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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-10-26

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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 26/10/2001

  • [01] Consultation publique sur la révision de la définition des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) La Commission européenne a rappelé aujourd'hui à toutes les parties concernées qu'elles ont jusqu'au 9 novembre 2001 pour émettre des observations concernant la proposition visant à actualiser la définition des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). La définition en vigueur actuellement est tirée d'une recommandation de 1996 de la Commission et est notamment employée pour déterminer si les entreprises peuvent bénéficier de mesures d'aide communautaires ou nationales, ainsi que dans le cadre des aides d'Etat. L'ancienne définition des PME doit être actualisée afin de l'adapter à l'évolution de la réalité économique et de prévenir l'utilisation abusive des aides d'Etat, des fonds structurels de l'UE et du programme-cadre communautaire de recherche et développement. La proposition ne modifiera cependant pas le critère principal de la définition, à savoir le nombre de salariés (250 au maximum). La plupart des changements proposés visent à rendre la définition plus précise afin d'assurer un traitement équitable, de faciliter la mise en œuvre dans les Etats membres de l'UE, d'empêcher toute erreur d'interprétation et d'accroître la sécurité juridique. Les entreprises familiales et les artisans, notamment, devraient tirer avantage d'une définition plus précise des microentreprises.
  • [02] Dangerous preparations : Commission Directive restricts creosote applications The European Commission today adopted a new Directive banning the sale to consumers of the wood preservative creosote, after an EU scientific committee concluded from a recent study that creosote has a greater potential to cause cancer than previously thought, and exceeds the limits permissible under existing legislation. The ban, which takes effect from 30 June 2003 at the latest, also applies to creosote-treated wood. Creosote may still be used for industrial applications, e.g. railway sleepers and telegraph poles, but with tougher restrictions on its composition.
  • [03] Commission provides further euro 12 million to support implementation of the Framework Agreement in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia The European Commission adopted this week a programme worth euro 12 million for the return of refugees and internally displaced people due to the recent security crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. These funds are the latest of the Commission's contribution to assist in the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement signed on 13 August by all the main political parties in the country. The programme will focus on repair/reconstruction of local infrastructure and housing and cash payments to families hosting internally displaced people. Its implementation will be conditional upon full ratification of all constitutional amendments and a new law on local government.
  • [04] La Bolivie et l'UE signent un Protocole d'Accord (Memorandum of Understanding) - Coopération pour 126 millions d'euros jusqu'en 2006 Le Ministre des Relations extérieures bolivien, S.E. Gustavo Fernandez Saavedra, et la vice-Présidente de la Commission européenne, Mme Loyola de Palacio, actuellement en visite officielle en Bolivie, signeront le Protocole d'Accord entre l'Union européenne et la République de Bolivie relatif aux orientations pluriannuelles pour la mise en œuvre de la coopération communautaire, dans un acte qui aura lieu le 26 octobre à 10h (16h CET) au Palais du Gouvernement, en présence du Président de la République, M. Jorge Quiroga Ramirez.
  • [05] Poul Nielson and Philippe Busquin address 'Health Care for All' Conference outlining EU support for the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria Speaking today at the 'Health Care for All' Conference organised by the Belgian EU Presidency and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr Poul Nielson, calls for a massive increase in support for improving the health of poor people in the world. He highlights the need to continue supporting the building of strong health systems, to provide universal access to effective health care, and for additional support for targeted actions that complement longer-term efforts. Mr Nielson uses this occasion to outline current and future Community support to confront the major communicable diseases of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, including the euro 120 million Commission pledge to the Global Health Fund. In presenting an overview of Community investment in improving health, he stresses the importance of addressing the wider determinants of health, particularly through fighting poverty and providing education. In his speech, Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin stresses that research into those three diseases is both part of the problem (because there is too little of it) and part of the solution. In the past three years the Commission has spent around euro 120 million on research into causes and therapies for AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis but it is now time to move into a higher gear. Mr Busquin clearly sees the need to concentrate efforts and to reach a critical mass of knowledge and funding in Europe. A first step in this direction is the coordination of public and private funds in the form of a European platform for operating and funding clinical trials in developing countries. This platform, which is currently being set up, is also a showcase for Mr Busquin's strategy of creating European Research Area open to the world.
  • [06] Frits Bolkestein : "Implementation of Financial Services Action Plan more important than ever" "In the wake of the terrorist attacks that occurred in the US, and in the present unstable international political and economic climate, implementation of the Lisbon agenda and therefore of the Financial Services Action Plan appears more important than ever", insisted European Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein in a speech to the European Banking Federation in Brussels today. "Efficient financial markets underpinned by robust prudential supervision will help the EU becoming a pole of stability capable of responding to external shocks. This will allow the EU to reap the full benefits of the euro. A sound and stable EU regulatory framework is also of paramount importance to cope with any stability risk that may emerge in a enlarged Union. Pro-active fight against financial crime is another key for stability and a high priority on the Commission's agenda. The adoption of a second anti-money laundering Directive will be an important step. In the next few months, we must also find agreement on the proposal for a Market Abuse Directive. And technical work is underway to determine whether further improvements can be made to the EU legislative anti-money laundering framework. Together with the Council Presidency troika, the Commission has decided to initiate a high-level Mid-Term Review of the FSAP in the first quarter of 2002 to re-inject the necessary political energy and will."
  • [07] Autre matériel diffusé Speech by Romano Prodi to the House of Representatives in Cyprus (25/10) Speech by Pedro Solbes : "The repercussions of the launching of the Euro for the Mediterranean" at the EIB Forum (Sorrento) Calendrier du 29 octobre au 1er novembre

    MIDDAY EXPRESS


    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


    Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
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