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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-07-07
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
07/07/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission urges Member States to step up consumer information on euro
[02] La Commission autorise la création de Synavion par Siemens et
Lufthansa
[03] La décision prise par la Commission en janvier 1998 contre Volkswagen
est confirmée par le Tribunal de première instance des Communautés
européennes
[04] Structural Funds : Commission approves decision in principle on EU
Support Framework for Ireland for 2000-2006 (Objective 1)
[05] Un milliard d'euros pour la réduction de la dette : Poul Nielson signe
la Contribution de l'UE à l'Initiative renforcée PPLE
[06] Commission, Greece and Turkey jointly promote energy network
connections
[07] Commission proposes extension of EU-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement to
Laos and Cambodia
[08] Commission delivers on Mozambique
[01] Commission urges Member States to step up consumer information on euro
In the run up to the introduction of the euro at the end of 2001, European
Commissioners David Byrne, Pedro Solbes, Erkki Liikanen and Viviane Reding
are calling on Member States of the euro-zone to step up consumer
information, in particular by promoting dual pricing and the use of the
Eurologo in shops. In the 18 months remaining, it is necessary to ensure
that full information is made available in a timely and user-friendly way.
The Commissioners were reacting to the results of an Eurobarometer opinion
poll revealing that the level of public awareness about the euro is rising.
Half of the citizen in the euro-zone countries felt well informed while the
other half had little or no information on the euro. About one third knew
they can already pay in euro ; two-thirds were not yet aware of this. Two-
third of the consumers in the euro-zone know their national currency will
be replaced by the euro in 2002. More than half trust retailers to convert
prices correctly, but the others fear being cheated by retailers either
when they set prices or when they get change.
[02] La Commission autorise la création de Synavion par Siemens et
Lufthansa
La Commission européenne a autorisé Siemens et Lufthansa à créer
l'entreprise commune Synavion, qui fournira des services informatiques aux
aéroports. L'opération ne suscite aucune préoccupation du point de vue de
la concurrence.
[03] La décision prise par la Commission en janvier 1998 contre Volkswagen
est confirmée par le Tribunal de première instance des Communautés
européennes
Dans un arrêt rendu hier, le Tribunal de première instance a confirmé la
décision arrêtée par la Commission européenne contre Volkswagen le 28
janvier 1998, qui constatait une infraction très grave aux règles de
concurrence de l'UE. Volkswagen AG, ainsi que ses filiales Audi AG et
Autogerma SpA, avaient empêché leur importateur italien commun et ses
concessionnaires en Italie de vendre des voitures neuves à des non-
résidents, notamment aux consommateurs allemands et autrichiens. L'amende
de 102 millions d'euros infligée par la Commission à Volkswagen a été
légèrement revue à la baisse par le Tribunal qui l'a fixée à 90 millions
d'euros. En avril 1998, Volkswagen AG avait formé un recours contre cette
décision devant le Tribunal de première instance, dans lequel elle rejetait
les constatations de la Commission et faisait valoir que le montant de
l'amende était totalement disproportionné.
[04] Structural Funds : Commission approves decision in principle on EU
Support Framework for Ireland for 2000-2006 (Objective 1)
In Dublin today, Michel Barnier, the European Commissioner in charge of
regional policy and of institutional reform, launched a new regional
development strategy for Ireland supported with funds from the European
Union. In all the contribution of the Union totals some euro 3,172 million
for the period 2000-2006.
[05] Un milliard d'euros pour la réduction de la dette : Poul Nielson signe
la Contribution de l'UE à l'Initiative renforcée PPLE
Poul Nielson, Commissaire européen chargé de la coopération au
développement et l'aide humanitaire, signe aujourd'hui les accords de mise
en œuvre de l'appui communautaire à l'initiative renforcée pour les Pays
Pauvres Lourdement Endettés (PPLE). La contribution à cette initiative sera
de plus d'un milliard d'euros : 680 millions seront destinés, à travers le
Trust Fund géré par la Banque Mondiale, aux banques de développement des
pays d'Afrique et des Caraïbes, et 54 millions aux banques de développement
des pays d'Amérique Latine et d'Asie de l'Est, pour leur permettre de
participer à l'Initiative et de financer leur part dans la réduction de la
dette. De plus, 348 millions d'euros seront destinés à réduire la dette que
les pays d'Afrique et des Caraïbes ont encore vis-à-vis de l'UE.
[06] Commission, Greece and Turkey jointly promote energy network
connections
Following an initiative of European Commissioner for External Relations
Christopher Patten, of Foreign Minister George Papandreou of Greece and of
Foreign Minister Ismael Cem of Turkey, a trilateral Working Group has been
created today in Brussels, aiming at setting up gas network interconnections
between Greece and Turkey. The establishment of this Working Group is a
significant and concrete step in the 'rapprochement' process between the
two countries and opens new perspectives for energy supplies to European
markets from new sources.
[07] Commission proposes extension of EU-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement to
Laos and Cambodia
Today, the European Commission adopted proposals for Council decisions to
conclude Protocols extending the EU-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement to the Lao
People's Democratic Republic and to the Kingdom of Cambodia. It is expected
that the Council will approve the protocols, so that they can be signed on
28 July 2000, during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, in Bangkok,
Thailand.
[08] Commission delivers on Mozambique
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid Poul Nielson has
following a recent pledge made available funding in the order of euro 1,965,
000 for immediate use. Works on the post flood reconstruction in Mozambique
can therefore begin at the end of August. The Commission's programme aims
to rehabilitate the urban infrastructure of the towns of Chòkwé and Xai-Xai,
as well as the infrastructure along the Limpopo River designed to protect
the rural population in that part of Gaza Province from future flooding.
Also, in the framework of the EDF Committee on 5th July, Member States gave
their unanimous approval to a second proposal for euro 18,035,000 financing
in respect of the same programme. By the end of July another decision is
expected for an additional euro 13,500,000 in budget support to help the
Government of Mozambique offset the heavy financial burden created by the
floods. All these actions form part of the pledge of euro 67 million made
by Commissioner Nielson at the International Conference for the
Reconstruction of Mozambique held in Rome on 3-4th May. The Government of
Mozambique convened this Conference in the wake of the disastrous flooding
in February and March of this year.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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