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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-08-07
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Hausse de la population de l'UE de 0,4% en 2001 due principalement au
solde migratoire
[02] Humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa : Commission response to rise
to almost €150 million
[03] Commission adopts €311 million five year aid package for Ghana
[04] Commission adopts 2001 annual reports on Hong Kong and Macao
Midday Express 07/08/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 07/08/2002
[01] Hausse de la population de l'UE de 0,4% en 2001 due principalement au
solde migratoire
La population de l'UE et celle de la zone euro comptaient respectivement
379,6 et 305,2 millions d'habitants au 1er janvier 2002. La population de
l'UE a augmenté de 1.560.000 personnes en 2001, soit à un rythme annuel de
0,4%, identique à celui enregistré en 2000. L'accroissement de la
population en 2001 a été dû pour les trois quarts environ au solde
migratoire et pour un quart à l'accroissement naturel, ce dernier étant
inférieur au solde migratoire depuis 1989. L'augmentation de la population
de l'UE a représenté 2% de la hausse de la population mondiale de 2001. Ces
informations sont extraites d'un rapport publié aujourd'hui conjointement
par Eurostat, l'Office statistique des Communautés européennes à Luxembourg,
et le Conseil de l'Europe.
[02] Humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa : Commission response to rise
to almost €150 million
In response to the continuing humanitarian food crisis in Southern Africa,
the European Commission has announced that spending will rise to €148.5
million by September. This amount is destined primarily for the hardest hit
countries in the region : Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. In mid-July, the
Commission issued details of the €88.5 million already approved in aid for
these three countries. The extra €60 million announced today will be in €30
million of humanitarian aid, managed by the Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO,
and €30 million in food aid (the equivalent of approximately 80,000 tonnes
of cereal), managed by the Europe Aid Cooperation Office. It is estimated
that 300,000 tonnes of cereal, financed by the Commission, will be
distributed in the region this year. In total, the Commission contribution
to the crisis will correspond to around 20% of the food needs estimated for
the region. Food and humanitarian aid has already been delivered to
countries in the region via the Commission's partners which include the
World Food Programme, Non-Governmental Organisations and local Governments.
[03] Commission adopts €311 million five year aid package for Ghana
The European Commission has adopted a five-year strategy (2002-2007) for
its cooperation with the Republic of Ghana. The Country Support Strategy
provides the framework for future relations with Ghana, covering all
aspects of assistance towards that country. Worth €311 million, the
strategy reflects the general principles of the Cotonou Agreement signed in
mid-2000 between the EU and the ACP countries. It aims to support the
government's efforts to achieve equitable economic growth and accelerated
poverty reduction within a sustained democracy. The main sectors which will
be supported are rural development, road transport and macro economic
support. These sectors will be complemented by other activities in the
fields of governance and the environment. An indicative amount of some €231
million has been agreed to support this strategy which will be disbursed in
the form of grant aid in a number of areas. A separate allocation of up to
€80 million has been set aside in the case of unforeseen needs arising such
as emergency situations, budget deficits or loss of export earnings. See:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/strat_papers/index_fr.htm
[04] Commission adopts 2001 annual reports on Hong Kong and Macao
In its two annual reports on Hong Kong and Macao that were just adopted,
the European Commission expresses general satisfaction on the way the "One
Country, Two Systems" principle applies. Chris Patten, External Relations
Commissioner, said : "All Hong Kong's true friends believe that thanks to
the rule of law, efficient administration, freedom of public debate, unique
geographic position and its natural entrepreneurial spirit, Hong Kong will
weather today's troubles, just as it has overcome past challenges. It
should emerge stronger from them. But that requires Hong Kong to retain
confidence in itself and to stay true to itself. In Macao, the Legislative
Assembly elections held in September showed the commitment of Macao
citizens to the exercise of their basic political rights. The increased
number of legislators elected through direct universal suffrage marked
progress towards greater democracy."
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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