Compact version |
|
Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-11-28Midday 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
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb28/11/06[01] Protéger les citoyens à l'étranger : pour un droit effectif à la protection diplomatique et consulaireLes citoyens de l'Union effectuent environ 180 millions de voyages à l'extérieur de l'Union européenne chaque année et la moitié des personnes qui résident dans l'Union compte voyager vers un pays tiers dans le courant des trois prochaines années. Afin d'envisager les moyens à mettre en œuvre pour améliorer la protection de ces citoyens, la Commission européenne a adopté un Livre vert consacré à la protection diplomatique et consulaire.[02] Financial services : Commission proposes self-regulatory improvements to deposit guarantee schemesThe European Commission has set out, in the form of a Communication, its approach to modernising current EU legislation on deposit guarantee schemes, which provide consumers with a safety net so that, if a bank fails, they will be able to recover at least €20,000 of their deposits. The Commission has concluded that while the current rules are sufficient for the time being, a number of self-regulatory steps could be taken to improve how schemes work cross-border within the EU. A more fundamental overhaul is considered premature at this stage, while any decision about further convergence of national rules and practices is tied to broader discussions on crisis management.[03] Audition publique sur la future politique du marché uniqueComment la Commission peut-elle améliorer les consultations et la communication sur le sujet du marché unique? Quels outils employer pour développer la future politique du marché unique? Comment garantir un fonctionnement plus efficace du marché unique? Dans le cadre du réexamen approfondi du marché unique et en se basant sur les réponses obtenues lors d'une consultation récente (voir IP/06/1234), la Commission européenne va engager avec les parties intéressées et des spécialistes une réflexion plus poussée sur ces questions essentielles au cours d'une audition publique sur la future politique du marché unique, qui se tiendra à Bruxelles le 29 novembre 2006. Cet événement sera diffusé en direct sur le site suivant:<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/strategy/index_fr.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/strategy/index_fr.htm. [04] EU and Thailand agree on a new EU import regime for cooked and salted poultrymeatThe European Commission has concluded an agreement with Thailand on a new regime for imports of salted poultrymeat and cooked chicken meat into the EU. The agreement modifies the current bound tariff rate concessions for these two items and foresees the creation of new tariff rate quotas (TRQs), in conformity with the procedure set out by GATT Article XXVIII. Under this procedure, a WTO Member has the right to withdraw a concession provided that compensation is offered to the main trade partners.[05] More veterinary and food safety decisions for after enlargement agreedAnother series of European Commission proposals on food safety and animal health issues, related to the upcoming accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, were backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today. Member State veterinary experts voted in favour of approving the Bulgarian and Romanian contingency plans for avian influenza, Newcastle disease, classical swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease. They also endorsed transitional measures for imports of animal origin which enter Bulgaria and Romania before 1 January 2007 and agreed to transitional measures for a considerable number of Bulgarian milk establishments. The Standing Committee already voted on a number of other veterinary and food safety issues related to Romanian and Bulgarian accession in early November (see IP/06/1537). Such decisions are a normal part of the pre-accession preparations, and similar measures were agreed for the 10 new Member States prior to the last EU enlargement in 2004.[06] Avian Influenza : measures for pet birds entering the EU to be prolongedA European Commission proposal to prolong, until 31 December 2007, the restrictions for pet birds accompanying their owners into the EU from third countries, was backed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today. The measures were first adopted in October 2005, as part of a series of EU preventative measures against avian influenza. The movement restrictions include an entry limit of five pet birds per owner, subject to stringent conditions including quarantine or vaccination. The Commission decided that these measures for pet birds entering the EU should be maintained, due to the fact that the H5N1 Asian strain of avian influenza is still being reported in several countries across the globe and the threat of this disease has not yet abated. Captive birds imported into the EU for commercial reasons are subject to separate EU measures, which the Commission also intends to review in the coming weeks.For more information, see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/dyna/influenza/index.cfm">http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/dyna/influenza/index.cfm [07] "Knowledge of territorial trends and structures are crucial for strategic programming", Danuta Hübner tells Brussels conferenceCohesion policy 2007-2013 needs a clear overview of the level of territorial cohesion and sound knowledge of territorial potentials and challenges to help European regions become more competitive and attractive places to live and work. That was the message of European Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner in her address today in Brussels to the European Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) conference titled "Knowledge for Territorial Cohesion and Regional Policy". The Commissioner praised the results produced by the ESPON studies already available. She noted that in the next six years an improved ESPON 2013 Programme will play a crucial role in promoting applied research and more targeted, user defined analysis to develop a European territorial knowledge base. The one- day conference is organised by the ESPON programme in cooperation with the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions.[08] Markos Kyprianou et les ministres européens de la santé s'apprêtent à tenir la première table ronde sur les services de santéMarkos Kyprianou, le Commissaire européen chargé de la santé et de la protection des consommateurs, accueillera demain les ministres européens de la santé pour une première table ronde sur les services de santé. Cette rencontre s'inscrit dans le prolongement du débat organisé par la Commission le 5 septembre et de l'adoption, le 26 septembre, de la Communication qui a marqué le lancement d'une vaste consultation publique autour de cette thématique. Cette consultation, axée sur les moyens de garantir une sécurité juridique en matière de soins de santé transfrontaliers dans le cadre du droit communautaire et de favoriser la coopération entre les systèmes de santé des Etats membres, s'achèvera le 31 janvier 2007. Sur la base des résultats de cette consultation, la Commission formulera des propositions en 2007.[09] Andris Piebalgs attends the 2nd Ministerial Conference between the EU and the States of the Black and Caspian Seas' regionsEuropean Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will participate in the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Baku Process in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 30 November 2006. The 1st Energy Ministerial Conference was held in Baku on 13 November 2004 and set the framework for enhanced energy cooperation between the EU and the countries of Black and Caspian Seas as well as their neighbours. "This is a historical opportunity to enhance the energy cooperation between two regions of the world that have so much to win from friendly and constructive cooperation", Commissioner Piebalgs said.[10] More interoperability needed to boost the European ICT industry's competitivenessA strong priority for interoperability on all fronts is necessary to increase the competitiveness of the European information and communication industries. A report, adopted on 27 November by the European Commission's Task Force on ICT competitiveness and uptake, recommends a strong focus on developing digital and entrepreneurial skills, strengthening the internal market, reducing patent costs, and the promotion of lead markets through public procurement as well. The ICT Task Force is one of several Commission actions undertaken to create a more favourable EU business environment under the Growth and Jobs initiative. The Commission will follow up the ICT Task Force's recommendations in 2007 with proposals for specific actions, such as designing a long-term eSkills strategy and promoting interoperability.[11] La Commission condamne les violences au Tchad (27/11)La Commission européenne exprime sa plus vive préoccupation concernant la situation au Tchad et lance un appel à l'arrêt immédiat des combats et au calme. Le Commissaire européen au développement et à l'aide humanitaire, Louis Michel, condamne fermement les violences de ces derniers jours ainsi que toute tentative de déstabilisation par la force, et demande aux différents groupes armés de cesser les hostilités. M. Michel exprime également son inquiétude quant aux effets que la crise tchadienne pourrait avoir au niveau sous-régional. Il tient à rappeler que "seul un dialogue politique, pacifique et constructif peut apporter une issue à la crise actuelle".[12] Autre matériel diffuséLivre vert sur la protection diplomatique et consulaire des citoyens de l'Union dans les pays tiersCommission decisions on National Allocation Plans - practical arrangements Discours de M. Louis Michel : "Il est temps de remettre l'Afrique au centre de la politique extérieure européenne" à la Conférence publique sur la Stratégie Afrique (Berlin) Speech by Joe Borg : "Mediterranean Fisheries" at meeting with the Panhellenic Union of Middle-Range Fisheries Ship-owners Speech by Olli Rehn : "Turkey's accession process to the EU" at Helsinki University (27/11) Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "EU-Algeria Energy Challenges" at 5th
International Conference on Investment Opportunities in Algeria's Energy
sector (26/11, Oran)
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 |