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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-03-22
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] European sky protected against unsafe airlines
[02] Launch of "European Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility"
[03] Commission makes commitments from FA Premier League legally binding
[04] La Commission approuve l'ensemble des mécanismes de soutien au
cinéma et à l'audiovisuel en France
[05] Commission closes inquiry into financing of Portuguese public
broadcaster following commitments
[06] Commission requests phasing out of Spain's tax incentives for
investment abroad
[07] Commission approves regional aid in Italy to promote combined
transport
[08] Social insurance refund for hiring EU seafarers on Lithuanian ships
[09] Commission raises doubts about Cyprus Airways restructuring plan
[10] Personnel : la Commission nomme le Directeur Général adjoint de la
Direction Générale Communication
[11] Presentation of the annual report on Commission's relations with
national Parliaments
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] José Manuel Barroso calls on Europe's leaders to deliver progressive
reforms not protectionism
[13] 2007 : "Renforcer la confiance par l'action"
[14] Commission to pay nearly €82 million to support Sweden in dealing
with storm disaster in 2005
[15] Marchés financiers : le groupe interinstitutionnel de surveillance
publie son premier rapport sur le "processus Lamfalussy"
[16] EU approves new alternatives to animal testing of drugs and chemicals
[17] January 2006 : Euro-zone external trade deficit €10.8 billion ;
€24.6 billion deficit for EU25
[18] Janvier 2006 par rapport à décembre 2005 : les entrées de commandes
dans l'industrie en baisse de 5,9% dans la zone euro ; baisse de 3,8% dans
l'UE25
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-03-22
Reference: MEX/06/0322
Date: 22/03/2006
EXME06 / 22.3
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etb
Communication
22/03/06
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] European sky protected against unsafe airlines
The European Commission has adopted the first EU list of airlines which are
banned in the European Union. This black list of unsafe airlines will now
be published on the Commission's website. The black list has been compiled
on the basis of national contributions and after an in-depth analysis with
Member State experts. The list consists of 93 companies which face a
complete ban and 3Â companies which face operational restrictions. From now
on the principle will apply that companies banned in one Member State are
banned in the whole EU.
[02] Launch of "European Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility"
How can we inspire more European enterprises to go beyond their minimum
legal obligations in favour of society and sustainable development? In
other words, how can we best encourage a greater business commitment to
Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR)? To mobilise the resources and
capacities of European enterprises and to make Europe a pole of excellence
on CSR, the European Commission has today announced its backing of the
launch of a "European Alliance for Corporate Social Responsibility". The
new Alliance has an open nature and European enterprises of all sizes are
invited to voluntarily express their support. The Alliance is not a legal
instrument to be signed by enterprises. It is a political umbrella for new
or existing CSR initiatives by large companies, SMEs and their
stakeholders. It should lead to new partnerships and new opportunities for
all stakeholders in their efforts to promote CSR. Today's initiative is the
follow-up of a broad consultation with all stakeholders in the European
Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR, which presented its final report in 2004.
The Commission proposes to re-convene meetings of this Forum in 2006 to
review progress on CSR with all stakeholders.
[03] Commission makes commitments from FA Premier League legally binding
The European Commission has adopted a decision under EC Treaty competition
rules that renders commitments from the FA Premier League concerning the
sale of media rights to the Premier League football competition legally
binding. The case concerned the agreement between the clubs participating
in the English Premier League competition to sell media rights to that
competition jointly through the FA Premier League. These commitments, which
will remain in force until 30Â June 2013, will increase the availability of
media rights, and improve the prospects of competition in providing
services to consumers.
[04] La Commission approuve l'ensemble des mécanismes de soutien au
cinéma et à l'audiovisuel en France
La Commission européenne a approuvé l'ensemble des mécanismes français
de soutien au cinéma et à l'audiovisuel sur la base des règles du traité
CE relatives aux aides d'Etat. La Commission a considéré que la quasi-
totalité des nombreux régimes notifiés impliquent des aides d'Etat. La
Commission a cependant conclu qu'elle peut les autoriser, considérant
notamment que la plupart d'entre eux encouragent le développement culturel
sans affecter les échanges entre Etats Membres dans une mesure contraire Ã
l'intérêt commun.
[05] Commission closes inquiry into financing of Portuguese public
broadcaster following commitments
Following commitments to change the funding system of the Portuguese public
service broadcaster RTP, the European Commission has closed the existing
procedure under EC Treaty state aid rules (Article 88(1)). Portugal has
agreed to implement measures to increase transparency and proportionality
in its funding system, which will prevent cross-subsidies for commercial
activities.
[06] Commission requests phasing out of Spain's tax incentives for
investment abroad
The European Commission has formally requested Spain under EC-Treaty state
aid rules to abolish tax incentives in favour of Spanish companies
investing abroad. The Commission requests that the incentives are gradually
eliminated by the end of 2010, as they are distorting competition and trade
within the Single Market. Spain has one month to accept this request,
failing which the Commission may open a formal state aid investigation.
[07] Commission approves regional aid in Italy to promote combined
transport
The European Commission approved a regional aid scheme in the Italian
region Friulia-Venezia Giulia today. The scheme is aimed at promoting
combined transport operations by rail and by short-sea shipping services.
Beneficiaries of the scheme, which will apply for a three year period with
an overall budget of €2.7 million, are private or public logistic
companies that organise combined intermodal transport involving rail and at
least one other mode of transport, as well as ship-owners, shipping
companies and shipping operators, which set up new scheduled short-sea-
shipping connections for combined transport operations.
[08] Social insurance refund for hiring EU seafarers on Lithuanian ships
The European Commission has approved the introduction of a mechanism in
Lithuania to refund employers' social insurance contributions in respect of
EU seafarers working on vessels carrying the Lithuanian flag. The mechanism
allows for the partial or full refund of employers contributions. The
authorised scheme will run from January 2006 to end 2011 and is expected to
cost up to €4.63 million per annum.
[09] Commission raises doubts about Cyprus Airways restructuring plan
The European Commission has decided to open a formal investigation
procedure into a restructuring plan proposed in November 2005 by the
Republic of Cyprus to restore the viability of the ailing State-owned flag-
carrier. The Commission has doubts that the current plan is in accordance
with the Community framework for rescue and restructuring of firms in
difficulty.
[10] Personnel : la Commission nomme le Directeur Général adjoint de la
Direction Générale Communication
M. Panayotis Carvounis a été nommé Directeur Général adjoint Ã
la Direction Générale de la Communication. M. Carvounis aura pour mission
d'assurer la mise en pratique du "Plan d'action pour améliorer la
communication de la Commission" par les représentations de la Commission
dans les Etats membres, et de superviser le fonctionnement de ces
représentations. Il sera également en charge de la coordination du
travail des Directions "Représentations et réseaux" et "Ressources" afin
de créer des synergies et de développer une "approche intégrée" vis-à -
vis des Représentations. Il aura enfin la responsabilité de coordonner
les relations interinstitutionnelles dans le champ de la communication.
[11] Presentation of the annual report on Commission's relations with
national Parliaments
The College adopted today its first annual report on the relations of the
Commission with the National Parliaments of the Member States, as proposed
by Vice-President Margot Wallström in February 2005. Relations with
National Parliaments provide a platform to discuss Commission proposals and
policies with key political actors in Member States. During 2005,
Commissioners had over 100 visits/meetings with National Parliaments.
Several suggestions for further enhancing the relationship are made in the
report, such as being open to input from National Parliaments on
initiatives at a pre-legislative stage, or having the Commission's
Representations as local interlocutors for National Parliaments.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] José Manuel Barroso calls on Europe's leaders to deliver progressive
reforms not protectionism
EU leaders must at this week's Spring European Council in Brussels seize
the opportunity to put Europe firmly on track towards growth and jobs and
turn away from protectionism. That is the clear message that European
Commission President José Manuel Barroso delivered two days ahead of the
summit. The European Council will have on the table the Commission's Annual
Progress Report on the Lisbon Strategy, the partnership between the EU and
Member States for growth and more and better jobs. The report (see IP/06/71
and MEMO/06/23) calls for clear decisions and unequivocal commitments in
four priority action areas : investment in education, research and
innovation ; freeing up SMEs ; employment policies to get people into work;
and guaranteeing a secure and sustainable energy supply.
[13] 2007 : "Renforcer la confiance par l'action"
Le Président de la Commission européenne, José Manuel Barroso,
présentera aujourd'hui aux membres du Parlement européen la stratégie
politique annuelle (SPA) pour 2007. La SPA décrit les objectifs de ce qui
sera une nouvelle année décisive pour l'Union européenne. L'objectif est
de préparer le terrain pour les décisions et les actions futures, de se
tourner vers l'avenir et de réunir un consensus sur les actions
prioritaires pour 2007.
[14] Commission to pay nearly €82 million to support Sweden in dealing
with storm disaster in 2005
The European Commissioner for Regional Policy and the Solidarity Fund,
Danuta Hübner, signed an agreement to pay €81 724 975 to Sweden to
reimburse emergency costs incurred after the severe storm of January 2005.
The grant is being made available through the European Union Solidarity
Fund (EUSF). It will reimburse public funds spent on the immediate
emergency response, in particular on rescue services, cleaning-up
operations in affected areas and the restoration of basic infrastructure to
working conditions.
[15] Marchés financiers : le groupe interinstitutionnel de surveillance
publie son premier rapport sur le "processus Lamfalussy"
Le groupe interinstitutionnel de surveillance (GIS) a publié son premier
rapport intermédiaire sur le "processus Lamfalussy", qui vise à renforcer,
au sein des institutions européennes, l'efficacité du travail
d'élaboration, d'adoption et de mise en œuvre de la législation relative
à l'intégration des marchés financiers. Ce rapport, fondé sur les
informations communiquées par les acteurs du marché et les parties
prenantes étroitement associées au processus Lamfalussy, fait état d'un
soutien fort et généralisé à celui-ci. Au-delà des progrès accomplis,
il pointe toutefois un certain nombre de problèmes non résolus et
d'incertitudes entourant ce qui reste un processus d' "apprentissage par la
pratique". Le rapport constitue la première action accomplie par le GIS au
titre du mandat que lui ont donné le Parlement européen, le Conseil et la
Commission européenne au printemps 2005 (voir IP/05/1200), à savoir
évaluer les avancées réalisées dans la mise en œuvre du processus
Lamfalussy et identifier les éventuels goulets d'étranglement. Le GIS est
composé de six experts indépendants, chaque institution ayant eu le choix
de deux nominations.
[16] EU approves new alternatives to animal testing of drugs and chemicals
The Scientific Advisory Committee of the European Centre for the Validation
of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) has approved six new alternative testing
methods that will reduce the need for certain drugs and chemicals to be
tested on animals. The new tests use cell cultures rather than animals to
establish the toxicity of cancer drugs and identify contaminated drugs. The
tests approved today will not only reduce the number of animals needed for
testing, but will also increase the accuracy of the tests, thereby making
the products concerned safer. The role of ECVAM, which is based at the
European Commission's Joint Research Centre, is to replace, refine and
reduce methods of animal testing for cosmetics, drugs and chemicals. Tests
validated by ECVAM must be approved by its Scientific Advisory Committee,
composed of representatives of the 25Â Member States, academia, industry
and animal welfare organizations before they can be used in labs across
Europe.
[17] January 2006 : Euro-zone external trade deficit €10.8 billion ;
€24.6 billion deficit for EU25
The first estimate for the euro-zone trade balance with the rest of the
world in January 2006 gave a €10.8 billion deficit compared with -1.6
billion in January 2005. The December 2005 balance was -0.7 billion,
compared with +5.5 billion in December 2004. In January 2006 compared with
December 2005, exports, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.4% and imports
by 0.3%. The first estimate for January 2006 extra-EU25 trade was a €24.6
billion deficit, compared with -13.9Â billion in January 2005. In December
2005, the balance was -8.9 billion, compared with -0.7 billion in December
2004. In January 2006 compared with December 2005, exports, seasonally
adjusted, decreased by 1.2% and imports by 1.5%. During 2005, euro-zone
trade recorded a surplus of €23.3 billion, compared with +71.5 billion in
2004. The EU25 recorded a deficit of 105.5 billion in 2005, compared with -
62.9 billion in 2004. These data are released by Eurostat.
[18] Janvier 2006 par rapport à décembre 2005 : les entrées de commandes
dans l'industrie en baisse de 5,9% dans la zone euro ; baisse de 3,8% dans
l'UE25
Dans la zone euro, l'indice des entrées de commandes dans l'industrie a
baissé de 5,9% en janvier 2006 par rapport à décembre 2005 après des
hausses de 5,3% en décembre et de 4,9% en novembre. Dans l'UE25, les
entrées de commandes ont reculé de 3,8% en janvier 2006 après des
hausses de 5,8% en décembre et de 3,5% en novembre. Dans les deux zones,
ces variations ont été fortement influencées par les commandes
irrégulières de matériel de transport autre que les véhicules
automobiles. En excluant la construction navale ainsi que l'équipement
ferroviaire et aérospatial, les entrées de commandes dans l'industrie ont
progressé en janvier 2006 de 0,2% dans la zone euro et de 2,3% dans
l'UE25. En janvier 2006 par rapport à janvier 2005, les entrées de
commandes dans l'industrie ont augmenté de 9,7% dans la zone euro et de 11,
1% dans l'UE25. En excluant la construction navale ainsi que l'équipement
ferroviaire et aérospatial, les entrées de commandes dans l'industrie ont
augmenté de 10,7% dans la zone euro et de 12,9% dans l'UE25. Ces
estimations sont publiées par Eurostat.
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Spring Summit 2006 : cutting red-tape and over-regulation
Spring Summit 2006 : boosting SMEs
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Services: state of play" to European
Parliament Internal Market Committee (21/03)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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