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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-06-05Midday 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 Communicationb05/06/07[01] EU-Japan Summit – 5 June 2007The 16th Summit between the European Union (EU) and Japan will be held in Berlin on 5 June 2007. Alongside European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU will be represented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. Discussions will cover political and economic aspects of the EU-Japan relationship, global issues, in particular climate change and energy, WTO and Doha Development Round, and Intellectual Property Rights and innovation. Leaders will also discuss a range of key international issues covering East Asian regional cooperation, including North Korea and China, relations with Russia, Afghanistan, and Iran.[02] Facilitation des échanges et sécurité : paraphe de l'accord de coopération douanière avec le gouvernement japonaisLa Commission européenne se félicite du paraphe de l'accord de coopération douanière entre la Communauté européenne et le gouvernement japonais, intervenu aujourd'hui Berlin en marge du sommet UE-Japon. Cet accord vise simplifier et harmoniser les procédures douanières pour les opérateurs fiables, ainsi qu' fournir les moyens nécessaires la lutte contre la fraude douanière et l'échange d'informations sur les questions d'assistance mutuelle. Il s'inscrit dans le cadre de la politique extérieure de l'Union européenne consistant promouvoir la coopération internationale en matière douanière avec ses principaux partenaires commerciaux. La Communauté a déj conclu des accords de ce type avec les Etats-Unis, le Canada, la Corée, Hong Kong, la Chine et l'Inde. La Communauté européenne et le Japon ont tous deux convenu de prendre les mesures nécessaires en vue d'une signature officielle de l'accord dans les mois venir.[03] Günter Verheugen : "Securing raw material supply for EU industries"The European industry is facing increasing challenges in ensuring access to raw materials, which are essential for manufacturing. As a result of rising global demand, prices for many metals have reached record levels and Europe's capacity to provide raw materials is limited. Many metallic minerals are either geologically not available within the EU or only in relatively small volumes compared with global production, e.g. copper (5%), iron ore (2%), nickel (1.7%), and zinc (8.5%). A working paper from the services of the European Commission, published today, gives a comprehensive picture of the current situation of EU industry's access to raw materials which is affected by the unprecedented demand for minerals mainly as a result of the rapid industrialization of emerging countries, such as Brazil, China and India. The global dimension of this problem is being increasingly recognized. Access to raw materials is on the agenda of the forthcoming G8 Summit on 6-8 June. On that occasion a Declaration on "Responsibility for raw materials: transparency and sustainable growth" is expected to be adopted, which will address the key priorities for a sustainable and transparent approach to this question. In addition the Competitiveness Council meeting on 21 May has invited the Commission to develop a coherent political approach to the issues arising.[04] Cars call 112 – and two more Member States will answerToday, two more Member States of the European Union signed the eCall Memorandum of Understanding that has been initiated by the European Commission. With their signature at a German Presidency eSafety conference in Berlin, Austria and Germany commit themselves to actively support the timely implementation of eCall, the automatic notification system for road accidents that could save 2,500 lives annually when fully deployed in Europe. This brings to 9 the number of EU Member States that have committed themselves to eCall. Switzerland, Norway and Iceland have also signed.[05] Andris Piebalgs se réjouit de l'initiative des fabricants d'ampoules d'éliminer progressivement les dispositifs d'éclairage peu performantsAndris Piebalgs, Commissaire européen l'Energie, a salué aujourd'hui l'initiative lancée par les fabricants d'ampoules et visant éliminer progressivement les ampoules les moins performantes du marché européen d'ici 2015. "Je me félicite de cet engagement, qui constitue une contribution très positive de l'industrie l'objectif fixé par le Conseil européen en mars, savoir bien s'éclairer sans gaspiller d'énergie. La décision de l'industrie montre que l'efficacité énergétique est un moyen de lutter contre le changement climatique et de diminuer notre dépendance énergétique, et que c'est également un bon créneau commercial", a déclaré M. Piebalgs.[06] Eurobarometer on Galileo : Europeans support EU setting up its own navigation systemAccording to a recent Eurobarometer opinion survey, Europeans are highly positive about the Galileo programme, which aims to develop Europe's own satellite-based navigation system. The survey indicates that most of EU citizens are aware of the role global positioning systems play in their everyday lives, know about possible applications and are firmly behind the development of such new technologies. Furthermore, an overwhelming majority consider that Europe should set up an independent navigation system even if this involves securing additional public funds.[07] La Commission et la BEI créent un nouvel instrument pour financer la recherche et l'innovationLa Commission européenne et la Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI) signent aujourd'hui un accord de coopération qui crée un nouveau mécanisme de financement du partage des risques (MFPR) pour soutenir la recherche et l'innovation en Europe. Ce nouvel instrument permettra de mettre davantage de fonds la disposition des responsables de projets de recherche et d'innovation; en effet, ceux-ci sont souvent confrontés des difficultés plus grandes pour accéder aux financements que les responsables des secteurs d'activités traditionnels, en raison du niveau relativement élevé d'incertitude et de risque inhérent leur activité. Le MFPR, qui relève du 7ème programme-cadre communautaire de recherche (PC7) et du programme de la BEI pour la recherche et l'innovation, couvrira en partie les risques financiers supportés par la BEI lorsqu'elle finance ce type d'activité. L'UE et la BEI apportent chacune une contribution d'un milliard d'euros, qui permettra de débloquer des financements supplémentaires se chiffrant en milliards dans ce domaine.[08] Commission approves proposed acquisition of First Choice by TUI, subject to conditionsThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of First Choice, a UK travel services company, by TUI, parent of the German TUI group, active in tourism and shipping services. The Commission's decision is conditional upon the divestiture by TUI of its Irish business operating under the 'Budget Travel' brand. In light of this commitment, 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 First Data by KKRThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of First Data Corporation (First Data) of the US by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR), also of the US. KKR is a private equity firm. First Data is active in electronic commerce and payments solutions. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[10] Comptes bancaires : recommandations du groupe d'experts en vue d'améliorer la mobilité de la clientèleLa Commission européenne a publié aujourd'hui le rapport du groupe d'experts sur la mobilité de la clientèle en matière de comptes bancaires, qui a été institué en mai 2006 afin de recenser les obstacles que les clients rencontrent pour transférer leur compte d'une banque une autre, au niveau tant national que communautaire, ou pour ouvrir un compte bancaire dans un autre Etat membre, et de fournir la Commission des avis sur la façon de remédier ces obstacles (voir IP/06/619). Ce rapport aidera la Commission définir sa politique concernant la mobilité de la clientèle en matière de comptes bancaires. Il s'agit également d'une contribution importante aux efforts déployés par la Commission afin d'améliorer pour les consommateurs les services financiers de détails, comme cela a été indiqué dans un récent livre vert (IP/07/596). La Commission invite toutes les parties intéressées lui faire part de leurs observations sur ce rapport le 1er septembre 2007 au plus tard.[11] Danuta Hübner heads for Zagreb to hold talks with Croatian leadersEuropean Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner is visiting Croatia today to discuss preparations for the opening of accession negotiations on regional policy, as well as progress in setting up management and control systems for pre-accession financial assistance.[12] Mexican President Calderón visits the European CommissionMexican President Felipe de Jesús Calderón, on the occasion of his European tour, will pay a visit to the EU Institutions in Brussels on 6th June 2007. Commissioners Benita Ferrero-Waldner (External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy), Mariann Fischer Boel (Agriculture and Rural Development), Peter Mandelson (Trade), Janez Potočnik (Science and research) and Vladimir pidla (Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities) will offer a working lunch to President Calderón, who is accompanied by Mexican Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Patricia Espinosa Cantellano, and of Economy, Eduardo Sojo Garza-Aldape. During the lunch discussions will focus on the EU-Mexico bilateral relations and the progress achieved in the last 3 years, notably through the implementation of the Association Agreement, and on strengthening co-operation and coordination in international fora on issues such as climate change, human rights and social cohesion. On 8th June 2007, President Calderon will meet the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, in Heiligendamm (Germany) in the context of the G8+5 meeting.[13] Volume of retail trade up by 1.6% in euro area - up by 2.7% in EU27In April 2007, compared with April 2006, the volume of retail trade grew by 1.6% in the euro area (EA13) and by 2.7% in the EU27. Compared with March 2007, the retail sales index rose by 0.2% in the euro area and remained unchanged in the EU27. In April 2007, compared with April 2006, "retail trade of food, drinks and tobacco" increased by 0.7% in the euro area and by 1.2% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 2.3% and by 4.0% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in fifteen Member States, and fell in Belgium (-3.7%) and Portugal (-2.4%). The largest increases were observed in Latvia (+23.3%), Estonia (+13.5%), Lithuania (+13.0%) and Poland (+10.4%). These first estimates come from Eurostat.[14] Autre matériel diffuséMécanisme de financement avec partage des risques (MFPR) – questions et réponsesNote on the Energy Council Statement by European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas on the occasion of UN World Environment Day, 5 June Discours de M. Vladimir pidla : "Les Services Sociaux et de Santé d'intérêt général. Une stratégie Européenne ?" au Résidence Palace (!embargo 13h00!) Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Croatia's path towards EU" at Conference 'EU Regional Policy – from the pre-accession programmes to cohesion policy' (Zagreb) Speech by Neelie Kroes : "European Competition Policy in a changing world and globalised economy: fundamentals, new objectives and challenges ahead" at GCLC/College of Europe Conference on '50 years of EC Competition Law' (! embargo 12h15 !) Speech by Peter Mandelson : "The Business case for Europe" (London) Speech by Jacques Barrot : "Intelligent Transport System in Europe - eSafety as a means of improving safety and efficiency in road transport " at the 'e-safety Conference' (Berlin) Speech by Olli Rehn : "Why Turkey and the EU need each other: co-operating on energy and other strategic issues" at Conference on 'Turkey and the EU Together for a European Energy Policy' (Istanbul) Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "EU and Turkey: Together for a European Energy
Policy" at the conference 'Turkey and the EU' (Istanbul)
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 |
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