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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-11-09Midday 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 8 novembre 2006 -
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb09/11/06[I] Résultats de la Commission du 8 novembre 2006 -Outcome of Commission meeting of 8 November(voir aussi - see also ME of 8/11) [01] Commission proposes renewed consensus on enlargementThe European Commission has adopted a strategy for the EU's enlargement policy, which includes a special report on the Union's integration capacity. The Commission concludes that the Union must be able to maintain and deepen its own development while pursuing its enlargement agenda. The current enlargement strategy, combined with ways and means to ensure the EU's capacity to integrate new members, form the basis for a renewed consensus on enlargement. The Commission also reviewed the progress achieved in each candidate and potential candidate country. As regards Turkey, it concluded that the country has continued political reforms, but the pace of the reforms has slowed during the past year. As regards Turkey's obligation to fully implement the Ankara Protocol, the Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of the European Council in December, if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations.[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles[02] Lutte contre l'obésité : Markos Kyprianou cite en exemple des entreprises qui s'engagentAujourd'hui, Bruxelles, M. Markos Kyprianou, membre de la Commission européenne chargé de la santé et de la protection des consommateurs, a publiquement fait l'éloge de plusieurs PDG de grandes entreprises du secteur alimentaire qui se sont engagés lutter contre l'obésité dans le cadre de la plate-forme européenne d'action pour la nutrition, l'activité physique et la santé. Cette plate-forme réunit des acteurs qui acceptent de prendre des mesures volontaires pour combattre la surcharge pondérale et promouvoir l'activité physique. Jusqu' présent, quelque 146 engagements ont été contractés. Ont ainsi été inscrites au tableau d'honneur neuf sociétés de boissons rafraîchissantes membres de l'UNESDA (dont Coca-Cola et Pepsi-Cola), qui vont bannir la publicité pour ces boissons destinée aux moins de douze ans, McDonald, décidé fournir des informations nutritionnelles sur ses emballages partout en Europe, Unilever, qui va modifier la composition de certains de ses produits et Kraft, qui a promis que certains produits au profil nutritionnel inadéquat ne seraient pas proposés directement aux enfants. Aujourd'hui, la Commission a également publié le dernier Eurobaromètre consacré la santé, l'alimentation et la nutrition (voir IP/06/1531).[03] Commission presents Eurobarometer on Health, Food and NutritionMost Europeans consider themselves to be in good health, but 38% feel they are overweight, according to the results of the latest Eurobarometer on Health, Food and Nutrition presented by the European Commission today. The survey, which reveals that 95% of EU citizens agree that obesity is harmful for health, addresses the health and physical characteristics of Europeans, their diet and general eating habits, problems related to being overweight, and their physical activity levels. Eating more vegetables and less fat are the most frequent changes that Europeans say they are introducing in their eating habits. However, most respondents report feeling trapped in a sedentary life that restricts their attempts to lead a healthy lifestyle. Less than 30% of Europeans carry out "intensive" physical activity on a regular basis. Most Europeans (85%) feel public authorities should play a stronger role in fighting obesity. Nine out of ten Europeans feel that marketing and advertising influence children in their food and drink choices.[04] Member States back a series of veterinary and food safety decisions for after enlargementEuropean Commission proposals on a number of food safety and animal health issues linked to the forthcoming accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, have been backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. Member State veterinary experts voted in favour of granting a list of food establishments transitional periods in which to finish upgrading to EU standards. Transitional measures for certain products of animal origin were also agreed. In addition, the Standing Committee approved a list of new Border Inspection Posts that will become operational from 1 January 2007, agreed to residue monitoring programmes submitted by Bulgaria and Romania, and supported necessary technical changes to the EU systems for the control animal movements (TRACES) and for the notification of animal diseases.[05] Bluetongue : restriction zone extended ; new outbreaks in Sardinia and PortugalA European Commission Decision to extend the bluetongue restriction zone in Germany, due to further outbreaks of the disease, was backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health yesterday. In addition, the Commission was informed on 6 November that an exotic strain of the bluetongue virus (serotype 1), different to those which have affected any part of Europe to date, has now been found in southern Sardinia, Italy.[06] Commission approves over €11.5 million to tackle animal diseases in Bulgaria and Romania in 2007A draft Commission Decision to allocate up to €11,506,000 to Bulgaria and Romania for the monitoring, eradication and control of animal diseases in 2007, was backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health yesterday.[07] La Commission autorise le rachat de Fisher par Thermo, sous réserve de certaines conditionsLa Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement sur les concentrations, le projet de rachat de Fisher Scientific International Inc. par Thermo Electron Corporation. Ces deux sociétés, qui ont leur siège aux Etats-Unis, fournissent des produits et des services pour des activités de laboratoire. L'autorisation donnée par la Commission est subordonnée la cession de Genevac, filiale de Fisher qui produit et vend des évaporateurs centrifuges. A la lumière de cet engagement, la Commission a conclu que l'opération n'entraverait pas significativement une concurrence effective dans l'Espace économique européen ou une partie substantielle de celui ci.[08] Commission clears acquisition of BorsodChem by Permira HoldingsThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Borsod-Chem Nyrt (BorsodChem) of Hungary by Permira Holdings Ltd of Guernsey, the Channel Islands. Permira Holdings is a holding company for undertakings active in a variety of sectors, including ingredients for plastic production. BorsodChem produces certain plastics and ingredients for plastics. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] Commission concludes Czech steel producer Třinecké železárny received no illegal aidThe European Commission, following in-depth investigation, has concluded that all three Czech Government measures in favour of steel producer Třinecké železárny (“TZ”) are not in breach of EC Treaty state aid rules. In April 2004, the month before the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU, the Government authorised various measures in favour of TZ. In December 2004 (see IP/04/1475), the Commission launched an in-depth investigation to verify whether three of the measures did not constitute restructuring aid to TZ, which was prohibited before accession under Protocol No. 2 of the Accession Treaty. The Commission has now decided that none of these measures constituted illegal aid: the price paid by the Government for some shares held by TZ was not demonstratively excessive; the training support was granted in accordance with the applicable EU rules, and the third measure had not been implemented by the government at all.[10] Commission adopts new rules for managing electricity cross-border trade in the EUThe European Commission adopted amended guidelines for managing the electricity cross-border trade in the EU today. These new rules significantly improve the way the electricity transmission system in the EU is operated. They require a seamless cooperation between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) to allocate cross-border flows and manage bottlenecks in the transmission network. TSOs have to use a common method to allocate transmission capacity considering the European network as one single network.[11] Commission welcomes IEA's World Energy Outlook as a useful tool for the development of the European Energy PolicyEuropean Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, welcomed the 2006 World Energy Outlook, presented yesterday by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as useful report for the preparation of the energy strategy for Europe, to be set out in detail in the Strategic European Energy Review early next year. "According to current trends identified by the IEA, global primary energy demand will increase by 53% between now and 2030. This will accentuate consuming countries' vulnerability to a severe supply disruption and resulting price shock, as well as amplifying the magnitude of global climate change. This is precisely what the new European Energy Policy wants to prevent", said Commissioner Piebalgs commenting on the report.[12] Commission welcomes major new instrument to fight illegal fishing in the AntarcticThe European Commission welcomes the measures recently adopted by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR) in Hobart, Australia, to fight illegal fishing in the CCAMLR area. CCAMLR Members will now have to investigate and where appropriate take action against any of their nationals suspected of engaging in illegal fishing activities within the area managed by CCAMLR. The scheme is not limited to the capture phase, but covers the whole chain of fishing activity, including transhipment, transport and marketing. Members must cooperate with one another in providing information that is necessary for successful investigations, and must provide timely reports to the CCAMLR secretariat on any actions they have taken under the scheme. The measure was proposed by the European Union, and adopted by consensus.[13] Empower - le Forum européen de la société civile : faire des recommandations sur la manière de rapprocher davantage les citoyens européens de l'Union européenneLes 9 et 10 novembre, plus de 300 représentants de la société civile de toute l'UE, y compris de Bulgarie et de Roumanie, se rencontreront Bergamo (Italie) pour discuter des mesures adopter au niveau européen dans le prolongement du Livre blanc de la Commission européenne sur une politique de communication européenne. Après la conférence intitulée "Comprendre l'opinion publique européenne", qui s'est tenue le 27 octobre Madrid, ce forum des parties prenantes sera le deuxième organisé dans le contexte de la consultation sur le livre blanc. Margot Wallström, vice- présidente de la Commission en charge des relations institutionnelles et de la stratégie de la communication, prendra la parole au cours de cette conférence. Parmi les autres intervenants, citons les membres du Parlement européen Bronislaw Geremek, Andrew Duff, Gérard Onesta, Luis Herrero Tejedor, et un ancien membre de la Commission, Mario Monti, chargé en son temps du marché intérieur et de la concurrence, et enfin, Claus Sorensen, directeur général de la DG COMM.Livre blanc sur une politique de communication européenne, voir : <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/communication_white_paper/doc/white_paper_en.pdf">http://ec.europa.eu/communication_white_paper/doc/white_paper_en.pdf [14] Accord d'association EU-Algérie - réunion du premier groupe de travail "commerce et industrie"Initiée l'occasion de la visite Bruxelles du Premier Ministre Ouyahia début 2006, la relance du dialogue euro-algérien a été entérinée lors du premier Conseil d'Association EU-Algérie en mai dernier. Dans cette lignée, un premier groupe de travail "commerce, industrie et services" s'est réuni Bruxelles le 7 novembre. La délégation algérienne était conduite par M. Belaid Hadjem, ambassadeur conseiller au Ministère des Affaires étrangères. L'objectif de cette démarche pragmatique (qui sera suivie d’autres groupes de travail sectoriels) est de ramener le dialogue politique euro algérien la hauteur de son potentiel et de dégager un agenda bilatéral permettant de répondre aux attentes concrètes et légitimes de l'Algérie vis- -vis de son partenaire européen.[15] EU to take over 2007 Chairmanship of Scheme to Combat Conflict DiamondsThe European Commission is to take over the reins of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) to combat conflict diamonds, after a formal handover ceremony today. The outgoing chairman Botswana, passed on the baton at the process' annual Plenary, held in Gaborone between 6 and 9 November. At the Plenary progress was achieved on a number of crucial issues, of which the most import were the adoption of urgent measures to help participating counties strengthen their internal controls, and a number of recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process itself. The Kimberley Process is a unique initiative by government authorities, the international diamond industry and civil society to combat 'conflict diamonds' – rough diamonds used to finance warfare – after the experience of devastating conflicts in some diamond-producing countries in Africa.[16] Stavros Dimas visits Portugal on 10-11 NovemberOn 10-11 November 2006 European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will visit Portugal where he will meet with the environment ministers of Finland, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia. The aim of the visit is to coordinate the environment work programmes of the current and three future presidencies of the EU. In a meeting on 10 November Commissioner Dimas and the four Environment ministers will go over the priorities for the next 18 months. Climate change, energy, and biodiversity will top the agenda for this first day. They will also review progress made on air, marine, waste, soil and pesticides legislation. The following day (11 November) the Commissioner will meet separately with the Portuguese Environment minister where they will discuss the second phase of National Allocation Plans (NAP) of the EU emissions trading scheme, the effects of water scarcity and droughts in the EU, the Business & Biodiversity initiative, and the state of play of some infringements and complaints that have been brought against Portugal.[17] Joe Borg to address Parliamentary Symposium on Maritime EuropeToday Joe Borg Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will deliver the closing speech to the Third Parliamentary Symposium on Maritime Europe in Brussels. This symposium is organised by the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, and will be attended by a large number of MEPs from across Europe, together with Commissioner Borg and Commissioner for Transport Jacques Barrot, who gave the opening address this morning. The day's debates will focus on three main issues: improving maritime safety, maintaining the competitiveness of European ports, and ship dismantling. In his speech this afternoon, Commissioner Borg will welcome the Parliament's initiative in hosting this debate, and underline the importance of an integrated approach to maritime affairs. In particular, he will emphasise the role which a truly holistic approach to maritime policy can play in improving safety at sea, for instance through marine spatial planning, or by enabling closer cooperation between national coastguard services. Today's symposium is the third event of its kind organised by the Parliament in response to the third Maritime Safety package adopted by the Commission in November 2005 (see IP/05/1457).[18] Autre matériel diffuséFrequently asked questions on Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)Key findings of the progress reports on the candidate countries: Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey Key findings of the progress reports on Kosovo and the potential candidate countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia Questions and answers on the Union's enlargement strategy and its integration capacity Speaking points of Olli Rehn at his press conference "Enlargement package" (08/11) Questions and answers on the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, and its commitments Questions et réponses sur l'Eurobaromètre "Santé, alimentation et nutrition" The modernisation of the Television without Frontiers Directive - frequently asked questions prior to the vote in the Media & Culture Committee of the European Parliament and the Council of Audiovisual Ministers (13/11) Speech by Joaquin Almunia : "Hungary and the euro" at Conference on Hungary and the Euro organised by Figyelö and Heti Valasz magazines (Budapest, ! embargo 12h30 !) Discours de M. Vladimir pidla : "La contribution du FSE au modèle social européen" l'atelier de PSE "Financing the European Social Model" (Parlement européen) Speech by Stavros Dimas : "Environment, Energy and Security" at European Policy Summit organised by Friends of Europe Speech by Viviane Reding : "Ferien von der Ordnungspolitik? - Warum Europa offene Telekommunikationsmärkte und unabhängige Schiedsrichter braucht" to VTAM (08/11) Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Setting the stage for competitive EU Financial Services Markets" to Association Corporate Treasurers (08/11, London) Speech by Stavros Dimas : "A Pan-European Energy Policy for the internal
market or markets to promote development" at public hearing at European
Parliament (08/11)
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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