilToday Member States discussed a draft European Commission proposal to introduce compulsory origin labelling for virgin and extra virgin olive oil. Rules introduced in 2002 established optional labelling for these oils, but this has proved insufficient to avoid consumers being misled about the true characteristics and origin of certain products. As a result of agricultural traditions and local extraction and blending practices, such oils may be of quite different taste and quality depending on their geographical origin. Therefore, the Commission intends to propose compulsory origin labelling for virgin and extra virgin olive oil. Oils coming from just one country will carry the name of the country of origin. Blends will be labelled either "blend of Community olive oils", "blend of non-Community olive oils", "blend of Community and non-Community olive oils" or, equivalent indications. Certain terms describing the organoleptic characteristics referring to the taste and/or smell of virgin and extra virgin olives have recently been defined by the International Olive Council and it is intended that these terms may also be used on labels. Following today's discussion, the Commission intends to notify the draft rules to the World Trade Organisation TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) Committee, a procedure which allows a period for comments of 60 days. A vote on a draft proposal is expected around the end of 2008. If adopted, new rules would apply from 1 July 2009.Rediffusion [09] Conférence sur le Respect du Droit international humanitaire : Louis Michel condamne la limitation de "l'espace humanitaire"Aujourd'hui, la Commission et le Parlement européen ont organisé conjointement une conférence sur le thème : « Respect du Droit international Humanitaire : un défi majeur, une responsabilité globale ». L’objectif de cette conférence était de mettre en lumière la situation actuelle du droit international humanitaire en vue de dégager des pistes concrètes pour en promouvoir davantage le respect. Plus de 450 participants se sont réunis au sein de l’Hémicycle du Parlement européen Bruxelles.[10] Marseille to be the European Capital of Culture for France in 2013The jury responsible for assessing the applications for the title of “European Capital of Culture in 2013”, which met today in Paris recommends that the title be bestowed on Marseille for France. Four cities were still in contention after the preselection meeting last December: Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse. The choice of Marseille should be formally endorsed by the Council of Ministers of the European Union in May 2009.[11] Autre matériel diffusé• Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel on the Commission proposal to expand food programme for the most deprived persons in the European Union• Speech by Commissioner pidla 'Premier sommet européen sur les Roms', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Michel 'Respect du Droit International Humanitaire: un défi majeur, une responsabilité globale', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : ENI/Distrigaz Galp Energia/ExxonMobil Iberia
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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