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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 99-11-16
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-Parole 16/11/1999b
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission will follow up Court of Auditors' recommendations
[02] Commission authorises acquisition of a stake in South African Airways
by SAirGroup
[03] La Commission propose son aide à la France face aux conséquences des
inondations dramatiques intervenues dans le sud
[01] Commission will follow up Court of Auditors' recommendations
Commenting on the publication of the European Court of Auditors 1998 annual
report, European Commissioner for Budget, Michaele Schreyer, said : "I
agree with the fundamental points of this report. The proposals of the
Court of Auditors are a valuable help to put right the problems which have
been identified." She added : "Better financial management is one of the
new Commission's top priorities. I will make sure that this report is not
just put on file : the recommendations of the Court will be vigorously
followed up." In particular, Mrs Schreyer emphasised four important points
for future action : intensified cooperation with the Member States ; reform
of the financial regulation ; more responsibility for programme managers ;
re-enforcement of internal audit.
[02] Commission authorises acquisition of a stake in South African Airways
by SAirGroup
The European Commission has cleared, under the Merger Regulation, the
acquisition of a stake of 20% in South African Airways by SAirGroup, the
Swiss airline group. The transaction will give SAirGroup together with the
holding company Transnet joint control of South African Airways. The
Commission found that both airlines' activities are largely complementary.
Competitive overlaps exist only if indirect flights from EU destinations to
South Africa are taken into account. However, in view of the presence of
several strong competitors the operation does not give rise to concern.
Therefore, the Commission did not raise any objections.
[03] La Commission propose son aide à la France face aux conséquences des
inondations dramatiques intervenues dans le sud
(! embargo 15h !) Michel Barnier, Commissaire européen chargé de la
politique régionale, a annoncé qu'une intervention des fonds européens
serait recherchée pour faire face aux importants dégâts intervenus pendant
le week-end des 13 et 14 novembre dans les départements de l'Aude et des
Pyrénées orientales en région Languedoc-Roussillon et du Tarn dans la
région Midi-Pyrénées. Plusieurs zones touchées sont en effet éligibles à
l'objectif 5b pour le développement des zones rurales pour la période 1994-
1999. La programmation de fonds au titre du nouvel objectif 2 pour la
période 2000-2006 est en cours.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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