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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-06-06
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 Service Presse et Communicationb
06/06/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Romano Prodi and Chris Patten on future closure of Chernobyl nuclear
plant
[02] Commission condemns attempted coup in the Solomon Islands
[03] Euro-zone economic sentiment indicator steady for the third
consecutive month ; slight decrease for EU15
[04] EU current account deficit euro 5.7 billion ; slight surplus on trade
in services
[05] Euro-zone unemployment fell to 9.2%; EU15 down to 8.5%
[06] Erythrée : accroissement de l'assistance de la Commission aux victimes
de la guerre et de la sécheresse
[01] Romano Prodi and Chris Patten on future closure of Chernobyl nuclear
plant
European Commission President Romano Prodi and External Relations
Commissioner Chris Patten expressed yesterday their delight following the
Ukrainian authorities' announcement on the closure of the Chernobyl nuclear
power station on 15 December this year. The President stated : "The timing
is in line with Ukraine's long-standing commitment with the G7 and the
European Union. It is a significant breakthrough that will be widely
welcomed by the international community as a whole."
[02] Commission condemns attempted coup in the Solomon Islands
The European Commission deeply regrets and condemns the use of force
against the democratically elected Government of the Solomon Islands by
armed militias. This action and the taking into custody of the Prime
Minister, the Hon. B. Ulufa'alu, represents a grave threat to democracy in
the Solomon Islands. The Commission calls for political order to be
restored as soon as possible. The Commission will continue to follow events
attentively over the coming days.
[03] Euro-zone economic sentiment indicator steady for the third
consecutive month ; slight decrease for EU15
(! embargo 12 am !) The industrial confidence indicator remained unchanged
in May in the European Union while there was a one point increase in the
euro area. The most significant increases were achieved in Denmark and
France (four and three points respectively). Spain has undergone a four
point fall. The construction confidence indicator went down in May by one
point in the euro area and by two points in the EU as a whole. Consumer
confidence improved with a one point increase in both the euro area and the
EU as a whole.
[04] EU current account deficit euro 5.7 billion ; slight surplus on trade
in services
(! embargo 12 am !) According to Eurostat, the EU external current account
recorded a deficit of euro 5.7 billion in the first quarter of 2000, as
compared with a deficit of euro 2.8 billion in the first quarter of 1999
and a surplus of euro 2.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 1999. In the
first quarter of 2000 the EU external balance of trade in services reached
a surplus of euro 0.03 billion as compared with a deficit of euro 1 billion
in the first quarter of 1999 and a surplus of euro 1.5 billion in the
fourth quarter of 1999.
[05] Euro-zone unemployment fell to 9.2%; EU15 down to 8.5%
(! embargo 12 am !) Euro-zone seasonally-adjusted unemployment fell to 9.2%
in April 2000 from 9.3% in March, Eurostat reports today. This compares to
10.1% in April 1999. The EU unemployment rate fell to 8.5% in April 2000
from 8,6% in March. In April 1999 it was 9.3%. Lowest rates were registered
in Luxembourg (2.2%), in the Netherlands (2.9% in March), in Austria (3.3%)
and Portugal (4.2%). Spain's 14.1% remained the EU's highest rate.
[06] Erythrée : accroissement de l'assistance de la Commission aux victimes
de la guerre et de la sécheresse
La Commission européenne a décidé d'allouer un volume supplémentaire de
20.000 tonnes de céréales à titre d'assistance aux victimes de la guerre et
de la sécheresse en Erythrée ainsi qu'aux réfugiés érythréens au Soudan.
Cette décision vise à répondre à la détérioration de la situation
humanitaire et s'ajoute à l'adoption, le 23 mai, d'une décision d'envoyer
20.000 tonnes de céréales à l'Erythrée.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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