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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-12-17
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
Midday Express 17/12/2001
[01] Commission clears acquisition of joint control of Austrian utility
Steweag by Verbund and Estag
The European Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of
Steierische Wasserkraft- und Elektrizitäts AG (Steweag) by Österreichische
Elektrizitätswirtschafts AG (Verbund) and Energie Steiermark Holding AG
(Estag). The proposed merger relates to the integration of the existing
Verbund and Estag activities in the areas of electricity generation and
supply in Austria. This gives rise to horizontal overlaps in the supply of
electricity to sub-distributors, special contract customers (industry,
public installations, transport) and contractual customers (households,
business, agriculture). The Commission has concluded, however, that the
transaction does not pose any competition concerns.
[02] Région italienne Marche : feu vert pour un programme de développement
rural Leader+ d'un montant de 20,274 millions d'euros
La Commission européenne a approuvé le programme relatif à l'initiative
communautaire Leader+ en faveur de la région italienne Marche. Se
félicitant de cette décision, M. Franz Fischler, membre de la Commission
chargé de l'Agriculture, du Développement rural et de la Pêche, a déclaré :
"Ce programme vise à mettre en œuvre des idées nouvelles, afin de soutenir
la mise en place, dans les zones rurales italiennes, d'une société, d'une
économie et d'un environnement plus durables. Nous souhaitons améliorer la
qualité de vie des habitants des zones rurales. Leader+ contribuera à
valoriser les produits locaux et à tirer le meilleur parti possible des
ressources naturelles et culturelles". Pour la période 2001-2006, le
montant total des crédits affectés au programme sera de 20,274 millions
d'euros. Cela comprend une contribution publique de 15,700 millions d'euros,
à l'intérieur de laquelle la contribution communautaire est de 7,850
millions d'euros.
[03] Conclusions of the Fisheries consultations with Norway for 2002
The European Commission and Norway concluded on 15 December 2001, in
Brussels, consultations on mutual fisheries relations in 2002. This meeting
was a continuation of a number of meetings held in Oslo and Brussels. The
two delegations agreed to recommend to their respective authorities to fix
the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for the seven joint stocks in the North
Sea.
[04] Un plus grand nombre de normes électroniques européennes accessible
gratuitement en ligne
La Commission européenne a accueilli favorablement la décision du Comité
européen de normalisation (CEN) de suivre l'exemple de l'Institut européen
des normes de télécommunication (IENT) en publiant - gratuitement et en
ligne - des normes électroniques à partir de janvier 2002. Cette décision
s'inscrit dans le cadre du "Plan d'action eEurope en matière normes" qui
doit aider les entrepreneurs en garantissant que les nouvelles normes
technologiques soient suffisamment bien définies pour assurer
l'interopérabilité des systèmes utilisant les technologies de l'information
et de la communication (TIC). Les travaux concernés sont parrainés par la
Commission et réalisés par les organisations européennes de normalisation
CEN, CENELEC et IENT. Aujourd'hui, plus de 3000 experts participent
activement à ces travaux, ce qui permet de disposer d'une plate-forme
ouverte et dynamique en vue d'un consensus qui fait l'objet d'un intérêt
croissant de la part d'autres régions dans le monde. Les normes eEurope
sont définies dans le cadre de groupes de travail dont les accords pourront
être téléchargés gratuitement depuis le site web du CEN. Cette décision
représente un grand pas vers la meilleure diffusion des normes européennes
et le renforcement d'eEurope.
[05] Euro 172 million to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 12 December, the European Commission adopted a strategy for programming
euro 172.4 million in assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina over the coming
three years (2002-2004). The main priorities are: Democratic Stabilisation,
Administrative Capacity Building, Economic and Social Development,
Environment and Natural Resources and Justice and Home Affairs. Addressing
these issues is a key goal of the EU's Stabilisation and Association
Process, the framework governing the Union's policy towards the countries
of the Western Balkans.
[06] EU pushes for big boost to WTO Doha Global Trust Fund for developing
countries
The European Union today will push for a big increase in the target amount
for the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, which is intended to
help developing countries with trade-related technical assistance. At the
World Trade Organisation General Council meeting on 19 December in Geneva,
the European Commission will press for a 50% increase to the target, to
bring it up to euro 15 million from the current target of just over euro 10
million. This would allow the WTO to step up its technical assistance
support to Developing Countries, following the successful outcome of the
WTO's ministerial meeting in Doha, Qatar in November 2001. In advance of
the Geneva meeting, Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "We took a very
important step in launching a Development Agenda in Doha. Now we need to
pull out all the stops to help countries take part effectively in
negotiations and to make best use of the Doha outcome. The EU will be
making a substantial contribution to the new Trust Fund, in line with our
contributions to existing WTO Trust Funds over the last six years."
[07] Commission holds conference on stem cell research
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin will tomorrow open a
conference organised by the Commission on the subject of possible therapies
and limitations using stem cells from various sources. The aim of the
conference is to offer a discussion forum between scientists and the public
on the possibilities, priorities and difficulties of stem cell research in
Europe. The conference will begin by reviewing recent advances in this area
and their medical and ethical consequences. However, its objective is
primarily to provide a discussion platform to launch and encourage a
pluralistic and informative debate with a wide range of representatives of
society concerned by the potential benefits, the possible risks and the
ethical implications. Consequently, the Commission has invited a wide range
of stakeholders including scientists, experts in ethics, patients'
associations, interest groups, the medical profession, the media, members
of Parliaments, public authorities and civil society representatives who
will all have the opportunity to exchange views in an open debate. A press
conference with Commissioner Busquin will be held on 18 December 2001 at
11h15 in the Breydel pressroom.
[08] Autre matériel diffusé
Conclusions du Conseil européen de Laeken
Opening statement by Pascal Lamy at meeting with representatives of Civil
Society (14/12)
Discours de M. Vitorino : "En el camino de un espacio común de seguridad
interior" à la rencontre-débat 'Europa despues de la Unión Monetaria'
(Vitoria, ! embargo 14h00 !)
Discours de M. Busquin : "Sensibilisation du public envers la science et la
technologie" à la Conférence 'Public Awareness of Science and Technology'
Lorenzo Natali Prize for journalism
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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