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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-08-16
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Forest fire risk on the rise since beginning of August
[02] Louis Michel: "Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon continues"
[03] Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Thules’ take-
over of Schneeketten
[04] La Commission autorise l’acquisition de Emporiki par Crédit
Agricole
Midday Express of 2006-16-08
Reference: MEX/06/1608
Date: 16/08/2006
EXME06 / 16.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
16/08/06
[01] Forest fire risk on the rise since beginning of August
From 31 July to 14 August, mapping of fires larger than 50 ha with
satellite imagery indicates an increase of burnt areas from 13,591 to 49,
881 ha in Portugal and from 2,241 to 88,473 ha in Galicia Up to 31 July,
more than 64,500 ha were burnt by forest fires in the EU. This is the
information received from the Member States and compiled by the European
Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), the system developed by the
European Commission to monitor forest fire risk in Europe and provide
Member States with early risk warning and damage assessment. After a rather
quiet beginning to the fire season in the Mediterranean Regions, the
beginning of August has witnessed a sharp increase in fires and burnt areas,
mainly in Galicia (Spain) and in neighbouring Portugal. On the other hand,
in Northern Regions of Europe an unusually high fire danger was recorded in
spring and early summer. The figures for 2006 so far are much less than the
610,000 ha (i.e. twice the area of Luxembourg) burnt in 2005, but the fire
season is not yet over.
[02] Louis Michel: "Humanitarian crisis in Lebanon continues"
Although the fighting has stopped, victims of the conflict in Lebanon still
face urgent humanitarian needs. They lack basic essentials such as food,
medicines, fuel and electricity while key infrastructures including roads
and houses have been destroyed. Displaced people have begun to return to
their home cities and villages in huge numbers. They will face enormous
challenges. So will those who provide relief. Commissioner Louis Michel,
responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, spoke in Beirut with
victims of the conflict and humanitarian aid workers as well as with the
Lebanese government, including Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The Finnish
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Paula Lehtomaki, representing
the EU Presidency, accompanied Mr Michel. The European Union is the largest
donor of official humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict in
Lebanon, and during his visit Commissioner Michel announced the opening of
a permanent ECHO office in Beirut. After their visit to Lebanon,
Commissioner Michel and Minister Lehtomaki go directly to Tel Aviv today to
meet with members of the Israeli government and to visit victims of
Hezbollah attacks in a hospital in Haifa on Thursday.
[03] Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Thules’ take-
over of Schneeketten
The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU
Merger Regulation into the planned acquisition by the Swedish company Thule
of the Austrian company Schneeketten/Pewag. The Commission’s initial
market investigation indicates that the proposed acquisition would raise
serious competition concerns in the sector of snow chains. The Commission
now has 90 working days – until 22.12.2006 - to take a final decision on
whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition
within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a substantial part of it. The
decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of
the investigation.
[04] La Commission autorise l’acquisition de Emporiki par Crédit
Agricole
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement
Concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de l’entreprise Emporiki Bank of
Greece SA («Emporiki», Grèce) par Crédit Agricole SA («Crédit
Agricole», France). Les deux entreprises sont actives dans les secteurs de
banque et d’assurance. Il ressort de l'enquête menée par la Commission
que l'opération envisagée n'entravera pas de manière significative la
concurrence dans le marché commun. Cette affaire a été traitée selon la
procédure simplifiée.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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