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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-12-10
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
Midday Express 10/12/2001
[01] La Commission autorise la création des marchés électroniques
interentreprises Eutilia et Endorsia
La direction générale de la concurrence de la Commission européenne a
décidé de ne pas s'opposer à la création de deux nouvelles entreprises
communes, Eutilia et Endorsia, offrant des marchés électroniques
interentreprises. Eutilia est une entreprise commune créée par 11
compagnies d'électricité européennes, tandis qu'Endorsia regroupe cinq
constructeurs de machines et de composants industriels. Dans les deux cas,
la direction générale de la concurrence a conclu que les accords notifiés
ne restreignaient pas la concurrence.
[02] Internal Market : further market reforms can help fight economic
slowdown
A European Commission report on the functioning of product and capital
markets released today emphasises the need to strengthen economic reform to
help European and world markets cope with external shocks and withstand the
threat of recession. The report points to the benefits consumers and
businesses have already gained from the EU's Internal Market, but warns
against standing still. The conjuncture of a slowing economy with
introduction of the single currency makes it especially important for the
European Union and for Member States to keep to agreed reform timetables.
The report takes full account of the long term strategic objective defined
at the Lisbon (2000) and Stockholm (2001) European Councils, notably to
make the EU the most competitive economy in the world by 2010. It is the
fourth in a series of annual progress reports prepared at the request of
the Cardiff European Council in 1998 and will be submitted to the March
2002 European Council in Barcelona.
[03] Commission publishes working document assessing the performance of
industries providing services of general economic interest
A working document produced by the European Commission's services on the
performance of industries providing services of general economic interest
(telecommunications, energy, post and transport) concludes that prices have
fallen but that consumer satisfaction remains limited. Former monopoly
service providers retain high market shares. It is not possible, so far, to
assess the long-term impact of liberalisation on services of general
interest. But, on the basis of available information, liberalisation seems
to have had a positive net impact on overall market performance, and on the
affordability of universal services, while the provision of these services
has not been adversely affected.
[04] La Commission publie une étude sur l'avenir de la distribution
automobile
La Commission européenne a publié le rapport final concluant une étude sur
la distribution automobile effectuée par le cabinet de conseil Andersen.
Cette étude examine l'impact économique de divers scénarios législatifs sur
tous les acteurs économiques intervenant sur le marché de la distribution
automobile, y compris sur les consommateurs. Elle apporte une contribution
importante aux diverses initiatives lancées par la Commission pour pouvoir
prendre une décision en pleine connaissance de cause sur le régime
réglementaire applicable après 2002 à la distribution automobile dans l'UE.
Ce rapport peut être consulté à l'adresse internet http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/competition/car_sector/.
[05] Deep water fish : Commission proposes for the first time catch
limitations
For the first time, the European Commission proposes to introduce
conservation measures for deep water fish stocks. These are species such as
blue ling, Red seabream or Black scabbardfish which are caught in waters
beyond the main fishing grounds of the continental shelf in the North
Atlantic. Fisheries for these species are relatively recent but have been
increasing and developing over the past few years. Recent scientific advice
indicates that many of the deep-sea fish stocks are too heavily exploited
and are considered to be in a state which is actually or potentially
outside safe biological limits. As a first step, the Commission proposes to
set catch limitations in the form of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for a
number of deep-water fish stocks. In accordance with scientific advice, the
Commission will, in the near future, propose a scheme to restrict fishing
effort on these stocks.
[06] La Commission propose des mesures pour lutter contre la PMMA, une
nouvelle drogue de synthèse
Sur base d'un rapport sur les risques pour la santé liées à la PMMA
(paraméthoxyméthamphétamine ou N - méthyl -1-4- (méthoxyphényl) -2-
aminopropane), établi par un groupe d'experts des Etats membres, réunis
sous les auspices du comité scientifique de l'Observatoire Européen des
Drogues et des Toxicomanies, la Commission européenne a décidé de présenter
au Conseil une initiative visant à proposer que la PMMA soit soumise dans
tous les Etats Membres à des mesures de contrôle.
[07] David Byrne welcomes breakthrough in helping consumers shop online
with confidence
European Consumer Protection and Health Commissioner David Byrne today
welcomed the breakthrough agreement between consumer and business
representatives on good business practice for selling to consumers online.
Consumers are still wary of shopping online and cannot easily identify the
protection they are seeking from among the proliferation of different
online codes and trustmarks. The agreement presented to Commissioner Byrne
today paves the way for a common European standard that will enable
consumers and businesses to take full advantage of electronic commerce in
Europe and to make better use of the Internal market.
[08] Margot Wallström attends Second Youth Environment Council
Delegations from 15 schools from across the EU are today participating in
the second Youth Environment Council. The Youth Environment Councils are
the result of a DG Environment initiative that was first launched in April
2001. These events aim to emulate the real Environment Councils of
Ministers. Young EU citizens from 15 schools assume the roles of their
national environment ministers and authentic Council procedure is followed.
In addition to stimulating environmental debate among young EU citizens,
the Youth Councils also help familiarise them with the working procedures
of the EU Institutions. Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for the
Environment, is attending the Youth Environment Council. Commenting on this
initiative, Margot Wallström underlined the important role that young
people have in shaping current and future environmental policy making. She
declared : "The Youth Environment Councils aim to encourage young Europeans
to show an active interest in environment issues, to give them a feel for
policy making, and a forum to propose solutions and make decisions on
issues that affect their environment." She added : "If everyone shared the
commitment to, and caring for the environment of young people, I am sure
the future of this planet would look a lot brighter and much more
sustainable." The agenda of the Youth Environment Council featured a range
of issues that are being or will be discussed in real Environment Councils,
such as the funding of environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Today's Youth Council also
discussed environmental matters of national interest that were suggested by
the students themselves. These included the impact of tourism on the
environment, the sustainable development of forests, the state of the
environment in the Baltic Sea and the effects that the Athens Olympic Games
will have on the local environment.
[09] Margot Wallström meets environmental NGOs from the candidate and
Balkan to discuss enlargement and environment policy
Environmental NGOs from the thirteen candidate and five Balkan countries
met with European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström on 10 December
2001, in Brussels, to discuss the environmental dimension of enlargement.
The Commission has proposed that its new Action Programme for promoting
European environmental NGOs be extended to include both environmental NGOs
based in the Member States and those active in the candidate and Balkan
countries. The whole European environmental protection movement must be
involved. The proposed new Programme will - once adopted - provide
continuous funding for environmental groups over the next five years (2002-
2006). It will also feature a significantly increased budget of euro 32
million. Commenting on what is the fifth dialogue meeting of its kind
between the Commission and the environmental NGOs, Commissioner Wallström
said : "What we need to do right now is to involve civil society from the
candidate countries directly in the shaping of EU environmental policy in
an enlarged Europe. It is important that citizens help decide what the way
forward should be." She also stated : "These meetings give us an
opportunity to consult with civil society on the environmental aspects of
enlargement. They also enable us to explore with the environmental NGOs the
definition of their role as 'environmental watchdogs' and to create a
platform for civil society to address its concerns directly to EU policy
makers." Documentation: Publications on previous meetings are available on
http:// www.rec.org/REC/Publications/EC-NGO_Dialogue/Default.html. For
information about DG Environment activity funding and the call for interest
for the next set of dialogue meetings, visit the following web site:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/funding/ intro_en.htm
[10] Infringement procedures against eleven Member States for failure to
monitor CO² emissions from passenger cars
The European Commission has decided to open infringement procedures against
Austria, Greece, Finland, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Italy, Ireland,
Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden for failing to comply with important
elements of a 2000 Decision (1753/2000/EC) on monitoring average specific
emissions of CO² from new passenger cars.
[11] Initial results of Eurobarometer survey in candidate countries show
broad support for accession
The first results of a Eurobarometer survey in the 13 candidate countries,
published today by the European Commission, show overall clear support for
European Union membership, but citizens of these countries still feel under-
informed about the EU and the enlargement process. Nearly 6 people in 10
(59%) in the candidate countries feel that EU membership would be a 'good
thing' for their country and two thirds (65%) would support their country's
membership to the EU in a referendum. The objective of the Applicant
Countries Eurobarometer (AC-EB) is to gather information from the future
member states in a way that allows direct comparison with the Standard
Eurobarometer carried out in the existing EU. Using this new tool the
Commission is able to provide decision-makers and the European public with
opinion data that helps to understand similarities and differences between
the EU and the candidate countries. The Applicant Countries Eurobarometer
will continuously track the support for EU membership, and the change of
attitudes related to European issues in the applicant countries. The first
survey was conducted in October 2001 among more than 12,000 citizens from
the 13 candidate countries.
[12] Five Candidate Countries receive euro 3.43 million LIFE funding for
innovative environmental projects
The European Commission has granted euro 3.43 million to support thirteen
innovative environmental projects in Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Romania and
Slovenia under the LIFE-Environment programme for 2000-2001. Environment
Commissioner Margot Wallström commented : "LIFE-Environment promotes
innovative projects that aim to improve the environment and are consistent
with EU environmental policy. By funding these projects the Commission is
reinforcing its commitment to helping business, decision-makers and
academia work together to improve the quality of the environment both in
the EU and in Candidate Countries. In this way, we are also promoting a
healthier environment for European citizens". This year, the main
beneficiaries of the funding are public authorities, companies and
universities. The projects selected cover all five environmental areas
targeted by LIFE-Environment : land-use development and planning, water
management, the impacts of economic activity, waste management and
integrated product policy.
[13] Cyprus : Anna Diamantopoulou "disappointed" that Turkish Cypriot NGOs
not authorised to meet on 'green line'
Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social
Affairs, last Friday (07/12) expressed her 'disappointment' that Turkish
Cypriot NGOs were not authorised to meet their Greek-speaking counterparts
and the European Commission on the green line which has separated the two
communities for 27 years. She had invited NGOs from both communities to
meet at the border in order to outline and discuss EU policies on social
dialogue, disability and equal rights. There had been a good level of
participation from the Greek Cypriot side and substantive dialogue on all
issues raised. However, Ms Diamantopoulou expressed her disappointment that,
after efforts from the Commission in properly preparing the encounter, Mr
Denktash did not permit participation of Turkish-Cypriot NGOs.
[14] EU forcefully condemns US International Trade Commission's
recommendation to virtually close US steel market to imports from rest of
world
The EU forcefully condemned on Friday 7 December the recommendations issued
by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) to hike tariffs on steel
products by up to 40%, which could, if implemented, virtually close the US
market for imports of steel from the rest of the world. On hearing the news,
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "On the day after the US
House of Representatives has just voted to give the President Trade
Promotion Authority in order to open markets and update the WTO rule-book,
the ITC is recommending that the exact opposite be done in steel. This is a
worryingly negative signal to send the rest of the world. The EU calls on
the US Administration to reject this call for the protection of an industry
that is already sheltering behind numerous defensive measures. The US steel
industry needs to put its own house in order. This should not be done at
the expense of those who have already done so."
[15] Renewed EU support for non-proliferation on the Korean Peninsula
The Council approved on 7 December the conclusion by the European
Commission of a renewal Agreement with the Korean Peninsula Energy
Development Organisation (KEDO) the international body set up to support
non proliferation efforts on the Korean peninsula. Negotiations with KEDO
partners the US Japan and the Republic of Korea-were recently finalised on
the terms of the EU's future support to KEDO for the period 2001 to 2005.
The main terms are the financial contribution of the EU (euro 20 million
per year), renewal of the EU's seat on the KEDO Executive Board and
improvements in the EU's representation in the staff in the KEDO
Secretariat and in bidding possibilities for industrial contracts. The KEDO
Board welcomed the renewal Agreement. The Agreement has the support of the
European Parliament
[16] Chris Patten pays tribute to Aung San Suu Kyi on 10th anniversary of
Nobel peace price
European Commissioner Chris Patten, responsible for External relations,
said : "It is ten years since Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel peace
price. In the decade that has followed, she has struggled continuously for
democracy and peaceful change in Burma, and has continued unflinchingly to
uphold the ideals which are symbolised by the price. She has paid a high
price for her principles, as have her supporters. But she remains an
inspiration, to the people in Burma, and beyond. I urge the Burmese
authorities to move swiftly towards democracy, and to release the remaining
political prisoners."
[17] Mergers approved under the simplified procedure
- Cinven Ltd (UK) / Klöckner Pentaplast GmbH and Klöckner Capital
Corporation Inc. (UK) - ThyssenKrupp Materials AG (D) / Bitros Holding S.A.
(GR) / JV
- Rhenus AG & Co Beteilungs KG (controlled by Rethmann AG & Co) (D) / Via
Verkehr Holding GmbH & Co.KG (D) (belonging to Société Nationale des
Chemins de Fer (F) / Rhenus-Keolis GmbH &Co. KG and Rhenus-Keolis
Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbh (D)
[18] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Transports
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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