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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-02-15
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] European Enviroment Commissioner Margot Wallström comments on
President Bush's initiative on Climate Change
[02] Commission refers Danish Crown / Steff-Houlberg merger to Denmark
after clearing markets outside Denmark
[03] Poul Nielson welcomes the entry into force of the United Nations
Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts
[04] Renewal of EU fisheries agreement with Sao Tomé e Principe
[05] Les citoyens peuvent poser des questions à la Présidence espagnole
[06] Philippe Busquin promotes research against anti-personnel landmines
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 15/02/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 15/02/2002
[01] European Enviroment Commissioner Margot Wallström comments on
President Bush's initiative on Climate Change
"I welcome that the US Government has now put forward its plan for a
domestic climate change policy. I am hopeful that this will raise awareness
in the United States of the urgent need for action to cut greenhouse gas
emissions. The US, as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has
a great responsibility in contributing to global efforts to combat climate
change. But the plan is no alternative to the Kyoto Protocol to which the
EU remains fully committed. The Protocol is the only effective
international framework for combating global warming and we urge the United
States to return to the Kyoto process. It seems that President Bush's
proposals will not lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but
allow a significant increase. This raises the question whether the US will
be able to meet its commitments under the UN Framework Convention on
Climate Change. The US has ratified the Convention that requires parties to
stabilise their greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels. The EU has already
reduced its emissions below 1990 levels and we will meet our Kyoto target
of an 8% reduction by 2008-2012. Ultimately, the efforts made by the US
should match those undertaken in other parts of the world in the context of
the Kyoto Protocol. To protect our climate we will have to reduce
emissions. We all know that even the targets in the Kyoto Protocol are only
a first step if we want to prevent the severe consequences that climate
change could have. Action to fight climate change is vital to achieve
sustainable development. President Bush believes that taking action under
the Kyoto Protocol would harm the US economy. I think that improving the
environment through technological progress can actually enhance our
competitiveness and fuel economic growth. This is what sustainable
development is about: Protecting our eco-system while ensuring economic
prosperity."
[02] Commission refers Danish Crown / Steff-Houlberg merger to Denmark
after clearing markets outside Denmark
The European Commission has granted regulatory approval to the merger
between Denmark's two largest slaughterhouses Danish Crown and Steff-
Houlberg insofar as its impact outside Denmark is concerned. The
examination of the deal's effect on the Danish market has been referred to
the Danish competition authority at Denmark's request as the merger
threatens to create severe competition concerns on five markets in Denmark.
This is the first time Denmark has requested a merger referral since it
introduced its own merger control rules in October 2000.
[03] Poul Nielson welcomes the entry into force of the United Nations
Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts
Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian
Aid, has hailed as a "major achievement", the entry into force of the UN
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the
Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts, adopted by the General Assembly
in 2000. He said : "This confirms that there is a broad international
consensus on the universality of the Rights of the Child and a
determination to uphold these rights at all times, including in conflict
situations. It provides the opportunity to take concrete steps to make
governments and armed groups respect their obligations not to recruit
underage soldiers, to release abducted children and child soldiers, and to
allow their reintegration into society." Mr Nielson emphasised that the
Commission "wholeheartedly supported" the guiding principles of the
Optional Protocol which includes giving primacy to the interests of
children, ensuring their right to be heard, and respecting the rule of non-
discrimination. He added : "The message is clear for those who would seek
to exploit children in conflict situations. This kind of behaviour is
unacceptable. The survival, protection and development of children are
universal imperatives which must be respected."
[04] Renewal of EU fisheries agreement with Sao Tomé e Principe
The European Union and Sao Tomé agreed on 14 February 2002 to renew the
protocol to their fisheries agreement for a period of three years from 1
June 2002. This agreement which has until now been exclusively focused on
tuna fisheries will offer fishing possibilities to 36 tuna seiners, 25
surface long-liners and 2 pole and line vessels. The previous numbers were
36, 33 and 7 respectively. The financial compensation will amount to €2.2
million over three years (currently €1.91 million), including compensation
for an experimental deep-water crab fishery during the first year and a
premium of €50,000 for an evaluation study on the state of these crab
stocks. Should this lead to fishing possibilities for crab in the second
year of the protocol, a corresponding compensation would be agreed. 40% of
the financial compensation will be allocated to measures in favour of the
local fisheries sector, scientific research and surveillance of fisheries
activities.
[05] Les citoyens peuvent poser des questions à la Présidence espagnole
Le lundi 18 février 2002 le Secrétaire d'Etat espagnol chargé des Affaires
européennes, M. Ramón de Miguel, dialoguera en direct sur internet avec les
citoyens dans le cadre d'un chat organisé par la Commission européenne. Le
dialogue concernera plus particulièrement la récente Déclaration de Laeken
et les futurs travaux de la Convention sur l'avenir de l'UE, ainsi que les
priorités de la Présidence espagnole. Les lignes, dans les 11 langues
officielles, seront ouvertes de 18.00 à 20.00 CET. Les questions peuvent
être envoyées à l'avance à: Chat-presES@cec.eu.int. Les questions devront
être les plus courtes possible, 256 caractères maximum. Pour de plus amples
informations pratiques sur la manière de participer à ce dialgogue,
consultez la page "Participer au chat" : http://europa.eu.int/comm/chat/miguel/index_es.htm
[06] Philippe Busquin promotes research against anti-personnel landmines
On Monday, 18 February 2002 European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin
will present his view on how best the European research efforts against
landmines should be pursued in order to reach the ambitious goal of total
elimination of anti-personnel landmines world-wide in the coming years. The
Common Position adopted by the Council and the European Parliament on 23
July 2001, demands that the Community exercises determined leadership in
order to reach this goal. It also underlines that further research and
development of mine action technology will have to continue and that
further scientific research should be intensified with the aim to
facilitate mine clearance to become faster, safer and more cost-effective.
Commissioner Busquin is convinced that the many ongoing research efforts,
at all levels and in the Members States, will have to be much better co-
ordinated. A strategy is needed identifying the different steps of
development and bringing together all actors: universities, research centre
and industry including the work done by the Joint Research Centre. At the
Conference, Mr Busquin will outline how the European Research Area with its
new instruments contains many potentials for humanitarian demining. He will
recommend the actors to create a newtork of excellence. Keynote speakers
will include Commissioner Busquin, Belgian Defence Minister André Flahaut
and several Members of the European Parliament. The international workshop
hosted by the Royal Military Academy of Belgium will also give a forum to
speakers from various NGOs, international organisations such as the United
Nations Mine Action Services and from the scientific world. The press is
invited to attend the entire workshop (starting at 9h00), as well as the
press conference at 16h30 at the Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la
Renaissance 30, Bloc I, Pressroom, Brussels.
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Loyola de Palacio : "Boosting Short Sea Shipping" (Livorno, !
embargo 5 pm !)
Speech by Pascal Lamy : "Europe and Asia old Partners with a new Agenda" at
the Asia-Europe Foundation (Singapore)
Speech by Erkki Liikanen : "Creating a Dynamic Marketplace : EU telecoms
policy in the framework of eEurope" at the 13th Annual European
Communications Conference (14/02, London)
Speech by Erkki Liikanen : "e-commerce and car distribution" at the
Automotive Fellowship International Ltd (14/02, London)
Note sur la préparation du Conseil Agriculture
Calendrier du 18 au 24 février
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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