The Week in Europe 05-11/05/01

EU news in brief

Commission launches "Clean Air for Europe" programme

The European Commission adopted, on 7 May, the "Clean Air for Europe" programme, which will lead to an integrated strategy to effectively combat air pollution by 2004. Besides marking a major further step in the EU's effort to ensure that all European citizens can breathe clean air, this is also the first of the thematic strategies announced in the Commission's proposal for a 6th Environmental Action Programme. Recent studies, such as the ones carried out under the Auto-Oil II Programme finalised last year, have revealed the considerable success that air quality policy has already had in reducing emissions to the benefit of human health and the environment, but more needs to be done. The new programme aims to integrate the work being done at several levels in an over-arching strategy. Many of the existing air quality Directives come up for revision by 2004, and the Commission considers that an integrated programme is the best way to prepare for this, and it is in this context that it is launching the "Clean Air for Europe" programme in order to tackle these challenges in the most efficient way. "The Clean Air for Europe programme shows how we want to work with Member States and all stakeholders in developing a thematic strategy. We proposed a number of such strategies in the 6th Action Programme three months ago and we are making a start now on the first of them", said Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. Background text: IP/01/647

Commission's 2002 budget proposals : facing short-term problems, fulfilling long-term commitments

The European Commission has adopted its budgetary proposals for 2002 (Preliminary Draft Budget or 'PDB 2002'). They amount to around euro 100 billion in commitments and almost euro 98 billion in payments, a rise of 3.4% and 4.8% respectively from 2001. Budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer declared : "These proposals reflect the Commission's political priorities while maintaining our commitment to strict budgetary discipline. The Berlin ceilings are fully respected and we propose to stabilise our payments at their 2001 level of 1.06% of the EU GNP. The Commission is also committed to improve its management of these funds by reducing the outstanding commitments." She noted that : "This PBD arrives at crucial time for agriculture. 2002 will be the third year of Agenda 2000 reform of the common agricultural policy. We are also facing the uncertainties and the risks of the crisis generated by the BSE and the foot-and-mouth disease. I think that the Commission tackles this challenge with both determination and prudence by proposing to set a reserve of euro 1 billion in the agriculture budget and leaving a margin of euro 365 million under the Berlin ceiling." Mrs Schreyer added that : "These plans also show that we are living up to our long-term commitments towards non-EU countries and EU-candidate countries". Background text: IP/01/664

Commission proposes a fresh strategy for promoting Human Rights and democratisation

The European Commission adopted, on 8 May, a Communication on "The EU's Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratisation in Third Countries". Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten said "The EU has always favoured an approach to promoting human rights based on partnership and co-operation, rather than sanctions and other negative measures. We want to work both with governments and civil society to achieve sustainable change. The moral case for action is unquestionable. But it is also in our interests. Democratic societies which respect human rights are also the EU's best trading partners, and the least likely to sink into expensive conflict. That is why respect for human rights must be a central element of the EU's approach, and one which we should use our dialogue and co-operation programmes - including the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights - to pursue". For the full text of the Communication click here. Background text: IP/01/666

Citizens want to learn more about agriculture

Over 90% of the general public in the EU recognise the importance of agriculture and are keen to learn more about it, according to two Eurobarometer surveys carried out for the Commission's Directorate Agriculture among farmers and the general public late last year. The level of importance attributed to agricultural issues by both farmers and the general public far outweighed their awareness of the policy underpinning the sector only 50% had heard of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). "This poll shows that the debate about what we eat and drink and about the future of farming cannot be the preserve of politicians and experts alone. People are interested in this subject. In light of the BSE and foot and mouth crises that we have witnessed since the surveys, this interest is bound to increase. We need a broad ranging debate on the role of agriculture in today's society and the CAP and a dialogue with society. To achieve this, David Byrne and I have already launched an action-plan including round tables in the Member States(1), an internet chat on 6 June and a conference in collaboration with the European Parliament on 20-21 June.", Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries stated. Background text: IP/01/671

Collective redundancies: Commission announces package to reduce social impact of major job cuts

Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, announced on 10 May, a package of Community initiatives to help companies and workers to adapt successfully to business change. The package, which focuses especially on advance preparation and management of corporate restructuring operations, will involve Community legislation, action by social partners, promotion of best practice by companies and may also involve redirecting European Social Fund money towards regions or sectors hardest hit by job losses. This is the first time that the European Commission has presented a comprehensive package on corporate restructuring which includes a proposal for effective legal guarantees to workers regarding advance information and consultation, a stimulus to businesses to plan company restructuring early and effectively and a first discussion on how to focus other Community policies, such as competition, state aid and structural funds, on the new needs of companies and workers in a rapidly-changing business environment.Background text: IP/01/674

Commission approves almost euro 10 million in humanitarian assistance for victims of the crisis in the Palestinian territories

The European Commission has recently approved two humanitarian aid decisions, totalling euro 9.96 million, to help meet the needs of vulnerable families affected by the crisis in the Palestinian territories. Recent events have led to large-scale job losses and the economic situation has grown steadily worse with the passage of time. The money, channelled through the Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), will fund, inter alia, the distribution of food, the supply of water and sanitation and the provision of health care. Background text: IP/01/682

Commission publishes first survey on the European banks preparation for the euro-changeover

According to a survey among 36 large European banks published on 11 May, banks have accelerated their preparation for the euro-changeover. The European Commission's recommendations on making early changeover of customers' bank accounts to the euro, on adapting the ATMs for euro-note distribution on time for the 1 January 2002, on distributing small denominations of euro-notes and on ensuring free of charge exchange of national currency into euros have been taken on board by the majority of banks. The banking sector contribution will be crucial to the smooth changeover and the Commission is therefore encouraged by the positive results of this first survey. The Commission will continue through its regular meetings with the representatives of the banking sector (Consultative Group for practical aspects for the transition to the euro) to discuss potential problems and solutions and promote best practices. The survey will be available on the web after 13h00 on :

http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/document/euro/survey0501_en.htm

Joint declaration of Ministerial Meeting of EU and Candidate Countries on a New Round of multilateral trade negotiations

The Ministers and their representatives attending the EU-Candidate Countries Conference on WTO and Trade Issues, which was held in Ljubljana on 11 and 12 May 2001, issued a Joint Declaration in support of the launch of a new WTO Round at the forthcoming WTO Ministerial meeting in Qatar in November this year. Background text: IP/01/679

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