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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-07-28
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Making Europe's online content market more competitive: Commission
opens public consultation
[02] Commission proposes new legislation on food additives, flavourings and
enzymes
[03] La Commission rend accessible au grand public l’ensemble des
législations nationales en matière de services financiers
[04] Financial Integration Monitor (FIM) 2006
[05] Commission publishes latest agricultural market forecasts
[06] Special Eurobarometer on the attitudes towards EU Enlargement
[07] Commission clears acquisition of AIB by Goldman Sachs, Borealis
[08] Commission clears acquisition of HHR EURO CV and HHR TRS CV by
ABP/Europe Realty and Host
[09] Rédiffusion
[10] First payments to Palestinian health workers under Temporary
International Mechanism
[11] Drought: Commission proposes to allow farmers to feed livestock on set-
aside areas
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-07-28
Reference: MEX/06/0728
Date: 28/07/2006
EXME06 / 28.7
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
28/07/06
[01] Making Europe's online content market more competitive: Commission
opens public consultation
A public consultation on ways to stimulate the growth of a true EU single
market for online digital content, such as films, music and games, was
launched by the European Commission today. The Commission intends to
encourage the development of innovative business models and to promote the
cross-border delivery of diverse online content services. It is also keen
to ascertain how European technologies and devices can be successful in the
creative online content markets. Input to this consultation will help shape
a Commission Communication on Content Online, due to be adopted at the end
of the year. The deadline for replies is 13 October 2006.
[02] Commission proposes new legislation on food additives, flavourings and
enzymes
The European Commission has adopted a package of legislative proposals
which would introduce harmonised EU legislation on food enzymes for the
first time and upgrade current rules for flavourings and additives. The
texts aim to clarify and update current legislation in this area and to
create a simplified common approval procedure for food additives,
flavourings and enzymes, based on scientific opinions from the European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA). For additives and flavourings, which are
already covered by EU legislation, the proposals bring the rules into line
with the latest scientific and technological developments and will improve
the clarity of the legislation. With regard to food enzymes, the draft
Regulation proposes replacing divergent national legislation with new,
harmonised EU rules.
[03] La Commission rend accessible au grand public l’ensemble des
législations nationales en matière de services financiers
La Commission européenne a créé une base de données accessible
via l’internet qui met à la disposition du public l’ensemble des textes
législatifs nationaux mettant en application les directives communautaires
sur les services financiers. Cette initiative était une des tâches visant
à «mieux légiférer» prévues dans le Livre blanc sur la politique des
services financiers (voir IP/05/1529).
[04] Financial Integration Monitor (FIM) 2006
In line with its commitment to better regulation and evidence based policy
making, the Commission has released its third annual monitoring report for
the financial services sector - the Financial Integration Monitor (FIM)
2006. This year's Financial Integration Monitor focuses on the increased
importance of both institutional investors and the external dimension for
EU financial services. The report covers three areas: the EU financial
sector in the global context and it analyses two market segments, the EU
insurance and pension funds sector and EU investment funds sector.
[05] Commission publishes latest agricultural market forecasts
The European Commission has today published its latest report on prospects
for agricultural markets in the EU for the period 2006-2013. The report
covers the market and income prospects for cereals, oilseeds, meat, eggs,
milk and the main dairy products. It is based on facts available in June
2006 and therefore does not take account of multilateral trade
negotiations. The outlook for the EU cereal markets is moderately positive
for most products, although structural surpluses, particularly of maize,
could weigh heavily on some central European markets. The poultry and pig
meat sector should also exhibit relatively favourable medium-term
perspectives, while beef production is expected to decline with a widening
of the trade deficit as a consequence of the CAP reform and strong
competition from the world market. The market balance for the major dairy
products is expected to improve over the medium term. These projections
should lead to an 18 % growth in EU-25 agricultural income between 2005 and
2013 in real terms and per labour unit (11 % in the old Member States and a
steady 42.5 % rise for the new Member States). You can find the report at:
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/caprep/prospects2006/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/publi/caprep/prospects2006/index_en.htm
[06] Special Eurobarometer on the attitudes towards EU Enlargement
The Commission today presents a Eurobarometer Special Report on
enlargement. The report shows a low level of knowledge of the public across
the EU25 about enlargement in general and particularly about the benefits
of the process for the European Union. More than two-thirds of EU citizens
(68%) do not feel they are well informed about enlargement. The results of
this survey also point out that people living in the European Union
primarily expect national governments and the media to provide them with
such information. Concerning the future enlargement, Croatia enjoys the
support of the majority of the EU population; a relative majority is also
in favour of the accession of the other Western Balkan countries, except
for Albania, and Turkey is least supported.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of AIB by Goldman Sachs, Borealis
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of join control of the whole Associated
British Ports Holding PLC (‘AIB’, UK), by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
(‘Goldman Sachs’ USA) and Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc.
(‘Borealis’ Canada). The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a global
investment banking, securities and investment management Firm. Borealis
Infrastructure Management Inc. is one of the largest infrastructure
investors in the world. Associated British Ports Holdings PLC activities
are in UK port operations and provision of related services. The operation
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of HHR EURO CV and HHR TRS CV by
ABP/Europe Realty and Host
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of HHR EURO CV and HHR TRS
CV, by Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP, Europe Realty Holdings Pte Ltd through
its affiliate Jasmine Hotels Private Limited, and Host Hotels & Resorts,
Inc. The two HHR companies are active in the acquisition, ownership,
investment in, and disposition of hotel real estate in Europe. ABP deals
with provision of income security against disability, death and pension for
the employers and employees in the Service of the Dutch government and the
educational sector. Europe Realty owns and administrates the assets of the
Government of Singapore and Host owns and operate hotels in the US, Canada,
Chile and Mexico. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[09] Rédiffusion
[10] First payments to Palestinian health workers under Temporary
International Mechanism
During her visit to Gaza today, Commissioner for External Relations and
European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced that the
European Commission is making its first social allowance payments to
Palestinian doctors and nurses. Along with other public sector workers,
doctors and nurses have only been paid broadly one month's salary over the
last five months. The allowances from the Temporary International Mechanism
(TIM) will not match the level of their regular salaries but will enable
health workers to carry on performing an essential service that benefits
the whole population. Their salaries have not been paid due to the
financial crisis in the Palestinian authority. This is a further action
under the TIM following on from the European Commission's support to
provide deliveries of fuel to for hospital generators, water pumps and
water treatment plants following the destruction by the Israel Defence
Force of 6 transformers of the Gaza Power Plant. The delivery of fuel has
allowed the continued provision of essential health services to over 90,000
patients and access to water for some 1.2 million people in Gaza.
[11] Drought: Commission proposes to allow farmers to feed livestock on set-
aside areas
Today the European Commission tabled several draft Commission decisions to
authorise farmers affected by severe drought to use set aside land for
animal feed purposes. The drought has resulted in animal feed shortage in
many regions. Normally the agricultural use of set-aside areas is allowed
only from 31 August onwards but due to the current heatwave, the animal
feed growing on these areas would dry up by then.
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
(!!embargo 29/7 à 17h00!!)Speech by VladimÃr Spidla on the «Â
Contribution to the international conference on gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender right in Montreal, Canada
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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