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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-08-20
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
Midday Express 20/08/2003
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 20/08/2003 Romano Prodi expresses outrage
at attack on UN office in Baghdad
Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, has this afternoon sent
a message to Kofi Annan, expressing the Commission's outrage at the
barbaric attack on civilians working at the United Nations Office in
Baghdad. The Commission deeply regrets the loss of life and the injuries
caused, both to Iraqis and international staff, and we offer our
condolences to the families of those affected. The work of the United
Nations is essential to rebuilding a stable and prosperous Iraq. It has
been among the strongest advocates of a rapid and effective transfer of
power to the Iraqi people. The targeting of its staff and of Special
Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello is therefore an attack on the future
of Iraq and all of its people. Together with other recent attacks on
international personnel, this attack will seriously hamper the ability of
the international community to provide much needed humanitarian aid and
will be a blow to its efforts to prepare for rapid reconstruction of the
country. The European Commission remains determined to work with its
international partners to support the UN in its vital role. Statement by
Commissioner Patten on the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello
Like many others around the world, I was appalled and saddened by the news
of the death of Sergio Vieira de Mello. I worked with him for five years in
Hong Kong when he was with the UNHCR dealing with the problem of Vietnamese
migrants, worked with him again during his extremely successful tenure as
the UN Representative in East Timor, and was looking forward to working
with him in Iraq. His murder is a terrible blow to all who believe that the
best way of dealing with the world's problems is through international
cooperation and through making the UN system more effective.He was an
outstanding international civil servant - a man of integrity, dedication
and wisdom. The best way we can show our appreciation of all he has done is
by committing ourselves to the causes for which he worked so selflessly and
for which he has laid down his life. Commission bans trawling in area off
Scottish coast to protect deep-water coral reefs
The European Commission has adopted emergency measures immediately banning
the use of bottom trawled gear in an area, known as the Darwin Mounds, some
180 kilometres off the north-west coast of Scotland. This measure is
designed to protect unique cold water corals which are said to be under
current and immediate threat from bottom trawling. The request for
Commission action came from the United Kingdom under new measures adopted
last December to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Emergency
measures, applicable for 6 months, can be taken if there is evidence - as
was the case here of a serious threat to marine ecosystems. To establish a
permanent ban, the Commission will shortly table a proposal for a Council
Regulation. Under the CFP, measures must be taken to minimise the effects
of fishing activities on marine ecosystems. Reefs must also be protected
under the 1992 Habitats Directive. June first estimates, May revised
figures Euro-zone external trade surplus 5.4 bn euro in June 2003, 3.7 bn
euro deficit for EU15
The first estimate for euro-zone trade with the rest of the world in June
2003 was a 5.4 billion euro surplus, compared with +10.3 bn in June 2002.
The May 20032 balance was +4.5 bn, compared with +8.5 bn in May 2002. In
June 2003, exports, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.2% compared to May
2003 and imports increased by 0.9%. The first estimate for June 2003 extra-
EU15 trade was a 3.7 bn euro deficit, against a surplus of 2.4 bn in June
2002. In May 20032, the balance was -1.8 bn, compared with +2.4 bn in May
2002. In June 2003, exports, seasonally adjusted, fell by 3.2% compared to
May 2003 and imports increased by 0.6%.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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