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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-04-25
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 24 avril 2007 -
[01] Commission launches public consultation on draft revised guidelines on
remedies
[02] La Commission lance des consultations sur les règles simplifiées
relatives aux exemptions par catégorie
[03] Commission closes investigation regarding the financing regime for
German public service broadcasters
[04] Commission approves investment aid to Slovak company INA Kysuce and
opens in-depth investigation into aid to Slovak subsidiary of Glunz&Jensen
[05] Commission endorses support for green electricity and for security of
electricity supply in Slovenia
[06] La Commission prend note de la suppression de la garantie illimitée
d'Etat en faveur de la Poste polonaise
[07] Airport infrastructure : financing of Tallinn airport does not fall
under competition rules
[08] La Commission approuve le plan de restructuration de l'entreprise
InterFerryBoats
[09] La Commission approuve des compensations de service public pour des
compagnies maritimes assurant la desserte des ÃŽles Mineures
[10] Maritime transport : Commission authorises an aid scheme for Dutch
shipowners to promote innovation
[11] Commission authorizes the Netherlands to financially support the
extension of the port of Rotterdam
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] The first EU "Common Visa Application Centre" opens in Moldova
[13] Le camion européen de la diversité se met en route
[14] Commission approves proposed acquisition by General Electric of the in
vitro diagnostics business of Abbott Laboratories
[15] Commission clears acquisition of S-Oil by Hanjin and Saudi Aramco
[16] La Commission et la BCE se félicitent de l'adoption par le Parlement
de la Directive sur les services de paiement
[17] Clear vote in the European Parliament granting the Commission
discharge for the 2005 budget year
[18] Reducing Salmonella : Member States back EU targets for broiler
chickens
[19] Joe Borg travels to Denmark
[20] Stavros Dimas at Asia-Europe ministerial meeting on environment (24-
25/04, Copenhagen)
[21] "Share experience and learn together", Danuta Hübner tells urban land
conference in Stuttgart
[22] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-04-25
Reference: MEX/07/0425
Date: 25/04/2007
EXME07 / 25.4
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
25/04/07
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 24 avril 2007 -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 24 April 2007
[01] Commission launches public consultation on draft revised guidelines on
remedies
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on draft
guidelines that clarify the Commission's policy with regard to "remedies"
in merger control. "Remedies" are modifications to a merger proposed by the
parties to the transaction with a view to eliminating competition concerns
identified by the Commission in its merger control inquiry. The new draft
Remedies Notice would adapt the current guidelines (dating from 2001) in
the light of an extensive study undertaken by the Commission into the
implementation and effectiveness of remedies (see IP/05/1327), recent
judgements of the European Courts and the new Merger Regulation (139/2004
–see MEMO/04/9), in force since 2004. The new Remedies Notice is due to
be adopted definitively by the Commission later in 2007, taking into
account the results of the consultations just launched.
[02] La Commission lance des consultations sur les règles simplifiées
relatives aux exemptions par catégorie
La Commission européenne organise des consultations sur le nouveau projet
de règles visant à exempter davantage de filiales de l'obligation de
notification inscrite dans les règles sur les aides d'Etat figurant dans
le traité CE. Le nouveau règlement d'exemption par catégorie
simplifierait et consoliderait dans un texte unique les cinq exemptions par
catégorie existantes et qui concernent les aides en faveur des PME, les
aides à la recherche et au développement en faveur des PME, les aides Ã
l'emploi, les aides à la formation et les aides régionales. Le nouveau
règlement étendrait également l'exemption par catégorie à trois
nouveaux types d'aides: les aides pour la protection de l'environnement,
les aides sous forme de capital investissement et les aides à la recherche
et au développement en faveur des grandes entreprises. Les filiales
répondant aux conditions énoncées dans le nouveau règlement seraient
jugées compatibles avec les règles relatives aux aides d'Etat et ne
devraient pas être notifiées au préalable à la Commission. Les parties
intéressées sont invitées à présenter leurs commentaires d'ici le 3
juin 2007. Au terme d'un second cycle de consultations, la Commission
entend adopter la version finale du règlement avant l'été 2008. Cette
initiative s'inscrit dans le plan d'action dans le domaine des aides d'Etat,
qui vise à simplifier les règles en la matière et à affiner l'analyse
économique des subventions (voir IP/05/680 et MEMO/05/195).
[03] Commission closes investigation regarding the financing regime for
German public service broadcasters
The European Commission has decided to formally close an investigation
under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime for German public
service broadcasters in the light of formal commitments from the German
Government to amend the current regime. The Commission's decision accepts
these commitments, submitted in December 2006, as an adequate means to
ensure compliance with general EU Treaty state aid rules and the 2001
Commission Communication on the application of state aid rules to public
service broadcasting. The amendments announced include a more precise
definition and a proper entrustment of the public service mission in
particular as regards new media activities, adequate safeguards against
overcompensation and cross-subsidisation, the respect of market principles
in commercial activities and more transparency as regards the sublicensing
of sports rights. The Commission's investigation, opened in March 2005, was
prompted by complaints.
[04] Commission approves investment aid to Slovak company INA Kysuce and
opens in-depth investigation into aid to Slovak subsidiary of Glunz&Jensen
The European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty’s state aid
rules investment aid in the form of tax relief worth €30 million for INA
Kysuce for the extension of an existing plant producing ball bearings in
Kysucké Nové Mesto, Central Slovakia. The total costs of the new
investment amount to approximately €140 million. At the same time, the
Commission has decided to open an investigation into €1.15 million of
public funding for an investment project by Glunz&Jensen in Prešov,
Eastern Slovakia because it has doubts as to its compatibility with the EC
Treaty state aid rules. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives
interested parties the possibility to comment on the proposed measures. It
does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.
[05] Commission endorses support for green electricity and for security of
electricity supply in Slovenia
The European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty's state aid
rules, the Slovenian 'feed-in' tariffs for so-called 'green' electricity
from renewable sources and efficient combined heat and power installations,
as well as for security of electricity supply. This decision closes an in-
depth enquiry that the Commission launched on 2 February 2005 (see
IP/05/126). It retroactively authorises support measures contained in the
Slovenian Electricity Act. As all measures fulfil in particular the
Community guidelines for state aid for environmental protection, the
Commission considers that the aid will not distort competition in the
Single Market.
[06] La Commission prend note de la suppression de la garantie illimitée
d'Etat en faveur de la Poste polonaise
La Commission européenne a officiellement pris note de l'accord de la
Pologne de mettre fin, le 30 juin 2008, à la garantie illimitée d'Etat
dont bénéficie actuellement la Poste polonaise (Poczta Polska). Dans le
cadre du contrôle de la compatibilité des régimes d'aides d'Etat avec
les règles du traité CE en la matière, la Commission a procédé Ã
l'examen de la garantie en vertu de laquelle l'Etat est responsable des
passifs de Poczta Polska. Le fait que la garantie porte sur une durée et
un montant illimités et qu'elle couvre tout le passif de Poczta Polska
permet à cette dernière d'obtenir un financement à des conditions plus
favorables, ce qui lui confère un avantage sur ses concurrents et fausse
ainsi la concurrence dans le marché unique.
[07] Airport infrastructure : financing of Tallinn airport does not fall
under competition rules
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to two
investment projects by Airport of Tallinn Ltd. The investments are geared
at rehabilitating the Tallinn airport airside area, upgrading the Tallinn
airport passenger terminal and constructing a phyto-sanitary and veterinary
border inspection point.
[08] La Commission approuve le plan de restructuration de l'entreprise
InterFerryBoats
La Commission européenne a décidé d'approuver l'aide de €95,3 millions
à verser à l'entreprise InterFerryBoats, active dans le transbordement de
fret et dans la logistique. Cette décision se fonde sur un plan de
restructuration prévoyant une réduction de capacités de la société
InterFerryBoats, avec une concentration sur son core business.
[09] La Commission approuve des compensations de service public pour des
compagnies maritimes assurant la desserte des ÃŽles Mineures
La Commission européenne a approuvé les subventions que la région
Sicile envisage de donner à deux compagnies maritimes pour l'accomplissement
de liaisons de service public entre la Sicile et les Iles Mineures. Une
aide de €1,25 million est accordée à la compagnie Uscita Lines et une
aide de €0,25 million à la compagnie Navigazione Generale Italiana. Les
deux compagnies sont titulaires des contrats de service public pour les
lignes maritimes entre la Sicile et les ÃŽles Mineures.
[10] Maritime transport : Commission authorises an aid scheme for Dutch
shipowners to promote innovation
The European Commission has decided to authorise a state aid scheme
promoting innovation in maritime transport in the Netherlands. The aid
scheme is designed to help shipowners to meet the challenges of the new
maritime and environmental safety requirements.
[11] Commission authorizes the Netherlands to financially support the
extension of the port of Rotterdam
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the
contribution of the Dutch State to the Rotterdam Mainport Development
Project. The project is designed to extend the existing port, which covers
10,500 hectares and is a major contributor to the national and regional
economy. By responding to the growing demand for dock and port areas, the
project will solve the future space shortage in the harbour of Rotterdam.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[12] The first EU "Common Visa Application Centre" opens in Moldova
The first "Common Visa Application Centre" in the history of the European
Union visa policy has been officially inaugurated today in the presence of
Vice-President Franco Frattini, Commissioner responsible for Freedom,
Justice and Security, in Chisinau, Moldova. This Common Centre will
facilitate in a very tangible way the issuance of visas for Moldovan
citizens. Vice-President Frattini also initialled today, with the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, the agreements for readmission and visa
facilitation between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova.
[13] Le camion européen de la diversité se met en route
Le camion européen de la diversité quittera aujourd'hui le siège du
Parlement européen à Strasbourg pour entamer sa tournée dans toute
l'Europe. Sa tournée de promotion de la diversité et de l'égalité des
chances pour tous l'emmènera dans 19 pays et lui fera parcourir plus de 18
000 km. Présente dans des centres-villes, des universités, des salons de
l'emploi et des festivals publics, la plate-forme mobile d'information
renseignera les citoyens sur leurs droits à l'égalité de traitement et
assurera la promotion de l'Année européenne de l'égalité des chances
pour tous 2007.
[14] Commission approves proposed acquisition by General Electric of the in
vitro diagnostics business of Abbott Laboratories
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of Abbott Laboratories' in vitro diagnostics business
(Abbott Diagnostics) by General Electric Company (GE) of the US. US based
Abbott Diagnostics is one of the world's leading suppliers of in vitro
diagnostic (IVD) products to the healthcare profession. GE is also active
in the healthcare sector. After careful examination, the Commission
concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective
competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
[15] Commission clears acquisition of S-Oil by Hanjin and Saudi Aramco
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of S-Oil Corporation (S-Oil)
of South Korea by Hanjin Energy Co Ltd (Hanjin) of South Korea, controlled
by Korean Airlines Co Ltd and belonging to the Hanjin Group, and Aramco
Overseas Company B.V., controlled by Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia. Hanjin
Group is active in air transport, shipping and airport services. Saudi
Aramco is active in the production and marketing of crude oil and refined
products. S-Oil produces and markets refined products primarily outside the
EU. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure.
[16] La Commission et la BCE se félicitent de l'adoption par le Parlement
de la Directive sur les services de paiement
Le 24 avril, le Parlement européen a adopté la proposition de Directive
sur les services de paiement (ci-après "la Directive"), pour laquelle le
Conseil Ecofin avait préalablement approuvé une orientation générale
lors de sa réunion du 27 mars 2007. La Directive doit à présent être
transmise au Conseil de l'UE en vue de son adoption définitive. Il
conviendra alors que les Etats membres transposent la Directive dans leur
législation nationale aussi rapidement que possible, en tous les cas avant
le 1er novembre 2009 au plus tard.
[17] Clear vote in the European Parliament granting the Commission
discharge for the 2005 budget year
With an overwhelming majority (567 votes in favour), the European
Parliament yesterday granted the European Commission discharge for the
implementation of the 2005 general budget and closed the 2005 accounts.
Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas welcomed the positive vote of the
Parliament and its strong support for the Commission's efforts and
achievements in modernising and fine-tuning its budgetary practice.
[18] Reducing Salmonella : Member States back EU targets for broiler
chickens
A European Commission proposal aimed at reducing the prevalence of
Salmonella in chickens kept for meat production (broilers) has been
endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. The
draft Regulation lays down an EU wide target for the reduction of
Salmonella in broilers, which in turn should lead to less Salmonella
contamination of poultry meat. In line with the proposal, Member States
will have to reduce the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks to 1% or
less by 2011. Working towards this target will help operators to ensure
that their products are not banned from being sold in the EU in the future.
Under the Zoonoses legislation, from 2010, only meat in which Salmonella
has been proved absent in 25g tested will be allowed to be marketed in the
EU. Failure to meet this criterion will result in the meat being blocked or
removed from the market. The proposal also stipulates that Member States
will have to carry out checks on the progress being made in meeting the set
threshold. The Regulation will now be formally adopted by the Commission,
and will apply as from 1 July 2007. Member States must submit details of
their national control plans for Salmonella in broilers to the Commission
within 6 months of the Regulation being published. For more information,
see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/salmonella/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/salmonella/index_en.htm.
[19] Joe Borg travels to Denmark
European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, arrives
tomorrow morning in Copenhagen for a two-day visit to Denmark. The first
day will be devoted to discussing a maritime policy for Europe with the
Danish authorities and maritime stakeholders. On Friday, Mr Borg,
accompanied by Denmark's Fisheries Minister, Hans Christian Schmidt, will
be in the fishing port of Ebeltoft, where he will meet industry
representatives and address the Annual General Meeting of the Danish
Fishermen's Association.
[20] Stavros Dimas at Asia-Europe ministerial meeting on environment (24-
25/04, Copenhagen)
European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will take part in the Asia-
Europe ministerial meeting on the environment in Copenhagen on 24 and 25
April. The meeting will focus on climate change, sustainable use of energy
and the links between climate change and loss of biodiversity and
deforestation. In his speech Commissioner Dimas will present the EU climate
and energy strategy and underline the need for negotiations to be launched
this year on a strong international agreement to combat climate change
after 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol targets expire. The meeting is expected
to result in a final declaration or statement on the key issues discussed.
The ministerial is the third held under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
framework, which was launched in 1996 and now comprises the EU-25, the
European Commission, the ten ASEAN countries, and China, Japan and South
Korea. Bulgaria and Romania, as well as India, Mongolia and Pakistan, will
join next year. The EU sees ASEM as a useful forum for promoting dialogue
and cooperation between the two regions on environmental issues.
[21] "Share experience and learn together", Danuta Hübner tells urban land
conference in Stuttgart
European Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner addressed today the
2nd International Conference on Managing Urban Land, held in Stuttgart,
Germany. The Commissioner highlighted the role of cities in Cohesion Policy
and how networking could bring better results to urban development in the
European Union. Danuta Hübner asked the participants to work together and
share experience to attract more new jobs and investment and eventually to
improve the quality of life in a sustainable urban environment. Over three
hundred participants from twenty-two countries take part in the conference
while speakers include Stuttgart Lord Mayor, Wolfgang Schuster, and Baden-
Württemberg Economic Affairs Minister, Ernst Pfister.
[22] Autre matériel diffusé
Commission closes investigation regarding the financing regime for German
public service broadcasters - frequently asked questions
Commission launches consultations on simplified rules for block exemptions
– frequently asked questions
Opening of a "Common Visa Application Centre" in Moldova
Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Promoting urban development in cohesion policy
in 2007-2013" at 2nd International Conference on managing urban land
(Stuttgart)
Speech by Leonard Orban at the Bundestag (Berlin)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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