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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-06-19

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] EU – US Summit, Vienna, 21 June 2006
  • [02] Sustainability at the heart of new European fisheries fund
  • [03] North Sea sandeel fishery to reopen
  • [04] Un Européen sur deux pense que les biotechnologies amélioreront la qualité de la vie
  • [05] Internal Market: public hearing on future patent policy
  • [06] Commission welcomes adoption of Capital Requirements Directive
  • [07] Soutien de la Commission européenne au Fonds européen en faveur de l’Europe du Sud-Est
  • [08] Transfer of passenger name records (PNR): The Commission adopts two initiatives to comply with the Ruling of the European Court of Justice on the transfer of PNR to the United States of America
  • [09] Aeronautics: Tackling tomorrow’s challenges
  • [10] April 2006 - Euro area external trade deficit 2.0 bn euro - 14.8 bn euro deficit for EU25
  • [11] Commission clears acquisition of parts of Corus by Aleris
  • [12] Commission welcomes ratification of tuna-fisheries convention for the Eastern Pacific
  • [13] Rédiffusion
  • [14] Commission consults public and experts on the welfare of laboratory animals
  • [15] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-06-19 Reference: MEX/06/0619 Date: 19/06/2006 EXME06 / 19.6

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    19/06/06


  • [01] EU – US Summit, Vienna, 21 June 2006

    Commission President José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Council and Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and US President George W. Bush will meet at the EU-US Summit on 21 June in Vienna to discuss foreign policy co-operation, energy security, economy and trade, and other global challenges. On energy, leaders are expected to step up EU-US cooperation to a strategic level and to promote a set of principles for responsible energy policies worldwide. Iran, the Middle East and the promotion of democracy are expected to dominate the foreign policy agenda.

    [02] Sustainability at the heart of new European fisheries fund

    The Commission has welcomed the decision by the Council of Fisheries Ministers meeting, today, to adopt the Regulation on the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) that it proposed in July 2004. The EFF, which will replace the current Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), from 1 January 2007, has been tailor-made to secure a sustainable European fishing and aquaculture industry. Most of the Commission’s core proposals have been retained by Council. The result is a fund that will both support the industry as it adapts its fleet to make it more competitive and promote measures to protect and enhance the environment. The EFF will also help fisheries communities most affected by the resulting changes to diversify their economic base. Support will be reinforced for measures that will ensure that the industry will continue to have access to the skilled labour force it requires. The EFF will run for seven years, with a total budget of around € 3.8 billion. Funding will be available for all sectors of the industry – sea and inland fisheries, aquaculture businesses, producer organisations, and the processing and marketing sectors - as well as for fisheries areas.

    [03] North Sea sandeel fishery to reopen

    Today the European Commission adopted a Regulation setting the total allowable catch (TAC) for sandeel in the North Sea and Skaggerak for2006 at 300 000 tonnes. This regulation also limits the number of days at sea for EU vessels to the level of 2003. These measures have been taken on the basis of scientific advice provided by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (STECF) which has estimated the number of sandeels born last year and joining the North Sea stock (recruitment) to be no less than 324 000 million individuals. As provided for under the Council Regulation of last December on TACs for 2006, the Commission has set a TAC accordingly.

    [04] Un Européen sur deux pense que les biotechnologies amélioreront la qualité de la vie

    52% des personnes interrogées dans le cadre de la dernière enquête Eurobaromètre sur les biotechnologies, publiée aujourd’hui, sont persuadées que les biotechnologies amélioreront leur qualité de vie. L’enquête Eurobaromètre “Les Européens et les biotechnologies en 2005” montre que la plupart des Européens sont favorables aux applications médicales des biotechnologies lorsqu’elles vont clairement dans le sens d’une amélioration de la santé humaine. S’il en va de même des applications industrielles, ils sont par contre dans l’ensemble encore sceptiques en ce qui concerne les applications agricoles et continueront de l’être, moins que les plantes et les produits nouveaux ne soient perçus comme apportant des avantages pour les consommateurs. La confiance dans la réglementation de l’Union européenne en matière de biotechnologies s’est accrue, mais rien n’indique que cela a influencé les intentions d’achats déclarées des consommateurs, notamment en ce qui concerne les denrées alimentaires génétiquement modifiées. D’une manière générale, l’optimisme concernant le rôle des biotechnologies dans l’amélioration de la société a considérablement grandi depuis 1999. Les consommateurs se prononcent également en faveur de la recherche utilisant des cellules souches, condition qu’elle soit strictement réglementée. Cette enquête est la dernière d’une série d’enquêtes effectuées régulièrement depuis 1991 sur les attitudes des citoyens européens vis- -vis des biotechnologies. Les résultats de l’enquête seront présentés lors d’un atelier de travail le 22 juin 2006 Bruxelles.

    [05] Internal Market: public hearing on future patent policy

    The European Commission will hold a public hearing on future EU patent policy on 12 July 2006. This is the second step of the public consultation launched in January 2006 (see IP/06/38) with the aim of collecting stakeholders' views on the patent system in Europe and seeking views on what measures could be taken in the near future to improve this system.

    [06] Commission welcomes adoption of Capital Requirements Directive

    The European Commission has welcomed the signing by the Council and the European Parliament of the Capital Requirements Directive for credit institutions and investment firms. The Directive introduces an updated supervisory framework in the EU which reflects the Basel II rules on capital standards agreed at G-10 level. Member States can now focus on transposing and implementing the Directive by the end of this year.

    [07] Soutien de la Commission européenne au Fonds européen en faveur de l’Europe du Sud-Est

    Aujourd’hui, la Commission a pris une participation de 60 millions EUR dans le Fonds européen en faveur de l’Europe du Sud-Est (FEESE). Ce fonds d’investissement de droit luxembourgeois a été créé pour soutenir le développement du secteur privé dans les pays des Balkans occidentaux par l’octroi de lignes de crédit des banques et des organismes de microfinance de la région.

    [08] Transfer of passenger name records (PNR): The Commission adopts two initiatives to comply with the Ruling of the European Court of Justice on the transfer of PNR to the United States of America

    The European Commission adopted two initiatives to put a legally sound framework in place for the transfer of PNR data to the United States. These initiatives are the first European answers to correct the legal basis for the Agreement with the US that was struck down by the European Court of Justice on 30 May 2006. The Court ruled that the Article 95 EC-Treaty was not an appropriate legal basis for the transfer of PNR data which are essentially aiming to ensure public security and activities by public authorities in areas of criminal law. .

    [09] Aeronautics: Tackling tomorrow’s challenges

    Industry and research establishments across Europe have a track record of joining forces in the field of aeronautics: a symbol of what Europeans can accomplish together. Over 800 decision makers from European industry, airlines and research meet in Vienna today at the 5th Aeronautics Days Conference to put more emphasis on and resources into making aviation more environmentally-friendly, safe & secure, as well as cost efficient. The 7th Framework Programme (2007-2013) is set to provide new impetus; €4.18bn is earmarked for transport research, including aeronautics, which will foster the cohesion of research across Europe and internationally and help trigger large-scale public-private initiatives. Of the hundreds of research projects currently being co-funded, one example is SILENCE(R) (€111m total cost, 51 partners) in which around 30 new technical solutions are being developed and tested for the aero-engine and the airframe. Each has the potential of reducing noise significantly during take-off or landing. There are also promising results from the VITAL and NEWAC projects (together €160m total costs) “Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Aero Engine”, which look to reduce CO2 & NOx emissions For more information: EU aeronautics research policy and funded projects <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/aeronautics">http://ec.europa.eu/research/aeronautics and the upcoming 7th EU Framework Programme for research and technological development <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/future">http://ec.europa.eu/research/future

    [10] April 2006 - Euro area external trade deficit 2.0 bn euro - 14.8 bn euro deficit for EU25

    The first estimate for the euro area1trade balance with the rest of the world in April 2006 gave a 2.0 bn euro deficit against a 1.6 bn surplus in April 2005. The March 2006 balance was +0.6 bn, compared with +4.0 bn in March 2005. In April 2006 compared with March 2006, exports, seasonally adjusted, rose by 1.6% and imports by 2.0%. The first estimate for April 2006 extra-EU25 trade was a 14.8 bn euro deficit, compared with -9.3 bn in April 2005. In March 2006, the balance was -12.4 bn, compared with -6.6 bn in March 2005. In April 2006 compared with March 2006, exports, seasonally adjusted, fell by 0.4% and imports by 0.3%. These data are released by Eurostat.

    [11] Commission clears acquisition of parts of Corus by Aleris

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of parts of the aluminium business of the Corus Group plc (Corus) of the UK by Aleris International, Inc. (Aleris) of the US. Aleris is active in the recycling and processing of aluminium into aluminium alloys, production of magnesium alloys, rolled products and zinc products. Corus supplies steel and aluminium products. The transaction involves the rolled aluminium products (plate, sheet and coil) and extrusions sector of Corus’ business. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [12] Commission welcomes ratification of tuna-fisheries convention for the Eastern Pacific

    The European Commission has welcomed the recent decision by the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers to approve the ratification of the Antigua Convention for the strengthening of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). The Antigua Convention will replace the original founding Convention of the IATTC, once it has been ratified by the requisite number of members. The entering into force of the Antigua Convention allows for a substantial overhaul and modernisation of IATTC, making it a better suited tool to ensure the sustainability of the tuna fisheries in the Eastern Pacific in accordance with current concepts of international fisheries management. The new Convention also opens the way for parties other than states to accede to full membership of the IATTC. At present, the EU is a Cooperating Non-Party to the organisation. “I warmly welcome this decision, which is yet another example of the European Union’s global commitment to securing sustainable fisheries,” commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. “I look forward to early ratification by the parties concerned, so that the Convention can enter into force as soon as possible.” The IATTC was established in 1949 on the basis of a Convention between the United States of America and the Republic of Costa Rica. It currently brings together 15 Contracting Parties, including France and Spain. The organisation is responsible for the conservation and management of fisheries for tuna and other species taken by tuna-fishing vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

    [13] Rédiffusion

    [14] Commission consults public and experts on the welfare of laboratory animals

    The European Commission has today launched a 9-week long internet consultation of citizens and experts to hear their views on how to increase the welfare of animals used in experiments. The existing legislation needs to be updated to further improve the welfare of experimental animals and to ensure a level playing field for those carrying out animal experiments. The Commission therefore intends to make a proposal for a revision of this legislation and wants to take the opinions of the public into consideration.

    [15] Autre matériel diffusé

    Questions and answers on theEuropean Fisheries Fund (EFF)

    Comparison between Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and European Fisheries Fund (EFF)

    Speech by Neelie Kroes on “Competition law and its surroundings – links and new trends” at the Competition Day – Opening Session in Vienna

    Speech by Janez Potocnik on “Future Research priorities for aeronautics and air transport” at the Aeronautics Days 2006 (5th edition) in Vienna From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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