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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 97-06-27
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
27/06/97
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 26 juin 1997 - Outcome of Commission's
meeting of 26 June 1997
[01] Financial Services - Commission adopts Communication on enhancing
consumer confidence
[02] La Commission demande au gouvernement flamand de mettre fin au
monopole publicitaire de VTM
[03] Commission orders Blokker to divest Dutch Toys "R" Us operations
[04] Interim Agreements Georgia and Armenia concluded - entry into force
this Summer
[05] Télévision numérique: la Commission engage une procédure d'infraction
à l'encontre de l'Espagne
[06] Marchés publics: la Commission décide de saisir la Cour de Justice au
sujet de la construction du stade de France
[07] Commission decides to end legal action against Germany and Italy for
non-respect of environmental directives
[08] Commission decides to seek financial penalties against Greece over
waste
[09] Municipal voting: Commission decides to refer Belgium to Court of
Justice
[10] Droit de séjour: la Commission décide de poursuivre la Grèce et
l'Italie devant la Cour de Justice
[11] Commission opens infringement proceedings against 10 Member States in
relation to BSE
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Th. Goldschmidt AG par VIAG
[13] Commission authorises the acquisition by Ferrostaal AG of sole control
of DSD Dillinger Stahlbau GmbH
[14] Albania: Commission approves humanitarian aid worth ECU 1.7 million
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 26 juin 1997 - Outcome of Commission's
meeting of 26 June 1997
[01] Financial Services - Commission adopts Communication on enhancing
consumer confidence
A Communication outlining measures to enhance consumer confidence in
financial services within the Single Market has been adopted by the
European Commission. Building on contributions received during
consultations on a May 1996 Green Paper, the Commission has concluded that
further financial services initiatives are needed to meet adequately
consumers' needs and expectations. The Communication therefore announces a
series of forthcoming financial services initiatives including proposals
for Directives on distance contracts for financial services and protecting
victims of car accidents abroad, an update of the insurance intermediaries
Directive, a review of the consumer credit Directive and an extension of
the Recommendation on new means of payment (with a proposal for a Directive
if progress is insufficient). The Commission will also consider an
initiative on unregulated financial intermediaries, monitor voluntary
agreements concerning consumer information and redress (and propose
legislation if progress is insufficient) and launch pilot projects on
tackling over-indebtedness.
[02] La Commission demande au gouvernement flamand de mettre fin au
monopole publicitaire de VTM
La Commission européenne vient d'adopter ce jeudi une décision qui déclare
incompatible avec le droit communautaire l'exclusivité légale conférée en
matière de publicité télévisée à la chaîne privée VTM. Ce droit avait été
accordé à VTM notamment par décisions de l'exécutif flamand de novembre
1987 et décembre 1991, sur la base des dispositions de la législation
flamande sur les média, qui limitent à une seule société non publique le
droit de s'adresser à l'ensemble de la Communauté flamande et de diffuser
de la publicité. La décision de la Commission, prise en application des
articles 90 et 52 du traité CE permet définitivement à VT4, ainsi qu'à
d'éventuels autres opérateurs de la Communauté de s'installer ou créer un
établissement secondaire en Flandre afin de transmettre sur le réseau de
télédistribution belge, des messages de publicité télévisée destinés au
public flamand.
[03] Commission orders Blokker to divest Dutch Toys "R" Us operations
The European Commission has decided that the acquisition of the Dutch Toys
"R" Us stores by Blokker in February 1997 leads to the strengthening of
Blokker's dominant position in the Dutch market of specialised toy outlets
and, therefore, is incompatible with the common market. Blokker has been
required to divest the Toys "R" Us stores to an independent third party
unconnected to the Blokker group. While this order ensures that effective
competition is restored on the market the divestiture process is also
intended to optimise the possibilities for the Toys "R" stores to be sold
to a third party. Blokker is one of the major retail operators in The
Netherlands. Its principal activities are retail trade in household
articles, toys and other products. Blokker sells toys through its chains
of specialised toy outlets (Bart Smit and Intertoys) and through its
household articles retail shops. Toys "R" Us is one of the worlds largest
toy retailers
[04] Interim Agreements Georgia and Armenia concluded - entry into force
this Summer
The European Commission adopted a decision to conclude the Interim
Agreements with Georgia and Armenia on behalf of the European Coal and
Steel Community and Euratom. This will allow the two Interim Agreements
(IA) to enter into force within the next two months. The Interim
Agreements put into force the trade-related provisions of the Partnership
and Cooperation Agreements with these countries, which have yet to be
ratified. The Interim Agreements formally liberalise trade in goods other
than steel, textiles and coal and offers both sides MFN treatment regarding
tariffs and duties. Georgia and Armenia commit themselves to raise
protection of intellectual property rights to European levels. The Interim
Agreements also provide for mutual assistance in customs matters. "The
guarantees of the Interim Agreement will stimulate growth in bilateral
trade and is an excellent basis for the further integration of these two
countries in the global economy", Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans van den
Broek commented.
[05] Télévision numérique: la Commission engage une procédure d'infraction
à l'encontre de l'Espagne
La Commission européenne a pris la décision d'envoyer à l'Espagne une
"lettre de mise en demeure". Cette lettre marque la première étape d'une
procédure formelle d'infraction en application de l'article 169 du traité
CE. La Commission considère que la loi espagnole 17/1997 concernant les
services à accès conditionnel (télévision payante) et de télévision
numérique est contraire aux règles fondamentales du traité CE sur la libre
circulation des marchandises et la libre prestation de services (articles
30 et 59). En outre, la loi espagnole n'a pas été notifiée à la Commission
comme elle aurait dû l'être en application de la directive 83/189/CEE
(concernant la notification des normes techniques nationales) et la
Commission considère la loi incompatible avec la directive "Télévision sans
frontières" (89/552/CEE) et celle relative aux normes de transmission de
télévision (95/47/CE). Le dossier revêt, selon la Commission, un caractère
d'extrême urgence en raison des effets négatifs possibles sur le
développement du marché des services de télévision numérique en Espagne.
L'Espagne a été invitée à répondre dans un délai de quinze jours civils à
compter de la réception de la lettre de mise en demeure.
[06] Marchés publics: la Commission décide de saisir la Cour de Justice au
sujet de la construction du stade de France
La Commission européenne vient de décider la saisine de la Cour de justice
contre la France pour infraction à la directive marchés publics des travaux
(93/37/CEE) lors de la passation du marché relatif à la construction du
stade de France à Saint Denis dans la banlieue parisienne, prévu pour la
coupe du monde de football en 1998. Les griefs soulevés par la Commission
concernent la qualification du contrat en tant que concession et le non-
respect du principe de l'égalité de traitement, compte tenu des
modifications de l'offre en cours de procédure.
[07] Commission decides to end legal action against Germany and Italy for
non-respect of environmental directives
The European Commission has decided not to pursue further legal action
against Germany and Italy for non-respect of certain environmental
directives in the fields of bird protection, groundwater, and waste. In
January 1997 the Commission had proposed financial penalties under Article
171 of the Treaty against Germany and Italy for non-compliance with
previous judgments of the Court of Justice. The present decision follows
the notification by Germany and Italy of measures to comply with the
directives in question. Since the two Member States have now fulfilled
their obligations under the relevant European Union environmental
legislation, the Commission has decided to end the infringement procedures.
[08] Commission decides to seek financial penalties against Greece over
waste
The European Commission has decided to make a second application to the
Court of Justice and to seek financial penalties against Greece for
infringing European Union environmental law. Greece has failed to comply
with a previous Court judgment concerning waste. The Commission also
decided to propose to the Court a daily penalty of ECU 24,600. The penalty
would apply to each day of non-compliance with the second judgement of the
Court under Article 171 of the Treaty. The present Commission decision
relates to non-respect of a 1992 Court judgment concerning Greece's failure
to comply with Community waste legislation on the island of Crete (Council
Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Council Directive 78/319/EEC on toxic and
dangerous waste ). In particular, Greece has not taken the necessary
measures to ensure the safe disposal of waste on the island.
[09] Municipal voting: Commission decides to refer Belgium to Court of
Justice
The European Commission has decided to refer Belgium to the Court of
Justice for failure to implement the Directive on municipal elections
(94/80). The Directive, which gives European Union nationals living in
another Member State the right to vote and stand as a candidate in
municipal elections in the country of residence, was due to be implemented
in national law no later than 1 January 1996. The Commission has also
closed infringement proceedings against Spain concerning the same Directive
following the adoption of a law granting voting rights in municipal
elections to nationals of other Member States. "The Commission takes
violations of Community law concerning citizens' rights very seriously
indeed, as we stressed in our recent report on EU citizenship", commented
Single Market Commissioner Mario Monti. "We cannot expect people to take
seriously efforts made by the Union to make citizens' concerns a priority
if Member States fail to implement their rights in practice."
[10] Droit de séjour: la Commission décide de poursuivre la Grèce et
l'Italie devant la Cour de Justice
La Commission européenne a décidé de saisir la Cour de Justice de
violations du droit communautaire par la Grèce et l'Italie dans le domaine
du droit de séjour. L'infraction de la Grèce concerne la pratique de
soumettre la délivrance d'un titre de séjour à un ressortissant de pays
tiers membre de la famille d'un citoyen de l'Union européenne (UE) au
paiement d'un droit supérieur à celui exigé pour la délivrance de la carte
de séjour au citoyen de l'UE. En ce qui concerne l'Italie, l'infraction
vise la mauvaise transposition des directives relatives au droit de séjour
des étudiants, retraités et autres inactifs. Le Commissaire responsable
pour le Marché unique, Mario Monti, a déclaré: "la libre circulation doit
être une réalité tangible pour les citoyens, comme l'ont souligné notre
rapport sur la citoyenneté de l'Union et le plan d'action concernant le
marché unique. La Commission ne tolérera pas que les Etats membres
continuent de violer les droits des individus d'exercer leur droit à la
libre circulation au sein du marché unique."
[11] Commission opens infringement proceedings against 10 Member States in
relation to BSE
The European Commission on 26 June 1997 decided to open the first stage of
infringement proceedings under Article 169 of the EC Treaty against 10
Member States in respect of their apparent partial failure to implement
and/or enforce some aspects of European Union (EU) Legislation concerning
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathies (BSE). The Member States are: France,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Italy
and Portugal. The decision concerns the first stage of the proceedings,
namely the dispatch of letters of formal notice giving the Member States
concerned the opportunity of submitting their observations within one
month. The presumed infringements are principally inadequate
implementation of Commission Decision 96/449/EC (heat treatment system for
processing animal waste) and failure to sufficiently control the respect of
Commission Decision 94/381/EC prohibiting the use of mammalian tissues in
feeding stuffs destined for ruminants. Commenting on the decision, Mr
Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, said
that the meticulous implementation of all legislation relating to BSE is
vital if it is to be eradicated and the possible risks to human health
pending eradication are to be avoided. Given that some of the shortfalls
could be relatively easily resolved, Mr Fischler expressed the hope that
Member States would address these matters as soon as possible so that the
infringement procedures can be terminated.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Th. Goldschmidt AG par VIAG
La Commission européenne a approuvé l'acquisition de Th. Goldschmidt AG
("Goldschmidt") par VIAG AG ("VIAG"). Goldschmidt est une entreprise
active dans la chimie, la métallurgie et les technologies de soudure. VIAG
est un conglomérat actif sur le plan international. L'opération envisagée
ne conduit ni à des additions de parts de marché ni à des relations
verticales entre les parties qui risqueraient de créer ou de renforcer une
position dominante.
[13] Commission authorises the acquisition by Ferrostaal AG of sole control
of DSD Dillinger Stahlbau GmbH
The European Commission has approved the intention of the company
Ferrostaal AG to increase its interest of 38,1% in DSD Dillinger Stahlbau
GmbH ("DSD"), held by its subsidiary SGI Saarländische Gesellschaft für
Industriebeteiligungen mbH, to altogether 100%. DSD produces industrial
engineering and installation services, in particular in the fields of steel
constructions, industrial plant installations, air conditioning equipment,
as well as construction of bridges. The proposed operation did not raise
competitive concerns.
[14] Albania: Commission approves humanitarian aid worth ECU 1.7 million
The European Commission has approved a programme of humanitarian aid worth
ECU 1.7 million for Albania. The aid, managed by the European Community
Humanitarian Office (ECHO), will enable non-governmental organisations to
carry out a coordinated action over the next six months. The action will
aim to bring aid to people particularly vulnerable to the effects of the
current crisis, and to rehabilitate some schools and health facilities that
were looted and damaged last March.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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