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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-12-13
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] EU offers big new trade aid boost (from Hong Kong)
[02] Andris Piebalgs welcomes approval of the Energy End-use Efficiency and
Energy Services Directive
[03] Commission welcomes wide ranging fisheries agreements with Norway
[04] Commission provides €8 million for victims of crises in Northern and
Southern Caucasus
[05] Commission contributes €14 million to the Euro-Palestinian Credit
Guarantee Fund
[06] Adoption par le Conseil de la stratégie de l'UE pour l'Afrique :
ouverture d'une nouvelle ère dans les relations euro-africaines
Midday Express of 2005-12-13
Reference: MEX/05/1213
Date: 13/12/2005
EXME05 / 13.12
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etb
Communication
13/12/05
[01] EU offers big new trade aid boost (from Hong Kong)
The European Union has today announced further substantial commitments to
providing Trade Related Assistance (TRA) to developing countries. Last
night the EU Council of Ministers, comprising the twenty-five EU Member
States, committed to provide €1 billion a year in TRA from 2010. This is
a substantial increase from the 400 million per year currently provided by
European Member States.
[02] Andris Piebalgs welcomes approval of the Energy End-use Efficiency and
Energy Services Directive
"I am particularly happy with the agreement found today on this key
legislation which will help the European Union save energy and reduce its
dependence on oil", said the European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs
after today's vote in the European Parliament in favor of new legislation
to boost the cost-effective and efficient use of energy in the EU. "I now
call on Member Sates to implement the rules as swiftly as possible."
[03] Commission welcomes wide ranging fisheries agreements with Norway
Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, has
welcomed the four agreements concluded last week with Norway, which form
the beginning of a new framework of bilateral relations based on reducing
fishing effort, improving control measures and ensuring sustainable
management of the shared fishing resources. This was made possible by the
positive contribution of the fishing industry on both sides, as well as by
the constructive attitude of both parties. The agreements relate to the
allocation and access to blue whiting and Atlanto-Scandian herring stocks,
the lifting of the current ban on the landing of herring by EU vessels in
Norwegian ports, the transit of fisheries products from EU vessels through
Norway and access for Sweden to a mackerel fishery in Norwegian waters.
Final arrangements for blue whiting will be made at the level of the
coastal States at a meeting in Oslo on 15-16 December. As regards other
common issues, the EU and Norway reached agreement some ten days ago (see
IP/05/1526).
[04] Commission provides €8 million for victims of crises in Northern and
Southern Caucasus
The European Commission has adopted two new humanitarian aid decisions
totalling €8 million for victims of the ongoing crises in Chechnya (€6
million) and Georgia (€2 million). The first aid package will complement
the previous decision for victims of the conflict in Chechnya. The
recipients will include internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable
groups in Chechnya as well as IDPs in Ingushetia and Dagestan. The second
aid package will support the most vulnerable people in Western Georgia, in
particular those affected by the unresolved conflict between Abkhazia and
Georgia.
[05] Commission contributes €14 million to the Euro-Palestinian Credit
Guarantee Fund
Today the European Commission is signing its €14 million contribution to
the newly established European-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund. The
Guarantee Fund, led by the German Development Bank (KfW), will support
Palestinian small and medium size enterprises' financing from local banks
in the form of soft loans and grants. This €29 million Fund will be made
up of contributions from the Commission (€14 million), KfW (€5 million),
and the European Investment Bank (EIB) (€10 million). In addition to the
Fund's capital, the financing partners are providing technical assistance
to the European-Palestinian Credit Guarantee Fund and partner banks with a
view to strengthening the financial sector in the Palestinian Territories.
Following Gaza disengagement, a special effort will be made to promote
loans in Gaza. The creation of a loan guarantee scheme was an area
highlighted by the Quartet Special Envoy for disengagement in his Rapid
Action Plan as being important to support economic revival.
[06] Adoption par le Conseil de la stratégie de l'UE pour l'Afrique :
ouverture d'une nouvelle ère dans les relations euro-africaines
La Commission européenne s'est félicitée de l'adoption, le 12
décembre, de la stratégie de l'UE pour l'Afrique par le Conseil Affaires
générales et Relations extérieures. Cette stratégie ambitieuse à long
terme constitue une étape importante dans les relations entre l'UE et
l'Afrique et dynamisera le développement durable de cette dernière.
L'heure est maintenant à l'ouverture de discussions avec les Etats
africains et les organisations concernées pour transformer cette
stratégie en projets concrets visant à renforcer la stabilité, relancer
la croissance économique et réduire la pauvreté sur le continent
africain.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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