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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-10-12

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] Textiles : Commission takes seven actions to help EU textiles industry ahead of 1 January 2005
  • [02] 2005 budget : additional proposals for pre-accession aid to Croatia, support to the Turkish-Cypriot community, and the Northern Ireland Peace Process
  • [03] Services financiers : un forum d'experts représentant les utilisateurs rend son premier avis sur les rapports d'inventaire post-PASF
  • [04] Avian influenza situation in South Africa
  • [05] Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC) : US to repeal illegal export subsidies as from 2007
  • [06] Responsabilité sociale des entreprises : la Commission lance une campagne de sensibilisation des PME
  • [07] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2004-10-12 Reference: MEX/04/1012 Date: 12/10/2004 EXME04 / 12.10

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb

    Communication

    12/10/04


  • [01] Textiles : Commission takes seven actions to help EU textiles industry ahead of 1 January 2005

    Building on the work carried out by the High Level Group for textiles and clothing, the European Commission proposes seven actions to enhance the competitiveness of the European textiles industry ahead of the disappearance of the remaining WTO textiles quotas on 1 January 2005.

    [02] 2005 budget : additional proposals for pre-accession aid to Croatia, support to the Turkish-Cypriot community, and the Northern Ireland Peace Process

    In the months since May, when the European Commission launched the draft budget for 2005, the Council has taken several decisions requiring additional expenditure for 2005. The Commission will tomorrow adopt the necessary amendments to the budget proposals for 2005 : €114 million to encourage the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot Community ; €105 million pre-accession aid to Croatia ; €60 million to extend the Peace programme for Northern Ireland and the border areas in Ireland. Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer said : "The EU will make further significant contributions to a more stable and peaceful Europe with these proposed increases to the budget, which follow Council requests."

    [03] Services financiers : un forum d'experts représentant les utilisateurs rend son premier avis sur les rapports d'inventaire post-PASF

    FIN-USE, panel d'experts constitué par la Commission européenne et chargé par elle de rendre des avis sur les services financiers du point de vue de "l'utilisateur", vient de rendre son premier avis, qui porte sur les quatre rapports d'inventaire publiés par des groupes d'experts en mai 2004, alors que la phase législative du plan d'action pour les services financiers (PASF) touchait à sa fin (voir IP/04/600 et MEMO/04/106). Ces rapports d'inventaire évaluaient l'état d'avancement de l'intégration financière dans l'Union européenne. Dans son avis, qui reflète le consensus dégagé par ses membres, et pas nécessairement l'opinion de la Commission, FIN-USE se prononce sur leur contenu et émet dix grandes recommandations. La Commission tiendra compte de ces recommandations, de même que des résultats de la consultation publique récemment organisée sur les rapports d'inventaire, tant pour achever la mise en œuvre du PASF que pour l'élaboration de sa future politique sur les services financiers.

    [04] Avian influenza situation in South Africa

    The Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health agreed on a European Commission proposal to extend the suspension of import of live ratites (ostriches) and their eggs, meat and products as well as pet birds from South Africa until 31 March 2005. The ban was introduced in August, after the confirmation of avian influenza outbreaks in ratite farms (see IP/04/1024). It was applicable until 1 January 2005. Although it appears that the disease situation has improved, no official confirmation has been received which would allow the modification of the current restrictions. Because at least six months should pass after destruction of the ratites and disinfection of the infected holdings before the imports of meat of ostriches and their eggs from South Africa can be allowed again, the suspension has now been prolonged until 31 March 2005.

    [05] Foreign Sales Corporations (FSC) : US to repeal illegal export subsidies as from 2007

    On 11 October 2004, nearly four years after the expiry of the deadline established by the WTO, the US Congress has adopted a Bill repealing the FSC/ETI legislation. The WTO has repeatedly condemned the FSC/ ETI which provides WTO-illegal subsidies to US exporters to the tune of $US 4 billion per year. The Bill, however, provides that FSC/ETI benefits will still be available to US exporters up to the end of 2006. Following its adoption by Congress, the Bill will enter into force once the US President has signed it. European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "I am pleased that Congress has finally taken this step towards US compliance with the WTO ruling. It vindicates the EU's patient but firm approach. Our objective throughout has been to obtain the withdrawal of these illegal subsidies by introducing progressively rising countermeasures. We will now carefully study the details in the final compromise between both chambers, in particular regarding transition periods, grandfathering clauses, as well as all other relevant fiscal provisions."

    [06] Responsabilité sociale des entreprises : la Commission lance une campagne de sensibilisation des PME

    En inauguration d'une campagne paneuropéenne visant à sensibiliser les PME à la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE), la Commission européenne organise aujourd'hui une manifestation de lancement à Bruxelles. Au nombre des orateurs figurent le Commissaire Olli Rehn, Philip Bushill-Matthews (député britannique au Parlement européen), des représentants du secteur privé et des syndicats ainsi que des experts en RSE.

    [07] Autre matériel diffusé

    Speech by Siim Kallas : "The Euro's contribution to the financial system and global stability" at the Euro Conference (Amsterdam)

    Speech by Franz Fischler : "Österreichische Nahrung wird europäisch" at the Jubiläumsfeier '10 Jahre AMA-Gütesiegel' (11/10, Vienna) 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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