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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-10-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/10/07[01] La Commission propose d'équiper les nouvelles voitures de systèmes d'assistance au freinage afin de diminuer le nombre de piétons tuésPour réduire le nombre d'accidents mortels sur les routes européennes, la Commission européenne propose qu'à partir de 2009, les voitures particulières soient obligatoirement équipées de systèmes d'assistance au freinage. Si la totalité du parc automobile européen était ainsi équipé, jusqu’à 1.100 piétons pourraient avoir la vie sauve chaque année. Pas moins de 8.000 usagers vulnérables de la route – piétons et cyclistes – sont tués chaque année sur les routes de l'UE. Un système d'assistance au freinage peut réduire considérablement la distance d'arrêt d'un véhicule en situation d'urgence, de sorte que la collision avec un piéton peut être évitée ou, à tout le moins, se produire à une vitesse nettement moins élevée. La proposition de la Commission fait partie d'un paquet plus large de mesures visant à la protection des piétons.[02] Starting up a new enterprise quicker and cheaperThe average cost for setting up a new company in the EU 15 has fallen to €554 in 2007 compared to €813 in 2002 and coping with the administrative procedures to register a company was reduced from 24 days in 2002 to about 12 days today. As they are also the biggest providers of new jobs in the EU, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have become truly central to policy-making in the EU. This is the main conclusion of the European Commission's mid-term review on SME policy, published today. It takes stock of the progress achieved since 2005 in five main areas of the Commission's SME policy: cutting red tape, improving access to markets, promoting entrepreneurship and skills, improving growth potential and strengthening dialogue with stakeholders. The SME dimension is more and more integrated in EU initiatives and legislation. The Commission also adopted today a communication on the stigma of business failures, proposing action to prevent bankruptcy and to promote a fresh start for non- fraudulent bankrupts. Furthermore an action plan has been launched to help small companies to integrate environmental concerns into their production processes and products, in particular through a better compliance with legislation (see IP/07/1457).[03] La Commission va aider les petites et moyennes entreprises à devenir plus écologiquesUne Communication récemment publiée par la Commission européenne a pour objectif d'aider les petites et moyennes entreprises à utiliser efficacement l'énergie et les ressources. La Communication définit un cadre juridique ainsi que des mesures qui renforcent les politiques et les initiatives actuelles en tenant compte des caractéristiques spécifiques des entreprises de taille limitée. A cette fin, la communication propose de créer un programme visant à aider les petites et moyennes entreprises à appliquer la législation européenne en matière d'environnement. Le programme canalisera les ressources financières vers les réseaux de soutien, simplifiera l'accès aux systèmes de gestion de l'environnement et encouragera une plus grande sensibilisation de ces entreprises aux questions environnementales.[04] More than half of young Europeans keen to start their own businessAccording to the latest Flash Eurobarometer on entrepreneurial mindset the EU is still lagging behind the US, but over half of the EU's young people find it desirable to become entrepreneurs within the next five years. The aim of the survey is to have a better understanding of entrepreneurship, to identify what is fuelling entrepreneurial mindsets, what encourages people to become entrepreneurs and which obstacles exist. The results of the 2007 survey will help the Commission in the shaping of its policy-making (see end of this file: Promoting entrepreneurship at all levels).[05] Célébration des dix ans de stratégie européenne pour l'emploi : des objectifs communs pour des emplois plus nombreux et de meilleure qualitéLe principal instrument politique de l'Union européenne pour créer des emplois de meilleure qualité pour tous fête aujourd'hui son dixième anniversaire : la stratégie européenne pour l'emploi (SEE), qui fixe des priorités et des objectifs communs au niveau européen, assure la coordination des politiques de l'emploi dans toute l'UE, a contribué à faire évoluer le taux d’emploi dans l'UE de 60,7% à 64,3% depuis 1997 et à réduire le taux de chômage à long terme de 5% à 3,6%. Cet anniversaire sera marqué par une conférence de grande envergure organisée par la Commission européenne et la Présidence portugaise de l'Union, dans le prolongement de la conférence très concluante du mois dernier sur le thème de la flexicurité.[06] Commission clears acquisition of Perlos by Lite-OnThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Perlos Corporation (Perlos) of Finland by Lite-On Technologies Corporation (Lite-On) of Taiwan. Lite-On supplies computer, communications and consumer electronics devices. Perlos designs and manufactures mechanical parts for mobile phones. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears acquisition of Swets by GildeThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Koninklijke Swets & Zeitlinger Holding N.V. (Swets) of The Netherlands by Gilde Buy Out Management Holding B.V. (Gilde), also of The Netherlands. Gilde is a private equity investor. Swets provides subscription services to publishers and subscribers. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Magirus EID by AvnetThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Magirus EID, the Infrastructure business of the German Magirus Group, by Avnet Inc of the US. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.[09] Commission welcomes outcome of Inter-Governmental Conference legal advisors groupFollowing the publication of the draft Reform Treaty text by the Portuguese Presidency on 5 October, European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso said, "I welcome the positive outcome to the work of the legal advisors group on the Reform Treaty. The draft Reform Treaty issued today turns the political agreement reached in June into a legal text that represents a balanced solution with further progress on a number of outstanding issues. Whilst it is clear that the Commission would have welcomed even more far reaching solutions in some areas, the work of the group has correctly reflected the consensus amongst the 27 Member States, which is an unprecedented achievement. The benchmarks set out by the Commission have been met. The Reform Treaty will provide the Union with the capacity to act in the interest of its citizens through more coherence externally, more efficient decision-making and more democratic accountability. Work will now move back to the political level. I am confident that political agreement can be reached on the remaining open issues at the Lisbon informal European Council on 18-19 October and I call on all Member States to make this happen. I congratulate the Portuguese Presidency on the work already achieved, and I will continue to give my full support to their efforts on this issue". Vice-President Margot Wallström, responsible for institutional relations and communication strategy added that, "More than ever, our key task in the coming months will be to communicate the results of these negotiations. This will be a common duty of the Member States and European Institutions. I am committed to facilitate public understanding and debate about the new Treaty".The Treaty text is available on the following Council website: <a href="http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1317&lang=fr&mode=g">http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1317&lang=fr&mode=g [10] Norway increases EU's security of gas suppliesEuropean Energy Commissioner Piebalgs welcomed on 6 October the inauguration of the Norwegian Ormen Lange gas field, which will bring new gas supply to Easingtone, UK. At full production, Ormen Lange is expected to meet 20 percent of the UK's gas requirements for 30 - 40 years.[11] Consultation publique sur l'Espace européen de la recherche : des objectifs ambitieuxPlus de 800 contributions ont été envoyées, d'Europe et d'ailleurs, par des universités, des institutions de recherche, des entreprises, des organisations non gouvernementales et des particuliers dans le cadre d'une consultation publique sur l'avenir de l'Espace européen de la recherche. Bien que l'analyse minutieuse de ces réponses soit toujours en cours, une tendance claire se dégage : le concept d'Espace européen de la recherche (EER) et ses priorités, tels que décrits par la Commission dans son Livre vert, bénéficient d'un large soutien (voir IP/07/469). Les réponses contiennent également des idées sur la manière de renforcer et d'étendre l'EER. La consultation se poursuivra par une conférence à haut niveau à Lisbonne, du 8 au 10 octobre. La Commission espère présenter des propositions dans des domaines spécifiques en 2008.[12] A greener future for fossil fuels : 3rd Fossil Fuels Forum launches debate in BerlinThe third annual meeting of the Fossil Fuels Forum that starts today, will focus on solutions for fossil fuels with respect to the fight against climate change, security of supply and the external dimension of the EU energy policy. The event will bring together representatives of energy companies, Member States and candidate countries, the European Commission and other interested stakeholders.[13] Autre matériel diffuséPreparation of Eurogroup and Economic and Finance Ministers Council, Luxembourg 8 and 9 OctoberPromoting second chances for entrepreneurs Discours de M. Vladimir Špidla : "Dix ans de stratégie européenne pour l'emploi" à la Conférence de la Présidence portugaise sur la Stratégie européenne de l'emploi (Lisbonne) Speech by Neelie Kroes : "The Law and Economics of State aid control – a Commission Perspective" at Joint EStALI/ESMT Conference, 'The Law and Economics of European State Aid Control' (! embargo 17h30 !) Speech by Markos Kyprianou : "Addressing the Challenges of Cross-Boarder Health Care" at 10th Health Forum on 'Health Services' (05/10, Gastein) Speech by Margot Wallström : "Communicating Europea in Partnership" at
ECAS conference "Is the EU really listening to citizens?" (03/10)
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 |