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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-02-05
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 05/02/2001
[01] Visit of President Romano Prodi to the Mashrak countries boosts
Barcelona Process
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, will visit Jordan
(7-8 February 2001), Lebanon (8-9 February) and Syria (9-10 February). The
aim of the visit is to give fresh impetus to relations with these countries,
revitalize the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and enable it to fulfill the
strategic aims laid down at the Marseilles ministerial conference last
November.
[02] Commission takes preliminary view that the agreements between SAS and
Maersk Air infringe competition rules
In a statement of objections sent on 2 February to SAS and Maersk Air, the
European Commission has taken a preliminary view that the two airlines, by
agreeing to share markets, have infringed Article 81 of the EC Treaty which
prohibits concerted behaviour or agreements between companies that have an
anti-competitive object or effect. As the situation currently stands,
Maersk Air has stopped operations between Copenhagen and Stockholm, leaving
SAS to dominate overwhelmingly that major Scandinavian route with the risk
of higher prices for the one million passengers that fly between the two
capitals every year. The Statement of Objections marks the opening of
infringement proceedings and the parties are now entitled to present their
defence in writing, as well as at an oral hearing.
[03] La Commission améliore la formation professionnelle dans le transport
routier
La Commission européenne a adopté une proposition de Directive qui prévoit
de rendre obligatoire la formation professionnelle des chauffeurs dans le
transport routier de marchandises et de passagers. Cette proposition vise à
améliorer la qualité de prestations des chauffeurs, d'accroître le respect
et la capacité d'attraction de la profession, de renforcer la sécurité
routière et de favoriser la libre-circulation des travailleurs. En outre,
de nouvelles règles communes doivent être adoptées pour prendre en
considération les développements technologiques et le savoir-faire acquis
dans ce secteur. La proposition prévoit des règles communes sur la
formation initiale obligatoire pour tous les nouveaux conducteurs de
véhicules transportant des marchandises ou des passagers, ainsi qu'une
formation continue pour tous les conducteurs à intervalles réguliers. "La
formation professionnelle est un aspect très important qui ne devrait
jamais être oublié : c'est un facteur vital de l'amélioration constante des
conditions de travail dans cette profession", a déclaré Loyola de Palacio,
vice-présidente en charge des transports et de l'énergie. "Il est essentiel
que tous les acteurs du secteur s'engagent pleinement dans la réussite de
l'application de cette formation professionnelle", a-t-elle souligné.
[04] EU makes proposal for "win-win" solution to WTO agricultural
negotiations
Today in Geneva the European Union presented a comprehensive proposal for
the WTO agricultural negotiations. The proposal is a positive contribution
to the talks that began in March 2000, and is comprehensive in all senses
of the word. Firstly, it covers all the elements of Article 20 of the
Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, namely the aim of achieving further
reductions in support and protection, non-trade concerns and the need to
provide special and differential treatment to developing countries.
Secondly, it is designed to be all-inclusive so that all parties feel that
they have gained and not lost from the ongoing negotiations. Finally, it
lays down what the EU is prepared to do in the process of trade reform, as
well as asking others what they intend to contribute. This constructive
input from the EU is well-timed, according to Franz Fischler, Commissioner
for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries. "The EU is completely
committed to negotiate a balanced agreement. In a successful trade
negotiation, everyone wins and we are confident that our proposal is
designed to achieve this. The BSE-crisis has strengthened the EU's position
that agriculture is more than just an industry and has to be treated
accordingly in the WTO. European agriculture is also about the environment,
consumers and food safety. This is why we will stand firm to defend these
non-trade concerns in the WTO talks. With the Agenda 2000 reforms we have
proven our firm commitment to go down the road towards less trade-
distorting, de-coupled farm support." The EU's position paper can be found
on the Internet : http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/external/wto/officdoc/index_en.htm
[05] Euro area business climate indicator down 0.28 in January 2001
(! embargo 12 am !) After a slight increase last month, the business
climate indicator deteriorated in December to 0.95, according to the euro
area business climate indicator published today by the European Commission
(Directorate General Economic & Financial Affairs). This level is still
historically quite high, nevertheless it confirms the downward trend
registered since last August. This decline is in line with a slowing down
in the industrial production since last summer, which is still, however,
hovering far above its average between 1986 and 2000. The development of
the indicator points to good but more cautious confidence of the industrial
firms in the euro area. The document will be available on the internet at
the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/indicators/climate_en.htm
Please also see the following internet address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/indicators/index_en.htm
[06] December 2000 industrial producer prices down 0.4% in euro-zone ; -
0.3% in EU15
(! embargo 12 am !) The euro-zone industrial producer price index fell by
0.4% in December 2000 compared with the previous month, Eurostat estimates
today. It went up by 0.1% in November. EU15 prices, which had increased by
0.3% in November, declined by 0.3% in December. This decline of the overall
rate in December is due to a strong decrease of the intermediate goods
index, which fell by 1.4 % in the euro-zone and 1.2% in the EU15 after a
rise of 0.1% and 0.5% respectively in November. The euro-zone and the EU15
indices for durable consumer goods were unchanged in the last two month,
while the index for non-durable consumer goods increased by 0.3% and for
capital goods by 0.1% in December. Producer prices increased by 5.4% in the
euro-zone and 4.7% in the EU15 compared to December 1999. In November the
rate reached 6.3% in the euro-zone and 5.5% in the EU15.
[07] Access to Environmental Information : Commission moves against Germany
and Austria
The European Commission has decided to issue a Reasoned Opinion (second
warning letter) under Article 228 of the Treaty against Germany to enforce
an earlier judgement of the European Court of Justice on the Access to
Environmental Information Directive which has still not been complied with.
Furthermore, the Commission has decided to refer Austria to the European
Court of Justice for its failure to comply with the same Directive.
[08] Launching of a euro 1.3 million project on the training of judges in
EU Law in the candidate countries
On 5 and 6 February 2001, the European Commission, the European Institute
of Public Administration (Antenna Luxembourg), representatives of Finland,
France, Italy and Sweden, and of all 13 EU applicant States, are holding a
launching conference in Bratislava for a new euro 1.3 million project which
aims to strengthen the capacity of the applicant States to train judges in
the area of EU law. Such training of judges is an important part of the
EU's agenda for the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice,
in which the rule of law is applied concretely.
[09] EU and China settle long-running dispute over pharmaceuticals
The European Union and China have settled a long-running dispute over so-
called administrative protection for pharmaceutical and agrochemical
products from Austria, Finland and Sweden. The two sides last week reached
an agreement that brings to an end a dispute that dates back to 1994 and
caused losses the European industry estimates at euro 25 million. Welcoming
the agreement between Representatives of the EU Delegation in Beijing and
the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC),
Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "This is good news for EU
pharmaceutical producers. We have managed to eliminate differential
treatment according to the applicant's nationality. Applicants from all EU
member States, including Austria, Finland and Sweden, will now be treated
the same in China."
[10] Financial services : Commission launches second consultation on new
capital adequacy framework
The European Commission has launched a second round of consultations on a
new capital adequacy framework for banks and investment firms. Financial
service practitioners, market analysts, consumer groups, Member States and
other interested parties have been invited to comment by the end of May
2001 on a consultative paper. Their contributions will help shape the
proposals for a new EU capital adequacy framework planned for the autumn.
The Commission's work complements efforts by the Committee on Banking
Supervision of the Bank of International Settlements (known as the Basel
Committee) to introduce a similar framework for banks at the international
level. The consultation document is designed to be read in conjunction with
a similar consultation on the new Basel Capital Accord launched by the
Basel Committee on 16 January, but concentrates on issues where particular
EU concerns need to be taken into account. Revised EU bank capital
legislation must ensure that European banks and investment firms are able
to respond quickly to market change and operate flexibly. The new rules
must also pay due regard to the financing needs of small businesses. The
Commission's consultation paper can be downloaded from the Europa Website:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market
[11] La Commission organise un débat public sur la protection des piétons
Des idées pour améliorer la conception des automobiles en vue de limiter
les cas de décès et d'accidents de piétons seront explorées lors d'un débat
public organisé par la Commission européenne demain 6 février 2001 à
Bruxelles. La Commission espère que l'industrie automobile répondra à ce
débat en proposant de négocier des normes sévères de tests de sécurité pour
les piétons. La Commission est disposée à évaluer la faisabilité d'une
telle approche négociée au titre de sa stratégie générale pour la
simplification de la réglementation sur l'environnement, mais n'exclut pas
une approche législative en cas d'échec des négociations. Des membres du
Parlement européen, des experts des Etats membres et d'autres parties
intéressées, y compris des constructeurs d'automobiles et des organisations
de consommateurs participeront à ce débat.
[12] Commission launches new call for proposals under the "European
Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights" aimed at the rehabilitation of
torture victims
The European Commission has launched a new call for proposals under chapter
B7-7 of the EU budget, the European Initiative for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR), for a sum of euro 12 million. This call is to support
centres, both inside and outside the EU, which provide rehabilitation for
victims of torture. The call and the projects selected will be managed by
the newly created EuropeAid Co-operation Office. For further details see
O.J. C37 of 03.02.01 or http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/tender/index_en.htm
[13] Frits Bolkestein calls for urgent implementation of Lisbon agenda
(! embargo 6.45 pm, Brussels time !) "The Internal Market offers liberty,
opportunity and prosperity on an unprecedented scale", said European
Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein in a speech today in the
Mansion House, London. "The project of economic integration through
liberalisation of markets and the tearing down of tariff and customs
barriers has been a deliberate attempt to undo the mistakes of nearly half
a century of protectionism and isolationism that had brought Europe nothing
but hyperinflation, poverty and mass unemployment." "Continuing and
concerted reform efforts" will be required if we want to stand a serious
chance of reaching the target agreed at the March 2000 Lisbon Summit of
making Europe the most dynamic, competitive and knowledge-based economy in
the world within ten years through an ambitious programme of supply-side
economic reform. The Financial Services Action Plan forms a crucial part of
this programme. However, Mr Bolkestein warned that "unfortunately, in the
follow-up and implementation, Member States have sometimes been less than
enthusiastic to turn declarations into actions. There's much poetry but not
enough motion. If we want the prosperity we have achieved through our
common endeavour to be long-lasting, we must get down to the business of
economic reform. We must focus on what's feasible, on achievable targets
leading to tangible results."
[14] Michaele Schreyer pleads for enhanced cooperation in energy taxation
European Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer has highlighted the
importance of harmonising energy taxation in the European Union. If the
draft Directive on energy taxation, which the Commission proposed already
four years ago, is blocked in the Council because of unanimity requirements,
then an energy taxation could be a matter for enhanced cooperation of
interested Member States, said Schreyer in Berlin at the 2001 Environment
Conference of the German Greens in the Bundestag. Mrs Schreyer also
described the EURATOM Treaty as an 'anachronism' and pleaded in favour of a
common European initiative on solar energy.
[15] Fusion approuvée selon la procédure simplifiée
Scroder Ventures Limited (UK) / Homebase (UK)
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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