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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-12-22
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] La Commission poursuit l'application de la procédure concernant les
déficits excessifs à l'égard de la Grèce
[02] Commission proceeds with excessive deficit procedure for Hungary
[03] Czech Republic, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and Slovakia on track to correct
budget deficits
[04] La Commission définit une stratégie pour améliorer la qualité des
statistiques budgétaires
[05] Internal Market : Commission acts to ensure eight Member States
implement EU laws
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[06] Un rapport d'experts appelle l'UE Ã renforcer son action contre la
traite des êtres humains
[07] Commission reaction to the order of the President of the Court of
First Instance on Microsoft case
[08] Commission clears acquisition of HMG by Sovion in abattoir and meat
products sector
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Isuzu Benelux by Alcadis, Isuzu
Motors and Mitsubishi
[10] Commission clears joint acquisition of Isuzu Spain by BA, Isuzu and
Mitsubishi
[11] Commission clears acquisition of TDF by Charterhouse
[12] Commission strengthens "Energy Star" label for more energy efficient
computer monitors
[13] October 2004 compared to September 2004 : industrial new orders up by
0.2% in euro-zone ; EU25 up by 0.7%
[14] Télécommunications : la Commission demande au Luxembourg de se
conformer à un arrêt de la Cour
[15] Boosting business between EU and Canada
[16] EU and Serbia conclude textiles agreement
[17] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2004-12-22
Reference: MEX/04/1222
Date: 22/12/2004
EXME04 / 22.12
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
22/12/04
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] La Commission poursuit l'application de la procédure concernant les
déficits excessifs à l'égard de la Grèce
La Commission européenne a conclu que la situation budgétaire de la
Grèce s'était encore dégradée en 2004, bien que ce pays jouisse de la
croissance économique la plus forte de la zone euro et contrairement aux
recommandations adressées par le Conseil en juillet dernier. La Grèce
s'attend à ce que son déficit atteigne 5,3% du PIB en 2004 au lieu des 3,
0% prévus dans sa notification du mois de mars. Le projet de budget pour
2005 prend comme objectif un déficit des administrations publiques de 2,8%,
mais les mesures présentées paraissent insuffisantes pour ramener le
déficit nominal en dessous du seuil de 3% d'ici à 2005, comme recommandé
par le Conseil. Se fondant sur cette évaluation, la Commission recommande
au Conseil de décider qu'aucune action suivie d'effets n'a été menée
pour corriger le déficit excessif.
[02] Commission proceeds with excessive deficit procedure for Hungary
Based on the assessment of its budgetary situation, the European Commission
has recommended to the Council to decide that the action taken by Hungary
to correct its excessive budget deficit was ineffective. While some
consolidation was achieved, the deficit targets of 4.6% of GDP for 2004 and
4.1% of GDP for 2005 are likely to be missed by 0.9 percentage point.
Further measures appear necessary to ensure that the objective set by the
government and recommended by the Council of bringing the deficit below 3%
of GDP in 2008 is safely achieved.
[03] Czech Republic, Cyprus, Malta, Poland and Slovakia on track to correct
budget deficits
The European Commission has concluded that the Czech Republic, Cyprus,
Malta, Poland and Slovakia are on track for correcting the situation of
excessive deficit they were found to be in, in July this year, and hence in
line with the Council recommendations. Therefore, no further
recommendations are required at this stage.
[04] La Commission définit une stratégie pour améliorer la qualité des
statistiques budgétaires
La Commission européenne a adopté une Communication au Conseil et au
Parlement qui définit une stratégie pour améliorer la gouvernance du
système européen de statistiques budgétaires. La stratégie prévoit un
projet de règlement permettant à la Commission d'accomplir une
vérification approfondie des chiffres, le renforcement de l'institut
européen de statistiques Eurostat ainsi que l'adoption de normes élevées
visant à garantir l'indépendance des instituts nationaux. Le projet de
règlement devrait être adopté au début de l'année et l'adoption des
normes d'ici juin 2005, comme recommandé par le Conseil.
[05] Internal Market : Commission acts to ensure eight Member States
implement EU laws
The European Commission has decided to pursue a total of fourteen
infringement cases involving eight Member States in order to ensure that
they live up to the commitments they have made to implement single market
laws, agreed by the European Parliament and the Council, on financial
services, accounting and the recognition of professional qualifications.
The Commission is to refer Greece, France and Luxembourg to the European
Court of Justice because they have not notified the Commission of national
measures implementing the 2002 Collateral Directive or the 2001 "fair
value" Directive on accounting rules. The Commission will also send
"reasoned opinions" formally requesting the Netherlands to implement the
Collateral Directive and asking Germany and the UK (for Gibraltar) to write
into national law the Fair Value Directive. Reasoned opinions are the
second stage of formal infringement proceedings under Article 226 of the EC
Treaty. If those three Member States do not give a satisfactory response
within two months, the Commission may refer them, too, to the Court. The
Commission will refer Belgium, Germany, Greece, France and Austria to the
Court over the incomplete implementation at national level of the 2001
Directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[06] Un rapport d'experts appelle l'UE Ã renforcer son action contre la
traite des êtres humains
Aujourd'hui, le groupe d'experts de la Commission européenne sur la traite
des êtres humains a présenté à M. Franco Frattini, vice président de la
Commission et commissaire chargé de la justice, de la liberté et de la
sécurité, un rapport indiquant des moyens de renforcer l'action de l'UE
contre une forme de criminalité horrible dont les premières victimes sont
les groupes vulnérables, tels que les enfants et les femmes, qui sont
vendus comme des marchandises et subissent des violences physiques et
sexuelles, ainsi que les migrants qui sont à la merci d'organisations
criminelles. Sur la base des recommandations figurant dans le rapport et
d'autres données, la Commission publiera en 2005 une communication
élaborant un plan de l'UE en faveur de normes communes, de meilleures
pratiques et de mécanismes de prévention et de lutte contre la traite des
êtres humains.
[07] Commission reaction to the order of the President of the Court of
First Instance on Microsoft case
The European Commission welcomes today's order of the President of the
Court of First Instance (CFI) because it means that the Commission's March
2004 Decision (see IP/04/382) becomes effective immediately. Implementation
of the Commission's March Decision will not only benefit consumers of
computer products in terms of choice of media players on computers and
choice of work group servers, but also stimulate innovation. Today's order
is important because it preserves the effectiveness of antitrust
enforcement, in particular in fast-moving markets as in this case. The
order confirms, as the Commission claimed, that this type of case does not
fulfil the criteria for a decision to be suspended.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of HMG by Sovion in abattoir and meat
products sector
The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Hendrix Meat Group
(HMG) by Sovion under the EU merger control Regulation. Both companies are
based in The Netherlands and are active in slaughtering of pigs and meat
sales. The new company will be the largest player in The Netherlands and
one of the largest in Northern Europe, but the Commission has concluded
that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition
in the various markets where the parties are active.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Isuzu Benelux by Alcadis, Isuzu
Motors and Mitsubishi
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of newly created joint
venture Isuzu Benelux by Alcadis (Belgium), Isuzu Motors Ltd (Japan) and
Mitsubishi (Japan). Isuzu Benelux JV will operate on the markets for the
wholesale distribution of new cars and spare parts. Alcadis is the holding
company for the car companies of the Alcopa group, active in the import and
distribution of cars. Isuzu is a worldwide car manufacturer. Mitsubishi is
a general worldwide trading company with a number of motor vehicle
distributors throughout Europe. The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
[10] Commission clears joint acquisition of Isuzu Spain by BA, Isuzu and
Mitsubishi
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Isuzu Spain by Spanish
company BA, Isuzu Motors of Japan and Mitsubishi also of Japan. BA is the
holding company of a group of companies (the Bergé group) active in the
wholesale and retail distribution of a range of different motor vehicle
brands. Isuzu is a worldwide car manufacturing company. Mitsubishi has
several motor vehicle distributors throughout Europe. Isuzu Spain operates
in the wholesale distribution of new cars and spare parts. The operation
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[11] Commission clears acquisition of TDF by Charterhouse
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Télédiffusion de France
(TDF) by Charterhouse UK. Charterhouse is the parent company of a group
which provides equity capital and fund management services. TDF provides
over-the-air and wireless services to broadcasters and telecom operators
and owns and operates terrestrial infrastructure used for the transmission
of TV, radio and telecom signals. TDF is currently jointly controlled by
Charterhouse and by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC). Cogecom, a
subsidiary of France Telecom, which holds 35.98% of the shares in TDF,
intends to sell its entire stake to Charterhouse and CDC (and CDC related
co-investors). The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[12] Commission strengthens "Energy Star" label for more energy efficient
computer monitors
The European Commission adopted today stricter criteria for computer
monitors to be granted the "Energy Star" label. Office equipment takes a
steadily increasing share of energy consumption, not only in the office but
also at home. Thanks to the Energy Star labelling programme, consumers can
make savings on their electricity bill while purchasing often better
quality equipment. The overall impact for EU countries is more efficient
use of energy and therefore reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases and
greater security of energy supply. Commissioner Andris Piebalgs responsible
for energy issues highlighted that, by adopting those new criteria, the
Commission takes a win-win measure that will contribute to controlling
energy demand, to combating climate change while helping consumers that
will buy Energy Star monitors to make savings. Launched in 2001(Regulation
(EC) No.2422/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6
November 2001 on a Community energy efficiency labelling programme for
office equipment, Official Journal L 332 of 15.12.2001), the "Energy Star"
labelling program is a voluntary scheme for the industry, unlike the
labelling scheme for domestic appliances which is compulsory. These
labelling initiatives follow on the 1990s SAVE Programme dedicated to
promoting public awareness for energy efficiency and encouraging energy-
saving behaviour in the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. The
Commission manages the Energy Star labelling programme together with the
Environmental Protection Agency in the USA. The new criteria for computer
monitors will enter into force on the 1st January 2005. They cover both the
energy consumption of the computer monitors when in working, but also in
stand-by.
[13] October 2004 compared to September 2004 : industrial new orders up by
0.2% in euro-zone ; EU25 up by 0.7%
The euro-zone industrial new orders index rose by 0.2% in October 2004
compared with the previous month, Eurostat estimates today. The index grew
by 1.7% in September after a fall of 0.8% in August. EU25 new orders grew
by 0.7% in October 2004, after a rise of 0.8% in September and a fall of
0.8% in August. In October 2004 compared to October 2003, industrial new
orders increased by 0.6% in the euro-zone and by 0.2% in the EU25.
[14] Télécommunications : la Commission demande au Luxembourg de se
conformer à un arrêt de la Cour
La Commission européenne a demandé formellement au Luxembourg de se
conformer à un arrêt de la Cour de Justice du 12 juin 2003 lui enjoignant
d'appliquer correctement une directive de 1990 relative à la concurrence
dans les marchés des services de télécommunication (90/388/CEE). En
violation de cette directive, le Luxembourg maintient, malgré des
modifications de sa législations, une procédure de délivrance de droits
de passage qui pénalise les concurrents de l'opérateur historique, car
ils ne sont toujours pas en mesure d'obtenir les autorisations nécessaires
pour construire leur propre infrastructure le long des routes et des voies
ferrées. La demande formelle est sous forme d'un avis motivé, la
deuxième étape de la procédure d'infraction prévue par l'Article 228 du
Traité CE. Si le Luxembourg persévère dans son manquement, la Commission
pourrait saisir la Cour et lui demander d'imposer une astreinte
quotidienne.
[15] Boosting business between EU and Canada
On 21 December, the Canadian government and the European Commission have
taken an important step to facilitate trade between the EU and Canada by
developing a framework for regulatory cooperation. This voluntary framework
is designed to promote a more systematic dialogue between EU and Canadian
regulators during the early stages of the development of regulatory
proposals for all goods. This will help eliminate regulatory barriers
caused by, for example, different labelling requirements. The new working
basis will not only facilitate trade and minimize trade frictions, but also
result in better regulation.
[16] EU and Serbia conclude textiles agreement
On 21 December, the EU and Serbia have initialled a bilateral agreement on
trade in textiles. Under this agreement the EU will lift all textile quotas
applied to Serbia. In return, Serbia will dismantle tariffs applied to EU
textile imports. In addition, both parties will refrain from applying any
non-tariff barriers to each other's textile and clothing exports. European
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said : "This agreement is a tangible
example of the increasing closeness of the EU's relations with Serbia
through the Stabilisation and Association Process. It shows how both our
economies can benefit from deeper cooperation."
[17] Autre matériel diffusé
Trafficking in human beings
Note on outcome of Agriculture/Fisheries Council of December 2004
Questions and answers – order of the President of the Court of First
Instance in case T-201/04 R, Microsoft Corp. vs European Commission
(22.12.04)
Speech by Joe Borg : "TAC and Quotas for 2005" at Fisheries Council
Speech by Franco Frattini : "Data protection in the area of Justice,
Freedom and Security" at meeting with the Joint Supervisory Authorities
under the Third Pillar (21/12)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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