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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-08-29
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] EU teams up with developing countries to combat AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis
[02] European Union: Use partnerships to implement World Summit commitments,
not avoid them
[03] European Union is fully committed to reducing trade-distorting farm
subsidies
[04] Fischler welcomes Johannesburg agreement to prevent overfishing
[05] Commission responds to the floods in Germany, Austria and certain
applicant countries
[06] Employment rate in the EU up from 63.2% in 2000 to 63.9% in 2001 -
Employment characteristics differ between EU and Candidate countries
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 29/08/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 29/08/2002
[01] EU teams up with developing countries to combat AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis
The European Commission has proposed to support a long-term partnership
between Europe and developing countries by providing €200 million for the
development of new medicines and vaccines against HIV/AIDS, malaria and
tuberculosis. This European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (EDCTP) brings together EU Member States plus Norway,
developing countries and industry in a joint effort to combat poverty-
linked diseases. For more information on EDCTP: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/edctp.html
[02] European Union: Use partnerships to implement World Summit commitments,
not avoid them
The European Union (EU) today set out its position on multi-stakeholder
partnerships between governments, business and civil society at the World
Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. The so-called
"Type II" partnerships are a useful instrument for taking action to promote
sustainable development but cannot substitute for government commitments.
The EU will be launching major partnership initiatives on water and energy
in Johannesburg next week to support the summit's goals of reducing
developing world poverty and environmental degradation.
[03] European Union is fully committed to reducing trade-distorting farm
subsidies
The European Union (EU) is fully committed to the World Trade Organization
(WTO) process for reducing trade-distorting agricultural subsidies,
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson
underlined in Johannesburg today. The EU also attaches great importance to
promoting sustainable energy, including concrete, time-bound targets on
renewable energy, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)
under way in the South African city.
[04] Fischler welcomes Johannesburg agreement to prevent overfishing
Commenting the agreement to prevent overfishing in international waters and
to restore stocks of threatened species which was reached at the World
Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, Fisheries and
Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler said: "I fully support the
agreement reached in Johannesburg which commits countries to limiting
fishing to sustainable levels and take steps to restore stocks by 2015.
This is a clear signal that there is growing recognition at an
international global level of the need to take fisheries conservation
seriously. I am very pleased that the conference has set a target to
achieve recovery of fish stocks. However, as far as the EU waters are
concerned, we would like to see this achieved long before that date, and
indeed, to see action taken before the end of the year. I am sure that EU
Fisheries Ministers will play their part and that they also recognise the
seriousness of the problem and the necessity for decisive action. The
Summit agreement has also taken a tough line taken on illegal and
unregulated fisheries which I welcome. Action to eradicate illegal fishing
is a priority. In May this year, we put forward an action plan to fight
illegal fisheries and ensure sustainable fisheries beyond EU waters. We
fully support the proposals made in Johannesburg and look forward to
working with the participants to put a stop to these practices which
jeopardise the future of all fishermen."
[05] Commission responds to the floods in Germany, Austria and certain
applicant countries
In the wake of the terrible floods that continue to devastate parts of
Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the European Commission
has repeated its message of sympathy for the victims. Greatly moved ever
since the start of these tragic events, it has restated its commitment to
stand alongside the Member States and applicant countries affected. With
this in mind, it proposes setting up an aid fund of between €500 million
and €1 billion to be used in the event of natural, technological or
environmental disasters. It has also confirmed that a raft of measures
covering different fields, including the Structural Funds, will be
implemented.
[06] Employment rate in the EU up from 63.2% in 2000 to 63.9% in 2001 -
Employment characteristics differ between EU and Candidate countries
In Spring 2001, 161.3 million people had a job in the EU, 2.3 million more
than in Spring 2000. The corresponding employment rate rose from 63.2% in
2000 to 63.9% in 2001. The employment rate of women increased from 53.9 %
to 54.8 %. Among the Candidate countries (Malta and Turkey not included),
the employment rate varied in 2001 from 50.7% in Bulgaria and 53.8% in
Poland to 67.9% in Cyprus and 65.0% in the Czech Republic. The
corresponding rates for women varied between 47.9% in Bulgaria and 58.6% in
Slovenia. This information comes from two reportspublished today by
Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg,
one on the EU and EFTA countries and the second on the Candidate countries.
Both are based on the latest results of the Spring 2001 Labour Force
Survey.
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Commission statement on inspections at Carlsberg and Heineken Speech by
Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou on "Europe's Social Model - Building for
the Future" at the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and
Working Conditions - Dublin
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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