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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-12-14

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Commission to recover €263.5 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States
  • [02] Les automobilistes veulent davantage de sécurité, mais sans payer plus pour les systèmes intelligents
  • [03] From alarms to medical implants : Commission frees frequencies for short range wireless devices across the EU
  • [04] Campagne contre les goulets d'étranglement dans la logistique du transport de marchandises en Europe
  • [05] Tighter emission limits for cars after EP adoption of Euro 5 and 6
  • [06] REACH : la Commission salue le vote du Parlement européen sur la nouvelle réglementation communautaire des produits chimiques
  • [07] Competition : Commission refers Hungary to Court for failure to abolish restrictions on cable TV services
  • [08] Marché intérieur : la Commission publie une communication sur la recherche en investissements
  • [09] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Altana Pharma by Nycomed
  • [10] Commission allocates €2 million in humanitarian aid for victims of the Abkhazia conflict in Georgia
  • [11] Commission continues its assistance to the Benghazi HIV-AIDS sufferers
  • [12] New regional agreement to develop trade in South Eastern Europe
  • [13] First estimate for the third quarter of 2006 : Euro area employment up by 0.4% and EU25 up by 0.3% ; +1.4% and +1.1% respectively compared to the third quarter of 2005
  • [14] Troisième trimestre 2006 par rapport au troisième trimestre 2005 : les coûts de la main-d'Å“uvre ont augmenté de 2,0% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 2,6% dans l'UE25
  • [15] Preparation Environment Council (18/12)
  • [16] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-12-14 Reference: MEX/06/1214 Date: 14/12/2006 EXME06 / 14.12

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    14/12/06


  • [01] Commission to recover €263.5 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States

    A total of €263.5 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is to be claimed back, following a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money will be recovered because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.

    [02] Les automobilistes veulent davantage de sécurité, mais sans payer plus pour les systèmes intelligents

    Selon une récente étude Eurobaromètre, les automobilistes européens attachent une grande importance à la sécurité lors de l'achat d'une automobile, mais ont le sentiment que les systèmes de sécurité intelligents coûtent cher et ils n'en perçoivent pas bien les avantages, ce qui continue de freiner la pénétration de ces systèmes sur le marché. La Commission européenne a déjà constaté cela et a accru ses efforts pour sensibiliser les consommateurs aux avantages réels des systèmes de sécurité intelligents.

    [03] From alarms to medical implants : Commission frees frequencies for short range wireless devices across the EU

    Frequency bands used by everyday wireless devices such as garage door openers, wireless alarms, baby monitors, head phones and microphones will soon be harmonised throughout Europe as a result of two recent Commission Decisions. Life will be simpler as anyone in Europe will be able to use the same short range wireless product anywhere in the EU and manufacturers need only make one product for the whole internal market. For consumers this could mean lower prices. Radio frequencies for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices will be also harmonised. These electronic tags are increasingly used in businesses such as retail and logistics, tracking of goods and persons, security and alarm systems, etc.

    [04] Campagne contre les goulets d'étranglement dans la logistique du transport de marchandises en Europe

    La Commission européenne a lancé aujourd'hui un exercice de recensement et d'élimination des obstacles qui empêchent le bon fonctionnement de la chaîne du transport de marchandises en Europe. Dans le cadre de cet exercice de recensement des goulets d'étranglement, les parties prenantes et les parties intéressées sont invitées à soumettre des informations détaillées sur les goulets d'étranglement qu'elles ont rencontrés. Un goulet d'étranglement est tout obstacle aux services de logistique du transport de marchandises, qu'il soit administratif, opérationnel, législatif, local, national, européen ou autre. Les participants à l'exercice de recensement des goulets d'étranglement sont également invités à proposer des solutions efficaces à ces problèmes.

    [05] Tighter emission limits for cars after EP adoption of Euro 5 and 6

    The European Parliament has adopted on 13 December a proposal to gradually set tighter emission limits for cars, in particular nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particles. The new standards (known as Euro 5 and 6) will apply from 1Â September 2009, setting tighter emission limits of particles and of NOx for new cars and vans sold in the EU market (e.g. an 80% cut in the emission limit for particulate matters from diesel cars under Euro 5). This makes the introduction of particle filters for diesel cars obligatory. Euro 6 will set significantly lower emission limits for NOx emissions from diesel cars (68 % lower than today's emission limit) and will enter into force five years after Euro 5, i.e. in 2014. The EP vote is based on a compromise reached with the Council, which is expected to adopt the package shortly.

    [06] REACH : la Commission salue le vote du Parlement européen sur la nouvelle réglementation communautaire des produits chimiques

    Avec l'accord du Parlement européen le 13 décembre, le règlement REACH (concernant l'enregistrement, l'évaluation et l'autorisation des substances chimiques, ainsi que les restrictions applicables à ces substances) est proche de l'adoption finale. La Commission européenne salue ce vote qui met un terme à plus de trois années de négociations sur une réforme complète de la fabrication, de la commercialisation, de l'importation et de l'utilisation des substances chimiques. Le compromis auquel sont parvenus le Conseil et le Parlement permettra d'améliorer la santé et l'environnement, tout en préservant l'innovation et la compétitivité. Le Conseil devrait adopter le texte lors du Conseil "Environnement" du 18 décembre, afin que REACH puisse entrer en vigueur le 1er juin 2007.

    [07] Competition : Commission refers Hungary to Court for failure to abolish restrictions on cable TV services

    The European Commission has decided to refer Hungary to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with EC Treaty competition rules, and in particular the Commission Directive on electronic communications. Under the Directive, Hungary had to abolish all restrictions on the provision of electronic communications services, including broadcasting transmission services, by 1 May 2004. However Hungary has not yet abolished the provision of the Media Act that prevents cable TV operators providing cable TV services to more than one third of the Hungarian population. The referral to the Court of Justice is the final step in the infringement procedure pursuant to Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

    [08] Marché intérieur : la Commission publie une communication sur la recherche en investissements

    La Commission européenne a adopté une Communication qui passe en revue les dispositions de la législation européenne récente concernant la recherche en investissements et les analystes financiers. Cette Communication, qui fournit également aux parties intéressées des informations pratiques sur le sujet, est une réponse au rapport du groupe de réflexion des analystes financiers, qui a contribué à l'élaboration de cette législation.

    [09] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Altana Pharma by Nycomed

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Altana Pharma Aktiengesellschaft of Germany by Nycomed of Denmark. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.

    [10] Commission allocates €2 million in humanitarian aid for victims of the Abkhazia conflict in Georgia

    The European Commission has approved a €2 million humanitarian aid decision to support the most vulnerable people affected by the unresolved conflict between Abkhazia and Georgia. The beneficiaries include internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Georgia as well as returnees and vulnerable groups in Abkhazia. Funds are being allocated via the Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), a service of the Commission under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.

    [11] Commission continues its assistance to the Benghazi HIV-AIDS sufferers

    The European Commission has earmarked an additional €500,000 for continuing its support to Libya in its fight against the AIDS/HIV epidemic in Benghazi. This grant, that follows two successive disbursements of €1 million each in July 2005 and March 2006, will be used to consolidate the upgrading of the Benghazi Centre for Infectious Diseases and Immunology (BCIDI) and to further support the development of a comprehensive strategy for delivery of equitable and effective HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. The EU intends to continue supporting the Libyan Authorities in the development of a national AIDS programme. These interventions are part of the longer-term initiative: "HIV Action Plan for Benghazi". The Action Plan was launched by the EU in November 2004 and is being implemented by the Libyan authorities with support from the Commission and EU Member States.

    [12] New regional agreement to develop trade in South Eastern Europe

    On 19 December, Prime Ministers of South Eastern European countries and territories will sign a new Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). This event will mark the conclusion of ambitious negotiations launched on 6 April this year. The new CEFTA will consolidate 32 bilateral free trade agreements in the Southern European Region into a single Regional Trade Agreement. The European Union strongly supports these negotiations. Although the EU will not be a party to this new agreement, the European Commission has provided continuous political, technical and financial support, at every stage of the trade liberalisation process in South Eastern Europe.

    [13] First estimate for the third quarter of 2006 : Euro area employment up by 0.4% and EU25 up by 0.3% ; +1.4% and +1.1% respectively compared to the third quarter of 2005

    The seasonally adjusted number of persons employed in the euro area rose by 0.4% (517 000 persons) during the third quarter of 2006, according to provisional national accounts estimates published by Eurostat. During the same period, the number of persons employed in the EU25 grew by 0.3% (612 000 persons). In the second quarter of 2006, growth rates were also +0.4% in the euro area and +0.3% in the EU25.

    [14] Troisième trimestre 2006 par rapport au troisième trimestre 2005 : les coûts de la main-d'œuvre ont augmenté de 2,0% dans la zone euro ; hausse de 2,6% dans l'UE25

    Le coût horaire total de la main-d'œuvre dans la zone euro a augmenté à un rythme annuel de 2,0% en termes nominaux au troisième trimestre 2006, contre 2,3% au trimestre précédent. Dans l'UE25, la hausse annuelle a été de 2,6% au troisième trimestre 2006, contre 2,8% au trimestre précédent. Les deux principales composantes des coûts salariaux sont les salaires et traitements, et les coûts non salariaux. Dans la zone euro, les salaires et traitements ont augmenté à un taux annuel de 2,2% au troisième trimestre 2006 et les coûts non salariaux à un taux de 1,8%, contre respectivement 2,6% et 1,6% au deuxième trimestre 2006. Dans l'UE25, les salaires et traitements ont connu une hausse de 2,8% au troisième trimestre 2006, et les coûts non salariaux de 1,7%. Au trimestre précédent, les taux correspondants étaient de 3,0% et 2,2%. La ventilation par activité économique montre que, dans la zone euro, les coûts horaires de la main-d'œuvre ont progressé au troisième trimestre 2006 à un taux annuel de 2,6% dans l'industrie, de 1,4% dans la construction et de 1,8% dans les services. Dans l'UE25, ils ont augmenté de 3,0% dans l’industrie, de 2,7% dans la construction et de 2,5% dans les services. Ces données sont publiées par Eurostat.

    [15] Preparation Environment Council (18/12)

    The second and last formal Environment Council under the Finnish presidency will take place on 18 December in Brussels. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will represent the European Commission at the meeting. The Council is expected to approve the compromise agreement struck with the European Parliament on the REACH reform of chemicals legislation. Political agreement is also likely on a new framework directive to protect the marine environment. The Council will vote on Commission proposals that would require Austria to drop its national bans on two types of genetically modified maize. Council will adopt conclusions on climate change in the light of last month's UN conference in Nairobi, and will hold a public exchange of views on the way forward in tackling this global challenge. Conclusions responding to the Commission's Strategy and Action Plan for conserving biodiversity are also due for adoption. Over lunch ministers will prepare the 2007 meeting of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) with the current CSD chairman, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Qatar's second deputy prime minister and minister of energy and industry. Finnish Environment Minister Jan-Erik Enestam and Commissioner Dimas will give a joint press conference after lunch.

    [16] Autre matériel diffusé

    Questions and answers on the new Chemicals policy, REACH

    Commission welcomes Court of First Instance judgment in the French Beef case

    Speech by President José Manuel Barroso : "The December European Council" at the European Parliament (13/12, Strasbourg)

    Discours de Mme Danuta Hübner : "La compétitivité des acteurs économiques européens" à l'AGORENA (13/12, Paris) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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