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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 96-10-07
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
07 / 10 / 1996
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission grants aid for Chernobyl victims and fight against diphteria in
Ukraine
[02] 1996 high level consultations on the environment between the European
Commission and the government of the United States
[03] "Cities and regions info way to Europe" conference in Barcelona
[04] Commission welcomes closer links with Korea
[05] Padraig Flynn says legislation is not sufficient to root out inequality
[01] Commission grants aid for Chernobyl victims and fight against diphteria in
Ukraine
The European Commission has approved aid worth a total of ECU 1.3 million for
an emergency campaign against diphtheria in Ukraine and for victims of
Chernobyl. The grant will enable the International Federation of the Red Cross
to carry out vaccinations and to give Chernobyl victims the specialist screening
they need to catch and treat cancers.
[02] 1996 high level consultations on the environment between the European
Commission and the government of the United States
During the EU-US High Level Consultations on the environment which took place
on 2 October in Brussels, it was agreed to expand the ongoing cooperation
through a joint air quality workshop in 1997, a transatlantic environmental
conference on chemicals in 1998, and improved efforts on consumer education
and a possible workshop on biotechnology issues. In addition, both delegations
agreed to hold technical meetings on ecolabelling. Other issues discussed
included enforcement of international and domestic environmental regulations,
waste issues, persistent organic pollutants, biodiversity, leg-hold traps, protection
of the marine environment, and the good progress achieved in environmental
cooperation with the New Independent States.
[03] "Cities and regions info way to Europe" conference in Barcelona
A conference held in Barcelona today will present the mid-term review of the
"Bangemann challenge", a competition launched by the city of Stockholm in
December 1995, in which 23 major European cities present their best projects
related to new telematic applications, such as teledemocracy, teleservices for
SMEs, teleworking, telemedicine, distance learning, etc. Under the presidency
of Industrial Affairs Commissioner Martin Bangemann, the 13 members of the
Jury will review the 100 city projects and their state up until now with a view to
select the winning city at the end of 1996.
[04] Commission welcomes closer links with Korea
Speaking after meeting key parliamentarians from Korea, Trade Commissioner
Sir Leon Brittan said the European Commission has a key interest in seeing that
economic and political developments continue in South Korea, and supports
Seoul's attempts to build stability in the peninsula. The Commission therefore
shares widespread concern at the recent submarine hostilities. The Commission
also backs Korea's bid to join the OECD, noting that most issues are now solved,
clearing the way for membership soon. Sir Leon also called on Korea to give its
support to the EU's attempts to relaunch the WTO telecoms negotiations by
making an early improvement to its liberalisation offer.
[05] Padraig Flynn says legislation is not sufficient to root out inequality
Speaking today in Dublin at the official launch of the Fourth Action Programme
for Equal Opportunities for men and women, Social Affairs Commissioner Padraig
Flynn said that despite the considerable body of legislation and case law at
Community level, "there is still much work to do." He cited the difficulties women
face in the labour market and said: "Improved access to work means social
transformation on an enormous scale. Family life is altered beyond recognition
- a change in women's working status demands a change in the role that men
perceive themselves to hold within the family. It demands a whole new social
contract. Working life will also be altered. Women should not remain, as at
present, concentrated in a limited number of sectors and professions, with little
representation at senior level. Women's increasing participation also implies that
women in part time work should be able to move into full time work, as many
wish to do. The Fourth Programme objectives are designed to meet these
needs."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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