AGENDA/08/18

Brussels Friday 16 May

Top News from the European Commission 19 May to 16 June 2008

Background notes from the Spokesperson’s service for journalists
The European Commission reserves the right to make changes


Figures and graphics available in PDF and WORD PROCESSED

Monday 19 May: European films in the spotlight at Cannes Film Festival

The news:

The 6^th Europe Day event will take place on Monday, 19 May 2008 during the Cannes Film Festival. Amongst the films that will be in the official contest at Cannes, a number have benefited from EU support, via the Media Programme: Gomorra directed by Matteo Garrone (EU funding from MEDIA: €45,000); Delta directed by Kornél Mundruczó (€100,000); La frontière de l'Aube directed by Philippe Garrel (€50,000); Le silence de Lorna directed by Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne (€202,500); The Palermo Shooting directed by Wim Wenders (€50,000).

President Barroso, Commissioner Viviane Reding and Festival President Gilles Jacob will invite EU ministers for Audiovisual policy to discuss international film cooperation and make a special tribute to Portuguese film maker Manoel de Oliveira. President Barroso will open the Ministers' meeting under the multilingual banner: Cinema, Dianying Yan, Kino, Chalchitra, Cine: Building a world of exchanges.

While the geographical sphere of the current MEDIA programme is essentially European, a future programme would aim both to widen the circulation of audiovisual works to other countries of the world and to strengthen cooperation between audiovisual industries in the EU and in third countries. In anticipation of a future programme, a new preparatory action has been set up to support the screening of films from other countries within European markets and vice-versa.

The background:
Patron of this year's Europe Day is Cristian Mungiu, Romanian film-maker and last year's Palme d'Or winner for his film 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days.
MEDIA programme contributed to support successful films such as The Counterfeiters (2008), La Vie en Rose (2008), Persepolis (2008), The Lives of others (2007) or The March of the Penguins (2006
The preparatory action MEDIA International was agreed by the EP in December 2007 with a budget of € 2 million for 2008. It will run for a three-year period covering the training of professionals, the promotion of cinematographic works and the cinema networks. In this respect, a call for proposals was launched in April 2008 (deadline 13 June 2008). ).

The event:

A press conference by Commissioner Viviane Reding will take place at 12:00 in the Palais des Festivals. An information session on the MEDIA International call for proposals will also be held at 15h30 on 19 May during Cannes Film Festival (Salon des Ambassadeurs, Palais des Festivals). In the evening of 19 May, the film "Douro, Faina, Fluvial (1930)" will be shown at the Croisette to honour Portuguese film maker Manoel de Oliveira.

• EBS Coverage

The sources:

• I-054176 Cannes Film Festival 2007

MEDIA programme's website
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/prep_action/index_en.htm
Cannes Film Festival's website:
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en

The contact:
Martin Selmayr +32 2 298 1230 Martin.Selmayr@ec.europa.eu

Monday 19 May: Commission presents 2007 report on seizures of counterfeit goods: cigarettes, medicines and personal care products still on the top of the list

The news:

The Commission will present its yearly report on customs activities related to counterfeiting and piracy at the EU border.

The 2007 statistics show a marked increase in the amount of customs actions involving infringements of intellectual property, even though the total quantity of products seized is less than in 2006. This is partly due to a growing number of seizures involving smaller quantities of counterfeit and pirated articles.

Cigarettes continue to be counterfeited in large quantities, though the overall quantity seized is much less than in 2006. Elsewhere however, major increases were reported in nearly all sectors including medicines and personal care products.

The background:

The report contains statistics on the seizures of fake goods by customs and includes information about the type and quantities of goods seized, as well as a breakdown of results by Member States, the provenance of the goods, the means of transport used and the type of intellectual property infringed.

The drawing up of such statistics on a yearly basis provides useful information to support analysis of counterfeiting and piracy in the EU and the development of appropriate counter-measures by customs.

The event:

Press announcement by Commissioner Kovács before the Midday Briefing, in the press room of the Berlaymont, Brussels

Technical Briefing with Mr John Taylor (head of the Anti-Counterfeiting Team in DG TAXUD), after the Midday Briefing (around 12h30), in the press room of the Berlaymont, Brussels.

• EbS coverage

The sources:
IP/07/735: Customs: Commission publishes 2006 Customs seizures of counterfeit goods

I-057198 : Counterfeiting and piracy

MEMO/07/214: 2006 customs seizures of counterfeit goods – Frequently Asked Questions

Commissioner Kovács' website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kovacs/index_en.htm

The contacts:
Maria Assimakopoulou +32 2 29 59 842 maria.assimakopoulou@ec.europa.eu
Emer Traynor +32 2 29 215 48 emer.traynor@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 20 May: The "health check" of the CAP reform

The news:

Following a thorough debate on its Communication from November 2007, the Commission will now adopt legal proposals for improvements to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the so-called "health check".

The main questions it addresses are:
- How to make the Single Payment Scheme more effective, efficient and simple?
- How to render market support instruments more relevant in a globalised world and an EU of twenty-seven?
- How to master new challenges, from climate change to water management, by adapting to the new risks and opportunities?

The "Health Check" is not a fundamental reform, rather it essentially aims to ensure that the CAP functions effectively and to simplify it where possible.

The proposal will be sent to the Council and Parliament. The idea is to adopt it during the French Presidency, before the end of the year.

The background:

The 2003/2004 reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) introduced decoupled direct payments and strengthened Rural Development Policy.

This process continued with reforms in the sectors of sugar (2006), fruit and vegetables and wine (2007).

For the CAP to continue to be a policy of the present and of the future, it needs to be able to evaluate its instruments, to test whether they function as they are meant to do, and consequently to identify any adjustments needed to meet the stated objectives, being able to adapt to new challenges as they emerge. This is the purpose of the so-called "Health Check".

The event:

Press conference by Commissioner Fischer Boel in Strasbourg - time tbc.

• EbS coverage

The sources:
IP/07/1720 from November 2007

European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/healthcheck/index_en.htm

Commissioner Fischer Boel's blog:
http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/blog_fischerboel/

• I-055494 Health check of the Common Agriculture Policy (11/2007)

The contacts:
Michael Mann +32 2 299 97 80 michael.mann@ec.europa.eu
Johan Reyniers +32 2 295 67 28 johan.reyniers@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 20 May: Advanced Safety features and Tyres for Cars

The news:

The Commission is coming forward with a proposal for a Regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles which will lay down harmonised rules on the construction of motor vehicles. The proposal aims to enhance the safety of vehicles by requiring the mandatory fitting of some advanced safety features, such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems.

In normal driving conditions, ESC can reduce accidents by more than 20 percent while its benefits are even more significant under wet or icy conditions where the accident reduction rate increases to between 30 and 40 percent.

The proposal on safety will also introduce requirements for Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems and Low Rolling Resistance Tyres, which will not only contribute to improving safety but are also part of the integrated approach to reduce CO2 emissions from cars.

The background:

In February 2007 the European Commission adopted a comprehensive strategy for the European car industry, to keep the manufacturing of motorcars viable on a long term basis, at prices affordable to consumers. The strategy covers a variety of areas, (including for example, reduction of administrative burdens, environmental sustainability, and road safety). The Commission in its Communication on “A Competitive Automotive Regulatory Framework for the 21st Century” welcomed the recommendation from the CARS 21 report to simplify the current whole vehicle type-approval regulatory framework.

The technical requirements for the type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to numerous safety and environmental elements have been harmonised at Community level to avoid requirements that differ from one Member State to another, and to ensure a high level of road safety and environmental protection. New technologies now available can dramatically improve vehicle safety (such as ESC) or reduce CO2 emissions (such as low rolling-resistance tyres). Research has shown that there would be significant benefits if such technologies were introduced as standard on new vehicles.

The automotive industry is a major pillar of the European economy, representing 3% of the European GDP and 7% of employment in the manufacturing sector.

The event:

Adoption by the Commission

The sources:
IP/07/157: New Commission strategy for long term viability of European car industry

• I-055102: Employment in the Automobile Industry

MEMO/07/47: The EU’s automotive sector: new challenges, responsibilities and opportunities

Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21^st century:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/automotive/pagesbackground/competitiveness/cars21.htm

The contacts:
Ton Van Lierop +32 2 296 65 65 ton.van-lierop@ec.europa.eu
Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 65 12 catherine.bunyan@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 20 May: EU celebrates first European Maritime Day to generate greater public awareness of the importance of Europe's oceans and seas, as expressed in the new Integrated Maritime Policy

The news:

20 May marks the first European Maritime Day to be celebrated annually throughout the EU. President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering, Council President Janez Janša, and Commission President José Manuel Barroso will officially launch the event.

At the same time, several regional stakeholders around the EU will organise their own activities linked to the European Maritime Day. Some examples:
- The Week of the Sea in the Netherlands: a key maritime event starting for 9 days, on 24th May
- RORO 2008 at Gothenburg, Sweden: a large shipping industry event, from 20th to 22nd May with over 100 exhibitors
- The 68th International FISHING Fair at Ancona, Italy: from 23rd to 25th May, it will focus on equipment and innovative technologies, logistics, and quality for professional fishing

The Day will also be marked by the adoption of a report on the Integrated Maritime Policy by the European Parliament. This year's events will include, this time in Brussels, a stakeholder conference, with the participation of Joe Borg, Commissioner for fisheries and maritime affairs. It will focus on the regional approach to the implementation of the IMP and dialogue with stakeholders.

The background:

The European Maritime Day, decided jointly by the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council, aims to generate greater public awareness of the importance of Europe's oceans and seas, as expressed in the new Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) for the EU, adopted by the Commission in October 2007 and endorsed by the European Council in December.

The European Maritime Day will highlight the contribution that oceans and seas make to helping Europe meet the challenges of a globalized world. It will be an opportunity to celebrate Europe's maritime heritage and maritime identity. It will help raise awareness of the importance of the maritime industries and sectors in Europe's overall economy, and emphasise the key role of Europe's coastal regions.

The event:

On 20 May in Strasbourg, President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering, Council President Janez Janša, and Commission President José Manuel Barroso will officially launch the first European Maritime Day by signing the Joint Tripartite Declaration establishing a "European Maritime Day". A photo opportunity will be organised at the EP, at 13h00, Louise' Weiss building, 1st floor, left of the Hemicycle.

• EbS coverage

Stakeholder conference in Brussels, 19-20 May, Charlemagne building. Journalists are invited to attend the conference. In order to register to the European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference please download and fill out the registration form and send it to Mare-European-Maritime-Day@ec.europa.eu.

The sources:
Information on the European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference and other regional events:
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritime-day-2008_en.html

• I-051623: Maritime security 2006

An Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU:
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/subpage_en.html

The contacts:
Nathalie Charbonneau +32 2 299 16 30 nathalie.charbonneau@ec.europa.eu
Lone Mikkelsen +32 2 296 05 67 lone.mikkelsen@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday, 20 May: Commission proposals on the Union for the Mediterranean

The news:

The Commission will be presenting its proposals on the Union for the Mediterranean in preparation for the Summit of Heads of State and Government to be held on 13 July 2008 in Paris.

The background:

In March 2008, the European Council called on the Commission to present proposals to the Council for stepping up cooperation between the EU and the third countries bordering on the Mediterranean on the basis of the acquis of the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The proposals to be put forward by the Commission on the initiative "The Barcelona Process: a Union for the Mediterranean" will be discussed by the EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council in June, in preparation for the Euro-Mediterranean summit to be held in Paris on 13 July 2008 under the French Presidency of the Union.

The event

Press conference in the European Parliament's press room in Strasbourg. Time tbc

• EbS coverage

The sources
European Commission site:
http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/euromed/

The contacts
Christiane Hohmann +32 2 29 91196 Christiane.Hohmann @ec.europa.eu
Concha Fernandez de la Puente+32 2 29 52977 Concha.Fernandez-Puente@ec.europa.eu

Thursday 22 May: Bluefin tuna fishery - state of play, risk analyses, forecasts, on the eve of the peak season

The news:

Experts from the European Commission and the Community Fisheries Control Agency will host an off-the-record technical briefing to present their analysis of the main trends which are shaping the 2008 Eastern bluefin tuna fishery.

They will discuss the current state of play based on the latest data available to them, and answer questions on the options open to the Commission as the fishing season advances.

The background:

Analysis of historical catch figures demonstrates the extraordinary rapidity with which quota can be exhausted during the peak season of the fishery (i.e. in June), and the special challenge which this represents for management authorities at national, European and international levels.

Following substantial overfishing of bluefin tuna in 2007, an unprecedented Special Control and Inspection Programme has been established at EU level to prevent this situation from recurring in 2008.

The risk of overfishing remains very high, however, given the persistent overcapacity of the EU fleet, and rapid action to close the fishery as the quota approaches exhaustion will be crucial.

The fishery for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean involves vessels from seven EU Member States (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Malta and Cyprus). 96% of the annual catch is taken in the months of May and June.

The event:
Technical briefing in press room OFF the record after the midday briefing

The sources:
Commission launches major control campaign to clamp down on overfishing of bluefin tuna
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/2008/com08_27_en.htm
Commission welcomes unanimous adoption of Bluefin tuna recovery plan
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/archives/com07/com07_87_en.htm
Commission: ICCAT's welcome decisions confirm its commitment to bluefin tuna recovery plan
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/archives/com07/com07_81_en.htm
Joint deployment plans (background)
http://ec.europa.eu/cfca/pdf/factsheet04.pdf

The contacts:
Nathalie Charbonneau +32 2 29 63763 nathalie.charbonneau@ec.europa.eu
Lone Mikkelsen +32 2 29 60567 lone.mikkelsen@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 22 and Friday 23 May: European Nuclear Energy Forum in Prague

The news:

Underlining the high importance, Commission President Barroso and Commissioner for Energy, Andris Piebalgs will participate to the opening session of the 2^nd European Nuclear energy Forum in Prague, together with several Prime Ministers, high representatives of the Member States, members of the European Parliament, key CEOs from the Industry and high ranking representatives of the civil society.

The purpose of the European Nuclear Energy Forum is to organise on the basis of the European Council's mandate, an open and structured debate, without taboos, on key issues with regard to opportunities and risks of nuclear energy in the EU.

The background:

The need to come gradually to a low carbon energy supply in Europe opened again the view towards the role of nuclear energy. Therefore, more and more EU Member States reconsider the continued, increased or new use of nuclear energy in a low-carbon energy mix, especially to assure base load capacity.

The request of the 2007 Spring Summit of the Head of States and Governments to consider launching an open debate on the opportunities and risks of nuclear energy proved to be very timely and appropriate. The Commission responded to this request by creating the European Nuclear Energy Forum, which had its first meeting in November 2007 in Bratislava. See conclusions below.

The event:

The European Nuclear Energy Forum will take place at the Czernin Palace (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Prague.

The first day ends with a dinner at the Lichtenstein Palace.

• The participation in the opening session of President Barroso and commissioner Piebalgs will be covered by EbS

The sources:
European Commission's website on nuclear:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/index_en.html
First edition of the European nuclear Forum in Bratislava 26 & 27 Nov 2007
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/nuclear/forum/bratislava_prague/2007_11_26/index_en.htm
Special Eurobarometer "Europeans and nuclear safety (February 2007)
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_271_en.pdf

I-053831: Stockshot Nuclear energy – 2007

President Barroso's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/index_en.htm

Commissioner Piebalgs' website:
http://europa.eu/comm/commission_barroso/piebalgs/team_en.htm

The forum web page will only be operational after the forum meeting.

The contacts:
Ferran Tarradellas +32 2 296 6293 ferran.tarradellas@ec.europa.eu
Marilyn Carruthers +32 2 299 9451 marilyn.carruthers@ec.europa.eu

Friday 23 May: Hübner and Nobel laureate Michael Spence unveil report identifying policy ingredients for successful growth in developing countries

The news:

A new report identifying policy ingredients for successful growth in developing countries will be unveiled in Brussels.

Commissioner Danuta Hübner and Nobel Prize laureate in Economics Dr Michael Spence will present the much-anticipated report of the “Commission on Growth and Development”, created under the auspices of the World Bank.

The report on driving economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries is the outcome of two years of work and analysis by experts all over the world. They have identified some of the distinctive characteristics of 13 high-growth economies since 1950 and explained how other developing countries can emulate them.

The background:

The Commission on Growth and Development is an independent body launched in April 2006 with the support of Paul Wolfowitz.

Its objective is to deepen the understanding of economic growth for development and poverty reduction. It aims to highlight policy actions which are likely to improve developing countries' growth prospects.

This Commission comprises 21 members (including 15 from developing countries) with policy and business experience. Europeans among the experts are:Commissioner Hübner, Lord John Browne, CEO of British Petroleum and Mrs Carin Jämtin, the Swedish Minister for International Development. Michael Spence chairs the Commission.

They have based their analysis on academic studies and the accumulated experience of different countries.

The event:

A press conference with Commissioner Hübner and Michael Spence will take place at 12.30 in the press room of the Berlaymont building in Brussels.

• Available on EbS
• memoclip (tbc)

The sources:
Commission on Growth and Development 's website:
http://www.growthcommission.org/

IP/08/549 - Danuta Hübner takes part in Commission on Growth and Development meeting in Washington, 9-10 April

The contacts:
Eva Kaluzynska +32 2 299 26 15 eva.kaluzynska@ec.europa.eu
Constantina Avraam + 32 2 295 96 67 constantina.avraam@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 27 May: Europe's Internet Security Agency Tackles Online Security Threats

The news:

After 3 years of operations, the Europe's Internet Security Agency ENISA, established in 2005, has found effective ways to respond to Europe’s online security threats.

At a technical briefing in Brussels, the Agency will highlight threats and recommendations in the areas of spam and massive cyber attacks, such as those which occurred 1 year ago in Estonia, as well as the risks of online social networking.

The background:

Network and information security threats need to be addressed in a coordinated way in order to fully exploit the benefits of the Digital Economy in Europe.

More secure e-communications are vital for conducting business online. SMEs represent 99% of businesses in the European Union, accounting for 2/3 of all private sector jobs. Many SMEs are aware of security problems but do not know how to solve them and have few resources to invest. The Agency is making an effort to address the network and information security needs of small business.

The event:

Technical Briefing by DG INFSO and ENISA, Europe's Internet Security Agency, on Tuesday, 27 May, 11:30 in the Commission's Press Room at the Berlaymont.

The briefing will be given by ENISA Executive Director Mr. Andrea Pirotti.

ENISA will showcase its work on spam, massive cyber attacks, online social networking and SMEs, and address the imbalance between EU Member States capabilities.

The sources:
European Network and Information Security Agency's website:
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/
Fact Sheet: A strategy for a secure Information Society.
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/doc/factsheets/008-esecurity-en.pdf
SPEECH: Enhanced information security in software and services. What role for government, security providers and users?
IP/07/1677: Commission proposes a single European Telecoms Market for 500 million consumers

• I-053775: Cybercrime

- Various illegal sites
- The Belgian Federal Police unit fighting against cyber crime (FCCU) working on computer searches

• The Video on ENISA's work on "Security in Online Social Networking" and can be accessed at:

http://www.enisa.europa.eu/pages/position_papers.htm#social_ntw_video

Commissioner Reding's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/reding/index_en.htm

The contacts:
Martin Selmayr +32 2 298 1230 Martin.Selmayr@ec.europa.eu
Ulf Bergstrom +306 948 46 0143 Ulf.Bergstrom@enisa.europa.eu

Tuesday 27 May: Realising a single labour market for Researchers

The news:

The European Commission will issue a Communication on "Better Careers and More Mobility: A European Partnership for Researchers." The aim of this partnership between the Member States and the Commission is to ensure that the necessary human resources in research are available to sustain and enhance the contribution of science and technology to a dynamic, knowledge based European society.

It is essential to establish a single and open European labour market for researchers, making the researcher's career more attractive and ensuring effective "brain circulation" over national borders, between institutions and between academia and the private sector.

The background:

The European researchers' partnership is one of five policy initiatives planned by the Commission to follow up the 2007 Green Paper "The European Research Area: New Perspectives." The results of the public consultation following the Green paper suggested that a single labour market for researchers should be the top priority for action at EU level. Highly skilled researchers are key agents for the production, transfer and exploitation of new knowledge and the partnership will address their needs by tackling the systemic human resources weaknesses in Europe's research system.

Attractive careers and seamless mobility are essential for researchers but far from being a reality. In practice, transparent competition for recruitment is the exception rather than the rule. Geographical and sectoral mobility tends to be penalised rather than rewarded. And the existing social security measures do not always fit with the specific needs of mobile researchers. This is why so many European graduates and doctorate holders either move away from research careers or pursue research in countries where they find better opportunities – mainly in the US.

The initiative is part of the overall Lisbon strategy aimed at transforming the EU economy towards more knowledge intensive activities. It is a dynamic process which complements and builds on planned or existing initiatives at national and Community levels

The event:

Press conference by Commissioner Janez Potočnik in the Berlaymont's press room at 12.30 pm.

• EbS coverage

The sources:
Green Paper "The European Research Area: New Perspectives."
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/pdf/era_gp_final_en.pdf

Commissioner Potocnik's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/potocnik/indexfl_en.htm

The contacts:
Catherine Ray +32 2 296 99 21 catherine.ray@ec.europa.eu
Sophie Andersson +32 2 295 02 08 sophie.andersson@ec.europa.eu

Wednesday 28 May: Around 50% of the adult population in EU-10 do not have a bank account – improving access to basic financial services

The news:
"What is financial exclusion? What are the levels of financial exclusion? Who is most likely to be financially excluded? The Commission is organising a high-level conference "Financial inclusion: improving access to basic financial services". The event will present the results of the study "Financial services provision and prevention of financial exclusion"
Public authorities, financial service providers, consumer protection bodies and social stakeholders from all over Europe will discuss the current situation and the role of the financial services sector, governments and the EU in guaranteeing better financial inclusion of all.

The background:
Access to financial services has become a necessary condition for participating in economic and social life. Yet, there are still many Europeans who do not have adequate access to these services, either because they are excluded from them or because they face obstacles in using them (lack of information, insufficient literacy, administrative burden, etc.). Currently, 10% of the adult population in EU-15 and 47% in EU-10 do not have a bank account.
The Conference is a follow-up to the European Commission's "Single Market Review" which stated in November 2007 that, "by a certain date, nobody should be denied access to a basic bank account". It is in line with the objectives of the European strategy for social protection and inclusion and is closely connected with the social vision of the Commission emphasizing opportunities, access and solidarity.

The event:

The conference will take place in the Charlemagne building, in Brussels.

Journalists should register in advance (for organisational purposes) at this site: https://secure.destree.be/ei/getdemo.ei?id=154&s=_2I00XRVD6  They can however also enter when showing their press badge.

A technical briefing is scheduled. Time to be determined.

The sources:
Conference "Financial inclusion: improving access to basic financial services":
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/spsi/events_en.htm#financial_exclusion
The financial inclusion website developed by the study team:
http://www.fininc.eu
Video News Release on financial inclusion (available 23 May 2008)

• www.tvlink.org

• I-050907 Competition: Bank and Credit cards

- tourist using his Spanish credit card in Brussels
- withdrawing money from a different bank than the holder's, in the same country
- checking account extracts to see how much was charged for the operation
- different credit and bank cards

The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Oliver Drewes +32 2 299 24 21 oliver.drewes@ec.europa.eu
Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 65 12 catherine.bunyan@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu

Monday 2 June: Annual report on quality of bathing water in Europe

The news:

With the summer holidays approaching the Commission is set to present its annual report on the quality of bathing water in Europe.

The report offers information about the quality of water used by millions of European swimmers each summer. The report draws on data and analysis carried out over the course of the 2007 bathing season.

The background:

The main objective of the legislation is to safeguard public health and protect the aquatic environment in coastal and inland areas from pollution.

High quality bathing water in Europe is a must to ensure the well-being and health of millions of Europeans and foreign tourists who swim in seas, rivers or lakes throughout Europe during the summer months.

The event:

Commissioner Dimas will hold a press conference at 12:30 in the Berlaymont's Press room. This will be followed by a technical briefing.

• EbS coverage of the press conference
• Infoclip

The sources:
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/water/water-bathing/index_en.html
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l28007.htm

Commissioner's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/dimas/index_en.htm

The contacts:
Barbara Helfferich + 32 2 298 2010 barbara.helefferich@ec.europa.eu
Lena De Visscher + 32 2 296 3694 lena.devisscher@ec.europa.eu

Wednesday 3 June: Inauguration of European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki and first application of REACH legislation

The news:

President Barroso and Vice President Verheugen are going to open officially the new European Chemicals Agency, responsible of the day-to-day management of the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restrictions of Chemicals) legislation

Between 1^st June and 1^st December 2008, some 30,000 chemicals currently in use (e.g. acids, metals, solvents, surfactants, glues) have to be pre-registered at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

It has been estimated that over 180,000 pre-registration files will be submitted.

The background:

The new chemicals legislation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) will enter into operation on 1^st June. Tens of thousands of manufacturers or importers of chemicals will have to pre-register chemicals in 2008 if they want to continue manufacturing or importing them without interruption.

The pre-registration process will enable companies to share data on their chemicals and paves the way to enhanced knowledge about chemicals. This is a prerequisite for improved safety in the years to come.

The REACH regulation will significantly improve protection of human health and the environment while encouraging innovation and keeping the EU's chemical industry competitive.

Adopted on December 2006 after more than three years of discussion, REACH is the most ambitious chemicals legislation anywhere in the world combining the ambition for the highest health and environmental protection with enhancing the competitiveness of European industry.

The event:

Official inauguration of the ECHA in Helsinki attended by President Barroso and Vice President Verheugen.

• EbS coverage

The sources :
IP/08/564 - Recommandations aux entreprises de procéder à l’enregistrement préalable de toutes les substances chimiques pour le 1^er décembre 2008

• I-044194: Chemical Industry: "REACH" system

This infoclip illustrates this subject with the following pictures: Industrial site of BASF in Antwerp, Belgium; Polymers Production Unit; Polyamid Production Unit; Test Laboratories on site; Public Exhibition on the activities of the chemical industry.

European Commission's website on REACH
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/reach_more_info_en.htm
European Chemical Agency's wbesite:
http://echa.europa.eu/home_en.asp

The contacts:
Ton van Lierop +32 2 296 6565 Ton.VAN-LIEROP@ec.europa.eu
Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 6512 catehrine.bunyan@ec.europa.eu

Tuesday 3 to Friday 6 June: The Commission goes green

The news:

The European Commission is holding its ‘Green Week’ in Brussels, this year with the slogan: ‘Only One Earth’. For four days civil society, the business world and government authorities will be debating, exchanging experience and trying, with the best specialists, to reply to a number of key questions about the planet's future:

• How can a (manufacturing, agri-food or tourism) company remain viable and competitive while using natural resources in a sustainable manner?
• Can major construction projects such as the London Olympic Games in 2012 really be ‘green’ ?
• How do you consume responsibly?
• What is the best way to recycle?
• How should Europe solve its growing problem of waste?
• How do you introduce environmentally friendly means of transport?

The background:

This is the eighth time the Green Week is being held. With several thousand participants each year, it is the most important annual international event dedicated to the European Union’s environmental policies. Participation is free.

The event:

From 14:30 on Tuesday 3 June to 12:00 on Friday 6 June, a series of conferences will be held in the Charlemagne building (rue de la loi 170) on resources and waste management, sustainable production and consumption, the natural environment and biodiversity, and climate change.

On Tuesday 3 June at 14:30: Opening address by the Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas.

On Friday 6 June at 10:00: Closing address by Commissioner Dimas.

Throughout the congress, innovative projects on sustainable development from all around Europe will be presented.

• Webstreaming of sessions in the main auditorium
• Press conference at 12:30 on 3 June in the press room

The sources:
IP/07/786 : "Green Week 2007 : The lessons of the past, the challenges of the future":

The ‘Green Week 2008: One Single Earth’ website (EN) :
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/greenweek/home.html

Commissioner Dimas’s website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/dimas/index_en.htm

• Archives EbS :
http://www.managenergy.tv/me_portal/env/_vi_wm_300_fr/3044/3046/index_player.html?locale=fr

The contacts:
Barbara Helfferich +32 2 298 20 10 barbara.helfferich@ec.europa.eu
Lena De Visscher +32 2 296 36 94 lena.devisscher@ec.europa.eu

Wednesday 11 June: 2008 Public Finances Report

The news:

The Commission is issuing its ninth annual 'Public Finances in EMU' report. The report analyses recent budgetary developments and assesses the outlook over the coming year, for both the euro area and the EU and the individual Member States. It also examines developments in the EU’s fiscal surveillance framework, specifically concerning the assessment of the structural budget balance and the measurement of the quality of public finances.

The background:

On the back of favourable economic conditions and buoyant revenue developments, public finances have continued to improve significantly in 2007. The general government deficit reached 0.6% of GDP in the euro area and 1.0% of GDP in the EU. Structural fiscal deficits (cyclically adjusted and net of one-off measures) are estimated to be at their lowest levels since the early 1970s. As a result, public debt in the EU dropped below the 60% of GDP threshold and is approaching this reference value in the euro area as well. At the same time, Member States have made considerable advances toward correcting their excessive deficits. In May the Commission proposed to the Council to close the procedure for the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Slovakia. The ECOFIN Council is expected to consider these recommendations in June. If confirmed, only two non-euro-area members, Hungary and Poland, would remain under the excessive deficit procedure.

Nevertheless, many Member States face considerable fiscal challenges over the short and long term. In the short run, safeguarding the recent consolidation gains may require greater efforts than envisaged under the 2007 Stability and Convergence Programmes since the 2007 improvements came on the back of the better-than-expected 2006 budgetary outcomes and revenue windfalls which may unwind as the economies face exceptional economic uncertainties going forward. Those countries that lacked behind in their 2007 fiscal improvements and have not yet reached their medium-term budgetary objectives are at particular risks. The report analyses these developments in detail and discusses potential technical advances for fiscal surveillance. In the long run, the budgetary costs from population ageing remain a primary concern in the EU. Five Member States are still at high risk and 13 at medium risk, calling for further consolidation efforts as well as pension and structural reforms.

A promising avenue to tackle these long-term fiscal challenges, while at the same time supporting the European economies in an environment of increased global competition, is a greater focus on the quality of public finances. The two analytical parts of the report centre on this topic. The first part sets out a comprehensive framework of quality of public finances bringing together its different yet interlinked dimensions as well as providing some initial empirical illustrations on the links to economic growth. The second part analyses one particular dimension of quality of public finances, namely the efficiency of revenue systems. It reviews the tax systems structures in the EU and highlights those elements that can be particularly conducive to economic growth.

The event:
Adoption by the college.

The sources:
Public finances in EMU – previous reports
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/specpub_list9257.htm

EMU@10 – successes and challenges after ten years of Economic and Monetary Union
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/emu10/reports_en.htm

Excessive deficit procedure: Overview, legal texts, EDP notifications and country-specific procedures
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sg_pact_fiscal_policy/fiscal_policy554_en.htm

2007 Stability and Convergence Programmes: Overview, assessment and legal texts
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sg_pact_fiscal_policy/fiscal_policy528_en.htm

The long-term sustainability of public finance in the European Union 2006
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/publication7903_en.pdf

Spring economic forecasts 2008-2009
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/specpub_list9253.htm

The contacts:
Amelia Torres + 32 2 295 4629 Amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu
Marisa González + 32 2 295 1925 Marisa.gonzalez@ec.europa.eu

Friday 13 June: Are you at risk? – Healthy Workplaces campaign for a better assessment of work-related risks

The news:

Every four-and-a-half seconds, a worker in the EU is involved in an accident that forces him/her to stay at home for at least three working days (over 7 million every year). Every three-and-a-half minutes, somebody in the EU dies from work-related causes. This means almost 167,000 deaths a year as a result of either work-related accidents (7,500) or occupational diseases (159,500).

Most work-related accidents and illnesses are preventable, and risk assessment is the first step. It enables employers to understand the action that they need to take to improve workplace health and safety, as well as productivity.

Therefore, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has developed a European-wide information campaign focusing on risk assessment. It’s slogan: “Healthy Workplaces. Good for you. Good for business.” It will run for two years (2008/09).

The campaign wants to demystify the risk assessment process (risk assessment is not necessarily complicated, bureaucratic or a task only for experts) and promotes a simple 5-step-approach. It also wants to identify and promote transferable Good Practices. The campaign produces information material in 22 EU languages and focuses on high risk sectors (e.g. construction, health care, agriculture) and SMEs.

The background:

The Healthy Workplaces campaign seeks to contribute to the Community strategy 2007-2012. The overall objective during this period is to reduce the rate of accidents at work by 25% across the EU. Better identifying and assessing potential new risks is one of the key actions in this strategy. The others are improving and simplifying legislation, designing national-specific strategies and mainstreaming health and safety concerns in other policy areas.

The event:

Press conference with Commissioner Vladimír Špidla, Mrs Romana Tomc, Slovenian State Secretary of Labour, Family and Social Affairs, and Jukka Takala, Director of EU-OSHA from 11:15 in Berlaymont press.

• Available on EbS : - VNR on Risk Assessment

- Live coverage of press conference

The sources:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work – “Healthy Workplaces”-campaign:
http://hw.osha.europa.eu/

More information on Employment in the EU:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/employment_strategy/index_en.htm

Commissioner Špidla's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/index_en.cfm

The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu