AGENDA/10/23
Brussels, Friday 25 June 2010
Top News from the European Commission 28 June to 25 July 2010 Background notes from the Spokespersons' service for journalists. The European Commission reserves the right to make changes
Monday 28 June 2010: EU-OPEC Energy Dialogue 2
Monday 28 June 2010: Commission presents its Taxation trends report 2010 3
Tuesday 29 June 2010: Commissioner Piebalgs at UN Economic and Social Council in New York in view of the UN High Level Summit on Millennium Development Goals 4
Tuesday 29 June 2010: Commission initiatives promote safe environment for investors 6
Tuesday 29 June 2010: Launching an EU-wide information campaign on passenger rights 7
Wednesday 30 June 2010: Commission unveils its European Tourism policy 8
Thursday 1 July 2010: Further cuts in roaming charges for mobile phone users as new EU roaming rules enter into force 9
Thursday 1 July 2010: European Commission proposes translation arrangements for the EU patent 11
Friday 2 July 2010: Public hearing on Market Abuse 12
Wednesday 7 July 2010: The future of pensions in Europe – launch of Green Paper 13
Tuesday 13 July 2010: Report on free movement of workers and new Eurobarometer survey on mobility 15
Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 July 2010: Conference "CAP post-2013" 16
Editor Michael Karnitschnig +32 2 299 60 66 SPP Coordination and Planning Monday 28 June 2010: EU-OPEC Energy Dialogue
The news: The 7th EU-OPEC Ministerial meeting will discuss the most recent energy policies and oil market developments in the EU and OPEC and prepare the ground for future joint activities. Comissioner Oettinger will highlight the initiatives that the EC took in cooperation with the industry and Member States to maximise safety in offshore oil and gas installations. Within others Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, Abdalla Salem El-Badri, Secretary General of the OPEC and Pedro Luis Marin Uribe, President of the EU Energy Council and State Secretary Ministry for Industry, Tourism and Trade of Spain will attend the meeting.
The background: The EU imports around 37% of its oil imports from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). High oil prices and uncertainty in oil markets have been encouraged by growth in oil demand and a reduction of spare capacity. In this context, the EU and OPEC have established in the second half of 2004 a high-level bilateral dialogue to enhance producer-consumer relations. The EU aims at a more stable international oil markets and prices, an attractive investment climate, a more transparent market, a better market analysis and forecasts as well as, technological and international cooperation. OPEC’s role is the coordination of petroleum policies, fair prices for petroleum producers and efficient, economic, regular supply to consuming nations and a fair return in capital to those investing in the industry.
The event:
VIP corner on outcome of the 7th EU-OPEC Energy Dialogue, Berlaymont 12:35 – 13:00h
Available on EbS
The sources: European Commission's website on EU OPEC Energy Dialogue: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/international/organisations/opec_en.htm
Commissioner Oettinger's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/oettinger/index_en.htm
The contacts: Marlene Holzner +32 2 296 0196 [email protected] Nicole Bockstaller +32 2 295 2589 [email protected]
2 Monday 28 June 2010: Commission presents its Taxation trends report 2010
The news: On 28 June, the European Commission will present the 2010 edition of its Taxation trends report. This report takes stock of the most recent tax policy measures from EU governments up to spring 2010, two years after the global economic and financial crisis that hit the EU from the second half of 2008. The analysis shows that Member States have been very active in the tax policy area. Many of them have cut taxes and in other cases, they increased them as budgetary consolidation became more urgent. The crisis also reinforced some previous taxation trends which are reflected in the report which includes the latest key tax rates.
The background: The Taxation Trends report compiles tax indicators that allow comparison of the tax systems and tax policies between EU Member States and Norway. It offers a breakdown of tax revenues raised either from consumption, labour or capital. It also contains data on energy taxation and on the top rates for personal and corporate income taxes. Its country chapters give an overview of each of the 28 countries covered, their revenue trends and recent policy changes.
The event: A technical briefing on the main results of the Report will be organised on Monday 28 June 2010 in the press room of Berlaymont Building at 12.30 by experts from the European Commission.
Available on EbS
The sources: Website of DG TAXUD: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/gen_info/economic_analysis/tax_structures/index_en.htm
Website of Commissioner Šemeta: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/semeta/index_en.htm
The contacts: Emer Traynor +32 2 292 15 48 [email protected] Maud Scelo +32 2 298 15 21 [email protected]
3 Tuesday 29 June 2010: Commissioner Piebalgs at UN Economic and Social Council in New York in view of the UN High Level Summit on Millennium Development Goals
The news: The European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs will deliver a key note speech on Europe's position on the way forward to achieve the Millennium Development Goals at the United Nations ECOSOC in New York on 29 June. The meeting will gather Ministers of Development and Foreign Affairs, and will pave the way to the UN High Level Summit on MDGs due to take place in September. Commissioner Piebalgs will argue that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can be reached if necessary political will is demonstrated by decision- makers by adopting appropriate policies and rising the needed funding. He will stress the fact that global partnership where each partner takes responsibility is indispensable. The EU adopted recently decisions showing its strong support for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and reaffirmed its commitment to increasing aid spending to reach 0.7% of GNI by 2015.
The background: Ten years ago, world leaders agreed to take decisive action to halve world poverty. Using time-bound and measurable targets, they agreed to reach the eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015. With only five years remaining before the deadline, world leaders will gather in New York on 20-22 September 2010 for the UN MDG High Level Summit. Their aim is to ensure a comprehensive review of successes and gaps, and agree on policies and actions to speed up progress. The EU Ministers of Development on 14 June expressed EU's strong support for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and reaffirmed its commitment to increasing aid spending to reach 0.7% of GNI by 2015.The Council also endorsed the Commission's '12-point Action Plan in support of the MDGs', which constitutes the EU's contribution to the MDGs.
The event: The United Nations Economic and Social Council meeting includes every second year a Development Cooperation Forum section debating current issues in development cooperation. This year's meeting takes place on 29-30 June in New York. Commissioner Piebalgs will represent the EU and will address the conference as a keynote speaker on 29 June at 10:30 (NY time).
The sources: IP ahead of the visit.
12-Point Action Plan in support of the MDGs: http://ec.europa.eu/development/how/achieving_mdg_en.cfm
The Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on MDGs (14 June 2010): http://www.eu2010.es/export/sites/presidencia/comun/descargas/AAEE/jun14_cag_conclusiones_en.pdf
Website of the DG Development, relations with the United Nations: http://ec.europa.eu/development/how/relations/relorgs_en.cfm
Website of the European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/piebalgs/index_en.htm I-056970 - Archives (short): Millennium development goals
4 The contacts: Catherine Ray +32 2 29 69921 [email protected] Wojtek Talko +32 2 29 78551 [email protected]
5 Tuesday 29 June 2010: Commission initiatives promote safe environment for investors
The news: The Lisbon Treaty conferred the exclusive competence on Foreign Direct Investment to the European Union, as part of the common commercial policy. On June 29th, the European Commission will publish two documents which are key for the new comprehensive European investment policy: A Communication discussing how the European international investment policy can increase competitiveness in the EU A draft Regulation proposing how to deal with the roughly 1200 bilateral investment treaties that Member States have concluded with Non-EU countries prior to the Lisbon Treaty.
The background: Bilateral Investment Treaties establish the terms and conditions for investment by nationals and companies of one country in another. They set up a legally binding level of protection in order to encourage investment flows between two countries. Amongst other things they grant investors fair, equitable and non-discriminatory treatment, protection from unlawful expropriation and direct recourse to international arbitration. The EU is the biggest player in the field of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). By 2008 outward stocks of FDI amounted to 3.3 trillion Euros while EU inward stocks accounted for 2.4 trillion Euros. The Communication and the proposed Regulation are first steps in the development of a comprehensive European international investment policy that creates a coherent legal environment for investors. Its overall goal is to promote the EU's external competitiveness and to create growth and jobs.
The event: 10.30am: Technical Briefing off the record in the Berlaymont press room 11.30am: Press Conference with Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht in the Berlaymont press room IP and MEMO on the day
Video and photo coverage by EbS
The sources: European Commission's website on Foreign Direct Investment: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-topics/investment/
Website of Commissioner De Gucht: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/degucht/index_en.htm
The contacts: John Clancy +32 2 29 53773 [email protected] Antonie Kerwien +32 2 29 72686 [email protected]
6 Tuesday 29 June 2010: Launching an EU-wide information campaign on passenger rights
The news: The European Commission will launch an information campaign on passenger rights. The objective of the campaign is to raise public awareness on passenger rights and on the different means of redress which are available. Better informed consumers tend to be more proactive when defending their rights.
The background: The European Union is developing eEU legislation on passenger rights for all transport sectors. Passenger rights already apply in air and rail transport and should apply in sea and inland waterway and road transport in the future. More information on existing passenger rights is available at http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/index_en.htm The event: A walk-about and photo op for the international press at Zaventem Airport with VP Kallas and his special advisor for passenger rights, ex-Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, at 10.00 Press conference at the Berlaymont in Brussels with VP Kallas and his special advisor for passenger rights, ex- Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, at 12.00
Video and photo coverage by EbS
The sources: Memo on the launch of the passenger rights publicity campaign
European Commission's website on the information campaign: ec.europa.eu/passenger-rights
Website of Commissioner Kallas: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kallas/index_en.htm I-062526 - Archives (short): Passenger transport I-059769 - Archives (short): Passengers rights
The contacts: Helen Kearns +32 2 298 7638 [email protected]
Dale Kidd +32 2 295 7461 [email protected]
7 Wednesday 30 June 2010: Commission unveils its European Tourism policy
The news: The European Commission is going to approve the Communication "Europe, top tourist destination in the world – a new political framework for European Tourism". The Communication proposes a new consolidated framework for action and a series of initiatives at European level to be implemented in close cooperation with representatives of the public and private tourism sector. The consolidated framework should bring an added value to actions of the Member States in this field. The specific objectives of this set of actions will be: boost the competitiveness of the European Tourist sector, consolidate the European tourism image as an ensemble and promote the continuous sustainable development of tourism.
The background: Until 2007 EU tourism has constantly recorded an increase both in income from tourism and in the number of tourist arrivals. To face the global challenge of competitiveness, particularly in relation to emerging countries, the new European economic strategy "Europe 2020" recognises the key role of tourism in the European industry, and aims at strengthening it under the strict bind of a responsible and sustainable development.
The event: Press conference to be held on 30/06 in Brussels Berlaymont Press room at 11.00.
Available on EbS
The sources: IP and MEMO to come
European Commission's website on: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/index_en.htm I-066335: Tourism Policy – available from 30 June 2010
The contacts: Fabio Pirotta +32 2 29.67 284 [email protected] Andrea Maresi +32 2 29.90 403 [email protected]
8 Thursday 1 July 2010: Further cuts in roaming charges for mobile phone users as new EU roaming rules enter into force
The news: Under the EU's Roaming Regulation, from 1st July 2010, roaming charges for calls made from mobile phones whilst in another EU country will fall to 39 cents per minute for calls made and 15 cents per minute for calls received, excluding VAT. Also, from 1st July 2010, to protect people from 'bill shocks' for surfing the Internet with their mobile phones and laptops while travelling in other EU countries, operators will have to impose a €50 cut off limit per month for those customers that have not yet set their own cut-off price limit for downloading data. Since March 2010, operators have had to offer customers the possibility to set their own cut-off price limit per month for downloading data while travelling in other EU countries. Thirdly, from 1 st July 2010 the wholesale cap of €1 per MegaByte down or uploaded introduced in 2009 will fall to 80 cents per MB. Finally, operators will not be able to charge their customers for the receipt of a voice mail message while roaming in another EU country.
The background: The first EU Roaming Regulation, which entered into force on 30 June 2007, introduced limits to the wholesale and retail charges for roaming voice calls in the EU. These limits were foreseen until 30 June 2009. New EU rules on roaming rules adopted by the EU's Council of Ministers and European Parliament in June 2009 entered into force on 1 July 2009 and extended the Regulation to include text messages and mobile data services. It introduced a 'Euro-SMS tariff' limiting the price that consumers could be charged for sending a text message while in another EU country to €0.11 excluding VAT and introduced a wholesale cap of €1 per MB down or uploaded. The new rules foresaw further price cuts and new provisions to limit 'bill shocks' for data roaming from 1 July 2010. Since the adoption of the Roaming Regulation in June 2007, prices for mobile phone calls abroad have already fallen by up to 70% compared to the prices in 2005, the cost of sending a text message while abroad has been reduced by 60% on average and transparency has been increased. Consumers can now move around Europe without being afraid to turn on their mobile phones. With the new lower price caps, the savings for consumers will be even greater.
The event: New roaming rules for calls and data downloads enter into force on 1st July 2010.
The sources: IP/10/215 Telecoms: mobile phone customers entitled to protection from data-roaming "bill shock" as from 1st March 2010
IP/09/1064 End of 'roaming rip-off': cost of texting, calling, surfing the web abroad to plummet from today thanks to EU action
MEMO/09/309 EU cuts the cost of texting and mobile data services abroad – Frequently Asked Questions
The European Commission's Roaming website: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/roaming/index_en.htm
Digital Agenda for Europe website: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/index_en.htm
9 I-058953 - Archives (short): New EU measures on roaming I-051257 - Stockshots (short):Information Society:Roaming regulation I-066313 – Roaming – available from 28 June 2010
The contacts: Jonathan Todd +32 2 2994107 [email protected] Linda Cain +32 2 2999019 [email protected]
10 Thursday 1 July 2010: European Commission proposes translation arrangements for the EU patent
The news: On 1 July 2010, the European Commission will present a proposal for a Council regulation governing translation requirements for the future EU patent. This is the last step in the process to create a patent that would be valid across the entire EU, removing current obstacles to the EU economy and competitiveness. In December last year, the Council already adopted conclusions on the scope and substance of an Enhanced Patent System in Europe. Translation requirements, following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, need to be the subject of a separate regulation from that of the EU patent itself. A ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union related to the exact jurisdiction of the patent is still awaited.
The background: Today, inventions can be protected either by national patents or European patents granted centrally by the European Patent Office (EPO). However, the current patent system creates difficulties for the internal market and for users mainly because: It is costly and complex to validate and enforce European patents in individual Member States due to very expensive local translation and related transaction costs. Because of the high costs and heavy administrative procedure to validate a patent in each Member State, an average European patent is only validated in 5 Member States - leading to fragmentation of the internal market. Fragmentation makes patented inventions less valuable. This inhibits innovation and hinders cross-border activities e.g. innovation costs are ten times more in the EU compared to the USA.
The event: Press conference by Commissioner Barnier (time to be confirmed).
The sources: Commission website on the EU patent: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/indprop/patent/index_en.htm
Website of Commissioner Barnier: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/barnier/index_en.htm
The contacts: Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected]
11 Friday 2 July 2010: Public hearing on Market Abuse
The news: The European Commission is holding a public hearing on the review of the Market Abuse Directive (MAD) on 2 July 2010. The conference will bring together senior policy makers, regulators, industry experts and academics. The hearing will be opened by Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier, who will be joined by Sharon Bowles MEP, Chair of the EP Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and Carlos Tavares, Vice-Chair of the Committee of European Securities Regulators (CESR).
The event: Speech by Jonthathan Faull, Director-General of DG Internal Market and Services at the opening of the Conference at 9.30. The Conference takes place in the Charlemagne Building, Salle de Gasperi, 170 Rue de la Loi, 1000, Brussels Journalists and all other participants are invited to register in advance through this link: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=marketabuse&lang=en
The background: The Market Abuse Directive was adopted in 2003 to counter insider dealing and market manipulation, in order to increase investor confidence and market integrity in EU financial markets. However, in recent years the gaps in regulation of certain instruments and markets as a result of market developments have become more apparent, the effectiveness of enforcement has been uneven and certain provisions impose undue burdens on issuers, notably SMEs. The Commission is therefore planning to amend the Directive to address these issues. This public hearing forms part of the public consultation on the revision of the Directive.
The sources: Conference site and more info on the Market Abuse Directive: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/abuse/index_en.htm#hearing
Commissioner Barnier's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/barnier/index_en.htm
The Contacts: Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected] Catherine Bunyan +32 2 299 65 12 [email protected]
12 Wednesday 7 July 2010: The future of pensions in Europe – launch of Green Paper
The news: The European Commission will present a Green Paper launching a wide-ranging debate on the future of pensions in Europe. The Green Paper will open a several month long consultation period in which the Commission welcomes all views on how the EU can best support national efforts to deliver adequate, sustainable and safe pensions in the light of the challenges facing pension systems from demographic ageing and the financial and economic crisis. Following a decade of pension reforms in the EU, there is now a need to thoroughly review the European pension framework, taking an integrated approach to exploit synergies across economic and social policies and financial market regulation. This Green Paper is a joint initiative of Commissioners Andor, Barnier and Rehn, taking into account the respective portfolio responsibilities including the social dimension of pensions, internal market rules and issues of sustainability. The consultation will call for views and fresh ideas for possible future EU actions.
The background:
Ensuring an adequate and sustainable retirement income for EU citizens now and in the future is a priority for the EU. Achieving these objectives in an ageing Europe is a major challenge. Most countries in the EU have sought to prepare for this by reforming their pension systems.
In 2008 there were four people of working age (15-64 years old) for every EU citizen aged 65 years or over. By 2060 that ratio will drop to two to one. The recent financial and economic crisis has aggravated and amplified the impact of these demographic trends. Setbacks in economic growth, public budgets, financial stability and employment have made it more urgent to adjust retirement practices and the way people build up entitlements to pensions. The crisis has revealed that more must be done to improve the efficiency and safety of pension schemes.
The event: 7 July 2010 at 12:30: Commissioner Andor will give a press conference presenting the Green Paper, followed by a technical briefing on the record.
Available on EbS
The sources: European Commission website on pensions – social affairs: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=752&langId=en
European Commission website on pensions – internal market: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/pensions/index_en.htm
European Commission website on pensions – economic and financial affairs: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/structural_reforms/ageing/pensions/index_en.htm I-065683: VNR: Bridging Europe's pensions gap I-065996: Stockshots: European Year for combatting poverty and social exclusion - 2010
The contacts: Cristina Arigho +32 2 298 53 99 [email protected] Maria Javorova +32 2 299 89 03 [email protected]
Chantal Hughes +32 2 296 44 50 [email protected] Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 [email protected]
Amadeu Altafaj +32 2 295 26 58 [email protected] Pia Seppälä +32 2 299 24 88 [email protected]
13 Tuesday 13 July 2010: Report on free movement of workers and new Eurobarometer survey on mobility
The news: The European Commission will present a communication reaffirming the free movement of workers and highlighting major developments in the last years. This paper offers an overview of the rights of EU migrant workers (updating the Commission’s 2002 communication on the subject). The aim is to raise awareness and promote the rights of migrant workers. A new Eurobarometer on mobility will be presented at the same time. Mobility concerns 10% of Europeans, some 50 million people, have already lived and worked abroad. The free movement of workers is a success in legal terms, but citizens' access to the right to move and live in another European country can still be improved. To achieve the Europe 2020 employment and growth objectives, the European Commission will work on facilitating and promoting intra-EU mobility in the context of the new strategy for the single market (following the presentation of the Monti report). This communication is a first step in that direction and a basis for further work.
The background:
Every EU citizen has the right to work and live in another Member State without being discriminated against on grounds of nationality. However, despite the progress made, there are still legal, administrative and practical obstacles to exercising that right. Other factors also influence trans-national mobility. These include housing issues, language, the employment of spouses and partners, return mechanisms, historical ‘barriers’ and the recognition of mobility experience, particularly within SMEs. Tackling these problems therefore calls for a broader approach, combined with effective implementation of the principle of free movement. The Europe 2020 strategy reinforces the importance of facilitating and promoting EU mobility.
The event Presentation of a European Commission Communication on the free movement of workers and a new Eurobarometer on mobility.
The sources: European Commission website on free movement of workers – social affairs http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=25
Guide "Working in another EU country" 2007 update http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=25&langId=en&pubId=215&type=2&furtherPubs=yes
Commissioner Andor's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/andor/index_en.htm I-050500 - Stockshots (long): Employment : Mobility of employees - 2006
The contacts: Cristina Arigho +32 2 298 53 99 [email protected] Maria Javorova +32 2 299 89 03 [email protected]
14 Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 July 2010: Conference "CAP post-2013"
The news: The European Commission will organise the Conference "CAP post-2013" in Brussels on 19 and 20 July. It will gather leading representatives and stakeholders from the agricultural sector. The aim of the conference is to bring together the varied elements of contributions presented during the public debate on "The Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 – Your ideas matter" and to provide the opportunity for further discussion around the following broad themes: Why do we need a common agricultural policy? What do citizens expect from agriculture? Why reform the CAP? What tools do we need for the CAP of tomorrow? The conference will also be an important step in the Commission's preparations for a Communication to be issued later in the year that will prepare the ground for proposals for the CAP post-2013. The conference will be opened by Dacian Cioloş, Commissioner responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, who will also chair the plenary sessions
The background: On 12 April 2010 Commissioner Cioloş launched an extensive debate across the EU to seek views of both stakeholders and society at large on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, its objectives, principles and contribution to the 'Europe 2020' strategy to inform the preparatory work for the decision-making process. The Commission received more than 5 000 contributions to the public debate. They will be analysed by an external body and will be presented to the Conference in July.
The event: Conference in the Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, 1040 Brussels Agricultural fair at Place St Catherine Press point with Commissioner Dacian Cioloş
The sources: IP/10/419: The future of European agriculture policy – Call for a public debate
SPEECH/10/192: Dacian Cioloş at the EP: The future of European agricultural policy - Call for a public debate
European Commission's website on the Conference: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/conference/index_en.htm
European Commission's website on the public debate: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/debate/index_en.htm
Commissioner Cioloş's website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/ciolos/index_en.htm I-055494 - Archives (long): Health check of the Common Agriculture Policy I-053635 - Archives (long): History of the Common Agricultural Policy I-063778 - Agriculture and rural development: Spring 2010 - Available from 28 June 2010
15 The contacts: Roger Waite +32 2 296 1404 [email protected] Johan Reyniers +32.2.295 6728 [email protected]
16