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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-06-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/06/07[01] Green Week 2007 : Past lessons, future challengesLearning from past successes and failures to ensure that current and future environmental challenges are addressed most effectively is the goal of this year's Green Week, the European Commission's annual conference and exhibition event dedicated to the environment. Tying in with the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, Green Week 2007 will take place at the Charlemagne building from 12-15 June under the slogan Past lessons, future challenges. Up to 4,000 participants are expected. Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Vice-President Margot Wallström will both speak at the opening session on 12 June and regional affairs Commissioner Danuta Hübner will speak at a session on regions and environmental sustainability.[02] World Oceans Day : healthy oceans are key to Europe's future, say Commissioners Dimas and BorgOn World Oceans Day, the European Commission recalls the vital role seas and oceans are playing for Europe and reaffirms its commitment to wise stewardship of the marine environment as essential to the planet's health and as a source of wealth, social well-being and pleasure to European Union citizens. The Commission is working for the rapid adoption of the Marine Strategy Directive, which will guarantee the environmental good health of Europe's oceans. In the autumn the Commission will also present the conclusions of its year-long consultation on the need for an integrated European Maritime Policy.[03] Northern Ireland : Danuta Hübner gives shape to European Commission task force to support peace processDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, was in Belfast today to start to shape the work of a new task force at the European Commission to support Northern Ireland's peace process. She met Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland Minister for Finance and Personnel, to discuss how the European Commission can help Northern Ireland to boost its involvement in Community policies and programmes as part of its efforts to modernise the economy. The future work of the task force, announced recently by Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and chaired by Commissioner Hübner, was top of the agenda.[04] Rapprocher les citoyens européens à grande vitesse : l'ouverture aux usagers de la Ligne à Grande Vitesse Est EuropéenneLe 10 juin 2007, les passagers européens pourront emprunter pour la première fois les 300 kilomètres de la ligne à grande vitesse est européenne, qui les conduira de Paris et Baudrecourt, en Lorraine, à la vitesse de 320 km/heure.[05] Commission clears acquisition of GDM by PD and GETFThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of a newly created company GDM Shipping GmbH & Co KG (GDM), constituting a joint venture by Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG (PD) of Germany and GE Transportation Finance, Inc. belonging to the General Electric group (GETF) of the US. PD owns and operates vessels and related services to the shipping industry. GETF is a financial services company. GDM will operate container vessels and related services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[06] Somalie : la Commission accorde une aide humanitaire d'urgence de €4 millionsLa Commission européenne a octroyé une aide d'urgence pour un montant de €4 millions à la Somalie, afin de venir en aide aux 350.000 personnes déplacées à l'intérieur du pays et aux communautés d'accueil. L'aide humanitaire de la Commission consiste à fournir des abris, une aide alimentaire, de l'eau et des soins de santé, ceux-ci étant particulièrement destinés à faire face à une importante épidémie de choléra dans le sud de la Somalie portant sur un nombre de cas estimé à 17.000 jusqu'ici. L'aide de la Commission couvre également l'appui logistique aux organisations humanitaires pour la livraison et le transport de l'aide en Somalie. Tous les fonds sont acheminés par l'intermédiaire de l'Office d'aide humanitaire de la Commission européenne (ECHO). Depuis 2004, la Commission a accordé une aide humanitaire d'un montant de €32,5 millions, y compris l'allocation de ce jour, aux populations vulnérables de la Somalie. Une aide humanitaire supplémentaire s'élevant à €2 millions est fournie aux réfugiés somaliens au Kenya (voir IP/06/1887). La Commission prépare également un plan global d'aide humanitaire en faveur de la Somalie et prévoit des fonds supplémentaires au titre de l'aide alimentaire, qui devraient être adoptés dans le courant de l'année[07] Commission contributes extra €25 million to fight malnutrition in the Sahel and calls for proactive plans to prevent food crisesThe European Commission has adopted a global humanitarian aid plan worth €15 million for vulnerable people affected by longer-lasting crises in the Sahel region. This is in addition to €10 million already made available this year under the food aid budget to respond to short-term nutritional needs in the Sahel. This aid will reduce acute malnutrition and mortality among those who are most vulnerable – in particular the estimated 1.3 million acutely malnourished children under the age of five, as well as five million pregnant and breast-feeding women. Child mortality in the Sahel is one of the highest in the world and malnutrition is associated with nearly 60% of all child deaths. The aid covers five countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Responding to the immediate consequences and humanitarian needs, this humanitarian aid plan complements longer-term development aid provided by the Commission to tackle the root causes of malnutrition. All relief funds are channelled through the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).[08] Roaming : Commission welcomes political agreement in EU Telecom Council (07/06)On 7 June, the Council adopted politically the European Commission's proposal for an EU Roaming Regulation to bring down mobile roaming charges by up to 70%. "This decision paves the ways for cheaper roaming rates throughout the EU, a landmark for Europe as it clearly responds to the wishes of consumers", commented Telecom Commissioner Viviane Reding. "I call on the Council now to publish the EU Regulation in the days to come. Millions of EU citizens and business travellers are waiting for lower roaming charges."[09] Early delivery of ICES scientific advice on fish stocks will allow for in-depth consultation on 2008 fishing quotasThe European Commission welcomes the publication today by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) of a report on the state and perspectives of certain fish stocks. It looks forward to studying this report in detail with a view to making the necessary proposals for action over the coming months. The news is rather bad regarding the state of a number of important commercial European fish stocks, in particular for herring in the Celtic Sea and Northwest of Ireland, for both Baltic cod stocks, for herring and whiting in the North Sea and Norway pout. ICES has again advised the closure of fishing for cod in the North Sea and in the Kattegat. It has also called for the establishment of fishing possibilities at levels closer to scientific advice and for improved effectiveness of the days-at-sea scheme for fishing vessels to help bring more stocks to sustainable levels.[10] Première visite du Dr Margaret Chan, directeur général de l'OMS, à la Commission pour discuter d'une collaboration renforcée en matière de santéLe Dr Margaret Chan, directeur général de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé, se rendra à la Commission européenne mardi prochain 12 juin. Accompagnée du Dr Marc Danzon, directeur régional de l'OMS pour l'Europe, le Dr Chan rencontrera le président Barroso, les commissaires Kyprianou et Potocnik, ainsi que les directeurs généraux de la santé, des relations extérieures, du développement et de l'aide humanitaire. Les thèmes prioritaires à l'ordre du jour de cette rencontre incluent les conséquences du changement climatique sur la santé, la sécurité sanitaire dans le monde et l'amélioration du niveau de santé en Afrique.[11] Commission sets date for next round of SAA negotiations with SerbiaEuropean Commission President José Manuel Barroso yesterday invited Serbia to resume talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) on 13 June 2007. On this occasion, President Barroso stated: "I welcome the progress Serbia has made since the establishment of the new government in its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Achieving full cooperation with the ICTY is not only an international obligation, but also a key condition on Serbia's road towards the EU. I encourage Serbia to continue improving its cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague, to ensure that all remaining indictees are brought to justice, thus achieving lasting reconciliation in the Western Balkans." On 1 June, Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn confirmed that following an extensive and careful assessment, the Commission can resume negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia. On 7 June Mr Rehn said: "I have consulted Ms Del Ponte on the findings of her visit to Belgrade. I am glad that she confirms that Serbia has now demonstrated clear commitment to full cooperation with the ICTY and that, in recent weeks, concrete actions have matched this commitment. Next Wednesday we will hold the next round of talks on this important agreement, which will bring concrete trade and economic benefits for Serbia. Implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement will be Serbia's gateway to candidacy for EU accession." Yesterday's decision is based on the conclusions of the EU Foreign Ministers in February, when they welcomed the Commission's readiness to resume negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with a new government in Belgrade, provided it shows clear commitment and takes concrete and effective action for full cooperation with the ICTY.[12] Autre matériel diffuséPreparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of June 2007Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Commission Policies of Relevance to the Pensions Sector" at AEIP Conference (Dublin) Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Presentation of 4th Cohesion Report" at Committee of Regions (07/06) Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Presentation of 4th Cohesion Report" at European Parliament's Regional Policy committee (07/06) Calendrier du 11 au 17 juin 2007 Top News from the European Commission (11 June – 08 July 2007)
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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