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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-10-05
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 4 octobre 2006 -
[01] Commission renders commitments by music publishers and collecting
societies legally binding
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] Sûreté aérienne : l'UE prend des mesures pour parer à de nouvelles
menaces liées aux explosifs liquides
[03] Purchasing zero emissions hydrogen-powered buses
[04] De nouvelles directives pour des routes communautaires plus sûres
[05] EU adopts concrete measures to facilitate the life of those third-
country nationals residing close to European borders
[06] Améliorer l'échange d'informations sur les politiques nationales en
matière d'asile et d'immigration
[07] La Commission va recouvrer €317,3 millions auprès des Etats membres
dans le cadre des dépenses de la PAC
[08] Payments by Philip Morris International, inc. under the Anti-
Contraband and Anti-Counterfeit Agreement : EU and ten Member States agree
the distribution of approximately USD 1 billion
[09] Une étude de la Commission révèle une augmentation de 5% des
dépenses de R&D en Europe
[10] Nuclear safeguards for the protection of citizens : Commission and
IAEA celebrate 25 years' cooperation
[11] EU business survey identifies target countries in fight against
counterfeiting
[12] Commission presents a new International Cooperation Agreement on
Energy Efficiency of Office Equipment
[13] Danuta Hübner visits Ukraine
[14] EU and Norway agree on closer collaboration on fisheries control
[15] Joe Borg at Conference of the Maritime Industries Forum in Oslo
[16] L'économie marchande non financière dans l'UE25 : un travailleur sur
six est indépendant ; deux tiers des personnes occupées dans les PME
[17] Regions - statistical yearbook 2006 : regional variety through
statistical eyes ; data on the 268 regions of the EU25, Bulgaria and
Romania
[18] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-10-05
Reference: MEX/06/1005
Date: 05/10/2006
EXME06 / 5.10
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
05/10/06
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 4 octobre 2006 -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 4 October 2006
(voir aussi - see also ME of 4/10)
[01] Commission renders commitments by music publishers and collecting
societies legally binding
The European Commission has made legally binding under EC Treaty
competition rules the commitments given by the five major music publishers
(BMG, EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner) and thirteen European collecting
societies (AEPI, AustroMechana, GEMA, MCPS, MCPSI, NCB, SABAM, SDRM, SGAE,
SIAE, SPA, STEMRA, SUISA), the signatories of the Cannes Extension
Agreement, regarding Central Licensing Agreements. The commitments ensure
that record producers can continue to receive rebates from collecting
societies on royalties paid in the context of Central Licensing Agreements.
These rebates are currently the only form of price competition among
collecting societies. The commitments also ensure that potential entry by
collecting societies in the music publishing or record production markets
is not impeded. The Commission had been concerned that two clauses of the
Cannes Extension Agreement may have violated the EC Treaty's ban on cartels
and restrictive business practices (Article 81) but has now closed the case
in the light of the commitments.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[02] Sûreté aérienne : l'UE prend des mesures pour parer à de nouvelles
menaces liées aux explosifs liquides
La Commission européenne a adopté un règlement limitant les liquides
que les passagers aériens peuvent emporter au-delà des points d'inspection
et à bord des aéronefs. Ces mesures constituent une réaction à une
nouvelle menace pour la sûreté de l'aviation civile, celle des explosifs
liquides de fabrication artisanale.
[03] Purchasing zero emissions hydrogen-powered buses
Six cities and regions in Europe and Canada are joining forces with the aim
of buying environmentally friendly zero-emissions hydrogen-powered buses.
Today's decision to go ahead with this international alliance was taken by
the partners after the successful completion of the major EU-assisted
hydrogen and fuel cell bus project CUTE (Clean Urban Transport for Europe).
The European Commission fully supports this initiative as it sends a strong
signal to the suppliers of hydrogen powered buses that potential markets
exist for this new technology.
[04] De nouvelles directives pour des routes communautaires plus sûres
Dans le cadre de ses efforts visant à réduire de moitié le nombre de
tués sur les routes à l'horizon 2010, la Commission européenne a adopté
aujourd'hui deux propositions de directive. La première vise Ã
l'amélioration de la sécurité sur les grands axes routiers - le réseau
transeuropéen de transport (RTE-T) - au moyen de mesures d'infrastructure
et d'une meilleure ingénierie. La seconde prévoit l'installation, sur les
poids lourds existants, de systèmes de vision indirecte supprimant l'angle
mort (rétroviseurs/antéviseurs dits "d'angle mort"), ce qui doit
permettre de réduire le nombre d'accidents impliquant, notamment, des
cyclistes et des motocyclistes.
[05] EU adopts concrete measures to facilitate the life of those third-
country nationals residing close to European borders
Today the Council adopted a Regulation laying down rules on "local border
traffic" at the external land borders of the Member States, i.e. the
crossing of borders by nationals of third countries who live in border
areas and regularly travel for legitimate reasons (for instance, on social,
cultural or economic grounds) to a Member State of the Union without
constituting a threat to security or public order. In 2003 the European
Commission put forward a proposal for this legislation, in order to
facilitate local movement at the land borders between Member States and
neighbouring third countries.
[06] Améliorer l'échange d'informations sur les politiques nationales en
matière d'asile et d'immigration
Le Conseil a adopté aujourd'hui une décision relative à l'établissement
d'un mécanisme d'information mutuelle sur les mesures prises par les Etats
membres dans les domaines de l'asile et de l'immigration. Cette décision
est fondée sur une proposition de la Commission européenne présentée le
10 octobre 2005 à l'initiative du vice-Président Franco Frattini. Elle
repose sur le constat que l'absence de contrôles aux frontières dans
l'espace Schengen et le développement progressif d'une politique commune
de l'UE en matière d'asile et d'immigration ont renforcé l'interdépendance
des politiques nationales dans ces domaines. Cette décision met en place
un cadre organisé pour l'échange d'informations et la tenue d'un débat
sur les mesures nationales prises par les Etats membres dans les domaines
de l'asile et de l'immigration.
[07] La Commission va recouvrer €317,3 millions auprès des Etats membres
dans le cadre des dépenses de la PAC
En vertu d'une décision adoptée par la Commission européenne, les Etats
membres vont devoir rembourser un montant total de €317,3 millions
correspondant à des dépenses irrégulières au regard de la politique
agricole commune (PAC). Il s'agissait en l'occurrence de sanctionner
l'inadéquation des procédures de recouvrement appliquées par les Etats
membres concernés. Les autorités nationales sont responsables des
paiements, de la vérification des dépenses et du recouvrement des
montants indûment versés au titre de la politique agricole commune. La
Commission est tenue de s'assurer que les Etats membres recouvrent les
montants indûment versés. Les recouvrements prévus par la décision
considérée concernent des irrégularités communiquées par les Etats
membres avant le 1er janvier 1999.
[08] Payments by Philip Morris International, inc. under the Anti-
Contraband and Anti-Counterfeit Agreement : EU and ten Member States agree
the distribution of approximately USD 1 billion
Under the Anti-Contraband and Anti-Counterfeit Agreement (the "Agreement")
entered into on 9 July 2004 between Philip Morris International, inc. (PMI),
the European Union and ten Member States (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) to combat
the illicit trade of cigarettes, PMI agreed to pay approximately US$ 1
billion to the EU and the ten Member States over a period of twelve years.
The ten Member States and the European Commission, on behalf of the EU,
have now confirmed their arrangement for the distribution of these
payments. This arrangement came into effect following confirmation by Vice-
President Kallas to the Finance Ministers of the ten Member States which,
along with the EU, were the original parties to the agreement with PMI. It
applies to the payments already received from PMI since 2004, and to the
future annual payments that will be paid through 2016.
[09] Une étude de la Commission révèle une augmentation de 5% des
dépenses de R&D en Europe
Le tableau de bord 2006 de l'UE sur les investissements en R&D industrielle
montre que les 1.000 plus grandes entreprises de l'UE ont augmenté leurs
activités de R&D de 5,3% en moyenne en 2005. Ce chiffre concorde avec les
résultats d'une enquête que la Commission a publiée cette année. Les
1.000 plus grandes entreprises extracommunautaires ont augmenté de 7,7%
leurs investissements en R&D, ce qui témoigne d'une hausse des dépenses
dans ce domaine au niveau mondial. L'UE se maintient en bonne place, avec
18 des 50 entreprises qui dépensent le plus dans la R&D, et 5 des 10
entreprises mondiales qui enregistrent la croissance la plus rapide des
activités de R&D. Ces chiffres proviennent de l'analyse des 1.000
premières entreprises de l'UE et des 1.000 premières entreprises
extracommunautaires investissant dans la R&D. Le rapport complet, avec une
analyse détaillée secteur par secteur, sera disponible dans le courant de
l’année.
[10] Nuclear safeguards for the protection of citizens : Commission and
IAEA celebrate 25 years' cooperation
Today the European Commission and the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) celebrate 25 years of cooperation in the control of nuclear
materials and facilities. This anniversary is marked by an event at the
European Commission's Institute for Transuranium Elements (ITU) in
Karlsruhe, Germany. The IAEA is charged with verifying that states live up
to their international obligations in the area of nuclear non-
proliferation. This includes not diverting nuclear material or using
facilities for the development of nuclear weapons. The Joint Research
Centre of the European Commission has provided scientific and technical
support to this work for quarter of a century, with over 100 scientists and
technicians working on more than 25 projects. The anniversary event is also
an opportunity for both parties to plan their future joint activities.
[11] EU business survey identifies target countries in fight against
counterfeiting
The European Commission has today published the results of a survey of EU
businesses on their experience with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
enforcement outside the EU in 2005. The results have helped the Commission
to define a list of priority countries and regions on which to focus
activity and resources in the fight against counterfeiting. The survey
identifies China as the main priority for EU efforts in the fight against
counterfeiting, accounting for two thirds of all counterfeit goods seized
entering the EU. Secondary priorities are identified as Russia, the Ukraine,
Chile and Turkey.
[12] Commission presents a new International Cooperation Agreement on
Energy Efficiency of Office Equipment
The European Commission proposed today a new five year agreement with the
United States on the 'Energy Star' programme the aim of which is to foster
and reinforce the energy efficiency of office equipment. This new agreement
will be the continuation of the five-year programme first introduced in
2001. It covers computers, monitors, copiers, printers and fax machines,
which are responsible for approx. 5% of the EU's electricity consumption.
[13] Danuta Hübner visits Ukraine
European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ms Danuta Hübner, is visiting
Ukraine from 4 to 6 October to discuss cooperation with Ukraine on regional
development and to participate in the VI International Economic Forum in
Lviv. The Commissioner will also meet Prime Minister Yanukovych, as well as
a number of Cabinet members, including Minister for Foreign Affairs, Boris
Tarasyuk, Minister of Economy, Volodymir Makukha and Deputy Prime Minister
for Regional Policy Volodymyr Rybak. The Commissioner will call upon the
new Ukrainian government to continue the political and economic reform
process, including administrative and territorial reform. She will
reconfirm the EC's support in improving local development capacities and
furthering regional sustainable development in Ukraine.
[14] EU and Norway agree on closer collaboration on fisheries control
On 4 October, representatives of the European Commission, on behalf of the
European Union, and of the government of Norway met in Oslo to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on monitoring, control and surveillance
of fisheries. The text sets out a framework for mutual control and
enforcement between EU Member States and Norway which will not only
facilitate the management of shared fish stocks, but will also make a major
contribution to both parties' fight against Illegal, Unregulated and
Unreported (IUU) fishing. Under the Common Fisheries Policy, control and
enforcement remain the responsibility of the EU Member States, and a number
of Member States have bilateral cooperation arrangements in this field with
Norway. The purpose of the Memorandum is therefore to establish common
guidelines for such arrangements which will ensure a practical approach to
the control of both EU and Norwegian vessels in the waters of the other
party. Future bilateral arrangements will be based on the terms of the MoU,
and existing arrangements will be modified if necessary to take these new
criteria into account.
[15] Joe Borg at Conference of the Maritime Industries Forum in Oslo
Today, Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs,
begins a two- day visit to Oslo. This afternoon, Mr Borg will meet with
representatives of the Norwegian Ship Owners Association and of the
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise to present the Green Paper on a
future European Maritime Policy and to hear their views on a number of
maritime issues of common interest. He will then meet with the Norwegian
Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Ms Helga Pedersen. The points to
be discussed include this autumn's bilateral and coastal States
negotiations on the management of a number of shared fish stocks and joint
endeavours to combat illegal fisheries. In this context, the EU/Norway
Memorandum of Understanding, initialled last night in Oslo, will strengthen
the control and inspection efforts of all the Parties concerned. Tomorrow,
the day will start with a meeting with the Norwegian Trade and Industry
Minister, Mr Dag Terje Andersen. Commissioner Borg will encourage Norway,
as a key European maritime partner, to contribute fully to the Green Paper
consultation process. The Commissioner will then attend the Conference of
the Maritime Industries Forum, where he will deliver one of the key note
addresses. The Maritime Industries Forum provides a permanent interface
between the European institutions and the maritime industries. The 2006
Plenary is being hosted by the Norwegian Maritime Forum. In his speech, Mr
Borg will present the Green Paper, focusing on the interactions between
sustainable development, knowledge and governance, which point to the need
for a holistic approach to our policy for the oceans. His intervention will
be followed by a panel discussion between the Commissioner and leading
representatives of Europe's maritime industries.
[16] L'économie marchande non financière dans l'UE25 : un travailleur sur
six est indépendant ; deux tiers des personnes occupées dans les PME
Dans l'UE25, les travailleurs indépendants représentaient 16% de l'emploi
total dans l'économie marchande non financière (EMNF) en 2005, la
proportion étant de 19% pour les hommes et de 11% pour les femmes. Les
Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (PME), qui emploient moins de 250 personnes,
constituent le pilier de l'EMNF dans l'UE puisqu'elles comptaient en 2003
pour 99,8% de l'ensemble des entreprises de l'EMNF de l'UE25 et occupaient
environ deux tiers de la main-d'Å“uvre: 30% dans les microentreprises
(moins de 10 personnes occupées), 21% dans les petites entreprises (de 10
à 49 personnes) et 17% dans les entreprises moyennes (de 50 à 249
personnes). Ces chiffres sont extraits d'un rapport publié par Eurostat.
Par ailleurs, une nouvelle publication d'Eurostat "Key figures on European
Business 2006" présente un tableau complet des entreprises européennes,
incluant une partie consacrée spécialement aux PME.
[17] Regions - statistical yearbook 2006 : regional variety through
statistical eyes ; data on the 268 regions of the EU25, Bulgaria and
Romania
In which region of the EU is the population increasing and where is it
decreasing? Where can you find the highest labour productivity? Which
regions have the highest employment rates for the age group 55-64? Answers
to these questions and to many more can be found in the Statistical
Yearbook of the EU Regions published by Eurostat.
[18] Autre matériel diffusé
Aviation security : EU acts against liquid explosives - questions and
answers
Examples of on-going cooperation between European Commission and the
International Atomic Energy Agency
Speech by Danuta Hübner : "EU-Ukraine Relations: Stimulate cross-border
cooperation and reduce development gaps between border regions" at
International Economic Forum 'Cooperation of regions for economic
development' (Lviv)
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "EU Policy on Corporate Governance and Company
Law" at Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (London)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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