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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-05-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/05/06[01] Zagreb Summit for more regional cooperation in South-East EuropeOn 11 May 2007 Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn will attend the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the South-East European countries in Zagreb, at the 10th summit of the South-East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP). The Summit, which will also be attended by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, holder of the current EU Presidency, and the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering, will take stock of regional cooperation in South-East Europe and discuss further ways of strengthening it.[02] Danuta Hübner at "Europe Day" kick off event in Regensburg, BavariaEU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner is attending today a "Europe Day" organized by the Bavarian government in Regensburg (Germany) to mark the European week in Bavaria. The event will celebrate 50 years of European integration in the context of the German Presidency. The celebration of the Europe Day starts with an extraordinary session of the Bavarian Government in the city hall and is dedicated to European affairs. Commissioner Danuta Hübner and Minister President Stoiber will be attending a joint press conference as well as a discussion with students on European issues. An information exhibition entitled "Europe succeeds through strong regions" will be inaugurated in the city centre to which citizens are invited to attend.[03] S'approprier l'Europe: le lancement du nouveau programme «L'Europe pour les citoyens» est imminentLe nouveau programme «L'Europe pour les citoyens» sera lancé ce jeudi 10 mai lors d'une manifestation qui aura lieu simultanément à Bruxelles (Belgique) et à Rhodes (Grèce). Plus de 500 participants, parties prenantes et parties intéressées de toute l'Europe s'y réuniront pour examiner la manière de relever le niveau de participation civique des Européens et discuter de son importance pour l'intégration européenne. À Bruxelles, l'accent sera placé sur la fourniture d'informations aux représentants des médias et des organisations de la société civile, ainsi que des groupes de réflexion et des pouvoirs locaux ou régionaux. À Rhodes, la manifestation sera axée sur le lancement du nouveau programme, et elle sera combinée avec une conférence sur l'une de ses composantes, l'action de jumelage de villes.[04] European electronic customs: Commission welcomes progress to reach political agreementThe European Commission welcomes the progress made by the European Council of Ministers to reach a political agreement on the implementation of pan- European electronic customs. After long discussions Member States have agreed on the next steps towards a paper free environment for customs (IP/05/1501). Member States and the Commission favour a step-by-step approach where electronic systems will be implemented in several phases. The compromise agreement now needs to be confirmed by the European Parliament in a second reading which is expected to come in the next months.[05] World looks to Helsinki as Eurovision sings for diversityThe eyes and ears of Europeans and television viewers across the world will focus on Helsinki from 5-12 May as the Eurovision Song Contest searches for a new musical superstar while highlighting the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.[06] Le Parlement européen accueille une exposition sur les bâtiments de l'Union européenne à BruxellesDans le cadre de la célébration du 50e anniversaire de l'Union européenne, le Parlement européen accueillera une exposition retraçant l'évolution des bâtiments et de l'architecture de l'Union européenne à Bruxelles. Cette exposition montrera comment la ville de Bruxelles est devenue la capitale politique de l'Europe durant les cinquante années qui ont suivi l'arrivée des premiers fonctionnaires européens en 1957. Elle contient des plans, des propositions concernant l'urbanisme, des maquettes et diaporamas, et est non seulement rétrospective, passant en revue les changements survenus durant les cinquante dernières années, mais également prospective, par le biais de plans architecturaux pour le futur. Elle offre également un aperçu de plans n'ayant jamais été réalisés. La pièce centrale de l'exposition sera une maquette complète de la totalité de la ville de Bruxelles.[07] Enregistrement de quatre dénominations de produits agricolesLa Commission européenne a ajouté quatre dénominations de produits agricoles et alimentaires à la liste des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP) et indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Il s'agit des produits français "Tome des Bauges" (AOP - fromage) et "Pomme du Limousin" (AOP - fruit) et, pour la République tchèque, de "Pohořelický kapr" (AOP – poisson) et de "Žatecký chmel" (AOP – houblon). Les dénominations s'ajoutent à la liste d'environ 800 produits déjà protégés en vertu de la législation sur la protection des indications géographiques, des appellations d'origine et des spécialités traditionnelles. Des renseignements sur les produits de qualité ainsi que la liste des dénominations protégées sont disponibles sur l'internet à l'adresse : <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm[08] "Europe goes local": EU external assistance staff visit schools on Europe DayOn 9 May, some 100 officials from the European Commission will travel to regions across Europe to meet pupils in their schools and to engage in dialogue with students across the European Union (EU). The 'Europe Day in Schools’ initiative, organised in collaboration with the European regions, aims to raise awareness among young people of the actions undertaken by the European Union around the world. By going local, to regions such as Liberec in the Czech Republic and Jelgava in Latvia, to talk directly to European students (13-18 year-olds) and listen to their views, these Commission volunteers, who work in the field of external cooperation, will stimulate debate on the values and principles that underpin European solidarity, as the EU celebrates its 50th Anniversary.[09] Statement by Commissioner Danuta Hübner on the new executive in Northern Ireland"I am delighted at the creation of the new executive in Belfast. This is a great day for the people of Northern Ireland. The European Commission has a long and on-going history of support to Northern Ireland. Over the last 20 years European Cohesion policy has contributed more than €2.5 billion of investments in economic and social development, and more than €1.5 billion has gone to the process of peace and reconciliation through the Peace Initiative and the International Fund for Ireland. The Commission will continue to provide support in the years ahead. But as important as the financial investment is the approach that has been used for implementing these European policies. They have been built on the widest consensus possible and on the full participation of all parts of the community, creating a partnership of all those with an interest in improving the daily lives of the people of Northern Ireland. This, I hope, has been a valuable contribution in bringing Northern Ireland to where it is today", stated EU Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner.[10] Meeting on logistics and freight transport in the European Union held todayMore than 150 representatives from industry, public administration and civil society are meeting in Brussels today to discuss measures in support of logistics and freight transport in the European Union. The conference, organised by the European Commission and the German Presidency of the EU Council, is looking at how innovation and new technologies, administrative simplification and improved qualifications of staff can help overcome the challenges facing freight transportation. At the top of the agenda are the expected 50% growth in freight transportation by 2020 and the need to do more to protect against the environmental effects of transport, including CO2 emissions, noise and pollution. The Commission is preparing a plan of actions to address these issues, which Vice-President Jacques Barrot will present in autumn this year. The action plan is expected to focus on encouraging the complementarity and combination of different modes of transport.<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/consultations/2006_04_26/2007_05_08_conference_logistics_action_plan_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/consultations/2006_04_26/2007_05_08_conference_logistics_action_plan_en.htm [11] Joe Borg congratulates Libya on decision to implement international bluefin tuna recovery plan"I very much welcome Libya's decision to implement the recovery plan for bluefin tuna that was adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas last November. By withdrawing its objection to the plan, despite some remaining concerns, Libya clearly demonstrates its commitment to living up to its international obligations and to playing its part in ensuring the recovery of this stock. This move sends a strong signal to all ICCAT parties that we must all urgently pull together if we are to prevent the collapse of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna, and, as an unavoidable consequence, the collapse of all related fisheries" commented Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a resolution, last November, in Dubrovnik, to establish a long-term recovery plan for the overfished bluefin tuna (IP/06/1632). Over fishing is seen as the result of fleet overcapacity and lack of enforcement of the rules. This plan, which enters into force this year, includes gradual reductions in fishing possibilities, longer closures of the various related fisheries and the setting up of an international control scheme. ICCAT Parties who object to its resolutions are not bound by the related rules. Yesterday, Libya informed the European Commission that it was lifting its objection and would implement the plan from 2007.[12] Rédiffusion[13] The Netherlands is the first Member State to give assurance on spending EU fundsThe European Commission has warmly welcomed a voluntary national statement from the Dutch government on the financial control and regularity of EU funding in the Netherlands in 2006.[14] Commissioner Piebalgs in close contact with Ukranian authorities after gas explosionThe European Commission is in close contact with Ukrainian authorities to gather information on the explosion that has affected part of a gas pipeline in Ukraine today. Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs is in close contact with the Ukrainian Fuel & Energy Minister Yuriy Boiko to find out the causes of the explosion and its effects in the supply of gas to the European Union. According to preliminary information provided by Minister Boiko, the supplies to the EU will not be affected as additional pipeline interconnections are available to carry the necessary volumes towards the EU. Commission services will continue to monitor the developments on gas supplies from Ukraine to the EU after the incident.[15] Electronic Stability Control to reduce car accidents by 20%Every year more than 40,000 people die and over one million are injured in road crashes in the EU. Loss of control (e.g. skidding) has been identified as the main cause of traffic accidents involving serious injury or death. As a result Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is becoming the most promising eSafety technology on the market. ESC is an important active safety device, which can help Europe meet its goal of halving road fatalities by 2010 as set out by the EU in 2001. A Europe-wide 'Choose ESC!' campaign will be launched at the Bridgestone European Testing ground near Rome on 8th May 2007.[16] Commissioner Kyprianou welcomes Council agreement on animal welfare rules for broilersMarkos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health, has welcomed the Council's political agreement today on new rules to improve the welfare of chickens kept for meat production (broilers). The Directive aims to reduce the overcrowding of chickens, by setting a maximum stocking density of 33kg/m2, or 39kg/m2 if stricter welfare standards are met. The new legislation also lays down a number of other conditions to ensure better animal welfare, such as lighting, litter, feeding, and ventilation requirements. The Directive also provides for the Commission to possibly introduce further measures in the future, based on the scientific data and practical evidence collected by the Member States. The Council also adopted today conclusions on animal welfare labelling and the Commission will now carefully study this issue and report on the various options.[17] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Oli Rehn on "Open debate on enlargment" at the European Parliament, Foreign Affairs CommitteeSpeech by Charlie McCreevy "SEPA: An opportunity for Europe – Role of the public sector" at the SEPA Conference in Brussles Memo on Zagreb summit – recent achievements in regional cooperation and concrete measures to make the EU perspective tangible for the citizens of the Western Balkans [18] (!embargo: 18h00!) Speech by Günter Verheugen: "Transatlantic Business Dialogue" at the TABD Innovation Conference Healthcare in BerlinSpeech by Danuta Hübner "Europa – unsere gemeinsame Zukunft" at the Festakt zur Eröffnung der Europawoche 2007 in Bayern.Speech by Commissioner Janez Potocnik "Sustainability: we can't build it alone" at the Conference "Sustainable Neighbourhood – from Lisbon to Leipzig through Research" in Leipzig Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel on "Annual Policy Strategy in Agriculture
for 2008" at the meeting with Agricultural Committee at the European
Parliament in Brussels
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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