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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-07-04
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Energy Taxation : Commission reviews derogations expiring by the end
of 2006
[02] Services financiers : des rapports sectoriels préconisent une
amélioration du cadre législatif de l'UE pour les fonds d'investissement
[03] La Commission se réjouit de l'adoption par le Parlement européen du
paquet législatif relatif à la nouvelle politique de cohésion
[04] Commission publishes indicative figures on the distribution of direct
farm aid
[05] La Commission approuve le projet d'acquisition de Carlson Wagonlit par
CCI et OEP
[06] Commission approves proposed acquisition of control of Ugitech by
Schmolz + Bickenbach
[07] Commission clears acquisition of Dangaard by Nordic Capital
[08] Taxation des produits énergétiques et de l'électricité -
procédure d'infraction contre la France
[09] Car taxation : infringement procedures against Poland and Finland
[10] Direct tax : Commission decides to refer Germany to the Court over
legislation concerning the pension-savings grant (so called "Riester-
Rente")
[11] Sri Lanka : Commission provides €7 million in humanitarian aid for
people displaced by the ongoing conflict
[12] President Barroso appoints Mr Miguel Amado as a special envoy of the
Commission to East Timor
[13] Bay of Biscay anchovy : Commission to close fishery following
scientific advice
[14] Mai 2006 comparé à avril 2006 : hausse de 0,3% des prix à la
production industrielle dans la zone euro ; hausse de 0,1% dans l'UE25
Midday Express of 2006-07-04
Reference: MEX/06/0704
Date: 04/07/2006
EXME06 / 4.7
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
04/07/06
[01] Energy Taxation : Commission reviews derogations expiring by the end
of 2006
The European Commission has adopted a Communication in which it reviews
more than one hundred derogations in the Energy Tax Directive (IP/03/1546)
that are due to expire by the end of 2006. The review concludes that most
of the derogations are no longer needed as the tax measure can continue to
be applied on the basis of the optional provisions foreseen for such
purpose by the Energy Tax Directive. For those that after 2006 cannot be
applied unless a new derogation is granted by the Council, the
Communication indicates the Commission's view. Any request to the Council
by individual Member States will be assessed according to its own merits
and on the basis of the criteria contained in the Directive and taking into
account the proper functioning of the Internal Market, the need to ensure
fair competition as well as Community environment, energy and transport
policies.
[02] Services financiers : des rapports sectoriels préconisent une
amélioration du cadre législatif de l'UE pour les fonds d'investissement
La Commission européenne a publié trois rapports sectoriels qui analysent
les principaux défis auxquels doivent faire face différents segments du
secteur européen des fonds d'investissement, et qui portent respectivement
sur les fonds d'investissement de détail (OPCVM), les fonds spéculatifs
et les fonds de capital-investissement. Préparés par les groupes
d'experts sur l'efficacité du marché des fonds d'investissement et sur
les fonds d'investissement alternatifs (voir IP/06/96), ces rapports font
suite au Livre vert sur l'amélioration du cadre législatif de l'UE pour
les fonds d'investissement et les produits d'épargne à long terme (voir
IP/05/927). Alors qu'ils ne reflètent pas nécessairement l'avis de la
Commission, ces trois rapports et les réactions qu'ils ont suscitées chez
les parties intéressées contribueront grandement au débat politique sur
l'amélioration de l'environnement opérationnel du secteur européen de la
gestion d'actifs. Ils constituent notamment un apport important au prochain
livre blanc sur le renforcement du cadre organisant le marché unique des
fonds d'investissement, dont la publication est prévue pour novembre 2006.
Les rapports seront débattus lors d'une audition publique le 19 juillet
2006 Ã Bruxelles.
[03] La Commission se réjouit de l'adoption par le Parlement européen du
paquet législatif relatif à la nouvelle politique de cohésion
(! embargo 14h00 !) Danuta Hübner, Commissaire européenne en charge de la
politique régionale, et VladimÃr `pidla, Commissaire à l'emploi, aux
affaires sociales et à l'égalité des chances, se sont félicité,
aujourd'hui, Ã Strasbourg, de l'adoption du fondement juridique de la
nouvelle et ambitieuse politique de cohésion pour la période 2007-2013.
Les deux commissaires ont qualifié la décision du Parlement européen
d'adopter les nouveaux règlements "d'évolution des plus satisfaisante au
bénéfice de toutes les régions d'Europe ; d'autant plus que ce paquet
législatif est le fruit d'un travail laborieux effectué selon une
procédure démocratique, ouverte et transparente". La législation
adoptée aujourd'hui consiste en un règlement d'ordre général et en
quatre règlements spécifiques : le premier pose les règles communes de
la programmation, de la gestion, du contrôle et de l'évaluation de la
nouvelle politique de cohésion ; les quatre autres règlements prescrivent
des règles spécifiques relatives au Fonds européen de développement
régional (FEDER), au Fonds social européen (FSE), au Fonds de cohésion
(FC) et au Groupement européen de coopération territoriale (GECT).
[04] Commission publishes indicative figures on the distribution of direct
farm aid
The European Commission has made public indicative figures on the
distribution of direct farm payments by size-class of aid received for the
Financial Year 2004. The figures have been derived from the EAGGF (European
Agricultural Guarantee and Guidance Fund) payment data received from the
Member States. For obvious reasons, direct payments in 2004 reflect a
situation predating the CAP reforms of 2003 and 2004, which only entered
into force from 2005 onwards. They also do not yet take account of
enlargement. These figures must also be regarded as purely indicative. Last
year, figures for 2002 and 2003 were made public. The Commission will
continue to publish such aggregated figures on a regular basis in the
future. The figures are available on the internet at :
<a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/fin/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/comm/agriculture/fin/index_en.htm
[05] La Commission approuve le projet d'acquisition de Carlson Wagonlit par
CCI et OEP
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en application du règlement
communautaire sur les concentrations, le projet de prise de contrôle
conjoint de Carlson Wagonlit, société exerçant ses activités dans le
secteur des voyages et des services apparentés, par les sociétés
américaines Carlson et One Equity Partners, une filiale de JP Morgan. La
Commission est parvenue à la conclusion que l'opération envisagée
n'entraverait pas de manière significative l'exercice d'une concurrence
effective dans l'Espace Economique Européen ou dans une partie
substantielle de celui-ci.
[06] Commission approves proposed acquisition of control of Ugitech by
Schmolz + Bickenbach
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation, the
proposed acquisition of the French company Ugitech S.A. by Schmolz +
Bickenbach KG ("S+B") of Germany. The Commission concluded that the
envisaged operation would not significantly impede effective competition in
the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it, as the parties
will continue to face effective competition from a number of strong market
players.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of Dangaard by Nordic Capital
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Dangaard Telecom Holding
A/S (Dangaard) of Denmark by Nordic Capital Fund VI (Nordic Capital) of
Jersey, the Channel Islands. Nordic Capital is active in private equity
investments, predominantly in the Nordic region. Dangaard distributes
telecommunications equipment and accessories, in particular mobile phones.
The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[08] Taxation des produits énergétiques et de l'électricité -
procédure d'infraction contre la France
La Commission européenne a décidé de saisir la Cour de justice
européenne à l'encontre de la France pour non communication des mesures de
transposition en droit interne de la directive 2003/96/CE restructurant le
cadre communautaire de taxation des produits énergétiques et de
l'électricité (voir IP/06/30).
[09] Car taxation : infringement procedures against Poland and Finland
The European Commission has decided to send Poland and Finland formal
requests to amend their car registration taxation rules. In Poland, the way
registration tax is calculated results in a heavier taxation imposed on
second-hand cars imported from other Member States. This legislation is not
in conformity with Article 90 of the EC Treaty, which states that "no
Member State shall impose on the products of other Member States any
internal taxation of any kind in excess of that imposed on similar domestic
products". In the case of Finland, both the amount of registration tax
levied on second-hand cars imported from other Member States and the way in
which Finland imposes registration tax on leased cars are considered to be
not in conformity with Article 90 EC and Article 49 EC, which establishes
the freedom to provide services. The requests take the form of "reasoned
opinions", the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in
Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If the Commission does not receive
satisfactory responses from Member States, it may ultimately bring the
cases before the European Court of Justice.
[10] Direct tax : Commission decides to refer Germany to the Court over
legislation concerning the pension-savings grant (so called "Riester-
Rente")
The European Commission decided to refer Germany to the European Court of
Justice for not amending its legislation on the pensions-savings grant
(Altersvorsorgezulage, so called Riester-Rente). A pecuniary advantage is
given to persons building up a supplementary pension under the condition
that they are fully liable to income tax in Germany. The Commission
considers that the unequal treatment of residents and non-residents is
contrary to the Treaty provisions on the free movement of workers and
persons. Germany has not changed its legislation despite the Commission's
formal request, in the form of a Reasoned Opinion, of 19.12.05 (IP/06/32).
[11] Sri Lanka : Commission provides €7 million in humanitarian aid for
people displaced by the ongoing conflict
The European Commission has allocated €7 million to help around 300,000
people displaced by the ongoing conflict in the north and east of Sri
Lanka. The funding has three aims : to provide shelter and food security
for people returning home or relocating to new land, to improve the
conditions for displaced people who continue to live in "welfare centres"
and to meet the emergency needs of those newly displaced by the escalating
conflict.
[12] President Barroso appoints Mr Miguel Amado as a special envoy of the
Commission to East Timor
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, appointed
on 3 July Mr Miguel Amado, a senior official in the European Commission, as
a special envoy of the Commission to East Timor. President Barroso informed
the Presidency of the European Union that Mister Amado’s mission will
take place from July 6 until July 30. The mission will be to assess the
current situation, contribute actively to a peaceful and constitutional
settlement to the current political crisis and propose ways of
strengthening EC cooperation with East Timor, including the establishment
of an EC delegation in Dili.
[13] Bay of Biscay anchovy : Commission to close fishery following
scientific advice
After examining the most recent data available on anchovy in the Bay of
Biscay, the European Commission's advisory group, the Scientific, Technical
and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF), has recommended that the
fishery be closed until 31 December 2006. Given this advice, the Commission
will shortly launch a procedure to close the fishery for the remainder of
the year. This closure is in line with the decision taken by the Council of
Fisheries Ministers on 22Â December 2005 on Total Allowable Catches and
quotas for 2006. The Council decided that, should STECF advise that the
stock of adult anchovy, in the Bay of Biscay, was below 28,000 tonnes
during spawning time, in spring, the Commission would immediately stop
fishing for anchovy in the Bay of Biscay. STECF has estimated this stock at
18,640 tonnes. This is well below safe biological levels, and the decision
to close the fishery reflects the recognition by Member States of the
severe risk of collapse which the anchovy stock in the Bay of Biscay is now
facing.
[14] Mai 2006 comparé à avril 2006 : hausse de 0,3% des prix à la
production industrielle dans la zone euro ; hausse de 0,1% dans l'UE25
Les prix à la production industrielle ont augmenté de 0,3% dans la zone
euro en mai 2006 par rapport au mois précédent. Dans l'UE25, les prix ont
crû de 0,1%. En avril, les prix avaient augmenté de 0,8% dans la zone
euro et de 0,5% dans l'UE25. En mai 2006, par rapport à mai 2005, les prix
à la production industrielle ont augmenté de 6,0% dans la zone euro et de
6,9% dans l'UE25. Ces estimations sont publiées par Eurostat.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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