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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-03-24
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission concludes on Microsoft investigation, imposes conduct
remedies and a fine
[02] Rationalisation du système de contrôle des aides d'Etat
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[03] President Prodi hosts the African Union Commission in Brussels
[04] Europe gives €32 million for vaccines to stop tuberculosis
[05] Chris Patten in Kosovo
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 24/03/2004
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 24/03/2004[I] Résultats de la Commission
de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting
[01] Commission concludes on Microsoft investigation, imposes conduct
remedies and a fine
The European Commission has concluded, after a five-year investigation,
that Microsoft Corporation broke European Union competition law by
leveraging its near monopoly in the market for PC operating systems (OS)
onto the markets for work group server operating systems and for media
players. Because the illegal behaviour is still ongoing, the Commission has
ordered Microsoft to disclose to competitors, within 120 days, the
interfaces required for their products to be able to 'talk' with the
ubiquitous Windows OS. Microsoft is also required, within 90 days, to offer
a version of its Windows OS without Windows Media Player to PC
manufacturers (or when selling directly to end users). In addition,
Microsoft is fined €497 million for abusing its market power in the EU.
[02] Rationalisation du système de contrôle des aides d'Etat
Pour faciliter la préparation par les Etats membres des notifications
d'aides d'Etat ainsi que leur appréciation par la Commission européenne,
cette dernière a établi un nouveau formulaire de notification obligatoire.
Ce formulaire doit être aussi détaillé et complet que possible. Un nouveau
règlement de la Commission, adopté aujourd'hui, contient des dispositions
détaillées sur ce formulaire et son contenu ainsi que sur d'autres aspects
des notifications et des rapports annuels visés par le règlement (CE) n°
659/1999. Il comporte également des dispositions sur le calcul des délais
dans toutes les procédures relatives aux aides d'Etat et sur le calcul du
taux d'intérêt applicable à la récupération d'une aide illégale.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[03] President Prodi hosts the African Union Commission in Brussels
The European Commission will today welcome its African counterpart, the
African Union Commission (AUC), for a day long meeting in Brussels. The
first of its kind, this occasion is an important contribution to the
emerging strategic partnership between the two continental institutions.
During the seminar, Commissioners will share experiences in driving their
respective processes of regional integration and explore ways of
strengthening and deepening the ties between the two institutions. There
will also be an exchange of views on issues of common interest relating to
the EU-Africa dialogue, including the peace and security agenda, regional
integration, the on-going negotiations for Economic and Partnership
agreements between the EU and African regions and cooperation issues such
as water, energy and commodities.
[04] Europe gives €32 million for vaccines to stop tuberculosis
The European Commission today launched the largest-ever collaborative
tuberculosis (TB) initiative for World TB-day, March 24. Fifty-two research
teams from academia and industry from 15 European and African countries are
joining forces with the European Commission to help eradicate TB. Globally,
TB kills 2 million people a year, with one-third of the world's population
currently infected with the bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
While most cases and deaths occur in developing countries, resistant Mtb
strains are mainly found among the poorest people in developed countries,
as incomplete treatment increases drug resistance. The European Union is
confronting the re-emerging threat of TB by investing €32 million in two
overlapping research projects. This cash will be used in an accelerated
effort to develop new, effective vaccines to fight TB.
[05] Chris Patten in Kosovo
European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten is visiting
Kosovo today with Secretary General/High Representative Javier Solana to
convey the European Union's strong condemnation of last week's ethnically
motivated violence in which many were killed and injured. They will meet
political figures from all sides, including President Ibrahim Rugova, Prime
Minister Bajram Rexhepi, and representatives of the Serb Community. They
will also have talks with the Special Representative of the Secretary
General of the United Nations, Harri Holkeri, and the commander of KFOR
General Holger Kammerhoff. Commissioner Patten will be underlining the EU's
continuing commitment to Kosovo. He will stress the need to restore calm ;
for those responsible for the violence to be brought to justice ; and for
all sides to refrain from provocative acts. Extremist forces will have no
role to play in settling Kosovo's future.
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Microsoft - Questions and answers on Commission Decision
Questions and answers - EU / African Union strategic partnership
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Agriculture / Pêche
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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