|
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-08-27
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] European Union: Targets with timetables are vital for ensuring WSSD
commitments are kept
[02] Commission launches web site on applications to register EU quality
products
[03] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Nouvelles Frontières
International par TUI
[04] Commission clears merger between Ernst & Young, Andersen Germany and
Menold & Aulinger
[05] European Maritime Safety Agency : Commission recruits Executive
Director
[06] Commission approuve une joint venture entre Electrabel et ACEA SpA
[07] Commission clears joint venture between Deutsche Bahn subsidiary and
Norway's Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines
[08] Commission clears CVC acquisition of Britain's Halfords
Midday Express 27/08/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 27/08/2002
[01] European Union: Targets with timetables are vital for ensuring WSSD
commitments are kept
The European Union today reaffirmed the importance of setting clear targets
and timetables for reducing poverty and environmental degradation as the
World Summit on Sustainable Development opened. Danish Minister of the
Environment Hans Christian Schmidt and European Development and
Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Poul Nielson arrived in Johannesburg for the
summit, which continues until 4 September. Minister Schmidt will act as
President of the EU delegation until Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh
Rasmussen arrives on 1 September.
[02] Commission launches web site on applications to register EU quality
products
As from today, the applications for registration of a product as a
'Protected Designation of Origin' (PDO), a 'Protected Geographical
Indication' (PGI) or a 'Traditional Speciality Guaranteed' (TSG) can be
consulted on the web site of the Directorate-General for Agriculture. This
new service should contribute to more transparency, simplification and
effectiveness in the consultation procedure before registration of a
PDO/PGI/TSG. The rules on the protection of geographical indications and
designations of origin of agricultural products and foodstuffs and the
rules on certificates of specific character for agricultural products and
foodstuffs foresee that at least six months before finally registering a
product, the European Commission has to publish the main characteristics of
the application request in the Official Journal of the European
Communities. The publication of the application for registration confers
the right to object to this request. Consequently, a transparent
registration procedure is the pre-requisite for other parties concerned to
exercise their right of objection. In order to facilitate the consultation
of the requests published in the various issues of the Official Journal all
pending registrations can now be consulted at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/protec/firstpub/index_en.htm
[03] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Nouvelles Frontières
International par TUI
La Commission Européenne a autorisé le voyagiste allemand TUI AG à acquérir
le contrôle exclusif de Nouvelles Frontières, société française également
active dans le secteur des vacances. Le marché belge des vacances à forfait
à l'étranger est le seul où les activités des parties se chevauchent, mais
l'opération ne conduit pas à un gain important de parts de marché.
[04] Commission clears merger between Ernst & Young, Andersen Germany and
Menold & Aulinger
The European Commission has granted regulatory clearance to the proposed
merger between Ernst & Young's German entities, most of Andersen Germany's
business and the German based law firm Menold & Aulinger. The Commission
examined the merger's impact particularly for audit and accounting services
to large and quoted companies headquartered in Germany, which tend to
choose one of the Big Five players to audit their accounts. It concluded
that the merger would not lead to competition problems in this market,
given the strong position of the market leaders KPMG and PWC.
[05] European Maritime Safety Agency : Commission recruits Executive
Director
The European Commission has launched the procedure to recruit an Executive
Director for the European Maritime Safety Agency. The new agency was
created in the aftermath of the Erika disaster to provide the Commission
and the Member States with the technical and scientific advice needed to
increase maritime safety levels, ensure their uniform application in Europe
and promote their dissemination throughout the world. The agency is
provisionally hosted within the Commission's premises in Brussels pending a
decision of the European Council on its seat together with that of other
new agencies.
[06] Commission approuve une joint venture entre Electrabel et ACEA SpA
La Commission européenne a approuvé sous le Réglement Concentrations un
projet de co-entreprise entre Electrabel S.A. de Belgique, qui fait partie
du groupe Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, et ACEA S.p.A, une entreprise italienne
controllée par la Municipalité de Rome et qui, entre autres choses, produit,
transmet et vend de d'électricité (l'opération a été éxaminée sous la
procédure simplifié)
[07] Commission clears joint venture between Deutsche Bahn subsidiary and
Norway's Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines
The European Commission has cleared plans by German logistics firm ATG
Autotransportlogistik GmbH, controlled by German rail operator Deutsche
Bahn AG, and the Norwegian shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines AS
to acquire joint control of German undertaking ATN Autoterminal Neuss GmbH
& Co KG by way of purchase of assets. ATN will operate an automobile
transfer logistics centre. (The operation, which was notified to the
Commission on July 29 under the Merger Regulation, was examined under the
simplified procedure)
[08] Commission clears CVC acquisition of Britain's Halfords
The European Commission has cleared plans by UK investment fund CVC Group
to acquire the whole of Halfords Limited, a UK retails car parts and
accessories company. The deal, which was notified to the Comission on July
25 under the Merger Regulation, was examined under the simplified
procedure).
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
|