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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-01-14Midday 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 Communicationb14/01/08[01] European Commission promotes exchanges between industry and academiaResearchers gathered in Brussels today to learn more about an FP7 Marie Curie scheme providing €400 million between now and 2013 for staff exchanges between businesses and universities. The "Marie Curie Industry- Academia Partnerships and Pathways" scheme is particularly designed to involve small businesses, which make up the bulk of European companies, as it opens doors to using research results that can help them develop. The conference will showcase past successes of such industry/academia partnerships, examine the barriers that currently exist to such movement between public and private sectors and offer workshops to help participants design top quality research partnerships and make the most of any future contract under the scheme.[02] The European Commission awards funding to new civil protection simulation exercises and projectsThe European Commission has awarded grants worth €4.07 million to projects and large-scale pan-European simulation exercises proposed under the recently adopted Civil Protection Financial Instrument. The exercises will involve earthquake and flooding simulations, and will be led by organisations from five European countries. An information day is being organised on 14 January in Brussels for the 2008 call for proposals, for projects and exercises to take place in 2009.[03] The Cypriot and Maltese changeover are almost completeThe active phase of the euro changeover is now nearly finished in Cyprus and Malta. Thanks to intensive and systematic preparations and to the active and enthusiastic participation of citizens, the euro has been introduced quickly but smoothly into the daily life of the Cypriot and Maltese populations and the former currencies have now nearly vanished from wallets. Drawing the lessons of the 2002, 2007 and 2008 changeovers, the Commission has adopted a new recommendation on the organisation of future euro changeovers.[04] Commission proposes measures to encourage safe novel foods in the EUThe European Commission has today adopted a proposal to revise the Novel Foods Regulation with a view to improving the access of new and innovative foods to the EU market, while still maintaining a high level of consumer protection. Under the draft Regulation, novel foods would be subject to a simpler and more efficient authorisation procedure, which should enable safe, innovative foods to reach the EU market faster. Moreover, special provisions are made for foods which have not been traditionally sold in the EU but which have a safe history of use in third countries, in order to create a more proportionate system and positive environment for trade. The proposal also sets out certain data protection rules, which aim to protect newly developed foodstuffs once authorised, and encourage companies to invest in developing new types of foods and food production techniques.[05] Deux condamnations dans l’affaire du beurre frelatéLe tribunal correctionnel de Créteil (France) a condamné des peines de prison avec sursis les responsables d'une société laitière reconnus coupables de vente de denrées fabriquées avec du beurre frelaté. Les prévenus devront également rembourser plus de 23 millions d'euros. L’arrêt est le résultat d’une enquête internationale dans laquelle l'Office européen de lutte antifraude (OLAF) a collaboré activement en apportant son support des enquêtes nationales en France, Italie, Belgique et Allemagne. Ces enquêtes visaient détecter et poursuivre des actes criminels liés la fabrication et la distribution du beurre frelaté sur le marché européen, portant ainsi atteinte au budget communautaire. L’arrêt du tribunal de Créteil n’est pas définitif ayant fait l’objet d’un appel; il y a donc lieu de rappeler l’existence du principe de présomption d’innocence.[06] Commissioner Piebalgs will give a speech today in Bern at the Second Swiss Electricity Conference. The suject will be the EU's energy strategy and energy security of supply. In the margins of the conference, he will meet Swiss Federal Councillor for Energy Moritz Leuenberger.In his speech, the Commissioner will highlight the range of energy initiatives currently being proposed by the Commission to meet the EU's energy challenges on climate change and security of supply. These include the recent Third Internal Market Package on liberalisation, and the forthcoming Directive ensuring that 20% of the EU's energy needs will be met from renewable sources by 2020. Commissioner Piebalgs will also visit a hydro power plant. The meeting with Federal Councillor Leuenberger will provide the opportunity for an informal exchange of views, including on the recently started negotiations between Switzerland and the EU about Swiss participation in the European internal market for electricity.[07] Commission clears acquisition of Shell French Refineries by PetroplusThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of the Petit Couronne and Reichstett Refineries of Shell Sociéte des Pétroles Shell SAS (Shell French Refineries) of France by Petroplus Marketing AG (Petroplus) controlled by Petroplus Holdings AG of Switzerland. Petroplus Holdings is active in the refining, storing, marketing and international trading of crude oil and other petroleum products. Shell French Refineries is active in the refinery of crude oil and wholesale marketing of fuels. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Industrial production down by 0.5% in euro areaIn November 2007 compared with October 2007, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.3% in the EU27. In October production grew by 0.5% in both zones. In November 2007 compared with November 2006, industrial production rose by 2.7% in the euro area and by 2.6% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat.Rediffusion [09] Mergers: Commission clears proposed joint venture for payment card services between First Data Corporation and Allied Irish BanksThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed creation of a joint venture between First Data Corporation of the US and Allied Irish Banks. The joint venture will provide services relating to the use and acceptance of payment cards, primarily in Ireland but also in other EU member states. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.[10] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Consumer Affairs: European Parliament to vote on Consumer Credit Directive (Wednesday 16th January 2008)• Memo on Questions and Answers on Novel Foods • Memo on Operational Programme "fisheries" for Greece 2007-2013 [Ε . Α. 2007-2013] co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund • Speech by President Barroso " A day For Celebration and Congratulation" • Speech by Commissioner Potočnik on Industry and Academia: Partners in European Research • Speech by Commissioner Kroes on Europe's Payment systems after the MasterCard decision - EMBARGO 16h45 - 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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