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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-04-14
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Green light for €250 million rural development programmes for the
Czech Republic
[02] Zimbabwe : Commission allocates €15 million in humanitarian aid
[03] Commission provides €1.5 million to support the peace process in Sudan
[04] Poul Nielson en Jamaïque les 15 et 16 avril 2004
[05] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 14/04/2004
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 14/04/2004
[01] Green light for €250 million rural development programmes for the
Czech Republic
In a letter to the Czech Agriculture Minister, European Agriculture
Commissioner Franz Fischler confirmed agreement on the country's
Operational Programme for Rural Development and Multifunctional
Agriculture. It will be formally approved upon accession on 1 May 2004. The
programme, covering the whole territory of the Czech Republic, except the
capital of Prague, includes a broad range of ambitious rural development
measures which give a special emphasis to the replacement of outdated
technologies, increase of competitiveness, consolidation of land ownership,
protection of environment as well as to the stabilisation of existing work
places in the Czech rural areas. The financial allocation is significant.
The EU's contribution, €173.9 million during the period 2004-2006, will be
complemented by national public funding of €76.7 million. This political
agreement concludes the Commission negotiations to launch the Structural
Funds Programming for the Czech Republic for the period 2004-2006.
[02] Zimbabwe : Commission allocates €15 million in humanitarian aid
The European Commission has approved €15 million in humanitarian aid for
vulnerable groups in Zimbabwe. This decision will enable the continuation
of emergency food aid, agricultural rehabilitation, water, sanitation and
health programmes. It will also provide assistance to internally displaced
people and support humanitarian coordination efforts. The funds are managed
by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), which comes under the
responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson.
[03] Commission provides €1.5 million to support the peace process in Sudan
The European Commission is supporting with €1.5 million, through its Rapid
Reaction Mechanism, the peace negotiations between the Government of Sudan
and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) to help them to
reach a comprehensive peace agreement. Sudan has been embroiled in the
longest running and one of the most devastating conflicts of post-colonial
Africa. After a decade with on-off dialogues, the negotiations between the
Government and the SPLM/A seem to have reached the home stretch. Several
sectoral accords, considered as major 'building blocks' on the way towards
a comprehensive agreement, have been reached, thus building up momentum.
This Commission funding provides support to the IGAD peace secretariat in
Nairobi covering costs related to hosting the peace-talks during the coming
six months as well as operational costs of the international cease-fire
observation mechanism (the Verification and Monitoring Team, VMT).
[04] Poul Nielson en Jamaïque les 15 et 16 avril 2004
Poul Nielson, Commissaire européen chargé de la Coopération au
Développement et de l'Aide humanitaire, se rendra en Jamaïque du 15 au 16
avril 2004. Cette visite sera l'occasion de faire le point sur la mise en
œuvre et les avancées de la coopération au développement entre l'UE et la
Jamaïque. Le 16 avril, M. Nielson participera aux côtés de Pascal Lamy,
Commissaire chargé du Commerce, au lancement officiel, à Kingston, des
négociations relatives à la conclusion d'un Accord de Partenariat
Economique entre l'UE et les 16 pays des Caraïbes.
[05] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by President Prodi : "The role of the EU in a changing world" at the
CASS European Institute (Beijing)
Speech by Franz Fischler : "The Future of CAP and Rural Development" at
Brabant agricultural exhibition and discussion event (13/04, Veghel, NL)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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