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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-01-31
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
31/01/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Jacques Santer congratulates new Austrian Chancellor
[02] Commission approves a revised cooperation arrangement between Swedish
Match Sverige AB and Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S concerning the Prince
brand of cigarettes in Sweden
[03] Commission initiates second phase proceedings on BT-MCI merger
[04] European Forum on the transfer of ownership in SMEs
[05] President Stoyanov visits the European Commission
[06] Joćo de Deus Pinheiro stresses need for conflict prevention and
regional co-operation in East Africa
[07] Sir Leon Brittan: tackling the moral and political challenges of
globalisation
[08] Padraig Flynn calls for a reform of our social protection systems
[09] Franz Fischler: "Austria should not be afraid of the euro"
[01] Jacques Santer congratulates new Austrian Chancellor
The President of the European Commission Jacques Santer has congratulated
Viktor Klima, the new Federal Chancellor of Austria. In his message, Mr
Santer said he was convinced that Chancellor Klima would continue the
committment of his predecessors for the construction of Europe.
[02] Commission approves a revised cooperation arrangement between Swedish
Match Sverige AB and Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S concerning the Prince
brand of cigarettes in Sweden
The European Commission has decided to approve a revised cooperation
arrangement between Swedish Match Sverige AB and Skandinavisk
Tobakskompagni A/S concerning the Prince brand of cigarettes in Sweden.
Following serious doubts expressed by the Commission as to the
compatibility with the competition rules of their exclusive licensing
arrangement, the two companies have come forward with a radical re-
definition of their continued cooperation. The changes, which meet the
Commission's concerns, will involve an important structural overhaul of the
Swedish cigarette market, and should contribute to a real and immediate
increase in competition.
[03] Commission initiates second phase proceedings on BT-MCI merger
The European Commission has decided to open second-phase proceedings in the
BT (British Telecommunications plc) and MCI (MCI Communications
Corporation) merger notification. The merger would take place against a
background of rapid change in the telecommunications sector, and in
particular the granting of 44 new international facilities licences in the
UK. And although many of the parties' activities are complementary, the
Commission's enquiries suggest a certain number of areas in which further
investigations are required.
[04] European Forum on the transfer of ownership in SMEs
The transfer of Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which is vital
for the survival of the enterprise, will be the subject of the European
Forum that will take place in Lille, France, on 3-4 February 1997 at the
initiative of the European Commission. The Forum has three aims: to raise
awareness of the need for entrepreneurs to prepare the transfer of business
in advance; to develop and assess best practices for successful transfers;
to agree on conclusions and recommendations. By the year 2000 one in three
SMEs in the European Union will have transferred ownership from the present
generation to the next. However, most SMEs do not pay much attention to the
issue of transfer of SMEs although this is a matter of crucial importance
of their well-being and even survival. The European Observatory for SMEs
has estimated that about 1.5 million SMEs in Europe risk closure and about
6.3 million jobs are at risk, if transfer is not dealt with seriously by
businessmen and public authorities.
[05] President Stoyanov visits the European Commission
Yesterday, on the occasion of his first official visit abroad since his
election, the President of Bulgaria Mr. Petar Stoyanov, met President
Jacques Santer and Commissioner Hans van den Broek. They discussed the
political and economic crisis in Bulgaria. President Stoyanov welcomed the
emergency social assistance programme recently decided by the European
Union to give income support for the most needy parts of the population.
Regarding the economic problems now facing Bulgaria, the European
Commission declared its willingness to consider an initiative to mobilise
international support, provided the necessary stabilisation and economic
reform measures are put into place by the Bulgarian authorities.
[06] Joćo de Deus Pinheiro stresses need for conflict prevention and
regional co-operation in East Africa
The European Development Commissioner, Joćo de Deus Pinheiro, has just
completed visits to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Uganda as part of his official
tour of the East African region. In his political talks with Heads of
State or Government and the Secretary General of the Organisation for
African Unity, Mr Pinheiro called on the region's leaders to activate
mechanisms of conflict prevention and regional co-operation aiming at
creating the necessary conditions for stability and economic development.
He highlighted respect for human rights and good governance as main
features of the EU's development policy. The visit also provided the
opportunity to sign, together with the European Investment Bank, national
and regional co-operation agreements under the Lomé IV Convention for a
total amount of ECU 1,079 million in grants and loans.
[07] Sir Leon Brittan: tackling the moral and political challenges of
globalisation
(!!! embargo 8.30 pm !!!) Globalisation of the economy makes people fear
they will lose their jobs and governments fear they will lose sovereignty,
says Sir Leon Brittan in a speech in Davos this evening. Some see
protectionism as the answer, but this will only compound problems in the
medium term. Others assert that politics must regain the ascendency over
economics. This is a simplistic response. Financial markets and world
trade have reduced governments' control over the economy. We need to
persuade people of the legitimacy of new institutions such as the EU and
the WTO rather than tear them down. Globalisation must not be made the
scapegoat. It does not simply make the rich richer, nor will it lead to a
single global culture. Business and political leaders must promote
understanding of the huge changes under way and build multilateral
mechanisms to manage this change in a way that ensures that economic
decisions remain politically acceptable. (!!! embargo 8.30 pm !!!)
[08] Padraig Flynn calls for a reform of our social protection systems
Speaking today in Gothenburg, Social Affairs Commissioner Padraig Flynn
said that our social protection systems are facing major challenges. "Our
systems were designed as income replacement, either temporarily because of
sickness or unemployment, or permanently because of disability or
retirement. They fitted the social and labour market structures of the
times... In Europe as a whole, expenditure on social protection has
increased from 24% of GDP in 1980 to over 28% in 1994 - a staggering ECU 1,
800 billion." The response to the Commission's Communication on "The
future of Social Protection" shows that there is a general consensus on the
need for reform and that our social protection systems must take better
account of the realities of today's labour market and become more
employment-friendly.
[09] Franz Fischler: "Austria should not be afraid of the euro"
In his speech on the relationship between Austria and the euro at the
Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Vienna yesterday evening, Agriculture
Commissioner Franz Fischler stressed that "we will have to take people's
doubts and fears much more into consideration in the future." Besides the
technical and legal aspects of preparing for the euro, the importance of
informing and reassuring the public should not be forgotten, Mr Fischler
stressed. With the Schilling, Austrians associated security, stability and
an identity. The concept and preparation of the euro as well as the
stability pact were worked out specifically to give the euro, too, the
characteristics of security, stability and confidence, not just in the
short, but also in the long term.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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