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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-02-23Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb23/02/07[01] Le multilinguisme stimule la compétitivité européenneSelon une étude réalisée pour la Commission en 2006 par le CILT, le centre national britannique des langues, et publiée aujourd'hui, chaque année, des milliers d'entreprises européennes passent à côté d'opportunités commerciales et de contrats du fait de leur manque de compétences linguistiques. L'étude conclut qu'il existe pour les petites entreprises en Europe un potentiel considérable d'accroissement de leurs exportations totales si elles consentent à investir davantage dans les langues et à élaborer des stratégies linguistiques cohérentes. De récentes études montrent que les entreprises qui renforcent leurs compétences linguistiques sont mieux à même d'exploiter les possibilités qu'offre le marché intérieur de l'Union qui, avec près d'un demi- milliard de personnes, est le plus important du monde.[02] Preventive sugar withdrawal in 2007/08The Management Committee for Sugar voted yesterday on an urgent proposal presented by the European Commission that would encourage producers to reduce sowings for sugar production during the 2007/08 marketing year by at least two million tonnes, corresponding to 13.5% of the EU sugar quota, in order to avoid probable major surplus production.[03] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit the Middle East, 26 February - 1 MarchEuropean Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan from 26 February to 1 March. In each country the Commissioner will discuss with key interlocutors how to strengthen bilateral relations with the EU, and the growing opportunities available under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) particularly in important areas such as education and energy. The visit is also an opportunity to explore with all parties the current state of play in the Middle East Peace Process, and how the EU can work with partners to create the conditions for progress.[04] Territories matter for Europe's competitiveness, Danuta Hübner tells the conference of German ministers responsible for spatial planning in StrasbourgRegional policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner, addressed the 34th session of the standing conference of German Ministers responsible for spatial planning hosted in the Council of Europe building, in Strasbourg. The Commissioner underlined the importance of the territorial dimension for Europe's competitiveness. She stressed that territorial cohesion has become over the years a key dimension of Cohesion policy and pointed out that multilevel governance and cooperation at all levels is the basis on which the new Cohesion policy 2007-2013 can deliver growth, innovation and quality jobs. German Federal Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Development Wolfgang Tiefensee also addressed the conference chaired by Minister of Economics of the State of Baden-Württemberg Ernst Pfister.[05] Harcèlement des agences humanitaires au Darfour: la Commission européenne exige à toutes les parties le respect du Droit international humanitaireLe Commissaire européen en charge du Développement et de l'Aide Humanitaire, Louis Michel, s'est dit "gravement préoccupé par la poursuite des violences à l'encontre des populations civiles dans la province soudanaise du Darfour, ainsi que par la détérioration des conditions de sécurité pour les organisations humanitaires". Il a lancé "un nouvel appel à l'ensemble des parties au conflit pour assurer le respect du personnel et de l'intégrité des organisations humanitaires et de leur permettre d'exercer leur mission d'assistance et de protection en toute sécurité partout où les besoins des populations civiles le nécessitent, comme l'exige le droit international humanitaire".[06] Commission clears acquisition of Non Ferrous International Group by Alpha Private Equity FundsThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Non Ferrous International Group, comprising Non Ferrous International NV/SA of Belgium and DI Assets S.A. of Luxembourg, by Alpha Private Equity Funds of the Channel Islands. Alpha Private Equity Funds is active in private equity investments. Non Ferrous International Group is active in the trade of electric, electronic, ferrous and non-ferrous scrap; and the production and sale of non-ferrous metals. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears acquisition of RAC by Goldman Sachs and OnexThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) of the US by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) of the US and Onex Corporation (Onex) of Canada. Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking, securities and investment management company. Onex is active in the acquisition, administration and divestment of undertakings in a wide range of markets. RAC produces and sells a wide range of aircraft; distributes spare parts and provides business aviation services at airports. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Commission clears acquisition of by TGI Friday's by ABN Amro and CarlsonThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of UK T.G.I. Friday's franchised restaurant business of Whitbread Group Plc. (Whitbread) of the UK by ABN AMRO Capital BO Funds B.V. (AACBOF) of the Netherlands, belonging to the ABN AMRO group, and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of Carlson Companies Inc. (Carlson) of the US. ABN AMRO provides banking and financial services. Carlson is active in the marketing, travel and hospitality sector. T.G.I. Friday's is a chain of informal restaurants. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] Commission clears joint venture between Carrefour-Marinopoulos and CredicomThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Carrefour-Marinopoulos Credit Company (CMCC) of Greece, a newly created company constituting a joint venture, by Carrefour-Marinopoulos of Greece and Emporiki Credicom Bank S.A. (Credicom), also of Greece. Carrefour-Marinopoulos is jointly controlled by the French Carrefour Group and Marinopoulos Brothers S.A. of Greece and is active in food and non-food retailing. Credicom belongs to Crédit Agricole (CA) of France and is active in consumer financing. CMCC will provide personal loans and credit to consumers in Greece. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure[10] Rédiffusion[11] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of ProSiebenSat.1 by KKR and PermiraThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of ProSiebenSat.1, the second largest German TV broadcasting group. by equity funds Permira of the Channel Islands and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) of the US The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Union Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.[12] European Union signs aviation agreement with ParaguayToday, the EU signed an aviation agreement with Paraguay, which removes nationality restrictions in the bilateral air services agreements and thereby allows European airlines to operate flights between any EU Member State and Paraguay. The agreement was signed in Brussels by Commission Vice- President Jacques Barrot in charge of Transport, German Permanent Representative in the EU Wilhelm Schönfelder and the Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Rubén RamÃrez Lezcano. The agreement demonstrates that there is an external dimension of the single European market for air transport.[13] Autre matériel diffuséMemo on A Political Agenda for MultilingualismMemo on Effects on the European Economy of Shortages of Foreign Language Skills in Enterprise. Memo on European Union regulations published in Bulgarian and Romanian Memo on Interpretation: where do we stand after completion of the fifth enlargement? Memo on Translation: where do we stand after completion of the fifth enlargement? Memo on Multilingualism: more translators and interpreters for the three new languages are arriving Speech by Stavros Dimas on "Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010: the EU action plan and DG Environment's initiative on supporting business for biodiversity" at PriceWaterhouseCoopers Speech by Vice President Frattini "The future of the EU migration and integration policy" at the London School of Economics Speech by Danuta Hübner on "Europe's territorial cohesion – state of
play" at the standing Conference of German Ministers responsible for
spatial planning in Strasbourg
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |