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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-01-28
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Eurobaromètre sur la Constitution : un a priori positif, mais un
manque d'information
[02] Commission proposes additional €200 million for Iraq on eve of
elections
[03] Latest European regional statistics confirm Commission proposal on
Structural Funds for 2007-2013
[04] New accounting system : better control over European taxpayer's money
[05] Commission clears acquisition of DAL by WestLB
[06] Commission clears joint venture between Airbus and Sita
[07] Taxation in the EU25 : tax burden in 2003 ranged from 29% of GDP in
Lithuania and Latvia to 51% in Sweden - Overall tax burden of 41.5% in the
EU25
[08] László Kovács meets the Executive Committee of the Board of the
Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (27/01)
[09] László Kovács meets representatives from EUROCHAMBRES (27/01)
[10] Günter Verheugen to attend EU-Mercosur business forum
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-01-28
Reference: MEX/05/0128
Date: 28/01/2005
EXME05 / 28.1
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
28/01/05
[01] Eurobaromètre sur la Constitution : un a priori positif, mais un
manque d'information
Plus de la moitié des citoyens de l'Union européenne disent savoir très
peu de choses sur le projet de Constitution et un tiers supplémentaire
déclare ne pas en avoir entendu parler. L'étude indique également que
l'opinion publique est plutôt favorable à la Constitution, mais que le
niveau d'indécision reste élevé dans la plupart des pays. C'est ce que
révèle un sondage Eurobaromètre spécial réalisé entre le 27 octobre
et le 29 novembre 2004 auprès d’un échantillon de près de 25.000
personnes.
[02] Commission proposes additional €200 million for Iraq on eve of
elections
The European Commission has proposed an additional package of €200
million to assist with the reconstruction of Iraq, just a few days before
the Iraqis have the chance to exercise their democratic right to vote for
the first time. This new contribution is a further indication of the
Commission's determination to support the political and economic transition
in Iraq. The proposal comprises three key elements and a reserve fund :
€130 million to boost essential services and jobs; €15 million for
technical assistance to help build Iraq’s capacity in the important areas
of energy and trade; and €10 million to support the political process,
perhaps including help in drafting the new Constitution. €45 million will
be held in reserve to allow a flexible response to changing circumstances
on the ground and to respond to the needs identified by the new Iraqi
government formed after the elections on 30 January.
[03] Latest European regional statistics confirm Commission proposal on
Structural Funds for 2007-2013
Danuta Hübner, the European Commissioner responsible for Regional Policy,
noted that the latest data on gross domestic product (GDP) per head in the
regions of Europe show that the Commission's proposals for regional policy
and social cohesion for 2007-2013 are soundly based. Regional disparities
continue to need careful attention. In its proposals, the Commission calls
for a regional policy based on convergence, regional competitiveness and
territorial cooperation.
[04] New accounting system : better control over European taxpayer's money
The transition to a new accounting system in the European Commission has
been successful. With the modernised system European taxpayers can be
assured that their money is managed with the highest standard of control.
The new system will give the Commission greater day-to-day control over its
assets and liabilities, and provide better financial information. This will
strengthen the Commission's drive to minimise any risk of error and
irregularity.
[05] Commission clears acquisition of DAL by WestLB
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing
GmbH (DAL Germany) by WestLB AG of Germany. WestLB is the state bank of
North-Rhein Westphalia and has its headquarters in Düsseldorf. It operates
in a wide range of financial services but is not active in property
leasing. DAL is a German leasing company whose primary focus is in the area
of commercial real estate. It is also active in aircraft leasing. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[06] Commission clears joint venture between Airbus and Sita
The European Commission has granted approval under the EU Merger Regulation
to Airbus Group (France) and SITA (Netherlands) to form a joint venture,
named OnAir, which will develop and provide the nascent onboard
communication services for commercial aircraft (such as in-flight telephony,
SMS, e-mail, Internet and GSM onboard). The Commission concluded that the
joint venture will not significantly impede effective competition in those
markets.
[07] Taxation in the EU25 : tax burden in 2003 ranged from 29% of GDP in
Lithuania and Latvia to 51% in Sweden - Overall tax burden of 41.5% in the
EU25
In 2003, the overall tax burden (i.e. the total amount of taxes and social
security contributions) in the EU25 stood at 41.5% of GDP, compared with
41.3% in 2002. After an increase from 42.4% in 1998 to 42.9% in 1999, the
tax-to-GDP ratio declined steadily from 1999 to 2002. In all ten new Member
States, the tax-to-GDP ratio was lower in 2003 than the EU15 average
(41.8%). Among the Member States there were substantial differences in the
total tax burden. In 2003 Sweden (51.4%) recorded the highest tax-to-GDP
ratio, followed by Denmark (49.8%), Belgium (48.1%), France (45.7%) and
Finland (45.1%). The lowest ratios were observed in Lithuania (28.7%),
Latvia (29.1%), Slovakia (30.9%), Ireland (31.2%) and Estonia (33.4%). In
2003 as compared with 2002, the tax burden rose in seventeen Member States,
fell in seven and remained stable in Germany. The highest increases in the
tax-to-GDP ratio were recorded in Cyprus (from 32.5% to 34.3%), Ireland
(from 29.8% to 31.2%) and Estonia (from 32.4% to 33.4%). The largest
reductions were observed in Slovakia (from 32.5% to 30.9%), Greece (from
39.8% to 38.6%), and Finland (from 46.1% to 45.1%). These figures come from
a publication issued today by Eurostat. This report gives additional
information on the evolution of the tax burden in the EU and the Member
States between 1995 and 2003, and on the breakdown of tax revenue across
Member States by main tax category.
[08] László Kovács meets the Executive Committee of the Board of the
Confederation of Swedish Enterprise (27/01)
The European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union László Kovács
met and discussed with representatives of the Swedish industry the
Commission's ideas on simplifying and modernise the Community Customs Code.
The Swedish industry is supportive of the commission's initiative for the
reform of the community customs code. However, it is asking that the
implementing provisions of the new code should take into account the
situation of countries like Sweden that already have simplified procedures.
The Swedish representatives also indicated their full support to the
Commission's approach in the corporate tax area towards a common
consolidated tax base in the EU as well as the simplification of VAT
obligations by the creation of a "one stop shop".
[09] László Kovács meets representatives from EUROCHAMBRES (27/01)
The European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union Lászlo Kovács
had an exchange of views with representatives of Eurochambers on tax
competition, the common consolidated tax base, home state taxation and
simplification of VAT obligations. Lászlo Kovács explained to the
European industry representatives the Commission's position and underlined
his willingness to use taxation as an instrument in achieving Lisbon goals
in particular facilitating business and increasing competition. In return
the representatives from Eurochambres expressed their support for these tax
initiatives which they saw as largely business friendly.
[10] Günter Verheugen to attend EU-Mercosur business forum
On Monday, 31 January 2005, European Commission Vice-President Günter
Verheugen will attend the Mercosur-European Business Forum in Luxembourg.
Panels of senior political and business leaders also include the Prime
Minister of Luxembourg, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, and the Brazilian Minister
of Development, Trade and Industry, Mr Luiz Fernando Furlan. The conference
will be held 9.00 am to 06.00 pm at the Arcelor Corporate headquarters, 19,
avenue de la Liberté, L-2930 Luxembourg. A press conference is scheduled
at 12h30. Please confirm your attendance at the conference and/or the press
briefing by return email : press@arcelor.com, phone : 352 4792 2360, fax :
352 4792 2658 , www.mebf.org.
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Günter Verheugen at Maritime Industries Forum (Bremen)
Speech by Andris Pebalgs : "Erwartungen an eine neue Strategie Europas" at
Deutsch-Französische Industrie- und Handelskammer (Aachen)
Speech by Louis Michel : "A New Transatlantic Agenda for Development"
(Washington, ! embargo 18h00 !)
Calendrier du 31 janvier au 4 février 2005
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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