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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-01-04
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission calls for a sustained effort to help people affected by the
tidal waves
[02] EU-Caribbean relations : Peter Mandelson in Trinidad and Guyana (04-
07/01)
[03] Flash estimate - December 2004 : Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.3%
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-01-04
Reference: MEX/05/0104
Date: 04/01/2005
EXME05 / 4.1
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
04/01/05
[01] Commission calls for a sustained effort to help people affected by the
tidal waves
On 3 January 2005, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian
Aid, Louis Michel, expressed to the Sri Lankan people the firm commitment
of the Commission to help them to recover from the unprecedented
devastation caused by the tidal wave. During the past two days Louis Michel
has visited some of the most affected coastal areas of the island, as well
as hospitals and relief camps in Galle (South). Mr Michel underlined that
"the European Commission was the first donor to provide €3 million on the
day of the disaster, another €20 million (€8 million for Sri Lanka,
€2 million for the Maldives and €10 million for Indonesia) by 30
December 2004. Together with the EU Member States we are committed to
spending every single euro that we pledge. Up to now, the Commission and
Member States have committed at least €240 million and this figure is
likely to be increased in the coming days." Furthermore, it contributes
with civil protection means, under the coordination of the Civil Protection
Community Coordination Mechanism for which Commissioner Stavros Dimas is in
charge.
[02] EU-Caribbean relations : Peter Mandelson in Trinidad and Guyana (04-
07/01)
European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson today starts a four day visit
to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, where he will hold talks with Caribbean
Trade Ministers and visit sugar and rice producers. This is the first visit
by a member of the Barroso Commission to a region with which the EU has
strong links. Commissioner Mandelson's visit and meetings will focus on the
development aspects of the Economic Partnership Agreement currently being
negotiated between the EU and the Caribbean region ; the Doha development
round ; changing trade rules for sugar and bananas, and in particular how
the EU can help Caribbean producers compete in a global market.
[03] Flash estimate - December 2004 : Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.3%
Euro-zone annual inflation is expected to be 2.3% in December 2004
according to a flash estimate issued today by Eurostat. It was 2.2% in
November 2004.
[04] Autre matériel diffusé
Note on tidal waves in Asia – ECHO's response (as of 4 January 2005)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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