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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-02-21
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 21 février 2007 -
[01] State aid: Commission approves regional aid maps 2007-2013 for Belgium
and Denmark
[02] State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into proposed
restructuring aid to Techmatrans
[03] Transport maritime de passagers : la Commission approuve un contrat de
service public italien au titre des règles sur les aides d'État
[04] European Commission approves Czech compensation measure to port and
inland waterway operators for flood damages
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[05] Caucase du Nord: la Commission octroie une enveloppe de 17,5 millions
d'euros en faveur des victimes du conflit en Tchétchénie
[06] Commission takes important step towards a single market for next
generation wireless devices
[07] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition by Freeport-McMoRan
Copper & Gold Inc. of Phelps Dodge Corporation
[08] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of steel and
vanadium producer Highveld by steel company Evraz, subject to conditions
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Oxo by Advent
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-02-21
Reference: MEX/07/0221
Date: 21/02/2007
EXME07 / 21.2
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
21/02/07
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 21 février 2007 -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 21 February
[01] State aid: Commission approves regional aid maps 2007-2013 for Belgium
and Denmark
The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules the
regional aid maps covering the period 2007-2013 for Belgium and Denmark.
These decisions form part of a wider exercise to review the regional aid
regimes in place in all Member States in accordance with the new Regional
Aid Guidelines (see IP/05/1653 and MEMO/05/491) adopted in December 2005.
The new Guidelines aim at re-focussing regional aid on the most
disadvantaged regions of the enlarged EU, while allowing to improve
competitiveness and to provide for a smooth transition. The maps of twenty-
two other Member States have already been approved by the Commission (see
IP/06/1176, IP/06/1393, IP/06/1451, IP/06/1528, IP/06/1871 and IP/07/153).
[02] State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into proposed
restructuring aid to Techmatrans
The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation to establish
whether the €0.7 million aid that the Polish authorities intend to give
for supporting the restructuring of Techmatrans, firm specialised in
technological transportation (e.g. chain hoists, gantry cranes and lifters)
in Poland, is compatible with EC Treaty rules on state aid. The Commission
doubts whether the notified restructuring plan is sufficient to restore the
firm's long term viability, whether the aid is limited to the necessary
minimum and whether the aid does not create undue distortions of
competition. The opening of an in-depth investigation allows interested
parties to comment on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge the
outcome of the procedure.
[03] Transport maritime de passagers : la Commission approuve un contrat de
service public italien au titre des règles sur les aides d'État
La Commission européenne a décidé aujourd’hui de ne pas soulever
d’objections au projet de l’Italie de publier un appel d’offres dans
le domaine du transport maritime de passagers, comprenant des compensations
publiques. L’appel d’offre vise à sélectionner une entreprise de
transport maritime afin d’établir une ligne régulière pendant la
saison estivale entre, d’une part, le port italien de Trieste, et
d’autre part, le port slovène de Portorose et les ports croates de
Parenzo et Rovigno.
[04] European Commission approves Czech compensation measure to port and
inland waterway operators for flood damages
The aid will be granted to port and inland waterway operators in a non-
discriminatory manner to cover damages caused by the floods in 2006. It
will cover a maximum of 100% of the damages that can be proved to have been
caused by the floods. The granting procedure guarantees that the
compensation cannot exceed the amounts necessary to compensate for the
losses.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[05] Caucase du Nord: la Commission octroie une enveloppe de 17,5 millions
d'euros en faveur des victimes du conflit en Tchétchénie
La Commission européenne a approuvé l'octroi de 17,5 millions d'euros
pour un ensemble d'actions d'aide humanitaire en faveur des victimes du
conflit en Tchétchénie. Cette aide bénéficiera aux personnes
déplacées et aux groupes vulnérables en Tchétchénie, ainsi qu'aux
personnes déplacées en Ingouchie et au Daghestan et aux réfugiés
tchétchènes en Azerbaïdjan et en Géorgie. L'aide ira aux domaines
suivants: actions en matière de protection, d'hébergement, de
génération de revenus, de santé, d'approvisionnement en eau,
d'assainissement, d'assistance psychosociale et de sensibilisation aux
risques liés aux mines. Les fonds sont alloués par l’intermédiaire de
la Direction générale de l'aide humanitaire de la Commission européenne
(ECHO), sous la responsabilité du commissaire européen Louis Michel.
[06] Commission takes important step towards a single market for next
generation wireless devices
A single market for a new generation of mass-market consumer electronics
(laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, TVs...), that can exchange data
wirelessly at very high rates over short distances is a step closer. The
Commission Decision adopted today outlines the mandatory conditions for
using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in these next generation wireless
devices all across the European Union.
[07] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition by Freeport-McMoRan
Copper & Gold Inc. of Phelps Dodge Corporation
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (“FCX”)
of Phelps Dodge Corporation, both based in the United States. The
Commission concluded that the proposed operation would not significantly
impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any
substantial part of it.
[08] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of steel and
vanadium producer Highveld by steel company Evraz, subject to conditions
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation, subject
to conditions, the proposed acquisition of the South African steel and
vanadium producer Highveld by the steel company Evraz, incorporated in
Luxembourg and primarily active in Russia. Vanadium is a metal primarily
used in the production of alloys (e.g. steel alloys used in axles,
crankshafts, gears, and other critical components; mixed with aluminium in
titanium alloys used in jet engines and high-speed airframes) plus rust
resistant and high speed tool steels and in specialty stainless steel for
use in surgical instruments and tools. The Commission found that the
proposed transaction as initially notified would give rise to competition
concerns at all levels of the vanadium value chain. However, Evraz has
offered to divest an equity interest or a proportion of Highveld's large
iron and vanadium mine in Mapoch, South Africa, together with Highveld's
vanadium oxides and vanadium finished products activities, also based in
South Africa. The remedies would eliminate the merged entity's ability and
incentive to exploit its strong position in vanadium feedstock and remove
all overlaps between Evraz and Highveld for vanadium oxides and vanadium
finished products. In the light of these commitments, the Commission has
concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede
effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any
substantial part of it.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Oxo by Advent
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of 'oxo’ products and
derivatives businesses (Oxo) of the US/Germany, currently controlled by
Celanese Corporation and Degussa AG, by Advent International Corporation
(Advent) of the US. Advent is a private equity fund. Oxo produces and sells
key chemical building blocks and derivatives for diverse applications
including coatings, inks, lubricants and plasticizers, mainly in Europe and
North America. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Memo on Employment and Social Affairs Council – 22 February 2007
Memo on the EC's decision on Ultra-Wideband Technologies: FAQ
Memo on State Aid: Commission guidelines on National Regional Adi for 2002-
2013, Belgium and Denmark - FAQ
Memo on Environment: Commissioner Dimas welcomes Council results on climate
change and pesticides
Speech by Franco Frattini "Common Standards in Criminal Proceedings to
Strengthen Mutual Trust in the EU: the need to balance security and
freedom" at the ERA-DE Presidency symposium
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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