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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-03-18Midday 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
[01] Commission clears acquisition of Carling coke plant by Dillinger Hütte and SaarstahlThe European Commission has approved the acquisition of Cokerie de Carling in France by German companies Dillinger Hütte and Saarstahl (SAG), through their iron-making joint venture Rogesa. The acquisition does not raise any competition concerns.[02] Hydrogen economy : new EU hydrogen and fuel cell Quick Start initiativeEuropean Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin presented today current and future key EU initiatives for a transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a hydrogen-based one at a "Fuels for a future generation" conference held in Brussels. Some €100 million of EU funding, matched by an equivalent amount of private investment, is currently being awarded to research and demonstration projects for hydrogen and fuel cell after the first call for proposals of the 6th EU Research Framework Programme (FP6 2002-2006). This will be reinforced via further calls for R&D proposals worth a public and private investment of €300 million (EU funding €150 million). These projects represent the initial phase and form a basis for the large scale "Quick Start" initiative for hydrogen production and use, which is being launched jointly by Vice-President Loyola de Palacio and Commissioner Busquin. The "European Growth Initiative" earmarks an indicative €2.8 billion public and private funding for these partnerships over the next ten years. The Commission is thus helping to implement the ambitious vision of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform, which held its first general assembly on 20 January 2004, under the aegis of Commission President Romano Prodi, and is now developing coherent European research and deployment strategies.[03] Quatrième trimestre 2003 par rapport au quatrième trimestre 2002 : les coûts de la main-d'œuvre ont augmenté de 2,5% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 2,9% dans l'UE15Dans l'ensemble de l'économie, le coût horaire total de la main-d'œuvre dans la zone euro a augmenté de 2,5% en termes nominaux au cours du quatrième trimestre 2003, par rapport au quatrième trimestre 2002, indique aujourd'hui Eurostat. L'augmentation était de 2,8% au troisième trimestre 2003. Dans l'UE15, la hausse a été de 2,9% au cours du quatrième trimestre 2003, comparé à 3,1% au trimestre précédent. Parmi les pays pour lesquels les données sont disponibles, l'Allemagne et l'Italie (2,3% chacun) ont enregistré la plus faible hausse annuelle et la Suède (4,5%) la plus forte.[04] EU and Israel reach agreement on Galileo ; under the auspices of the EU, cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is also taking offAn agreement has been reached between the European Union and the State of Israel on its participation in the Galileo programme. This agreement was initialled in Jerusalem on 17 March 2004 by François Lamoureux, Director- General of Energy and Transport at the European Commission, and Ra'anan Dinur, Director-General of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labour of Israel. During the visit of Mr Lamoureux, thanks to the support of the EU, cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority has led to concrete results with the creation of a joint Israeli-Palestinian office on energy.[05] Franz Fischler visits China to promote "Tasty Europe"The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Franz Fishler, will pay an official visit to China from 25 to 30 March 2004. Mr Fischler's visit will focus on the promotion of European Union quality food products on the Chinese market. The Commissioner will be accompanied by a high level business delegation of executives from leading European food producers. Mr Fischler will hold a series of bilateral meetings with Chinese Ministers and officials from the Shanghai municipality. The Commissioner will also participate in business round tables and seminars and attend the opening of SIAL China, the leading trade fair for food, beverages, wines and spirits in Shanghai. The EU has a stand at SIAL to promote EU quality food. The Commissioner's bilateral meetings will focus on farm trade relations between China and the EU, China's WTO accession and its impact on farm trade, relaunching the stalled WTO talks on agricultural trade liberalisation and rural development, an issue of increasing importance in China and the EU.[06] The European Group on Ethics makes public its Opinion on the ethical aspects of umbilical cord blood bankingThe European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), chaired by the Swedish Philosopher, Göran Hermerén, has adopted on March 16th 2004 its Opinion no. 19 on the ethical aspects of umbilical cord blood banking. The EGE is an independent, multidisciplinary and pluralist instance, composed of twelve members. Its role is to advise the Commission on how the ethical values of the European society can be taken into consideration in the scientific and technological development promoted by Community policies.[07] Autre matériel diffuséExisting legislative instruments relevant to the fight against terrorism, and adoption of draft measures already on the Council tableCommission action paper in response to the terrorist attacks on Madrid Speech by Franz Fischler : "Building our common future : Policy challenges and budget resources in the enlarged Union 2007-13" at Committee for Budgetary Control of the European Parliament (17/03) Speaking points by Franz Fischler at his press conference "Agriculture and enlargement - 44 days to go" Speech by David Byrne : "The Impact of EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Legislation on Developing countries" at a meeting with World Bank Executive Directors (Washington, ! embargo 15h30 !) Speech by Frits Bolkestein : "De visie van de Europese Commissie" (Scheveningen, ! embargo 15h30 !) Sommet UE-Amérique latine/Caraïbes à Guadalajara: inscription et accréditation From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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