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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-05-31
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 31 mai 2006 -
[01] Taxation: European Commission suggests the need for a coherent
European strategy to combat tax fraud
[02] Competition: Commission imposes fines of €344.5625 million on
producers of acrylic glass for price fixing
[03] La Commission cherche améliorer la sécurité des réseaux et de
l'information en Europe
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] G8 on Education : Commissioner Figel’ to present the EU’s
experiences in Moscow
[05] EU response to Indonesia earthquake
[06] Concentrations: la Commission européenne autorise l'acquisition de
Bocchi et De Weide Blik par CVC
[07] Avian Influenza: Results of EU surveillance in wild birds presented
[08] Flash estimate - May 2006- Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.5%
[09] Première publication des comptes européens des secteurs
institutionnels
[10] May 2006: Further improvement of economic sentiment in both the EU and
the euro area
[11] May 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines
slightly
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-05-31
Reference: MEX/06/0531
Date: 31/05/2006
EXME06 / 31.5
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
31/05/06
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 31 mai 2006 -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 31 May 2006
[01] Taxation: European Commission suggests the need for a coherent
European strategy to combat tax fraud
The European Commission has adopted a communication whose aim is to launch
a debate with all parties concerned on a European strategy to combat tax
fraud. It notes that tax fraud is a growing problem and that the Member
States cannot act effectively in isolation. It proposes a new Community
approach to administrative cooperation with third countries and is prepared
to engage in a broad discussion on the need to modify VAT systems.
Regarding cooperation between Member States, it proposes strengthening the
provisions in force for indirect taxation (VAT and excise duties) and
reforming Community legislation on direct taxation and assistance in the
recovery of taxes.
[02] Competition: Commission imposes fines of €344.5625 million on
producers of acrylic glass for price fixing
The European Commission has decided that Arkema (formerly Atofina), Degussa,
ICI, Lucite and Quinn Barlo (formerly Barlo) have violated the EC Treaty
rules’ ban on restrictive business practices (Article 81) by
participating in a cartel on the market for acrylic glass. Four of these
companies (Total/Elf Aquitaine/Arkema, Lucite, ICI and Quinn Barlo) were
therefore fined a total of € 344.5625 million. Arkema and ICI had their
fines increased by 50% as they are repeat offenders. Degussa, also a repeat
offender, would have been fined had it not received full immunity from
fines under the Commission’s leniency regime for being first to provide
information about the cartel. The five companies agreed, fixed and
monitored (target) prices for acrylic glass and exchanged commercially
important and confidential information in the European Economic Area (EEA)
between 1997 and 2002. Acrylic glass is widely used inter alia in cars,
DVDs, lenses, household appliances, electronics, baths and showers.
[03] La Commission cherche améliorer la sécurité des réseaux et de
l'information en Europe
Les entreprises, les particuliers et les administrations publiques en
Europe continuent sous-estimer les risques liés une protection
insuffisante des réseaux et de l’information. La sécurité ne
représente actuellement qu’environ 5 13 % des dépenses dans les
technologies de l’information, soit un niveau dont la faiblesse est
préoccupante. La Commission soutient par conséquent, dans un document
stratégique adopté aujourd'hui, un effort de sensibilisation la
sécurité par un dialogue ouvert, inclusif et multipartite sur une
nouvelle stratégie de la sécurité des technologies de l’information
pour l'Europe. Un partenariat entre les États membres, avec la
participation du secteur des TI et des utilisateurs, ainsi que de
l’Agence européenne chargée de la sécurité des réseaux et de
l’information (ENISA), devrait déboucher sur le développement de
technologies de l’information et de la communication plus dignes de
confiance, sûres et fiables. Les particuliers et les organisations doivent
être responsabilisés afin de prendre en charge leurs propres intérêts
et responsabilités.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] G8 on Education : Commissioner Figel’ to present the EU’s
experiences in Moscow
On 1 and 2 June, Mr Jan Figel’, European Commissioner in charge of
Education & Training, will participate in a meeting of G8 Education
Ministers in Moscow. Russia has highlighted education, alongside energy
security and infectious diseases, as one of the three priorities for its
presidency of the G8.
[05] EU response to Indonesia earthquake
Following the earthquake that struck Indonesia near the Javanese city of
Yogyakarta on Saturday, 27 May, the EU immediately mobilised to assess
needs and offer help. In Brussels, the coordination machinery has been
active drawing together the Austrian Presidency of the EU, the European
Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) and the Monitoring and
Information Centre (MIC), and the EU Situation Centre and Civil-Military
Cell of the EU Military Staff.
[06] Concentrations: la Commission européenne autorise l'acquisition de
Bocchi et De Weide Blik par CVC
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement CE sur les
concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de l’entreprise néerlandaise
Bocchi et de l’entreprise belge De Weide Blik par le groupe
luxembourgeois CVC. Au terme de son enquête de marché, la Commission a
conclu que l’opération n’entraverait pas de manière significative une
concurrence effective dans l’Espace Economique Européen (EEE) ou une
partie substantielle de celui-ci.
[07] Avian Influenza: Results of EU surveillance in wild birds presented
The European Commission and the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for
Avian Influenza in Weybridge have published the results of the surveillance
for avian influenza in wild birds carried out in the EU over the past 10
months. The extensive epidemiological data was presented today at the
FAO/OIE International Scientific Conference on Avian Influenza and Wild
Birds, which is taking place in Rome this week. Although final figures are
still being collected for February-May 2006, it is estimated that around 60
000 wild birds were tested for avian influenza in the EU during that
period. This, combined with the 39 000 wild birds tested between July 2005-
January 2006, means that almost 100 000 tests for the H5N1 virus have been
carried out on wild birds over the past 10 months. Since February 2006,
over 700 wild birds across 13 Member States have been found to be infected
with the H5N1 “Asian strain” of avian influenza. However, a positive
decline in the incidence of the disease in wild birds in Europe has also
been noted over the past weeks.
[08] Flash estimate - May 2006- Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.5%
Euro-zone annual inflation is expected to be 2.5% in May 2006 according to
a flash estimate issued by Eurostat. It was 2.4% in April3. Euro-zone
inflation is measured by the Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices
(MUICP). To compute the MUICP flash estimates, Eurostat uses early price
information relating to the reference month from Member States for which
data are available4 as well as early information about energy prices. The
flash estimation procedure for the MUICP combines historical information
with partial information on price developments in the most recent months to
give a total index for the euro-zone. No detailed breakdown is available.
Experience has shown the procedure to be reliable (14 times exactly
anticipating the inflation rate, 9 times differing by 0.1 and once
differing by 0.2, in January 2005, over the last two years). Further
information can be found in Eurostat News Release 113/2001 of 5 November
2001.
[09] Première publication des comptes européens des secteurs
institutionnels
Eurostat et la Banque Centrale Européenne (BCE) publient pour la première
fois des comptes européens annuels des secteurs institutionnels portant
sur la période 1999-2004. Eurostat publie les comptes non financiers de la
zone euro1, de l'Union européenne et des Etats membres. Ces comptes
comportent des informations complètes sur les activités économiques des
ménages et des entreprises. La BCE publie, pour la zone euro, des comptes
financiers et non financiers intégrés y compris les comptes financiers de
patrimoine.
[10] May 2006: Further improvement of economic sentiment in both the EU and
the euro area
The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) showed only a slight improvement of
0.1 of a point for the EU, while sentiment was reinforced by an increase of
1.0 point in the euro area. For both areas, this is the sixth consecutive
month that shows strengthening economic sentiment.
[11] May 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines
slightly
After the upturn in April, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the
euro area declined slightly in May. Despite this recent weakening, the BCI
remains at a high level suggesting that the pick-up in industrial
production growth should continue in the second quarter of 2006. The fall
in the BCI was due to a marked deterioration in industry managers'
assessment of the production trend observed in recent months, while
assessments of total order books and export order books remained broadly
stable. Managers were slightly more optimistic regarding the production
expectations for the months ahead and the stocks of finished products.
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
Competition: Commission action against cartels – Questions and answers
Competition: Commission confirms inspections in the energy sector
Commission’s new approach to Network and Information Security: FAQ
Competitiveness Council: Brussels 29 and 30 May 2006
Competition: Commission action against Cartels – Q & A
Employment, Social policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 1-2 June
2006, Luxembourg
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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