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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 96-06-24
From: HR-Net News Distribution Manager <dist@hri.org>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
24 / 06 / 1996
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] First meeting of high level group on taxation
[02] The European Union and Uzbekistan signed a partnership and cooperation
agreement
[03] Ritt Bjerregaard: Better public transport is needed in European cities to
counter air pollution from cars
[04] Ritt Bjerregaard on trade and environment
[01] First meeting of high level group on taxation
Mario Monti, Commissioner for the Single Market and Taxation, will chair today
in Brussels the first meeting of the High Level Group on Taxation in the European
Union. The Group, composed of Personal Representatives of Finance Ministers,
will assist the Commission in developing a new approach to taxation policy in the
Union in the light of the discussion at the informal meeting of Ecofin Ministers in
Verona on April 13.
[02] The European Union and Uzbekistan signed a partnership and cooperation
agreement
The European Union and Uzbekistan signed a Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement on 21 June in Florence after a second round of negotiations. This
agreement provides for cooperation in a wide range of areas, covering relations
in virtually all domains except military and security questions and for a political
dialogue.
[03] Ritt Bjerregaard: Better public transport is needed in European cities to
counter air pollution from cars
Speaking to the Citizens Network Forum in Brussels today, Environment
Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard recalled that, during the summer of 1994 alone,
more than 1,200 deaths in Belgium were said to be attributed to excessive ozone
in the lower atmosphere. This type of pollution is largely caused by emissions
from cars. "It is no longer possible to promote the private car and public
transport in urban areas at the same time if we wish to meet the need for mobility
and at the same time achieve a better quality of life. There are many examples
in Europe of Mayors or transport managers who, from Strasbourg to Leeds and
Copenhagen via Freiburg, Amsterdam and Göteborg, have taken courageous
decisions to make alternatives to the private car a priority in urban transport
policy. These decisions have often led to short term electoral unpopularity
followed by a recovery of votes as it becomes apparent that the policy can meet
the mobility needs and bring improvements in quality of life. Public transport
should be allowed to provide a more frequent, more regular service and quicker
journey times. This is the wish of the users' associations and it is simple."
[04] Ritt Bjerregaard on trade and environment
!!! embargo 2 pm !!!
Speaking at the conference on EU Policy and Global
Trade and Environment in Brussels today, Environment Commissioner Ritt
Bjerregaard emphasized that there is no inherent conflict between trade and
environment: (i) If effective environmental policies are implemented, trade
liberalisation should result in increased economic and environmental efficiency;
(ii) Environmental protection can have a positive impact on competitiveness and
employment; (iii) WTO rules are not an obstacle to the implementation of policies
and measures aiming at a high level of environmental protection. "The EU wants
results for Singapore Ministerial Conference in December", Mrs Bjerregaard said.
"We believe that the report the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) has
to submit to Singapore should contain action-oriented recommendations,
particularly on two items: trade measures pursuant to multilateral environmental
agreements and ecolabelling. This is important not only from an environmental
perspective, but also to avoid conflicts which might be politically devastating for
the WTO." !!! embargo 2 pm !!!
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://www.cec.lu/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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