The Week in Europe 09-15/06/01

20.06.2001 | Euroskop

EU news in brief

Accounting: Commission issues Recommendation on environmental issues in companies' annual accounts and reports

The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation on recognition, measurement and disclosure of environmental issues in the annual accounts and annual reports of EU companies. The Recommendation clarifies existing EU accounting rules and provides guidance to improve the quality, transparency and comparability of environmental data available in companies' annual accounts and annual reports. The current lack of a common set of rules and definitions means that environmental information disclosed by companies is often inadequate and unreliable. This makes it difficult for investors and other users of financial statements to form a clear and accurate picture of the impact of environmental factors on a company's performance or to make comparisons between companies.

Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein said: "This Recommendation will help and encourage companies to improve the environmental information available to regulatory authorities, investors, financial analysts and the public in general". The full text of the Recommendation is available on the Europa internet site:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market

[Background paper IP/01/814]

Third ”European Competition Day” takes place in Stockholm

European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti together with the Swedish Minister for Industry, Employment and Communications, Ms Ulrica Messing, opened the third "European Competition Day" on 11 June in Stockholm, which is co-organised by the Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the European Union. The theme of the event is "Choose to Win" a reference to the wider choice, better prices and service levels that competition policy aims to ensure for the benefit of consumers. The purpose of the 'Competition Day' is precisely to inform European citizens about concrete actions taken by the competition authorities and the benefits they derive from them. [Background paper IP/01/815]

EU can affordably reach Kyoto target according to new report

A new report from the European Climate Change Programme indicates that the European Union's 8% greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol can be achieved with cost-effective measures to reduce emissions. After analysis of more than 40 measures the Programme concludes that the potential of cost-effective options is twice the size of the EU's required emission reduction. At the presentation of the report Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said "The Programme has shown that the EU can meet its Kyoto target without imposing unreasonable costs on the European economy. It is now a matter of political will to move forward and prepare and implement the necessary initiatives."

The European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) was established by the Commission in March 2000 to help identify the most environmentally and cost effective additional measures enabling the EU to meet its target under the Kyoto Protocol, namely an 8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2008-2012.

http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/eccp.htm

The Economic Evaluation of Sectoral Emission Reduction Objectives for Climate Change report can be downloaded at:

http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/enveco/climate_change/sectoral_objectives.htm

[Background paper IP/01/816]

Excise duties: Commission moves against Sweden over tax discrimination against wine

The European Commission has decided to send a formal request to Sweden to end tax discrimination against wine in comparison to beer. The Commission considers that the Swedish tax system affords undue protection to beer, mainly produced domestically, in comparison to wine, which comes from other Member States. In the Commission's view, this discriminatory tax regime violates EC Treaty rules (Article 90) that forbid Member States to impose higher taxes on products from other Member States than on competing domestic products. The Court of Justice has ruled in several cases that beer and table wine are competing products. The formal request to Sweden will take the form of a so-called 'reasoned opinion' (second stage of the formal infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty). In the absence of a satisfactory amendment to the Swedish tax rules within 2 months of receipt of the reasoned opinion, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice. [Background paper IP/01/819]

Commission reinforces research effort on BSE and related diseases

The Commission has set out a series of measures to strengthen research on BSE and related diseases across Europe. These steps are outlined in a communication to the Council and the European Parliament on research activities in Europe related to Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE). The Communication draws conclusions from the research efforts underway in all Member States and identifies actions to close existing gaps in TSE research. It is based on an inventory of European TSE research activities published in April 2001, which was elaborated by a high-level group of experts from Member States. On 31 May 2001, the Commission made additional funds available in the order of EUR 25 million for new research projects and for the co-ordination of national and European activities. One important theme to be addressed will be the understanding of how infectious prions propagate in human and animal bodies. The accession countries will be invited to fully participate in these collective efforts. The TSE inventory can be downloaded from:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2001/pr2304en.html

[Background paper IP/01/820]

EU reaction to the speech by US President Bush on climate change

In a reaction to a speech given by US President George W Bush on climate change, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström said: "We of course welcome that the US wants to work with other countries to address climate change. However, President Bush has basically repeated what he said earlier. We think it is time to move on from analysing the issues towards action. I am worried that his speech is short of action to actually reduce emissions." Swedish Environment Minister Kjell Larsson, representing the EU Presidency, said: "We regret that President Bush continues to reject the Kyoto Protocol. Abandoning the Kyoto Protocol would mean postponing international action to combat climate change for years - and we are already late. We can not accept this. The EU ministers have therefore confirmed that they stand firm behind the Kyoto Protocol and are ready to proceed with the ratification of it. Without the US the Protocol will be less effective of course since they account for a large part of world emissions." [Background paper IP/01/821]

BSE: Commission toughens measures against Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

The Commission agreed to put forward a series of proposals in anticipation of the application from 1 July 2001 of Regulation 999/2001 of the Council and the European Parliament on Transmissible Spongifrom Encephalopathies (TSE). This regulation includes a framework of Community measures to combat animal and public health risks resulting from TSE's. This proposals reduce the age for mandatory BSE testing of cattle in a higher risk group to 24 months (instead of 30) and introduce random TSE testing on sheep and goats. They prolong the present ban on feeding meat-and-bone meal. The range of imported products to the EU to be governed by protective measures is also proposed to be extended with effect from 1 October 2001. Finally, to accommodate the wishes of the Member States and the Parliament the Commission is proposing to amend BSE eradication rules, introducing an option for local competent authorities not to require the killing of all cattle in herds where a BSE case has been confirmed. [Background paper IP/01/827]

European Commission adopts new Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences (GSP) Regulation to foster sustainable development

The European Commission adopted on 12 June a proposal for revision to the Generalised Scheme of Tariff Preferences (GSP) for the years 2002 to 2004. Welcoming the Commission's decision, EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said "this regulation is designed to simplify the GSP regime, restore the level of its benefits and target them more effectively in the interests of developing countries. It is also intended to improve the effectiveness of special incentives to promote core labour and environmental standards. The scheme constitutes a further tangible example of the promotion of sustainable development, a central plank of EU trade policy". The new Regulation complements and fully incorporates the recent "Everything But Arms" (EBA) initiative in favour of Least Developed Countries. [Background paper IP/01/828]

BSE: Results of the Standing Veterinary Committee

The Standing Veterinary Committee gave on 13 June a favourable opinion on the testing provisions foreseen in the package of measures put forward by the European Commission on 12 June updating the regulation on Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE). The Commission will now adopt this proposal. The Committee did not reach a qualified majority on the other measures foreseen in the second proposal of the Commission. It includes the prolongation of the present ban on feeding meat-and-bone meal, the extension of the range of imported products to the EU to be governed by protective measures with effect from 1 October 2001 and the amendment of the BSE eradication rules, introducing an option for local competent authorities not to require the killing of all cattle in herds where a BSE case has been confirmed. This proposal will now be send to the Council for adoption. [Background paper IP/01/834]

Commission's Information Society Technologies Event will take place in Düsseldorf, 3-5 December 2001

The European Commission's Information Society Technologies (IST) Event will take place this year in Düsseldorf, under the banner of "Technologies Serving People". This annual event is organised this time in close co-operation with the Ministry of Economy and SME's, Energy and Transport of the State of NorthRhine Westphalia (Germany). Erkki Liikanen, European Commissioner responsible for Enterprise and Information Society will participate in the event and will deliver several key-note speeches on various themes.

To keep updated with the developments of the programme of IST 2001, please consult:

http://europa.eu.int/information_society/newsroom/istevent/index_en.htm

If you are interested to participate in IST 2001, contact us at:

INFSO-IST2001Press@cec.eu.int

[Background paper IP/01/835]

European Commission wants speed limiters on all lorries and buses

The European Commission adopted a report which looks at the effect of using speed limiters on heavy vehicles. Based on the findings, the Commission seeks to make the devices compulsory for all lorries and buses, including large vans and minibuses. Commission Vice President Loyola de Palacio, who is responsible for energy and transport, said: "Lowering the average speed of vehicles results in less accidents. Accidents which do nevertheless happen are frequently less severe. Lower speeds also mean reduced fuel consumption, reduced wear on engines, brakes and tyres, and reduced emissions, helping to reduce environmental damage. It also creates a level playing field amongst transport operators who will no longer feel compelled to break speed limits to gain market advantage. It is, therefore, a key to improving road safety and the environmental performance of vehicles." [Background paper IP/01/840]

Statement by Romano Prodi on EU-US Summit

The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, speaking following the EU-US Summit in Göteborg said that "although there are differences on a number of issues, one should not lose sight that when the EU and the US work together they set the agenda for change". President Prodi stated that the Summit has confirmed a new approach to trade issues; that it is better to talk rather than to litigate. Regarding the common challenge of climate change, President Prodi stated that the EU "remains deeply concerned about the US position on the Kyoto protocol. We simply cannot go back on the ten years of international efforts". Other issues raised during the Summit included the need to halt the spread of disease in Africa, discussions on the fragile situation in Macedonia and efforts for peace in the Middle East. [Background paper IP/01/849]

Gothenburg Summit focuses on enlargement and environment

European Union leaders meet for a European Council meeting on 15-16 June in Gothenburg, Sweden, to discuss enlargement, sustainable development and the future of the EU. However, the agenda will be hijacked by damage control after Ireland's rejection of the Nice Treaty at a referendum, and by attempts to avert a civil war looming in Macedonia.

Issues:Enlargement: The leaders will try to persuade the Central and East European candidate countries of their undiminished support for the EU's eastward expansion. The Swedish Presidency is pushing for precise enlargement timetables to show that the Irish rejection of the Nice Treaty will not delay the enlargement process.

Environment: The summiteers will discuss the Commission's proposals on sustainable development that defines a strategy for reconciling economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection. However, the EU's attempts to promote good environmental practice have been undermined by the US administration's decision to pull out of the Kyoto agreement on global warming.

Official web site:

http://www.eu2001.se/static/eng/eusummit/goteborg_1.asp

Concern about the riotsGöran Persson devoted much of the press conference to the riots that took place on the streets of Göteborg on Friday. ”What we have seen here in Göteborg is nothing but a tragedy”, said a very concerned Göran Persson. He said that the acts of violence, witnessed during recent years in Seattle, Prague and Nice, have developed into a serious threat to democracy. ”Democratically elected governments must be able to meet to develop international cooperation. Riots and acts of violence make these efforts considerably more difficult”. Göran Persson also emphasised that the riots are problematic for the essential debate that must go on between people alongside a summit meeting. ”An open dialogue between politicians and different organisations is an important part of the democratic system. The events here in Göteborg have had a negative effect on this possibility”.

Enlargement news

The following chapters were closed at the negotiation meetings between the EU and twelve candidates on 12 June:

· Bulgaria: Company law (10 chapters closed in total);

· Cyprus: Free movement of persons (22 chapters closed in total);

· Czech Republic: Culture and audiovisual (19 chapters closed in total);

· Estonia: none (19 chapters closed in total);

· Hungary: Free movement of persons; Free movement of capital; Taxation (22 chapters closed in total);

· Latvia: Freedom to provide services; Social policy and employment (15 chapters closed in total);

· Lithuania: Freedom to provide services; Fisheries (17 chapters closed in total);

· Malta: none (16 chapters closed in total);

· Poland: none (16 chapters closed in total);

· Romania: none (6 chapters closed in total);

· Slovakia: Customs union (17 chapters closed in total);

· Slovenia: none (20 chapters closed in total).

The Swedish Presidency said the recent progress in enlargement negotiations was "a qualitative step forward in the enlargement process". The Presidency met the objectives, set out in the "Road Map" for enlargement negotiations, adopted by the EU leaders at the Nice Summit in December 2000.

Commission and Candidate Countries to discuss Competition Policy issues in Ljubljana

EU Competition Commissioner Mario Monti and high level participants from the 13 candidate countries will meet in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on 18 - 19 June for their Seventh Annual Competition Conference, at a key moment in the accession negotiations.

The conference is a co-operation forum between the European Commission and the Candidate Countries' competition authorities responsible for antitrust and State aid control. This year's Conference comes at an important moment in the enlargement process. The EU is currently assessing the situation in the candidate countries with regard to competition policy, particularly as concerns the authorities' enforcement record, and is scheduled to finalise this assessment by autumn this year. The conference provides for a platform for discussing the preliminary results of the assessment for the first time both in the bilateral and multilateral context. [Background paper IP/01/844]