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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-05-05
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 Service Presse et Communicationb
05/05/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission pledges a further euro 67.5 million for Mozambique at the
International Reconstruction Conference in Rome
[02] Commission statement on the "Love Bug" virus attack
[03] March 2000 - Industrial producer prices rose by 0.6% in euro-zone and
by 0.5% in EU15 compared to February 2000
[04] Launch of European network for out-of-Court settlement of consumer
disputes
[05] Franz Fischler : "Successful rural development means sustainable rural
development"
[06] Standing up to globalisation : Anna Diamantopoulou calls for a new
social policy for the new economy
[01] Commission pledges a further euro 67.5 million for Mozambique at the
International Reconstruction Conference in Rome
Underlining its continued support to the Government and people of
Mozambique, the European Commission has announced a pledge for euro 67.5
million, bringing its total response for reconstruction and rehabilitation
for the flood struck country to euro 73.5 million. This pledge, made at the
International Reconstruction Conference held in Rome on 3-4 May, represents
over 15% of the appeal for reconstruction issued by the government of
Mozambique. The Commissioner for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian
Aid, Mr Poul Nielson, stated : "This is the most tangible and meaningful
manner by which the Commission can help the people of Mozambique rebuild
their lives and economy. By doing this, we are respecting our promise made
immediately after the floods to stand by Mozambique not just in the short
term, but also in the medium and long term".
[02] Commission statement on the "Love Bug" virus attack
The virus that was launched all over the world yesterday was extremely
serious. It has once again helped raise awareness of the importance of
information security. It has not had a substantial effect on the European
Commission since it immediately recognised this as an attack and warned all
staff, so they were able to take the necessary precautions. Information
security is crucial in order to ensure and promote confidence of consumers
and investors in e-commerce. This was identified as a priority by the
Lisbon European Council, and forms one of the central themes of the
Commission's eEurope Initiative. Mr Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner
responsible for Enterprise and Information Society stated : "The Love Bug
is a warning to us all that security must be given top priority if consumer
and user confidence is to be maintained as we move into the information
age. The Commission is determined to give security the urgency it deserves,
both in its own computer systems and in the policies it promotes." A number
of relevant initiatives have been taken by the Commission or are in the
pipeline. First and foremost is the forthcoming Communication on Cyber-
crime. This will propose improving cooperation amongst national law
enforcement authorities and other stake-holders and raise raising awareness
of the need for effective security measures by service providers and access
to the latest relevant technologies. Secondly, the Commission will
participate in the G8 High-Tech Crime Convention in Paris on May 15-17.
Industry and law enforcement authorities will be represented (see web-site:
http://www.g8parishightech.org). The Commission will outline the broad
thrust of its forthcoming recommendations. Further damage was averted by
international cooperation and the exchange or information between
professionals and users. This type of mutual cooperation should be
encouraged. Users are urged, however, to keep their guard up. Modified
versions of the virus are now being distributed - changing its name etc. -
and the risks from this specific incident will continue for a while.
[03] March 2000 - Industrial producer prices rose by 0.6% in euro-zone and
by 0.5% in EU15 compared to February 2000
(! embargo 12 am !) The euro-zone industrial producer price index rose by
0.6% in March 2000 compared with the previous month, Eurostat - Statistical
Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg - estimates today. Prices
in EU15 went up by 0.5%. For both the euro-zone and the EU15, the index in
March showed the same increase as in February. As in previous months, the
March increases were led by the index for intermediate goods, which rose by
0.9% in the euro-zone and 0.8% in the EU15. Prices of all other sectors
edged up by 0.1% in March, except capital goods in the EU15 which fell 0.1%
in March. Producer prices were up by 6.2% in the euro-zone and 5.6% in the
EU15 compared to March 1999. The increase stems again mainly from the
intermediate goods sector, the index rising by 9.8% in the euro-zone and
9.2% in the EU15. The prices rose much less in the other sectors, although
the annual rate of most of them has edged slightly up in the latest six
months.
[04] Launch of European network for out-of-Court settlement of consumer
disputes
David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, and
the Portuguese Secretary of State for Consumer Protection, Mr. Acacio
Barreiros, have today in Lisbon launched the European Extra-Judicial
Network for settling consumer disputes out of court. At a conference hosted
by the Portuguese presidency, Mr Byrne said : "The EEJ-net marks an
important milestone to give consumers access to simple, low cost and
effective means of resolving cross border conflicts. The continued growth
of e-commerce, the increase in travel and the introduction of the euro will
invariably lead to an increase in cross border consumer transactions. I
expect the EEJ-net to be a flexible and evolving structure that will
accommodate new and diverse schemes as they develop, make use of new
technologies and provide the most efficient and effective access to justice
for consumers". The conference will be closed by Antonio Vitorino,
Commissioner for Justice and Home Affairs on Saturday.
[05] Franz Fischler : "Successful rural development means sustainable rural
development"
In a speech at the Plenary Session of the Agribusiness Forum in Sofia,
European Commissioner for Agriculture, Franz Fischler, emphasised the
historical importance of enlargement and referred to the expectations, of
economic opportunities for investment, growth and wealth, and of course the
chance for more peace in a Europe of common values. Referring to the
challenges arising from enlargement, the Commissioner said : "The process
of uniting Europe could give rise to many risks and difficulties. We all
know that. But the EU has always underlined that in the negotiation process
quality is as important as speed." "Besides the economic and social
dimension, the environmental dimension is of highest importance," stated Mr
Fischler. He also referred to the instruments and financial resources,
provided by the EU, especially for the agricultural sector. "This is the
first time, that candidate countries receive such support before joining
the Union. From this year on, Bulgaria will benefit from euro 52 million
per year from the SAPARD-Programme, the instrument to facilitate the
adaptation of agriculture in the candidate countries", Mr Fischler
underlined.
[06] Standing up to globalisation : Anna Diamantopoulou calls for a new
social policy for the new economy
European Commissioner for Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou, today
announced that she will bring forward a New Agenda for Social Policy in
June. She was speaking at a major international conference in Lisbon - on
the subject of globalisation and the future of social policy.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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