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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-01-17
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Service Presse et Communicationb
Midday Express 17/01/2001
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission
meeting
[01] Commission addresses the health and environmental situation in the
Balkans
The European Commission has discussed a Communication on the health and
environmental situation in the Balkan Region. The Communication highlights
the need for a twin-track approach to the situation by the Commission,
balancing the need for short-term action on immediate problems with the
longer-term need to ensure sustainable environmental protection of the
Balkan region. On behalf of the Commission, Environment Commissioner Margot
Wallström made a declaration to the European Parliament on the subject this
morning.
[02] Commission launches debate on impact of enlargement on Kaliningrad
Following EU enlargement the Kaliningrad region will become a Russian
Federation enclave inside the EU. The European Commission has adopted a
Communication on 'The EU and the region of Kaliningrad' which aims to offer
ideas and options for an EU debate with Russia, Lithuania and Poland on the
future of Kaliningrad. The discussion paper outlines areas in which close
cooperation is required, to take advantage of future opportunities offered
by enlargement and to reduce the impact of existing problems confronting
Kaliningrad. Practical measures to improve border management and facilitate
border-crossing procedures are suggested, as well as initiatives in the
transport and energy sectors.
[03] Commission approves two State aid packages for the agricultural sector
in Sardinia
The European Commission has approved the major part of two State aid
packages for the agricultural sector in the Italian region of Sardinia. The
first package aims to compensate for the damage caused by drought during
2000 while the second package concerns compensation for damage caused by
ovine catarrhal fever (known as Blue Tongue). However, the Commission has
decided to launch a detailed investigation into part of the packages
relating to euro 2.6 million in aid to processing companies to compensate
for the damage caused by drought and Blue Tongue. At this stage, the
Commission considers that a direct link between the damage suffered and the
aid has not been identified.
[04] Fisheries : Commission opens investigation into proposed Belgian State
aid scheme
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into a proposed
Belgian State aid scheme to provide assistance to fisheries and aquaculture
businesses experiencing financial problems due to increased fuel prices.
Belgium notified the Commission of the scheme which would involve the
financing of loans at preferential rates as well as guaranteeing part of
these loans. The Commission, at this stage, has doubts about the
compatibility of this aid scheme with EU rules governing State aid.
[05] Commission authorises aid to Nissan in Sunderland
The European Commission has authorised regional investment aid of GBP 40
million for the production of the new Micra model at the Nissan plant in
Sunderland (United Kingdom). "We have carefully considered the
compatibility of the support proposed by the British Government with the EU
rules on State aid", Competition Commissioner Mario Monti stressed. "Our
initial doubts led us to open a formal investigation procedure in September
2000, as we have also done in cases of support measures to car
manufacturers in other Member States. The Commission is now satisfied that
the proposed aid to Nissan is in line with the EU rules for State aid and
the specific rulebook for aid to the motor vehicle industry in particular."
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[06] ESB : le Comité Scientifique Directeur publie des réponses aux
questions relatives à la sécurité
Le Comité Scientifique Directeur (CSD), conseillant la Commission
européenne sur des sujets multidisciplinaires, y compris sur des questions
relatives à l'ESB, a publié aujourd'hui un avis qui répond aux questions
soulevées par le Conseil des Ministres de l'Agriculture de l'Union
européenne du 4 décembre. Les questions concernent la sécurité de certains
tissus bovins et de sous-produits d'origine animale qui pourraient
présenter un risque vis-à-vis de l'ESB. Les experts scientifiques concluent
que de nouvelles restrictions sur l'utilisation de tissus bovins peuvent
être nécessaires quand les mesures de gestion du risque en place ne
garantissent pas que la présence d'ESB est hautement improbable. La
Commission accueille favorablement cet avis scientifique et en tirera ses
conclusions dans un futur proche sur les mesures concernées.
[07] Loyola de Palacio calls for further liberalisation of gas and
electricity markets
In a speech made during the 8th Handesblatt Annual Energy Conference in
Berlin, Loyola de Palacio, Vice-President of the European Commission in
charge of Energy and Transport, made clear the Commission's intention to
make new proposals on electricity and gas liberalisation. She welcomed the
positive effects of the current liberalisation but underlined the need to
complete it by new proposals in order to have a real liberalised European
single market for every consumer by 2005. "Progressively all consumers in
all Member States must be free to choose their supplier", she said. "Yet,
opening of the total market alone will not be sufficient to achieve a real
internal market and in the next weeks the Commission will thus present
proposals to the European Council in Stockholm", she added.
[08] Financial services : Commission welcomes Basel Committee's latest
proposal for a New Basel Capital Accord
The European Commission has welcomed yesterday's proposal by the Basel
Committee on Banking Supervision for a New Capital Accord as a vital step
in international efforts to ensure that the global banking system is based
on safe and sound banking practices that ensure operational flexibility,
free and fair competition, proper supervision and enhance consumer
confidence. The Commission has been working for the last two years on a
similar revision of existing European legislation that will establish a new
capital framework applicable not only to internationally active banks, but
to all credit institutions and investment firms incorporated in the
European Union. That work has been in close collaboration with the Basel
Committee and has both influenced the Basel process and been shaped by it,
since eight EU Member States are full members of the Basel Committee and
will therefore be bound by the New Capital Accord. But EU legislation must
also reflect the specific nature of the European banking scene, which is
characterised by the existence of many smaller local banks that play a
crucial role in funding small and medium sized businesses. Following the
publication of the Basel Committee's second consultative package, the
Commission will itself launch its second consultation around the end of
January. This timing allows interested parties to inform the Commission
thinking in the preparation of its legislative proposals which will reflect,
but necessarily differ in some detailed points, from the Basel approach.
[09] La Commission approuve une aide d'urgence de 14,6 millions d'euros en
faveur des victimes de la crise humanitaire dans les territoires
palestiniens
La Commission européenne a approuvé deux décisions de financement pour un
montant total de 14,6 millions d'euros afin de venir en aide aux victimes
de la crise humanitaire dans les territoires gérés par l'Autorité
palestinienne. L'aide sera canalisée par l'entremise de l'Office d'aide
humanitaire (ECHO). Le principal objectif de cette action est de lutter
contre le risque croissant d'insécurité alimentaire et de prévenir la
malnutrition parmi les groupes les plus marginalisés touchés par le
conflit.
[10] Commission launches new call for proposals under the 'European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights'
The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under chapter
B7-70 of the EU budget, the European Initiative for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR), for a sum of euro 38 million. To ensure greater impact and
the best use of resources, the EU will focus on 10 priority areas in key
regions - countries, including support for human rights education, measures
to protect minorities, promoting freedom of expression, the rights of
children, the abolition of the death penalty, strengthening the rule of law,
promoting democracy and good governance, and conflict prevention.
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Préparation de la réunion Eurogroupe et du Conseil Ecofin
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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