Flash estimates for the first quarter of 2008
Euro area and EU27 GDP up by 0.7%
+2.2% and +2.4% respectively compared with the first quarter of 2007
GDP grew by 0.7% in both the euro area1 (EA15) and the EU271 during the first quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. In the fourth quarter of 2007, growth rates were +0.4% in the euro area and +0.5% in the EU27.
Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP grew by 2.2% in the euro area and by 2.4% in the EU27 in the first quarter of 2008, after +2.2% and +2.5% respectively in the previous quarter.
During the first quarter of 2008, US GDP increased by 0.1% compared with the previous quarter, after +0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2007. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, GDP grew by 2.5% in the US, after +2.5% also in the previous quarter.
The euro area (EA15) includes Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Luxembourg, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia and Finland.
The EU27 includes Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), the Czech Republic (CZ), Denmark (DK), Germany (DE), Estonia (EE), Ireland (IE), Greece (EL), Spain (ES), France (FR), Italy (IT), Cyprus (CY), Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Hungary (HU), Malta (MT), the Netherlands (NL), Austria (AT), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Slovenia (SI), Slovakia (SK), Finland (FI), Sweden (SE) and the United Kingdom (UK).
Summary quality information
European quarterly national accounts are compiled in accordance with the European System of Accounts 1995 (ESA95). The flash estimate of 2008 Q1 GDP growth presented in this release is based on Member States’ data as available, directly covering 80% of EA15 GDP (76% of EU27 GDP). For more details of the flash methodology please refer to News Release 55/2003 of 15 May 2003.
Simulations and previously published flash estimates have shown the flash estimation procedure to be reliable. Over the last 29 quarters, the flash estimate of GDP growth on the previous quarter for the euro area (EA12) when compared to the following first regular release has led to an average revision of less than 0.01 percentage points. It correctly anticipated the acceleration or deceleration of growth 25 times. The value of the growth rate was correctly anticipated 25 times and differed by ±0.1 percentage points 4 times.
With this flash estimate, euro area and EU GDP figures for earlier quarters are not revised, so the growth rates till the fourth quarter 2007, published in News Release 48/2008 of 9 April 2008, remain unchanged. All figures presented in this release are subject to further revision with the two regular estimates of GDP for the first quarter 2008, scheduled for 3 June 2008 and 9 July 2008. First estimates for National Accounts employment in the first quarter 2008 are scheduled for 13 June 2008.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=STAT/08/68&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Hübner welcomes innovation, climate change priorities in Sardinia's new Cohesion Policy programme
Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, today visits Sardinia at the invitation of Mr Renato Soru, President of the Region. Her visit marks the start of the region's new Cohesion Policy programmes, which put innovation and combating climate change at the top of the agenda. She will visit projects set up with EU co-funding, and meet regional government and council officials, as well as representatives of civil society.
'I welcome the way in which the region has taken on board new priorities for this programming period: now it is playing the innovation card to boost jobs and growth, as well as planning projects to counter climate change,' the Commissioner said ahead of her visit.
Sardinia's new programme for 2007-13, with EU investment worth EUR 681 million, will focus primarily on innovation (43%), rather than on infrastructure, as was the case for the previous period. A third of the investment available will be dedicated to meeting the challenge of climate change, and is intended to achieve a 26% decrease in carbon emissions by 2015. The focus is on renewable energies and energy efficiency, and sustainable transport (upgrading of regional rail and port systems, clean urban transport modes). Sardinia aims to provide broadband access for every school under a priority entitled “Information Society”.
Project visits
The Commissioner will visit the Science Park at Pula , opened in 2003 with EU co-funding. It now hosts 50 research institutes and companies that employ 500 people in fields such as Information Technology, biomedicine, bioinformatics and nanotechnologies (ERDF contribution: € 51 million). She will also visit the former Buggerru coalfield, now a cultural and tourism area (ERDF contribution: €1.38 million).
Notes for editors
Previous programming period (2000-2006): Sardinia received investment worth EUR 4.26 billion in total from the Structural Funds for the previous programming period, which draws to a close at the end of the year. Total payments have so far reached 76%, and the Commission is encouraging the region to make further efforts to invest remaining resources in good time.
The impact of EU investment to date has been evaluated. Among the results are: a boost to wastewater treatment capacity, from 71% of the total population in 1999 to 87.5% in 2005. Cut in urban transit times: Average journey times in Cagliari and Sassari have been cut by 30 minutes since the year 2000 thanks to investment in urban rail transit systems.
Hub for co-operation in Mediterranean
Sardinia has become a hub for cooperation in the Mediterranean region. The island is involved in the Italy-France (Maritime) cross-border programme, which is set to receive EU funding worth EUR 121 million.
Sardinia is also involved in a transnational programme covering the Mediterranean. It has been designated as Managing Authority for the new European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument “Mediterranean Sea Basin” programme, with EUR 86.8 million of ERDF investment. The programme has four priorities: economic and social development, environment, migratory routes, and North-South contacts.Further details of Regional Policy are available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm
Mergers: Commission requests Spain to lift conditions imposed on acquisition of Endesa by Enel and Acciona
The European Commission has formally requested Spain to comply with its decision adopted in December 2007 under Article 21 of the EU Merger Regulation to withdraw the conditions imposed by the Spanish Energy Regulator (CNE) and later modified by the Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism on the acquisition of the Spanish energy company ENDESA by ENEL of Italy and ACCIONA of Spain. This merger was cleared by the Commission under the EU Merger Regulation in July 2007 (see IP/07/1023). In December 2007, the Commission concluded that the Spanish conditions were contrary to EU law and requested Spain to withdraw them by 10 January 2008 (see IP/07/1858). Spain did not comply with the decision and the Commission opened infringement proceedings (see IP/08/164). Today's request by the Commission takes the form of a “reasoned opinion”, the second stage of infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within one month the Commission may decide to refer Spain to the European Court of Justice.
Hübner welcomes innovation, climate change priorities in Sardinia's new Cohesion Policy programme
Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, today visits Sardinia at the invitation of Mr Renato Soru, President of the Region. Her visit marks the start of the region's new Cohesion Policy programmes, which put innovation and combating climate change at the top of the agenda. She will visit projects set up with EU co-funding, and meet regional government and council officials, as well as representatives of civil society.
Déclaration de Louis Michel sur la situation politique en République centrafricaine
Le Commissaire au Développement et à l'Aide Humanitaire, Louis Michel, se félicite de la signature d'un accord de cessez-le-feu et de paix entre le gouvernement de la République centrafricaine et l'Armée Populaire pour la Restauration de la Démocratie (APRD) le 9 mai dernier à Libreville. Cet accord était un préalable pour la signature d'un accord de paix global et le lancement du dialogue politique inclusif en Centrafrique dans des conditions optimales.
Consumers: EU-UEFA launch helpline for fans travelling to EURO 2008
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva today announced the launch of an EU- UEFA information campaign and helpline to advise fans travelling to EURO 2008 on their consumer rights and to provide support for those who run into problems. The campaign deals with consumer issues – from fake match tickets to transferring tickets in the case of illness, to air travel, roaming charges, EU health insurance and problems shopping abroad. An EU-UEFA online consumer leaflet setting out clear advice for fans travelling to the tournament is available from today at www.euro2008.com as well as on the European Commission website at www.supportersrights.eu. A free phone consumers' rights helpline service will run – in all EU languages – throughout the tournament from June 1st 2008 - free phone supporters rights helpline 00800 6 7 8 9 10 11.
20 May: European Maritime Day set up by European institutions
The European Union has decided to celebrate the achievements and potential of Europe's ocean and seas by declaring 20 May as a dedicated "European Maritime Day". The official launch ceremony will be held in Strasbourg, where Commission President José Manuel Barroso, European Council President Janez Janša and the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering will sign a Joint Tripartite Declaration. European Maritime Day will provide an occasion to highlight the crucial role that oceans and seas play in the everyday life not only of coastal communities, but of all EU citizens, and for Europe's sustainable growth and jobs at large. Based on a proposal from the Commission, this dedicated Maritime Day will also encourage better stewardship of coastal zones, seas and oceans by all citizens and actors concerned.
Euro area annual inflation down to 3.3%
Euro area annual inflation was 3.3% in April 2008, down from 3.6% in March. A year earlier the rate was 1.9%. Monthly inflation was 0.3% in April 2008. EU annual inflation was 3.6% in April 2008, down from 3.8% in March. A year earlier the rate was 2.2%. Monthly inflation was 0.4% in April 2008. These figures come from Eurostat.
Le PIB de la zone euro et celui de l’UE27 en hausse de 0,7%
Au cours du premier trimestre 2008, le PIB de la zone euro (ZE15) et celui de l’UE27 ont augmenté de 0,7% par rapport au trimestre précédent, selon les estimations rapides publiées par Eurostat. Au cours du quatrième trimestre 2007, le taux de croissance avait été de +0,4% dans la zone euro et de +0,5% dans l'UE27.
European Charter Conference - Facilitating life of small businesses!
How to make the life of small businesses easier? This will be the central topic of the conference on the European Charter for Small Enterprises, taking place in Bled/Brdo, Slovenia on 3-4 June 2008. Each year this conference presents the Member States’ most successful good practices to support Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) all over Europe. This year's conference tackles among other "better regulation for the benefit of SMEs'', "fostering the internationalisation of SMEs" and "entrepreneurship education". For example, the British Cleaning and Support services association will demonstrate how a whole sector now can save up to € 250 million in total thanks to the new health and safety risk assessment models from the government. The Swedish tax agency presents its successful electronic tax declaration for SMEs. Spain will give insight into its exemplary PIPE-programme which supported nearly 5000 small companies in internationalising their business. Germany will demonstrate how they set-up the one-stop-shop “Inter-Ned” with the Netherlands to foster cross-border business activities of their respective enterprises. Wales will explain how they reached their goal to activate more than 300 entrepreneurs to serve as role models to present the fascination of their job to annually 50.000 pupils in schools all over the country. Based on the successful experience of the existing SME Charter, the Commission looks to give a further push to the policy for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises with the presentation of a Small Business Act for Europe before summer. The conference is co-organised by the European Commission and the Slovenian Presidency. Registration and further information at the conference website: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/charter/conf2008/
Vice-President Verheugen to visit Russia 15-17 May
Shortly after the appointment of the new Russian government Vice President Günter Verheugen is going to Russia from Thursday May 15t until Saturday May 17 to meet with the reappointed Industry and Trade Minister, Viktor Khristenko. Both are keen to further strengthen the dialogue and economic cooperation between Russia and the European Union, including the EU-Russia Industrial and Regulatory dialogue. The discussions will be held in Russian Far East, in Komsomolsk on Amur. Both will also visit the Sukhoi aircraft factory in Komsomolsk, where the new Russian Superjet 100 is produced. Major EU aerospace companies are involved in the development of this regional aircraft and considerably invested in the plant. Vice President Verheugen and minister Khristenko will discuss the industrial development in Russia and how the EU and Russia can cooperate in this field. Vice President Verheugen will also meet with business leaders in Moscow to further encourage economic cooperation and practical steps towards Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which is in the mutual interest of both partners.
DG Environment holds one-day event on Climate Adaptation White Paper
The European Commission's Directorate-General for the Environment is hosting a one-day stakeholder workshop in Brussels on May 16 as part of the progress towards a White Paper on adaptation to climate change to be adopted by the Commission this autumn. The workshop will include a review of the consultation response to the Green Paper and assess preparations for the impact assessment and progress with the preparation of the White Paper. The participants will thus have an opportunity to influence the development and content of the White Paper. The White Paper follows a Green Paper on the same subject adopted in June last year, examining climate change impacts in Europe and the case for action and policy responses in the EU. That Paper focuses on the role of the EU and the leadership it could provide, but takes account of the prominent role of Member States, regional and local authorities in any efficient adaptation strategy. The Paper was met with widespread support. The conference will take place in the Commission's Borschette Conference Centre, Brussels, starting at 0930. The workshop is open to pre-registered participants only. For more details see: Climate adaptation stakeholder event and Green Paper on adaptation to climate change.
Civil protection: EU-ALBIS 2008, a large-scale cross-border flood simulation, kicks off in Germany and the Czech Republic
Germany and the Czech Republic are staging a large-scale civil protection exercise to simulate a cross-border flooding emergency. The exercise will be held between 16 and 18 May 2008. Emergency response units will react to a number of different scenarios including flood protection, bridge building, salvage, rescue, and the construction of an oil barrier. German and Czech tactical units and command centres will be involved, as will the European Commission's Monitoring and information Centre (MIC), which is activated within the framework of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism. EU Albis 2008 aims to improve cross-border skills for the teams from the two countries, test national warning systems and improve EU co-ordination in the event of a similar emergency. Spring floods are common in various parts of central and eastern Europe, and the Elbe was particularly badly affected in 2002 and 2006. This exercise is a simulated recreation of the floods of those years. The European Commission is co-financing 75% of the exercise with a contribution of €149 957. For more information, see: European civil protection exercises – http://ec.europa.eu/environment/civil/prote/exercises.htm EU-Albis 2008 - http://www.albis2008.eu/index_en.html
Commission clears acquisition of Samsung Techwin European distribution activities by Samsung Electronics
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Samsung Opto-Electronics GmbH of Germany, SamsungOpto-Electronics France S.A.S and Samsung Opto-Electronics UK, which are all subsidiaries of Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd of Korea, by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd of Korea. Samsung Electronics designs, develops, manufactures and distributes products in the area of electronics and information technology. The target companies all distribute digital cameras. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Commission clears acquisition of SSC Brazil by ArcelorMittal and Gonvarri
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Gonvarri Brasil Produtos Siderúrgicos SA (SSC Brazil) of Brazil by ArcelorMittal of Luxembourg and Gonvarri of Spain. ArcelorMittal manufactures and sells a wide range of steel products including flat carbon steels, long carbon steels and stainless steels. Gonvarri is active in steel processing and distribution and the design, development and manufacture of metal parts for motor vehicles. SSC Brazil processes and distributes steel in Brazil. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Commission clears acquisition of T.A.R.M.A.C. Aerosave by EADS and Sita France
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of T.A.R.M.A.C. Aerosave SAS of France by EADS NV of The Netherlands and Sita France SA, controlled by the French Suez group. EADS is active in aerospace, defence and related services. Suez manages public utilities in the field of electricity, natural gas, energy services, water and waste management. T.A.R.M.A.C. Aerosave is active in aircraft storage, aircraft decommissioning and spare parts recovery. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Commission clears joint venture between ČEZ and MOL
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of a newly created company constituting a joint venture by ČEZ, a.s. (ČEZ) of the Czech Republic and MOL Magyar Olaj- és Gázipari Nyilvánosan Működő Részvénytársaság (MOL) of Hungary. ČEZ is an integrated energy conglomerate. MOL is an integrated oil and gas company. The joint venture will develop gas-fired power generation plants and related gas infrastructure in Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on Italy - Operational Programme 2007-2013: Sardinia Regional Operational Programme
• Memo on Questions and Answers: EU-UEFA campaign to inform EURO 2008 fans about their rights
• Speech by Commissioner Ferreo-Waldner 'Die EU und ihre östlichen Nachbarn -Sicherheit und Wohlstand durch Vernetzung', Berlin
• Speech by Commissioner Almunia '10 years of Economic and Monetary Union: time for assessment', Brussels
• Speech by Commissioner Borg 'Building a common vision of the oceans and seas', Lisbon
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :
Nordic Capital / CPS Color
Key Figures on European Business: The European market economy through statistics
The pocketbook Key figures on European business1, published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, summarises the main features of European business in a concise and simple manner. The publication consists of fourteen short chapters, focusing on particular aspects of the European business economy; from the size and structure of business sectors to the importance of foreign controlled enterprises. This edition includes a special feature on the factors of business success, which presents an analysis of the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs for 15 Member States. The special feature gives an insight into the issues that determine the success and growth of newly born enterprises, as well as the motivation of entrepreneurs and the difficulties they face.
127 million persons employed in the EU27 non-financial business economy
In 2005, the total number of enterprises in the EU27 non-financial business economy2 was almost 20 million. In total, these enterprises generated 5 400 billion euro in value added and employed 127 million persons. Three sectors together accounted for more than half of the total number of enterprises: retail trade (3.8 million or 19%), other business activities3 (3.7 million or 19%) and construction (2.8 million or 14%).
These were also the sectors with the highest employment. Other business activities was the largest sector, with 18 million persons employed, representing 14% of all employment in the non-financial business economy in the EU27 in 2005, followed by retail trade (17 million or 14%) and construction (14 million or 11%).
Other business activities also had the highest value added with 656 bn euro, the equivalent of 12% of total value added in all sectors, followed by wholesale trade (480 bn or 9%) and construction (466 bn or 9%).
Key indicators on the non-financial business economy in the EU27, 2005
Germany accounted for almost a quarter of the number of credit institutions in the EU27
There were around 8 700 credit institutions4 in the EU27 in 2006, employing 3.2 million persons. Their net interest earned amounted to 300 billion euro and their net commissions to 150 bn euro. They held 2 060 billion euro of capital and reserves, while their total assets and liabilities (balance sheet) amounted to 36 000 billion euro, three times the EU27 GDP.
Amongst the Member States in 2006, Germany with almost 2 000 credit institutions accounted for 23% of the total number in the EU27, followed by France (840 institutions and 10%) and Austria (800 institutions and 9%). Germany also recorded the highest number of persons employed in credit institutions (680 thousand, 21% of total), followed by the United Kingdom (450 thousand, 14%), France (410 thousand, 13%) and Italy (340 thousand, 11%).
In 2006, Germany (66 bn, 22%) accounted for the highest share of net interest earned by credit institutions in the EU27, followed by the United Kingdom (59 bn, 20%), Italy (33 bn, 11%) and Spain (29 bn, 10%), while for net commissions the highest amounts were found in the United Kingdom (38 bn, 24%), Germany (27 bn, 17%), France (22 bn, 14%) and Italy (20 bn, 13%). In all Member States, except Luxembourg, net income from interest was higher than net income from commissions.
The United Kingdom (533 bn euro, 26%) recorded more than a quarter of the capital and reserves held by credit institutions in the EU27 in 2006, followed by Italy (277 bn, 13%), France (266 bn, 13%) and Germany (260 bn, 13%).
The United Kingdom (9 500 bn euro, 27%) also accounted for more than a quarter of the total assets and liabilities (balance sheet) of credit institutions in 2006 in the EU27, followed by Germany (7 300 bn, 20%) and France (5 400 bn, 15%). As a percentage of GDP, the balance sheet of credit institutions varied greatly among Member States, ranging from 50% in Romania and 65% in Poland to 2 480% in Luxembourg and around 500% in Cyprus, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Credit institutions, 2006*
1. The publication "Key figures on European business" can be downloaded free of charge in PDF format and paper copies can be ordered through the Eurostat website. The publication presents only a small selection of the most important data available. For further information, the Eurostat website offers a section dedicated to European business.
2. The non-financial business economy excludes agricultural activities, public administration and other non-market services, such as education and health and also excludes the financial services sector, for which activity specific information is presented in the publication. NACE Rev. 1.1 is the common statistical classification of economic activity within the European Community. NACE Rev. 1.1 is available on the Eurostat website.
3. Other business activities: Legal, accounting, book-keeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy; market research and public opinion polling; business and management consultancy; holdings, Architectural and engineering activities and related technical consultancy, Technical testing and analysis, Advertising, Labour recruitment and provision of personnel, Investigation and security activities, Industrial cleaning, Miscellaneous business activities n.e.c.
4. Credit institutions: an undertaking whose business is to receive deposits or other repayable funds from the public and to grant credits for its own account.
G8 employment ministers meet to strengthen social dimensions of globalisation
European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimír Špidla will this weekend represent the EU at a high level meeting of employment and labour ministers from the world's eight largest economies. The special G8 meeting on employment in Niigata, Japan, will focus on labour market reform, addressing growing social disparities, the social dimension of globalisation and of environmental challenges like climate change. The conclusions of the meeting will feed into the main G8 Summit taking place in Hokkaido Toyako in July.
Vladimír Špidla underlined, "Globalisation generally has a positive impact, but the G8 countries and the EU need to make sure that its benefits are fairly spread within countries as well as between countries and at global level." He added, "In the labour market, we need to combine flexibility with security; in particular we need to make the workforce more skilled and responsive and labour markets more inclusive. Finally, we need to pay special attention to the employment and social dimensions of climate change so as to use the potential for job creation but also to appropriately address adverse effects, manage restructuring and job losses resulting from transition to a low carbon economy"
The Commission also welcomes the G8 consultation with social partners. It is pleased that the discussions will cover the challenges of emerging and developing countries as well as the G8 and developed countries themselves. Indonesia and Thailand have been invited to participate at the meeting, along with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The G8 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting is a ministerial conference where delegates discuss the labour problems shared by developed nations. The meetings contribute to the main G8 leaders' summit. Similar meetings have been held annually since 1994. The European Commission participates on behalf of the European Union.
Roadmap on visa free travel for all citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, welcomed the transmission of the Roadmap on visa liberalisation to Foreign Minister Antonio Milošoski today in a meeting which took place in Brussels. The Roadmap gives clear indications to the candidate country's authorities on the measures that need to be taken in order to grant visa free travel to all its citizens in the near future.
Vice President Jacques Barrot declared: "I attach the greatest importance to facilitating people to people contacts in particular for the younger generation. I am convinced that easy travel conditions will increase mutual understanding and improve our relations in all fields. The roadmap on visa facilitation is certainly another important step towards the EU integration of the candidate country."
"But the roadmap offers more advantages to the citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" VP Barrot continued, "as it will encourage the country to continue implementing the relevant reforms and reinforcing cooperation at regional level and with the EU in areas such as strengthening the rule of law, fighting organised crime and corruption."
Since 1 January 2008, the citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia enjoy the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union. This agreement provides simplified conditions for visas, including a visa fee waiver for a broad range of categories of citizens including students, sportsmen and sportswomen, cultural workers, journalists, people visiting family members living in the EU, people in need of medical treatment, economic operators working with EU companies, etc. Up to 80% of the citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can currently be exempt from the visa fee. The remaining visa-paying citizens are charged the special reduced rate of 35 euros instead of 60 euros.
Moreover, in February 2008, the dialogue on visa liberalisation with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was launched. It is yet another strong message of openness to all citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that the EU sent. The Roadmap presented officially today is a first concrete step of the dialogue..
The Roadmap follows a balanced approach setting benchmarks which are realistic and achievable in the near future. It sets clear requirements for the reforms to be implemented in key areas such as security of documents, border management, fight against illegal migration, fight against organised crime and corruption and also in the area of fundamental rights.
The process will be closely monitored by the Commission assisted by Member States' experts. The Commission will report regularly on the implementation of the Roadmap and will eventually consider the possibility to present a proposal for the lifting of the visa obligation for citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Background
In line with GAERC conclusions dated 28 January 2008, the Commission opened a structured dialogue on visa liberalisation with 4 Western Balkan countries (Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania) during the first months of 2008. Opening of the dialogue with Bosnia and Herzegovina will be announced very soon.
In its March 2008 Communication on the Western Balkans, the Commission stated that it will develop detailed roadmaps setting up clear benchmarks to be met in the coming years in order to advance towards visa liberalisation. The Commission is currently working on the Roadmaps for the other countries that will be presented in the coming weeks.
Having in mind the wide range of issues relevant for the visa liberalisation dialogue and the need to establish an adequately secured context for visa free travel, the objective of the Roadmap is to set up clear requirements and identify all the measures that need to be adopted and implemented by the Western Balkan countries in the near future.
The effective implementation of the Visa Facilitation and Readmission Agreements is a concrete stage and pre-condition for the success of the visa liberalisation dialogue.
The Roadmap identifies four sets of issues to be covered by the dialogue: document security, illegal migration, public order and security as well as external relations and fundamental rights items linked to the movement of persons. Key elements of the blocks include: improvement of document security and in particular the introduction of biometrics in travel documents, better management of migratory risks, efficient law enforcement cooperation including cooperation with Europol and enhanced measures to fight against organised crime and corruption.
The dialogue will allow each country to focus reform efforts and address the EU’s requirements. The speed of movement towards visa liberalisation will depend on the progress made by each of the countries in fulfilling the conditions set.
Concerning the structure, the dialogue will be conducted by senior officials who could decide to organise technical meetings at expert level for specific items. The Commission will report regularly to the Council on the implementation of the Roadmap. The whole process will allow the Commission to make a proposal at the appropriate moment to the Council for the lifting of the visa obligation for the citizens of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Six of the best: European cultural heritage projects
The six winners of the 2008 "European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage / Europa Nostra Awards" are outstanding projects in the Czech Republic, Greece, the Netherlands, Spain and Romania. The prizes announced today serve as recognition of exceptional conservation, research and education efforts and are each worth € 10 000. The prizes are awarded jointly by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage. They will be presented at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony on 12 June 2008 in Durham Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
The European Heritage Awards were jointly launched in 2002 by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, in the framework of the Commission’s Culture Programme, to celebrate outstanding initiatives among the many facets of Europe's cultural heritage in categories ranging from the restoration of buildings and their adaptation to new uses, to urban and rural landscape rehabilitation, archaeological site interpretations, and care for art collections. Also awarded are prizes for research and, for the first time in 2008, education projects related to cultural heritage, and dedicated service to heritage conservation by individuals or organisations.
This Awards Scheme aims to promote high standards and high-quality skills in conservation practice, and to stimulate the trans-frontier exchanges in the area of heritage. By spreading the "Power of Example”, the Prize also aims to encourage further efforts and projects related to heritage throughout Europe.
This year, a total of 109 applications and nominations from 29 countries were received in the various categories and assessed in situ by independent experts. The most outstanding of these were selected by the Heritage Awards Jury in a series of meetings which took place over the past months.
Six Prizes have been awarded, in the following categories:
Category 1 — Conservation:
The conservation of the Southern façade of Horní Hrad (Upper Castle) of the Český Krumlov State Castle, Czech Republic: Awarded for establishing new standards in the Czech monument care and appreciated as an excellent example of a respectful conservation.
The conservation of the archaeological site of Skarkos on the Island of Ios in Greece: Awarded for the outstanding quality of conservation work and above all the minimal and extremely sensitive character of the interventions, having no detrimental impact on a unique landscape.
The restoration and adaptive re-use of the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Honoured as an exemplary approach to the restoration of, and finding new uses for, an iconic building of European and world importance.
Category 2 — Research:
The Inventory of the Fortified Military Architecture in Spain by the Asociación Española de Amigos de los Castillos, Spain: Appreciated as an excellent example of raising awareness of Spain's military heritage that is not only important to Spain, but highly significant on a European level as well.
Category 3 — Dedicated service:
Stichting Stadsherstel Hoorn, the Netherlands: A very successful example of civil society's involvement in safeguarding Europe's historic city centres and in highlighting the importance of volunteers.
Category 4 — Education, training and awareness-raising:
The International Built Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Bánffy Castle in Bonţida, Romania: Highly valued for its double approach: training for conservation and conservation through training. It is an excellent example of cross border exchange of knowledge and a worthy winner of this award in the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.
In addition to the six top Prizes, twenty-one 2nd prize Medals will be awarded. More details on the Europa Nostra Website: http://www.europanostra.org/awards/2008/laureates.html
More information on the Culture Programme and the European Commission’s awards in the field of culture: http://ec.europa.eu/culture
