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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-11-16Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU[I] Résultats de la Commission du 15 novembre 2005 -
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etbCommunication16/11/05[I] Résultats de la Commission du 15 novembre 2005 -Outcome of Commission meeting of 15 November[01] Nouvelles missions pour l'Agence européenne de la sécurité aérienneLa Commission européenne a adopté une proposition importante visant à étendre les missions de l'Agence européenne de la sécurité aérienne (AESA) à l'élaboration de la réglementation et au contrôle dans le domaine de la navigation aérienne, des qualifications et des licences de pilote, et de la surveillance des compagnies aériennes des pays tiers travaillant dans l'UE. M. Jacques Barrot, vice-président de la Commission responsable des transports, a déclaré : "Au cours de l'été, nous avons subi une série de catastrophes aériennes qui ont coûté la vie à plus de 500 personnes. Les voyageurs européens doivent pouvoir être certains que tous les aéronefs sont conformes aux normes de sécurité les plus strictes. Je veux des règles de sécurité strictes qui s'appliquent à tous les Etats membres et à toutes les compagnies aériennes, qu'elles soient ou non établies dans l'Union européenne."[02] Member States must do more to open markets ; competition inquiry identifies serious malfunctionsMember States must implement more effectively the market opening measures required under the EU's gas and electricity Directives. This is the main conclusion of the report on the functioning of the Internal Market in electricity and gas adopted by the European Commission today. Many of the report's main conclusions are confirmed and complemented by the initial findings of the competition sector inquiry presented to the Commission today. Responses from the energy industry and customers as part of the energy sector competition inquiry launched in June 2005 (see IP/05/716) confirm that European energy markets are not yet functioning on a competitive basis and that there are a number of serious malfunctions.[03] La Commission rejette la plainte d'Endesa et déclare que le projet de reprise d'Endesa par Gas Natural ne relève pas de sa compétenceLa Commission européenne a rejeté la plainte introduite par Endesa au motif que Gas Natural ne lui avait pas notifié ce projet de reprise, car elle estime que l'opération ne relève pas de sa compétence. En 2004, tant Gas Natural qu'Endesa ont réalisé au moins 75% de leur chiffre d'affaires total dans la Communauté en Espagne, ce qui représente plus des deux tiers de leur chiffre d'affaires et enlève dès lors à l'opération toute "dimension communautaire" conformément à l'article 1er du règlement sur les concentrations.[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles[04] Commission unveils new rules to support gene, cell or tissue based therapiesThe European Commission has proposed new EU wide rules to facilitate gene, cell and tissue-based therapies. These so-called advanced therapies enable revolutionary treatment of a number of diseases or injuries, such as cancer, Parkinson's disease, skin in burn victims or serious cartilage damage. With this proposal the Commission covers all advanced therapies within a single, integrated and tailored European regulatory framework. The current lack of an EU-wide framework leads to divergent national approaches as to the legal classification and authorisation of advanced therapy products, which ultimately negatively affects the EU's innovative capacity and competitiveness in this key area of biotechnology. To address these problems, the Commission proposes a centralised marketing authorisation procedure, a new expert Committee, strengthened requirements for risk management and traceability and top-quality scientific advice. Ethical decisions about the use or non-use of germ cells or embryonic stem cells remain under the full responsibility of individual Member States.[05] EU brokers deal on progressive internationalisation of Internet governance at Tunis World SummitA worldwide political agreement providing for further internationalisation of Internet governance, and enhanced intergovernmental cooperation to this end, was brokered at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis last night. The compromise text agreed was based largely on EU proposals presented in the discussions since June. As a first important element of the agreement, a new international Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be created to deliberate among governments, the private sector and civil society at large to conduct a multi-stakeholder policy dialogue related to Internet Governance. A first meeting of this Forum will be convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations by the second quarter of 2006 and take place in Greece. The texts agreed in Tunis also include language that will allow for enhanced cooperation among governments on public policy issues. Such cooperation should include the development of globally applicable principles on public policy issues associated with the coordination and management of critical Internet resources. This cooperation will make use of relevant international organisations. There was also a consensus in Tunis yesterday that countries should not be involved in decisions regarding another country's Top Level Domain, thus meeting requests made, in particular, by the EU in the negotiations.[06] Commission proposes to revise Block Exemption for IATA passenger tariff conferencesThe European Commission has presented for consultation a draft Block Exemption Regulation with a view to revising the exemption IATA passenger tariff conferences currently enjoy from the EC Treaty’s ban on restrictive business practices (Article 81). The draft Regulation proposes to discontinue the exemption for tariff conferences for routes within the EU as of 1 January 2007, with a transitional period until 31 December 2006 to allow IATA time to work on alternative arrangements. For tariff conferences on routes between the EU and non-EU countries, the draft Regulation proposes an exemption until 30 June 2008, provided that participating airlines provide the Commission with data to allow a detailed review of the situation in 2008. The Commission will now consult Member States and give interested parties a further opportunity to make their views known, before deciding on the final form of the Block Exemption in 2006.[07] José Manuel Barroso ouvre une conférence internationale sur les défis et possibilités liés à une nouvelle politique maritime intégrée dans l'UE (17/11)M. José Manuel Barroso, président de la Commission européenne, et MM. Joe Borg et Andris Piebalgs, Commissaires respectivement compétents pour la pêche et les affaires maritimes et pour l'énergie, participeront demain à Bruxelles à une conférence d'une journée portant sur les défis et possibilités liés à une politique maritime intégrée. Plus de 250 personnes, dont quatre ministres, devraient y participer pour examiner les problèmes d'ordre scientifique, environnemental et social inhérents à une politique maritime européenne globale telle que peuvent l'envisager les Etats membres, les transporteurs maritimes et les organisations non gouvernementales. Il s'agit là d'un des premiers grands événements internationaux devant aboutir au printemps prochain à la publication d'un Livre vert conçu pour lancer à l'échelle de l'Union un débat sur les moyens les plus propres à optimiser les synergies entre les activités tributaires de la mer et à en dynamiser le potentiel économique et social tout en préservant l'environnement marin. Le souci d'associer largement les acteurs concernés est au cœur de cette nouvelle politique, ainsi que le précise la communication de la Commission intitulée "Vers une politique maritime de l'Union: une vision européenne des océans et des mers", présentée au mois de mars dernier (voir IP/05/231).[08] Guide prices for fisheries products in 2006 : white fish see rises, many frozen products adjusted downThe European Commission has tabled its annual proposal on next year's guide prices for fresh and frozen fisheries products as well as the Community producer price for tuna for processing. Average prices for most white fish species showed moderate increases over the period 2003-2005, marking a reversal of the downward trend seen in 2002-2003. The Commission therefore proposes to raise guide prices for most of these species by between 0.5% and 1.5%. The market for pelagic species was mixed during the reference period. The Commission is therefore proposing increases for herring (+2%), mackerel and anchovies (+3%), and reductions for albacore (-1%), sardines and Spanish mackerel (-3%). Small decreases (-0.5%) are also proposed for most crustaceans, along with more substantial reductions for many frozen products (-0.5 to -2%), reflecting lower prices on international markets. Notable exceptions to the latter rule are frozen sword fish (+1.5%) and Parapenaeus prawns (+2%). The prices for frozen sea bream, squid and cuttlefish remain unchanged. The compensatory allowance for tuna was triggered last year, due to low prices in the first half of 2004. However, this downward trend reversed in the first half of 2005, and the Commission therefore proposes that the Community producer price remain unchanged. The Commission's proposals are based on Member States' average market prices over the previous three years. Other important factors taken into account include trends in productionand market demand, the interests of consumers and the need to avoid withdrawals of fisheries products from the market. The table is available on the following link :<a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf05_66_en.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf05_66_en.htm [09] SESAR : l'Europe modernise le contrôle aérienJacques Barrot, Vice-Président de la Commission européenne en charge des transports, sera demain matin à Eurocontrol pour le lancement du projet industriel SESAR. SESAR est un système de nouvelle génération pour la gestion du trafic aérien qui sera indispensable pour gérer la croissance du trafic aérien. SESAR augmentera la sécurité et la performance environnementale du transport aérien et assurera le maintien du leadership européen sur le marché mondial aéronautique. La Commission va développer ce grand projet industriel avec Eurocontrol et, dans une deuxième phase, avec des partenaires industriels.[10] Louis Michel and Prime Minister Ali Gedi discuss the challenges to security and political transition in SomaliaThe European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, held talks with Prime Minister Ali Gedi of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. This exchange focused on the recent developments in the Somali peace process in the wake of the attempted assassination to the Prime Minister on 6 November.[11] Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Joint Declaration confirms the EU's continued commitment to Afghanistan"Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, today will visit Strasbourg to attend the signing of the Joint Declaration on a new partnership between Afghanistan and the European Union. Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah will be signing the Declaration on the Afghan side. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, will represent the European Commission at this ceremony. Other EU participants will include Jack Straw, UK Foreign Secretary, representing the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. This Declaration establishes shared priorities for the next phase in Afghanistan’s transition, following the completion of the Bonn process. The declaration sets out commitments for both parties, designed to promote Afghanistan's political and economic development, and deepen further the EU-Afghan partnership.[12] Benita Ferrero-Waldner on agreement reached by Israelis and Palestinians on the Gaza bording crossing (15/11)Following agreement reached by Israelis and Palestinians on the Gaza bording crossing, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, has said : "I welcome the significant breakthrough reached in Jerusalem and congratulate in particular the Quartet Special Envoy, James Wolfensohn, on his unstinting efforts. This opens the way to much needed greater mobility for Palestinians and with EU presence they will now be able to manage the border between Gaza and Egypt. The Commission is already active in capacity building on border issues, and in supporting the modernisation of the Palestinian customs services. A €40 million infrastructure facility was launched during my visit to the region last week. And I hope it will soon also be possible to unblock €25million which I have earmarked for building a new cargo terminal for the Gaza airport. The EU stands ready to further support the agreement reached today with a range of measures, which respond to requests from the Israelis and the Palestinians."[13] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Venezuela for legislative electionThe European Commission has deployed an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the parliamentary elections in Venezuela, scheduled to take place on 4 December. The EU EOM will be led by Mr. José Albino Silva Peneda, Member of the European Parliament. The decision to deploy an EU EOM follows an invitation last June ion from the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral) of the Republica Bolivivariana de Venezuela to observe the campaign. These elections represent an important moment for Venezuela, especially in view of next year's presidential polls.[14] Octobre 2005 : le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro en baisse à 2,5% ; l'UE25 en baisse à 2,4%Le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro est passé de 2,6% en septembre à 2,5% en octobre 2005. Un an auparavant, il était de 2,4%. Le taux d'inflation mensuel a été de 0,3% en octobre. Le taux d'inflation annuel de l'UE25 est passé de 2,5% en septembre à 2,4% en octobre 2005. Un an auparavant, il était de 2,3%. Le taux d'inflation mensuel a été de 0,2% en octobre. Le taux d'inflation annuel de l'IPCE a été de 2,4% en octobre 2005. Ces chiffres proviennent d'Eurostat.[15] New reference year 2005 - 100 for Harmonised Indices of Consumer PricesStarting from the release of the harmonised indices of consumer prices (HICPs) for January 2006, HICP index levels will be rescaled. A Commission Regulation (Official Journal L 274, 20.10.2005) provides the basis for changing the HICP index reference period to 2005=100 from 1996=100. Eurostat, plans to publish the January 2006 HICPs on Tuesday 28 February 2006. The Regulation sets up a new common index reference period for all HICPs as well as establishing a procedure for future updating of the index reference period. Extensions of HICP coverage, as well as the accession of the ten newest EU Member States, have had the consequence that some HICP sub-indices refer to different index reference periods (since they start at different times). The new common index reference period will improve the relevance and transparency of the presentation of HICPs.[16] Autre matériel diffuséCommission sector inquiry reveals serious problems in energy marketsConclusions of the 2005 Report on the functioning of the electricity and gas market Advanced therapies: breakthrough in treating cancer or burned skin Speech by Günter Verheugen on "REACH compromise" (15/11, European Parliament, Strasbourg) Speech by Stavros Dimas on "REACH compromise" (15/11, European Parliament, Strasbourg) Speech by Olli Rehn : "The 2005 Enlargement package" (15/11, European Parliament, Strasbourg) Discours de M. Jacques Barrot : "Sécurité aérienne - Liste noire européenne" (15/11, Parlement européen, Strasbourg) Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Iraq: Situation after referendum on
Constitution" (European Parliament, Strasbourg)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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