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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-11-13Midday 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 Communicationb13/11/07Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Sunny World by OSRAM The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Hong Kong based company Sunny World (HK) Ltd by the German-based company OSRAM. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[01] Migrants in the EU27 sent about €20 billion to third countries in 2006The money sent by migrants to their former country of residence, usually referred to as workers' remittances, from the EU27 Member States amounted to €26 bn in 2006, compared with €23 bn in 2005. These figures include both intra-EU27 and extra-EU27 flows. Flows to other Member States accounted for a much lower share than flows to countries outside the EU27. In 2006, intra-EU27 flows accounted for €7 bn or one quarter of the total, and extra-EU27 flows for €19 bn or three quarters, the same proportions as in 2005. Spain, UK, Italy, Germany and France are the main remitting Member States. These five Member States account for more than 85% of total EU27 remittances. These are the main results of a recent survey of Member States' statistics carried out by Eurostat.[02] Auditors' annual verdict on EU accounts and payments maps the road ahead for the CommissionThe European Commission welcomes the Court of Auditors’ verdict that the accounts present fairly the 2006 financial position of the Communities. With regard to payments, the Commission takes note of the improvements so far and agrees that further steps are necessary to reduce the risk of errors, which the auditors still find to be too high in some important policies.[03] Commissioner Piebalgs calls for intensified international energy cooperationCooperation is the only way to achieve security of energy supply, sustainable economic development and climate protection, said EU energy Commissioner Piebalgs, during the Ministerial Forum at the 20th World Energy Congress in Rome, today. In a discussion with ministers from Italy, Russia, China, Algeria and Qatar, he argued for stronger frameworks to manage growing international interdependence.[04] EU researchers earn less than their counterparts in the US, Australia, Japan and IndiaA study on researchers' salaries carried out for the European Commission shows that the average salary for EU researchers is almost €23000 less than the average in the US, and also below average salaries in Australia, India and Japan. The study also notes the huge variations within the European Research Area (from €9800 in Bulgaria to €46500 in Switzerland) and significant differences between male and female researchers, as much as 35% in some countries. The value given to experience and the different levels of starting salaries also show up great differences across the EU: a UK researcher can expect a significant increase in salary as his or her career progresses - maybe as much as 335% - while a Danish researcher will maybe see a 90% increase.[05] Baisse de 0,7% de la production industrielle dans la zone euroLa production industrielle corrigée des variations saisonnières a baissé de 0,7% dans la zone euro (ZE13) et de 0,5% dans l'UE27 en septembre 2007 par rapport à août 2007. En août, la production avait augmenté de 1,2% dans la zone euro et de 0,9% dans l'UE27. En septembre 2007, par rapport à septembre 2006, la production industrielle a progressé de 3,5% dans la zone euro et de 3,1% dans l’UE27. Ces estimations sont publiées par Eurostat.[06] Commission adopts a major extension of the Natura 2000 networkThe Commission today adopted four decisions that significantly extend the Natura 2000 network in four biogeographical regions. Given the large natural variation in bio-diversity across the EU, the directive divides the Community into different so called bio-geographical regions: Atlantic, Continental, Alpine, Mediterranean, Boreal, Macaronesian and Pannonian. The decisions today concern the adoption of an initial list of Sites of Community Importance in the Pannonian region in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia and the updating of the existing lists in the Atlantic, Boreal and Continental biogeographical regions. Natura 2000 is an EU-wide network of nature protection areas established under the 1992 Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC). It is the centrepiece of EU nature & biodiversity policy.[07] Margot Wallström to Chair Council of Women World Leaders Ministerial InitiativeVice-President Margot Wallström will visit the United States this week to accept the role of Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders Ministerial Initiative - a position held by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright since 2002.The Council of Women World Leaders is a network of 36 current and former prime ministers and presidents which includes Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand. The Council's Ministerial Initiative is dedicated to advancing democracy, gender equality and excellence in governance throughout the world by promoting ministerial level exchanges on global issues. More Information: Council of Women World Leaders: <a href="http://www.womenworldleaders.org/">http://www.womenworldleaders.org/ International Women Leaders Global Security Summit: <a href="http://womenandglobalsecurity.org/index.php">http://womenandglobalsecurity.org/index.php Margot Wallström: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/">http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/wallstrom/ [08] Commission launches Impact Assessment on European 'School Fruit Scheme'Childhood obesity in Europe is growing at an alarming rate. In 2005, 14 million children were categorized as overweight or obese with an estimated 400,000 children entering this category every year. In 2007, the number has risen to 22 million. Increased consumption of fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet and healthy eating habits has been identified to play an important role in combating this phenomenon. In several Member states, school-based enticement schemes for children exist and show remarkable success. The Council has asked the Commission to come forward with a proposal for a European 'School Fruit Scheme' based on an impact assessment of the benefits, practicability and administrative costs involved. Within the scope of this exercise, the Commission is undertaking an extensive consultation process. In order to provide up-to-date information on the progress of this policy initiative and to allow for active contributions by stakeholders and the interested public, a web page has been created at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm[09] Kenya: EU deploys Election Observation MissionFollowing an invitation by the Kenyan authorities, the European Commission is deploying an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) today for the forthcoming general elections scheduled to take place on 27 December 2007. The EU EOM is led by Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, German Member of the European Parliament.[10] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech of Commissioner Kallas : "European Court of Auditors' Report on the 2006 financial year" at StrasbourgSpeech of President Barroso on Commission Legislative and Work Programme 2008 at plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg [11] A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :Goldman Sachs/Sintonia SpA/Sintonia Entremont Alliance /Sodiaal Industrie /Cofranlait
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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