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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-12-08Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etbCommunication08/12/05[01] José Manuel Barroso congratulates Nursultan NazarbayevThe President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso sent the following message to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev : "On behalf of the European Commission and in my own name, I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The European Commission is looking forward to the continuation of the development of harmonious and strengthened relations with your country, in particular through the full implementation of the EU- Kazakhstan partnership and cooperation agreement. The Commission is keen to engage in further enhancing our cooperation and discussing with your government issues of mutual interest in the realm of our continued strong support for political and economic reforms in your country. In this context, I hope you will be able to further deepen democracy, notably in ensuring that electoral processes are held in full compliance with osce and other international standards for democratic elections. I would like to reassure you of my personal interest in this important task."[02] La Commission lance une consultation sur la promotion d'une alimentation saine et de l'activité physiqueLa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui un livre vert sur la promotion d'une alimentation saine et de l'activité physique pour lancer une vaste consultation publique sur les moyens de réduire l'obésité et la prévalence des maladies chroniques qui y sont associées dans l'UE. Le livre vert sollicite des contributions sur un large éventail de thèmes liés à l'obésité afin de recueillir des informations en vue de donner à la lutte contre l'obésité une dimension européenne qui pourrait compléter, soutenir et coordonner les mesures nationales existantes. Actuellement, près de 14 millions de citoyens de l'UE, dont plus de trois millions d'enfants, souffrent d'une surcharge pondérale ou d'obésité. Ce chiffre devrait continuer d'augmenter dans un avenir prévisible. Le livre vert invite à soumettre des idées et des suggestions concrètes en vue d'une action qui puisse être menée dans tous les secteurs et à tous les niveaux de la société pour lutter contre ce grave problème et encourager les Européens à adopter des modes de vie plus sains.[03] Commission makes fisheries rules more user friendlyThe European Commission has taken another major step towards putting in place simpler measures under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) by adopting an action plan for streamlining and improving fisheries legislation over the period 2006-2008. The plan is part of the Commission-wide process aimed at encouraging better regulation. Detailed proposals were drawn up on the basis of the Council's conclusions on simplifying the CFP and an extensive consultation process with Member States and the fishing industry. The plan identifies a series of priority initiatives for the next three years concentrated on two key areas - conservation and control. This is the first such sectoral action plan to be adopted by the Commission and will lead the way in concrete application of the simplification strategy not only in the fisheries sector, but in European legislation in general.[04] La Commission donne son feu vert à un régime de déductions fiscales consenties dans le cadre de l'IRAP en vue de promouvoir la création d'emplois en ItalieLa Commission européenne a autorisé, conformément aux règles du traité CE relatives aux aides d'Etat, les mesures d'incitation fiscale en faveur des entreprises adoptées par l'Italie dans son décret loi sur la compétitivité (décret loi n° 80 du 14 mars 2005). Ce régime prévoit des déductions fiscales dans le cadre de la taxe italienne sur les activités productives régionales (IRAP) et vise à stimuler la création d'emplois. La Commission est parvenue à la conclusion que cette mesure satisfaisait à l'ensemble des conditions énoncées dans le règlement n° 2204/02 concernant l'application des articles 87 et 88 du traité CE aux aides d'Etat à l'emploi. Elle encourage la création d'emplois, notamment dans la région assistée du Mezzogiorno, où le taux de chômage demeure élevé comparativement à celui des autres régions d'Italie. La Commission considère en outre que les éventuels effets négatifs sur les échanges et la concurrence sont proportionnés et nécessaires pour atteindre les objectifs du régime.[05] La Commission examine une aide en faveur d'un fabricant grec de véhiculesLa Commission européenne a ouvert une procédure formelle d'examen en application des règles du traité CE relatives aux aides d'Etat concernant une aide accordée à l'entreprise grecque Hellenic Vehicle Industry S.A. (ELVO). En 1999, le gouvernement grec a autorisé l'annulation des dettes accumulées par la société envers le secteur public entre 1988 et 1998. Selon la Grèce, l'aide, qui s'élève à €3,5 millions, ne favorise que la production militaire d'ELVO et serait par conséquent couverte par l'article 296 du traité, en vertu duquel il peut être dérogé aux règles du traité, notamment à l'interdiction générale des aides d'Etat, pour des raisons directement liées aux intérêts essentiels de la sécurité nationale. La Commission doute, cependant, que les effets de l'aide soient effectivement limités aux activités militaires d'ELVO et elle estime que l'aide peut avoir aussi favorisé les activités civiles de l'entreprise. La décision prise par la Commission d'ouvrir la procédure formelle d'examen donnera aux parties intéressées l'occasion de commenter la mesure. Elle ne préjuge pas le résultat de l'enquête.[06] Commission clears acquisition of GUS Holding by Industri KapitalThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of GUS Holland Holding (GUS Holding) of the Netherlands by Industri Kapital of the Netherlands. Industri Kapital is a private equity investment firm that manages and controls investments made by its private equity funds. GUS Holding is fully owned and controlled by GUS plc of the UK and has two active subsidiaries, Wehkamp B.V and Transfair B.V., active in the retail home shopping, consumer credit and financial services and debt collection markets in the Netherlands. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears joint venture between Dexia and RBCThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of a newly created company constituting a joint venture by Dexia-Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (Dexia) and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Dexia is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Dexia group, a European banking group born out of the alliance in 1996 of Crédit Local de France and Crédit Communal de Belgique. Dexia is active in retail banking, financial services and insurance. RBC is a Canadian financial institution serving personal, business and public sector clients throughout the world. RBC's activities include banking, asset management and insurance. The parties intend to create a joint venture, to be named RBC Dexia Investor Services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] The Urban Audit provides key indicators on the quality of life in 258 European citiesDanuta Hübner, the European Commissioner responsible for regional policy, opened the Urban Audit website and presented the "Urban Audit 2005" book today. The Urban Audit brings together a wide range of key indicators on the quality of life in 258 cities in the 25 Member States, and candidate countries. This is the first time that we have a complete picture of urban quality of life in the old and the new Member States. The Urban Audit 2005 includes information on 69 cities in the ten new Member States, Bulgaria and Romania. It allows mayors and other local elected officials to compare their city directly with other cities in Europe. Comparing cities can facilitate the exchange of experience and improve the quality of local urban policies. The Urban Audit will also aid the Member States in their preparation of the urban content of their National Strategic Reference Frameworks.[09] "Common Economic Space" with Russia : Vice-President Verheugen and Russian Industry Minister agree on permanent framework for dialogueAn important step towards establishing a more open and integrated market between the EU and Russia, known as the Common Economic Space (CES), was taken on 7 December. European Commission Vice President, Günter Verheugen, and the Russian Minister of Industry and Energy, Viktor Khristenko, signed documents which establish two permanent frameworks for dialogue between the Commission and the Russian authorities. The aim is to improve the administrative, regulatory and investment environment for businesses operating in Russia by closer cooperation, exchange of information and by working towards the harmonisation of technical legislation and standards relating to industrial products. Working groups will cover a number of industrial sectors, including telecommunications and information technologies, automobiles, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.[10] Joe Borg visits CyprusFollowing his visit to Slovenia, Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, arrived in Cyprus this morning for a two- day official visit. Commissioner Borg will begin by meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Mr Timmy Efthymiou. Their discussions will include the proposed European Fisheries Fund and the technical measures for Mediterranean fisheries. They will also examine the challenges facing the fishing sector in Cyprus. The Green Paper on a future Maritime Policy for the European Union, which the Commission will launch in spring 2006, will also feature on their agenda. This afternoon, Mr Borg will first meet officials from various departments to discuss progress in implementing the Common Fisheries Policy. This will be followed by a meeting with stakeholders to enable Commissioner Borg to hear at first hand what their concerns and suggestions are. The Commissioner will encourage the industry to play an active role in the setting up of a Regional Advisory Council for the Mediterranean. On Saturday morning, accompanied by Director of Fisheries Mr George Georgiou, Commissioner Borg will visit fishing ports and fish farming units in Limassol, Zygi and Larnaca. His visit will conclude with a lunch hosted by the Department of Fisheries.[11] Autre matériel diffuséQuestions and answers on the EU approach to tackling obesityNote on Health Council (09/12) Speech by Olli Rehn : "Making the European Perspective real in the Balkans" at the Conference 'Bringing the Balkans into Mainstream Europe' by Friends of Europe Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Non-proliferation and disarmament: what role for the EU?" at European Parliament Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Building bridges over borders - cooperation across the eastern borders of the EU" at Seminar 'Cooperation across the EU's eastern external borderline: the launch of the network of eastern external border regions' Speaking points by President Barroso on financial perspectives at ministerial conclave (07/12) Speech by Stavros Dimas : "Renewables - a ready to go technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions" (07/12, Montreal) Opening statement by Stavros Dimas at the high level segment of the
Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (07/12, Montreal)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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