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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-08-03
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Financing of aviation and maritime security measures: the Commission
takes stock
[02] Accounting: Commissioner McCreevy welcomes CESR-SEC Work Plan for
cooperation between EU and US regulators on enforcement of IFRS
[03] June 2006 compared to June 2005 - Volume of retail trade up by 1.5% in
euro area - Up by 2.7% in EU25
[04] Rédiffusion
[05] Commissaire pour les Relations Extérieures et Politique Européenne
de Voisinage, Benita Ferrero-Waldner sur les élections de la République
Démocratique du Congo
[06] Declaration by Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner on latest
developments in Sri Lanka
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-08-03
Reference: MEX/06/0803
Date: 03/08/2006
EXME06 / 03.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
03/08/06
[01] Financing of aviation and maritime security measures: the Commission
takes stock
The European Commission has adopted a report on the financing of security
measures in the aviation and maritime sectors. According to this report,
security costs in transport can be significant and are currently largely
borne by users. The report gives some insight into the different financing
mechanisms which exist in the Member States and warns that the
heterogeneity of approach may distort competition. It concludes that more
transparency of security taxes and charges would benefit the users of
transport services and that, in general, public funding of anti-terrorist
measures in transport does not constitute state aid.
[02] Accounting: Commissioner McCreevy welcomes CESR-SEC Work Plan for
cooperation between EU and US regulators on enforcement of IFRS
Charlie McCreevy, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services,
has welcomed the publication of a Work Plan between the Committee of
European Securities Regulators (CESR) and the United States Securities
Exchange Commission (SEC) that outlines concrete measures to facilitate
transatlantic financial activity within a sound and protective framework.
This Work Plan is an important step in bringing about operational and
supervisory cooperation between regulators to ensure consistent enforcement
of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and US GAAP. The Work
Plan also covers other areas such as the modernisation of financial
reporting and disclosure and the discussion of risk management practices.
[03] June 2006 compared to June 2005 - Volume of retail trade up by 1.5% in
euro area - Up by 2.7% in EU25
In June 2006, compared to June 2005, the volume of retail trade grew by
1.5% in the euro area and by 2.7% in the EU25. Compared to May 2006, the
retail sales index rose by 0.5% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU25.
In June 2006, compared to June 2005, retail trade of “food, drinks and
tobacco” gained 1.4% in the euro area and 2.4% in the EU25. The non food
sector increased by 1.6% and 2.9% respectively. Among the Member States for
which data are available, total retail trade rose in Latvia (+20.9%),
Estonia (+17.8%), Slovakia (+11.2%), Sweden (+7.5%), Poland (+7.3%),
Finland (+6.5%), Lithuania (+6.0%), the United Kingdom (+4.1%), Denmark
(+4.0%), Austria (+3.9%), Slovenia (+2.1%), Germany (+1.9%), France (+1.5%)
and Spain (+0.7%), while falls were recorded in Portugal (-4.8%),
Luxembourg (-4.7%) and Belgium (-1.3%). These first estimates come from
Eurostat.
[04] Rédiffusion
[05] Commissaire pour les Relations Extérieures et Politique Européenne
de Voisinage, Benita Ferrero-Waldner sur les élections de la République
Démocratique du Congo
« Je me félicite des premières conclusions de la Mission d’observation
électorale de l’Union européenne (MOE UE), conduite par le Général
Philippe Morillon, membre du Parlement européen, soulignant le civisme de
la population et le dévouement remarquable des agents électoraux dans
l’organisation des opérations de vote et de dépouillement. Prenant acte
de l’importance cruciale de cette consultation pour la République
Démocratique du Congo, l’UE a déployé une mission d’observation
électorale de longue durée dans le pays pour couvrir les différentes
étapes du processus électoral. Avec près de 300 observateurs déployés
sur l’ensemble du pays, celle-ci constitue le plus important dispositif
d’observation électorale jamais mis en place par l’Union européenne.
Certaines variations observées dans l’application des procédures
électorales le jour du scrutin ont cependant été relevées par les
observateurs et font actuellement l’objet d’une attention particulière
de la MOE UE. Je tiens souligner ma préoccupation en ce qui concerne les
tensions et déséquilibres qui ont marqués la période
pré-électorale, notamment l’accès des différents candidats
présidentiels aux médias et au public. J’en appelle la
responsabilité de l’ensemble des candidats et leurs militants pour
maintenir un climat de calme et de sérénité indispensable dans les
prochains jours et tout au long du processus. Je fais un appel aux acteurs
impliqués dans le processus électoral d’utiliser les procédures de
recours prévus dans la législation électorale en cas de plaintes sur le
déroulement de ce processus. Compte tenu de l’étendue exceptionnelle du
pays et de la complexité du système électoral, l’évaluation du
processus requiert le temps d’un examen détaillé et rigoureux des
observations rapportées par les observateurs de la Mission d’observation
électorale de l’Union européenne (MOE UE). Les observateurs déployés
travers du pays, continuent suivre attentivement les différentes
étapes de l’établissement des résultats, au terme duquel la MOE UE en
livrera une nouvelle analyse. La MOE UE publiera un rapport final après la
clôture de sa mission qui reprendra des recommandations en vue de
l’organisation de prochaines élections. »
[06] Declaration by Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner on latest
developments in Sri Lanka
Commenting on the following the blockage of the waterway in the Trincomalee
district by the LTTE, Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-
Waldner said “I am deeply concerned at the blockage of water supplies to
thousands of families and farms. There can be no justification for actions
such as this which affect the livelihoods of innocent civilians. I condemn
also the recent mine attack which has killed at least 18 Sri Lankan army
soldiers as well as the upsurge in fighting in the North and East which is
causing new casualties also among the civilians.” The Commissioner called
on both parties to exercise restraint. “I do not think that military
force is the best way of resolving problems such as this. Those responsible
for blocking the water supply should reopen supplies immediately. I urge
both parties to return to the negotiating table and seek a peaceful
solution to their problems.” The Commissioner concluded, “I continue to
be concerned by the situation in Sri Lanka. The solution to the current
situation lies in the hands of the parties. I reiterate once more my call
to them to put an end to violence and to return to the negotiation table so
as to relieve the Sri Lankan people from the ordeal of twenty years of
persistent conflict. That is the only way to ensure a lasting solution
acceptable to all”. The Commissioner recalled her personal commitment to
play our part to re-establish peace and to support the work of the
Norwegian peace facilitators. The EU remains fully committed to support the
peace process in Sri Lanka.
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Mariann Fischer-Boel on « The Future of Agriculture in Finland
» at the Finnish Farmers’ event organised by ‘Op Bank Group’ in
Finland
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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