Fuente: © European Union
http://europa.eu.int

EU: Midday Express of 2008-06-23

/noticias.info/ * Statement By Commissioner Louis Michel on situation in Zimbabwe

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, today expressed his belief that Zimbabwe’s electoral process can no longer be considered legitimate following continued extreme state-sponsored violence and intimidation.

* Commission's lobby register: it's time to sign up

The European Commission launched today its online register of interest representatives. All interest representatives engaged in influencing the policy formulation and decision-making processes of the European institutions are invited to register. When registering, they will be asked to disclose some information to enhance the transparency of the relations between lobbies and the Commission.

* Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner participates in Berlin Conference on Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law

International support for improving Palestinian Civil Security and strengthening the respect for rule of law will be in the centre of a conference on 24 June in Berlin. Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner will be one of the keynote speakers during the opening session of this conference and confirm the high level of commitment of the European Commission in continued support for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

* La Commission propose le renforcement du Réseau Judiciaire Européen

La Commission a adopté une proposition révisant la décision de 2001 sur le réseau judiciaire européen en matière civile et commerciale entre les États membres. Cette nouvelle proposition a pour but de doter le réseau d'un cadre juridique rénové, d'une organisation plus efficace et de moyens renforcés pour lui permettre de s'imposer à l'avenir au sein de l'espace de justice européen comme le rouage essentiel de la coopération entre tous les acteurs de la justice civile.

* Thalys train gets makeover with the logo of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue (EYID) 2008

On 24 June 2008 Ján Figel', European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth will take part in a press conference to launch a special Thalys high speed train decorated with the logo of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 (EYID). Thalys trains link the capitals and cities of four EU member states and carry thousands of passengers of various nationalities every day, and are a good symbol of intercultural exchange in Europe. The decorated train will run from 24 June until the end of the year. The press conference will take place in Brussels South Station (Salons Royaux) at 11am.

* Commission clears acquisition of Oerlikon by Renova

The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of OC Oerlikon Corporation AG (Oerlikon) of Switzerland by Renova Industries Ltd (Renova) of the Bahamas. Renova is an investment company with holdings in engineering, chemical, financial and other sectors, mainly in Russia. Oerlikon is active in high-technology engineering in textile, coatings and other sectors. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

* Consumer affairs: Commissioner Kuneva attends conference on strengthening consumer policy in Western Balkans and Turkey

Today European Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva attended a conference on "Safe Markets and Empowered Consumers in a Globalised World" in Sofia, Bulgaria. The conference gathered representatives from government and consumer organisations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo (UNSCR I244), Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Representatives from the Bulgarian government and consumer organisations were also present. The objective of the event was to exchange views on consumer policy so as to assist the participating countries in developing consumer policies and co-operation between government institutions and consumer organisations. The event was opened by the Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev and attended by the Bulgarian Minister of Economy Petar Dimitrov and by Ministers in charge of consumer policy in the participating countries. Issues addressed by the participants included product safety, market surveillance and the way consumer organisations can work together. The seminar was organised by the Commission's Health and Consumers' Directorate-General, along with the Commission's Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX). For further information please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/index_en.htm and http://taiex.ec.europa.eu/

Rediffusion

* Eurobarometer survey examines the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty

A nationwide referendum on the Lisbon Treaty was held in Ireland on 12 June 2008. After the result was known, a Flash Eurobarometer survey was conducted by Gallup, from 13 to 15 June, at the request of the European Commission Representation in Ireland. Altogether, a randomly selected 2,000 respondents, aged 18 and older, were interviewed by telephone. The main objectives of the survey were to understand the reasons for the “yes” or “no” votes as well as non-participation in the referendum, the respondents’ views about the campaign and views of the consequences.

* Commissioner Louis Michel welcomes EU decision to lift diplomatic measures on Cuba

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has welcomed the unanimous decision by EU member states to fully lift measures on Cuba. This decision to lift the diplomatic measures, which have already been suspended since January 2005, allows the EU to fully re-engage in a political dialogue with Havana.

* Lebanon: Commission increases its aid to the victims of the Nahr Al Bared crisis to €28 million

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relation and Neighbourhood Policy, will co-chair the International Donor Conference for the Recovery and Reconstruction of the Palestinian Refugee Camp at Nahr Al Bared taking place on 23 June in Vienna. The Commission remains among the biggest donors helping the victims of last year's fighting between Lebanese armed forces and the Islamic movement Fatah al Islam in and around this Palestinian refugee camp in Northern Lebanon. Nahr el Bared has been largely destroyed and remains partly inaccessible almost one year after the cessation of hostilities. Approximately 31,000 displaced refugees still need international support to meet their basic needs. The Lebanese population living in the direct neighbourhood of the camp suffered also greatly from the military operation. The Commission reacted to this crisis with the mobilisation of several instruments at its disposal: the Commission’s Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO, €13.5 million), the Instrument for Stability (IfS, €6.8 million) and the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI, €8 million).

* Commissioner Louis Michel expresses deep concern over Zimbabwe crackdown

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has expressed his deep concern over the worsening situation in Zimbabwe. Exactly a week ahead of the second round of Presidential elections in the country, Commissioner Michel believes the Zimbabwean authorities must take immediate action to stop the campaign of smears, intimidation and violence.

* Autre matériel diffusé

• Memo on Antitrust: Commission has carried out inspections in the consumer detergents sector

• Memo on The Commission's register of interest representatives — Frequently asked questions

• Memo sur Le réseau judiciaire européen en matière civile et commerciale notas_de_prensa_archivo