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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-05-24
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Déclaration de la Commission européenne sur Alstom
[02] Loyola de Palacio tackles oil price dilemma and calls for a deeper
international cooperation
[03] Poul Nielson to attend the launching of the African Union Peace and
Security Council (Ethiopia, 25 May)
[04] Russia-WTO : EU-Russia deal brings Russia a step closer to WTO
membership
[05] "Time to take on obesity", says David Byrne as WHO debates worldwide
strategy (22/05)
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2004-05-24
Reference: MEX/04/0524
Date: 24/05/2004
EXME04 / 24.5
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
24/05/04
[01] Déclaration de la Commission européenne sur Alstom
"Au cours de ce long week-end on a travaillé sur les questions encore
ouvertes en vue de finaliser un accord sur les lignes dégagées lors de la
troisième réunion entre MM. Nicolas Sarkozy et Mario Monti, le 17 mai. Le
Ministre et le Commissaire ont eu un nouvel entretien téléphonique
approfondi. M. Monti a notamment réitéré la nécessité d'engagements
clairs en matière de partenariats industriels à conclure – dans un
délai déterminé – sur une partie significative des activités
d'Alstom. Les engagements en matière de partenariats industriels sont des
éléments essentiels pour l'accord de la Commission, s'agissant d'une
condition nécessaire pour assurer à la fois la viabilité d'Alstom et une
contrepartie nécessaire pour remédier aux distortions concurrentielles
créées par l'aide d'Etat."
[02] Loyola de Palacio tackles oil price dilemma and calls for a deeper
international cooperation
Speaking at the International Energy Forum taking place in Amsterdam on 23Â
May, European Commission Vice-President Loyola de Palacio addressed the
steady growth of oil prices. She strongly supported an increased
flexibility in the system on the supply side, through encouraging
investment in more efficient and new production capacities. At the same
time, she insisted on the need for consuming countries to use their
political muscle to curb escalating oil demand, including the introduction
of energy saving measures and targets. "Oil price movements for the last
months have provided a new wake-up call : it is not possible to separate
domestic policies from their international implications and we must
intensify cooperation between consumers and producers", said Loyola de
Palacio. "EU can address this crucial issue if it develops a more concerted
approach at the EU level in the management of oil stocks, a closer look at
the market and its functioning, for instance the relevance of the price
indexes, and a more robust international dialogue", she added.
[03] Poul Nielson to attend the launching of the African Union Peace and
Security Council (Ethiopia, 25 May)
European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid, Mr Poul Nielson,
is to travel to Addis Abeba on the 25th May. He will, on behalf of
President Romano Prodi, represent the Commission at the formal launching of
the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. Mr Nielson will
announce that the African Peace Facility is now operational. The Peace
Facility is a €250 million instrument intended to support African peace
support operations. The Peace and Security Council will play a central role
in the implementation of Peace facility operations.
[04] Russia-WTO : EU-Russia deal brings Russia a step closer to WTO
membership
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy and the Russian Economy Development
and Trade Minister German Gref signed on 21 May the agreement concluding
the bilateral market access negotiations for the accession of the Russian
Federation to the WTO, in the presence of Commission President Romano Prodi,
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the
European Council Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
[05] "Time to take on obesity", says David Byrne as WHO debates worldwide
strategy (22/05)
As ministers from all over the world meet in Geneva to debate a joint World
Health Organisation (WHO)/UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) global
strategy on diet, physical activity and health, the European Commission has
called on Europe to "take on obesity". Welcoming the WHO/FAO strategy as
giving impetus to the fight against expanding waistlines, Health and
Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne warned that "obesity may be to
the 21st century what smoking was to the 20th century". The EU's Public
Health Programme has created a network bringing together experts on diet
and physical activity EU-wide and is working to identify best practice in
obesity prevention. The Commission has also proposed a new EU law on health
and nutritional claims on food (see IP/03/1022) to improve the quality of
information given to consumers. Clear accurate information is essential to
a enable consumers to make healthy food choices.
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Chris Patten : "Islam and the West – at the Crossroads" at
Centre for Islamic Studies (Oxford, ! embargo 17h30 !)
Speech by Franz Fischler : "Die Zukunft der Zuckermarktordnung" at NGG
Zuckerkonferenz (19/05, Oberjosbach)
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