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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-02-16
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Urban environment : Commission outlines its ideas for a better
environment in towns and cities
[02] Commission proposes to restrict carcinogenic oils in the production of
tyres
[03] Commission welcomes the resumption of the negotiations on Cyprus on
the basis of the Annan plan
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 16/02/2004
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 16/02/2004
[01] Urban environment : Commission outlines its ideas for a better
environment in towns and cities
The European Commission has set out its approach to help Europe's towns and
cities improve their environments and make them healthier and better places
to live in. The strategy will help Member States and local authorities meet
demanding environmental requirements, such as on air quality. It will help
reduce the negative impacts of towns and cities on the environment, for
example reducing their greenhouse gases emissions. It will achieve these
aims by developing an integrated framework for tackling the different
complex issues which affect the urban environment. Key elements of this
framework could be the development and implementation of urban
environmental management plans and sustainable urban transport plans by the
500 largest towns and cities in the EU 25 (those over 100,000 inhabitants).
The strategy will now be further developed together with stakeholders.
[02] Commission proposes to restrict carcinogenic oils in the production of
tyres
The European Commission has adopted a proposal which restricts the
marketing and use of certain carcinogenic extender oils for the production
of tyres. This proposal is designed to improve the protection of the public
by setting safe limits for the use of these substances. The measures should
also help to ensure that a single market for tyres is maintained. Extender
oils are used in the manufacture of tyres as softeners and can contain high
levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can damage human
health. The Commission proposes a maximum limit of 10 ppm for PAHs in
extender oils used in the manufacture of tyres.
[03] Commission welcomes the resumption of the negotiations on Cyprus on
the basis of the Annan plan
The European Commission welcomes the commitment made by the two parties in
Cyprus to resume negotiations on the basis of the Annan plan. This
historical breakthrough opens up the genuine prospect that a united Cyprus
could join the European Union on the 1st of May 2004. It is the result of
determined efforts by the UN Secretary-General and all parties involved.
The Commission underlines the assurances of the European Union to
accommodate the terms of a settlement and will provide any assistance
needed for a successful outcome of the negotiations. President Romano Prodi
said : "The Commission considers that the chances for a comprehensive
settlement have never been better. It would bring to an end a division that
has been there already for too long. There is no place for barbed wires,
minefields and peace-keeping forces in the European Union."
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Antonio Vitorino : "Security in an enlarged European Union what
has to be coordinated and how ?" at 7th European Police Congress (Bad
Godesberg)
Speech by Franz Fischler : "New Perspectives for Europe's Farmers" at NFU
annual conference (Birmingham)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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