Compact version |
|
Sunday, 22 December 2024 | ||
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-05-30Midday 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 Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb30/05/06[01] World No Tobacco Day – Survey reveals drop in smokers in EUThe 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 PartnersLa 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 businessThe 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 PetroplusThe 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, à 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 à une combinaison de subventions et de prêts.[06] Andris Piebalgs invites the Polish Senate to give support to a European energy policyEuropean 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 2006The 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" conferenceThe 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 diffuséJEREMIE : a joint REGIO-EIF / EIB initiative supporting improved access to finance for SMESpeech 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/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |