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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-07-10

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] The Commission evaluates the implementation of EU law on attacks against information systems in Member States
  • [02] Recommandation du groupe d'experts: faire des pĂ©riodes d'apprentissage Ă l'Ă©tranger la règle et non l'exception
  • [03] Le rapport annuel sur les systèmes d’enseignement de l’Union confirme une progression lente mais continue
  • [04] La Commission europĂ©enne alloue une aide de près de 7,5 millions € en faveur du rĂ©tablissement des victimes de l’ouragan FĂ©lix au Nicaragua
  • [05] NumĂ©ros d’appel d’urgence «116» pour les enfants: la Commission dĂ©clenche la sonnette d’alarme
  • [06] EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2006
  • [07] Commission to improve the situation for truck drivers at the Russian border
  • [08] Peru: visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs GarcĂ­a Belaunde; €3 million to support the social and economic reconstruction after the earthquake
  • [09] Capsized ferry in Philippines - EU and UN deploy joint expert team following reports of highly toxic cargo
  • [10] Autre matĂ©riel diffusĂ© Midday Express of 2008-07-10 Reference: MEX/08/0710 Date: 10/07/2008 EXME08/10.07

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    10/07/08


  • [01] The Commission evaluates the implementation of EU law on attacks against information systems in Member States

    Vice-President Barrot, Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, has welcomed the good level of implementation of Framework Decision 2005/222 in a large majority of the Member States, but at the same time expressed his concern that seven Member States have still not presented any implementation measures.

    [02] Recommandation du groupe d'experts: faire des périodes d'apprentissage à l'étranger la règle et non l'exception

    Comment faire en sorte que le succès d'Erasmus, le programme phare de l'Union européenne dans le domaine de l'enseignement supérieur, dépasse les limites du secteur universitaire? Telle est la question qui a été posée à un groupe d’experts de haut niveau sur la mobilité, créé par la Commission et dont le rapport est publié aujourd'hui. Il recommande d'élargir considérablement l'éventail de possibilités de mobilité dans l'apprentissage offertes non pas uniquement aux étudiants mais aux jeunes en général, y compris, par exemple, les apprentis, les élèves du secondaire, ainsi que les jeunes chefs d'entreprise, artistes et bénévoles. Le rapport préconise des mesures visant à supprimer les obstacles à la mobilité existants et propose la mise sur pied d'un nouveau type de partenariat – entre l'Union européenne, les États membres, les régions, les établissements d'enseignement, les entreprises et la société civile – pour favoriser la mobilité.

    [03] Le rapport annuel sur les systèmes d’enseignement de l’Union confirme une progression lente mais continue

    La Commission européenne a présenté aujourd'hui les données les plus récentes sur la réalisation des objectifs que les États membres ont assignés à leurs systèmes d’enseignement à l’horizon 2010 dans la stratégie de Lisbonne. Ce rapport annuel, fondé sur des indicateurs et des critères de référence, examine les performances de chaque pays dans des domaines clés tels que l’achèvement des études secondaires, l’abandon scolaire précoce, la maîtrise de la lecture, le nombre de diplômés en mathématiques, sciences et technologies et la participation des adultes à des programmes d'éducation et de formation tout au long de la vie. La principale conclusion du rapport de 2008 est que, dans l’ensemble, les pays européens progressent dans ces cinq domaines, sauf en maîtrise de la lecture. En dépit de l'amélioration lente mais continue de l’éducation et de la formation dans les États membres de l’Union européenne (UE) depuis 2000, il convient d’accélérer les progrès enregistrés dans la plupart des domaines pour atteindre les objectifs de 2010.

    [04] La Commission européenne alloue une aide de près de 7,5 millions € en faveur du rétablissement des victimes de l’ouragan Félix au Nicaragua

    Au titre de son instrument de stabilité, la Commission européenne accordera une aide de 7,49 Mio € en faveur du redressement économique et social des populations de la région autonome de l’Atlantique nord (RAAN) du Nicaragua, qui avaient été durement touchées par l’ouragan Félix en septembre 2007. Cette action prolonge la phase d’aide d’urgence, au cours de laquelle 6 Mio € avaient été alloués par ECHO, l’office d’aide humanitaire de la Commission, et elle assure le lien avec les efforts de reconstruction et de développement à plus long terme déployés dans les régions touchées par la catastrophe. La Commission européenne est donc l’un des principaux bailleurs de fonds dans cette région du Nicaragua.

    [05] NumĂ©ros d’appel d’urgence «116» pour les enfants: la Commission dĂ©clenche la sonnette d’alarme

    Il faut que les parents et les enfants puissent appeler à l’aide rapidement et gratuitement lors d’un déplacement dans l’Union européenne. En 2007, rien qu’au Royaume-Uni et en Belgique, plus de 7 500 disparitions d’enfants ont été signalées (<a href="http://www.missingchildreneurope.eu">www.missingchildreneurope.eu). Le public se préoccupe davantage de la sécurité des enfants depuis des affaires comme la disparition de Madeleine McCann au Portugal. En 2007, la Commission a pris des mesures en réservant, au niveau national, des numéros à six chiffres commençant par 116 à des lignes d’urgence pour les appels liés aux disparitions d’enfants (116 000) et à des lignes d’assistance téléphonique auxquelles les enfants peuvent demander de l’aide (116 111). Or, une enquête européenne récente montre que, parmi les États membres, seule une minorité a attribué ces numéros à des fournisseurs de services: sept pays pour le 116 000 et dix pour le 116 111 (voir l’annexe). La Commission a appelé aujourd’hui les États membres à accélérer la mise en œuvre de ces numéros. La législation communautaire n’impose pas aux États membres d’attribuer les numéros, mais de les réserver et d’informer le public et les fournisseurs de leur existence. L’enquête montre le peu d’efforts des États membres en la matière, ce qui retarde la mise en œuvre des lignes.

    [06] EU27 energy dependence rate at 54% in 2006

    In the EU27, gross inland energy consumption was 1 825 million tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) in 2006, stable compared with 2005, while energy production decreased by 2.3% to 871 mn toe. As a result, net imports increased by 2.4% in 2006 and the energy dependence rate rose to 54% from 53% in 2005. Between 1997 and 2006, EU27 energy production fell by 9%, consumption rose by 7% and net imports rose by 29%. In 1997 the energy dependence rate stood at 45%. These figures are published by Eurostat.

    [07] Commission to improve the situation for truck drivers at the Russian border

    With a budget of 3.500.000 Euro, the European Commission is going to support the construction of quality and secure parking areas at three border crossing points between the EU and Russia (Vaalimaa/Finland, Narva/Estonia, Terehova/Latvia). European Commission Vice-President in charge of transport, Antonio Tajani, declared: "Social partners in the road transport sector are more and more concerned about the increased need for good, secure parking and rest facilities. We are therefore pleased to announce this action, which is based on an initiative of the European Parliament and which will help to improve the situation of truck drivers and their vehicles at the Russian border." This action is line with former and ongoing projects of the Commission on secure and quality parking sites. For instance, as a result from a first project on secure parking sites launched last year by the Commission (see IP/07/806), the securised Truck Etape site in Valencienne (F) has been commercially launched on 12 June 2008. Another project on certification of quality rest places will also deliver first results in the first half of 2009. The call for proposal can be found on the following website: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/grants/proposal_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/energy_transport/grants/proposal_en.htm

    [08] Peru: visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs García Belaunde; €3 million to support the social and economic reconstruction after the earthquake

    The Peruvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, García Belaunde, will visit the European Commission on 11 July where he will meet with Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and with Commissioner for Trade, Peter Mandelson. During their meeting they will discuss the follow up to the Lima Summit, the state of play in the negotiations between the EU and the Andean Community on an Association Agreement, the new EU Migration Return Directive, and the general sitation in the Andean region. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will also inform Minister García Belaunde about the allocation of €3 million to support the sustainable reconstruction of key infrastructure and the livelihoods and income generation assets of the population in the southern part of Peru severely affected by the earthquake of 15 August 2007. The aid, provided under the Instrument for Stability, is directed to the population of the provinces of Castrovirreyna, Yauyos and Huaytara located in the southern part of Peru, which amounts to approximately 50,000 people of the total estimated 260,000 who were affected by the earthquake. This action will help the country to link the relief, recovery and rehabilitation phases, following an ECHO intervention of €8 million provided as an emergency response after this natural disaster. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and Minister García Belaunde will hold a VIP corner after their meeting in the Berlaymont at 15h30.

    Rediffusion

    [09] Capsized ferry in Philippines - EU and UN deploy joint expert team following reports of highly toxic cargo

    A joint European Union – United Nations expert team is being deployed today to the Philippines at the request of national authorities to assess the situation of a capsized ferry containing large quantities of highly toxic chemicals. "We must ensure that the human tragedy of this ferry collapse is not compounded by the leakage of these pesticides" said Stavros Dimas, Commissioner for the Environment and Civil Protection. "Europe is putting its solidarity with the Philippines into practice by providing its assistance. Our expertise has been highly valued in similar emergencies in recent years, and as ever we will do all we can to assist the people of the Philippines". The 'Princess of the Stars' ferry boat capsized on Saturday 21 June about three kilometers from the shore of Sibuyan Island in the central Philippines, as Typhoon Fengshen was moving through the area. The ferry, bound for Cebu Island, central Visayas, was carrying 849 passengers. Only 56 survived, while the rest remain unaccounted for, believed to have been trapped inside the ferry. Efforts to recover the bodies were suspended following the discovery of a cargo of large quantities of highly toxic pesticides, in addition to an estimated 100,000 litres of fuel. Of particular concern are the chemicals endosulfan, carbofuran, and methamidophos. Unknown quantities of other highly toxic pesticides - namely antracol, tamaron, nicolsamide and carbamate – have been reported to be among the cargo. Potentially further complicating matters is the current typhoon season, which could wreak havoc on the stability of the capsized vessel. “If not handled properly, this could be a disaster upon a disaster,” stated Vladimir Sakharov, Chief of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU). “Leakage of the ferry’s toxic cargo would cause major ecological damage and thereby have a terrible impact on the livelihoods of people living in the region.” The team, comprising a marine chemist, an eco-toxicologist and a civil protection expert, is expected to spend one week in the Philippines to help provide a clear overview of the situation, determine priority needs, and identify any gaps in international aid being offered and/or provided. The mission is a joint initiative of the European Commission’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) and the JEU, integrated into the Emergency Services Branch of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The mission will be supported on-site by the Government of the Philippines, the EU Delegation, and relevant UN agencies in-country – most notably the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Findings and recommendations, including possible additional international assistance, will be reported by the expert team at the conclusion of its mission. Background information: The Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), operated by the European Commission in Brussels, is the operational heart of the Community Mechanism for Civil Protection. It is available on a 24/7 basis, and provides countries access to the community civil protection platform. Any country affected by a major disaster – inside or outside the EU – can launch a request for assistance through the MIC. During emergencies the MIC plays three important roles: serving as a communications hub for the exchange of requests and offers of assistance; providing information on civil protection preparedness and response to participating states as well as a wider audience of interested stakeholders; supporting co-ordination of the provision of European assistance. Further information can be found here: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/prote/mic.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/prote/mic.htm The Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU) is a collaborative effort between two UN bodies – the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – that mobilizes and coordinates international response to environmental emergencies. It serves to mobilize and coordinate international assistance for environmental emergencies, and helps countries to improve their preparedness to respond to environmental emergencies. The JEU works with affected countries to identify and mitigate acute negative impacts stemming from emergencies, providing independent, impartial advice and practical solutions. It also works with organizations dedicated to medium and long- term rehabilitation to ensure a seamless transition to the disaster recovery process. Further information can be found here: <a href="http://ochaonline.un.org/ToolsServices/EmergencyRelief/EnvironmentalEmergencies/JointEnvironmentUnit/tabid/1459/Default.aspx">http://ochaonline.un.org/ToolsServices/EmergencyRelief/EnvironmentalEmergencies/JointEnvironmentUnit/tabid/1459/Default.aspx

    [10] Autre matériel diffusé

    • Discours du Président Barroso sur la Présentation du Programme de la Présidence Française, Strasbourg From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/

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