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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-11-19Midday 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 Communicationb19/11/08[01] State aid: Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes hosts 21 November conference on recent reforms and next steps under the State Aid Action PlanThe State Aid Action Plan has been the most comprehensive reform of the EU's State aid rules ever. A high-level conference in Brussels on Friday 21 November hosted by the European Commissioner for Competition, Neelie Kroes, will set out recent steps and what is in the pipeline for the next months. In addition to Commissioner Kroes, the conference will hear contributions from the most important stakeholders of European state aid control - Member States, industry, academia and the legal community – on what has been achieved so far, and what still needs to be done.[02] Commission presents EU strategy for safer ship dismantlingThe European Commission today presented an EU strategy to make the dismantling of old ships safer for workers and the environment. Every year between 200 and 600 large merchant ships are taken apart for their valuable scrap metal. Many ships taken out of service in Europe end up being dismantled on beaches in South Asia. A lack of environmental protection and safety measures results in high accident rates, health risks and extensive pollution of wide stretches of the coast. The proposed strategy on better ship dismantling includes actions to help implement key elements of an international Convention on safe ship recycling, due to be concluded in May 2009. It also proposes measures to encourage voluntary action by the shipping industry and better enforcement of current EU waste shipment law.[03] Last rural development programme for the period 2007-2013 agreedToday the Rural Development Committee (consisting of representatives of the 27 Member States) gave a positive opinion to the Rural Development programme of the Portuguese national rural network for the financial period 2007-2013. This marks the end of the process of approving the 94 different regional and national rural development programmes that make up the EU rural development policy. Specific Rural Development programmes for each of the Portuguese regions have already been approved. These programmes are defined to guarantee infrastructure, create new income opportunities for rural regions, promote growth and fight unemployment. The Commission still has to formally adopt the programme in the next weeks.[04] Commissioner Piebalgs attends international conference on biofuelsCommissioner Piebalgs has been participating in the International Biofuels Conference taking place in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 17 to 21 November. Fifty Ministers including many from developing countries attended the Conference at which Commissioner Piebalgs emphasized the potential benefits of international cooperation on biofuels.[05] Consommateurs: Mme Kuneva inaugure un master européen en politique des consommateursMme Meglena Kuneva, commissaire européenne chargée de la protection des consommateurs, a inauguré aujourd'hui officiellement le premier master européen en politique à l'égard des consommateurs. Le master, auquel l'Union européenne apporte son concours, sera proposé dans treize villes de neuf États membres: l'Allemagne, la France, l'Espagne, la Belgique, le Danemark, les Pays-Bas, la Pologne, la Roumanie et le Royaume-Uni. L'objectif est de former des spécialistes de la politique des consommateurs, qui pourront ensuite intégrer le marché de l'emploi afin de mettre en avant les questions de consommation dans les entreprises, dans les organes de décision et au sein même des organisations de consommateurs. À l'heure actuelle, il n'existe pas de diplôme européen dans le domaine et ce nouveau master universitaire vise à combler cette lacune. Parmi les disciplines étudiées figureront le droit de la consommation, l'analyse du comportement et de la psychologie des consommateurs, l'économie, le marketing, les technologies axées sur les consommateurs ou la consommation durable. Des entreprises, des administrations et des organisations de consommateurs ont déjà indiqué qu'elles souhaitaient engager ce type de spécialistes. La Commission européenne a participé activement à la création de ce programme d'études et y contribue financièrement.[06] Danuta Hübner in China: strengthening cooperation on regional challenges at the 3rd EU-China High Level Seminar on regional policyDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for regional policy, will make an official visit to China on 20 November to take part in the third EU-China High Level Seminar on regional policy. The event, which takes place in the Yangtze River port city of Chongqing in western China, is an opportunity to take stock of progress since the signing of the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding on EU-China regional policy cooperation. Commissioner Hübner and Du Ying, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), will address the seminar and conclude an agreement on the next steps for EU-China cooperation.[07] Construction output down by 1.3% in the euro areaIn the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production decreased by 1.3% in the euro area (EA15) and by 1.5% in the EU27 in September 2008, compared with the previous month. In August, production grew by 0.4% and 0.2% respectively. Compared with September 2007, output in September 2008 dropped by 3.8% in the euro area and by 3.1% in the EU27. These first estimates are released by Eurostat.[08] Commission welcomes progress at North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) meetingThe European Commission has welcomed the progress that members of the North- East Atlantic Fisheries Commission made at its latest annual meeting in London last week. The discussions were constructive throughout and a number of key decisions were taken relating, inter alia, to new long-term management plans for both blue whiting and mackerel, which are key stocks for the EU's pelagic fleet. NEAFC also adopted new measures to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, in line with UN Resolutions. Reacting to the outcome of the meeting, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said: "I welcome the progress achieved on a range of issues on the NEAFC agenda. It is an excellent example of international fisheries cooperation at work." There were some disappointments as well. The EU's proposal for a zero Total Allowable Catch for orange roughy was not accepted. The meeting was also unable to conclude on all issues relating to the UN Resolution on deep-sea ecosystems in the high seas. However, the EU did win support for a quick follow-up meeting of NEAFC in March 2009 to address the application of an ecosystem policy, including measures on closed areas. NEAFC will also be addressing in early 2009 issues relating to minimising discards, mapping of existing fishing areas and a limited number of unresolved fisheries management questions.Rediffusion [09] Environment: Commission proposes to improve implementation of environmental lawThe Commission has set out plans to improve the implementation of the European Union's 200 or so laws on environmental protection. This fits within a wider Commission strategy for improving implementation of EU law announced in 2007, and coincides with the publication of the new Annual Report of the Commission on monitoring the application of Community Law in general. The Communication stresses the need for close cooperation with Member States to ensure that national implementing rules are correct and adopted on time, and that shared goals are effectively achieved. Where serious problems persist – such as tolerance of illegal landfills or multiple failures to treat urban waste-water – the Commission will favour strategic legal action over a piecemeal approach.[10] Améliorer l’application du droit communautaireLa Commission européenne a présenté aujourd’hui son rapport annuel sur le contrôle de l’application du droit communautaire. Ce document décrit les moyens mis en œuvre par la Commission pour traduire en actes les objectifs qu’elle s’est fixés pour mieux légiférer, à savoir: évaluer plus efficacement l’incidence qu’auront au niveau national les dispositions qu’elle élabore; collaborer avec les États membres afin de résoudre les problèmes soulevés par les citoyens plus rapidement et plus efficacement qu’ils ne le seraient par la voie juridique; améliorer l’efficacité de la gestion des infractions et intensifier le dialogue avec le Conseil, le Parlement européen et l’opinion publique en ce qui concerne l’application du droit.[11] Free movement of workers is good for Europe's economyA European Commission report published today shows that mobile workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 have had a positive impact on Member States' economies and have not led to serious disturbances on their labour markets. Workers from the EU-8 as well as Bulgaria and Romania have made a significant contribution to sustained economic growth, without significantly displacing local workers or driving down their wages. Both for the EU as a whole and for most individual countries, labour flows have been limited compared to the size of labour markets and to inflows from non-EU countries.[12] Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner and Michel on the parliamentary elections in Guinea-BissauBenita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy, underlines the importance of these fourth elections in Guinea Bissau since a multi-party system was established in 1994.[13] Mergers: Commission approves proposed joint venture for breakbulk terminal services between DP World, Conti 7 and Rickmers at port of AntwerpThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between DP World of Dubai and the shipping companies Conti 7 of Belgium and Rickmers of Germany. The joint venture, called DP World Breakbulk, would take over DP World's former activities in breakbulk terminal services at the Belgian port of Antwerp. Breakbulk is cargo not suitable for either bulk or container transportation but often packed on pallets. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.[14] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Commission report on transitional arrangements regarding free movement of workers• Memo on Employment in Europe 2008 • Memo on Council of Audiovisual Ministers, Brussels, 20 November 2008 / Launch of "Europeana" • Memo on Education, Youth and Culture Council (EYC), Brussels, 20-21 November 2008 • Memo on National Rural Network Programme of Portugal 2007 2013 • Discours du Président Barroso 'L'Europe doit rester au centre du jeu', Strasbourg • Speech by Commissioner Vassiliou at the launch of the 1st European Antibiotic Awareness Day, Strasbourg • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Opening statement on the Health Check of the CAP', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Opening statement on School Fruit Scheme', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Santander / Bradford & Bingley Assets
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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