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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 98-02-06
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
06/02/98
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] En 1997, le taux d'inflation moyen tombe à 1,7%
[02] Kodak - Fuji case : Commission urges Japan to undertake fundamental
reform of distribution
[03] EU-Australia standards agreement to boost two-way trade
[04] EU to deepen relations with Malta
[01] En 1997, le taux d'inflation moyen tombe à 1,7%
En 1997, l'inflation annuelle moyenne de l'Union européenne (UE) est tombée
à 1,7%, selon les chiffres publiés aujourd'hui par Eurostat, l'Office
statistique des Communautés européennes à Luxembourg. Elle a baissé ainsi
de 0,7 points de pourcentage par rapport aux 2,4% enregistrés en 1996. En
décembre 1997, l'inflation annuelle de l'UE a diminué et atteint 1,6% (par
rapport à décembre 1996), en comparaison avec le chiffre révisé de novembre
de 1,7%. Ces deux taux représentent les nouveaux Indices européens des
prix à la consommation (IPCE), calculés comme une moyenne des Indices des
prix à la consommation harmonisés (IPCH) des Etats membres.
[02] Kodak - Fuji case : Commission urges Japan to undertake fundamental
reform of distribution
With the publication of the final ruling in the World Trade Organisation's
Kodak-Fuji case expected in the coming weeks, the European Commission today
again urged Japan to undertake fundamental reforms in its distribution
system. The Commission also stressed that it hopes the case will lead to
an intensified discussion on trade and competition issues and to the
development of a framework of competition rules in the WTO. In the Kodak-
Fuji case, the US Government took the Japanese to the WTO Disputes
Settlement Body about restrictions in access for foreign companies to the
Japanese photographic film and paper market. The Commission joined the
panel as third party due to its economic interest in this market.
[03] EU-Australia standards agreement to boost two-way trade
Sir Leon Brittan, European Commissioner for Trade, and the Australian
Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, John Moore, announced yesterday
that Australia and the European Union have finalised negotiations on a
Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Conformity Assessment. The Agreement
covers the following regulated sectors : simple pressure equipment,
machinery, low voltage electrical equipment and medical devices,
telecommunications terminal equipment, electromagnetic compatibility,
automotive produts and Good Manufacturing Practice for pharmaceuticals. It
also allows for other sectors to be added later. Sir Leon pointed out that
this was an important step in enhancing bilateral trade relations in follow
up to the Joint Declaration on Relations between the European Union (EU)
and Australia signed in June last year. He said it would deliver
significant benefits to European industry, affecting some ECU 4.5 billion
(US$ 4.8 billion) of trade between the EU and Australia.
[04] EU to deepen relations with Malta
The European Commission adopted a Communication on the deepening of
relations with Malta. Following the country's decision to freeze its
application for European Union (EU) membership, the Commission has put
forward proposals designed to establish the future relationship and to
strengthen the political and economic links between the EU and Malta. The
Commission considers that trade liberalisation will enhance overall
relations and trusts that Malta will honour its long-standing commitment to
move towards a free trade area with the EU. It is of particular importance
that Malta eliminates customs duties or taxes having equivalent effect on
imports of industrial goods from the EU. Moreover, the Communication sets
out the proposals on cooperation in the fields of energy, environmental
protection, industrial cooperation and investment, transport, regional and
cross-border cooperation, consumer policy and health protection, social
affairs, participation in EU programmes, science, research and development,
telecommunications and information society as well as cooperation in the
fields of political and security issues, justice and home affairs.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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