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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-07-03
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] The Hague Programme : scoreboard shows for 2006 both good progress and
unacceptable delays in area of freedom, security and justice, and underpins
the need to end EU-Pillar structure in this area
[02] La recherche européenne identifie les gènes associés la perte
d'acuité auditive et visuelle
[03] EU holds first Summit with Brazil
[04] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de GFI par Fujitsu
[05] Commission clears acquisition of Chrysler by Cerberus
[06] La croissance dans la zone euro demeure soutenue
[07] Industrial producer prices up by 0.3% in euro area - Up by 0.2% in
EU27
[08] Le chômage en baisse 7,0% dans la zone euro et l'UE27
[09] Car taxation : Commission takes Finland to the Court of Justice
[10] Droits d'accise : la Commission engage des procédures d'infraction
l'encontre de l'Italie et du Portugal
[11] VAT : Commission launches infringement proceedings against the United
Kingdom and France
[12] TVA : la Commission ouvre des procédures d'infraction contre la
Pologne et le Portugal
[13] Olli Rehn welcomes Miroslav Lajcak as the High Representative in
Bosnia and Herzegovina
[14] Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomes the peaceful development of the
Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste
[15] EU-China economic and financial dialogue
[16] Commission gathers key international players to discuss sustainable
development of biofuels
[17] La Commission organise une audition publique sur la mise en œuvre de
la stratégie de réduction des émissions de CO² des voitures
[18] National Energy Efficiency Action Plans, now available in the internet
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-07-03
Reference: MEX/07/0703
Date: 03/07/2007
EXME07 / 3.7
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
03/07/07
[01] The Hague Programme : scoreboard shows for 2006 both good progress and
unacceptable delays in area of freedom, security and justice, and underpins
the need to end EU-Pillar structure in this area
Today, the European Commission adopted the second annual report on the
implementation of the Hague Programme on achievements in Justice, Freedom
and Security policies. The findings support the need for the
Intergovernmental conference to end the uncertainty over the European
Union's Treaty reform. The report ('The Scoreboard') covers 2006 and the
overall assessment is mixed. Progress was not consistent in all policy
areas and transposition of instruments by Member States is not
satisfactory.
[02] La recherche européenne identifie les gènes associés la perte
d'acuité auditive et visuelle
Une séance d'information est organisée aujourd'hui Paris pour
présenter la presse les résultats de deux projets de recherche visant
comprendre les mécanismes moléculaires en jeu dans les déficiences
auditives ou visuelles et rechercher des possibilités de traitement de
ces handicaps. Jusqu' présent, les deux projets ont permis d'identifier
plusieurs nouveaux gènes, ainsi que les mutations conduisant la cécité
ou la surdité, et exploiteront ces connaissances pour mettre au point
d'éventuelles thérapies. Les projets ont été confiés aux plus grands
consortiums multinationaux financés jusqu' présent par l'UE dans le
domaine de la perte d'acuité auditive ou visuelle, avec un financement
total de 22,5 millions d'euros et des partenaires provenant de 16 pays
différents. Ils ont largement bénéficié de la participation active des
personnes souffrant de handicaps auditifs et visuels, ainsi que de leurs
familles.
[03] EU holds first Summit with Brazil
The EU, represented by the President of the European Commission José
Manuel Durao Barroso and Portuguese Prime Minister José Socrates, and
Brazil, represented by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will meet in
their first ever Summit in Lisbon on 4 July 2007 to launch Strategic
Partnership. The Summit will be for the EU the occasion to engage with
Brazil in a broader dialogue on global, regional and bilateral issues of
common strategic interest and to discuss how to build up the Strategic
Partnership, on the basis of the Commission’s proposal of 30 May 2007.
Commissioners for External Relations and European Neighborhood Policy
Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Trade Peter Mandelson, the Secretary General of
the Council Javier Solana, Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs Luis
Filipe Marques Amado and Brazilian Minister for Foreign Affairs Celso Luiz
Amorim will also participate.
[04] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de GFI par Fujitsu
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement
Concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de l'entreprise française GFI
Informatique par l'entreprise française FS Participation SAS, contrôlée
par Fujitsu Limited du Japon. Fujitsu fabrique et vend des produits
informatiques, des dispositifs électroniques, des produits de
télécommunication et fournit des services informatiques. GFI fournit des
services informatiques, principalement en France. Il ressort de l'enquête
menée par la Commission que l'opération envisagée n'entravera pas de
manière significative la concurrence dans le marché commun. Cette affaire
a été traitée selon la procédure simplifiée.
[05] Commission clears acquisition of Chrysler by Cerberus
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of DaimlerChrysler Holding
LLC (Chrysler) of the US by CG Investor LLC (CG Investor), controlled by
the Cerberus Group (Cerberus) of the US. Cerberus is active worldwide in
property investment. Chrysler is active in the manufacture and sale of cars
and also provides car financing services in the US, Mexico and Canada. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[06] La croissance dans la zone euro demeure soutenue
Selon le rapport trimestriel sur la zone euro publié ce jour, la zone euro
a bien commencé l'année 2007. Durant le premier trimestre, la croissance
économique a atteint 3% sur une base annuelle, grâce la demande
intérieure tirée notamment par l'investissement. La consommation s'est
légèrement tassée, mais elle devrait redémarrer rapidement, car la
confiance des consommateurs atteint un niveau record. La progression des
exportations s'est ralentie, mais cette tendance reflète principalement
des effets statistiques et peut-être une dégradation du contexte
international plutôt que l'appréciation de l'euro. Le rapport montre
notamment que l'intégration financière entraîne des effets positifs pour
la croissance économique et qu'elle est également importante pour le bon
fonctionnement de l'UEM. Par conséquent, les pays de la zone euro ont
encore plus gagner de l'intégration financière que les autres Etats
membres de l'UE.
[07] Industrial producer prices up by 0.3% in euro area - Up by 0.2% in
EU27
In May 2007 compared with April 2007, the industrial producer price index
rose by 0.3% in the euro area (EA13), and by 0.2% in the EU27. In April
prices increased by 0.4% in the euro area and by 0.1% in the EU27. In May
2007 compared with May 2006, industrial producer prices gained 2.3% in the
euro area and 2.1% in the EU27. These figures come from Eurostat.
[08] Le chômage en baisse 7,0% dans la zone euro et l'UE27
Dans la zone euro (ZE13), le taux de chômage corrigé des variations
saisonnières, s'est établi 7,0% en mai 2007, contre 7,1% en avril. Il
était de 7,9% en mai 2006. Dans l'UE27, le taux de chômage s'est élevé
également 7,0% en mai 2007, contre 7,1% en avril. Il était de 8,0% en
mai 2006. En mai 2007, les taux les plus bas ont été enregistrés aux
Pays-Bas (3,2%), au Danemark (3,3%), en Irlande (4,1%) ainsi qu' Chypre (4,
2%). Les taux de chômage les plus élevés ont été
observés en Slovaquie (10,8%) et en Pologne (10,5%). Ces chiffres sont
publiés par Eurostat.
[09] Car taxation : Commission takes Finland to the Court of Justice
The European Commission has decided to refer a case concerning Finland to
the Court of Justice. The case concerns the lack of an explicit rule
establishing that a person who will only be staying in Finland for a
limited time should be exempt from registration tax for his or her vehicle.
[10] Droits d'accise : la Commission engage des procédures d'infraction
l'encontre de l'Italie et du Portugal
La Commission européenne a demandé officiellement l'Italie de modifier
sa législation qui impose un traitement discriminatoire aux huiles
lubrifiantes régénérées originaires d'autres Etats membres. Elle a
également demandé formellement au Portugal de modifier certaines
dispositions anti-fraude de sa législation sur la circulation et la
détention de marchandises soumises accises, jugées disproportionnées
au regard du but poursuivi. Les demandes revêtent toutes deux la forme
d'un avis motivé (la deuxième étape de la procédure d'infraction
prévue par l'article 226 du traité CE). Si les législations nationales
considérées ne sont pas modifiées dans le sens souhaité dans les deux
mois compter de l'envoi desdits avis, la Commission peut saisir la Cour
de justice européenne.
[11] VAT : Commission launches infringement proceedings against the United
Kingdom and France
The European Commission has formally requested the United Kingdom to amend
its legislation concerning the refund of VAT borne by taxable persons not
established in the EU. It has also requested France to modify its
legislation concerning the VAT rates applied to transactions performed by
undertakers. The requests take the form of a reasoned opinion (second step
of the infringement procedure provided for in Article 226 of the EC
Treaty). If the relevant national legislations are not amended within two
months in order to comply with the respective reasoned opinions, the
Commission may decide to refer these matters to the European Court of
Justice.
[12] TVA : la Commission ouvre des procédures d'infraction contre la
Pologne et le Portugal
La Commission européenne a officiellement demandé la Pologne et au
Portugal de modifier leur législation en ce qui concerne l'inclusion du
montant de la taxe d'immatriculation des véhicules automobiles dans la
base d'imposition de la TVA, dans le cas de la livraison de véhicules
routiers. La Commission considère que la taxe d'immatriculation ne doit
pas être incluse dans la base d'imposition de la TVA. Ces demandes sont
formulées sous la forme d'un avis motivé, deuxième étape de la
procédure d'infraction prévue par l'article 226 du traité CE. Si les
législations nationales correspondantes ne sont pas modifiées afin de se
conformer aux avis motivés respectifs, la Commission pourra décider de
saisir la Cour de justice européenne.
[13] Olli Rehn welcomes Miroslav Lajcak as the High Representative in
Bosnia and Herzegovina
European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn stated on 2 July : "I
welcome the arrival of Mr Lajcak as the new High Representative and EU
Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission strongly
supports his priorities to stabilise the political climate and to restart
the reforms to allow the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association
Agreement, which must be the immediate priority for the authorities in the
country. The police reform and the cooperation with the ICTY are the key
issues at stake. Advancing these important reforms is essential for Bosnia
and Herzegovina to progress and keep pace with its neighbours on the
European road. I encourage the leaders and the authorities in Bosnia and
Herzegovina to work closely with Mr Lajcak. Political and economic progress
can only be made through cooperation and compromise. I express my gratitude
to the outgoing High Representative/EUSR, Mr Schwarz-Schilling for his
dedication and efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past 18 months."
[14] Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomes the peaceful development of the
Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero–Waldner was satisfied with the peaceful
development of the Parliamentary elections in Timor-Leste and stated on 2
July : "According to the first preliminary statement by our Election
Observation Mission, headed by MEP Javier Pomés, these elections, as the
previous presidential elections in April and May this year, were held
peacefully with a high turnout and were reasonably well-administered by the
national authorities despite the challenging environment. The Timorese
democracy will be strengthened by these two elections: the Timorese people
have sent a strong message that they want to choose their future peacefully
and democratically."
[15] EU-China economic and financial dialogue
European Union and Chinese senior officials will meet on Wednesday 4 July,
in Brussels, for their 3rd EU-China Economic and Financial Dialogue.
European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquin Almunia,
will open the Dialogue. Discussions will focus on macroeconomic, fiscal and
monetary policies, financial sector reforms, regulation of financial
services and government procurement. This annual event aims at
strengthening mutual understanding between the parties on economic and
financial issues, and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The
Chinese delegation will be headed by Vice-Minister Zhu Zhigang and includes
representatives from the Chinese ministries of finance, foreign affairs and
commerce as well as the China Banking Regulatory Commission, China
Securities Regulatory Commission and China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Jorgen Holmquist and Klaus Regling, Directors-General for respectively
Internal Market and Services and for Economic and Financial Affairs will
chair the EU side.
[16] Commission gathers key international players to discuss sustainable
development of biofuels
On 5 and 6 July, the European Commission will bring together some of the
most influential figures in the biofuel sector to debate the benefits and
challenges of bio-fuels production and use. Hosted by External Relations
and European Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the
two-day conference will include key contributions from the Commission
President, José Manuel Barroso, Brazil's President, Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva, and Portuguese Prime Minister, José Sócrates. European
Commissioners Andris Piebalgs, Peter Mandelson, Louis Michel and Stavros
Dimas, and Ministers from the EU and all over the world will also
participate, as well as business representatives and academics,
representatives of NGOs and other groups to discuss how to develop an
international approach to biofuel production, use and trade. Debates will
be addressing five key issues : policies to support biofuels; development
of international trade in biofuels, environmental risks and benefits of
production and use, biofuels and developing countries and research
activities in biofuels.
[17] La Commission organise une audition publique sur la mise en œuvre de
la stratégie de réduction des émissions de CO² des voitures
Le 11 juillet 2007, la Commission européenne tiendra une audition publique
sur la mise en œuvre de sa nouvelle stratégie de réduction des
émissions de dioxyde de carbone (CO²) provenant des voitures et
camionnettes neuves vendues dans l'Union européenne. La nouvelle
stratégie, proposée en février 2007, vise atteindre l'objectif fixé
par l'UE de ramener 120 g/km d'ici 2012 la valeur moyenne des
émissions de dioxyde de carbone provenant des voitures neuves, au moyen
d'une approche intégrée. L'audition a pour objectif de recueillir les
points de vue et les idées de toutes les parties prenantes sur les
différentes possibilités envisageables pour concevoir les divers volets
législatifs de l'approche intégrée.
[18] National Energy Efficiency Action Plans, now available in the internet
As the national Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs) continue to arrive
to the European Commission (last to come was UK's), the Commission has
decided to create a web site in which all stakeholders involved in Energy
Efficiency can consult the initiatives proposed in the different action
plans. The Commission expects this site to become an interchanger of new
ideas and best practices across Europe. NEEAPs are an important element in
the improving dialogue on energy efficiency that has been established
between the Commission and the Member States on how to realise the
considerable potential for savings that we know exists. Member States
submission of National Energy Efficiency Actions Plans is a requirement
laid down in 2006's Energy End-use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive
(Directive 2006/32/EC).
See <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/end_use_en.htm#efficiency">http://ec.europa.eu/energy/demand/legislation/end_use_en.htm#efficiency
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Building an area of freedom, security and justice
Speech by President José Manuel Barroso : "The courage to dream, the
determination to act: a new partnership for Europe and Africa" at the
African Union Summit (Accra, ! embargo 16h00 !)
Speech by Janez Potočnik : "How the European Research Council underscores
the Framework Programme's central focus on excellence" at ERC public event
Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "Farming's role in mitigating climate
change" at Conference on 'Adapting to Climate Change - launching of the
Green paper' (! embargo 13h30 !)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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