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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-06-25

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] La Commission européenne (1958-1972) – histoire et mémoires d'une institution. La Commission publie un livre sur les fondements de l'Europe d'aujourd'hui
  • [02] Migration and asylum : new actions to cooperate with third countries
  • [03] Deux premières demandes d'aide financière du Fonds d'ajustement la mondialisation (FEM) approuvées par la Commission
  • [04] Telecoms : Commission insists access network competition must be maintained in Germany
  • [05] Le règlement européen sur les tarifs d'itinérance internationale entrera en vigueur le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres
  • [06] "Television Without Frontiers" Directive : in Finland more people will be able to see major sporting events on TV
  • [07] Douanes : la Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le code des douanes modernisé
  • [08] Member States deliver no opinion on the authorisation of GM maize
  • [09] BSE : Commission adopts new measures for categorising countries according to risk
  • [10] Avian influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild swans in Germany : authorities applying precautionary measures
  • [11] Proposition visant adapter la classification, l'étiquetage et l'emballage des produits chimiques aux normes des Nations-Unies
  • [12] Internal Market : Commission report on motor insurance issues
  • [13] Preparation Environment Council, 28 June 2007
  • [14] Switzerland signs up to the 7th Research Framework Programme
  • [15] EC-Norway energy dialogue : both parties confirm strong commitment to carbon capture and storage technology
  • [16] Statement of Commissioner Piebalgs after the signature of a BP-Gazrpom agreement on the Kovykta gas field
  • [17] EU and Algeria look for new ways to increase Algerian gas supplies to Europe
  • [18] Eurostat clarifies classification of securitisation operations
  • [19] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2007-06-25 Reference: MEX/07/0625 Date: 25/06/2007 EXME07 / 25.6

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    25/06/07


  • [01] La Commission européenne (1958-1972) – histoire et mémoires d'une institution. La Commission publie un livre sur les fondements de l'Europe d'aujourd'hui

    Pour les 50 ans des Traités de Rome, la Commission publie le 29 juin un livre de référence sur ses premières années (1958-1972). Cet ouvrage a été rédigé par des historiens européens sur base de quelque 120 témoignages d'acteurs de l'époque. Il illustre l'invention de la Commission, ses premiers combats et son développement politique et administratif. Le Président Barroso a offert l'ouvrage aux membres du Conseil européen les 21 et 22 juin, pour souligner le rôle plus que jamais central de la Commission.

    [02] Migration and asylum : new actions to cooperate with third countries

    The European Commission has launched a new programme to cooperate with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum with a budget of €380 million for 2007-2013. Building on the experience of its predecessor, AENEAS, the programme will seek to support third countries in their efforts to ensure better management of migratory flows in all its dimensions. The focus will be countries along the Southern and Eastern migratory routes towards the European Union, although other migratory routes as well as South-South migrations will also be covered.

    [03] Deux premières demandes d'aide financière du Fonds d'ajustement la mondialisation (FEM) approuvées par la Commission

    Le commissaire européen en charge de l'emploi, des affaires sociales et de l'égalité des chances, Vladimír `pidla, a annoncé aujourd'hui que les deux premières demandes d'aide au titre du Fonds européen d'ajustement la mondialisation ont été approuvées par la Commission et présentées la décision du Parlement européen et du Conseil de l'Union européenne. Les deux premières demandes d'intervention du FEM concernent le secteur de l'industrie automobile française et, plus précisément, les sous-traitants de Peugeot-Citroën et de Renault. Les sommes demandées au FEM sont respectivement de l'ordre de 2.558.250 euros pour le premier dossier, et de 1.258.030 euros pour le deuxième. Les deux demandes ont pour but d'aider des travailleurs devenus excédentaires la suite de faillites d'entreprises dans un contexte mondial de relations commerciales en mutation dans le secteur de l'industrie automobile.

    [04] Telecoms : Commission insists access network competition must be maintained in Germany

    The European Commission has today requested the German regulatory authority BNetzA (Bundesnetzagentur) to secure adequate access and ensure a level playing field in the transition to high bandwidth Next Generation Networks (NGN). BNetzA is also asked to complete its market analysis for access to NGN without further delay.

    [05] Le règlement européen sur les tarifs d'itinérance internationale entrera en vigueur le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres

    L'usage du téléphone portable deviendra sensiblement moins cher cet été grâce l'intervention de l'UE. Par sa publication au Journal officiel de l'UE la fin de cette semaine, l'acte législatif majeur du marché intérieur que constitue le règlement européen sur les frais d'itinérance deviendra contraignant le 30 juin dans les 27 Etats membres. Le processus législatif entamé le 12 juillet 2006 par la Commission européenne pour lutter contre les frais d'itinérance excessifs des consommateurs et voyageurs d'affaires dans leurs déplacements dans les autres pays de l'Union aura ainsi été mené terme en un temps record. Les autorités réglementaires nationales et la Commission surveilleront de près le passage aux nouvelles règles d'itinérance afin de couper court tout abus.

    [06] "Television Without Frontiers" Directive : in Finland more people will be able to see major sporting events on TV

    Today the European Commission approved the list of major events notified by Finland. Finland is therefore the seventh EU Member State, following in the steps of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the UK) to offer viewers the possibility of seeing major sporting events on TV, in accordance with the Television Without Frontiers Directive. Whichever Member State has jurisdiction over them, broadcasters with exclusive rights to show the listed events must offer the general public free to air broadcasts of major sporting and other events.

    [07] Douanes : la Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le code des douanes modernisé

    La Commission européenne accueille favorablement l'accord politique auquel est parvenu le Conseil des ministres de l'UE sur un code des douanes communautaire modernisé qui simplifiera la législation et rationalisera les procédures et processus douaniers au bénéfice des autorités douanières et des opérateurs (IP/05/1501). Il reste maintenant au Parlement européen confirmer l'accord en deuxième lecture, ce qui devrait se faire dans les prochains mois.

    [08] Member States deliver no opinion on the authorisation of GM maize

    The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today voted on a Commission proposal to authorise the genetically modified maize 59122 (also called Herculex RW). However, the Committee returned no definitive decision either for or against the proposed authorisation. As a result, the Commission must now transmit the dossier to Council. If the Council does not reach a position within 3 months, the proposal is sent back to the Commission for final adoption. Herculex RW received positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 2 April 2007. Therefore, in line with the application submitted by the company, the Commission is proposing to authorise the marketing of products containing, consisting of or produced from this GMO for food and feed and for import and processing (but not for cultivation). The authorisation would be valid for a 10 year period. Any products produced from this GM maize would be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules for GMOs. For more information, see:

    <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm

    [09] BSE : Commission adopts new measures for categorising countries according to risk

    The European Commission has today adopted a Regulation simplifying and updating EU measures for the categorisation of countries according to their BSE risk. The categorisation of countries is a means of determining the import conditions for live animals, meat and meat products, in order to provide the necessary guarantees for human and animal health. Today's Regulation, which amends the TSE Regulation 999/2001, brings the EU categorisation system into line with that of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). It entails listing all countries under one of three headings – negligible BSE risk, controlled BSE risk and undetermined BSE risk – and shaping the trade rules according to each risk category. Detailed criteria for the determination of BSE status, rules on the collection of specified risk material and rules governing the import of live animals and animal products into the EU are also laid down in today's Regulation. The new country categorisation system will replace the 4- category Geographical BSE Risk (GBR) assessment procedure which has been applied as a transitional measure up to now. This transitional GBR categorisation is due to expire on 30 June 2007, and the TSE Roadmap (see IP/05/592) states that the EU should then categorise countries according to the OIE headings. The Regulation adopted today will enter into force on 1st July 2007. For more information, see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/bse/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/bse/index_en.htm.

    [10] Avian influenza H5N1 confirmed in wild swans in Germany : authorities applying precautionary measures

    On 24 June, the German authorities have informed the European Commission that laboratory tests carried out at the regional laboratory in Bavaria and the national reference laboratory for avian influenza in Insel Riems have detected the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in two swans found dead in the province of Nürnberg, in Bavaria.

    [11] Proposition visant adapter la classification, l'étiquetage et l'emballage des produits chimiques aux normes des Nations-Unies

    Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a proposé d'adapter l'actuel système UE de classification des substances chimiques et des mélanges au système général harmonisé des Nations Unies (SGH). Les critères de classification et les éléments d'étiquetage harmonisés et approuvés mondialement seront intégrés dans la nouvelle législation UE et remplaceront les textes actuels sur la classification, l'étiquetage et l'emballage des substances chimiques (directive 67/548/CEE) et des mélanges (directive 1999/45/CE). Cette proposition revêt une grande importance dans les efforts déployés l'échelle internationale pour renforcer la protection de la santé humaine et de l'environnement contre les effets des produits chimiques dangereux. L'harmonisation des exigences au niveau mondial donnera un élan au commerce et la compétitivité et de nouveaux pictogrammes seront introduits. Le règlement proposé complètera le nouveau règlement REACH concernant l'enregistrement, l'évaluation, l'autorisation et la restriction des produits chimiques. La proposition sera dès présent examinée au Parlement européen et au Conseil.

    [12] Internal Market : Commission report on motor insurance issues

    The European Commission has issued a report addressed to the European Parliament and the Council on two motor insurance issues – the effectiveness of claims representatives in settling claims, and insurance cover for legal expenses. Based upon various consultations carried out in 2006 with Member States, industry and the public (see IP/06/472), the report concludes that claims representatives are generally able to handle claims within the required timescale. The report also concludes that voluntary legal expenses insurance is available in the large majority of Member States and that the obligatory inclusion of legal costs in third- party liability insurance would not produce clear benefits.

    [13] Preparation Environment Council, 28 June 2007

    The last Environment Council under the German EU presidency will take place on 28 June in Luxembourg. European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will represent the Commission. The Council has a substantial agenda. The Presidency intends to reach political agreement on the revision of the waste framework directive, a new directive limiting hazardous emissions to water and a regulation banning the export of mercury. The Council also aims to adopt conclusions on the revised EU strategy for reducing CO2 emissions from new cars, the revision of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme for greenhouse gases and next year's UN conference on biological diversity. A further set of conclusions is intended to give new impetus to EU environment policy. Ministers will discuss whether to authorize a genetically modified potato for cultivation in Europe and also aim to adopt a decision on the EU's participation in international negotiations on liability for damage resulting from transboundary movements of GMOs. A long list of 'other business' points includes the presentation by the Commission of a report on the directive on deliberate release of GMOs. German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, current President of the Environment Council, and Commissioner Dimas will hold joint press conferences at lunchtime and at the end of the meeting.

    [14] Switzerland signs up to the 7th Research Framework Programme

    At a ceremony held in the margins of the Competitiveness Council in Luxembourg today, the EU and Switzerland signed an agreement enabling Switzerland to join the 7th Research Framework Programme. The agreement will allow Swiss research institutes, universities and companies to take part in all aspects of the programme, on the same terms as their counterparts in the EU Member States. Switzerland and the EU will thus carry on the successful research partnership they have enjoyed since 2004, when Switzerland joined the 6th Research Framework Programme, which led to the participation of more than 1800 Swiss organisations in European research projects. Switzerland's higher education institutes were particularly strong participants in FP6, making up 59% of all Swiss participants, ahead of industry with 29%. Swiss research entities participated in all activities under FP6 and were strongest in Information Society Technologies (IST). It is estimated that Switzerland's association will bring an additional €1.4 million to the FP7 budget of about €54 billion. The Agreement was signed for the EU by European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Ms. Annette Schavan, German Federal Education and Research Minister and President of the Research Council. For Switzerland, the signatory was the Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, Mr. Pascal Couchepin.

    [15] EC-Norway energy dialogue : both parties confirm strong commitment to carbon capture and storage technology

    European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Minister Odd Roger Enoksen met in Stavanger yesterday and today to exchange views on the EU's recently adopted Energy Policy for Europe and its follow up. The discussion also focused on the liberalisation of the energy markets, the supply and demand of gas in the European Economic Area, the possibilities offered by Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology and international energy cooperation matters. Both sides took note of the activities of the Joint Energy Cooperation Group, established in September 2006.

    [16] Statement of Commissioner Piebalgs after the signature of a BP-Gazrpom agreement on the Kovykta gas field

    After the signature of an agreement between BP and its partners with Gazrprom on the Kovykta gas field Commissioner Andris Piebalgs stated on 22 June: "The Commission welcomes the agreement between BP and Gazprom which provides a mutually acceptable solution to the licenses issue for the development of the Kovytka gas field. The Commission expects this agreement will have a positive impact on the investment climate in Russia since the deal recognises investments already made by TNK - BP in the Kovytka project. The Commission welcomes intention to create an strategic alliance to between Grazporm and BP for investment in long-term energy projects which will thus contribute to EU's security of supply."

    [17] EU and Algeria look for new ways to increase Algerian gas supplies to Europe

    The Algerian gas supplies to the EU could increase by 23,5 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year by 2010 if the common infrastructure projects currently under construction are achieved according to plan. This was one of the conclusions of the bilateral meeting that European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs had with his Algerian counterpart, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Chakib Khelil on 21 June, in the margins of the EU-OPEC Ministerial that took place in Vienna (Austria). "Algeria has been a reliable supplier to the EU for more than 30 years, and we are looking forward to deepening our bilateral energy cooperation", said Commissioner Piebalgs after the meeting.

    [18] Eurostat clarifies classification of securitisation operations

    Eurostat today has taken a decision on the recording, in national accounts, of securitisation operations undertaken by general government. This decision complements and amends the decision taken on the same issue in 2002 and follows the observation, in the context of the Excessive Deficit Procedure monitoring and/or following bilateral consultations with Member States, of various cases of securitisation operations in the last few years which have led to uncertainties as to whether the recording in national accounts was in line with the general principles set out in the European System of Accounts (ESA 95). The Eurostat decision is consistent with the opinion adopted by the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics (CMFB).

    [19] Autre matériel diffusé

    New programme to cooperate with third countries in the areas of migration and asylum with a budget of €380 million for 2007-2013

    Avec l'Eurotarif, les appels mobiles internationaux deviennent moins chers dans l'Union européenne: mode d'emploi de l'itinérance

    Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "Going on the offensive: a new approach to EU agri-food exports" at AGRI / TRADE Conference

    Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "EU-OPEC Energy Cooperation" at the 4th EU-OPEC Ministerial Meeting (21/06) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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