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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-03-07
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] La Commission examine les programmes de stabilité de la Belgique et
de l'Espagne
[02] Commission assesses convergence programmes of Bulgaria, Latvia and
Romania
[03] Procédure d'infraction l'encontre de l'Espagne pour non-suppression
des conditions illégales auxquelles l'offre de rachat d’Endesa par E.ON
est subordonnée
[04] Commission endorses €460 million funding for UK Post Office Limited
for 2007/8
[05] Commission approves €270 million aid for social housing for the
elderly in Sweden
[06] La Commission approuve la carte des aides régionales 2007-2013 pour
la France
[07] Commission endorses measures to finance early retirement scheme for
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE
[08] Cyprus Airways : Commission authorises restructuring plan
[09] Regional airport infrastructure : Commission approves German aid to
Memmingen and Augsburg airports
[10] Progress made in implementing Commission's Action Plan towards an
integrated internal control framework
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[11] La Commission redouble d'efforts pour alléger les charges
administratives pesant sur les petites entreprises
[12] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Dana's Engine Products
Group by Mahle
[13] Commission clears acquisition of Rodenstock by Bridgepoint
[14] Croissance de l'emploi en Europe : les femmes dopent les chiffres –
mais se heurtent encore aux inégalités
[15] Benita Ferrero-Waldner announces substantial increase in financial
assistance to Ukraine
[16] République centrafricaine : la Commission lance un programme d'appui
massif la gouvernance et au désenclavement
[17] Commission Football Tournament raises money for deprived children
[18] Charlie McCreevy meets with PCAOB Chairman Mark Olson on EU-US
cooperation on audit regulation
[19] Danuta Hübner opened "Regions for Economic Change" first annual
conference, in Brussels
[20] Joe Borg to address representatives of Germany's coastal Länder
[21] Europe's top science communicators honoured
[22] Le prix Descartes pour la recherche - €1 million - partagé par
trois projets européens
[23] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2010-03-07
Reference: MEX/10/0307
Date: 07/03/2007
EXME07 / 7.3
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
07/03/07
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] La Commission examine les programmes de stabilité de la Belgique et
de l'Espagne
Après examen des programmes de stabilité actualisés de la Belgique et de
l'Espagne, la Commission européenne considère que les objectifs
budgétaires moyen terme (OMT) de ces deux pays sont sains. L'Espagne
prévoit de dégager des excédents budgétaires tout au long du programme
(2005-2009) et la Belgique devrait atteindre l'objectif d'un excédent
structurel de 0,5% du PIB. Dans l'ensemble, la stratégie budgétaire de
l'Espagne constitue un bon exemple de politique menée conformément au
pacte de stabilité et de croissance. En poursuivant la réduction de sa
dette (qui reste toutefois élevée), la Belgique offre également un
exemple de politique conforme au pacte, mais des risques pèsent sur la
réalisation de ses objectifs budgétaires. Il est donc particulièrement
important d'atteindre l'objectif budgétaire de 2007 et d'accélérer le
rythme de l'assainissement au cours des années suivantes. Etant donné que
la Belgique et, en particulier, l'Espagne devront faire face une hausse
probablement substantielle des dépenses liées au vieillissement de leur
population, les deux pays sont encouragés améliorer la viabilité
long terme de leurs finances publiques par des mesures visant réduire le
coût du vieillissement démographique.
[02] Commission assesses convergence programmes of Bulgaria, Latvia and
Romania
Having examined the first convergence programmes of Bulgaria and Romania,
the European Commission finds that the budgetary position of Bulgaria is
sound. However, Bulgaria is encouraged to achieve a higher surplus than
currently planned in 2007 and to maintain a comfortable budgetary surplus
in coming years so as to foster macroeconomic stability and reduce external
imbalances. Romania, which enjoys even higher growth than Bulgaria and
faces a widening external deficit, should improve its budgetary position by
a significant adjustment in order to obtain a sufficient safety margin
against breaching the 3% ceiling and to avoid a pro-cyclical policy.
Romania should also control the increase in public spending and review its
composition. The Commission has also examined the updated programme of
Latvia and finds that the planned fiscal loosening in 2007 is inconsistent
with a prudent fiscal policy aimed at ensuring sustainable convergence.
From 2008, some progress is envisaged, but there are risks to the
achievement of the budgetary targets which lack ambition given the high
growth also enjoyed by the country.
[03] Procédure d'infraction l'encontre de l'Espagne pour non-suppression
des conditions illégales auxquelles l'offre de rachat d’Endesa par E.ON
est subordonnée
La Commission européenne a officiellement demandé aux autorités
espagnoles de se conformer ses décisions exigeant la suppression de
certaines conditions imposées par le régulateur espagnol du secteur de
l'énergie (CNE) en juillet 2006 en ce qui concerne l'offre de rachat
d'Endesa par E.ON, ainsi que d'autres conditions fixées par décision
ministérielle du 3 novembre 2006. Les conditions en question ont été
déclarées illégales, en application de l'article 21 du règlement CE sur
les concentrations, par décisions de la Commission des 26 septembre et 20
décembre 2006 (voir IP/06/1265 et IP/06/1853). Ces décisions avaient un
effet contraignant immédiat. La demande prend la forme d'un "avis motivé",
qui constitue la deuxième étape de la procédure d'infraction prévue
l'article 226 du traité CE. En l'absence d'une réponse satisfaisante dans
un délai de sept jours ouvrables, la Commission pourra décider de
renvoyer l'Espagne devant la Cour européenne de justice pour non-respect
de ses deux décisions arrêtées conformément l'article 21.
[04] Commission endorses €460 million funding for UK Post Office Limited
for 2007/8
The European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty's rules on
state aid, proposed funding by the UK Government to allow Post Office
Limited to continue to provide public services through the network of post
offices in the financial year beginning 1 April 2007. As all the
requirements of the Community framework for state aid in the form of public
service compensation are satisfied, the Commission considers that the aid
is compatible with the EC Treaty. In particular, the compensation measures
are designed not to exceed the minimum necessary for Post Office Limited to
continue providing the public services entrusted to it.
[05] Commission approves €270 million aid for social housing for the
elderly in Sweden
The European Commission has authorised Sweden, under the EC Treaty's rules
on state aid, to support construction of special housing for elderly people
between 2007 and 2011 with grants of approximately €54 million (500
million SEK) per year, amounting to a total of €270 million (2500 million
SEK) over the five years. Due to a general lack of housing in Sweden,
housing with specific requirements for elderly people is currently not
provided by private operators on the market. The Commission found that the
incentives proposed by Sweden adhere to the principle of social equity
without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market.
[06] La Commission approuve la carte des aides régionales 2007-2013 pour
la France
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu des règles sur les aides
d'Etat du traité CE, la carte des aides finalité régionale couvrant la
période 2007-2013 pour la France. Cette décision s'inscrit dans un cadre
plus global de réexamen des régimes d'aides régionales en place dans
tous les Etats membres (voir IP/05/1653 et MEMO/05/491) conformément aux
nouvelles lignes directrices, adoptées en décembre 2005. Ces nouvelles
lignes directrices visent réorienter les aides régionales vers les
régions les plus défavorisées de l'Union élargie, tout en tenant compte
de la nécessité d'améliorer la compétitivité et d'assurer une
transition sans heurts. La Commission a déj approuvé les cartes de vingt-
quatre autres Etats membres (voir IP/06/1176, IP/06/1393, IP/06/1451,
IP/06/1528, IP/06/1871, IP/07/79, IP/07/153 et IP/07/211).
[07] Commission endorses measures to finance early retirement scheme for
Spanish public broadcaster RTVE
The European Commission has decided that the Spanish state financing of
early retirement and other lay-off measures of public broadcaster RTVE is
in line with EC Treaty state aid rules. As part of the reorganisation of
the public broadcasting system, the Spanish authorities decided to
establish a new corporation, RTVE, which started operating on 1 January
2007 with a significantly reduced workforce. The Commission concluded that
the financing of this early retirement scheme would allow the new RTVE to
provide a more cost-efficient public service and would consequently reduce
the overall level of public support.
[08] Cyprus Airways : Commission authorises restructuring plan
The European Commission has found compatible with the common market the
restructuring plan proposed by the Republic of Cyprus in order to restore
the viability of Cyprus Airways. Following an in-depth investigation the
Commission has decided that the plan is in line with the Community rules
regarding the rescue and restructuring of firms in difficulty.
[09] Regional airport infrastructure : Commission approves German aid to
Memmingen and Augsburg airports
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the
public financing of infrastructure developments at the regional airports of
Memmingen and Augsburg in Schwaben (Bavaria). In Memmingem, the
transformation of the former military airbase of Allgäu into a regional
airport is expected to cost €14.6 million of which €7.3 million (50%)
will be provided by the Bavarian government. The small regional airport of
Augsburg will also receive a funding of €8.85 million for its
redevelopment. The Commission found that the proposed measures are in line
with the Community rules as the financing is set to achieve a clear
objective of general interest without leading to undue distortion of the
market.
[10] Progress made in implementing Commission's Action Plan towards an
integrated internal control framework
Just over one year ago, the European Commission launched an Action Plan to
improve the internal control framework as part of its goal to obtain a
clean bill of health on EU spending from the auditors. This week, a
progress report considers what has been achieved over the past 12 months,
and sets out what still remains to be done.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[11] La Commission redouble d'efforts pour alléger les charges
administratives pesant sur les petites entreprises
La Commission a soumis aujourd'hui un premier ensemble de propositions de
réduction pure visant alléger les charges administratives superflues
pesant sur les entreprises, en particulier les PME, sans modifier le niveau
de protection. Les trois propositions, qui concernent les entreprises de
transport, les petites boulangeries, boucheries et épiceries ainsi que les
fusions ou les scissions d'entreprises, font partie intégrante d'un
ensemble "d'actions rapides" que la Commission n'a annoncé qu'en janvier
de cette année. L'ensemble total de dix actions permettra aux entreprises
d'économiser €1,3 milliard par an en frais administratifs. Elle
s'inscrit dans une politique plus vaste de la Commission (allégement de
25% des charges administratives pesant sur les entreprises au niveau
européen d'ici 2012), sur laquelle le prochain Conseil européen devra
statuer. Une quatrième action rapide sur les cultures énergétiques a
déj été approuvée le mois dernier et sera adoptée la semaine
prochaine. Dans le cadre de ces trois propositions, la Commission fait
preuve d'une célérité inédite afin de respecter son engagement de
réduire les formalités administratives. Les propositions vont maintenant
être soumises au Parlement européen et au Conseil pour adoption.
Parallèlement, la Commission commencera examiner les charges
administratives et les obligations d'information superflues dans treize
domaines prioritaires tels que l'emploi, la fiscalité, l'agriculture et
les statistiques.
[12] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Dana's Engine Products
Group by Mahle
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of the Engine Products Group division (Dana EPG) of US
based Dana Corporation by the German automotive supplier Mahle GmbH. The
Commission concluded that the concentration would not significantly impede
effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part
of it.
[13] Commission clears acquisition of Rodenstock by Bridgepoint
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of First Optical Holding GmbH
(Rodenstock) of Germany by Bridgepoint Capital Group Limited (Bridgepoint)
of the UK. Bridgepoint is a private investment fund, active in the retail
sale of optical products. Rodenstock develops, produces and sells opthalmic
lenses and frames. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[14] Croissance de l'emploi en Europe : les femmes dopent les chiffres –
mais se heurtent encore aux inégalités
D'après un nouveau rapport de la Commission européenne, trois emplois sur
quatre nouvellement créés dans l'Union européenne sont occupés par
des femmes ; toutefois, d'importants écarts persistent par rapport aux
hommes. Malgré leurs meilleures performances en matière d'éducation, les
femmes restent moins sollicitées par les employeurs – et moins bien
rémunérées que les hommes. Le rapport annuel 2007 sur l'égalité entre
les femmes et les hommes sera présenté aux dirigeants de l'UE lors du
Conseil européen de printemps, les 8 et 9 mars. Il s'agit du premier
rapport depuis que la Commission a lancé sa feuille de route pour
l’égalité des sexes et que les dirigeants européens ont adopté le
pacte européen pour l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes en mars
2006.
[15] Benita Ferrero-Waldner announces substantial increase in financial
assistance to Ukraine
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero Waldner, will announce on the occasion of her
meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko on 8 March, that the Commission
will provide a substantial increase in financial assistance to Ukraine over
the next four years. An amount of €494 million should be available 2007-
2010 to support the reform process and the implementation of the EU-Ukraine
Action Plan. This represents a substantial increase compared to funding
provided in the past. In addition, Ukraine will benefit from increased
lending by the European Investment Bank.
[16] République centrafricaine : la Commission lance un programme d'appui
massif la gouvernance et au désenclavement
Le Commissaire européen au développement et l'aide humanitaire, Louis
Michel, se rendra en Centrafrique du 6 au 8 mars 2007 pour évaluer la
situation sécuritaire, contribuer la stabilisation politique du pays et
obtenir des engagements du gouvernement en matière de gouvernance. Il y
signera deux conventions de financement: la première d'un montant de €55
millions pour un programme global d'appui institutionnel et de
désenclavement, y compris la construction d'un tronçon de la route Bouar-
Garoua Boulai, et la deuxième d'un montant de €13.6 millions pour un
Programme de Réduction des Arriérés Multilatéraux et Internes. Avec ces
deux acions, la Commission devient le premier bailleur de fonds en RCA.
Louis Michel rencontrera le Président centrafricain, le Premier ministre,
des ministres et des représentants de la société civile. Il visitera
également le camp de Kaga Bandoro. La mission de M. Michel s'inscrit dans
le cadre d'un dialogue politique renforcé entre la Commission et la
République centrafricaine, un Etat fragile et enclavé qui est affecté
par l'insécurité et les conséquences régionales de la crise du Darfour.
[17] Commission Football Tournament raises money for deprived children
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and
Neighbourhood Policy, will meet representatives from 14 children's
charities today to hand over money raised during a Commission inter-
departmental football tournament. More than €61,000 was raised during
last year's Schuman Trophy tournament, which was won by the EuropeAid
Cooperation Office, the Commission department which manages European Union
external aid. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner said : "I am very pleased to
meet representatives of the charities that will benefit from the money
raised from the Schuman Trophy. This money will be used to cover basic
needs – food, electricity, education and health – and pedagogical and
psychological support to children not only in Belgium but as far afield as
Burkina Faso, Serbia, Uganda, Bangladesh and Vietnam." The Schuman Trophy
was established 10 years ago as a way of raising money for deprived
children. Since then, more than €300,000 has been raised for good causes
chosen by the Schuman Trophy's organising committee. The money raised at
the 2006 tournament will be shared between 14 charities. They are the
Belgium SOS Villages d'Enfants, Plan Belgique, L'Ecole l'Hôpital et
Domicile, SOS Liban, Peluche, Caria, Le Courant d'Air, Maison Chance, Hôpi
Clown, Ecole Escalpade, Enfance Tiers Monde, Ensemble Pas Pas and CSKS,
and Savet Mesne Zajednice sela Oresac from Serbia. The funds received by
these charities will be assist children all around the world. Photo
opportunity: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will hand over the money to
representatives of the charities today Wednesday 7th March at 15.00 on the
7th Floor of the Berlaymont building. If you are interested in sending a
journalist/ photographer/ camera crew, please contact Non Jones on 02/29 20
900 or email <a href="mailto:non-rhian.jones@ec.europa.eu">non-
rhian.jones@ec.europa.eu.
[18] Charlie McCreevy meets with PCAOB Chairman Mark Olson on EU-US
cooperation on audit regulation
In Washington on 6 March, European Internal Market and Services
Commissioner Charlie McCreevy and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(PCAOB) Chairman Mark Olson agreed to launch roadmap discussions on
cooperation between EU and US auditor public oversight systems. They have
mandated their staff to commence work and will review progress at their
next meeting. The goal is to move towards full reliance on each others'
oversight systems by 2009. Both sides will take stock and review progress
in October 2007.
[19] Danuta Hübner opened "Regions for Economic Change" first annual
conference, in Brussels
European Regional policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner, opened today in
Brussels the conference "Fostering competitiveness through innovative
technologies, products and healthy communities". This is the first of the
annual conferences under the 'Regions for Economic Change' initiative. The
Commissioner, followed by Mr Philippe de Buck, Secretary General of
BusinessEurope welcomed more than 500 conference participants from around
30 countries who will discuss how to best use the new Cohesion policy
investment to create more growth and quality jobs. The conference, which
takes place today and tomorrow, is organised by the Commission in
partnership with the Committee of Regions and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
(PACA region in France). Commission Vice-president Günter Verheugen,
Committee of Regions President Michel Delebarre, and President of the PACA
region Michel Vauzelle, shall also address the conference. The new
"Inforegio" website, a brochure on the conference, and a new publication
explaining the new Cohesion policy 2007-2013 have been launched to coincide
with the opening of the event.
[20] Joe Borg to address representatives of Germany's coastal Länder
European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, will
this afternoon be addressing a conference on Europe's maritime economy,
hosted at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, by political
stakeholders from the north of Germany. The aim of the conference is to use
examples of best practice to highlight the potential of the maritime
economy of the five coastal Länder - Schleswig-Holstein, Bremen, Hamburg,
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Niedersachsen. The conference will also feed the
debate on their future role in the EU when a maritime policy has been put
in place. Mr Borg will welcome the role played by the northern Germany's
Länder which have been a driving force in the movement for an integrated
European maritime policy. Together, they represent a maritime powerhouse,
which is home to more than 10 million citizens. Commissioner Borg will also
take the opportunity to review the Green Paper consultation process, which
is due to culminate with a major stakeholder conference in Bremen on 2-4
May 2007 in which President Barroso and Chancellor Merkel are due to take
part. The Commission published a Green Paper on a future maritime policy
for the Union in June of last year. The public debate on the basis of this
Green Paper will continue until the end of June of 2007. For more
information: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_en.html">http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_en.html.
!Speech embargoed at 2 pm!
[21] Europe's top science communicators honoured
(! embargo 19h00 !) The Descartes Prize for Science Communication is this
year going to five shining examples of how to make science accessible and
understandable. The winners are Dr Sheila Donegan and Eoin Gill for the
Eureka weekly science magazine aimed specifically at children; the
documentary series "Europe, A Natural History" co-produced by ÖRF, BBC and
ZDF; Prof Vittore Silverstrini for his Citt della Scienza (City of
Science) in Naples, a centre which unites an interactive science and
technology museum with a business innovation centre; Dr Odd Askel Bergstad
and other scientists of the MAR-ECO network for their work on involving the
general public in the project's census of marine life; and Wendy Sadler for
her "Science Made Simple" project , which gets teenagers excited about
science. The awards were given at a ceremony in Brussels, attended by the
German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Dr Annette Schavan and
European Science and Research Commissioner, Dr Janez Potočnik. The
ceremony coincides with celebrations of the contribution of research to the
European Union over the last 50 years.
[22] Le prix Descartes pour la recherche - €1 million - partagé par
trois projets européens
(! embargo 19h00 !) Le prix Descartes pour la recherche, qui s'élève
€1 million, a été remis aujourd'hui en partage trois projets de
recherche financés par la Commission européenne, lors d'une cérémonie
qui s'est déroulée Bruxelles. Le système stéréoscopique de haute
énergie est un système téléscopique qui a révolutionné les techniques
d’observation astronomique existantes et accru notre connaissance et
notre compréhension de la voie lactée et de l'univers. Le projet Hydrosol
a élaboré une méthode de production d'hydrogène par dissociation de
l'eau l'aide de l'énergie solaire, qui pourrait conduire une
production écologique d'hydrogène comme source d'énergie. Le troisième
projet récompensé, APOPTOSIS, a fait de grands progrès dans la
compréhension de l'apoptose (mort cellulaire programmée), qui conduiront
de nouveaux développement dans le traitement futur du cancer et du SIDA.
Les prix ont été remis lors d'une cérémonie Bruxelles en présence de
Annette Schavan, ministre fédéral allemand de l'éducation et de la
recherche, et de Janez Potočnik, membre de la Commission chargé de la
science et de la recherche. La cérémonie coïncide avec les
manifestations sur la contribution de la recherche l'UE au cours des
cinquante dernières années.
[23] Autre matériel diffusé
Commission Guidelines on National Regional Aid for 2007-2013, France –
frequently asked questions
Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Innovation at the heart of the new Regional
Policy" at 'Regions for Economic Change' Conference
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "On the road towards convergence and
equivalence – state of play in international accounting" at SEC
Roundtable (06/03, Washington)
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Shifting up a gear – Transatlantic
cooperation in financial services" at US Chamber of Commerce (06/03,
Washington)
Speech by Janez Potočnik : "Honouring Europe's scientific excellence" at
Descartes Prize Ceremony (! embargo 19h00 !)
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