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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-02-18Midday 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 Communicationb18/02/08[01] EU and Ukraine launch free trade agreement negotiations.EU Commissioner Peter Mandelson and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushenko have today launched negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine. The launch of negotiations followed the finalisation of Ukraine's WTO accession process on 5 February 2008, which was a prerequisite for FTA talks. As Ukraine's largest export market by far, the EU is an obvious partner for closer economic ties that will boost trade and investment.[02] EU employment rate up to 66%, despite moderate economic slowdownAnalysis of recent Eurostat figures in a new report released today confirm the ongoing steady improvement in the European labour market. As a result, total employment reached 223 million, reflecting an annual increase of over 3.5 million and an increase of over 800,000 from the previous quarter. The EU labour market has continued to benefit from healthy levels of economic growth and ongoing confidence of firms, as well as improvements resulting from past structural reforms.[03] What skills will Europeans need in the years to come? First EU forecast of skill needs is publishedCedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, presents its first forecast of skill needs up to the year 2015. The study "Future skill needs in Europe: medium-term forecast" concludes that demand for skills and qualifications is being driven upwards in most occupations, including in so-called elementary jobs, by the continuing rise of the service sector and sweeping technological and organisational changes.[04] Public procurement: Commission issues guidance on setting up Institutionalised Public-Private PartnershipsThe European Commission has published guidance on the founding of Institutionalised Public-Private Partnerships (IPPP), which are undertakings jointly held by public and private partners and are usually set up to provide services for the public, in particular at the local level. The Commission's guidance is based on a ruling of the European Court of Justice (C-26/03 "Stadt Halle") requiring transparent and competitive award procedures whenever public contracts or concessions are attributed to public-private entities. Amongst other things, the Commission explains how IPPP could be set up in conformity with Community law. This enhances legal certainty and as a corollary also investment security in the area of Public- Private Partnerships (PPP).[05] European Parliament report to welcome tougher EU approach to export barriersThe European Parliament will this week welcome the reinforced market access strategy launched by the European Commission in 2007. The Parliament will adopt a report by Mr Ignasi Guardans MEP and the European Parliament's International Trade Committee, which endorses the Commission's new approach, and calls on the Commission to continue to reinforce efforts to tackle trade barriers in Europe's most important markets. The reinforced Market Access Strategy was adopted in spring 2007 as part of the Global Europe trade policy. In a debate in Strasbourg this evening, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will welcome the Parliaments report.[06] Protection pénale des intérêts financiers de l’UE: un rapport de la Commission révèle des lacunes persistantes dues à l'insuffisance des mesures prises par les États membresEn 1995, les États membres de l'UE avaient décidé d'assurer une protection pénale effective et équivalente des intérêts financiers de la CE dans chaque État membre au moyen d'une convention assortie de protocoles. Cependant, plus de dix ans après la signature et trois ans après l'élargissement de 2004, la ratification et la mise en œuvre des instruments de protection des intérêts financiers (PIF) ne sont pas encore achevées, ni dans l'UE-15 ni dans les États membres qui ont adhéré à l'Union en 2004 ou en 2007.[07] Commission clears acquisition of Fläkt Woods by Sagard and BPEFThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Fläkt Woods SARL of Luxembourg by Sagard SAS of France and Barclays Private Equity France SAS (BPEF) of France, indirectly owned by Barclays Bank plc of the UK. Sagard and BPEF both manage investment funds. Fläkt Woods manufactures air ventilation, handling and movement systems. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.Rediffusion [08] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of former ICI's adhesives and electronic materials businesses by HenkelThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by Henkel KGaA of Germany of the entire adhesives and electronic materials business (the "A&E Businesses") that Akzo Nobel N.V. of the Netherlands recently acquired, when it bought Imperial Chemical Industries PLC of the UK (ICI). After a market investigation, the Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.Autre matériel diffuse • Memo on Ireland and the United Kingdom – Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-13: Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Western Scotland • Memo on Germany – Operational programme 2007-13: Rhineland-Palatinate Regional Operational Programme • Memo on Public procurement: Commission issues guidance on setting up Institutionalised Public-Private Partnerships – Frequently asked questions (see IP/08/252) • Speech by Commissioner Borg on the Integrated Maritime Policy for practitioners A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Deutsche Bahn / Transfesa
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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