| Lisboa, 10.07.2009 President Barroso and Commissioner Piebalgs welcome the signature of the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcome the signature in Ankara on Monday of the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement, which sets out the terms and conditions under which gas can be exported from the Caspian Sea and the Middle East to the European Union and Turkey. Potentially Nabucco can supply up to 5-10% of European gas demand, but in countries that are currently 100% reliant on one external supply route, it will provide immediate tangible security of supply benefits. (IP/09/1114) Union for the Mediterranean: Commission increases its contribution to priority projects On the eve of the first anniversary of the launching of the Union for the Mediterranean (Paris, 13 July 2008), the European Commission announces an additional contribution of ?72 million, for 2009-2010, to the areas identified as priorities by the Euro-Mediterranean Heads of State and Government in Paris. Work will focus on the de-pollution of the Mediterranean Sea, maritime and land highways, alternative energies, with a focus on the Mediterranean Solar Plant, higher education and research and supporting investment in businesses. Part of the funds will be dedicated to support the running of the Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat. With this contribution, the total community budget dedicated since July 2008 to the priorities identified by the Union for the Mediterranean amounts ?90 million. (IP/09/1113 e MEMO/09/333) Como transformar o ?dividendo digital? em benefícios para os consumidores e num crescimento económico de 50 000 milhões de euros? A mudança da televisão analógica para a televisão digital na Europa vai libertar radiofrequências que serão utilizadas por novos serviços. A UE está em boa posição para beneficiar deste ?dividendo digital?: a Alemanha, a Finlândia, o Luxemburgo, a Suécia, os Países Baixos, a Bélgica (Flandres) e grande parte da Áustria puseram já fim às emissões de televisão terrestre analógica e, até 2012, seguir-se-ão outros países da UE (IP/09/266). No dia 12 de Junho, os EUA mudaram também para a televisão digital. A plena exploração do potencial desta mudança é prioritária para a política das telecomunicações da UE, dado que o espectro radioeléctrico assim disponibilizado pode melhorar o modo como comunicamos e acedemos aos conteúdos audiovisuais. Utilizado de modo eficiente, este espectro proporcionará também economias de escala e reforçará a competitividade da UE, fazendo aumentar a inovação nos equipamentos e serviços sem fios e facilitando o acesso à banda larga através de terminais móveis. A Comissão lançou hoje uma consulta para determinar a melhor maneira de trabalhar em conjunto a nível da UE a fim de aproveitar ao máximo esta oportunidade única. A consulta estará aberta até 4 de Setembro de 2009. (IP/09/1112) L'Union Européenne a confirmé en 2008 son rang de premier donateur d'aide au développement A l'occasion de la publication du rapport annuel 2009 sur l'aide au développement et l'assistance communautaire mise en ?uvre en 2008, l'Union Européenne a confirmé en 2008 son rang de premier donateur d'aide au développement, représentant près de 60% de l'aide mondiale. La Commission, à elle seule, a engagé 12 milliards d'euros, soit plus d'un cinquième de l'effort global européen. Parallèlement, la qualité et l'efficacité de l'aide se renforcent ainsi que la transparence et le suivi des résultats. (IP/09/1115) Dairy crisis: Extension of private storage aid for butter Yesterday, Member States backed a European Commission proposal to extend the private storage aid scheme for butter from 15 August 2009 until 28 February 2010. World market prices for dairy products have collapsed notably due to a drop in demand in connection with the financial and economic crisis. EU market prices for dairy products have fallen significantly. In November 2008, the Commission reintroduced private storage for butter as a first measure to help stabilise the dairy market. To date about 110 000 tonnes of butter are in private storage. The scheme normally ends on 15 August 2009. In view of the current and foreseeable market situation it is necessary to extend the period until 28 February 2010. The proposal will now be formally adopted by the Commission in the next few weeks. July 2009 Monthly monitor on the EU employment situation and social outlook Latest data covering the period up to May/June 2009 show that EU labour markets continue to deteriorate. Unemployment continued to rise in May, though more moderately than in the first four months of the year, with men and young people continuing to be hit particularly hard. Overall unemployment rose by 385 000 to reach 21.5 million, an increase of 5.1 million (or almost a third) compared to May 2008. However, while hard data have so far remained depressed and the outlook for the labour market in coming months remains bleak, there are increasing signs that the pace of economic deterioration is moderating and that confidence among businesses and consumers, although remaining pessimistic, is improving. This month, the European Commission's monitoring report includes a special focus on the electricity and gas sector. http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=120&langId=en Para mais informações sobre assuntos europeus: http://ec.europa.eu/portugal/index_pt.htm |