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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-09-06Midday 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 Communicationb06/09/07[01] Commission clears acquisition of HBINT by BayernLBThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International AG (HBINT) of Austria by Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB) of Germany. BayernLB is active in retail banking, corporate and public banking and financial market activities. HBINT is active in retail banking, corporate banking and leasing. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[02] Commission clears acquisition of GAL/CAT by VSIThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Global Automotive Logistics/Compagnie d'Affrètement et de Transport (GAL/CAT) of France by Vehicle Services International A.B. (VSI) of Sweden, a joint venture jointly held by Wallenius Lines (WL) of Sweden) and Argentinian entrepreneur Mr Manuel Antelo. VSI is active in shipping, ship broking, land transportation and commodity trading business, real estate, shares and securities and loan extensions. WL provides inland transportation vehicle logistics and general contract logistics. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[03] Commission clears proposed acquisition of Procter & Gamble's European tissue business by SCA, subject to conditionsThe European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of the European tissue business of the US company Procter & Gamble by Sweden's SCA. Both companies are major suppliers of tissue paper products. The Commission's decision is conditional upon SCA's commitment to divest its "Softis" brand handkerchief/facials business". The Commission has concluded that the transaction, as modified by this commitment, would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.[04] Cohesion policy 2007-2013 : Commission approves the first five programmes for the Polish regionsEuropean Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner Commissioner is today in Krynica (southern Poland) where she will be addressing Economic Forum, the most important meeting place for the economic and political elites of Central and Eastern Europe. On this occasion she will sign five operational programmes (OP) for Polish regions for 2007-2013. These five programmes represent a total amount of €6.7 billion, which is approximately 10% of the total allocation to be invested in Poland under European Cohesion policy 2007-2013.[05] Commission refers study linking certain additives to hyperactivity to EFSAThe European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to evaluate a study carried out for the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), which links certain food colours with increased hyperactivity in children. According to the FSA funded study, the consumption of certain mixes of artificial food colours, together with the preservative sodium benzoate, may have an adverse effect on children's behaviour. Once EFSA provides its opinion on this study, the Commission will decide whether further measures are necessary for the additives in question. Before any additive is permitted for use in the EU, it must be scientifically assessed by EFSA (or previously, the Scientific Committee on Food) and shown to be safe. Moreover, the Commission keeps all additives under continuous observation and reacts swiftly to any new data that emerges. Currently, EFSA is carrying out an extensive re-evaluation of all authorised additives (starting with colours), to ensure that their safety assessment is still valid in light of the latest scientific data and technological developments. All additives must be labelled under EU legislation, both with their class name (i.e. colour/ preservative etc.), and either their E number or their full name. This allows consumers to make informed choices with regard the content of additives in the foods they buy. For more information, see:<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/additives/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/additives/index_en.htm [06] Commission to carry out two month review of toy safety controlsFollowing the decision by Mattel on 5 September to announce a third major recall, European Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Meglena Kuneva confirmed her intention to engage in a 2 month stocktaking exercise, using the case of the toy recalls this summer, to review the strengths and weaknesses of the consumer product safety mechanisms currently in place in Europe. Ms Kuneva has already informed her colleagues in the Commission of her intention to carry out this review in the College meeting of August 29. The Commissioner met with the Chair of the European Parliament Committee for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection this week to discuss the details and to ask the European Parliament to contribute to the review. Commissioner Kuneva will present the results of her visit to China in July as well as her assessment of the events of the summer and the main elements of the toy safety review to the European Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday 12th September at 15.00. As part of the review process, Mattel has met twice in the last 10 days with Commissioner Kuneva's office.[07] Autre matériel diffuséDiscours du Président José Manuel Barroso : "La diversité réconciliée dans une Europe unifiée" à la troisième Assemblée œcuménique européenne (Sibiu, Roumanie)Intervention de M. Leonard Orban à la troisième Assemblée œcuménique européenne (Sibiu, Roumanie) Speech by Franco Frattini : "EU counter-terrorism strategy" at European Parliament (05/09, Strasbourg) Speech by Charlie McCreevy on financial markets and economy (05/09, Strasbourg) Speech by Joaquin Almunia on financial markets and economy (05/09,
Strasbourg)
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 |