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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-09-18
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Kaliningrad : Commission proposes set of measures to ease transit
after enlargement
[02] Fonds de solidarité de l'UE : la Commission propose les modalités
d'application
[03] Commission agrees plan to boost developing countries' capacity to
benefit from trade
[04] Flood damages : Commission proposes increased support for Czech and
Slovakia farmers
[05] Commission authorises aid to Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port (United
Kingdom)
[06] Commission endorses UK proposals on urban postal network
[07] Commission approves investments for Rail infrastructure in Saxony-
Anhalt (Germany)
[08] Castille-León : la Commission approuve un régime d'aides pour l'achat
de véhicules électriques ou hybrides
[09] Aides nationales aux agriculteurs grecs frappés par les intempéries de
l'hiver 2001-2002
[10] Commission asks UK for more details of rules applied to cross-Channel
shoppers
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[11] La Commission propose d'améliorer le système des précurseurs de
drogues
[12] August 2002 : euro-zone annual inflation up to 2.1% ; EU15 up to 1.9%
[13] Commission clears takeover of Stinnes by Deutsche Bahn
[14] Conclusion of the Public Hearing on the European Public Prosecutor
[15] EU tables plan to the WTO to help developing countries reap benefits
from 'green gold' used in biotech inventions
[16] Franz Fischler in Latvia : "We need facts, not myths about the effects
of EU membership"
[17] Pascal Lamy meets Asian Trade Ministers to strengthen EU-Asia trade
relations
[18] Visit of Michaele Schreyer to Hungary
[19] Phare Drugs Programme : completion of €2 million project
[20] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 18/09/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 18/09/2002[I] Résultats de la Commission
de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting
[01] Kaliningrad : Commission proposes set of measures to ease transit
after enlargement
The European Commission has adopted a Communication setting out a package
of measures designed to ease the direct transit of people and goods between
Kaliningrad oblast and the rest of Russia once the enlargement of the EU
has taken place. The package foresees (1) the provision of a Facilitated
Transit Document ; (2) assessing the feasibility of non-stop high-speed
trains that could provide sufficient security for visa-free travel ; (3)
opening discussion on a long-term goal of ultimate visa-free travel between
Russia and the EU ; (4) making full use of international conventions for
simplified transit of goods. The package takes into account the need to
protect the security and safety of both the current and future citizens of
the EU : an enlarged EU has to maintain full control over its borders, the
principles of EU legislation have to be respected and the territorial
sovereignty of the EU and its future members must be fully preserved.
[02] Fonds de solidarité de l'UE : la Commission propose les modalités
d'application
La Commission européenne a présenté une proposition de règlement portant
modalités d'application d'un Fonds de solidarité de l'Union européenne. Il
s'agit en l'espèce de se doter d'un instrument pouvant être mis en œuvre à
bref délai, parallèlement aux Fonds structurels, à la suite des récentes
inondations ou dans l'éventualité de catastrophes ultérieures. Pourront y
avoir recours les Etats membres de l'UE ainsi que les pays avec lesquels
des négociations d'adhésion sont en cours. Il est proposé de fixer au
minimum à 500 millions d'€ en 2002 et à 1 milliard d'€ par la suite le
montant annuel maximum susceptible d'être mobilisé par ce Fonds. C'est au
Conseil des ministres et au Parlement européen qu'il appartient de se
prononcer sur le règlement et sur le budget à allouer au Fonds.
[03] Commission agrees plan to boost developing countries' capacity to
benefit from trade
Looking to build on the foundations laid in Doha, Monterrey and
Johannesburg, the European Commission has adopted an action plan to boost
developing countries' efforts to capture the benefits of trade.
[04] Flood damages : Commission proposes increased support for Czech and
Slovakia farmers
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to help restoring rural
areas in the Czech Republic and Slovakia which have been heavily affected
by the floods mid August. In order to achieve this the Commission wants to
amend the pre-accession instrument for agriculture SAPARD in a way that the
ceiling of public aid would be increased from 50% to 75% and the EU
contribution from 75% to 85% of this public aid part for relevant SAPARD
projects in the rural areas affected. "We stand by the farmers and rural
communities so severely hit by these floods. This proposal will also allow
us to better respond to such exceptional natural disasters in the candidate
countries in the future. I hope that this proposal will be swiftly adopted
by the Member States and the European Parliament", said Farm Commissioner
Franz Fischler.
[05] Commission authorises aid to Vauxhall in Ellesmere Port (United
Kingdom)
The European Commission has taken a positive, conditional decision with
regard to planned regional aid for an investment of Vauxhall Motors Ltd., a
UK subsidiary of General Motors of the US, at its plant in Ellesmere Port,
in Cheshire. The Commission has concluded after a careful investigation
under the European Union's rules on aid to the motor vehicle industry that
it could clear the 10 million pounds (around €15.92 million) that the UK
authorities plan to grant in regional aid. The UK government had argued
that the subsidies were needed to compensate Vauxhall for the higher costs
of investing in Ellesmere Port rather than in Belgium, the alternative
investment location, amongst others for the higher costs of training the
workforce. The Commission agreed to this, but clarified that the UK could
not grant further training subsidies for the same project under the
specific EU training aid regulation.
[06] Commission endorses UK proposals on urban postal network
The European Commission has decided not to raise objections under EU state
aid or competition rules to the measures notified by the UK Government
under the heading "Reinvention of the urban postal counter network". In the
Commission's view the Government resources to be dedicated to the project
will not exceed the net additional costs of the related public service. The
proposed programme, which has still to be approved by the UK Parliament,
involves the refund of the expenses actually incurred by the Government
both in relation to the closure of 3,000 out of the existing 8,000 urban
postal counters and in relation to the necessary investments to be made by
the remaining counters to cope with the extra flow of public service
business during the transition period.
[07] Commission approves investments for Rail infrastructure in Saxony-
Anhalt (Germany)
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the
financial aid made available by the Land government of Saxony-Anhalt to
promote investments for the acquisition, maintenance, construction and
development of railway infrastructure in the region. The aid meets the
needs of co-ordination of transport and is therefore compatible with the
Treaty. It is also in line with the White Paper on European transport
policy, which acknowledges the need to revitalise the railway sector.
[08] Castille-León : la Commission approuve un régime d'aides pour l'achat
de véhicules électriques ou hybrides
La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aides espagnol destiné à
promouvoir l'acquisition de voitures, camionnettes et motocyclettes
électriques ou hybrides sur le territoire de la communauté autonome de
Castille-León. Les bénéficiaires se verront accorder une aide financière
permettant de réduire l'écart de prix entre ce type de véhicules et des
véhicules ayant une conception et une motorisation traditionnelle.
[09] Aides nationales aux agriculteurs grecs frappés par les intempéries de
l'hiver 2001-2002
La Commission européenne a autorisé l'octroi d'aides nationales, d'un
montant total de 171,6 millions d'€, aux agriculteurs, pêcheurs et
aquaculteurs grecs qui ont subi les effets des intempéries de l'hiver 2001-
2002. Ces intempéries ont provoqué des pertes d'une ampleur telle qu'elles
ont pu être assimilées à une catastrophe naturelle.
[10] Commission asks UK for more details of rules applied to cross-Channel
shoppers
The European Commission has decided to ask the United Kingdom for
additional information about its application of EU law relating to excise
duties on tobacco and alcohol. All EU citizens have a right to buy tobacco
and alcohol in other Member States, duty paid, for non-commercial use and
to bring these products home. The Commission is concerned that the controls
currently being applied at UK ports, and the sanctions being applied when
UK excise duty law is breached, may breach the EU rules which give
travellers the right to shop abroad. Following its analysis of the UK's
reply to its first letter sent in October 2001 (see IP/01/1482) and new
developments in UK policy, the Commission wants to clarify certain points.
For example, it has questions concerning the circumstances in which there
is a presumption that the goods are being imported for commercial use and
concerning the vehicle seizure policy being applied by customs officers.
The Commission's letter is in the form of a so-called "additional letter of
formal notice", the first stage of the infringement procedure used to
ensure that all EU Member States uphold the rules agreed at European level.
In the absence of a satisfactory reply, the Commission may proceed to the
second stage of the infringement procedure a formal request for the UK to
change its practices, in the form of a reasoned opinion. Ultimately, the
Commission can refer a Member State to the European Court of Justice for
failure to apply EU law properly.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[11] La Commission propose d'améliorer le système des précurseurs de
drogues
La Commission européenne a présenté une proposition de nouveau règlement du
Parlement européen et du Conseil visant à améliorer le suivi et le contrôle
du commerce communautaire de produits chimiques connus sous le nom de
"précurseurs" afin d'éviter qu'ils ne soient utilisés de façon détournée
dans la fabrication de drogues et de substances psychotropes.
[12] August 2002 : euro-zone annual inflation up to 2.1% ; EU15 up to 1.9%
Euro-zone annual inflation rose from 1.9% in July to 2.1% in August 2002,
Eurostat reports today. A year earlier the rate was 2.4%. EU15 annual
inflation rose from 1.8% in July to 1.9% in August 2002. A year earlier the
rate was 2.4%. In August, highest annual rates were in Ireland (4.5%),
Portugal (3.9%), Greece and the Netherlands (both 3.8%) ; lowest rates were
in Germany and the United Kingdom (both 1.0%) and Belgium (1.3%).
[13] Commission clears takeover of Stinnes by Deutsche Bahn
The European Commission has authorised the proposed takeover of German
logistics company Stinnes AG by German railway operator Deutsche Bahn AG.
The Commission's market study showed that the two companies are leading
players in their own markets, but that their activities present only small
overlaps which do not give rise to any serious concerns.
[14] Conclusion of the Public Hearing on the European Public Prosecutor
A wide ranging and detailed public hearing on the protection of the
financial interests of the European Union and the establishment of a
European Public Prosecutor was concluded yesterday in Brussels. The Hearing
was organised to allow representatives of Member States, European
Institutions, interested professional groups in the area of fraud
investigation and the administration of justice as well as representatives
of civil society (NGOs etc.) to voice their opinions on the idea of
establishing a European Public Prosecutor.
[15] EU tables plan to the WTO to help developing countries reap benefits
from 'green gold' used in biotech inventions
The European Union has tabled a plan to the WTO to help developing
countries rich in biological resources to reap benefits from biotech
inventions that make use of their bio-resources. The plan is set out in a
concept paper to the Council for Trade-related aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS), which meets at the World Trade Organisation in
Geneva on 17-18 September. The Council's work is part of the Doha
Development Agenda. The EU's new plan stresses the compatibility between
the TRIPS agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, thus
addressing a major concern for developing countries the commercial
exploitation of bio-resources. Welcoming the initiative, European Trade
Commissioner Pascal Lamy yesterday said : "Many complex eco-systems could
be mines of 'green gold' -- medicines, new crop varieties and other
benefits for the entire world. It's only fair that the countries with such
resources benefit from their exploitation. With this move the EU reaffirms
its commitment to put development at the heart of the on-going WTO
negotiations. As well as new drugs from plants known locally through
traditional knowledge, disease-resistant or hardy crops are examples of the
kind of resources that might be made available through patented
applications."
[16] Franz Fischler in Latvia : "We need facts, not myths about the effects
of EU membership"
"I understand the concerns of Latvian farmers about joining the EU. The
more essential it is that they are fully informed that the cost of non
enlargement would be high, simply because they would be worse outside the
EU. The European Commission has set out a fair proposal, which is tailor
made to support the restructuring process in Latvia. It is designed to
guarantee an efficient and optimal integration of the farming sector into
the CAP. As we approach the finishing line of the enlargement negotiations,
we need facts, not myths about the effects of Latvia's accession. It is
time to stop giving the impression that the whole financing offer of the
Commission only consists on 25% direct payments. Let us start looking at
the whole package which includes many advantages for Latvian farmers", said
Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler yesterday during his official visit in
Latvia. "Since my last visit to Latvia, your country has made remarkable
progress. But there is still work to do. The Latvian farm sector needs to
continue and reinforce the efforts. The restructuring of your agriculture
and the upgrading of your processing facilities is not something which is
forced upon you by the European Union. Latvia is facing these tasks in any
case, no matter whether Latvia joins the EU or not. Your advantage as a
future Member of the EU supports the necessary changes with millions of
euros", he stated.
[17] Pascal Lamy meets Asian Trade Ministers to strengthen EU-Asia trade
relations
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy will attend the 4th Asia Europe
Meeting of Economic Ministers (ASEM EMM4) which brings together ministers
from ten Asian countries, the EU-15 and the Commission in Copenhagen from
18 to 19 September 2002. Closer coordination on the on-going negotiations
under the Doha Development Agenda as well as other initiatives to enhance
trade and investment links between Europe and Asia will feature high on the
agenda. Before leaving for Copenhagen, Mr Lamy said : "Our focused agenda
should encourage substantive discussions, reaffirming our commitment to
facilitate trade and improve investment conditions between the two regions,
addressing developing countries concerns and injecting new dynamism into
the on-going multilateral negotiations."
[18] Visit of Michaele Schreyer to Hungary
Michaele Schreyer, European Commissioner responsible for Budget, will visit
Hungary on Thursday 19 September until Saturday 21 September. The main
issue will be the enlargement and meetings with several Hungarian ministers
are on the agenda. On Thursday Mrs Schreyer will meet Mr Csaba Lászlo,
Finance Minister, Mr Arpád Kovács, President of the State Audit Office, as
well as Mr László Kovács, Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the afternoon,
she will have a meeting with Mr Etele Baráth, Political State Secretary,
and another meeting with Mr Tibor Szanyi, State Secretary for EU
Integration, Mr Almos Kovács, Deputy State Secretary at the Ministry of
Finance, and Mr Attila Zöldreti, President of the Sapard Agency. On Friday
there will be an encounter with Mr Péter Medgyessy, Prime Minister. In the
afternoon and on Saturday, Mrs Schreyer will visit different western
regions.
[19] Phare Drugs Programme : completion of €2 million project
On 19-20 September 2002, the European Commission and European Monitoring
Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) host a conference in Prague to
close the €2 million, 20 month Phare project. The project supported the
Central European candidate countries in adopting and implementing the body
of the European Union law, standards and best practices in the field of
comparable drug related information. Cooperation in this area will continue
to be an important part of the EU's agenda for the creation of an area of
freedom, security and justice.
[20] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur la rencontre entre le Président Prodi avec le Président de la
République du Burundi, S.E.M. Buyoya
Statement by President Prodi regarding the mission by Japanese Prime
Minister Koizumi to Pyongyang
Speech by Franz Fischler : "Estonia's Agriculture and Fishery - Challenges
of Enlargement" at a meeting with representatives of the agricultural and
agribusiness sector (17/09, Tallinn)
Speech by Franz Fischler : "European responses to the new challenges facing
agriculture" at the CEA Congress (Tallinn)
Speech by David Byrne : "EFSA :excellence, integrity and openness" at the
inaugural meeting of the Management Board of the European Food Safety
Authority
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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