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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-04-11
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Black Sea Synergy – bringing the region closer to the EU
[02] EU puts emphasis on innovation in the field of biotechnology
[03] .eu one year on: over 2.5 million have taken up a European address on
the web
[04] Danuta Hübner attends the Commission on Growth and Development in New
York on 10th and 11th April
[05] La Conférence européenne traitera de l’importance capitale des
petites entreprises pour la croissance et l’emploi dans l’UE
[06] New EU/Ivory Coast fisheries partnership agreement
[07] New social rules for road transport: time for enforcement
[08] Commission market tests commitments proposed by Distrigas concerning
its long-term gas sales contracts in Belgium
[09] Commission clears acquisition of EPC by Deutsche Post, Metro and GS1
[10] Commission clears acquisition of ArvinMeritor ETB by OEP
[11] Rédiffusion
[12] Mergers: Commission refers proposed acquisition of Ahold Polska by
Carrefour to Polish Competition Authority
[13] Autre matériel diffusé
[14] .eu one year on: Over 2.5 million have chosen a European identity on
the web
Midday Express of 2007-04-11
Reference: MEX/07/0411
Date: 11/04/2007
EXME06 / 11.4
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
11/04/06
[01] Black Sea Synergy – bringing the region closer to the EU
The Commission has today put forward a new co-operation initiative of the
European Union for the Black Sea region under the framework of the European
Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). The “Black Sea Synergy” aims at developing
co-operation within the Black Sea region itself and between the region and
the EU and thus implements the Commission's December proposal to add a
regional dimension to the ENP. With bilateral EU policies addressing
countries of the region set out in the ENP, the pre-accession process with
Turkey as well as the Strategic Partnership with Russia, “Black Sea
Synergy” will be complementary to the EU’s already substantial efforts
to promote stability and reforms in the countries around the Black Sea.
This initiative completes the “chain” of regional cooperation
frameworks in the EU’s neighbourhood, adding to the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership and the Northern Dimension.
[02] EU puts emphasis on innovation in the field of biotechnology
The European Commission wants to put a special focus on innovation,
research, market development and the debate with society on ethical issues
in the field of biotechnology. In a mid-term review of the Strategy on Life
Sciences and Biotechnology 2002 – 2010, presented today by President
Barroso and Commissioners Verheugen and Potocnik, a refocus of actions has
been proposed to promote a competitive and sustainable European knowledge
based Bio-Economy. Competitiveness can be ensured by the promotion of
research and market development, innovation programmes, societal debates,
sustainable development of agriculture and better implementation of
legislation. Life sciences and biotechnology offer the prospects of new and
renewable bio resources, lower energy and water consumption, reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions and reduced dependence on petroleum. They also
play a growing role in the discovery and development of new medicines,
advanced therapies, diagnostics and vaccines. Biotechnology as a scientific
technique has existed for more than 5000 years. It was first used in
foodstuffs, such as bread, cheese, wine and beer. Modern applications of
biotechnology include the production of enzymes, used in very practical day
to day products like washing powder, or the creation of bio-plastics, which
degrade considerably quicker than conventional plastics, thereby reducing
waste. Biotechnology is also used to develop new life-saving medicines and
medical devices. New applications are being developed all the time and
Europe should be at the forefront of these developments.
[03] .eu one year on: over 2.5 million have taken up a European address on
the web
On 7 April, Europe's internet domain .eu celebrates its first year of being
open to the public. Over 2.5 million domain names have been registered.
This enormous number of active users makes .eu Europe's third most popular
top level domain (TLD) and seventh most popular worldwide. With a 17%
increase of registrations over the past five months, .eu is also one of the
fastest growing TLD names on the web.
[04] Danuta Hübner attends the Commission on Growth and Development in New
York on 10th and 11th April
Commissioner Hübner was in New York for the third meeting of the
Commission on Growth and Development on 10th and 11th April. This group,
launched in April 2006 by Paul Wolfowitz, under the auspices of the World
Bank, and chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Michael Spence, is working
over a two year period to deepen the understanding of economic growth for
development and poverty reduction. It aims to highlight policy actions
which are most likely to improve developing countries' growth experiences.
Commissioner Hübner is one of the 21 practitioners from government,
business and policy making who are members of the Commission on Growth and
Development.
[05] La Conférence européenne traitera de l’importance capitale des
petites entreprises pour la croissance et l’emploi dans l’UE
La 4e Conférence européenne sur l’artisanat et les petites entreprises,
qui se tiendra sous l’égide de la Commission européenne les 16 et 17
avril Stuttgart (Allemagne), traitera principalement de l’importance
cruciale de ces entreprises. L’artisanat et les petites entreprises sont
le moteur des collectivités locales et la source la plus prometteuse de
nouveaux emplois, d’innovation, de dynamisme économique et d’une plus
grande inclusion sociale pour l’Union européenne. Aujourd’hui, les
entreprises occupant moins de 10 personnes génèrent plus de 20 % de la
valeur ajoutée européenne et offrent un emploi quelque 50 millions de
citoyens dans l’Union. La conférence s’intéressera aux moyens
permettant de continuer promouvoir et renforcer le rôle essentiel des
entreprises artisanales et des petites entreprises, qui sont les moteurs de
l’économie, de sorte qu’elles puissent saisir l’opportunité de
l’innovation, pour laquelle il est indispensable de disposer de
compétences appropriées, de meilleures normes et d’un accès plus
facile aux garanties et prêts bancaires pour créer ou développer une
activité. Parmi les orateurs présents cette conférence, citons Angela
Merkel, Chancelière allemande et Présidente du Conseil de l’UE, Günter
Verheugen, Vice président de la Commission, Michael Glos, ministre
allemand de l’Économie et de la Technologie et Günther H. Oettinger,
Ministre-président du Land de Bade-Wurtemberg.
[06] New EU/Ivory Coast fisheries partnership agreement
The European Commission, on behalf of the Union, and the Ivory Coast
initialled a new fisheries partnership agreement in Abidjan, last week (5
April). This new agreement, which will cover a renewable 6-year period,
will replace the current framework agreement in place since 1990, due to
end on 30 June 2007. In line with the philosophy of partnership agreements,
the focus will be on providing full support to the Ivory Coast in working
towards achieving sustainable fishing in its waters. The new protocol, also
agreed for a period of 6 years, will exclusively concern fishing
possibilities on tuna. These have been reduced from 9,000 to 7,000 tonnes
per year. Licences have been agreed for 25 seiners and 15 surface long
liners. The annual financial contribution, which will amount to € 595,000,
will be entirely allocated to the establishment of responsible and
sustainable fishing in the waters of Ivory Coast.
[07] New social rules for road transport: time for enforcement
Today, new social rules for professional road transport entered into force.
The new legislation will bring practices of the different Member States
closer together. It will also contribute to the improvement of road safety,
fair competition and drivers' working conditions by introducing obligatory
rest of at least 45 consecutive hours every two weeks and longer rest
period each day.
[08] Commission market tests commitments proposed by Distrigas concerning
its long-term gas sales contracts in Belgium
The Commission has published in the Official Journal a notice to market
test commitments designed to meet its concerns raised in its statement of
objections of May 2006 for prohibition on abuse of dominant position under
Article 82 EC (see MEMO/06/197). The concerns are that the Belgian gas
supply market could be foreclosed due to Distrigas' long-term downstream
gas supply agreements with industrial consumers and electricity generators.
The notice summarises commitments proposed by Distrigas and requests
comments from interested parties within one month.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of EPC by Deutsche Post, Metro and GS1
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of European EPC Competence
Center GmbH (EPC) of Germany by Deutsche Post AG (DP), Metro AG (Metro) and
GS1 Germany GmbH (GS1), all of Germany. DP is active in postal services,
logistics and financial services. Metro operates various supermarkets
chains mainly in Germany. GS1 develops concepts for the optimisation of
traffic as regards data and goods using radio frequency identification
transponders (RFID) technology. EPC operates a test centre for the
validation of transponders provided with goods. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[10] Commission clears acquisition of ArvinMeritor ETB by OEP
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of the Emissions Technologies
Business of ArvinMeritor, Inc. (ArvinMeritor ETB) of the US by One Equity
Partners II, L.P. (OEP) of the US, controlled by JP Morgan Chase & Co
(JPMC). OEP is a private equity company. ArvinMeritor ETB supplies exhaust
systems and components for light and commercial vehicles. The operation was
examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[11] Rédiffusion
[12] Mergers: Commission refers proposed acquisition of Ahold Polska by
Carrefour to Polish Competition Authority
Following a request of the Polish Competition Authority under the EU merger
Regulation (ECMR), the European Commission has decided to refer the
competence to assess the impact of the acquisition of Ahold Polska of
Poland by Carrefour of France to the Polish Competition Authority. The
Commission has decided to refer the case in its entirety as it considers
the proposed concentration would only affect competition in Poland.
[13] Autre matériel diffusé
[14] .eu one year on: Over 2.5 million have chosen a European identity on
the web
Life sciences and biotechnology – a key sector for Europe's
competitiveness and sustainability
Antitrust: Commission confirms sending Statement of Objections to alleged
participants in cartel for transport of bulk liquids by sea
The EU Regulation to Reduce Mobile Roaming Charges by 70% – Final round
of Committee voting in the European Parliament
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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