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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-03-01Midday 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 etbCommunication01/03/06[01] La Commission propose d’allouer jusqu’ 500 millions d’euros par an un nouveau fonds européen d’ajustement la mondialisation destiné aider les travailleursLes travailleurs de l’Union européenne vont bénéficier d’une aide la réinsertion professionnelle par l’intermédiaire d’un nouveau fonds, d’une dotation annuelle maximale de 500 millions d’euros, qui pourrait soutenir chaque année jusqu’ 50 000 travailleurs de l’Union, surtout dans les régions et secteurs frappés par les grandes mutations structurelles du commerce mondial. Le nouveau « fonds européen d’ajustement la mondialisation » (FEM) proposé aujourd’hui par la Commission apportera une assistance individuelle, ponctuelle et limitée dans le temps, pour financer des services sur mesure destinés aider, par exemple, les travailleurs victimes de la mondialisation par des compléments salariaux, un recyclage ou une aide concrète pour trouver un nouvel emploi.[02] Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into acquisition by Ineos of BP ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol businessThe European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the planned acquisition by the UK company Ineos of the ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol businesses of BP at Dormagen (Germany). The Commission’s preliminary market investigation has found that the proposed transaction could create significant competition concerns given the strong market position that Ineos would achieve on the ethylene oxide market. The Commission now has 90 working days (until 14th July) to take a final decision on whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a significant part of it. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation.[03] Annual EU Report on US Trade Barriers highlights behind-the-border and WTO issues; progress on Byrd Amendment, telecoms procurementThe European Commission today released its twenty-first annual report on barriers to trade and investment in the US, detailing the obstacles that EU exporters and investors face in the US market. The report highlights non- tariff barriers in investment and public procurement and addresses some long running WTO problems such as issues concerning the US Jobs Act (FSC) and the repeal of the Byrd Amendment. The report comes out on the day the EU and US are lifting telecoms procurement sanctions against each other, bringing to an end a more than a decade-long dispute. The Transatlantic Economic Initiative is also offering new possibilities to advance trade, and tackle the regulatory and non-tariff barriers identified in this report.[04] EU lifts longstanding public procurement sanctions against USThe EU will today lift longstanding sanctions imposed on the US in response to US sanctions on EU Member States. The US, which alleged that previous EU government procurement rules discriminated against US operators by allowing preferential pricing allowances in some sectors for EU operators, has today ended its measures, and the EU has responded by doing the same. The EU telecommunications market, which was the focus of US concerns, is now fully liberalised.[05] Commission: la France doit payer une astreinte de 57 millions € pour non-respect d'un arrêt de la Cour dans le secteur de la pêcheLa Commission européenne a considéré aujourd'hui que la France n'avait pas encore pris toutes les mesures nécessaires pour s'acquitter pleinement des obligations que lui impose un arrêt de la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes du 12 juillet 2005 (IP/05/917). Cet arrêt, lié un arrêt de la Cour, remontant au mois de juin 1991, auquel la France ne s’était pas pleinement conformée, porte sur des carences concernant le système de contrôle de la pêche et les sanctions appliquées aux violations des règles communautaires relatives au débarquement et la commercialisation des poissons juvéniles, en particulier pour le merlu. La Cour a ainsi décidé que la France serait soumise une astreinte de 57 761 250 € par période de six mois compter de l'arrêt de juillet 2005, jusqu' ce qu'elle se soit mise en règle. Au terme d'une évaluation minutieuse et rigoureuse de la situation, la Commission a conclu le 12 janvier 2006 que la France avait fait des progrés mais qu’elle ne pouvait pas encore être considérée comme s'étant pleinement conformée l'arrêt de la Cour. La Commission est convaincue que cet objectif est la portée de la France et elle mettra tout en œuvre pour lui permettre de le réaliser. L'astreinte vient s'ajouter une amende forfaitaire de 20 millions € prévue par l'arrêt de juillet 2005 et déj versée par la France pour manquement l'arrêt de 1991. Les dispositions relatives aux sanctions financières ont été introduites par le traité de Maastricht, dans le but d'encourager les États membres garantir le plein respect du droit.[06] President Mbeki and EU Commissioner Louis Michel discuss strengthening the EU-South Africa partnershipBuilding on the 2005 EU-South Africa Joint Cooperation Council, South African President, Thabo Mbeki, and European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, discussed on Tuesday evening in Pretoria upgrading the EU-South Africa partnership to a strategic level.[07] January 2006 - Euro-zone unemployment stable at 8.3% - EU25 unchanged at 8.5%Euro-zone seasonally-adjusted unemployment stood at 8.3% in January 2006, the same as in December 2005. It was 8.8% in January 2005. The EU25 unemployment rate was 8.5% in January 2006, unchanged compared to December 2005. It was 8.9% in January 2005.In January 2006, the lowest rates were registered in Ireland (4.3%), Denmark (4.4% in December), the Netherlands (4.6%), the United Kingdom (5.0% in November) and Austria (5.2%). Unemployment rates were highest in Poland (17.2%), Slovakia (15.8%), Greece (10.1% in the third quarter 2005), France (9.2%) and Germany (9.1%). These figures come from Eurostat.[08] Estimation rapide - février 2006 - L'inflation de la zone euro estimée 2,3%Selon une estimation rapide publiée par Eurostat, le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro s'établirait 2,3% en février 2006. En janvier, le taux était de 2,4%. L'inflation de la zone euro est mesurée par l'Indice des Prix la Consommation de l'Union Monétaire (IPCUM). Pour élaborer les estimations rapides de l'IPCUM, Eurostat utilise les informations préliminaires sur les prix du mois de référence, diffusées par les Etats membres pour lesquels les données sont disponibles, ainsi que des informations préliminaires sur les prix de l'énergie. La procédure d'estimation rapide de l'IPCUM combine des informations historiques avec des informations partielles sur les variations récentes de prix de manière obtenir un indice total pour la zone euro. Il n'existe pas de ventilation détaillée. L’expérience a montré que la procédure d'estimation était fiable (anticipation exacte du taux d'inflation dans 13 cas, différence de 0,1 dans 10 cas et différence de 0, 2 dans un cas, en janvier 2005, au cours des deux dernières années). Des informations complémentaires sont disponibles dans le communiqué d'Eurostat 113/2001 du 5 novembre 2001.[09] Commission clears acquisition of THC by APHLThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and affiliates (THC) of Hong Kong by Elmira BV2, an investment fund advised by Apax Partners Holdings Limited (APHL) of the UK. APHL manages private equity funds. THC, through its subsidiaries, designs, sources and sells men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. Its brands include Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Lagerfeld. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[10] Commission clears acquisition of Wittur by Goldman Sachs and CerberusThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Wittur AG (Wittur) of Germany by Pelton S. .r.l. of Luxembourg, belonging to the US Cerberus Group, and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs), also of the US, through its UK subsidiary ELQ Investors Ltd. Cerberus is active in investments in personal property. Goldman Sachs is an investment banking and securities firm. Wittur develops, manufactures and markets elevator components. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[11] Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel urges rapid progress in Doha trade roundIn a key speech (SPEECH/06/134) delivered today in Australia, Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, urged all WTO members to make a supreme effort to make the current round of global trade talks a success. “Time and time again, the EU has shown leadership and given a hard push to keep the Doha Round moving. It is time for others to match our efforts and get their hands dirty, not stand aloof and preach sermons,” she told her audience at the ABARE Outlook conference in Canberra. She called on others to match the EU’s offer to phase out export refunds by 2013, by agreeing disciplines on other, less-transparent forms of export subsidy; to match the recent CAP reforms through serious commitments to reduce trade-distorting domestic support; and to make real progress on the protection of Geographical Indications. The Commissioner underlined that the EU has made an unprecedented offer of deep cuts in farm tariffs. Combined with internal EU reforms and the phase out of export subsidies, this will significantly improve market opportunities for agricultural exporters like Australia. Commissioner Fischer Boel also stressed that the talks must achieve the same level of ambition for trade in industrial goods as for agriculture, and must result in real liberalisation of the services market. In a separate speech (SPEECH/06/135) earlier in the day, Commissioner Fischer Boel set out the rationale for the EU’s recent agricultural reforms. “We have made an enormous effort to make the CAP rational and fair for the 21st century, and we want any deal in the Doha Round to respect that, not demand yet more of us.”[12] Rédiffusion[13] The EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs met today with the Russian Minister for Industry and Energy Viktor KhristenkoCommissioner Piebalgs and Minister Khristenko reviewed the further prospects of energy dialogue. They took note of progress in the four thematic groups dealing with energy investments, trade, infrastructures and energy efficiency. They also agreed on the the work plan of thematic groups for the first semester of 2006. It was agreed that some key areas, i.e. security of supply, sustainable energy cooperation and investment climate will be examined at the level of thematic groups in view of focusing their further work and a report to that end will be presented to the EU - Russia summit. Taking into account the importance of energy efficiency in terms of global energy security of supply and climate change, Commissioner Piebalgs and Minister Khristenko agreed to work on developing an EU-Russia Energy efficiency initiative leading to increased energy savings in all energy chains from exploration to the final consumers. Commissioner Piebalgs and Minister Khristenko discussed the latest developments in energy production and infrastructure. They also considered energy security challenges in the context of Russian G8 Presidency. Commissioner Piebalgs emphasized that a stable and predictable investment climate in Russia is a pre-condition for foreign investments. The EU side also urged Russia to resume its efforts to ratify the Energy Charter Treaty.[14] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Mariann Fischer Boel on “EU Perspectives on WTO outcomes” at the ABARE Outlook Conference in CanberraSpeech by Mariann Fischer Boel on “Full speed ahead: a fresh approach to European agricultural policy at the Bush Capital Club in Canberra Speech by Andris Piebalgs on “EU-Ukraine Common energy challenges at the Conference on Electricity Sector of Ukraine on in Brussels Discours de Günter Verheugen sur « Die Neue KMU-Poliltk ) ein Forschrittsbericht » la Konferenz zur Umsetzung einer modernen KMU Politik Le fonds européen d’ajustement la mondialisation Internal Market: Commissioner Charlie McCreevy meets Mr. Tremonti (Rediffusion) Competition: European Commissioner for Competition Neelie
Kroes meets Tremonti
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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