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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-02-27
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
Midday Express 27/02/2001
[01] Recapitalisation du transporteur aérien Sabena : l'affaire suit son
cours
A l'instar d'autres cas de recapitalisation de compagnies aériennes, la
Commission européenne va examiner la conformité de cette recapitalisation
avec les règles du Traité sur les aides d'Etat, c'est-à-dire évaluer si
l'Etat se comporte dans cette opération comme tout investisseur privé. Le
résultat de cette vérification, qui suit une procédure normale et
habituelle, sera connu dans les plus brefs délais.
[02] Qualifications professionnelles : la Commission se réjouit de
l'adoption d'une Directive de simplification
La Commission européenne s'est déclarée satisfaite de l'adoption, le 26
février 2001, de la Directive du Parlement européen et du Conseil
simplifiant les règles existantes en matière de reconnaissance des
qualifications professionnelles. Cette Directive amende 14 Directives
existantes dans le domaine de la reconnaissance des diplômes et des
qualifications professionnelles concernant notamment les infirmières
responsables de soins généraux, les praticiens de l'art dentaire, les
vétérinaires, les sages-femmes, les pharmaciens, les médecins et les
architectes. Elle aura pour effet d'obliger les Etats membres à statuer
rapidement sur les demandes de reconnaissance de qualifications et à
prendre en compte l'expérience professionnelle acquise dans d'autres Etats
membres. En outre, elle facilitera et accélérera considérablement
l'actualisation des listes de diplômes, certificats et autres titres
pouvant être reconnus automatiquement dans les professions couvertes par
les Directives. Cette Directive a été proposée dans le cadre de
l'initiative SLIM, dont le but est de simplifier la législation dans le
marché intérieur. Les Etats membres devront transposer la Directive en
droit national pour le 1er janvier 2003 au plus tard.
[03] EU approves "Everything But Arms" trade access for least developed
countries
The European Union today approved the European Commission's groundbreaking
proposal to eliminate quotas and duties on all products except arms from
the world's 48 poorest countries in the world. The EU Council of Ministers,
meeting in Brussels, agreed to the plan which will make the EU the world's
first major trading power to commit itself to opening its market fully to
the world's poorest countries. Welcoming the move, Trade Commissioner
Pascal Lamy told a press conference : "It's a worldwide first. At the end
of the day, we will have 100% access, with no exclusions, except of course
for arms. We have delivered on our fine words. This sends a signal to the
rest of the world that we are serious about getting the most disadvantaged
to share in the fruits of trade liberalisation". Mr Lamy paid tribute to
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had personally written to
EU Heads of State to encourage them to support the measure. Swedish Trade
Minister Lief Pagrotsky, who chaired the meeting of EU ministers, said :
"We hope this will put pressure on other countries to follow our example."
[04] Structural Funds - Commission approves regional assistance package for
Thanet and Hastings in the South East England region of the UK
The European Commission has approved the regional development plan of
Thanet and Hastings in the South East of England region for the period 2000-
2006. This "single programming document" amounts to euro 35.7 million in
financial support from the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing
economic and social reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of
the Structural Funds. The European funding is expected to attract a further
euro 64 million in investment, 73% from the public and 27% from the private
sector. The aim of this programme is to create around 3,600 new jobs and
safeguard 1,200 more.
[05] Structural Funds : Commission approves euro 277 million for East Wales
and the East of England
The European Commission has approved seven-year regional development plans
for England and Wales, representing euro 277 million in financial support
from the EU. The programmes concern two areas designated for support under
"Objective 2" of the Structural Funds (support for regions undergoing
economic restructuring) : East Wales and the East of England. These plans
are expected to attract a further euro 449 million in investment, 79% from
the public and 21% from the private sector, making a total spending of euro
726 million. These resources are expected to create around 10,000 new jobs
and to safeguard 4,500 more. These decisions are part of a series currently
being adopted by the Commission to launch the new Structural Funds
Programming period.
[06] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 483 million for Western
Scotland
The European Commission has approved a new regional economic development
plan for Western Scotland for the period 2000-06. Western Scotland has been
designated as eligible for support under 'Objective 2' of the Structural
Funds which assists areas experiencing the effects of economic
restructuring. Today's decision means that the area can receive an aid
package of euro 483 million from the European Union. This funding will
attract a further euro 940 million in investment from UK sources, both
public (83%) and private (17%), giving a total of euro 1,424 million. The
programme aims to create around 85,000 new jobs. This decision is part of a
series currently being adopted by the Commission to launch the new
Structural Funds Programming period. It is the last of the decisions
concerning Scotland.
[07] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 717 million for the North
East of England
The European Commission has approved the regional development plan of
region of the North East of England for the period 2000-2006. This "single
programming" document amounts to euro 717 million in financial support from
the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and social
reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of the Structural
Funds. The European funding will attract a further euro 1,176 million in
investment from the public sector and private sectors, making total
spending of euro 1,893 million. This regional development programme aims to
create around 33,000 new jobs, to safeguard more than 25,000 existing jobs.
This decision is part of a series currently being adopted by the Commission
to launch the new Structural Funds Programming period.
[08] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 854 million for the West
Midlands
The European Commission has approved the regional development plan of the
English region of the West Midlands for the period 2000-2006. This "single
programming document" amounts to euro 854 million in financial support from
the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and social
reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of the Structural
Funds. The European funding will attract a further euro 1.470 billion in
investment from the public sector and private sectors, making a total
spending of euro 2.325 billion. This regional development programme aims to
create around 28,000 new jobs, to safeguard more than 16,000 existing jobs
and generate about €3 billion net value added to the regional economy. This
decision is part of a series currently being adopted by the Commission to
launch the new Structural Funds Programming period.
[09] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 190 million for South West
England
The European Commission has approved a regional development plan for the
South West England region for the period 2000-2006. This "single
programming document" amounts to euro 190 million in financial support from
the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and social
reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of the Structural
Funds. The European funding will attract a further euro 256 million in
investment from the public and private sectors, making a total spending of
euro 445 million. The aim of this programme is to create around 8,600 new
jobs, to safeguard 7,400 existing ones and to support 5,400 firms. This
decision is part of a series currently being adopted by the Commission to
launch the new Structural Funds Programming period.
[10] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 808 million for North West
England
The European Commission has approved a regional development plan for the
North West England for the period 2000-2006. This "single programming
document" amounts to euro 808 million in financial support from the
European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and social
reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of the Structural
Funds. The European funding will attract a further euro 1,100 million in
investment from the public and private sectors, for a total spending of
euro 1,908 million. The objective of this regional development programme is
to develop a competitive and sustainable economy which offers employment
and income opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and gender. It
aims to create around 63,000 new jobs, to safeguard 40,000 existing ones
and to support 19,000 firms. This decision is part of a series currently
being adopted by the Commission to launch the new Structural Funds
Programming period.
[11] Structural Funds - Commission approves euro 260 million for London
The European Commission has approved the regional development plan for
London for the period 2000-2006. This "single programming document"
provides for the spending of euro 259.890 million in financial support from
the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and social re-
conversion, and as such eligible under "Objective 2" of the Structural
Funds. This European funding will attract a further euro 404.070 million in
investment from the public and private sectors, so that the total spending
will be euro 663.960 million. This regional development programme aims to
create around 10,000 new jobs and to safeguard more than 2,700 existing
jobs. This decision is part of a series currently being adopted by the
Commission to launch the new Structural Funds Programming period.
[12] Structural funds - Commission approves euro 518 billion for Yorkshire
and the Humber
The European Commission has approved a regional development plan for the
English region of Yorkshire and the Humber for the period 2000-2006. This
"single programming document" amounts to euro 518 billion in financial
support from the European Union. It concerns areas undergoing economic and
social reconversion, and as such eligible to "Objective 2" of the
Structural Funds. The European funding will attract a further euro 894
billion in investment from the public sector and private sectors, making
total spending of euro 1,412 billion. This regional development programme
aims to create more than 36,000 new jobs, and to support more than 9,500
firms. This decision is part of a series currently being adopted by the
Commission to launch the new Structural Funds Programming period.
[13] Pascal Lamy welcomes completion of EU Mexico FTA at first EU-Mexico
Joint Council Meeting
(! embargo 2.30 pm !) Today, the EU and Mexico took the decision to
complete the remaining aspects of their free trade framework at the first
EU-Mexico Joint Council of the EU-Mexico Economic Partnership, Political
Coordination and Cooperation Agreement ("Global Agreement"). As of March 1
2001, the Free Trade Agreement in Services between the EU and Mexico will
enter into force together with preferential arrangements on economically
significant aspects such as public procurement, investments and
intellectual property. Welcoming the decisions taken today, European Trade
Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "Today we have put in place the final
blocks in the Free Trade arrangements between the EU and Mexico which will
put the EU on a level footing with the US and Canada in the Mexican market.
Services and intellectual property are at the cutting edge of EU exports
and with today's decision these are set to grow significantly."
[14] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur les résultats des Conseils Agriculture et Pêche
Intervention de M. Prodi à la signature du Traité de Nice (26/02)
Discours de M. Solbes : "La préparation des entreprises à l'euro" à la
Conférence Unioncamere 'The euro and competition in the markets'
Discours de M. Liikanen : "Markets and public policy in the information
society" à la London School of Economics (26/02)
Discours de Mme Diamantopoulou : "The European Union's Employment and
Social Priorities : From Lisbon to Stockholm" à la UK's Engineering
Employers' Federation
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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