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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-03-29
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition conjointe d'Aldeasa par Autogrill
et Altadis
[02] Commission clears acquisition of HNS by Apollo and DirecTV
[03] Commission clears acquisition of TET by Goldman Sachs and Cerberus
[04] Commission clears acquisition of part of AFL by Alcoa
[05] Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on political developments in the
Kyrgyz Republic
[06] EU-Ukraine Ministerial Troika (Kiev, 30 March 2005)
[07] Les femmes scientifiques sont plus nombreuses dans les postes à haute
responsabilité, mais l'évolution reste lente
[08] EU disease control agency launches search for top scientists
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-03-29
Reference: MEX/05/0329
Date: 29/03/2005
EXME05 / 29.3
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
29/03/05
[01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition conjointe d'Aldeasa par Autogrill
et Altadis
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement communautaire
sur les concentrations, le projet d'acquisition, par voie d'offre publique
d'achat, d'Aldeasa S.A. ("Aldeasa"), un opérateur espagnol du secteur hors
taxes, par la société italienne Autogrill S.p.A. ("Autogrill") et le
producteur de tabac franco-espagnol Altadis S.A. ("Altadis"). Après avoir
procédé à un examen, la Commission est parvenue à la conclusion qu'en cas
de succès de l'offre commune, l'opération envisagée n'entraverait pas
sensiblement l'exercice d'une concurrence effective dans l'EEE ou dans une
partie substantielle de celui-ci, et l'a donc autorisée.
[02] Commission clears acquisition of HNS by Apollo and DirecTV
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of newly created undertaking
Hughes Network Systems LLC (HNS) of the US, by Apollo Group Inc. (Apollo),
via the subsidiary Sky Terra and DirecTV Group Inc. (DirecTV), belonging to
News Corporation group (NewsCorp), all of the US. The Apollo Group consists
of a number of separate limited partnerships, each of which has investments
in companies involved in a range of different activities throughout the
world. DirecTV is a provider of digital television entertainment, and
broadband satellite networks and services. DirecTV provides advanced
communications services on a global basis and has developed a wide range of
entertainment, information and communication services for home and business
use, including video, data, voice, multimedia and Internet services.
DirecTV's largest shareholder is NewsCorp. The business activities of the
joint venture HNS will consist of the provision of VSAT (Very Small
Aperture Terminal) solutions and services to enterprises, consumer VSAT
equipment and services, and mobile satellite and carrier network equipment
and provision of future communications services in North America via a Ka-
band satellite communications system. The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
[03] Commission clears acquisition of TET by Goldman Sachs and Cerberus
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Transamerica European
Trailers (TET) of the UK by Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company (GSMC),
controlled by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) and The Cerberus
Group (Cerberus), all of the US. Goldman Sachs is a global investment
banking and securities firm. It has three main segments: Investment Banking,
Trading and Principal Investments, and Asset Management and Securities
Services. Cerberus is a global investment company which invests in personal
property including capital stock, depository receipts, investment companies,
mutual funds, subscriptions, warrants, bonds, notes, debentures, options
and other securities. TET is active in leasing commercial trailers to
companies engaged in road haulage in a number of EU countries. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[04] Commission clears acquisition of part of AFL by Alcoa
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of part control of Alcoa Fujikura Ltd (AFL)
of the US by Alcoa Inc (Alcoa), also of the US. Alcoa is a primary
aluminium and alumina producer and is active in all major aspects of the
aluminium industry, including technology, mining, refining, smelting,
production and recycling. Alcoa's aluminium products and components are
used worldwide in aircraft, cars and in a wide variety of consumer and
industrial applications. The part of AFL acquired by Alcoa is active in the
manufacturing of electrical and electronic distribution systems and their
components for personal and commercial vehicles. AFL is a joint venture
created in 1984 by Alcoa and Fujikura. AFL has two divisions: AFL
Automotive and AFL Telecommunications. The proposed operation consists of
the acquisition of the AFL Automotive by Alcoa and the acquisition of AFL
Telecommunications by Fujikura. The operation represents de facto a de-
merger. The notification relates exclusively to the proposed transfer of
AFL Automotive from joint control by Alcoa and Fujikura to sole control by
Alcoa. The acquisition of sole control of AFL Telecommunications does not
give rise to a concentration with an EU dimension. The operation was
examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[05] Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on political developments in the
Kyrgyz Republic
European Commissioner for External relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated : "The European Commission is
monitoring closely the evolving situation in the Kyrgyz Republic. It
recalls the basic objectives of the EU-Kyrgyz Republic Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement namely respect for democracy, the rule of law and
human rights which are fundamental elements of the partnership, and urges
all parties to respect these principles. The Commission stresses the
importance of establishing a dialogue between all political forces to bring
about a national reconciliation. The Commission takes note of the decision
of the new Kyrgyz authorities to organize Presidential elections in three
months time and Parliamentary elections within six months. In order to
ensure free and fair elections, it stands ready to provide election
assistance in close cooperation with the OSCE, if so requested by the
Kyrgyz authorities. Following the forthcoming Presidential elections, the
Commission looks forward to an early opportunity for discussion with the
newly elected leadership on the priorities for assistance, including
support for political, economic and social reforms."
[06] EU-Ukraine Ministerial Troika (Kiev, 30 March 2005)
On 30 March, an EU Troika will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Boris
Tarasyuk for discussions on the development of EU-Ukraine relations.
Discussions will focus in particular on internal developments in Ukraine,
and the implementation of the EU-Ukraine European Neighbourhood Policy
(ENP) Action Plan. The meeting will take stock of the efforts made to take
forward the Action Plan since its launch on 21 February 2005, and both
sides will share views on further steps in its implementation. The meeting
will also cover developments in the region including Transnistria, as well
as key foreign policy issues. Alongside European Commissioner for External
Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU
will be represented by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, and High
Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.
[07] Les femmes scientifiques sont plus nombreuses dans les postes à haute
responsabilité, mais l'évolution reste lente
Le nombre de femmes occupant des postes à responsabilité dans le domaine
scientifique augmente, mais lentement. Au niveau de l'UE, les femmes ne
représentent que 14% des universitaires de haut niveau et 44% des
diplômés en science et technologie. Dans un rapport sur l'égalité des
sexes dans la recherche scientifique, la Commission européenne expose les
actions qui ont été entreprises et qui sont en cours au niveau européen
pour renforcer le rôle des femmes dans le secteur scientifique. Il est
essentiel d'augmenter le nombre de femmes employées dans le domaine
scientifique afin d'atteindre l'objectif de 3% du PIB en recherche et
développement.
[08] EU disease control agency launches search for top scientists
A Europe wide search for outstanding disease control experts has been
launched. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a
new EU agency with the mission to strengthen Europe's defences against
epidemics (see IP/04/190) has started its search for world class scientific
staff. Job advertisements have been circulated to national public health
authorities across Europe and published on the internet. The jobs
advertised include top posts in the three key scientific units of the new
agency, and candidates will need outstanding scientific credentials. The
ECDC's Director Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, who took up her post on 1 March (see
MEX/05/02/28), is calling on communicable disease experts from across
Europe to apply. Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and
Consumer Protection, has expressed similar sentiment : "The finest
scientists Europe has to offer are needed, so that the Centre can carry out
its vital mission of enhancing our understanding of infectious diseases,
strengthening our defences against them, and tackling whatever epidemics
the 21st century may have in store for us." The Centre is due to be
operational by 20 May, and will be officially inaugurated by Commissioner
Kyprianou at a ceremony in Stockholm, where it is based, on 27 May. For
further information about the ECDC, including full details of the jobs it
is advertising, see: <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/ecdc/ecdc_en.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/ecdc/ecdc_en.htm
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
EU-Ukraine - strengthening the Strategic Partnership
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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