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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-05-30
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] World No Tobacco Day – Survey reveals drop in smokers in EU
[02] La Commission approuve l'acquisition de la SNCM par Veolia Transport
et Butler Capital Partners
[03] Commission approves acquisition by the Apollo Group of Akzo Nobel's
Inks and Adhesive Resins business
[04] Commission clears acquisition of European Petroleum Holdings by
Petroplus
[05] Danuta Hübner et des institutions financières internationales
lancent à Bruxelles trois nouvelles initiatives en faveur de la politique
de cohésion
[06] Andris Piebalgs invites the Polish Senate to give support to a
European energy policy
[07] Andris Piebalgs encourage la recherche sur l'énergie thermosolaire
[08] European film voted best of Cannes 2006
[09] Commission to host 2006 "Transatlantic Corporate Governance Dialogue"
conference
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-05-30
Reference: MEX/06/0530
Date: 30/05/2006
EXME06 / 30.5
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
30/05/06
[01] World No Tobacco Day – Survey reveals drop in smokers in EU
The number of people smoking in the EU has dropped from 33% in 2002 to 27%
by Autumn 2005, and 80% of Europeans would like to see smoking banned in
public places. These are two of the main findings of the European
Commission's latest Eurobarometer survey on tobacco, released to mark World
No Tobacco Day (WNTD) on 31 May. The Commission is fully supporting WNTD by
backing a wide range of anti-tobacco actions, including 25 national events
of the HELP anti-tobacco campaign. Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for
Health and Consumer Protection said: "This survey shows that we are making
progress in reducing the numbers of smokers and reveals the ever-growing
strength of feeling against smoking in Europe. More and more of us don't
smoke and don’t want to be anywhere near smokers either. I am delighted
that the tide is turning and the message is getting through - smoking is a
fool's game, harming you and those around you. However, I also know the
battle against the scourge of tobacco is a relentless one, but one we will
continue to fight on all fronts. I urge all Member States to take stronger
actions against tobacco – this survey shows that in doing so they have
the backing of the public."
[02] La Commission approuve l'acquisition de la SNCM par Veolia Transport
et Butler Capital Partners
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement CE sur les
concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de l'entreprise SNCM
par le groupe Veolia Transport et la société de gestion de fonds
d'investissement Butler Capital Partners, toutes trois de nationalité
française. Après avoir examiné l'opération, la Commission a conclu que
l'opération n'entraverait pas de manière significative une concurrence
effective dans l'Espace Economique Européen ou une partie substantielle de
celui-ci.
[03] Commission approves acquisition by the Apollo Group of Akzo Nobel's
Inks and Adhesive Resins business
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of the inks and adhesive resins business of Akzo Nobel
of The Netherlands by the US undertaking Hexion, controlled by the Apollo
Group. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not
significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or
any substantial part of it.
[04] Commission clears acquisition of European Petroleum Holdings by
Petroplus
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed take over by Petroplus International B.V. (of The Netherlands) of
European Petroleum Holdings N.V. (EPH) (of the Netherlands Antilles), both
active in the petroleum sector. The investigation has shown that the
proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition
in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
[05] Danuta Hübner et des institutions financières internationales
lancent à Bruxelles trois nouvelles initiatives en faveur de la politique
de cohésion
(! embargo 12h30 !) La commissaire européenne en charge de la politique
régionale, Danuta Hübner, en collaboration avec Philippe Maystadt,
président de la Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI) et les
responsables d'autres institutions financières internationales ont lancé
aujourd'hui, Ã Bruxelles, trois nouvelles initiatives conjointes en faveur
de la politique de cohésion afin de promouvoir l'investissement, la
croissance et l'emploi dans les régions. JASPERS (Joint Assistance in
Supporting Projects in European Regions/Assistance conjointe à la
réalisation de projets dans des régions d’Europe) aidera les autorités
nationales et régionales à concevoir des projets d’infrastrucuture
ambitieux, tandis que JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium
Enterprises / Ressources européennes communes pour les micro et moyennes
entreprises) améliorera l'accès au financement des micro et moyennes
entreprises. JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in
City Areas / Soutien communautaire conjoint pour un investissement durable
dans les zones urbaines) vise à apporter des solutions à des problèmes de
financement de projets d'aménagement et de développement urbains grâce Ã
une combinaison de subventions et de prêts.
[06] Andris Piebalgs invites the Polish Senate to give support to a
European energy policy
European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs presented the key policy areas
as outlined in the Green Paper on a Sustainable, Competitive and Secure
European Energy Policy, in a speech delivered today in the Polish Senate.
He highlighted the need for the EU to speak with one voice as the world's
second largest energy market with over 450 million consumers and underlined
that the EU disposes of the policy range to tackle the new energy landscape
and to negotiate the best possible conditions for trade and investments in
the energy field. "We must also demonstrate our solidarity in the face of
potentially difficult situations that might emerge from time to time
putting in question the security of Europe's energy supply", added
Commissioner Piebalgs.
[07] Andris Piebalgs encourage la recherche sur l'énergie thermosolaire
(! embargo 15h00 !) Andris Piebalgs, membre de la Commission européenne
chargé de l'énergie, a salué aujourd'hui le lancement officiel de la
plateforme technologique européenne de l'énergie solaire thermique, une
initiative de l'ESTIF (fédération européenne des industriels du solaire
thermique) visant à favoriser l'essor de la recherche et du développement
dans ce secteur. La plateforme sera un outil d'échange d'expertise et de
connaissances et permettra la mise sur le marché de nouvelles
générations de produits et de procédés.
[08] European film voted best of Cannes 2006
The Cannes International Film festival culminated on 28 May with the
selection of the European film, "The Wind that shakes the Barley" by Ken
Loach, for the Palme d'Or at this year's festival. The Grand Prize went to
"Flandres", by Bruno Dumont, and the "Best actress" award was awarded
collectively to Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo,
Yohana Cobo and Chus Lampreave for their roles in "Volver" by Pedro
Almodóvar, who won the "Best screenplay" award. These films were developed
or distributed with support from the European Union's MEDIA programme (see
IP/06/572), in what has proved to be a remarkably successful year for
European filmmakers. On 22 May, the "New Talent" award was won by Slovenian
Director Blaž Kutin, for "Lara" (see IP/06/669).
[09] Commission to host 2006 "Transatlantic Corporate Governance Dialogue"
conference
The European Commission is to host this year's "Transatlantic Corporate
Governance Dialogue" conference, which was established by the American Law
Institute and the European Corporate Governance Institute to provide a
platform for the discussion of corporate governance issues at the forefront
of policymaking in both the EU and the USA. The conference will take place
on 27 June 2006 in Brussels. The theme of the conference will be
"Controlling shareholders and corporate governance: Better monitors or more
self-dealing?". Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy
and Securities and Exchange Commissioner Cynthia A. Glassman will both
deliver keynote speeches. Interested parties are invited to register as
soon as possible because the conference is likely to be over-subscribed.
The programme and registration form are available at: <a href="http://www.tcgd.org/2006/programme.php">http://www.tcgd.org/2006/programme.php
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
JEREMIE : a joint REGIO-EIF / EIB initiative supporting improved access to
finance for SME
Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "Energy challenges facing the EU" to Polish
Senate Conference on 'The Security of Poland's Energy Supplies vs. European
Energy Policy' (Warsaw)
Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "Solar Energy for the Future" at launch of the
'European Solar Thermal Technology Platform' (! embargo 15h00 !)
Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "The EU's role in protecting Europe's
security" at Conference 'Protecting Europe: Policies for enhancing security
in the European Union'
Speech by Olli Rehn : "South East Europe in transformation towards the
European Union" at SEE Stability Pact Regional Table (Belgrade)
Speech by Stavros Dimas : "Stopping the loss of biodiversity by 2010" at
Green Week Conference
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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