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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-02-28
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Réforme de la PCP : une nouvelle stratégie pour améliorer les avis
scientifiques destinés à la gestion de la pêche
[02] February 2003 : economic sentiment improved slightly in the EU and
remained unchanged in the euro area
[03] February 2003 : Business Climate Indicator for the euro area records a
slight decrease
[04] January 2003 : euro-zone annual inflation down to 2.2% ; EU15 down to
2.1%
[05] Flash estimate - February 2003 : euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.3%
[06] Signature of €12 million financing memorandum for Kaliningrad transit
[07] EU-Lebanon : entry into force of the Interim Agreement 1 March 2003
[08] Pascal Lamy in St Lucia for Africa Caribbean Pacific Trade Ministerial
[09] Pascal Lamy travels to Washington to discuss trade matters
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 28/02/2003
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 28/02/2003
[01] Réforme de la PCP : une nouvelle stratégie pour améliorer les avis
scientifiques destinés à la gestion de la pêche
La Commission européenne a présenté une communication visant à améliorer
les avis scientifiques nécessaires à la gestion de la pêche communautaire.
"Aujourd'hui plus que jamais, alors que tant de ressources halieutiques
font l'objet d'une surexploitation massive, les décisions en matière de
gestion de la pêche doivent s'appuyer sur une base scientifique solide. La
pertinence et l'efficacité des mesures adoptées dans le cadre de la
politique commune de la pêche (PCP) dépendent pour une large part de la
qualité et de l'opportunité des avis scientifiques sur lesquels elles sont
fondées. Nous avons besoin de la compétence adéquate au moment adéquat. La
Commission a l'intention de s'attaquer aux carences qui entament la
fiabilité, la transparence et l'opportunité des avis scientifiques. L'une
des solutions consiste à renforcer la coopération entre les pêcheurs et les
scientifiques, objectif qui sera facilité par la mise en place de conseils
consultatifs régionaux décidée dans le cadre de la réforme de la PCP", a
déclaré M. Franz Fischler, commissaire chargé de l'agriculture, du
développement rural et de la pêche. La communication de la Commission,
dernière en date d'une série de propositions concernant la réforme de la
politique commune de la pêche, envisage un certain nombre de mesures à
court et long terme visant à garantir l'obtention des avis scientifiques
requis par la PCP, telles que la réorganisation de la procédure de
délivrance de ces avis ou l'augmentation des crédits qui leur sont
affectés.
[02] February 2003 : economic sentiment improved slightly in the EU and
remained unchanged in the euro area
The European Commission's Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) for the EU as
whole recorded a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points in February 2003,
reaching a value of 98.6. This is the first improvement of the ESI since
May 2002, when it stood at 99.9. In the euro area, the indicator stabilised
at 98.2 between January and February. These developments are mainly
attributable, both in the EU and the euro area, to a strong improvement in
the retail trade confidence indicator in combination with a further slight
recovery in the construction confidence indicator. By contrast, the
industrial confidence indicator declined in both aggregates. Similarly, the
consumer confidence indicator declined in the EU and the euro area,
continuing its rapid deterioration of previous months.
[03] February 2003 : Business Climate Indicator for the euro area records a
slight decrease
The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased slightly
by 0.04 percentage points between January and February, reaching a value of
-0.36. The BCI had already declined in January, following its improvement
in the second half of 2002. The development in February was dominated by
industrialists' negative assessment of production expectations, stocks of
finished products and order books which was only partly compensated by the
improvement in the assessment of production trends in the recent past and
export order books. The recent evolution of the BCI indicates that the
economic short-term outlook remains uncertain.
[04] January 2003 : euro-zone annual inflation down to 2.2% ; EU15 down to
2.1%
Euro-zone annual inflation fell from 2.3% in December 2002 to 2.2% in
January 2003, Eurostat the Statistical Office of the European Communities
in Luxembourg reports today. A year earlier the rate was 2.6%. EU15 annual
inflation fell from 2.2% in December 2002 to 2.1% in January 2003. A year
earlier the rate was 2.5%. EEA annual inflation was 2.1% in January 2003.
In January, the highest annual rates were recorded in Ireland (4.7%),
Portugal (4.0%) and Spain (3.8%) ; the lowest rates were observed in
Germany (1.0%), Belgium (1.2%), Finland and the United Kingdom (both 1.4%).
[05] Flash estimate - February 2003 : euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.3%
Euro-zone annual inflation is expected to be 2.3% in February 2003
according to a flash estimate issued today by Eurostat - the Statistical
Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg. It was 2.2% in January.
[06] Signature of €12 million financing memorandum for Kaliningrad transit
Today in Vilnius a Financing Memorandum, was signed by Minister of Finance
Dalia Grybauskaite and Head of the European Commission Delegation Michael
Graham, providing Lithuania €12 million financial support for implementing
the new system of facilitated transit procedures of Russian citizens
through Lithuania to and from Kaliningrad Region. The Financing Memorandum
will deliver on the EU's pledge to cover the additional costs to Lithuania
of fulfilling the provisions of the Schengen Acquis and the EU-Russia Joint
Statement of November 2002.
[07] EU-Lebanon : entry into force of the Interim Agreement 1 March 2003
Chris Patten, European Commissioner for External Relations, speaking on the
eve of the entry into force of the EU-Lebanon Interim Agreement said :
"Tomorrow is an important day for the European Union's relations with
Lebanon, the day on which the trade measures we have negotiated with
Lebanon enter into force as an Interim Agreement. This brings Lebanon and
Europe closer together as part of the wider Euro-Mediterranean area". Trade
Commissioner Pascal Lamy also expressed his satisfaction : "I am
particularly pleased that Lebanon has opted for the fast track by seeking
through this Interim Agreement an early start to the transition to free
trade. This demonstrates that Lebanon is determined to meet, sooner rather
than later, its commitments on approximating its trade and economic
legislation with that of the European Union. It is also a step in the right
direction towards Lebanon's accession to the WTO."
[08] Pascal Lamy in St Lucia for Africa Caribbean Pacific Trade Ministerial
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy travels to the Caribbean island of
St Lucia on 1-2 March to chair the ACP-EU Ministerial Trade Committee and
give an impetus to the ACP-EU negotiations on Economic Partnership
Agreements (EPAs) and the on-going negotiations under the WTO's Doha
Development Agenda. He will also meet the Prime Minister of St Lucia,
Caribbean Trade Ministers and private-sector representatives. The purpose
of these meetings is to discuss trade issues, and ways of promoting ACP and
Caribbean development through trade and regional integration. On the eve of
his departure, Pascal Lamy said : "This is my first working visit to the
Caribbean since taking office as Trade Commissioner. St Lucia will provide
an excellent setting for examining the specific constraints facing small
island countries as well as the Caribbean as a whole. I want to discuss how
the Doha Development Agenda and the Economic Partnership Agreements can
contribute to sustainable development through regional integration. We have
a tremendous challenge ahead of us but I am confident that our joint work
will assist in these efforts."
[09] Pascal Lamy travels to Washington to discuss trade matters
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy will be in Washington between 3 and
4 March to discuss trade issues with the US Administration as well as with
key Congressmen. The visit provides an opportunity to discuss the on-going
WTO negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda as well as bilateral
trade issues. Pascal Lamy said : "The EU and the USA are key trading
partners and it is therefore important that we examine together both the
bilateral as well as the multilateral trade agenda. I am confident that my
visit will help to make progress on all these issues."
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Romano Prodi : "A common past, a future together" at the
Hungarian Parliament (27/02, Budapest)
Speech by Pedro Solbes : "Exchange rate policies and EMU participation of
accession countries" at a seminar on Monetary Strategies for Accession
Countries (27/02, Budapest)
Note sur la préparation du Conseil Compétitivité
Calendrier du 3 au 7 mars 2003
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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