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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-03-27

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 soutient le journalisme engagé : lancement du Prix Lorenzo Natali
  • [02] Cohesion policy: Hübner welcomes Hungary's drive to reduce regional disparities
  • [03] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Getränke Essmann by Radeberger
  • [04] Reducing biodiversity loss: a new European Commission tool will help protect Africa's wildlife
  • [05] Commission: new organisation will boost implementation of EU integrated maritime policy and Common Fisheries Policy
  • [06] President Barroso to visit Greece and Bulgaria
  • [07] Commission opens dialogue on patient safety in healthcare
  • [08] Enregistrement de trois dénominations de produits agricoles
  • [09] Commission and Russia sign memorandum facilitating dialogue on issues relating to pesticide residues
  • [10] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2008-03-27 Reference: MEX/08/0327 Date: 27/03/2008 EXME08 / 27.03

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    27/03/08


  • [01] La Commission soutient le journalisme engagé : lancement du Prix Lorenzo Natali

    La Commission européenne a lancé aujourd'hui la 16ème édition du Prix Lorenzo Natali. Ce prix récompense les journalistes engagés pour les Droits de l’Homme, la Démocratie et le Développement. Cette année il s'ouvre l'ensemble des travaux journalistiques : supports radio, télévision, presse, Internet.

    [02] Cohesion policy: Hübner welcomes Hungary's drive to reduce regional disparities

    Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will today meet Hungarian Prime Minister Mr Ferenc Gyurcsány to discuss Cohesion Policy for 2007-2013. During her two-day visit, she will travel to Northern Hungary and the North Great Plain regions, where she will meet representatives of the country's seven growth poles. Ahead of her visit, she said: 'I welcome Hungary's decision to develop regional growth poles with EU investment to help catalyse growth in disadvantaged regions. It is important to make sure that projects in these poles prioritise Research and Development and innovation, the main driving forces of economic development.' The Commissioner will also attend the launch of the transnational South-East Europe programme, which will offer opportunities for the Western Balkans to work closely with the European Union.

    [03] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Getränke Essmann by Radeberger

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Getränke Essmann by Radeberger (Oetker), both of Germany. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

    [04] Reducing biodiversity loss: a new European Commission tool will help protect Africa's wildlife

    Africa is home to some of the most valuable natural ecosystems and species on the planet. Worldwide, more than 16 000 plant and animal species are threatened with extinction. The monitoring of Africa's 741 protected areas (representing over two million square kilometres, i.e. nearly half the total area of the EU) plays a vital role in biodiversity protection, conservation and the sustainable management of natural resources. “The Assessment of African Protected Areas”, an online information system based on the latest advances in satellite technology, monitors trends in fire, vegetation, and rainfall. It allows park managers to compare current fire activity, vegetation growth or rainfall against seasonal norms. This information will help African nations to achieve the goal of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

    [05] Commission: new organisation will boost implementation of EU integrated maritime policy and Common Fisheries Policy

    The European Commission has decided on a far-reaching reorganisation of the Directorate-General in charge of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The former “DG FISH” becomes the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and will now be known as DG MARE. The main change involves the setting up of three geographic Directorates that will be responsible for managing both the Common Fisheries Policy and the new EU integrated maritime policy (IMP) in Europe’s three main maritime regions. These will be complemented by a new Directorate in charge of co-ordination and policy development. The other two Directorates (External Policy, and Resources and Legal Affairs) will remain largely unchanged. There will be greater focus on Mediterranean fisheries and on control in international waters in line with the EU's commitment to fight illegal fishing. The new set-up takes effect on 29 March.

    [06] President Barroso to visit Greece and Bulgaria

    President José Manuel Barroso will today travel to Greece where he will meet Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and give a speech at the Euro- Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. He will then visit Bulgaria on 28 March where he will meet Prime Minister Serjei Stanishev over lunch and later be awarded the "Stara Planina" State decoration by the President of Bulgaria, Mr Georgi Parvanov. The "Stara Planina" is the highest award for foreign citizens which will be given to President Barroso for his contribution to Bulgaria's accession to the European Union and the resolution of the case with the Bulgarian medical workers and their return to Bulgaria.

    [07] Commission opens dialogue on patient safety in healthcare

    With a view to help Member States reduce medical errors and adverse events in healthcare, the European Commission launched a public consultation on patient safety. A number of studies, both in the European Union and in the U.S., suggest that as many as 10% of hospital admissions involve some kind of harm to patients. Preventable harm also takes place in non-hospital healthcare settings. Thus, the improvement of patient safety can have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of EU citizens. One of the Commission's health goals is to facilitate Member States efforts to provide safe and high quality care to all citizens. Research around the world has indicated that many mistakes occur during the provision of healthcare. These mistakes can often result in injury to patients. Possible adverse events include medication-related errors, such as patients receiving the wrong dose or the wrong medicine. The wrong administration route is also included in the list of possible errors as are healthcare- associated infections, surgical errors, medical device and equipment- related failures. There is already legislation and/or policies on a number of specific patient safety-related issues at the EU level such as pharmacovigilance (the process and science of monitoring the safety of medicines and taking action to reduce risks and increase benefits from medicines), medical device safety, eHealth and the safety of organs, tissues, blood and cells. The Commission's plans for a proposal on patient safety will attempt to complement the current legislation, work and policies in place at the EU level, by addressing wider systemic issues such as culture, leadership, education, information, reporting and redress. The proposal will also address healthcare-associated infections issues, on which a public consultation has already taken place .The key operational objectives of this action are for Member States to pool resources, exchange and share information, experiences and expertise at the EU level. To participate in the consultation, please visit: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer">http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer

    [08] Enregistrement de trois dénominations de produits agricoles

    La Commission européenne a ajouté trois dénominations de produits agricoles et alimentaires la liste des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP) et indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Il s'agit des produits italiens "Cipolla Rossa di Tropea Calabria" (Oignon – IGP) et "Marrone di Roccadaspide" (Marron – IGP) et du haricot français: "Lingot du Nord" (IGP). Les trois dénominations s'ajoutent la liste d'environ 800 produits déj 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 l'adresse: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm

    Rediffusion

    [09] Commission and Russia sign memorandum facilitating dialogue on issues relating to pesticide residues

    The European Commission and Russia signed today a memorandum that is expected to facilitate dialogue between the two sides when concerns come up about pesticide residues in plant products. The purpose of the memorandum is to create mechanisms and a dialogue with Moscow when Russia identifies at import too high, according to its legislation, levels of residues of pesticides and contaminants in EU plant products for human consumption. The "Memorandum on the safety of plant products for human consumption exported from the European Community (EC) to the Russian Federation concerning pesticide residues, nitrates and nitrites" was initialled at technical level in Moscow on February 28. It was officially signed today in Brussels by Paola Testori Coggi, Deputy Director General of Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection on behalf of the Commission, and Sergey Dankvert, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision in Russia. Negotiations have taken place in close consultation with the Member States and the European exporting industry. Within the EU there are harmonised residue levels for pesticides, which have been established on the basis of a scientific risk assessment and in line with the relevant standards of Codex Alimentarius – the international food code. In certain cases, however, Russia has established levels, which are lower than the corresponding EU levels. The Commission has proposed to the Russian authorities responsible for setting the Russian criteria for pesticide residues and contaminants, to have technical discussions on this difference.

    [10] Autre matériel diffusé

    • Memo on Hungary - Operational Programme 2007-2013 - South East Europe

    • Memo on Hungary – Operational Programme 2007-2013: Central Transdanubia Regional Operational Programme

    • Memo on Hungary - Operational Programme 2007-13: Central Hungary Regional Operational Programme

    • Memo on Hungary – Operational programme 2007-13: Environment and Energy Operational Programme

    • Memo on Hungary - Operational Programme 2007–13: North Hungary Regional Operational Programme

    • Memo on Hungary – Operational Programme 2007-13: North Great Plain Regional Operational Programme

    • Memo on Hungary - Operational Programme 2007-2013: Operational Programme for Transport

    A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):

    Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :

    Tech Data / Scribona From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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