Midday Express of 2010-02-25
Midday Express of 2010-02-25
EXME 10 / 25.02
Midday Express of 2010-02-25
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communication
EU interim forecast: recovery is in progress but remains fragile
The EU economy is gradually recovering, whilst still facing headwinds. Real GDP started to grow again in the third quarter of 2009, ending the longest and deepest recession in the EU's history. The exceptional crisis measures put in place in the EU played a major role in turning the economy around. However, in line with the autumn 2009 forecast, growth eased in the fourth quarter, as the impact of some temporary factors started to fade. According to the current update, the economic outlook for the EU remains broadly unchanged. GDP is projected to grow at 0.7% in both the EU and the euro area in 2010. The inflation projections also remain largely unchanged at 1.4% and 1.1% in the EU and the euro area, respectively. Uncertainty surrounding these projections remains rife, as recent developments in financial markets illustrate well.
In February, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) remained broadly unchanged, lingering at 97.4 (up by 0.2 points) in the EU and at 95.9 (down by 0.1 point) in the euro area. After 10 months of uninterrupted improvement, the rebound appears to have lost its momentum – though the indicator is now not far off its long-term average, especially in the EU.
February 2010: Business Climate Indicator continues to improve
The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area rose for the eleventh month in a row. Nevertheless the relatively low level of the indicator suggests that year-on-year growth in industrial production in January 2010 was still negative. The increase in the BCI reflects managers' positive opinion about both order books and production expectations. Their assessment of production trend observed in recent months was even more optimistic. In contrast, the level of stocks was considered to be still in excess of the optimal level.
Developing the Danube Region: Commissioner Hahn draws strategy with partners
To improve environmental conditions and develop the huge economic potential of the region, Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, addresses today a conference in Budapest on the European Strategy for the Danube Region. Organised by the European Commission and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the second in a series of consultation events. During his visit, Mr Hahn will hold talks with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Gordon Bajnai, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Péter Balázs, and Minister for National Development and Economy, István Varga, and also take part in the Danube Summit, organised by the Hungarian government in parallel to the stakeholder event. Other participants in this event include the Prime Ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Moldavia and the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia.
La Commission adopte un rapport sur la durabilité de la biomasse
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui un rapport sur les exigences de viabilité environnementale relatives à l'utilisation de biomasse solide et gazeuse pour l'électricité, le chauffage et le refroidissement. Le rapport comporte des recommandations concernant les critères de viabilité environnementale à l'usage des États membres désireux d'introduire un régime national, en vue d'éviter les entraves au fonctionnement du marché intérieur de la biomasse.
Madrid High Level Conference "Roadmap towards implementing the Single European Sky", 25-26 February 2010 - European civil aviation community to commit to implementing a greener, safer, and more performing single European sky by 2012
A high-level conference starting today will bring together policy makers and business leaders to discuss what is needed to secure a timely implementation of the second "Single European Sky" package. The event, which takes place in Madrid on 25 and 26 February, is being held under the auspices of the Spanish Presidency and Chairmanship of Mr José Blanco, Minister of Transport of Spain, and of Mr Matthias Ruete, Director General of the European Commission's DG Mobility and Transport, representing Vice-President Kallas.
Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn visits Joint Research Centre in Geel as nuclear physics unveil secrets of Bronze Age sword
Physicists at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) have helped unveil the secrets of a Bronze Age sword with neutron beams normally used to study materials for nuclear reactors. The sword originates from the North Alps-Danuba region and was found near the village of Buggenum (Netherlands). It dates from 1300 – 1100 BC. Scientists at the JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) in Geel studied it using pulsed neutron beams as part of an EU-funded project called Ancient Charm. Visiting the IRMM today, Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: ""This is a reminder of the enormous breadth of innovative research carried out by the JRC for the European Commission. The analysis of an ancient sword using 21st century technology is an example of how European research work also enhances cultural and historical knowledge. I want to use my mandate to tell more people about this kind of fascinating research work and to show them that there is much more to Europe than Directives and Regulations." Further details are available in the accompanying JRC press release, available outside the Commission press room and at http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pressroom
Health Claims: Commission will act on advice from the European Food Safety Authority
The Commission welcomes the publication of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) second set of opinions covering more than 400 health claims. It follows the publication of the first series of opinions 1 of October 2009 covering more than 500 health claims of the approximately 4.000 submitted for scientific advice. In total, more than 44,000 health claims were submitted to the Commission by the Member States. The Commission consolidated these into a list of 4,000. Due to the large number of health claims received and the delay in submissions by stakeholders to Member States, the deadline of 31 January 2010, stipulated in the Health Claims Regulation, for the adoption of a list of permitted health claims could not be met. EFSA intends to continue the publication of several series of opinions throughout 2010 and 2011. With a view to protect consumers from unsubstantiated health claims on the food they buy, and in order not to delay the adoption of the list, the Commission announced in July 2009 that it will favour a process facilitating a progressive adoption of the Community list of permitted health claims and it has initiated discussions with the Member States on the health claims already assessed by EFSA. Likewise, health claims which will be rejected will be included in the Community Register in a list of prohibited claims.
Autre matériel diffusé :
? Speech by Commissioner Hahn 'Optimising our Efforts for the Danube Region', Budapest
? Speech by Vice-President ?ef?ovi? "EU 2020 - follow up of the informal European Council", Brussels
?
European EC Rapid Press Release MEX/10/0225, copyright European Commission.
read the original release
