The United States Mission |
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| http://useu.usmission.gov | Brussels, Belgium | May 10, 2008 |
Today's News
Transatlantic Economic Council to Focus on Better Regulation (More)"There is merit to identifying divergences that are unnecessary and options for minimizing them and the associated costs to the transatlantic economy," Daniel M. Price, Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and U.S. chair of the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC), said April 30. "There also is merit to taking a hard look at existing regulations and considering whether they really are the best way of accomplishing the desired objectives, or whether they can be improved by learning from each other’s experience," he said in remarks ahead of the May 13 TEC meeting in Brussels. Price said the meeting would focus on differences in how the U.S. and the EU approach the regulatory process, bilateral information sharing relating to medicinal products, poultry, the EU's REACH chemicals legislation, U.S. rules on the certification of certain electrical products, and investment and product safety issues in third countries. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Mark Sobel said the participants would also discuss financial markets. DHS Proposes Biometric Airport and Seaport Exit Procedures for Travelers (More)The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced April 22 a notice of proposed rulemaking that will establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S air and sea ports of departure. The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission into the country. The US-VISIT Exit proposal would require non-U.S. citizens who provide biometric identifiers for admission to also provide digital fingerprints when departing the country from any air or sea ports of departure. The proposed rule would require commercial air carriers and cruise line owners and operators collect and transmit international visitors’ biometric information to DHS within 24 hours of leaving the United States. Carriers are already required to transmit biographic information to DHS for all passengers prior to their departure from the United States. DHS is committed to protecting the privacy of international visitors and will require that these systems meet the department’s transmission capability and data security requirements.
DHS Announces New Aviation Security, Traveler Screening Enhancements Improvements in Palestinians’ Lives Would Aid Mideast Diplomacy (More)
A Middle East peace settlement remains possible, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, if negotiators redouble their efforts to translate diplomatic progress into tangible improvements in the lives of Palestinians. “Improvements in the daily lives of the Palestinians and the ability of the Palestinian Authority to deliver for its people will certainly improve the capability of that leadership to deliver a political agreement with Israel,” Rice said May 2 in London. The secretary met in London with the other representatives from the Quartet for the Middle East -- Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. Rice highlighted quiet progress between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators toward the peace deal pledged at the U.S.-sponsored November 2007 Annapolis Conference. She also underlined the need for continued improvement on two parallel, but linked, components of the process: action on diplomatic and security measures outlined in the Quartet’s road map plan for Mideast peace and international efforts to help strengthen Palestinian Authority governance. “We have no option but to carry on working on this,” says Quartet Special Representative and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. “It is, in my view, the single most important thing that we can do to bring about a different atmosphere in that whole region.” Palestine Investment Conference Set for May 21-23 Multimedia & Other Resources |
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