Week in Europe 24-30/09/01

05.10.2001 | Euroskop

Week in Europe 24-30/09/01

EU news in brief

EURO-99: Eurobarometer shows steady but slow progress

Only 8% of euro-area citizens do not know the exact date of introduction of euro banknotes and coins, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey on the euro carried out in September 2001. This is a clear improvement compared to 46% in September last year. The number of citizens considering themselves well informed also continued to improve to 55% (+2% compared to the last survey). Taking into account that the national and the ECB information campaigns will increasingly focus on the general public in final period before the introduction of the Euro, the results are encouraging. On the other hand sectoral surveys have demonstrated that a lot of hurdles have still to be overcome in the preparations of SMEs and small retailers. The analysis by country and by socio-demographic, economic, education and other factors can be consulted in the overall analysis at the following address:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/document/euro/barometers/flash98_4fr.pdf

[Background paper IP/01/1305]

July 2001 - Industrial production down 1.4% in euro-zone ; EU15 down 1.3%

Seasonally adjusted industrial production decreased by 1.4% in the euro-zone in July 2001 compared to June 2001, Eurostat estimates. This follows an increase of 0.9% in June and a fall of 0.3% in May. Production in the EU-15 decreased by 1.3% in July, after a gain of 0.7% in June and a decrease of 0.4% in May. In July 2001 compared to July 2000, industrial production dropped by 1.1% in the euro-zone and by 1.4% in the EU-15, confirming the slowdown of the annual growth rates observed in both zones since December 2000. [Background paper No 98/2001]

First meeting of European Securities Committee on 21 September 2001

The European Securities Committee (ESC) met in Brussels on 21 September for the first time. The ESC is an advisory committee to the Commission on all policy issues in the securities market domain and consists of high level representatives of the Member States. It was established in accordance with the recommendations of the group chaired by Alexandre Lamfalussy (see IP/01/792 and MEMO/01/213), which were endorsed by the Stockholm European Council and the European Parliament. Once powers are delegated to it by the Council and the European Parliament, it will also become a regulatory committee, implementing technical measures in the securities field.

[Background paper MEMO/01/299]

Philippe Busquin to open conference on the integration of renewable energies into the overall energy system

A major two-day conference, organised by the European Commission in Brussels (25-26 September 2001) addressed some of the most urgent issues currently discussed concerning the role and importance of research in securing generation and stable supply of energy in Europe. The potential benefits of renewable energy sources reside in huge reductions in pollution and greenhouse gases, increased energy and economic efficiency, enhanced security and diversity of Europe's energy supply. However, a coordinated political approach is necessary to secure those benefits especially in the light of an enlarged Europe. The conference brought together about 400 representatives of research organisations, energy producers and regulating authorities. It reviewed the best practices and success stories in the integration of renewable energies and distributed generation of energy and made recommendations for the future.

Terrorist attacks and air transport: Commission takes a series of urgent measures

Europe's air transport industry has been feeling the full force of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September. The European Union immediately took action to resolve the most urgent issues, but also to adapt the current rules to the new situation. The first measures aim at improving air security within the European Union and at world level. In addition, in collaboration with the airlines, the European Commission will take stock of the economic impact on air transport and explore every possible way of enabling the airlines to adapt, in a manner compatible with the rules on competition.

[Background paper IP/01/1306]

Afghan refugee crisis: Commission prepares to send further EURO 4m in aid

The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) is moving quickly to pledge humanitarian aid for victims of the crisis in Afghanistan. Responding to the worsening humanitarian situation, the Commission is launching an emergency decision for EUR 4 million in immediate aid. The funding will be directed through two UN agencies which are ECHO's partners in the field- the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP)- as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

[Background paper IP/01/1311]

EU budget generates major net transfers into Cohesion Countries

The EU budget generates major net financial transfers to the four cohesion countries - Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Spain. In 2000, these net transfers accounted for 3.61 % of Greek GNP, 1.93 % of Portuguese GNP, 1.83% of Irish GNP and 0.86% of Spanish GNP. To a lesser extent, Finland, Denmark and Italy also showed positive net balances. In relative terms, Sweden was the largest net contributor (0.50 % of GNP), followed by Germany (0.47 %), the Netherlands (0.44 %), Luxembourg (0.35 %), Austria (0.27 %) and the United Kingdom (0.25 %). Minor net contributors were Belgium and France. 'These figures reflect the redistributive goal of the EU cohesion policy.' declared Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer while she presented the report "Allocation of 2000 EU Operating Expenditure by Member State. However, the benefits derived by Member States from EU policies cannot be measured in budgetary balances alone. Economic and political integration are the most important advantages for all EU countries, which cannot be expressed in budgetary terms,” Ms Schreyer added.

The full report is available at:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/agenda2000/reports_en.htm

[Background paper IP/01/1312]

Visit by President Prodi to the Islamic and Cultural Centre in Brussels on 27 September 2001

During the visit Romano Prodi made a speech, of which this is an extract:

"I come before you the Muslim community of Brussels and Ambassadors of Islamic countries as a neighbour and brother. We are all shocked by the tragic events of 11 September in the United States. I will shortly be leaving for Washington, to convey a message of European solidarity. Today I bring you the very same message: that our human and universal values must be defended against violence, hatred and discrimination, whatever their source.

Brussels is a city where many churches, synagogues and other religious communities, as well as overtly secular organisations, enjoy a peaceful coexistence. Here, just a short distance from this beautiful Mosque, we are building a Europe of human values a Europe that is open to all traditions and all religions that respect those values.

I totally condemn any statement that identifies Islam with the groups responsible for the dreadful terrorist attacks we have recently witnessed".

Romano Prodi went to Washington on 27 September

Romano Prodi, President of the Commission, went to Washington on Thursday 27 September 2001 with the President-in-office of the European Council, Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt.

They met President George W Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice at the White House to convey and explain the outcome of the extraordinary European Council which met in Brussels on 21 September 2001, in accordance with the European Council's conclusions and action plan.

Commission adopts communication on future of cinema and audiovisual industry in Europe

The audiovisual sector in Europe, which is a strategic industry because of its cultural importance and its potential for the creation of wealth and jobs, continues to suffer from numerous handicaps that hinder the circulation of films and other audiovisual works. The Communication that the Commission has just adopted on the basis of a proposal from Viviane Reding, Commissioner responsible for culture and the audiovisual sector, in agreement with Mario Monti, Commissioner responsible for competition policy, analyses these handicaps and proposes ways of overcoming them. It also provides the cinema sector with greater legal security by explaining the criteria that the Commission uses when examining national cinema support schemes under the Treaty's rules on State aid.

[Background paper IP/01/1326]

Selling financial services by mail, telephone and the Internet - Commissioners Byrne and Bolkestein welcome political agreement in the Council

European Commissioners David Byrne and Frits Bolkestein welcomed the breakthrough in the Council of Ministers on the proposed Directive for the distance selling of financial services. The Internal market, Tourism and Consumer Affairs Council this morning reached a political agreement on common rules for selling contracts for credit cards, investment funds, pension plans, etc. to consumers by phone, fax or internet. Its main features are (1) the prohibition of abusive marketing practices seeking to oblige consumers to buy a service they have not solicited ("inertia selling"); (2) rules to restrict other practices such as unsolicited phone calls and e-mails ("cold calling" and "spamming"); (3) an obligation to provide consumers with comprehensive information before a contract is concluded and (4) a consumer right to withdraw from the contract during a cool-off period - except in cases where there is a risk of speculation. The newly agreed standards are in line with those already applicable to all other retail sectors. The Council is now ready to adopt its Common Position on the proposed Directive shortly, and will proceed with its final adoption once the European Parliament will have concluded its second reading on the proposal.

[Background paper IP/01/1325]

European standardisation: harnessing the power of the market to deliver on public policy aims

The EU's market-led standardisation model is delivering the regulatory flexibility we need to keep pace with technological change, encourage innovative entrepreneurs, sustain the internal market's vitality, and duly protect the environment and consumer interests, says a new report on European standardisation, presented to EU internal market ministers by Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen on 27 September. The report notes that the European standards organisations CEN, CENELEC and ETSI have made good progress, both in stepping up their output of new standards and in cutting the costs of standardisation procedures, in fields where harmonised standards offer a presumption of conformity with requirements of single market directives. This makes it much easier to do business on the single market. In addition to the promising results achieved for construction product standards (the first harmonised ones for cement became available this year), other products benefiting from this system include toys, leisure boats, pressure vessels, medical devices and personal protective equipment.

For further information, please visit the following website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/standards_policy/index.htm

[Background paper IP/01/1334]

Commission considers EU action on compensation for victims of crime

Should the European Union take action to improve compensation to crime victims? A Green Paper addressing this question was adopted by the European Commission. The paper launches a public consultation on how a minimum standard for compensation to crime victims could be introduced. Special attention is paid to cross-border situations, where persons become the victims of crime in a Member State other than their own. The Commission invites all interested parties to send in their comments on the paper and will then decide whether to present a legislative proposal.

The Green Paper can be downloaded as of 3 October 2001 via this website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/index_en.htm

[Background paper IP/01/1336]

Mission of the European Troika to Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria (24-28 Sept.)

Louis Michel, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, acting President of the EU Council of Ministers, led a mission of the European troika to Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria from 24-29 September. He was accompanied by Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Josep Pique, European Commissioner for External Relations Mr Chris Patten and Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative for CFSP Mr Javier Solana.

The mission was the result of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council of 21 September.

Its objectives were as follows:

- to explain the Council's conclusions and the EU plan of action to fight terrorism (read the Council's conclusions on http://www.eu2001.be/);

- to secure the confirmation of the countries visited that they will support the global fight being waged by the international community against terrorism;

- to stress that the right to riposte, as recognised by the EU on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1368 does not in any way equate terrorism with the Arab or Muslim worlds;

- to demonstrate the EU's concern at the situation of the countries in that region and its willingness to help them.

Enlargement news

Alignment candidate countries with the European Council conclusions

Belgian Foreign Minister and President of the Council of Ministers of the EU, Louis Michel, met the Ambassadors of the 13 candidate countries in order to inform them of the proceedings of the Extraordinary European Council that was held in Brussels on 21 September. As agreed by the Council, the Presidency asked the candidate countries whether they would align themselves with the conclusions. He took note with great satisfaction of the immediate decision by the 13 countries to respond favourably to this request and align themselves with the positions of the European Union, as expressed in the conclusions.

The Presidency informed the highest authorities of the United States of this support during the meeting between Prime Minister Verhofstadt and President Bush on 27 September.

Candidate local authorities want a bigger say in enlargement

Local and regional authorities from the candidate countries want to be more closely involved in enlargement discussions in general, and in institution building programmes in particular, they said at a hearing this month at the EU's Committee of the Regions (CoR).

The CoR has set up an EU Applicant States Liaison Group, chaired by Lord Hanningfield of the UK, and it listened to the views of representatives of six applicant countries: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, and Turkey. About 100 participants discussed the state of play in the preparation of local and regional authorities for accession, in relation to the future management of structural funds, the acquis communautaire, and possible EU help in training local and regional administrations.

Local and regional authority representatives say they are hardly involved in the accession negotiations; as one participant put it: "We sometimes feel like the object and not the subject of the enlargement discussions." The lack of well-trained human resources and funding shortages were identified as common problems for the development of local administrations in the accession countries. The conclusions of the hearing were subsequently presented by Lord Hanningfield to European Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen.

The Group also discussed other parallel CoR initiatives. The Committee is developing an own-initiative opinion in its Commission for Institutional Affairs, which deals with supporting the development of institutional structures at local and regional level in the candidate countries. It is also organizing a conference to be held in Romania on 2-3 October, and another in Bulgaria on 12 December.