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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-06-26
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
26/06/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Jacques Santer sur leTraité d'Amsterdam : "Nous avançons - lentement,
mais nous progressons"
[02] EU and Australia sign Declaration on closer ties
[03] Mr Fischler expresses satisfaction on the price package agreement.
[01] Jacques Santer sur leTraité d'Amsterdam : "Nous avançons - lentement,
mais nous progressons"
Jacques Santer, le Président de la Commission européenne, a dressé
aujourd'hui devant le Parlement européen un bilan nuancé de la Conférence
intergouvernementale, en constatant, à côté de progrès importants, des
zones d'ombre. Parmi les progrès réalisés, il a retenu le rapprochement de
l'Union de ses citoyens: large communautarisation du pilier consacré à la
justice et aux affaires intérieures, intégration de la convention de
Schengen dans le Traité, chapitre sur l'emploi, base juridique pour les
mesures d'encouragement à l'emploi et pour aider les personnes exclues,
renforcement des dispositions en matière de santé. En matière de politique
extérieure et de sécurité, "nous avons fait des progrès appréciables, mais
qui devront être valorisés dans la pratique. Tout sera question de volonté
politique", a dit Jacques Santer. S'agissant des questions institutionnelles,
il y a du bon : "Le Parlement européen est sans aucun doute sorti gagnant
de cette Conférence". Le futur Président de la Commission aussi. Quant à la
réforme de la Commission, et plus particulièrement le nombre des
commissaires, le Président a déclaré n'avoir "aucun doute qu'une solution
sera trouvée" avant le premier élargissement. Citant les points de
déception, il a dit : "Le résultat en matière d'extension du vote à la
majorité qualifiée est médiocre. En matière de défense, il n'y a
malheureusement pas eu de véritable percée".
[02] EU and Australia sign Declaration on closer ties
The European Union took an important step in the development of its
relations with Australia today by signing a Joint Declaration covering
human rights, economic matters, and the fight against drugs and crime. The
Declaration, signed in Luxembourg by Sir Leon Brittan, vice-president of
the Commission, Hans van Mierlo, the Dutch foreign minister, and Alexander
Downer, the Australian foreign minister, also foresees greater cooperation
in international bodies like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and will
build on the regular Ministerial and other meetings that currently take
place between the EU and Australia.
[03] Mr Fischler expresses satisfaction on the price package agreement.
Commenting on the outcome of the agricultural prices negotiations, the
Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Franz Fischler, said
that he was satisfied in general with the agreement although he regretted
that Ministers were not prepared to accept at this stage some important
elements of the European Commission's proposal. Given the budgetary
constraints within which the CAP will have to operate next year the failure
by the Council to accept the Commission's proposal to reduce arable aid
could have implications for many sectors in 1998. Clearly expenditure on
the CAP will have to remain within the budget available, a position
endorsed by the Council, therefore if our forecasts on budgetary
requirements for 1998 prove correct, savings will have to be made. In view
of the overcompensation to the cereal sector during the last four years it
would have been more appropriate to find the necessary savings in that
sector. While respecting the Council's right to suggest a set-aside rate
for next year, Mr Fischler said that this is a market management instrument
and the rate should be established in an objective way on the basis of the
most up to date information on the market outlook. This, he added, will be
the basis upon which the Commission will draw up its proposal on set-aside.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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