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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-10-23
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Green light for 2002 Sapard programmes
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] EU and candidate countries citizens both support enlargement, but with
different concerns
[03] Pascal Lamy welcomes US rule lifting the ban on Spanish clementines
[04] EU requests WTO dispute settlement consultations over Korean unfair
shipbuilding practices
[05] Pascal Lamy welcomes further economic integration in the Caribbean
region
[06] Avancées importantes dans la coopération énergétique entre l'UE et
l'Iran
[07] Pollution in European cities : Philippe Busquin welcomes the success
of PEOPLE project's first day
[08] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 23/10/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 23/10/2002[I] Résultats de la Commission
du 22 octobre 2002 - Outcome of Commission meeting of 22 October
[01] Green light for 2002 Sapard programmes
The European Commission has adopted a decision which will allow the signing
of the Annual Financing Agreements (AFA's) for 2002 with each of the 10
candidate countries, for the implementation of the Special Accession
Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (Sapard). These agreements
make the EU's contribution for 2002 available to finance the actions
scheduled for 2002 in the Sapard programmes and adapt the Multi-annual
Financing Agreement. The proposal also foresees, inter alia, special
provisions for exceptional natural disasters to be included in the
agreements. This should enable the EU to respond properly and swiftly to
such exceptional natural disasters whenever they occur in candidate
countries. "We want to show solidarity and support for the rural community
and, in so doing, help make enlargement a real success. Real success will
only come, however, when we can improve the lot of the people in the new
Member States and have ensured their smooth assimilation into the European
family. Therefore, I am delighted that we have the Sapard programme to
provide assistance for rural areas in the candidate countries in advance of
accession", said Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] EU and candidate countries citizens both support enlargement, but with
different concerns
The importance of enlargement is widely believed to be nationally important
among European Union citizens and the positive global consequences of this
new step in the EU are also well understood, according to a Eurobarometer
survey published today. Moreover, a publication of a note based on the
latest candidate countries Eurobarometer survey shows that among candidate
countries citizens, the general support for EU membership has risen to 60%.
[03] Pascal Lamy welcomes US rule lifting the ban on Spanish clementines
European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy yesterday welcomed the US rule
lifting the ban on Spanish clementines which was in place since 5 December
2001 saying : "This move lays the foundation for uninterrupted trade in
clementines between the EU and the USA. I expect that trade in this product
will quickly return to previous levels."
[04] EU requests WTO dispute settlement consultations over Korean unfair
shipbuilding practices
The European Commission has requested the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to
set up formal consultations under its Dispute Settlement mechanism over the
unfair Korean shipbuilding practices. This decision has been taken further
to the failure to reach an amicable solution to this long-standing dispute
by 30 September 2002. European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said : "The
lack of progress in our bilateral discussions so far has left us with no
option but to take Korea to the WTO. I now call on Korea to swiftly settle
this matter within the WTO consultations."
[05] Pascal Lamy welcomes further economic integration in the Caribbean
region
The European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy welcomed yesterday the
agreement reached by the eight Caribbean islands members of the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to create an economic union, as an
important step both for the countries themselves and as an important
contribution towards a broader integration within the Caribbean region.
[06] Avancées importantes dans la coopération énergétique entre l'UE et
l'Iran
La troisième réunion du groupe de travail dans le secteur de l'énergie
entre les représentants de la Commission eropéenne et ceux des autorités
iraniennes, installé par la Troïka des Ministres des affaires étrangères en
mars 1998 dans le cadre de la relance du dialogue entre l'Union européenne
(UE) et l'Iran, a eu lieu le 19 octobre 2002 à Téhéran. Cette réunion était
présidée, côté Commission par le Directeur général de l'énergie et des
transports, François Lamoureux, et côté iranien par le Vice Ministre du
Pétrole pour les Affaires internationales, M. Mohammad Hadi Nejad
Hosseinian. Cette réunion fait suite à celles des 18-19 mai 1999 et 28 mars
2001 qui ont eu lieu respectivement à Téhéran et Bruxelles.
[07] Pollution in European cities : Philippe Busquin welcomes the success
of PEOPLE project's first day
Yesterday at 20h00 the first stage of the European Commission-funded PEOPLE
(Population Exposure to Air Pollutants in Europe - see also IP/02/1310)
project has come to an end : since 8.00 in the morning 130 volunteers in
Brussels and 200 in Lisbon have been wearing a pollution detector (for a
maximum of 12 hours in shifts). "I am pleased with the smooth kick-off of
this project", said Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. "We know that
70 to 80% of pollution comes from road traffic. With the PEOPLE project we
are measuring more precisely how much benzene there is in the air we
breathe. Benzene is a carcinogenic substance mostly produced by traffic and
tobacco smoking. Volunteers are monitoring 50 outdoor sites (street, parks,
metro stations etc) and 50 indoor sites (schools, shops, offices, bars,
etc) in each city. The final results will be presented in February 2003."
[08] Autre matériel diffusé
Discours de M. Prodi sur le Conseil européen de Bruxelles devant le
Parlement européen (Strasbourg)
Speech by Poul Nielson : "Dropping off the map why are some conflicts
forgotten ?" at the Conference on Forgotten humanitarian crises
(Copenhagen)
Discours de Mme Reding : "Presse spécialisée : quelle vision de Bruxelles
?" à l'assemblée générale du syndicat de la presse économique, juridique et
politique (Paris)
Note on meeting of Commission and US Customs officials (22/10)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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