Newsletter #12, January 2006   AMERICAN EUROPEAN INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER This newsletter consists of a selection of recent press releases that may be of some interest as background to the transatlantic relationship. These include governmental and NGO press releases from Europe and America. If you feel there are areas not covered in this release please do not hesitate to e-mail me on duncan.ritchie@americaneuropeaninstitute.com. Contents Update on the Work of the American European Institute US Department of State White House Office of the United States Trade Representative U.S Department of Commerce European Commission E.U Government United Kingdom Germany Austrian NGO’s UPDATE ON THE WORK OF THE AMERICAN EUROPEAN INSTITUTE 13 January American European Institute Round Table Lunch at the Czech Embassy As part of its Diplomatic Forum Initiative, the American European Institute attended a round table lunch debate on the latest developments in EU/US Relations at the Czech Embassy. Further details: http://www.americaneuropeaninstitute.com/press_13jan2.html US DEPARTMENT OF STATE 13 January United States Extends Agreement Protecting Italy’s Archaeological Materials Representing the Pre-classical, Classical and Imperial Roman Periods The United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Italy extended the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that imposes import restrictions on categories of archaeological material representing Pre-Classical, Classical and Imperial Roman periods of Italy. Further details: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59402.htm 17 January Rice-Chertoff Joint Vision: Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age A guide to the current and future development of solutions that ensure the best use of new technologies and the most efficient processes—all of which will ensure that the US joint security objectives are met. Full details at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59242.htm Secure Borders and Open Doors in the Information Age Speech given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice in the Dean Acheson Auditorium, Washington, DC. Full speech at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59239.htm 18 January Transformational Diplomacy: Remarks at Georgetown School of Foreign Service A speech given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice at the Georgetown University in Washington, DC, covering the recent governmental thinking about the US global diplomatic presence. Full speech: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59306.htm Secretary Rice’s Remarks With European Union Council Secretary General and High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy Press conference given by Javier Solana and Secretary Condoleezza Rice before they’re meeting. Details at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59296.htm United States Pledges $334 Million to Global Fight Against Avian Influenza Ambassador Nancy Powell, the State Department’s Senior Coordinator for Avian Influenza and Infectious Diseases announced the United States’ pledge of approximately $334 million to support the global campaign against avian influenza and a potential influenza pandemic. Further details at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59297.htm U.S. and Greece Sign Extradition and Legal Assistance Protocols Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Daniel Fried and Greek Ambassador to the United States, Alexandros Mallias, signed Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance protocols. Further details at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59372.htm 19 January Remarks At the U.S. Agency for International Development On Foreign Assistance Secretary Rice announced a major change in the way the US government directs foreign assistance. Further details at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59448.htm 23 January Cyprus: Visit of U.K. Foreign Minister Jack Straw A statement by the State Department on Jack Straws visit. Details at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59634.htm Secretary Rice’s Remarks with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini after Their Meeting A press conference given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice with the Italian Deputy Prime Minister confirming their friendship and covering areas of mutual concern. Full Coverage: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59611.htm January 26 Interactive Videoconference With the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Secretary Condoleezza Rice Remarks digitalvideo conference with Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum, Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance in Nigeria, Daniel Vasella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Novartis, Switzerland, and Elie Wiessel, Professor of the Humanities, Boston University, USA. Full details at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/59957.htm Turkey/EU/Cyprus: Proposal to Lift Port and Trade Restrictions The United States welcomed Turkey’s proposal on Cyprus as an expression of Turkey's willingness to advance a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus issue. Further details: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/59898.htm WHITE HOUSE 3 January President Discusses Use and Reauthorization of USA Patriot Act in the Roosevelt Room. Full speech at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060103.html 4 January President Discusses War on Terror Following Pentagon Briefing A speech given by the President in The Pentagon. Full speech at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060104.html 17 January President Welcomes Belgian Prime Minister to the White House President George W. Bush discussed issues of mutual concern with the Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Full details at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060117-1.html 30 January Mrs. Bush to Lead Presidential Delegation to the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy President George W. Bush today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin, Italy. Further details: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060130-7.html 31 January President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address Full speech at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/01/20060131-10.html OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 25 January The United States and Turkey Meet Under Trade and Investment Framework Agreement  U.S. Government officials met on January 24 in Ankara, Turkey, with their Turkish Government counterparts for the fourth meeting under the United States-Turkey Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). Full details at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/January/The_United_States_Turkey_Meet_Under_Trade_Investment_Framework_Agreement.html U.S. Department of Commerce 6 January Senior Bush Administration Official Honors New Jersey Companies For Export Achievements IDT of Newark and Maddak of Wayne Receive Awards Franklin L. Lavin, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade presented the U.S. Commerce Department's Export Achievement Award to IDT of Newark and Maddak, a division of Bel-Art Products, of Wayne. Full details at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/0106/export_achievement_010606.html 20 January International Visitation to the U.S. Grows Through October The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.3 million international visitors travelled to the United States in October 2005, an increase of 6 percent over October 2004. Arrivals were up 8 percent for the first ten months of 2005 compared to 2004. Further details at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/media/PressReleases/0106/tourism_012006.html EUROPEAN COMMISSION 4 January: Commission proposes improved rules on agricultural quality products The European Commission has adopted two proposals to clarify and streamline rules for protected geographical indications (PGI), protected designations of origin (PDOs) and “traditional specialities guaranteed”. The draft regulations will ensure full compatibility with the findings of a recent WTO panel. Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/2&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 7 January Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Iran's intentions to resume suspended nuclear activities The EU viewed with serious concern the Government of Iran's intention to resume suspended nuclear activities. Declaration at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PESC/06/4&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 10 January Corporate governance: Commission proposals to make it easier for shareholders to exercise their rights within the EU The European Commission has presented a proposal for a Directive to facilitate the cross-border exercise of shareholders' rights in listed companies, through the introduction of minimum standards. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/10&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Air passengers’ rights: The European Court of Justice confirms legality of EU rules The European Court of Justice confirms the validity of EU legislation on air passengers’ rights. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/12&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en and http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=CJE/06/1&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 12 January Greening the Torino Winter Olympics: an EU success story The Commission claims that the upcoming 20th Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Torino in February and March, respectively, will be the first ever truly “green” major sports events in Europe. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/26&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 13 January Report of the Commission to the Council on visa waiver reciprocity with certain third countries Vice President Frattini presented a first report adopted by the Commission on 10 January 2006 on visa waiver reciprocity to the Justice and Home Affairs Council. This report is a key element of the new visa reciprocity mechanism. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/37&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 23 January Mandelson: Europe still ambitious for the Doha Round, but it is time for others to move In a speech in Berlin the EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson set out the EU’s strategy for concluding an ambitious Doha deal in 2006 and called for a series of intensive bilateral contacts to help move negotiations forward. Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/62&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Turkey - Accession Partnership On the basis of the political agreement reached by the Council on 12 December 2005, the Council adopted a Decision on the principles, priorities, and conditions contained in the accession partnership with Turkey (15671/05). Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/06/19&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en “The essential role of Community conditionality in the triumph of democracy and market economy” Speech by Danuta Hübner, Member of the European Commission responsible for Regional Policy, at a conference on “European Strategies for Promoting Democracy in Post Communist Countries” in Vienna on 21 January 2006. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/27&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Protecting EU financial interests through management of effective and transparent debarment systems Speech by Mr Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud at the Transparency International – OLAF Policy Round Table at the Centre Borschette, Brussels. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/25&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en EU Trade Policy after Hong Kong Speech by Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, at Haus der Deutschen Wirtschaft, Berlin. Further details of the speech: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/23&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 24 January Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Reebok by adidas The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed € 3.1 billion acquisition of US based Reebok International Ltd (“Reebok”) by adidas-Salomon AG (“adidas”) of Germany. Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/70&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Migration, External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, at a “Conference on Reinforcing the Area of Freedom, Security, Prosperity and Justice of the EU and its Neighbouring Countries” in Brussels. Full speech: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/30&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 25 January Competition: European Commission reaction to Microsoft announcement The European Commission said it will study carefully the announcement made by Microsoft once it has received the full details. Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/49&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 30 January Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner attends international conference on peace-building in Afghanistan European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will participate in the launch of a new framework for co-operation between Afghanistan and the international community in London. Further details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/93&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 31 January Europe’s capital markets in a global marketplace Speech by Charlie McCreevey the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, at the 4th Annual Financial Services Conference in Brussels. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/50&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en The Court explains, for the first time, the relationship between the convention implementing the Schengen agreement and freedom of movement for persons Legal ruling concerning travel arrangements for spouses of EU nationals with the EU. Full details: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=CJE/06/7&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en E.U Government United Kingdom 10 January E3 to Consider Next Steps on Iran - straw Edited transcript of a statement given by the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, to UK media regarding Iran. Transcript at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136903172609%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-10 Straw Statement Regarding Rendition Flights Written statement by the Foreign Secretary to the House of Commons about the US authorities requesting permission to render a detainee through UK territory or airspace. Details at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136903381639%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-10 12 January E3-EU Statement on Iran Following a meeting in Berlin, the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, along with his French and German colleagues, and Javier Solana, issued a statement on the Iran nuclear issue. Full statement at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136903810989%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-12 16 January Global Response to Terrorism  Jack Straw speaks of the global response needed to combat global terrorism. This included co-operation at an international and multilateral level to disrupt terrorists' networks, and a global effort to confront terrorist propaganda. Full speech at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136904478281 17 January 2006 - Major Foreign Policy Challenges The Foreign Secretary delivered a speech to the Foreign Policy Centre that highlighted the major foreign policy challenges in the year ahead - under the headings of three regions and three themes. Mr Straw also spoke of the revised FCO Strategy document due to published in the Spring. Full details at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-17 19 January Straw Statement Regarding Rendition Flights The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw made a written statement to the House of Commons, following an earlier question about whether the US authorities had requested permission to render a detainee through UK territory or airspace. Statement at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136903381639 25 January Turkey: Straw Comments on EU Accession Talks The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw spoke in Istanbul about Turkey's EU accession negotiations. Full speech at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136908150505%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-25 Straw Statement on Cyprus Jack Straw said he remains committed to helping find a solution to the division of Cyprus. Details at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136907731726%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-25 28 January Foreign Secretary Opens Davos Discussion on the Middle East The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, gave the opening speech at the World Economic Forum discussion on the Middle East. Full speech at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136908718270%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-28 30 January Straw Statement Following Iran Meeting The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw issued a statement on Iran. Full statement at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136909180306%20&year=2006&month=2006-01-01&date=2006-01-30 31 January 'Prospects for the European Union 2006' The latest 'Prospects for the EU in 2006' White Paper has been published by the Foreign Secretary on 31 January. This covers the UK's Presidency of the EU, which began in July 2005. Full details and electronic version of the document: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1136909443388 Germany 12 January Europe and the United States are indispensable partners Speaking on the first day of her visit to Washington, Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that terrorism constitutes a major threat to the free nations of the world and that NATO is a key forum for discussions between Europe and the United States on ways and means of addressing this phenomenon. Full details: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.947475/artikel/Europe-and-the-United-States-a.htm 13 January I'm happy that today was a good beginning ..." Chancellor Angela Merkel's initial visit to the United States was the successful beginning of a new chapter in German-American relations. She and President George W. Bush stressed that in light of the threat posed by terrorism and the nuclear dispute with Iran intensive co-operation between the two countries is indispensable. Full text: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.947570/artikel/I-m-happy-that-today-was-a-goo.htm 23 January Revitalizing Europe Speaking at a press conference in Versailles, Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Jacques Chirac announced that Germany and France plan to go to the European Council meetings scheduled in the first half of this year with jointly agreed positions on economic and social issues. Further details: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.951312/artikel/Revitalizing-Europe.htm Austrian 1 January Foreign Minister Plassnik on the beginning of the EU Presidency Plassnik: "Work together to inject Europe with new vitality" - Austria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time. Further details at: http://www.bmaa.gv.at/view.php3?f_id=10096&LNG=en&version= 4 January Plassnik: "EU Presidency requires team work" Foreign Minister Plassnik at Slovenian Ambassadors’ Conference, Brdo, - At the invitation of her Slovenian counterpart Dimitrij Rupel, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik participated in the Ambassadors’ Conference at Brdo, Slovenia. Full details at: http://www.bmaa.gv.at/view.php3?f_id=10120&LNG=en&version= 16 January Plassnik: "Joint commitment to peace and democracy" Plassnik meets with new US ambassador in Vienna - The new US ambassador to Vienna, Susan McCaw, paid her inaugural visit to Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. Their talks focused on the excellent state of the bilateral relations and on the forthcoming agenda of the Austrian EU Presidency. Further information: http://www.bmaa.gv.at/view.php3?f_id=10205&LNG=en&version= WTO 25 January Appellate Body issues Annual Report The Appellate Body, on 25 January 2006, released its Annual Report for 2005. Report at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/wt_ab5_e.doc NATO 31 January NATO reconfirms long-term commitment to Afghanistan Speaking in London, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer laid out NATO’s long-term commitment to Afghanistan, as part of the international community’s Afghanistan Compact. Further details at: http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2006/01-january/e0131a.htm Note: If you have any comments or if you wish to include any items for inclusion in future newsletters please e-mail me at: duncan.ritchie@americaneuropeaninstitute.com