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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-10-18
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Transport du fret en Europe : les nouvelles initiatives de la
Commission pour une meilleure efficacité et durabilité
[02] Commission launches new generation of research projects for greener,
more competitive air transport
[03] Les prélèvements pour dépassement des quotas laitiers s'élèvent
€221 millions.
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy by Jabil
[05] Commission approves creation of joint venture between BAE Systems and
VT Group
[06] Commission threatens Malta with Court action over import monopoly for
petroleum products
[07] La Commission clôt une procédure d’infraction suite la mise en
œuvre intégrale, par la Slovénie, de la directive relative la
transparence financière
[08] Direct taxation : Infringement proceeding against Germany for its
discriminatory rules applied to cross-border loss offset
[09] VAT- Reduced rate on horses : Commission opens second stage of
infringement proceedings against the Netherlands and investigates the
situation in Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy
and Luxembourg
[10] Taxation des produits énergétiques et de l'électricité –
Nouvelle procédure d'infraction contre la France
[11] Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia join EU
competitiveness programme
[12] La Commission lance une nouvelle vague de stratégies de
développement avec 13 États insulaires du Pacifique
[13] Commission stands up for the Millennium Development Goals on
International Poverty Eradication Day
[14] Danuta Hübner attends seminar on the Future of Public Audit in the EU
in Luxembourg
[15] La production dans le secteur de la construction en hausse de 0,4%
dans la zone euro
[16] Euro area external trade surplus € 1.3 billion - € 16.3 billion
deficit for EU27
[17] Internal Market : EU-China Roundtable on Financial Services and
Regulation
[18] Autre matériel diffusé
[19]
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[20]
[21] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-10-18
Reference: MEX/07/1018
Date: 18/10/2007
EXME07 /
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
/ / 07
[01] Transport du fret en Europe : les nouvelles initiatives de la
Commission pour une meilleure efficacité et durabilité
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd’hui une série d'initiatives
qui visent rendre plus efficace et durable le transport de marchandises
dans l’Union. Ce nouveau paquet de mesures regroupe des propositions en
faveur de la logistique, d'un réseau ferroviaire priorité fret et des
ports européens ainsi que deux documents sur l'espace européen de
transport maritime sans barrières et sur les autoroutes de la mer.
L'adoption simultanée de ces différentes mesures est un signal fort qui
démontre les liens étroits entre la logistique et différents modes de
transport. L'objectif commun de ces initiatives est de promouvoir des
technologies et des pratiques innovatrices dans l'infrastructure, de
développer les moyens de transport, d’améliorer la gestion du fret, de
faciliter la construction de chaînes de transport de marchandises, de
simplifier les procédures administratives ainsi que de renforcer la
qualité dans toute la chaîne logistique.
[02] Commission launches new generation of research projects for greener,
more competitive air transport
The European Commission unveiled today the results of the first EU-wide
call for research proposals in aeronautics and air transport under the EU
Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7). The 36 highly innovative
projects selected in that first call should bring important advances into
greener, safer, more secure air transport and improved cost efficiency in
aeronautics – FP7's research priority themes. €217 million is available
for this first batch of projects, out of a total of €2.1 billion for
aeronautics research in the years 2007 to 2013. The projects were selected
following an evaluation by independent experts, and are now subject to
final contract negotiations between the project teams and the European
Commission.
[03] Les prélèvements pour dépassement des quotas laitiers s'élèvent
€221 millions.
Selon un calcul provisoire de la Commission européenne, basé sur les
déclarations annuelles des États membres, le montant des prélèvements
des États membre ayant dépassé leurs quotas de production laitière
s'élèverait €221 millions pour la campagne de commercialisation
2006/2007. L'an dernier, le montant total de ces prélèvements était de
€355 millions. Sept Etats membres (Autriche, Chypre, Danemark, Italie,
Allemagne, Luxembourg et Pays-Bas) ont dépassé le quota qui leur a été
attribué pour les livraisons. Globalement, le dépassement est de 773 728
millions de tonnes, donnant lieu un prélèvement de €220,82 millions
pour les livraisons. Pratiquement 80% de ce total est imputable la
production excédentaire de l'Italie qui a dépassé son quota de 6%.
L'Autriche a dépassé son quota de 3,3%, mais les cinq autres pays qui
font l'objet d'un prélèvement n'ont dépassé le leur que de moins de 1%.
En ce qui concerne les ventes directes aux consommateurs, seuls Chypre et
les Pays-Bas ont signalé des dépassements, représentant 420 tonnes au
total, qui donnent lieu un prélèvement d'un montant de €120.000 sur
les ventes directes.
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy by Jabil
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of two Italian-based
subsidiaries of Nokia Siemens Networks Oy (‘NSN two Italian
subsidiaries’) by Jabil Circuit Inc. (Jabil) of the US. Jabil is active
in the design and manufacture and related services for electronic products
solutions. The NSN two Italian subsidiaries manufacture microwave and radio
base station equipment. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure.
[05] Commission approves creation of joint venture between BAE Systems and
VT Group
The European Commission has authorised under the EU Merger Regulation the
planned creation of a joint venture in naval surface shipbuilding and
related support services between BAE Systems plc and VT Group plc, both of
the UK. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly
impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any
substantial part of it.
[06] Commission threatens Malta with Court action over import monopoly for
petroleum products
The European Commission has decided to refer Malta to the European Court of
Justice if within three months the adjustment of its monopoly for the
importation, storage and wholesale of petroleum products is not completed.
Under the Accession Treaty, Malta was required to adjust its legislation by
31 December 2005, but, despite some progress following the Commission's
reasoned opinion in June of this year, Malta has still not completed the
adjustment process. In particular the process of putting in place an open
and non-discriminatory licensing regime does not yet appear to be complete.
[07] La Commission clôt une procédure d’infraction suite la mise en
œuvre intégrale, par la Slovénie, de la directive relative la
transparence financière
La Commission européenne a décidé de clôre la procédure
d'infraction qu'elle avait engagée l'encontre de la Slovénie (voir see
IP/07/401) pour non-transposition intégrale de la directive de la
Commission relative la transparence des relations financières entre les
Etats membres et les entreprises publiques (Directive 80/723/CEE et les
trois directives qui la modifient 85/413/CEE, 93/84/CEE et 2000/52/CE). La
décision de la Commission fait suite l'adoption par la Slovénie, le 1er
juin 2007, d'une législation donnant intégralement effet la directive
sur la transparence.
[08] Direct taxation : Infringement proceeding against Germany for its
discriminatory rules applied to cross-border loss offset
The European Commission has formally requested Germany to modify its
legislation on cross-border loss deduction which the Commission considers
incompatible with the principle of freedom of establishment and the free
movement of capital in the Single Market. The request takes 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 in order to comply with the reasoned opinion, the
Commission may decide to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
[09] VAT- Reduced rate on horses : Commission opens second stage of
infringement proceedings against the Netherlands and investigates the
situation in Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy
and Luxembourg
The European Commission has formally requested the Netherlands to amend its
legislation with regard to the reduced VAT rate it applies to certain live
animals, and in particular horses. According to the Commission, the rate to
be applied should be the standard rate. The request is in the form of a
reasoned opinion which is the second stage of the infringement proceedings
provided for in Article 226 of the Treaty. If the Netherlands fails to
comply with the reasoned opinion within two months, the Commission may
refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities. At
the same time, the Commission has sent requests for information in the form
of letters of formal notice to seven other Member States inviting them to
submit their observations within two months.
[10] Taxation des produits énergétiques et de l'électricité –
Nouvelle procédure d'infraction contre la France
La Commission européenne a décidé d'ouvrir une nouvelle procédure
d'infraction l'encontre de la France pour non exécution d'un arrêt de
la Cour, concernant la non- transposition par la France de la directive sur
la taxation de l'énergie (2003/96/CE). L'ouverture de cette nouvelle
procédure prend la forme d'une mise en demeure conformément l'article
228 du Traité CE. Après l'envoi d'un nouvel avis motivé, la Commission
pourrait saisir une seconde fois la Cour de justice en proposant cette
dernière l'imposition de sanctions pécuniaires au titre de l'article 228
du traité CE.
[11] Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia join EU
competitiveness programme
Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are the first non
EU/EEA countries to join the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP)
under which the European Commission promotes innovation, entrepreneurship
and growth in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's). Today, European
Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Ms Vera Rafajlovska,
Minister of Economy of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, signed a
Memorandum of Understanding formalising the Republic’s entry to the
Entrepreneurship and Innovation pillar of CIP. A similar agreement was
signed between VP Verheugen and the Croatian Ambassador to the E.U., Mr
Branko Baričevi, on October 1st 2007.
[12] La Commission lance une nouvelle vague de stratégies de
développement avec 13 États insulaires du Pacifique
La Commission européenne a signé aujourd’hui des documents de
stratégie par pays avec 13 Etats insulaires du Pacifique en marge du 38e
forum des îles du Pacifique organisé Tonga. Les Etats du Pacifique sont
les premiers signer les documents de stratégie par pays dans le cadre du
10e Fonds européen de développement, qui leur octroie une enveloppe de
€267 millions pour la période 2008-2013. Trois priorités ont été
fixées : la bonne gouvernance, la gestion durable des ressources
naturelles et la croissance.
[13] Commission stands up for the Millennium Development Goals on
International Poverty Eradication Day
The European Commission has marked International Poverty Eradication Day
with co-sponsored parliamentary debates on the Millennium Development Goals
and a new survey on citizens' attitudes to development aid in the new
Member States.
[14] Danuta Hübner attends seminar on the Future of Public Audit in the EU
in Luxembourg
Danuta Hübner, Europea Commissioner for Regional Policy, was a keynote
speaker at a seminar on the Future of Public Audit in the EU to mark the
30th anniversary of the European Court of Auditors in Luxembourg. In her
speech she said it was the right moment to launch the debate on how to
achieve a better balance in reconciling the need to ensure compliance with
the funding conditions on the one hand and the need to demonstrate the
impact of investment through Cohesion Policy to achieve Lisbon strategy
objectives on the other. "The aim must be for assurance on compliance to be
delivered systematically by national systems, so that the attention of the
external audit – and the public – can be focussed more on the impact
the spending achieves to fulfil the policies adopted for the balanced
development of the Union," she said.
[15] La production dans le secteur de la construction en hausse de 0,4%
dans la zone euro
Dans le secteur de la construction, la production corrigée des variations
saisonnières a augmenté de 0,4% dans la zone euro (ZE13) et de 1,0% dans
l’UE27 en août 2007, par rapport au mois précédent. En juillet, la
production avait baissé de 0,1% dans la zone euro et de 0,3% dans
l’UE27. Par rapport août 2006, la production a enregistré en août
2007 une hausse de 2,8% dans la zone euro et de 4,0% dans l’UE27. En
juillet, la croissance annuelle était de 1,4% dans la zone euro et de 0,0%
dans l’UE27. Ces premières estimations sont diffusées par Eurostat
[16] Euro area external trade surplus € 1.3 billion - € 16.3 billion
deficit for EU27
The first estimate for the euro area (EA13) trade balance with the rest of
the world in August 2007 gave a €1.3 billion surplus, compared with € -
5.2 billion in August 2006. The July 2007 balance was € +5.7 billion,
compared with € +1.1 billion in July 2006. In August 2007 compared with
July 2007, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 4.9% and imports by 2.0%.
The first estimate for August 2007 extra-EU27 trade was a deficit of €
16.3 billion, compared with € -22.2 bilion in August 2006. In July 2007,
the balance was € -13.4 billion, compared with € -13.9 billion in July
2006. In August 2007 compared with July 2007, seasonally adjusted exports
rose by 2.9%, while imports fell by 0.4%. These data are released by
Eurostat.
[17] Internal Market : EU-China Roundtable on Financial Services and
Regulation
The European Commission's Internal Market and Services Directorate General,
together with the People's Bank of China (PBC), is organising the Second EU-
China Roundtable on Financial Services and Regulation on 18 October 2007 in
Brussels. This roundtable brings together key players in regulatory and
supervisory matters and representatives of the EU and Chinese financial
services industry to discuss strategic issues of mutual interest. Internal
Market and Services The focus is on open dialogue both on horizontal issues
and on specific sectors including banking, insurance and securities. The
roundtable will be opened by Commissioner McCreevy and People's Bank of
China Deputy Governor Liu Shiyu. The overall moderator will be the Director
General of DG Internal Market and Services, Mr. Jörgen Holmquist. More
information is available at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/ext-
dimension/dialogues/roundtable_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/ext-
dimension/dialogues/roundtable_en.htm
[18] Autre matériel diffusé
Logistique: des marchandises toujours en mouvement
Speech by Franco Frattini : "The External Dimension of Security, in
particular the fight against terrorism" at Security and Defence Agenda
conference 'Defining a European Security Strategy'
President José Manuel Barroso's opening remarks at pre-European Council
press conference (17/10)
Opening speech by Charlie McCreevy at EU-China Roundtable on Financial
Services and Regulation
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Challenges in implementation and enforcement
of consumer policies in the Internal Market" at Hearing of the European
Parliament on Consumer Policy and the Single Market - ALDE seminar (17/10)
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[21] Autre matériel diffusé
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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