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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-09-11

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] Fonds de solidarité de l'UE prévoyant une aide rapide et solidaire dans les grandes catastrophes
  • [02] Marché intérieur de l'énergie : la Commission propose de renforcer la sécurité des approvisionnements pétroliers et gaziers
  • [03] Consumer credit rules for the 21st century
  • [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

  • [04] Declaration by Heads of State and Government of the EU, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
  • [05] La Commission est prête à apporter son aide à la France après les inondations dramatiques survenues dans le sud
  • [06] La Commission approuve une co-entreprise entre Thales et Darfon
  • [07] Commission clears joint control of Austrian credit insurer by Hermes and OeKB
  • [08] Europeans' views of banking and insurance services
  • [09] Anna Diamantopoulou warns against the erosion of civil liberties in the aftermath of September 11
  • [10] Séance spéciale du film de Cédric Klapisch "L'Auberge espagnole" et conférence de presse Viviane Reding et Cédric Klapisch le lundi 16 septembre
  • [11] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express 11/09/2002 TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 11/09/2002[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

  • [01] Fonds de solidarité de l'UE prévoyant une aide rapide et solidaire dans les grandes catastrophes

    La Commission européenne a adopté le projet d'un accord interinstitutionnel entre le Parlement, le Conseil et la Commission sur la création d'un fonds de solidarité de l'Union européenne. La Commissaire au Budget, Mme Michaele Schreyer, a déclaré que "les inondations catastrophiques qui ont eu lieu récemment avaient bien montré que les victimes s'attendaient à une aide financière de l'Union européenne". C'est la raison pour laquelle la Commission a proposé de créer un fonds de solidarité européen permettant d'apporter une aide rapide dans le cas de catastrophes majeures survenant dans un Etat membre ou un pays candidat dont l'adhésion est en cours de négociation.

    [02] Marché intérieur de l'énergie : la Commission propose de renforcer la sécurité des approvisionnements pétroliers et gaziers

    La Commission européenne a adopté deux propositions de directives qui contribueront à améliorer, dans le cadre du marché intérieur de l'énergie, la sécurité de l'approvisionnement en énergie de l'Union. "La très forte dépendance externe de l'Union pour ses approvisionnements en hydrocarbures constitue un risque important pour nos économies. Au regard de l'évolution du fonctionnement du marché de l'énergie et de l'incertitude géopolitique, il est crucial de se doter de mécanismes efficaces pour mieux garantir aux européens un accès constant à l'énergie et à des prix raisonnables", a déclaré Loyola de Palacio, Vice-Présidente en charge de l'Energie et des Transports. "Les nouvelles initiatives de gestion commune et solidaire des stocks pétroliers et gaziers mises aujourd'hui sur la table sont décisives", a-t-elle ajouté. Ce nouveau cadre communautaire sera mis en œuvre en coordination avec les pays producteurs. Un système européen d'observation des approvisionnements d'hydrocarbures apportera l'expertise technique nécessaire à son développement.

    [03] Consumer credit rules for the 21st century

    The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new directive on consumer credit. The existing EU-wide rules from 1987 have not kept pace with the important evolution in this sector and, at the same time, only set minimum standards. They have largely been overtaken by national regulation. The absence of common rules reduced cross-border transactions and led to differences in consumer protection in Member States. New EU-wide rules for consumer credit will be expanded to modern forms of consumer credit today. Home loans remain outside the scope. Borrowers will gain improved transparency on products (costs, terms and conditions) and can more easily compare offers on a cross-border basis. Lenders will gain improved opportunity to assess borrower risk, but in return they will be subject to "know thy client" obligations before granting any credit. Consumers will also have the right of withdrawal within 14 days, free of charge and without justification. Harmonised consumer credit rules throughout the Union will not only increase the protection of consumers across borders but also their confidence and thus strengthen the functioning and the stability of the consumer credit market in the EU.

    [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

    [04] Declaration by Heads of State and Government of the EU, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy

    The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration. "Today marks the first anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States of America. Thousands of innocent people, many citizens of Europe among them, became victims of terrorism in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001. Many died in a selfless and heroic effort to save the lives of others. It is with deep sorrow that we remember that tragic day. Our thoughts and prayers go to the bereaved families and friends in the United States and throughout the world who were stricken by the violence unleashed a year ago. 11 September reminded all of us that security and democracy can never be taken for granted but must be defended actively and ceaselessly. It also made clear that the scourge of terrorism, in itself a denial of common democratic values and principles, must continue to be met through steadfast international cooperation. Those who perpetrate and sponsor terrorist acts will be brought to justice and punished. The terrorist attacks of 11 September have given rise to the most comprehensive international cooperation in decades. Countries all over the world have united in the common cause against the kind of cynical contempt for human lives that lies behind it. This unique solidarity must be sustained and supported, also through dialogue of cultures. 11 September underlined how inextricably intertwined our destinies are. The EU will not slacken its resolve to contribute to the international community's fight against terrorism. We will continue to stand side by side with the United States and all the other countries in this endeavour and seek to build a just international order that promotes peace and prosperity for all."

    [05] La Commission est prête à apporter son aide à la France après les inondations dramatiques survenues dans le sud

    Michel Barnier, Commissaire européen chargé de la politique régionale, a annoncé hier qu'une intervention des fonds européens sera recherchée pour faire face aux importants dégâts survenus pendant les journées des 8 et 9 septembre notamment dans les départements du Gard et de l'Hérault en région Languedoc-Roussillon et du Vaucluse dans la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Plusieurs zones touchées sont en effet éligibles à l'objectif 2 au titre du développement régional pour la période 2000-2006.

    [06] La Commission approuve une co-entreprise entre Thales et Darfon

    La Commission européenne a donné son feu vert sous le Règlement Concentrations à la création d'une co-entreprise par Thales Microelectronics et Darfon, une compagnie active dans le secteur des composants electroniques qui appartient à Benq (Taiwan). (L'opération, qui a été notifiée à la Commission le 6 août, a été examinée sous une procédure simplifiée).

    [07] Commission clears joint control of Austrian credit insurer by Hermes and OeKB

    The European Commission has cleared under the Merger Regulation a notified concentration whereby German company Hermes Versicherungsbeteiligungen AG, which belongs to German insurer Allianz group, and Austria's Österreichische Kontrollbank AG (OeKB) will acquire joint control of Prisma Versicherungs AG, Austria's second largest credit insurance company. (The deal, which was notified on August 6, was examined under a simplified procedure).

    [08] Europeans' views of banking and insurance services

    At the request of the European Commission, an opinion poll was carried out in the EU on consumer views and attitudes to financial services. The poll concentrated on four aspects : Europeans' views of banking and insurance services, their assessment of national legislation (in general and in relation to distance marketing), their use of the various means of payment in the EU and their main types of financial product. Some results : a clear majority of over 70% of consumers call for more harmonised EU rules introducing better protection. When it comes to high tech financial services, consumers' call for EU action is even higher : unconvinced that consumer protection at national level is enough, 80% think it necessary to take measures at EU level to protect consumers in the use of these technologies. The survey was carried out in the framework of Eurobarometer 56 and includes comparative data with earlier surveys on the situation between 1996 and 2000. Results are presented by Member State and by a number of socio-demographic variables. The 250 pages special Eurobarometer report is available electronically in English and French at http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/policy/developments/fina_serv/index_en.html

    [09] Anna Diamantopoulou warns against the erosion of civil liberties in the aftermath of September 11

    Speaking today to the European Parliament's Committee on Citizen's Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs, European Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou, expressed her concern that "civil liberties are being swept aside in the name of the fight against terrorism". She said that in this climate, "it is more important than ever for the EU to stand up for fundamental rights and values". The Commissioner said that the fear and insecurity created by the terrorist attacks have reinforced prejudices. Muslims and other ethnic minorities living in the EU have been victims of verbal abuse, physical aggression and harassment. Anti- Semitic acts have also increased during the last twelve months. The Commissioner outlined the key elements of the EU's actions to fight against discrimination. She rejected the views of those who see multiculturalism as a threat to the West's way of living and argued that "the EU's own experience of integration provides a powerful example of cooperation based on cultural diversity". In her view, "the real threat to peaceful co- existence between different cultures is ignorance and misunderstanding". The Commissioner announced that she would launch in the Autumn a series of round tables to examine contemporary anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the EU.

    [10] Séance spéciale du film de Cédric Klapisch "L'Auberge espagnole" et conférence de presse Viviane Reding et Cédric Klapisch le lundi 16 septembre

    L'Union européenne célèbre cet automne le millionième étudiant ayant participé au programme d'échanges universitaires Erasmus. Une série d'événements est prévue pour la Semaine Erasmus, qui se déroulera du 18 au 25 octobre. En avant-première de cette Semaine, Viviane Reding, Commissaire européenne responsable de l'Education et de la Culture, vous invite à une projection spéciale du film de Cédric Klapisch, "L'Auberge espagnole", qui décrit de manière humoristique la vie d'un groupe d'étudiants Erasmus à Barcelone. La projection aura lieu le lundi 16 septembre 2002 au cinéma UGC de Louvain-la-Neuve, à l'occasion de la rentrée académique. Un nombre limité de places est disponible auprès du porte-parole. Viviane Reding et Cédric Klapisch seront en salle de presse le lundi 16 septembre à 12h15 pour présenter le programme de la Semaine Erasmus, à l'occasion de laquelle sera lancée une Charte des étudiants Erasmus, un passeport "mobilité" dont bénéficieront les futurs étudiants Erasmus.

    [11] Autre matériel diffusé

    Speech by Romano Prodi : "€ and enlargement" at the 13th International Economic Association World Congress (10/09, Lisbon)

    Speech by Margot Wallström : "From words to deeds the results of the sustainability Summit in Johannesburg" at the Centre for European Policy Studies


    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


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