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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-04-14
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 Service Presse et Communicationb
14/04/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Romano Prodi meets Edmund Stoiber
[02] Commission challenges other countries to open their textiles and
clothing markets as a precondition to wider access to the EU's own market
[03] Fonds structurels : la Commission arrête une décision de principe sur
le Cadre Communautaire d'Appui pour les régions italiennes de l'Objectif 1
pour la période 2000-2006
[04] What is sewage sludge ? Prohibition of sludge recycling in animal feed
clarified
[05] Independent Study compares remuneration in EU Institutions with that
of similar organisations
[06] Commission approves three decisions on humanitarian aid worth euro
17.58 million
[07] Quarterly review on the use of the euro - progress registered in all
sectors
[08] Quarterly note on the euro-denominated bond markets - steady expansion
of the market and the early steps of "e-bonds"
[09] La Commission engage une action contre la Belgique et le Luxembourg à
propos de la politique des déchets
[10] La Commission prend des mesures contre quatorze Etats membres en
matière d'élimination des PCB dangereux
[11] Bathing water : Commission moves against Finland and Denmark
[12] Commission clears merger between CGU and Norwich Union
[13] La Commission autorise Arrow Electronics Inc. à acquérir le contrôle
exclusif de Tekelec Europe S.A.
[14] Commission clears acquisition of control of Credit Suisse First Boston
in the leisure sector
[15] Commission approves joint venture by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP
and Zumtobel AG
[16] Commission welcomes commitments by Japanese and Korean carmakers to
cut CO² emissions
[17] Candidate countries "Economic Reform Monitor" - improved recovery
prospects
[18] Anna Diamantopoulou welcomes workers' rights deal signed between
Telefónica and UNI International
[19] Poul Nielson lance un appel pour un partenariat plus fort avec les ONG
[20] Anna Diamantopoulou and Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues to launch Equal
initiative
[21] Pedro Solbes in the Spring World Bank and IMF meeting
[22] Poul Nielson to address the World Bank Development Committee
[01] Romano Prodi meets Edmund Stoiber
European Commission President Romano Prodi yesterday met Edmund Stoiber,
Minister President of Bavaria. They discussed the outcome of the recent
Lisbon summit, progress towards EU enlargement and issues of governance,
subsidiarity and the competences of the German Länder in the context of the
Commission's forthcoming White Paper on Governance. The two agreed that a
meeting between the German Länder and the Commission to discuss these
issues further would be useful, and that this should be proposed to the
Chair of the Minister President's Conference. Both men recalled a previous
meeting held between then Commission President Jacques Delors and the
German Länder in 1986. Mr Prodi and Mr Stoiber expressed their desire to
hold this meeting by June. This will be the first of a series of meetings
which the Commission intends to hold with European regions.
[02] Commission challenges other countries to open their textiles and
clothing markets as a precondition to wider access to the EU's own market
At the first Round Table that European Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy,
holds with Europe's Textiles and Clothing industry representatives on 14
April, the Commission and industry mapped out the trade policy of the EU in
the textiles and clothing sector until the expiry of the quotas under the
WTO Marrakech agreements. Their shared assessment of the market access
situation world-wide was that, whilst the EU was taking steps to liberalise
its imports in accordance with WTO commitments, many other countries -
including notably the low-cost exporting countries - still maintain
measures that in a number of cases in fact virtually prohibit access to
their markets.
[03] Fonds structurels : la Commission arrête une décision de principe sur
le Cadre Communautaire d'Appui pour les régions italiennes de l'Objectif 1
pour la période 2000-2006
La Commission européenne a arrêté aujourd'hui une décision de principe
approuvant le Cadre Communautaire d'Appui pour l'Italie pour les sept ans à
venir. Ce Cadre Communautaire d'Appui concerne l'objectif 1 (régions en
retard de développement). Il atteint le montant de 23.959 millions d'euros
de financement communautaire, dont 201 millions pour le soutien transitoire
pour la région Molise. La décision finale sera signée par le Commissaire à
la Poligique régionale, Michel Barnier, dans le courant du mois de mai.
[04] What is sewage sludge ? Prohibition of sludge recycling in animal feed
clarified
The European Commission has adopted a decision further clarifying the
definition of the term sewage sludge. The existing prohibition on the
recycling of sewage sludge in animal feed has been interpreted differently
in the past by Member States. The definition makes now explicitly clear
that the use of all wastes from urban, domestic and industrial wastewater
treatment plants in feed stuffs is prohibited. The prohibition is
irrespective of the origin or of any further processing of the wastewater.
The recovery of animal feed materials from process waters in
slaughterhouses and other food or feed industry plants is made subject to
detailed hygiene measures.
[05] Independent Study compares remuneration in EU Institutions with that
of similar organisations
The study concludes that net remuneration of staff in EU Institutions is
lower than that of comparable staff in multinational companies and of staff
working for Permanent Representations of Member States in Brussels, higher
than that of national civil servants working in their home country, and
comparable to the salaries in other international organisations. The study
also highlights the fact that the structure of remuneration in EU
Institutions (basic salary, allowances, benefits, contributions) is
comparable to that of Permanent Representations and of other international
organisations. Staff of multinational companies receive more benefits and
allowances in kind.
[06] Commission approves three decisions on humanitarian aid worth euro
17.58 million
The European Commission has cleared humanitarian aid for Mozambique,
Indonesia and Cambodia totalling euro 17.58 million. Euro 5.58 million has
been allocated to assist victims of the recent floods in Mozambique, while
an extra 3.5 million has been made available for East Timorean refugees.
The third decision concerns euro 8.5 million in humanitarian aid for a one
year programme for people living in isolated parts of Cambodia.
[07] Quarterly review on the use of the euro - progress registered in all
sectors
The European Commission publishes today its second Quarterly Review (1st
Quarter 2000) on the use of the euro. The volume of payments in euro by
companies has increased dramatically compared to last year mainly due to
the recent waive in mergers and acquisitions. 25% of payments by companies
in value terms are now in euro. Almost one in every new account opened by
firms is now in euro. Dual pricing is now widespread in all member states.
Payments in euro by individuals have also increased substantially reaching
now almost 10% of all payments in value terms. The majority of internet
purchases are carried out in euro establishing a strong link between e-
commerce and the use of the new currency. The use of the euro in public
administrations continuous to expand at a slow pace although administrative
measures taking effect later this year, like for example the conclusion of
public contracts in euro in France, are expected to have a positive impact.
[08] Quarterly note on the euro-denominated bond markets - steady expansion
of the market and the early steps of "e-bonds"
The euro denominated bond market continued its impressive performance of
1999 in the first quarter of this year. There was a steady flow of issuance
and volumes of bonds issued in US$ and euro were very similar. There
continued to be a good distribution between government and other type of
issuers and a balanced distribution by size of issue. An increased issuance
by the corporate and financial sector confirmed the trend towards more sub-
AAA rated issues. Moreover, there was a slight increase compared to last
year in issues coming from outside the euro area. The new millennium has
seen bond market participants increasingly turning to the Internet. Lagging
far behind their equity equivalents in terms of "e-business", the world
bond markets now seem to be on the verge of an on-line revolution. This
note reviews the early steps in this process, identifying major players and
screening initial reactions.
[09] La Commission engage une action contre la Belgique et le Luxembourg à
propos de la politique des déchets
La Commission européenne a décidé d'adresser pour la seconde fois des
lettres d'avertissement à la Belgique et au Luxembourg pour application
incorrecte de la législation communautaire sur les déchets. Le manquement
reproché à la Belgique concerne la directive sur les boues d'épuration, la
législation de la Région flamande ne fixant pas les valeurs limites
correctes pour la teneur en mercure et en zinc des boues d'épuration. Le
manquement reproché au Luxembourg porte quant à lui sur la façon dont le
Luxembourg distingue entre les déchets destinés à l'élimination et les
déchets destinés à la récupération en application de la directive cadre sur
les déchets et du règlement sur les transferts de déchets.
[10] La Commission prend des mesures contre quatorze Etats membres en
matière d'élimination des PCB dangereux
La Commission européenne a décidé d'envoyer des lettres d'avertissement à
quatorze Etats membres pour ne pas avoir respecté certaines dispositions de
la directive relative aux PCB. Les PCB sont des substances chimiques
dangereuses très toxiques et persistantes. Aucun Etat membre à l'exception
de la Finlande n'a respecté l'obligation de communiquer à la Commission des
informations suffisantes sur le traitement et l'élimination des PCB. Le
délai prévu pour la communication de ces informations a expiré en septembre
1999.
[11] Bathing water : Commission moves against Finland and Denmark
The European Commission has decided to send Reasoned Opinions to Finland
and Denmark for non-respect of the Bathing Waters Directive. Both countries
fail to fully meet the Directive's standards for water quality for all
bathing areas. They have also failed to ensure that bathing waters are
sufficiently sampled in all their territories.
[12] Commission clears merger between CGU and Norwich Union
The European Commission has approved the merger between British-based
insurance companies CGU Plc and Norwich Union Plc. The merged entity will
be one of Europe's leading general insurers, with a particular strength in
the United Kindom and in Ireland, but will face competition from other
equally strong players.
[13] La Commission autorise Arrow Electronics Inc. à acquérir le contrôle
exclusif de Tekelec Europe S.A.
La Commission européenne a autorisé l'opération par laquelle la société
américaine Arrow Electronics Inc. (Arrow) entend devenir seul propriétaire
de la société française Tekelec Europe S.A. (Tekelec), entreprise du groupe
Tekelec qui distribue en gros des composants électroniques.
[14] Commission clears acquisition of control of Credit Suisse First Boston
in the leisure sector
The European Commission has approved an operation by which Credit Suisse
Group (CSG) through its wholly owned subsidiary CSFB IGP acquires sole
control of Gala Group Limited (Gala). CSG is a global financial services
group, providing a range of banking and insurance products. CSFB IGP is
part of the private equity division of CSG. The sole continuing activity of
Gala is the operation of Bingo halls in the United Kingdom. The transaction
will result in the ownership of Gala being transferred from one group of
institutional investors to another. CSG does not control any other
undertakings that are active in the gaming sector and the transaction does
not seem to have a substantial impact on Gala's activities. Thus, the
Commission has decided to authorise the operation and to declare it
compatible with the common market and with the EEA agreement.
[15] Commission approves joint venture by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP
and Zumtobel AG
The European Commission has given the go-ahead for Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
& Co (KKR), a US-based private equity firm, and the shareholders of
Zumtobel AG (Zumtobel), a company incorporated in Austria, to join forces
and set up a new joint venture. The joint venture will combine the KKR
British company, Wassall, and Zumtobel, both active in the sector of
lighting installation in Europe. The business of the KKR group is to make
equity investments in management buyouts either through controlling
ownership or strategic minority positions. Wassall is a diversified British
group which is active in the manufacture and supply of light fittings and
components for light fittings ; the manufacture and distribution of bottle
tops and other closures ; and the manufacture of trailer axles and related
products. Zumtobel manufactures and supplies professional light fittings
and lighting components. The joint venture is a full-function undertaking
controlled jointly by its parent companies. Given the relatively limited
combined market share of the new entity and the existence of a number of
well-established competitors on the affected markets (professional light
fittings and lighting components), the proposed transaction is not
considered to raise competition concerns. The concentration has therefore
been declared compatible with the common market and with the EEA Agreement.
[16] Commission welcomes commitments by Japanese and Korean carmakers to
cut CO² emissions
The European Commission has just adopted recommendations to the Japanese
and Korean Automobile Manufacturers' Associations (JAMA and KAMA) in line
with the commitments the two associations have made to reduce CO² emissions
from new passenger cars. By 2009, all new cars sold in the European Union
must meet the target of 140 gCO²/km. These recommendations are part of the
Community's strategy for reducing CO² emissions from passenger cars and
reducing fuel consumption. They will make a significant contribution to the
achievement of the EU's greenhouse gas emission objectives under the Kyoto
Protocol. The recommendations follows a similar arrangement which the
Commission signed in 1998 with ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers'
Association. Arrangements of this type establish a new partnership between
the Commission and the automobile industries based on mutual trust, and
show a new way to address environmental issues.
[17] Candidate countries "Economic Reform Monitor" - improved recovery
prospects
The first issue of the Economic Reform Monitor for 2000 (1st Quarter 2000)
provides an overview of economic developments and the progress on economic
reform in the thirteen candidates countries. For most countries the
analysis is based on data for 1999 as a whole. There are indications that
these economies have fared better in the second half of last year than in
the first half and that recovery is gaining momentum. The ongoing
structural reforms have improved growth prospects and export performance.
Candidate countries are therefore well placed to take advantage of higher
demand in the European Union in 2000.
[18] Anna Diamantopoulou welcomes workers' rights deal signed between
Telefónica and UNI International
The European Commission welcomes the signature last week of a framework
agreement on workers' rights between the Spanish multinational telecoms
company Telefónica and the world-wide trade unions UNI International
formalising Telefónica's commitment to international labour standards in
all countries where it operates. The company employs an estimated 120,000
workers worldwide. Employment Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou stated :
"The Commission wishes to express its full support for initiatives of this
type. In my view, this is an excellent example of doing global business the
European way. It is also a pat on the back for the ILO who have been
pushing for global recognition of workers' fundamental right to organise
and bargain."
[19] Poul Nielson lance un appel pour un partenariat plus fort avec les ONG
Le Commissaire européen chargé de la coopération au développement et de
l'aide humanitaire, M. Poul Nielson, a aujoud'hui prononcé un discours
devant la XXVIème Assemblée générale des organisations non gouvernementales
(ONG) de développement sur le thème du renforcement du partenariat entre la
Commission et les ONG de développement. M. Nielson a mis en exergue les
réussites du partenariat tout en reconnaissant les défis à relever à court
et à moyen terme pour les deux partenaires. M. Nielson a également esquissé
le cadre de travail pour les années à venir avec pour fond la conclusion
d'un nouveau accord de partenariat ACP-CE et l'adoption imminente par la
Commission de sa Communication dur l'avenir de la politique de
développemnt.
[20] Anna Diamantopoulou and Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues to launch Equal
initiative
European Commissioner for Employment, Anna Diamantopoulou, and Portuguese
Minister for Labour, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, will this Friday launch Equal,
the new EU initiative designed to combat discrimination in the jobs market.
Hailing the landmark event, Mrs Diamantopoulou said : "The challenge of
Equal lies in promoting new solutions to tackling discrimination and
inequality in the labour market. It will act as testing ground to develop
new ways of delivering labour market policies to support the European
Employment Strategy".
[21] Pedro Solbes in the Spring World Bank and IMF meeting
Pedro Solbes, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs,
travels today to Washington for the Spring meetings of the World Bank and
the International Monetary Fund. He will participate in the G7 Finance
Ministers' meeting on Saturday 15 April, the G-10 meeting and the
International Monetary and Financial Committee meetings on Sunday 16 April.
He will hold bilateral meetings with : James Wolfensohn, President of the
World Bank ; Alan Greenspan, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board ; Andrew
Crockett, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements ;
Stanley Fischer acting Managing Director of the IMF and Pedro Malan Finance
Minister of Brazil.
[22] Poul Nielson to address the World Bank Development Committee
The European Commissioner for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid,
Mr Poul Nielson, travels to Washington DC where the Spring meetings of the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are taking place. Mr Nielson
will attend the plenary and restricted sessions of the World Bank
Development Committee on Monday 17 April where he will intervene on the
theme of trade, development and poverty reduction.
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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