Top News from the European Commission 12 March – 08 April 2007

AGENDA/07/10 Brussels, Friday 09 March

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

Monday 12 to Tuesday 13 March: European football stars to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome

The news: The best of European football will be on show in Manchester to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome setting up the modern-day European Union. Manchester United will play a Europe XI team to be coached by Italian World Cup winner Marcello Lippi, assisted by UEFA Technical Director and former Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh. Marcello Lippi is currently in talks with several top European clubs to secure players for the European side and further names will be announced as the match date approaches. The first confirmed players in the European team are Liverpool players Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, Olympique Lyonnais players Eric Abidal and Gregory Coupet and the top players from Barcelona’s Champions League winning team, Carles Puyol, Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram. The final European line-up will be announced on 12 March when Commission President José Manuel Barroso will meet in Brussels together with new UEFA President Michel Platini and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton. The game will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Manchester United's participation as the first English team to play in European football club competitions. All proceeds from the event will go to charity.

The events: Monday 12: Press conference by European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, new UEFA President Michel Platini and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton at 12.30 in the Berlaymont's Press Room, in Brussels. • EbS Coverage Tuesday 13: Football game Europe XI Vs Manchester United at the Old Trafford, Manchester United.

The sources: EU's 50th Anniversary website: http://europa.eu/50/index_en.htm UK Representation's website: www.europe.org.uk/football UEFA website: http://www.uefa.com/ Further details on tickets for the match: www.manutd.com Video: Archive material on the commemoration of 50th anniversary of the signature of the Treaty of Rome available

The contact: Mark Gray +32 2 298 8644

Editor Alain Bloëdt +32 2 295 56 04 SPP Coordination & Planning Unit

Tuesday 13 March: Proposal to adapt minimum taxation rates on commercial diesel

The news: In the light of the results of a comprehensive impact assessment the EU Commission will make a new proposal on professional diesel to amend Directive 2003/96/EC in order to reduce the distortion of competition in the haulage sector caused by fuel price differences. This distortion of competition results from the fact that tax rates for diesel differ greatly from one Member State to another. At the same time, big trucks have tanks of huge capacity, allowing them to cover between 1500 and 3000 kilometres, thereby conducting a kind of fiscal planning where they take advantage of the very significant differences in national excise duties on diesel fuel (tank tourism phenomenon). The road transport sector is now fully opened up to competition. However, excessive differences in fuel tax levels are increasingly an obstacle to the smooth functioning of the internal market. The proposed changes should reduce the differences in taxation for commercial diesel, thus minimising the distortion. The result should be to provide a more level playing field for haulage companies and petrol stations in Member States which are currently affected by foreign competitors based in neighbouring countries with lower fuel prices. Apart from ensuring that the internal transport market operates more smoothly, the proposal meets common transport policy objectives and will provide better protection for the environment. It will contribute to the implementation of the Kyoto protocol.

The event: Press conference with the Commissioner responsible for Customs and Taxation, Mr Kovacs in the Euopean Parliament's Press Room, in Strasbourg. Time to be confirmed. • Ebs coverage

The sources: IP/03/1456; IP/06/818; IP/06/1434 European Commission websites: http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=164839 http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/excise_duties/energy_products/index_en.htm • Infoclip

The contacts: Maria Assimakopoulou +32 2 295 9842, Roger Nunn +32 2 295 3647

Tuesday 13 March: New EU Consumer Strategy 2007-2013 – Making the Single Market work for Consumers

The news: The new Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Meglena Kunava will set out her plans for the most fundamental overhaul of EU consumer policy since its inception in the 1980s. The new Consumer Strategy 2007-2013 sets out plans to shift the emphasis of the EU Single Market policy so it more effectively delivers value and choice for citizens at the point of delivery – the check-out till. By making consumer outcomes the guiding standard for policy decisions the Strategy will hit two birds with one stone: more efficient resource allocation and competitiveness on the one hand, and increased consumer satisfaction and increased legitimacy for the EU on the other. This is an important bridge between the Citizens’ Agenda and the Growth and Jobs agenda. For the last 20 years the battle over consumer policy has been focused on protection and safe trading in the high-street. In the 21st century, consumer policy must be as much about what consumers can do as what they must be safeguarded from. Consumers need better information, more transparent markets and political empowerment to act as powerful economic agents driving forward innovation and competition. They need access and opportunity, safe passage to new markets, more choice, better value and prices. The new challenges are multiple: guaranteeing real consumer choice in complex markets with consumers so often overloaded with information on prices and charges (from phone charges and electricity bills to offers by internet providers and credit institutions) they find they cannot decide what's best for them; boosting confidence and choice in online and digital markets with consumer rights that were written for another era; guaranteeing safe products in global markets with mass imports from China and beyond; making the market work for all citizens - particularly on essential services where no one should get left behind; building cross-border trust in the market - clamping down on the scams, and unfair practices that rip off consumers and undermine market confidence. And strengthening redress for consumers when things go wrong - more open cross border markets must go hand in hand with stronger systems of dispute resolution and redress. Consumers will not enjoy the benefits of the Single Market unless there are strong and effective systems in place to resolve problems with goods and services when things go wrong.

The event: Press conference by the Consumer Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Meglena Kuneva, in the European Parliament Strasbourg, 15.30 March 13 (time tbc) .The Strategy launch is on the eve of World Consumer Rights Day March 15 2007. • Ebs coverage

The sources: European Commission websites: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kuneva/index_en.htm

The contacts: Helen Kearns +32 2 298 7638 or +32 498 98 7638

Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 March: International Mobile Roaming: Progress expected at an informal meeting of the 27 Telecom Ministers during CeBIT IT Fair Hannover/Germany

The news: 27 European Telecom Ministers meet informally with EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding to make progress on the EU Regulation to reduce mobile roaming charges within the EU. General agreement is emerging on most provisions of the Regulation, with some ongoing discussions on details of the consumer protection tariff and on the possible extension of the roaming regulation to cover short messaging and data roaming. The Commission is confident that a political agreement can be reached in the weeks to come and calls on the European Parliament and the 27 Telecom Ministers to cooperate very closely to ensure that European consumers will already profit from significant cost savings when going abroad for their summer holidays this year. Whilst at CeBIT (the world's largest IT fair taking place annually in Hannover), Commissioner Reding will also attend the opening Ceremony with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, give a press conference to unveil the Commission's European strategy for dealing with Smart Radio Tags (so-called RFID-technology) and a further press conference on the policy challenges for developing Mobile TV in Europe.

The event: The 15th March:

Commissioner Reding's press conference on the European strategy on Smart Radio Tags (RFID) takes place in the CeBIT Convention centre, room Berlin, at 11.00 Photo opportunity at 13.40.

Informal ministerial meeting of the EU Telecom Council on Roaming and on Mobile TV followed by a joint press conference of German Minister of Economy Mr. Michael GLOS at 14.00

The 16th March: Press conference on "European Policy challenges for Mobile TV" and expert conference on Mobile TV in Europe at 14.30 in the Convention Centre Room 17

The sources: European Commission websites: For Roaming http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/roaming/index_en.htm For Commission events at CeBIT and for related press materials: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/cebit_07/index_en.htm

The contacts: Martin Selmayr +32 2 298 1230; Mona Lund +32 2 299 9020

Friday 16 March: The European ICT Prize

The news: The European Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Prize is awarded annually to companies for new and imaginative products and services based on "digital technologies". This covers the converging fields of computer, media and communications industries – considered to be among the driving forces in modern economies. One of the Grand Prize Nominee of the 2007 ICT Prize is the A3M Tsunami Alarm System, which alerts subscribers directly via their mobile phones of an impending tsunami, within minutes of the earthquake that will provoke it. Subscribers can therefore live by the sea or visit their favourite coastal destinations in complete security, regardless of how earthquake-prone the location might be. (For details of other nominees, see www.ict-prize.org). Following the initial selection in January of 70 Nominees from a record-breaking 450 candidates, the judges faced the difficult task of choosing the final 20 companies that will compete for a share of the €700,000 prize money. Germany heads the list of finalists with 7 representatives, followed by France (4), Austria (3), Sweden (2) and Finland, Israel, Norway and the UK each with 1 finalist. For the companies selected, nomination for the Grand Prize is an endorsement of their technological and business potential. It boosts their commercial prospects and helps attract finance for their business ventures. The Prize is supported by the European Commission as part of its efforts to promote Europe's ICT industry and boost growth.

The event: The Winners and Grand Prize Winners will be announced by Commissioner Reding at an awards ceremony at CeBIT, one of the world's major ICT events, in Hanover, Germany.

The source: ICT prize website: www.ict-prize.org

The contacts: Martin Selmayr +32 2 298 1230; Mona Lund +32 2 299 9020

Friday 16 March: Inauguration of three new Community Reference Laboratories for food and feed testing

The news: European Commissioner for Health Markos Kyprianou will officially inaugurate three new Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs) at the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements of its Joint Research Centre in Geel, Belgium. Following food safety crises including BSE and the dioxin contamination, EU food law was substantially reformed and as part of this a system of specialised CRLs has been created, cooperating closely with their national counterparts. The CRLs are analytical laboratories designated by Community legislation and form an integral part of the European risk management system. The new CRLs in Geel, Belgium, deal with testing of heavy metals, mycotoxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food and animal feed. Substances in these three groups can cause cancer and other serious illnesses or damage the central nervous system. Therefore their contents in food and feed are regulated by European legislation.

The event: At JRC Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Geel, Belgium 8:30 Bus transport for accredited press from Brussels to Geel 10:15 Welcome and introduction to the JRC: Megan Richards 10:25 JRC's contributions to Health and Consumer Protection: Alejandro Herrero 10:45 Commissioner Markos Kyprianou: Official Opening of the 3 Community Reference Laboratories on: mycotoxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals in food and feed 11:10 Laboratory visits & experiments for media 13:30 Lunch 14:30 Bus transport from Geel to Brussels

Places are limited - journalists wishing to attend should contact Antonia Mochan.

The sources: ECwebsite: http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu

The contacts: Antonia Mochan +32 2 296 9921; Philip Tod +32 2 296 5911

Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 March: Conference on Taxation for sustainable development.

The news: The creation of an annual tax forum that brings together policy makers, experts, stakeholders and members of the public from all over the world to discuss tax issues of particular political and general interest. The general theme is the contribution that taxation can make to sustainable development and how it can promote other policy objectives, such as environmental protection, while bearing in mind economic and social aspects. The first day of the conference will place taxation within a broader framework of general economic instruments in order to compare different approaches to the use of such instruments in contributing to sustainable development. The second day of the conference will focus on taxation exclusively and in particular on the issue of the modernization of tax systems.

The event: The Brussels Tax Forum is to be held in Brussels in the Charlemagne building, room S3.

Monday 19 March, registration at 13.00: 14.30 -15.25: Opening session in the presence of various Commissioners 15.25 -18.00: Economic Instruments for sustainability. 18.00: Cocktail

Tuesday 20 March, registration at 08.00: 09.00 -12.30: Tax reforms and environmental taxation: economic and fiscal aspects 14.05 – 16.30: Tax reforms and environmental taxation: so far experience, public acceptance and ways forward 16.30-16.45: Concluding remarks by Commissioner of Taxation and Customs Union, Mr. Lázló Kovács

The sources: European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/gen_info/tax_conferences/index_en.htm

The contacts: Maria Assimakopoulou +32 2 295 9842; Roger Nunn +32 2 295 3647

Monday 19 to Wednesday 21 March: Transport and Environment: A Global Challenge – Technological and Policy Solutions

The news: The ambitious plans to cut CO2 emissions from cars announced by the European Commission call for solid fundamental research conducted throughout Europe. World-renowned international scientists will come together with policy decision makers to debate future policy options designed to deliver a healthier environment, sustainable transport, economic growth and industrial competitiveness Preparations and implementation of key EU and international legislation related to the environment is expected in the near future. New legislation on the horizon covers a wide range of topics including: new air quality standards, transport, EURO 5-6 and EURO VI emission standards for Light Duty and Heavy Duty vehicles, Fuel Directive Review, the strategy to promote biofuels and other alternative fuels (H2), etc. A new international project (TRAENVIA: Transport and Environment: an integrated analysis) will be launched with an innovative integrated approach to provide a framework for a better assessment and comparison of environmental and socio- economic impacts of different transport modes applied to both the urban and long- distance transport along the Trans-European Corridor V ( Lisbon-Kiev). The events: Tuesday 20 March: Press conference with European Commissioner for Science & Research Janez Potočnik, German Minister for Environment Sigmar Gabriel, Italian Minister for Research Fabio Mussi, Slovenian Minister for Transport Janez Bozic and President of Regione Lombardia Roberto Formigoni

Monday 19 March – Wednesday 21 March International Conference on new regulatory approaches to control air pollution with special emphasis on transport, organised by the Commission and the Italian Regione Lombardia at New Fiera, Exhibition and Convention Centre, Milan Italy. Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik, as well as Ministers from several Member States and other leading figures from politics and research participate in the conference.

The sources: European Commission website: http://transportenv07.jrc.it/

The contact: Antonia Mochan +32 2 296 9921

Wednesday 21 March: Follow up to the Green paper "European Transparency Initiative"

The news: This Commission is committed to delivering effective policies in the general European interest, to reconnect Europe with its citizens and close both the physical and mental gap that makes it difficult for people to understand what Europe does and why it matters. It is against this background, that the idea of a European Transparency initiative was introduced. The European Transparency Initiative was adopted by the Commission (9 November 2005). A Green Paper was published on 3 May 2006 to launch a debate with all the stakeholders on how to improve transparency on the Community Funds, on consultation with civil society and on the role of the lobbies and NGOs in the European Institutions' decision-making process. The consultation period ended on 31 August 2006. With the adoption of the revised Financial Regulation (on December 13, 2006) the EU has committed itself to full transparency about who receives monies from the EU budget. There will be annual ex-post publication of beneficiaries of money received from the Structural Funds as from 2008 and of money received under the Common Agricultural Policy as of 2009. With this, the ambitious Transparency Initiative achieved its first objective. The question of lobbying has become one of the key components of the European Transparency Initiative (ETI) and the Green Paper contained a set of proposals and questions about this issue. The Commission will today present concrete steps based on the results of the Green Paper consultations.

The event: Press conference with Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for Administration, Audit and Anti-Fraud, in the Berlaymont Press Room, Brussels (tbc).

The sources: European Commission website on Transparency: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kallas/transparency_en.htm IP/06/1855

The contacts: Maximilian Strotmann +32.2.299.98.98; Dale Kidd +32.2.295.74.61

Thursday 22 March: World Water Day celebrations at the First European Water Conference

The news: The first European Water Conference will be held in Brussels. The two-day event will focus on the future water challenges faced by Europe. Presentations and discussions will thus cover a wide range of topics directly related to water, including agriculture, flood and drought management, research, statistics, maritime policy, climate change, and the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The conference will present the first implementation report on the Water Framework Directive. Adopted in 2000, the Water Framework Directive established a framework for the management of all waters – rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and groundwater. The directive set ambitious objectives to ensure that all waters achieve good environmental status by 2015. The Water Information System for Europe (WISE) will also be launched. WISE is an information system whose aim is to provide users with access to disparate water related data through a single interactive web-enabled viewer. WISE was developed by the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General, the Joint Research Centre, Eurostat and the European Environment Agency.

The event: Participants to the conference include Environment Commissioner Dimas, Agriculture Commissioner Fischer Boel, German Environment Minister Gabriel, Portuguese Environment Minister Nunes Correia, European Environment Agency (EEA) Executive Director Jackie McGlade, members of the European Parliament, a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) representative, and a number of national water directors.

Press conference will be held by Commissioner Dimas, German Environment Minister Gabriel, Portuguese Environment Minister Nunes Correia, and EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade at 11.00 in the Berlaymont's Press Room Brussels.

• EbS coverage

The sources: European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/conference.html http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/index.html

Other websites: http://www.worldwaterday.org/

The contacts: Barbara Helfferich +32 2 298 2010; Lone Mikkelsen +32 2 296 0567

Online registration: http://registry.eurokeys.com/

Thursday 22 March: "Safe Start" Campaign closing events in Bilbao, Spain

The news: The Summit will close a one-year campaign dedicated to the safety and health of young people throughout Europe and will take place in Bilbao. Why young people? Young workers have a higher accident rate than older workers for a number of reasons including their lack of training, experience and awareness of OSH; their immaturity, both physically and mentally; and, the types of jobs and employment situations in which they are placed. It provides a chance to hear from professionals, practitioners and participants about what has been achieved during the campaign and the lessons learned to ensure that we protect the workforce of tomorrow by taking action today. It will be an unequalled opportunity to review the activities and events that took place throughout Europe during the campaign and an occasion to present the winners of the Good Practice and Video Competitions with their awards. The European Good Practice Awards recognised enterprises or organisations, including schools, colleges and training providers that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to ensure that young people make a safe start in their working lives, and that risk awareness and prevention is promoted in enterprises, schools and colleges. This campaign launched for the first time a Video Competition to encourage young people under 19 to make a short film about health and safety. As young people were the main focus of this campaign it was interesting to see how, from their point of view, health and safety should be promoted.

The event: The Closing Event of the Safe Start campaign will be held at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao, Spain.

The Safe Start campaign is backed by all Member States, candidate and EFTA countries, the Austria and Finland EU Presidencies, the European Parliament and the European Commission, and by the European Social Partners.

The source: European Agency on Heath and safety at work website: http://ew2006.osha.europa.eu/

The contacts: Cristina Arigho + 32 2 298 1408; Dina Avraam + 32 2 295 9667 Patricia Pedelabat: +32 2 295 4481; Ramon Biosca de Sagastuy: +32 2 293 4988

Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 March: European youth meet in Rome to debate their common future

The news The first European Youth Summit will be held at the Campidoglio in Rome as a joint initiative of the European institutions and the European Youth Forum. The aim of this summit is to launch a structured dialogue between young Europeans and the EU institutions on the future of the European Union. Over 200 young participants from the 27 Member States will be taking part. Among other personalities attending in Rome will be: Romano Prodi, Italian Prime Minister; Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament; Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission, responsible for institutional relations and communication strategy; Jan Figel', European Commissioner for education, training, culture and youth, Mr Pat Cox, President of the European Movement and the economist and writer Jeremy Rifkin. During this two day event, the participants will tackle the six topics that were discussed beforehand at the preparatory summit in Brussels in January (17-20) 2007 and prepared during the national and local debates organised since then. The topics are as follows: the future of the EU Treaty, the EU's economic and social model, sustainable development, the role of the EU in a globalised world, democracy and civil society, and youth and education.

The event Saturday 24 March: Preparatory workshops on the six topics discussed at the preparatory workshop in Brussels in January 2007

Sunday 25 March: Plenary debate and adoption of the messages from the Youth Summit to the European institutions

The debate will be accessible to the public through live streaming on the Internet throughout the day on EbS

24-25 March covered by EbS The sources: IP/07/258 European Commission websites: http://europa.eu/youth/ http://ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.html The contacts: Mikolaj Dowgielewicz +32 2 295 0051 Julie Arnaud +32 2 298 7749

Wednesday 28 March: Report on the application of cross compliance

The news: Cross compliance is one of the core elements of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that started in 2003. To receive direct payments, farmers must meet certain standards concerning public, animal and plant health, the environment and animal welfare and keep their land in good agricultural and environmental condition. Where farmers fail to meet those standards, the direct payments they can claim are reduced for the year concerned. The start-up phase of the system has given rise to sensitivities about the application of cross compliance, both in terms of controls and the perception that it represents a rather bulky set of rules. On the basis of experience to date, the Commission will look at ways of clarifying the requirements, harmonising control rates, improving information to farmers and allowing a degree of tolerance for minor cases of non-compliance.

The event: Press conference by Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel, in the Berlaymont Press Room, Brussels (tbc) Available on EbS

The sources: European Commission websites: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/sfp/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/capreform/infosheets/crocom_en.pdf http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/fischer-boel/index_en.htm http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/fischer-boel

Video: General agriculture footages covering each 27 members States available on demand

The contacts: Michael Mann +32 2 299 9780; Johan Reyniers +32 2 295 6728

Wednesday 28 March: Let's reduce by-catches and eliminate discards in EU fisheries

The news: The Commission will adopt a Communication setting out the need for further action to tackle discarding in European fisheries and proposing a new approach to achieve this. Discarding is the practice of dumping overboard dead, unwanted fish and other marine animals which are caught as by-catch. As such, it poses both ethical and economic problems. It is a waste of precious resources for the fishing industry itself, and it can cause serious damage to the integrity of marine ecosystems and deplete biodiversity. This new approach represents an important change in the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy, in that it will regulate results – what can be caught – rather than means – how to fish. By defining for each fishery the maximum acceptable by-catch of non-marketable, juvenile or over-quota marine organisms, the policy will provide a compelling incentive for the industry to devise new technologies and practices to reduce unwanted by-catch, rather than specifying what those techniques and practices should be. The Communication will provide the basis for extensive consultation with Member States and stakeholders during 2007 on the need for action and on how best to proceed with implementing new policy. On the basis of these consultations a new policy will be introduced progressively on a fishery-by-fishery basis from 2008.

The event: Press conference by Commissioner Borg, Berlaymont, Brussels. Available on EbS

The sources: European Commission websites: Fisheries reform: Commission proposes action to reduce catches and discards of unwanted fish to restore fish stocks http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/archives/com02/com02_46_en.htm EU Fisheries Policy: Commission outlines reform to give the EU fisheries sector a future http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/archives/com02/com02_06_en.htm Outcome of Agriculture/Fisheries Council of June 2004 http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/archives/com04/com04_27_en.htm External websites- Discards in the World's Marine Fisheries: An Update (FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 470) http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5936e/y5936e00.htm STECF report on discards from Community vessels, October 2006 http://stecf.jrc.cec.eu.int/meetings/sgrn/0606/report.php

The contacts: Mireille Thom: +32 2 29 91630; Lone Mikkelsen: +32 2 29 60567

Thursday 29 March: Improve the fight against fiscal fraud

The news: The European Commission is organizing a conference on tax fraud: "Tackling VAT Fraud - possible ways forward". The objective is to set out a number of avenues through a public debate, with all stakeholders involved on a European strategy for combating fiscal fraud. The conference, with the participation of representatives from the 27 EU national tax administrations will provide an ideal opportunity for European businesses to become engaged and present their views to the potential impact of coordinated anti-tax fraud measures proposed by the Commission. As part of the Growth and Jobs Strategy, tax policy contributes to raising the efficiency of our economies, notably through combating the tax fraud that creates a significant distortion in the functioning of the internal market and prevents fair competition. Levels of tax fraud are on the increase, and Member States can no longer act in isolation. On May 31st 2006, the Commission presented a Communication concerning the need to develop a co-ordinated strategy to improve the fight against fiscal fraud (COM(2006) 254).

The event: The conference will take place at the Conference Centre Charlemagne (CHAR), Room S1 ; Rue de la Loi 170, Brussels with an opening Introduction by László Kovács, EU-Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union

Workshops on different aspects: 1. VAT fraud: what problems does it cause to business and how can they assist the tax administration in combating it? 2. Enhancing the fight against fraud and the burden on businesses: striking the right balance 3. Changing the VAT system: the ultimate solution?

The sources: European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/vat/how_vat_works/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/article_3234_en.htm IP/06/697 MEMO/06/221

The contacts: Maria Assimakopoulou +32 2 295 98 42; Roger Nunn +32 2 295 36

Participants are requested to register by sending an e-mail (before 21-03-07) to : [email protected]

Thursday 29 March: "Convergence Report" for Europe's telecom sector: Has competition developed and brought visible consumer benefits?

The news: The Commission publishes its 12th annual report on the status of competition on the 27 telecom markets and the implementation of the EU telecom rules in the 27 Member States. This "convergence report" of Europe's telecom sector notes substantial progress made in several Member States. At the same time it identifies a number of worrying deficiencies in the internal market, a lack of independence of telecom regulators, considerable regulatory obstacles for the development of pan-European services as well as distortions of competition by diverging regulatory approaches. The report is an important milestone towards the Commission's proposal to Council and Parliament, for reforming the EU telecom rules (due in summer).

The event: Press Conference of Commissioner Reding in the Berlaymont Press Centre, 29 March at 11.30

The sources: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/policy/ecomm/implementation_enforcement/index_en.htm

The contacts: Martin Selmayr +32 2 298 1230; Mona Lund +32 2 299 9020

Thursday 29 March: Fight against cross-border crime in Europe

The news: Eurojust will celebrate its five years of existence and its success shows that the increasing phenomenon of cross-border organised crime, such as trafficking in arms, drugs and human beings, counterfeiting and child pornography can only be efficiently addressed at European level. On 15 and 16 October 1999, the European Council held a special meeting in Tampere, Finland, dedicated to the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union by concentrating on establishing immigration and asylum policy based on solidarity and on the re-enforcement of the fight against trans-border crime by consolidating co-operation among authorities. To reinforce the fight against serious organised crime, the European Council agreed on 28 February 2002 that a unit, EUROJUST, should be established composed of national prosecutors, magistrates, or police officers of equivalent competence, detached from each Member State according to its legal system. During these first five years, the caseload increased from 192 cases in 2001 to 771 cases in 2006, meaning that the judicial authorities from the Member States are more often referring their complex and cross-border cases to Eurojust to facilitate and co-ordinate the process of bringing criminals to trial while respecting the different judicial systems of the 27 Member States.

The event: Press conference by Comissioner Frattini. • Ebs coverage

The sources: European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/news/laecken_council/fr/eurojust_fr.htm

• Stockshots

The contacts: Friso Roscam Abbing +32 2 296 67 46; Riccardo Mosca +32 2 296 14 04

Wednesday 4 April: Update on EU development assistance commitments

The news: The EU is on track to reach an aid effort of 0.7% of GNP by 2015, although a further push will be required. Practical measures are being presented to Member States to this effect. A specific trade assistance strategy is also being drawn up. In 2006 the EU devoted 0.42% of GNP (i.e. 100 euros per European citizen) to development, thereby meeting the collective commitment made in the European Consensus for Development. This positive situation, however, masks considerable disparities among the Member States. The Commission is recommending that road maps be established to maintain the momentum and to ensure greater convergence between Member States. The rising volumes of aid should also be flanked by greater coherence and complementarity between Commission aid and aid from the Member States. Regarding trade assistance, the poorest countries still have a marginal share in international trade. The Commission is proposing an EU strategy to boost trade assistance to the level of 2 billion euros per year from 2010.

The event: Adoption by the Commission of several communications. The overall communication "From Monterrey to the European Consensus for Development: respecting our commitments" summarises key aspects of three more specific documents: − "The EU respects its commitments – Keeping promises about financing development".

− "Towards an EU trade assistance strategy – The Commission contribution".

− "EU Code of Conduct on Division of labour in Development Policy". This communication was adopted on 28 February 2007.

The sources: IP/07/262 European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/development/index_en.htm

The contacts: Amadeu Altafaj +32 2 295 26 58; Marc Lognoul +32 2 295 64 93

Wednesday 4 April: A new regional policy for the EU's partners around the Black Sea

The news: The Black Sea Synergy will complete the chain of the EU’s regional cooperation initiatives in the European Neighbourhood (adding to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in the south, and the Northern Dimension) - and give a new dynamic to EU cooperation with Russia, Turkey and all our Eastern ENP partners. The new approach will complement the EU’s already substantial bilateral relations with these partners, building on initiatives already underway to support efforts in the fields of good governance, energy, transport and environment. The Commission hopes that enhanced regional cooperation can generate confidence and help create the conditions for solutions to frozen conflicts in the area.

The event: Press conference with the Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner (External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy) in the press room, Berlaymont, Brussels. Time to be confirmed. • Ebs coverage

The source: European Commission website: http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/index_fr.htm

The contacts: Emma Udwin +32 2 295 9577; Christina Mueschen +32 2 298 0373