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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-11-19Midday 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 Communicationb19/11/07Commission proposes new options to reinforce development of micro-credit in Europe Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner today presented an initiative which seeks to improve access to finance for small businesses and for socially excluded people, also ethnic minorities, who want to become self- employed. This initiative, in line with the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, aims to make small loans, or micro-credit, more widely available in Europe to satisfy unmet demand.[01] Commission clears acquisition of SAS by OEP and SchoellerThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Schoeller Arca Systems Holding BV (SAS) of The Netherlands by One Equity Partners II, L.P. (OEP) of the USA, belonging to the JPMorgan Chase group, and Schoeller Holding GmbH (Schoeller) of Germany. OEP is a private equity fund. Schoeller provides packaging, logistics and process-technological systems. SAS is active in the manufacture, distribution and marketing of transport packaging products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[02] Celebrating 1000 ways to promote equal opportunities for allLisbon, Portugal: The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All concludes today with a major event to celebrate the achievements of the year so far and look to the challenges still ahead. With over 1,000 different activities across 30 countries, the campaign has raised people's awareness of their rights to a life free of discrimination, helped build a new dialogue between different actors on promoting equality, and highlighted the benefits of diversity for society as a whole. It will be followed up in 2008 by a new European Commission initiative to tackle discrimination beyond the workplace, while the best ideas generated over the Year will be taken up by the new PROGRESS programme.[03] Commission: ICCAT's welcome decisions confirm its commitment to bluefin tuna recovery plan[04] Commission discusses with business on more investment in language skillsIn Lisbon on Monday 19th November the European Commission will continue its discussion with leading European businessmen about investment in language skills and intercultural competence of employees. Commissioner Leonard Orban will inaugurate the "Business Forum", consisting of business leaders and managers of human resources, which will focus on the partnership between business, education and public authorities as well as other stakeholders to enhance language learning in favour of the economy.The Forum, chaired by Viscount Etienne Davignon, Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Brussels Airlines, was launched at the September Brussels Conference on linguistic skills and competitiveness. It brings together a group of top European managers who will identify how companies can make operational use of language management as part of their efforts to maximise their economic performance. [05] Statement by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on the elections in Kosovo"I welcome that the elections in Kosovo were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner and largely in accordance with international standards, as reported by the preliminary assessment of the observation mission of the Council of Europe.I congratulate those responsible for the organisation of the elections for this result. I regret that Kosovo Serbs have boycotted the elections and I call on them to take a constructive role in Kosovo's future. I now call on the elected politicians to work smoothly for the rapid formation of the new government. We urge the democratically elected authorities to work constructively for a sustainable status settlement as well as to facilitate progress on European integration." [06] Construction output stable in the euro areaIn the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production remained stable in the euro area (EA13) and rose by 0.1% in the EU27 in September 2007, compared with the previous month. In August, production increased by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27.Compared with September 2006, output in September 2007 gained 1.5% in the euro area and 2.5% in the EU27. In August the annual growth was 2.6% in the euro area and 3.6% in the EU27. These first estimates are released by Eurostat.[07] Oil pollution in the Black Sea – European Commission respondsThe European Commission has responded to a request for assistance from Ukraine through its Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), which is the office responsible for civil protection and marine pollution actions. Ukraine requires expertise to assist its own authorities in evaluating the environmental impact of the oil pollution in the Kerch Strait.[08] Climate change: IPCC report highlights urgent need for negotiations on global emission cutsEuropean Union Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas welcomed as 'vital reading for decision-makers' the synthesis report published on Saturday by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The synthesis report summarises the key conclusions of the IPCC's latest scientific assessment of climate change, the Fourth Assessment Report, which was released in three parts earlier this year.[09] Measuring progress, wealth and the well-being of nationsMeasuring progress, true wealth and the well-being of nations are the topics that will be discussed at a high-level conference on 19-20 November organised by the Commission in partnership with the European Parliament, the OECD, the Club of Rome and WWF. The aim of the conference is to move towards a better appreciation of what progress, wealth and well-being actually are, decide how they should be measured, and highlight the benefits of integrating them into decision-making. The Beyond GDP conference will be opened by the President of the Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso on the first day and the Persident of the European Parliament, Hans- Gert Pöttering, on the second day.[10] European Commission announces fast-track aid for cyclone victims in BangladeshThe European Commission has released €1.5 million in fast-track aid to to help the most vulnerable people affected by Cyclone Sidr which struck Bangladesh yesterday evening. The category 4 cyclone hit coastal regions with winds up to 240km/h causing wide-spread devestation and loss of life. Early reports already put the death-toll in the hundreds with hundreds of thousands of people displaced.Expressing his sympathy with the victims, Louis Michel, the European Commissioner responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid said: "This is a major tragedy with hundreds already known to have died and hundreds of thousands suffering from this disaster. Homes, crops and livelihoods have been destroyed and people need help quickly. The fast-track funding that we are deploying will focus on meeting basic humanitarian needs in the stricken area." [11] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by Commissioner Piebalgs - Turkmenistan and the EU: Why we needan increased co-operation in the Energy Field Speech by Commissioner Kroes on Assessment of and perspectives for competition policy in Europe Memo: High Level Expert Group on Administrative Burdens chaired by Mr Stoiber launched Memo: Why Europe needs a Strategic Energy Technology Plan Memo: Celebrating 1000 ways to promote equal opportunities for all Memo: Questions and Answers on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) [12] A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : 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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