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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 98-10-21
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
21/10/98
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Jacques Santer : "R�nover le projet communautaire pour r�pondre aux
d�fis de demain"
[02] EU calls for improved transparency in WTO Dispute Settlement System
[03] The Information Society Forum enters a new term and broadens scope to
include global aspects
[01] Jacques Santer : "R�nover le projet communautaire pour r�pondre aux
d�fis de demain"
A quelques jours de la r�union informelle des chefs d'Etat et de
gouvernement � P�rtschach, le Pr�sident de la Commission europ�enne,
Jacques Santer, a pr�sent� devant le Parlement europ�en ses id�es sur la
r�novation de l'Union europ�enne. "Dans certains domaines, plus d'Europe
est n�cessaire : l'emploi, les relations ext�rieures, les affaires
int�rieures et de justice." Jacques Santer souhaite que l'Union se donne
la capacit� de g�rer un haut niveau d'int�gration, qu'elle r�ponde aux
nouvelles attentes des Europ�ens, qu'elle adapte ses institutions aux
r�alit�s d'aujourd'hui et de demain. M. Santer a ainsi appel� � une
d�cision sur la repr�sentation externe de la zone Euro, demand� une
authentique mise en oeuvre des dispositions du trait� d'Amsterdam sur la
PESC et propos� la convocation en 1999 d'une r�union sp�ciale des chefs
d'Etat et de gouvernement sur la constitution de l'espace europ�en de
libert�, de s�curit� et de justice. Reconnaissant que "moins d'Europe" est
aussi n�cessaire dans certains cas, il a pr�n� le d�veloppement de
"nouveaux modes d'actions communautaires", impliquant moins de l�gislation
et se concentrant sur la valeur ajout�e europ�enne. A cet �gard, Jacques
Santer a rappel� que "subsidiarit� et proportionnalit� de l'action
communautaire sont des responsabilit�s partag�es de toutes les institutions
et des Etats membres, car la gouvernance europ�enne implique tous les
acteurs publics". De m�me, la r�forme institutionnelle implique d'abord,
selon le M. Santer, "que chaque institution proc�de � un examen approfondi
de son fonctionnement et pr�pare un programme de modernisation". La
Commission, pour sa part, entend bien "d�velopper son initiative 'la
Commission de demain' tout au long de 1999", autour de la d�finition de ses
missions, de ses structures internes et la poursuite de la modernisation de
la gestion engag�e en 1995. Concernant les grandes r�formes
institutionnelles, le Pr�sident de la Commission a soulign� la n�cessit� de
r�fl�chir d�s maintenant � leur contenu et � leur calendrier.
[02] EU calls for improved transparency in WTO Dispute Settlement System
The European Union (EU) has put forward proposals to improve dispute
settlement procedures in a discussion paper to the World Trade Organisation
(WTO). The paper forms part of a general review of the dispute settlement
system currently taking place in Geneva. The EU has submitted 24
suggestions aimed at strengthening and improving the system. Key proposals
include creating a standing body of professional panellists, improving
transparency, giving greater weight to consultations and speeding up
procedures. The review of the dispute settlement system is expected to be
concluded by the end of this year.
[03] The Information Society Forum enters a new term and broadens scope to
include global aspects
The Information Society Forum which was established by the European
Commission in 1995 (see IP/95/729), ushered yesterday in Strasbourg in a
new era by welcoming new members, including representatives from Central
and Eastern European Countries. The Forum acts as a "think tank" for the
Commission on issues related to the Information Society and provides an
opportunity for dialogue between all partners concerned. The 184 Forum
members include representatives of the various user groups (consumer
associations, public services, firms including small businesses,
professions), social groups (trade unions, employers' organisations,
academics, family associations), content providers, equipment manufacturers
and institutions. IS-Forum president Claudio Carrelli announced that the
work of the Forum will in the future focus on various issues including the
development of a European model for the global Information Society.
Industrial Affairs Commissioner Martin Bangemann welcomed the Forum's
initiative saying : "The Forum should take a leading role in identifying
issues and possible solutions in global communications and electronic
commerce from the Societal point of view. In this respect its work will
be complementary to the Global Business Dialogue."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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