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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-12-15

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Economic recovery in the euro area is gathering momentum
  • [02] Deuxième anniversaire des pièces et billets en euro
  • [03] New study on population ageing and public finance targets
  • [04] Marchés des valeurs mobilières : la Commission propose que la Communauté européenne signe la Convention de La Haye sur les titres
  • [05] eEurope Workshop to exchange experience of local and regional initiatives to speed up the roll out of broadband networks
  • [06] Commission approves acquisition of tractor manufacturer Valtra by AGCO
  • [07] Commission clears acquisition of French battery maker SAFT by Doughty Hanson
  • [08] Eurobarometer : decline in public confidence in acceding countries, but continued strong support for core EU policies
  • [09] Commission statement on the outcome of the "elections" in the northern part of Cyprus (14/12)
  • [10] EU launches police mission in FYROM
  • [11] Enhancing the role of elected and appointed Romani leaders
  • [12] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express 15/12/2003 TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 15/12/2003

  • [01] Economic recovery in the euro area is gathering momentum

    Both recent hard data and survey indicators suggest that the euro-area recovery rests on firm grounds. Economic growth in the third quarter came in stronger than expected, business confidence is back at the level of mid 2001 and consumer confidence shows some improvements. The euro-area recovery has so far been mainly export driven. Despite the euro appreciation, external demand will continue to be buoyed by a simultaneous upturn in all major parts of the world. Domestic conditions are turning more supportive and should allow domestic demand to gather momentum. A further pick-up of growth in the first quarter of 2004 is likely.

    [02] Deuxième anniversaire des pièces et billets en euro

    Près de deux ans après l'introduction de la monnaie unique, le maniement et la reconnaissance des pièces et des billets s'avèrent de plus en plus aisés pour les citoyens de la zone euro. Ainsi, seuls 14% des personnes interrogées lors d'un récent sondage déclarent encore rencontrer beaucoup de difficultés lors de l'utilisation des pièces et billets en euro. L'euro semble désormais davantage utilisé comme valeur mentale de référence, surtout pour les actes de consommation courante. Dans la grande majorité des pays de la zone euro, les personnes interrogées ne souhaitent plus le double affichage des prix. Cependant, pour une majorité conséquente d'interviewés, la mise en place de l'euro reste toujours associée à une augmentation des prix et même s'il reste majoritaire, le niveau de satisfaction lié au passage à la monnaie unique enregistre une baisse constante depuis le 1er janvier 2002. En ce qui concerne les aspects économiques abordés pour la première fois au cours de cette enquête, on note qu'une majorité relative de répondants (47%) souhaite voir le Pacte de stabilité et de croissance strictement respecté même si un pays connaît des difficultés économiques, contre 42% qui pensent le contraire. Quant à l'application de sanctions en cas de non-respect du Pacte, 40% estiment que les sanctions ne sont pas appliquées de la même manière à tous les Etats membres. Finalement, 71 % des interviewés considèrent que ce Pacte est une bonne chose car il contribue au renforcement de la monnaie unique.

    [03] New study on population ageing and public finance targets

    A new study carried out by economists in the European Commission's Directorate General of Economic and Financial Affairs investigates alternative measures for analysing long-term sustainability of public finances under population ageing and presents a method to transform long- term public expenditure projections into medium-term budget balance targets. This paper incorporates intergenerational fairness into a framework to analyse long-term sustainability of public finances under population ageing. It establishes a link between ageing-related public expenditure projections and public finance targets, thereby clarifying the connection between pension reforms and general government budget balance and debt targets. Full document available on : http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/economic_papers/economicpapers196_en.htm

    [04] Marchés des valeurs mobilières : la Commission propose que la Communauté européenne signe la Convention de La Haye sur les titres

    La Commission européenne a proposé que la Communauté européenne signe la Convention de la Haye, qui est un traité multilatéral visant à régir la propriété des valeurs mobilières détenues par voie électronique. Cette proposition prend la forme d'un projet de décision, que devra adopter le Conseil de l'Union européenne en vue d'autoriser ladite signature. La Convention prévoit un dispositif juridique unique pour établir les droits de propriété, ce qui sera particulièrement utile dans le cas des titres détenus via une chaîne d'intermédiaires établis dans différents pays. Une fois adoptées, ses dispositions auront une incidence sur plusieurs directives en vigueur, comme la directive sur les garanties (2002/47/CE) et la directive sur le caractère définitif du règlement (1998/26/CE). La signature de la Convention enverra un signal politique fort à toutes les parties concernées, notamment au secteur des services financiers, largement favorable à l'application de ce texte.

    [05] eEurope Workshop to exchange experience of local and regional initiatives to speed up the roll out of broadband networks

    European Commissioners for the Information Society, Erkki Liikanen, and for Regional Policy, Michel Barnier, will today join industry, regions and Member States representatives in Brussels for an 'eEurope Workshop on local and regional broadband initiatives'. The workshop will discuss current local and regional initiatives to extend the reach of broadband in remote and rural areas where market forces alone are not yet sufficient to support its roll out. The event follows guidelines before the summer on the use of the Structural Funds for electronic communications. The mid-term review of structural funds programmes will be an opportunity to assess progress on actions and initiatives relating to the Information Society, for which at least 6 billion of Structural Funds were allocated, and to consider appropriate changes in support of broadband infrastructure and services according to needs.

    [06] Commission approves acquisition of tractor manufacturer Valtra by AGCO

    The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Valtra Inc. a Finnish-based tractor manufacturer, by AGCO Corporation, a US-based manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, from Kone Corp. The acquisition will significantly increase the market share of AGCO in Europe, but it will face competition from Case New Holland and John Deere among others.

    [07] Commission clears acquisition of French battery maker SAFT by Doughty Hanson

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the Merger Regulation to the acquisition of full control of French battery maker SAFT, which belongs to Alcatel group, by the UK private equity fund manager Doughty Hanson & Co Limited. (The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure)

    [08] Eurobarometer : decline in public confidence in acceding countries, but continued strong support for core EU policies

    The latest Eurobarometer opinion poll carried out in the acceding and candidate countries shows a decline in public optimism about the economic situation. This general downturn in sentiment, which mirrors results in the current European Union Member States, appears to have affected confidence in public institutions, both national and European. However, support for the EU and its main policies remains strong in the ten countries which join the EU in May, as well as the three candidate countries.

    [09] Commission statement on the outcome of the "elections" in the northern part of Cyprus (14/12)

    The "elections" in the northern part of Cyprus reflect the growing desire of the Turkish Cypriots to find a solution on the basis of the Annan plan and to allow for the accession of a reunited island to the EU on 1 May 2004. The European Commission hopes that a new administration will be in place as soon as possible in order for the Turkish Cypriots to grasp the opportunity to reach a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan plan. To that end we call upon all parties to reengage in the UN led talks without delay. The Commission is convinced that securing a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Annan plan by 1 May 2004 would be in the best interest of all Cypriots and of the region. The Commission is ready to offer assistance for a solution and to prepare all necessary steps for the application of the acquis to the northern part of the island. We are also ready to organise an International Donors' Conference in order to mobilise funds arising from a settlement. Moreover, the EU is willing to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and to provide additional funds to assist the northern part of the island in the event of a settlement.

    [10] EU launches police mission in FYROM

    On 15 December 2003, the EU launches a new police mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). "EUPOL Proxima" will succeed the EU's "Concordia" peacekeeping military mission, which expires that same day. It is the second EU police mission following the "EUPM" that was launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 January 2003. "Proxima" demonstrates the EU's continued commitment to the consolidation of stability and the rule of law in the Balkans, within the objectives of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAp). The promotion of European standards of policing in FYROM is part of the EU's wider strategy of supporting the process of reform, including institution building, administrative and judicial reforms and fight against organised crime and corruption, all of which are essential for the development of a stable and democratic state. The EU, the leading donor, will spend a total of €54 million during 2000-2004 to support reforms in these areas. "Proxima" is the third EU's European Security and Defence Policy operation in the Balkans and the fourth globally when including the "ARTEMIS" peacekeeping military mission successfully carried out in Bunia (Congo) over the Summer of 2003.

    [11] Enhancing the role of elected and appointed Romani leaders

    In an effort to further develop relations between Romani communities, their governments, and the European Union, the European Commission and the NGO 'Project on Ethnic Relations' (PER), organised a two-day programme on the role of Romani leaders in acceding and candidate countries. The roundtable discussion brought together Romani elected and appointed representatives from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia as well as officials of the Commission and Members of the European Parliament. The roundtable was followed by a session in the European Parliament and by one-on-one consultations between Romani leaders and officials from the Commission.

    [12] Autre matériel diffusé

    Statement by President Romano Prodi at the final press conference of the IGC (13/12)

    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


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