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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-02-13Midday 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 Communicationb13/02/08[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 13 février 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 13 February 2008[02] Commission assesses convergence programmes of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia and LatviaHaving examined its updated convergence programme, the European Commission finds that Bulgaria's budgetary stance is sound. The programme proposes an upward revision of the medium-term objective (MTO) from a balanced budget to a surplus of 1½% of GDP, which will be comfortably met throughout the programme period. To safeguard macro-economic stability in a context of rising external imbalances and high inflation, continued tight fiscal policies will be required. While the Czech programme is consistent with a correction of the excessive deficit in 2008, the good starting position in 2007 should be used to achieve this by a wider margin, and to accelerate fiscal consolidation afterwards. For Latvia, the risks to the budgetary targets are high owing to large macroeconomic uncertainty and past slippages from expenditure plans. A considerably tighter fiscal stance is urgently needed to meet the programme's aims in a context of large economic imbalances and excessive demand pressure. Estonia's programme plausibly aims to maintain a sound budgetary position throughout the period with continued surpluses above the MTO. However, macroeconomic imbalances that have accumulated in the economy are expected to moderate only gradually.[03] Commission assesses stability programmes of Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and SloveniaToday the European Commission examined the stability programmes of Austria, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia. In 2007 both Cyprus and Slovenia reached the medium-term objective (MTO) for their public finances: a balanced budget in Cyprus’s case and a deficit of 1% of GDP in structural terms in Slovenia’s. The two countries should also be able to maintain sound budgetary positions throughout their programme periods. Malta envisages continued progress towards its MTO of a balanced budget. While there is also some progress towards a balanced budget in Austria, the planned consolidation is slower and relatively back-loaded. Taking into account the risks to the budgetary projections of both countries, the achievement of their MTOs by 2010 might not be secured. The Portuguese programme is consistent with a correction of the excessive deficit by the deadline agreed by the Council. It aims at further fiscal consolidation over the medium term, achieving its MTO of a structural deficit of 0.5% of GDP by 2010. However, this will depend on the measures announced in the programme being effectively implemented, and may even require additional measures. With regard to the long-term sustainability of their public finances, Portugal and Malta are at medium risk, while Cyprus and Slovenia are at high risk. Only Austria is considered to be at low risk.[04] A comprehensive vision for an integrated European border management system for the 21st CenturyThe Commission today set out its vision of how to develop the EU's external border management system. These consist of a mix of concrete measures (on the FRONTEX Agency and on control of maritime borders) and longer term reflections on ways of recording entry and exit of third country nationals. This approach will ensure that the integrity of the Schengen area is preserved, while keeping the crossing of the external border as simple as possible for third country nationals fulfilling the entry conditions. It represents another in the recent steps taken by the Commission to contribute to reinforced solidarity and cooperation in managing the external border and in developing an EU immigration policy.[05] Aide d'État: la Commission autorise l'Espagne à accorder aux entreprises un crédit d'impôt en faveur de la R&DLa Commission européenne a autorisé l'Espagne, en application des règles du traité CE régissant les aides d’État, à accorder aux entreprises un crédit d'impôt sur les recettes provenant des brevets, dessins, modèles, plans, formules et procédés secrets. La Commission a conclu que cette mesure fiscale a une portée générale, n'étant pas destinée à une catégorie spécifique d'entreprise ou de région, et qu'elle ne constitue donc pas une aide d'État.[06] Aide d'État: la Commission examine le financement d'un grand studio cinématographique espagnolÀ la suite des plaintes déposées par deux grandes sociétés du secteur cinématographique européen, la Commission européenne ouvre une enquête approfondie, en application des règles du traité CE relatives aux aides d'État, concernant le financement du complexe cinématographique de la Ciudad de la Luz situé près d'Alicante en Espagne. Cette enquête devrait permettre à la Commission de déterminer si ce financement par les autorités de la communauté autonome de Valence constitue une aide d'État illégale qui fausse la concurrence entre les studios cinématographiques européens. La Commission souhaiterait recevoir des observations de tiers intéressés et, en particulier, de studios cinématographiques concurrents. L'ouverture d'une enquête approfondie ne préjuge pas de l'issue de la procédure.[07] Aides d'État: la Commission traduit l'Italie devant la Cour de justice pour non récupération d'aides illégales auprès de Nuova Mineraria Silius et pour contournement de la décision de la CommissionLa Commission européenne a décidé de saisir la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes en raison du non-respect, par l'Italie, de la décision de la Commission du 21 février 2007 lui ordonnant de récupérer des aides d'État illégales et incompatibles, d'un montant de 98,36 millions d'euros, accordées à la société minière Nuova Mineraria Silius SpA par la région de Sardaigne (voir <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/224&format=HTML&aged=1&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/224).[08] Commission presents policy priorities for 2009The Commission has today presented its Annual Policy Strategy setting out its political priorities for 2009. It outlines the Commission's policy objectives in five priority areas: growth and jobs, climate change and sustainable Europe, making a reality of the common immigration policy, putting the citizen first, and Europe as a world partner. The Commission will seek to gain approval for its legislative initiatives and also look forward by stimulating debate on the internal market, social agenda and budget reviews.[09] Publication of the General Report on the European Union's Activities in 2007The Commission has presented the General Report on the activities of the European Union in 2007 to the European Parliament. Highlights of the past year were the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, the enlargement of the Union to 27 members, the adoption of common objectives to tackle climate change and the response to the challenges of globalisation.[10] Gábor Zupkó appointed Director of the Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in BrusselsToday the European Commission appointed Mr Gábor Zupkó as Director of the Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels (OIB), the department in charge of managing and implementing policies relating to accommodation of personnel, social infrastructure and logistics for the EU institutions located in Brussels.[11] Le fromage polonais "Oscypek" dorénavant dénomination protégéeLa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une décision ajoutant le fromage polonais "Oscypek à la liste des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP). La décision sera publiée au Journal Officiel demain et entrera en vigueur le 5 mars 2008. La dénomination s'ajoute à la liste d'environ 800 produits déjà protégés en vertu de la législation sur la protection des indications géographiques, des appellations d'origine et des spécialités traditionnelles. Des renseignements sur les produits de qualité ainsi que la liste des dénominations protégées sont disponibles sur l'internet à l'adresse: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm[12] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles[13] Boosting regional cooperation in the Black Sea Region: First Ministerial meeting of Black Sea Synergy in KievCommissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will participate in the first Black Sea Synergy meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the EU 27 and their counterparts from the Black Sea region in Kiev on February 14, 2008. Black Sea Synergy (BSS), an initiative launched by the Commission in 2007 aims at boosting cooperation within the region as well as between the EU and the region as a whole. Foreign Ministers will agree on priorities for future projects and discuss the potential for enhanced EU involvement with countries of the region and the role of regional organizations and other initiatives in this process.[14] Le Commissaire Dimas remettra le prix de la Semaine européenne de la mobilité le 13 févrierM. Stavros Dimas, membre de la Commission chargé de l'environnement, remettra le prix de la Semaine européenne de la mobilité 2007 mercredi soir, 13 février, lors d'une cérémonie qui se tiendra au Résidence Palace à Bruxelles. Les trois villes en lice pour cette édition sont Francfort sur le Main (Allemagne), Koprivnica (Croatie) et Arad (Roumanie). Le prix vient récompenser la meilleure contribution à la Semaine européenne de la mobilité qui s'est déroulée l'année dernière du 16 au 22 septembre autour du thème «Réinventons la rue» et qui encourageait les autorités locales à laisser plus de place aux formes non motorisées de mobilité.[15] Commissioner Piebalgs meets stakeholders in Germany to discuss the climate and energy packageCommissioner Andris Piebalgs will today travel to the German state of Sachsen-Anhalt. The Commissioner will be accompanied during his visit by the Minister of Economic Affairs of Sachsen-Anhalt, Dr Reiner Haseloff. He will meet the state's Minister-President Dr Wolfgang Böhmer and representatives of industry and other stakeholders with an interest in renewable energy. The visit will offer an opportunity to exchange views about the climate and energy package adopted by the Commission in January. This package includes a Directive ensuring that 20% of the EU's energy needs will be met from renewable sources by 2020.[16] Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomes agreement on the implementation of the interconnection project between Lithuania and PolandEnergy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, welcomed the agreement signed yesterday between the Lithuanian and Polish Transmission System Operators to implement the interconnection project. The two Transmission System Operators signed a joint venture agreement, which will implement the interconnection project of Lithuanian and Polish power systems. The joint venture will be in charge of all the preparatory works for the cross-border transmission line.[17] Baisse de 0,2% de la production industrielle dans la zone euro et dans l'UE27La production industrielle corrigée des variations saisonnières a diminué de 0,2% tant dans la zone euro (ZE13) que dans l'UE272 en décembre 2007 par rapport à novembre 2007. En novembre, la production avait baissé respectivement de 0,4% et 0,3%. En décembre 2007 par rapport à décembre 2006, la production industrielle a progressé de 1,3% dans la zone euro et de 1,2% dans l’UE27. Par rapport à 2006, l'indice moyen de la production a augmenté en 2007 de 3,4% dans la zone euro et de 3,2% dans l'UE27. Ces estimations sont publiées par Eurostat.[18] Rediffusion[19] Commission requires certification for Chinese rice products to stop unauthorised GMO from entering the EUThe European Commission decided today to require compulsory certification for the imports of Chinese rice products that could contain the unauthorised GMO Bt63.[20] GMOs: Proposals to authorise soybean A2704-12 and cotton LL25 to be transmitted to the CouncilThe Commission presented today to the Member States proposals for the authorisation of genetically modified soybean A2704-12 and cotton LL25 for import and processing and food and feed use.[21] Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcomes the solution of the Russian-Ukrainian gas disputeEnergy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has welcomed the agreement announced today in Moscow between Russia and Ukraine to solve the recent commercial gas dispute.[22] Commissioner Louis Michel praises Somali Prime Minister's commitment towards peace and stabilityEuropean Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, today welcomed the significant progress being made by Somali Prime Minister Nur Adde at restoring peace and stability to his country after almost two decades of conflict.Autre matériel diffusé • Memo on The FRONTEX Agency: evaluation and future development • Memo on New tools for an integrated European Border Management Strategy • Memo on Examining the creation of a European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Goldmann Sachs/Colony Capital/BUT TUI/Royal Caribbean Cruises/JV Hermes Logistik/Swiss Post Porta a Porta Beko Elektronik/Grundig Multimedia Aviva/UBI Vita ACE/CICA
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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