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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-05-08

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Prévisions économiques de printemps de la Commission pour 2006-2007 : la croissance s'accélère
  • [02] Polish ban on the use of certain GM and non-GM maize seed varieties authorised
  • [03] Commission launches public consultation on EU-China trade relations in the twenty-first century
  • [04] Young Europeans come face to face with the world's biggest aid donor
  • [05] Développement durable : Stavros Dimas aux Nations Unies pour discuter de l’avenir de l'énergie durable
  • [06] Selection of a commemorative €2 coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome
  • [07] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-05-08 Reference: MEX/06/0508 Date: 08/05/2006 EXME06/ 8.5

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    08/05/06


  • [01] Prévisions économiques de printemps de la Commission pour 2006-2007 : la croissance s'accélère

    Selon les prévisions économiques de printemps de la Commission européenne, la croissance économique devrait s'accélérer pour atteindre 2,3% dans l'Union européenne et 2,1% dans la zone euro en 2006, contre 1, 6% et 1,3% respectivement en 2005. Ce nouvel élan est principalement lié à la progression soutenue de l'investissement, au maintien d'une croissance mondiale vigoureuse et à une amélioration des perspectives en Allemagne. La croissance devrait ralentir légèrement en 2007 pour s'établir à 2,2% pour l'UE et à 1,8% dans la zone euro. L'UE dans son ensemble devrait créer 3,5 millions de nouveaux emplois durant la période 2006-2007 après en avoir créé près de 3 millions au cours des deux années précédentes. Cela contribuera à ramener le chômage de son niveau record de plus de 9% en 2004 à 8,2% en 2007 dans l'UE. L'inflation demeure remarquablement stable à un peu plus de 2% malgré l'envol des prix du pétrole, qui constituent toujours la menace principale pour la croissance économique.

    [02] Polish ban on the use of certain GM and non-GM maize seed varieties authorised

    The European Commission has today decided to authorise a Polish ban on the use of 16 varieties of genetically modified (GM) maize and around 700 varieties of non-GM maize, throughout the whole country. These maize varieties are listed in the EU Common Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species, which means that their seeds can be marketed anywhere in the EU. However, Poland sent a request to the Commission for a national ban on the use of such varieties on the basis of Article 16(2)(b) of Directive 2002/53/EC, which states that a Member State may prohibit the use of a variety listed in the Common Catalogue if it is not suitable for cultivation in any part of its territory. In the case of both the GM and non-GM maize varieties in question, the varieties are known to have too high a maturity class to enable them to be cultivated in Poland. This means that these maize varieties are characterised by a long growing cycle and, under Polish climatic conditions, will not reach the necessary ripeness required at the harvesting stage. Member States experts voted unanimously in favour of the Decision to allow Poland to ban the use of these varieties in the Standing Committee on Seeds and Plant Propagating Material on 9 March 2006. Following today's decision, Poland may implement the ban immediately and it will remain in place for an unlimited period of time. For more information on GMOs, see: <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm

    [03] Commission launches public consultation on EU-China trade relations in the twenty-first century

    The European Commission has today launched a public consultation designed to form part of its forthcoming major strategic review of trade and economic relations between the EU and China. The Commission will invite all interested parties to comment on how the EU should manage its relationship with China in the decade to come. The Commission's Communication on the EU's trade and economic relationship with China will be published in the last quarter of 2006.

    [04] Young Europeans come face to face with the world's biggest aid donor

    For the third year running, the EuropeAid Cooperation Office is organising a special initiative for the 9th May to raise young Europeans' awareness of the very important role played by the EU as a development partner and aid donor around the world. 66 speakers from EuropeAid, DG Relex, DG Development and ECHO will take the debate to 34 regions around Europe, giving European teenagers a chance to learn more about the way the EU plays its part in improving living conditions and spreading higher standards of human rights. In 68 schools, youngsters will be able to question the experts and argue for the kind of Europe they want to see on the world stage. By "going local" with this initiative, the European Commission hopes to improve understanding of a major field of activity and one of the major elements in the EC budget. The countries involved this year are Italy, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Latvia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, France and Great Britain.

    [05] Développement durable : Stavros Dimas aux Nations Unies pour discuter de l’avenir de l'énergie durable

    M. Stavros Dimas, membre de la Commission européenne chargé de l'environnement, représentera la Commission à la partie ministérielle de la 14ème session de la Commission du développement durable des Nations Unies (CDD) qui se tiendra du 10 au 12 mai 2006 à New York. Cette réunion examinera les progrès réalisés en matière d’énergie durable, de changement climatique et de pollution atmosphérique ainsi que dans le domaine du développement industriel. Le commissaire Dimas plaidera en faveur de politiques énergétiques qui améliorent l'accès des populations pauvres de la planète aux services énergétiques tout en renforçant au maximum l'efficacité énergétique et le recours aux énergies renouvelables à l'échelon mondial, contribuant ainsi à mieux protéger l'environnement. Il annoncera également le lancement de la facilité UE pour l'énergie, qui permettra de dégager €220 millions pour des projets améliorant l'accès à l'énergie (notamment les énergies renouvelables), principalement en Afrique subsaharienne.

    [06] Selection of a commemorative €2 coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome

    A jury composed of Ms Pervenche Berès, President of the Economic and Monetary commission of the European Parliament, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the Eurogroup, and Commissioner Joaquin Almunia in charge of Economic and Monetary affairs, selected on 5 May the design of a €2 coin to be issued next year by euro area countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. The Treaty of Rome was signed on 25 March 2007, establishing the European Economic Community and launching the European integration project. The competition was organised by the European Mints. The new €2 coin wil go into circulation in March 2007. The selected design shows the Treaty signed by the six founding countries on a background evocating the paving (designed by Michelangelo) of the Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, where the Treaty was signed on 25 March 1957. This design constitutes the outcome of a joint preparation by several European Mints. Pictures (high definition) are available on Audiovisual service website :

    <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/avservices/photo/photo_news_en.cfm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/avservices/photo/photo_news_en.cfm

    [07] Autre matériel diffusé

    Classical Swine Fever in Germany: restrictions agreed in response to suspected outbreak in Borken (05/05)

    Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "The EU gas market developments : the case of the Baltic Sea Region countries" at the Baltic Gas Seminar (Vilnius)

    Speech by Siim Kallas: "Freedom is the solution, not the problem" at Middle East Technical University (Ankara, ! embargo 17h00 !)

    Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Egypt-European Union relations in the age of reform" at Egyptian Foreign Relations Council and Egyptian European Council luncheon (07/05, Cairo) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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