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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-06-02
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission clears acquisition of Dometic by BCPH
[02] April 2005 compared to March 2005 : industrial producer prices up by
0.4% in euro-zone and EU25
[03] Summary of the EU's revised services offer in the Doha negotiations
[04] Stavros Dimas on emissions trading : "Looking back and ahead"
[05] EU, US and Iraq announce International Conference on 22 June 2005
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-06-02
Reference: MEX/05/0602
Date: 02/06/2005
EXME05 / 2.6
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
02/06/05
[01] Commission clears acquisition of Dometic by BCPH
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Dometic International AB
and Dometic Corporation (Dometic) of Sweden by BC Funds, managed by CIE
Management II Ltd (CIEM) of the UK and ultimately controlled by BC Partners
Holdings Ltd (BCPH). BCPH is a leading pan-European private equity firm,
operating through integrated teams based in Geneva, Hamburg, London, Milan
and Paris. Dometic manufactures air conditioning systems, refrigerators,
cookers, sanitation systems, awnings, lighting and windows and doors for
motorhomes, caravans and pleasure boats. Dometic also manufactures small
refrigerators (mini bars) for the hotel industry and specially developed
refrigeration equipment for the medical sector. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[02] April 2005 compared to March 2005 : industrial producer prices up by
0.4% in euro-zone and EU25
The euro-zone industrial producer price index rose by 0.4% in April 2005
compared with the previous month, reports Eurostat. In April 2005, EU25
prices also grew by 0.4%. In March prices increased by 0.7% in both the
euro-zone and the EU25. In April 2005 compared to April 2004, industrial
producer prices gained 4.2% in the euro-zone and 5.3% in the EU25.
[03] Summary of the EU's revised services offer in the Doha negotiations
Today the European Commission has transmitted to the WTO the EU's revised
services offer in the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations. The
revised offer outlines how the EU is prepared to further open access to its
services market in exchange for improved access to other WTO Members'
markets. While ambitious in scope, and responding in many ways to requests
for access from developing countries the EU's offer safeguards public
services such as education, health and audio-visual services. The offer is
fully public, and can now be consulted on the DG Trade website.
[04] Stavros Dimas on emissions trading : "Looking back and ahead"
Speaking at the Green Week debate on Emissions Trading today, European
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas announced that the Commission is
about to start its review of the EU's Emissions Trading Directive. As part
of this review, the Commission will shortly launch a wide-ranging
consultation asking for ideas and input from stakeholders with hands on
experience in emissions trading. Mr Dimas said that the review would look
at the possible inclusion into the system of additional sectors and gases.
He noted, however, that this process would take some time. On the specific
subject of allocations, Mr Dimas highlighted the following points : "We
need to have a serious look at the way we allocate - not only in view of
the next set of allocation plans due in mid-2006 for the second period of
the EU emission trading, but also in the longer term perspective of the
post-2012 regime. We should put more trust in a well-designed market
instrument and in more instances give the market the benefit of the doubt.
The guiding philosophy for the second allocation plans should be simplicity
rather than complexity and hands-off rather than special rules." He noted
that some market operators had called for more predictability and certainty
in allocation rules, and responded : "Providing certainty about allocations
for a longer time period is an idea that should be explored. An alternative
to longer term allocation provisions is to build rules that allow us to
derive the allocation for a future period from earlier allocations." He
concluded by saying : "It is important to consider that rule and design
changes have the potential to disrupt market activity and undermine the
certainty that markets need to operate efficiently. I believe we should not
have changes for changes sake, but consider the costs and benefits of the
nature and timing of any rule change."
[05] EU, US and Iraq announce International Conference on 22 June 2005
Following a request from the new Iraqi Transitional Government, an
international conference with Iraq, co-hosted by the European Union and the
United States, will be held at Foreign Minister level in Brussels on 22
June. The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for the new Iraqi
Transitional Government to present its priorities, vision and strategies
for the transition period leading up to the next round of elections towards
the end of the year. It is also an opportunity to mobilize international
support for the Iraqi Transitional Government and its institutions. The
conference will be structured around three themes outlined in the UN
Security Council Resolution 1546 : political process ; economic challenges
and reconstruction ; public order and rule of law. Iraq will lead the
discussions in these three areas and is expected to bring a large
delegation representing a wide range of interests and communities. Over 80
countries and international organisations have been invited. When President
Bush visited Brussels on 22 February, the EU and the US agreed to offer to
host an international conference on Iraq if the Iraqis so wished. The Iraqi
Transitional Government has now written to the EU and the US and asked that
such a conference be held to provide Iraq with a vehicle to engage with the
international community.
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Déclaration des Présidents Borrell Fontelles, Juncker et Barroso Ã
l'occasion des résultats du référendum aux Pays-Bas sur le Traité
établissant une Constitution pour l'Europe (01/06)
Summary of the EU's revised services offer in the Doha negotiations
Note on Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (02-
03/06, Luxembourg)
Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "European Agriculture in 2010" to LTO
Nederland (The Hague)
Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Working together as Global Partners" at
the European Institute (01/06, Washington)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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