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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-03-06
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commissioner Monti announces new decision in the WestLB case and six
further decisions with respect to other German Landesbanken
[02] Les citoyens des futurs États membres souhaitent que la sécurité des
denrées alimentaires et le soutien des zones rurales figurent parmi les
priorités de l'UE
[03] Commission indicator forecasts euro area quarterly GDP growth of -0.1
to 0.3% for 1st quarter and 0.2 to 0.5% for 2nd quarter of 2003
[04] Premières estimations pour le quatrième trimestre 2002 - Le PIB de la
zone euro et celui de l'UE15 ont augmenté de 0,2%; +1,3% et +1,4%
respectivement par rapport au quatrième trimestre 2001
[05] WTO and agriculture: "The way forward to a balanced agreement must
wiegh policies according to their trade-distorting impact", EU Farm
Commissioner Franz Fischler says
[06] Énergie: des problèmes, des solutions et des technologies - un sondage
d'opinion en Europe
[07] Maritime Safety: Loyola de Palacio meets William O'Neil, general
secretary of the International Maritime Organization
[08] EU and Mercosur accelerate negotiations towards free trade
[09] Commission calls on EU Member States to intensify efforts in life
sciences and biotechnology
[10] GMOs: Commission addresses GM crop co-existence
[11] Commission approves State Aid facilitating risk capital investments in
poorer developing countries
[12] Committee prolongs control measures to contain avian influenza
outbreak in the Netherlands
[13] Annual policy strategy 2004: Commission steps up support for health in
developing countries
[14] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 06/03/2003
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 06/03/2003
[01] Commissioner Monti announces new decision in the WestLB case and six
further decisions with respect to other German Landesbanken
The Court of First Instance (CFI) has today issued a judgment in the WestLB
case bringing about a long-awaited clarification of some major policy
issues in the field of State aid. The Commission takes note of this
important judgment and will strive to quickly adopt a new decision in the
WestLB case taking into account this ruling. This ruling also opens the way
for the Commission to resolve the six other Landesbanken capital transfer
cases that are still pending. Overall, the CFI judgment shows the way
forward. The CFI confirmed the Commission's analysis that capital
injections by the State in favour of public undertakings must be
remunerated at market rates to avoid distortions of competition. This holds
true even if the beneficiary is not an undertaking facing financial
difficulties. In its appeal WestLB had strenuously contested this point.
The ruling reinforces the Commission's determination to ensure a level
playing field in the German banking sector. It will now carry on with its
proceedings against similar capital transfers to six other German regional
banks and will start work on a new WestLB decision after a careful
examination of the CFI ruling.
[02] Les citoyens des futurs États membres souhaitent que la sécurité des
denrées alimentaires et le soutien des zones rurales figurent parmi les
priorités de l'UE
D'après un sondage d'opinion Eurobaromètre récent, les citoyens des futurs
États membres, interrogés sur le rôle de la politique agricole commune de
l'UE, accordent avant tout la priorité à une alimentation saine et sûre et
à l'amélioration de la vie en milieu rural. 88 % d'entre eux considèrent
que la politique agricole commune (PAC) doit être axée sur la réalisation
de ces objectifs. Une majorité très nette (67 %) est favorable à
l'orientation donnée à la PAC, qui prévoit une réduction des subventions à
la production agricole au bénéfice du développement et de la protection de
l'économie rurale et du soutien direct aux agriculteurs. L'enquête montre
également que la plupart des citoyens des futurs États membres comptent que
la PAC sera favorable aux agriculteurs, aux consommateurs, à l'industrie
alimentaire ainsi qu'à l'environnement dans les campagnes. Comparés aux
résultats d'une enquête similaire menée dans l'UE l'année dernière, les
résultats de ce sondage font apparaître que tant les citoyens des États
membres actuels que, d'une manière générale, les citoyens des futurs États
membres de l'UE, approuvent également la plupart des objectifs de la PAC.
[03] Commission indicator forecasts euro area quarterly GDP growth of -0.1
to 0.3% for 1st quarter and 0.2 to 0.5% for 2nd quarter of 2003
The indicator-based model for quarterly GDP growth for the euro area
developed by the European Commission's Directorate General for Economic and
Financial Affairs, forecasts a range of -0.1 to 0.3% for GDP growth in the
first quarter of 2003. Weak private consumption, contracting activity in
the construction sector and a bleak international environment account for
this forecast. For the second quarter of 2003, the model suggests growth in
the range of 0.2% to 0.5%. The latter estimate is the result of a relative
stabilisation of the indicators used in the model. However, these forecasts
are surrounded by an unusual degree of uncertainty related to the war fears
in the Middle East.
[04] Premières estimations pour le quatrième trimestre 2002 - Le PIB de la
zone euro et celui de l'UE15 ont augmenté de 0,2%; +1,3% et +1,4%
respectivement par rapport au quatrième trimestre 2001
Au cours du quatrième trimestre 2002, le PIB de la zone euro et celui de
l'UE15 ont affiché une croissance de 0,2% par rapport au trimestre
précédent, selon les premières estimations publiées aujourd'hui par
Eurostat. Ces résultats font suite à une croissance de 0,4% dans les deux
zones au cours du troisième trimestre 2002. En comparaison avec le
quatrième trimestre 2001, le PIB de la zone euro a enregistré une
croissance de 1,3% et celui de l'UE15 de 1,4%, contre respectivement +0,9%
et +1,1% au trimestre précédent. Au cours de l'année 2002, le PIB de la
zone euro a affiché une croissance de 0,8% et celui de l'UE15 de 0,9%,
contre, respectivement +1,4% et +1,5% en 2001.
[05] WTO and agriculture: "The way forward to a balanced agreement must
wiegh policies according to their trade-distorting impact", EU Farm
Commissioner Franz Fischler says
"All policies are not the same with respect to their trade-distorting
impact, and all parties have not moved in the same direction. We expect
recognition of both facts in the modalities debate." said EU Farm
Commissioner Franz Fischler in Geneva, after meeting Stuart Harbinson, the
Chair of the Agricultural negotiations in WTO. "The issue is rather how to
establish a balanced approach that does not miss the commonly agreed
objective of these negotiations, that is to move further down the path of
less-trade distorting support, and to enhance trade's contribution to
economic growth. Agreement on modalities will only be reached if all
participants consider that a balance of interest has been reached. The EU
remains firmly committed to reaching agreement on the modalities by the
target date agreed at Doha, i.e. 31 March 2003
[06] Énergie: des problèmes, des solutions et des technologies - un sondage
d'opinion en Europe
M. Philippe Busquin, commissaire européen chargé de la Recherche, a
présenté aujourd'hui à Bruxelles les conclusions d'un sondage EUROBAROMÈTRE
sur le thème "Énergie: des problèmes, des solutions et des technologies".
Quelques 16 000 citoyens des 15 pays membres de l'UE ont été interrogés
dans le cadre de ce sondage. Comment les citoyens européens imaginent-ils
l'énergie du futur? Quelles sont les priorités, les préférences et les
modèles d'utilisation de l'énergie de chacun? La plupart des Européens
savent que les besoins en énergie augmentent dans leur pays. Ils savent
également que l'UE dépend de manière critique de l'extérieur pour ses
approvisionnements en énergie. Mais ils ne sont pas prêts à changer leurs
modes de consommation d'énergie. Ils réclament donc un effort de recherche
supplémentaire concernant les nouvelles sources d'énergie, telles que la
fusion nucléaire, et la mise au point de nouvelles technologies permettant
d'économiser de l'énergie.
[07] Maritime Safety: Loyola de Palacio meets William O'Neil, general
secretary of the International Maritime Organization
In the framework of the current initiatives to improve maritime safety,
Loyola de Palacio, European Commission vice-president, met the General
Secretary of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), William
O'Neill. Following this fruitful meeting, Loyola de Palacio said: "Many
improvements in maritime safety must be agreed at the international level
and I welcome the intentions of this organisation to debate safety matters
and to act as quickly as possible. Our citizens would not accept that we do
not decide the needed measures to change radically the current situation"
[08] EU and Mercosur accelerate negotiations towards free trade
In the current negotiations for a Association Agreement between the EU and
Mercosur, both parties exchanged today their offers for market opening, as
foreseen in the work program agreed at the EU-Mercosur ministerial meeting
in Río de Janeiro on 23 July 2002. This move paves the way for the next
negotiating round, which will take place in Brussels between 17-21 March
2003. Welcoming this important step in the negotiations EU Trade
Commissioner Pascal Lamy said: "With today's move the free trade area
between the EU and Mercosur is one step closer. We now have a good basis to
start negotiating market opening. It shows our respective commitment to
this biregional negotiation. I am confident that this spirit will also
guide the exchange of offers for opening trade in services, investment and
public procurement in April." External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten
declared: "This step shows the clear determination of both sides to make a
success of these negotiations. It also shows the EU's confidence in the
future of Mercosur. Regional integration and market opening are crucial for
the region." Both sides exchanged their offers in a meeting between EU
Trade Director General M.P. Carl and the four ambassadors from Mercosur to
the EU (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).
[09] Commission calls on EU Member States to intensify efforts in life
sciences and biotechnology
In its first progress report since adopting the EU strategy on life
sciences and biotechnology in 2002, the European Commission today indicated
that the risk of diverging policies in Member States could seriously hamper
the effectiveness and consistency of the EU strategy in this field. While
progress has been made in some areas, such as the adoption of the EU 6th
Research Framework Programme and the EU regulatory framework for GMOs,
others are suffering from serious delays. For instance, Member States are
slow in transposing biotechnology patents legislation. These delays
increase the risk of failing to meet in the area of life sciences and
biotechnology the March 2000 Lisbon European Council objectives, for Europe
to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the
world. Decisive action and concrete commitments are now urgent: these
include in particular more research and financial resources, and completing
the system for the protection of intellectual property rights.
[10] GMOs: Commission addresses GM crop co-existence
Today, the European Commission held a policy discussion about co-existence
of genetically modified (GM), conventional, and organic crops. The
Commissioners addressed the concept of co-existence, preparatory work
carried out so far, possible farm management measures, the feasibility of
GM-free zones and liability for adventitious presence. The Commission also
discusses policy options and action to be taken on the national and EU
level. The Commission noted that co-existence concerns the economic
consequences of adventitious presence of genetically modified (GM) crops in
non-GM crops. The issue has its origin in the principle that farmers should
be able to cultivate freely the agricultural crops they choose, be it GM,
conventional or organic. No form of agriculture should be excluded in the
EU. Today's discussion will serve as a basis for a round table on co-
existence on 24 April 2003, where stakeholders will have their say. The
Commission will then speedily table guidelines how to address the issue of
co-existence.
[11] Commission approves State Aid facilitating risk capital investments in
poorer developing countries
The European Commission today authorised the United Kingdom to let CDC
Group plc benefit from the tax status of an investment company during an
initial period of 20 years, although the company does not fulfil all the
requirements of the Companies Act. The measure had been notified in view of
a planned privatisation of the company, which invests in businesses in
developing countries. It is exceptional that the Commission authorises
fiscal aid for such a long period of time, and the decision could only be
reached after a formal investigation procedure and by taking the
development objective and the limited distortion of competition into
account.
[12] Committee prolongs control measures to contain avian influenza
outbreak in the Netherlands
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today endorsed
the measures adopted by the Commission on 3 March and prolonged them for a
week, until 13 March. The measures specifies that no live poultry and
hatching eggs may be transported within the Netherlands nor dispatched from
the Netherlands to other Member States or third countries.
[13] Annual policy strategy 2004: Commission steps up support for health in
developing countries
In adopting its Annual Policy Strategy (APS) , which decides on next year's
policy priorities and budgetary orientations, the European Commission has
increased support for health in developing countries. One of the APS
initiatives in the external relations area which requires additional
funding is the support to health actions in developing countries. In line
with the Parliaments' decision earlier this year to increase Community
support for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and reproductive health,
through the use of special instruments, this area has now been reinforced.
Respective Reports prepared by MEP's Anders Wijkman and Ulla Sandbæk urged
the Commission to set aside, for 2003 until 2006, €351 million and €73.95
million for poverty diseases and reproductive health respectively. Through
the APS the Commission is now able to meet Parliaments decisions.
Commenting on the adoption, EU Commissioner for Development and
Humanitarian Aid Poul Nielson said, "We have a coherent policy framework
for the three killer diseases and are determined to make a significant
contribution towards fighting the scourge of these diseases. One of the
channels for disbursement we will use is the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS,
malaria and tuberculosis. This has now become operational and has created a
lot of expectations for developing countries. This support is in addition
to our regular support for health in developing countries. We are also keen
on fighting for the reproductive and sexual health and rights of women, men
and adolescents in developing countries and on maintaining the consensus
the world reached in Cairo almost nine years ago on the importance of this
area." Mr Nielson referred also the excellent co-operation between
Commission Parliament and Council in this area saying " This agreement is
important as it counts for the developing countries". http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/sector/social/communicable_en.html
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/info/conferences/edctp/edctp_en.html
[14] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Mr. Fischler on "WTO and agriculture"
Preparation of Eurogroup and Council of Economics and Finance Ministers,
Brussels 6-7 March 2003 Eurogroup Finance Ministers are due to meet in
Brussels at 19h00 on Thursday 6 March. A press conference is due at the end
of the Eurogroup meeting. The European Union's Council of Economics and
Finance Ministers will meet at 10h00 on 7th March. The European Commission
will be represented at the Council by Economic Affairs Commissioner Pedro
Solbes and Internal Market and Taxation Commissioner Frits Bolkestein. A
disposition au secrétariat de Amelia Torres (BREY 06/80): Trois
notifications préalables d'une opération de concentration : General
Electric Consumer Finance/Abbey National ABN AMRO Capital/PizzaExpress
Nissho Iwai/Nichimen
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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