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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-06-06
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
Midday Express 06/06/2001
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission
meeting
[01] Commission boosts security on the Internet
In response to the request by the Stockholm European Council on 23-24 March
2001, the European Commission today launched a series of policy
recommendations to make the Internet safer for citizens and business. As
the use of network and information systems spreads, the need for network
security grows. Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner responsible for
Enterprise and Information Society said : "Internet has become a truly
global network. Its openness has been the source of its success. But this
openness also entails certain risks and that is why we need a strategy at
European level to tackle existing and emerging security threats."
[02] La Commission se dote d'une capacité de réponse instantanée pour les
urgences humanitaires
La Commission européenne a adopté une nouvelle procédure décisionnelle dite
"de première urgence" qui lui permettra dorénavant de répondre
immédiatement à l'apparition de nouvelles urgences humanitaires et d'être
ainsi parmi les donateurs non seulement les plus gros mais aussi les plus
rapides du monde. Cette décision permettra à la Commission de contribuer
significativement aux efforts humanitaires de sauvegarde des vies humaines
dans le monde, quand celles-ci sont le plus menacées lors de l'apparition
brutale de nouvelles catastrophes. "Cette nouvelle procédure répond aux
besoins pressants des bénéficiaires de l'aide humanitaire et s'inscrit dans
le processus de réforme entrepris par la Commission. Je suis persuadé que
cela contribuera à renforcer concrètement et efficacement notre action de
solidarité vis à vis de ceux qui souffrent", a déclaré le Commissaire Poul
Nielson à ce propos. Pratiquement, la Commission sera en mesure de prendre
des décisions de financement et de mobiliser les fonds correspondants en
faveur des organisations humanitaires dans des délais de 24/48 heures
comparé à 5 jours auparavant, afin de soutenir l'arrivée et le déploiement
des premiers secours.
[03] New rules for State-funded advertising of farm products
The European Commission has adopted new guidelines on the use of State aid
to advertise agricultural products. The guidelines allow the regional
origin of products to be promoted on condition that the internal market is
not infringed. Aid for advertising quality products may be granted where
these products clearly meet higher standards, or have a specific origin.
Following the introduction of compulsory beef labelling, the new rules also
set out how the advertising of traceability systems may be subsidised. The
guidelines forsee a maximum aid of 50%, or 75% for certain products from
SMEs from disadvantaged regions. The new guidelines will apply to new State
aids, including pending notifications, from 1 January 2002.
[04] Financial services : Commission creates two new committees on
securities
The European Commission has adopted two decisions to create a European
Securities Committee (ESC) and a Committee of European Securities
Regulators (CESR). The Commission's initiative responds to the Stockholm
European Council Resolution in March on more effective securities markets
regulation, in which the European Council welcomed the intention of the
Commission to immediately establish these committees. The two advisory
Committees will play a crucial role in assisting the Commission in its task
of implementing the Financial Services Action Plan and speeding up the
legislative process. The ESC will be composed of high-level representatives
of the Member States. It will advise the Commission on issues relating to
securities policy. At a later stage, when implementing powers are devolved
to it through co-decision procedure, it will also act as a regulatory
committee. The CESR is set up as an independent advisory body composed of
representatives of the national public authorities competent in the field
of securities in the Member States. It will advise the Commission on the
technical details of securities legislation. It will also help enhance
cooperation between supervisory authorities so as to ensure more consistent
day-to-day implementation of EU legislation in the Member States.
[05] Procédure d'infraction contre la Belgique : denrées alimentaires
contaminées par la dioxine
Dans le cadre de l'affaire "dioxine" à l'encontre de la Belgique pour
notification tardive par la Belgique à la Commission européenne des
éléments susceptibles de constituer un danger grave au sens des directives
89/662 et 90/425, les services de la Commission se sont assurés auprès des
autorités belges que toutes les mesures ont été prises pour qu'une telle
infraction ne se reproduise plus et, en particulier, que les instructions
nécessaires ont été données aux administrations compétentes pour que les
obligations communautaires soient appliquées pleinement, conformément à
l'interprétation qu'en donne la Commission, notamment dans l'avis motivé,
et qui est partagée par les autorités belges.
[06] Commission warns Germany over Gas Liberalisation
The European Commission has decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to the
German Government, following Germany's failure fully to implement the EU's
Gas Liberalisation Directive. Member States should have implemented the
Directive by 10 August 2000. However, Germany has still not adopted the
national legislation needed to implement it. The Directive is a crucial
piece of legislation which aims to open the EU's gas markets to competition,
benefiting consumers by encouraging lower prices and better quality of
service. Germany now has two months to respond to today's letter.
[07] La Commission prend une décision négative concernant une aide d'Etat à
IVECO
La Commission européenne a décidé que l'aide à la recherche et au
développement que les autorités italiennes envisageaient d'accorder à la
société IVECO S.p.A. est incompatible avec le marché commun. A l'issue
d'une enquête approfondie, la Commission a conclu que cette aide n'était
pas nécessaire à la mise au point d'une nouvelle gamme de fourgonnettes.
[08] Commission approves Regional Venture Capital Funds for England
The European Commission has adopted its first decision based on the new
Communication on risk capital and state aid, by approving the Regional
Venture Capital Funds which the UK Government intends to set up in each of
the English regions. The purpose of the scheme is to fill the equity gap
for small and medium-sized enterprises in need of relatively small amounts
of funding. The Government will establish the funds together with private
investors, who will benefit from better terms. The Commission decided that
the state aid involved was compatible with the common market, and thereby
closed the state aid investigation it had initiated on 18 October 2000.
[09] Commission declares State aid to Technische Glaswerke Ilmenau GmbH
incompatible with the EC Treaty
The European Commission has decided to declare non-notified State aid of an
amount of euro 2,045,000 to Technische Glaswerke Ilmenau GmbH, a company
based in Ilmenau, Thüringen, Germany, as incompatible with the common
market. Germany must take all necessary measures to recover the aid
unlawfully made available to the beneficiary.
[10] Commission investigates aid in asset sale of Gröditzer to
Georgsmariënhütte
The European Commission has decided to open the formal State aid
investigation procedure concerning an asset sale concluded between the
receivers of Gröditzer Stahlwerke, a steel company located in the German
Land of Saxony, and another German steelmaker, Georgsmarienhütte.
[11] Commission opens inquiry into Spanish aid planned for Ford's Valencia
plant
The European Commission has decided to initiate detailed investigation
proceedings concerning aid amounting to euro 16 million (ESP 2619 million)
earmarked for the Ford plant in Almusafes (Valencia). At this stage the
Commission has not been able to establish that the planned aid meets the
criteria of the Community framework for state aid to the motor vehicle
industry and has asked Spain to forward any comments within one month.
[12] La Commission examinera de près le projet d'aides à la centrale Bahía
de Bizcaia (Espagne)
La Commission européenne a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure formelle d'examen à
l'égard d'un projet d'aides du Gouvernement Basque pour la construction
d'une centrale de cycle combiné pour la production d'électricité et d'une
usine de regazéification à Bilbao. Le montant total des aides pour les deux
projets s'élève à 53,2 millions d'euros, soit 10% du coût total des
investissements. La Commission émet des doutes notamment sur la
justification de ce projet sur le plan du développement régional.
[13] La Commission décide d'examiner une intervention des autorités
wallonnes vis-à-vis du groupe Beaulieu dans le cadre de l'affaire Verlipack
La Commission européenne a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure formelle d'examen
des aides d'Etat à l'encontre d'une intervention des autorités wallonnes
vis-à-vis du groupe Beaulieu, entreprise belge établie en Flandre et un des
principaux fabricants européens de tapis.
[14] La Commission engage une procédure d'infraction pour violation du
droit de la concurrence contre La Poste (Belgique)
La Commission européenne a adressé aujourd'hui une communication des griefs
à l'opérateur public belge de services postaux, La Poste. Selon l'enquête
préliminaire de la Commission, La Poste a accordé des réductions sur son
service de courrier classique - pour lequel elle dispose d'un monopole
légal - aux clients qui acceptaient de s'abonner également à un nouveau
service de courrier professionnel qu'elle a lancé au début de l'année 2000.
Ce nouveau service est en concurrence avec le service d'échange de
documents proposé par le plaignant dans la présente affaire, Hays
Management Services S.A. En raison des réductions intéressantes accordées
par La Poste pour le service de poste aux lettres relevant du monopole, de
nombreux clients ont opté pour son service de courrier professionnel et
retiré leur clientèle à Hays. Si la tendance actuelle demeure inchangée,
Hays s'attend à être évincée du marché belge d'ici la fin de l'année 2001.
[15] Klaus Regling nommé Directeur-Général pour les affaires économiques et
financières
La Commission européenne a nommé Klaus Regling au poste de Directeur-
Général pour les affaires économiques et financières. Cette Direction
Générale joue un rôle stratégique dans l'analyse de l'économie de l'Union
européenne et de la zone euro et dans l'avancement de la coordination des
politiques économiques. De plus, elle a une responsabilité importante dans
l'analyse économique des économies des pays candidats et sur les sujets de
coopération économique internationale, y compris les relations avec les
institutions financières internationales et la Banque européenne
d'investissement. Enfin, cette Direction Générale joue un rôle crucial dans
la coordination des préparatifs pour le passage à l'euro le 1er janvier
2002.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[16] Commission gives green light to NEC's space joint venture with Toshiba
The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture
between Japanese companies NEC Corp and Toshiba Corp under the European
Union's merger control law. The joint venture will primarily sell
satellites and components in the context of Japanese institutional space
programmes and will only have minor activities in Europe.
[17] Foot-and-mouth disease : results of the Standing Veterinary Committee
The Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) yesterday voted in favour of
European Commission proposals with regard to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The proposals concern the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
[18] Health Council : David Byrne welcomes Common Position on new EU public
health programme
European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne
yesterday welcomed the Common Position the Council of Health Ministers
reached on the Commission's modified proposal for a Decision adopting a
programme of Community action in the field of public health (2001-2006).
Given the importance in arriving at this decision to speed up the adoption,
the Commission takes note of the Council's compromise on the budget of the
programme : euro 280 million over six years instead of euro 300 million, as
proposed by the Commission. However, the Commission also notes the position
of the European Parliament which is in favour of a larger amount. The
Commission therefore hopes that, at the end of the co-decision procedure,
the budget of the public health programme will be close to its original
proposal. It stressed that the accession of new Member States and the
establishment of the structural arrangements of the programme will
necessitate a review of its implementation. The Council also adopted a
Recommendation on alcohol use by children and adolescents. Health ministers
also expressed their strong support for the Commission's new proposal for a
tobacco advertising directive as well as for its negotiations within the
WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
[19] Amélioration de la politique commune de la pêche : la Commission à
l'écoute des parties intéressées
"Il n'existe pas de remède miracle aux problèmes que connaît actuellement
la gestion de la pêche. C'est pourquoi la Commission est soucieuse de faire
participer activement les parties intéressées au débat sur les moyens
d'améliorer la politique commune de la pêche (PCP). Leur implication et
leur coopération sont essentielles au succès de celle-ci. La Commission est
à l'écoute: la balle est désormais dans votre camp." C'est en ces termes
que s'est adressé le commissaire européen Franz Fischler, responsable de
l'agriculture, du développement rural et de la pêche, aux participants
d'une audition publique à propos du premier Livre vert de la Commission sur
l'avenir de la politique commune de la pêche. Cette audition, qui se
déroule du 5 au 7 juin à Bruxelles, s'inscrit dans le grand débat inauguré
par le Livre vert que la Commission a adopté en mars dernier. Ce débat vise
à cerner les insuffisances de la PCP, qui mettent en péril la durabilité du
secteur de la pêche. Au terme de ce débat, la Commission présentera ses
propositions de réforme de la PCP, qui devraient entrer en vigueur le 1er
janvier 2003.
[20] EU very disappointed at US decision to launch investigation that could
lead to protectionist measures to shelter US steel industry
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy yesterday expressed his
disappointment at the US Administration's decision to initiate an
investigation which could lead to significant restrictions on US imports of
steel from third countries. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by some
parts of the US steel industry, Mr Lamy said : "This is bad news. We have
consistently signalled our willingness to promote international dialogue on
this issue. But the 201 route is not the way to go. The cost of
restructuring in the US steel sector should not be shifted onto to the rest
of the world". Commissioner Lamy underlined that during the investigation
launched yesterday by the United States International Trade Commission
(USITC), "the Commission will continue to argue strongly that that the
imposition of protectionist safeguard measures in response to the US steel
industry's domestic problems would constitute an inappropriate response".
[21] Commission provides euro 4.5 million in humanitarian aid for Burmese
refugees on the Thai border
The European Commission has allocated euro 4.5 million in humanitarian aid
to help Burmese refugees located in the frontier areas of Thailand. The
funds will be channelled by the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) through
partners working in the field. The aid allocated for 2001 will be used for
basic food aid (including the provision of drinking water) and health care -
including community health programmes and education in health and sanitary
issues. ECHO is also engaged in efforts to prevent the forced repatriation
of refugees. Approximately 90,000 refugees in 4 different camps are covered
by this decision. ECHO has been operating refugee camps on the Thai border
since 1995. Total funding for 1999 and 2000 amounted to euro 9 million.
[22] Avril 2001 : le chômage dans la zone euro en baisse à 8,3% ; l'UE15 en
baisse à 7,6%
(! embargo 12h00 !) Le taux de chômage de la zone euro, corrigé des
variations saisonnières, était de 8,3% en avril 2001, en baisse par rapport
à mars (8,4%), selon les données publiées aujourd'hui par Eurostat. En
avril 2000, le taux était de 9,0%. Le taux de chômage de l'UE15 était de 7,
6% en avril 2001, en baisse par rapport à mars (7,7%). Il s'élevait à 8,4%
en avril 2000. Les taux les plus bas ont été observés au Luxembourg (2,4%),
aux Pays-Bas (2,4% en mars), en Autriche (3,7%) et en Irlande (3,8%). Le
taux de chômage de l'Espagne (13,1%) est resté le plus élevé de l'UE. Au
cours des douze derniers mois, les baisses relatives les plus importantes
ont été observées aux Pays-Bas (de 3,2% à 2,4% en mars), en Suède (de 6,2%
à 4,9%), en Irlande (de 4,4% à 3,8%) et en France (de 9,8% à 8,5%).
[23] Euro area business climate indicator down 0.30 May 2001
(! embargo 12 am !) The business climate indicator fell to 0.06 in May
(down from 0.36 a month before). With the exception of a near stabilisation
in February, the indicator has been decreasing continuously since the
beginning of the year indicating a steady deterioration of business
confidence in the euro area. The indicator remains, at this stage, above
the trough reached during the 1998-99 slowdown but it is consistent with a
further slowdown of growth in industrial production to its 1986-2000
average. (Business Climate Indicator for the Euro Area May 2001 -
Directorate General Economic & Financial Affairs: http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/indicators/climate_en.htm)
[24] Press conference by Philippe Busquin and Philippe Maystadt
On Thursday, 7 June at 12h30, European Research Commissioner Philippe
Busquin and Philippe Maystadt, President of the European Investment Bank
(EIB) will give a press conference following the signature of a memorandum
enabling the two institutions to cooperate in the funding of European
research. The main objective of this action is to make most of the grants
given by the European Commission and the loans/risk capital granted by the
EIB for research projects, research infrastructure and innovative
enterprises. This objective shall be achieved by better coordinating the
respective funding of both parties as well as through establishing
synergies between the Research Framework Programme of the Commission and
the Innovation 2000 initiative of the EIB. Fotis Kafatos, Director General
of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), will illustrate the
practical benefits of this collaboration.
[25] Young Europeans will challenge Anna Diamantopoulou on "New economy,
new society opportunities, threats, or both?"
On June 7, from 12:30 to 13:30 CET, young people at three university sites
in Europe will debate with the European Commissioner for Employment and
Social Affairs. Anna Diamantopoulou will answer questions in Brussels,
where she is joined in the studio by former BBC presenter Michael Jordan.
The three active sites (picture and sound from Brussels + sound return) are
: Athens (Greece), Prague (Czech Republic) and Gothenburg (Sweden). There
will also be a number of passive university sites (picture and sound from
Brussels & comments via the www) throughout Europe. This is the second
programme in a series of 12 featuring leading EU personalities as well as
inquisitive and provocative young people. The interactive debate network
acts as communication hub between European personalities/politics and young
people. The objective is to establish a constant dialogue and feedback
process to enable better understanding of political action, attitudes and
expectations. TV networks and other media are invited at all local sites.
[26] Environment Council 7-8 June 2001
European Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström will represent the
European Commission at the EU Council of Environment Ministers in
Luxembourg on 7-8 June. The Council is expected to reach common positions
on five items : the sixth environmental action programme, waste from
electric and electronic equipment, access to information, priority
substances in water and cold start emissions from light vehicles. Other
items for discussion are the White Paper on a chemicals strategy, the Green
Paper on integrated product policy and the Johannesburg Summit on
sustainable development. Sustainable development, climate change and
preparation for the negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol in Bonn in July are
also on the agenda.
[27] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur les résultats du comité de conciliation directive OPA
Speech by Chris Patten at the public debate "Northern Dimension and
Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Area" (Hambourg, ! embargo 7.30 pm !)
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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