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Friday, 22 November 2024
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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-03-20Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Statement on Iraq by Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission"This is a sad and sombre day for all nations around the world. The onslaught of war has put paid to the international community's efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Iraq crisis within the United Nations. Today we must all pray that the war will be short and as bloodless as possible and that it will bring the least possible disruption to the region. We trust that all involved will do their utmost to limit the number of civilian casualties. Iraq's territorial integrity must be preserved. The Commission is committed to delivering humanitarian aid quickly and effectively, under international auspices, where it is most needed. The United Nations has played an important role and it will continue to be crucial in the future. We need to concentrate all our efforts, under the auspices of the UN, on finding a solution that will bring a return to peace as soon as possible. Whatever the outcome of the war, there can be no denying this is a bad time for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, for the European Union as a whole, for the authority of the UN, for NATO, and for transatlantic relations. In war there are no winners, just losers. Today the leaders of the EU's nations will meet in Brussels to discuss the situation. The Commission urges all Member States to strive to build on what we share in our approach to the conflict now commencing. The Commission has worked hard with the Presidency of the Union to seek a common position and it will continue to do so. These difficult circumstances also show it is time to draw the lessons from this crisis. Europe can make an effective contribution to peace in the world only if its nations pull together within the European Union. We all agree that we owe our wealth and prosperity to the Union. It is not in our interest to continue relying on others when it comes to defending our values militarily. We must press forward with the Middle East peace process too. It is heartening to see the United States is now ready to proceed with the Road Map towards a two-State solution prepared several months ago within the international Quartet. We must now ensure this brings the implementation of these ideas urgently, not a protracted discussion on their validity with the parties. Peace in the Middle East is the key to stability throughout the region."[02] Conflict in Iraq : Commission sets aside €21 million of humanitarian funding for possible victimsFollowing the news of military action against Iraq, Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid has announced an initial allocation of €21 million in humanitarian aid. Mr Nielson said : "Our key objective is to dispatch aid as speedily as possible to the victims of this crisis. Obviously, the exact scale and nature of the humanitarian needs over the coming days and weeks are not yet clear but what we do know is that, even in the best case scenario, a lot of people are going to need help. Our initial efforts are focused on ensuring that basic relief items such as medical supplies, tents, blankets and food are available for populations displaced as a result of the fighting and for other vulnerable groups."[03] Greek Presidency and Commission launch first 'Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment'The first meeting of the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment has taken place today 20 March 2003 on the eve of the European Council's Spring Summit in Brussels. The summit, chaired by Greek President of the EU Costas Simitis and European Commission President Romano Prodi, exchanged views on implementation of the Lisbon strategy and the contribution of the social partners to achieving the goals of the strategy. The summit was also attended by Greek Minister for Employment and Social Affairs Dimitrios Reppas, Italian minister Roberto Maroni, Irish minister Frank Fahey, Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou and representatives of the social partners at the highest level.[04] La Commission propose l'intégration des programmes Egnos et GalileoLa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition qui vise l'intégration du programme Egnos dans le programme Galileo. Comme l'a souligné Loyola de Palacio, Vice-Présidente de la Commission : "Le système Egnos démontre la capacité européenne à offrir un système de radionavigation par satellite. Ce système, qui améliore les services offerts par les satellites GPS, facilitera la pénétration du marché par Galileo grâce au développement rapide d'un grand nombre d'applications de la navigation par satellites, en particulier dans les transports, l'agriculture, la pêche et les télécommunications". Outre la fusion technique des deux programmes, la Commission propose de placer dès à présent le programme Egnos sous le contrôle de l'entreprise commune Galileo.[05] Commission adopts Recommendation to promote public wireless broadband services in EuropeThe European Commission has adopted a recommendation that calls upon Member States to facilitate the use of Radio Local Area Networks (R-LAN) for accessing public services. The Recommendation encourages Member States to allow deployment of public R-LAN access networks without sector specific conditions and subject only to general authorisations. The Commission thereby implements the policy objective set by the European Council to foster multiple broadband access platforms in support of the Information Society. R-LANs (also referred to as W-LAN and Wi-Fi) are currently operating mainly in licence-exempt frequency bands. They are a fast- developing, innovative and promising means of implementing broadband wireless access to the Internet, and as such complement other broadband access infrastructures. Developed initially for private usage (e.g. corporate Intranets), these R-LAN platforms are now increasingly revealing their market potential for accessing the public Internet when in areas such as airports, train stations and shopping malls. Erkki Liikanen, Commissioner for Enterprise and Information Society said : "Today's Recommendation is an important step for the deployment of multi-platform and high-speed Internet connections. The R-LAN technology will give European citizens ready-access to the knowledge-based society when in public places, and away from their home location and will be complementary to other means to access broadband services."[06] Chris Patten welcomes appointment of Palestinian Prime Minister and urges implementation of the RoadmapOn 19 March, the European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten welcomes the appointment of a Palestinian Prime Minister. He said : "The creation of a Prime Minister's office with clearly defined powers and responsibilities is an important step in the institution-building and reform process which the international community is supporting. It is also one of the points set out in the Roadmap agreed by the international Quartet (which comprises EU, US, UN and Russia). This Roadmap should now be passed to the parties without further delay and there should be immediate implementation of the other elements of the Roadmap agreed by the Quartet in December last year. The Commission encourages the new Prime Minister to press ahead with the Palestinian reform agenda, particularly in the areas of security, the judiciary, public administration, constitutional issues and preparation of elections. The Commission will continue supporting Palestinian institution building and looks forward to working closely with Mr Mahmoud Abbas and his team. We count on the new Prime Minister to use his influence to support the peace process and combat terrorism."[07] Les jeunes Européens - 21 mars 2003 - Le Printemps de l'EuropeDans 32 pays européens, les élèves de plus de 5.000 écoles discuteront le 21 mars de l'avenir de l'Europe. Cette journée de débats, baptisée "Le Printemps de l'Europe", a été mise sur pied par les Ministères de l'Education de l'UE et a reçu le soutien du Secrétariat général de la Commission européenne. Elle a pour objectif d'aider les jeunes à mieux connaître les travaux de la Convention européenne et à faire participer davantage les élèves et les enseignants aux discussions sur le futur de l'Europe. Eurostat publie aujourd'hui des statistiques portant sur un large éventail de sujets tels que la démographie, l'économie, l'éducation, la culture et les loisirs et concernant les jeunes de 15 à 24 ans.[08] Autre matériel diffuséNote de background sur la concertation au sein de l'UE pour l'apprivisionnement pétrolierNote sur les résultats du Conseil Ecofin (fiscalité) Note sur la visite de M. Byrne en Amérique latine Speech by Chris Patten on Irak at the European Parliament Discours de Mme de Palacio à l'audition publique sur le 'Prestige' de la commission Transports du PE (19/03) Speech by Franz Fischler : "Enlargement and Rural development" at the information seminar on post accession rural development measures (19/03) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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