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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-02-27Midday 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 Communicationb27/02/08[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 27 février 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 27 February 2008[02] Libya: Commission proposes negotiating mandate for a Framework AgreementThe European Commission has proposed that the EU should start negotiations for a Framework Agreement with Libya in 2008. Once the Council has approved the mandate, the Commission will negotiate the Agreement with the Libyan Government, with the objective of strengthening the political, social, economic, commercial and cultural relations between both parties.[03] An even safer internet for childrenToday, the European Commission proposed a new Safer Internet programme to enhance the safety of children in the online environment. Encompassing recent communications services from the Web 2.0, such as social networking, the new programme will fight not only illegal content but also harmful behaviour such as bullying and grooming. With a budget of €55 million, the programme, which builds further on the successful Safer Internet programme started in 2005, will run from 2009 to 2013.[04] State aid: Commission launches probe into state bail-outs of IKB and Sachsen LBThe European Commission has opened under EC Treaty state aid rules an in- depth investigation into state support measures in favour of the German banks IKB and Sachsen LB. As a consequence of investments in US sub-prime markets, both banks ran into financial difficulties. During the summer of 2007, the state owned bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) provided a risk shield of around €9 billion to IKB and a group of Landesbanken granted liquidity assistance of around €17 billion to SachsenLB. Without these and several subsequent measures the banks would not have been able to continue their business.[05] State aid: Commission requests Romania to recover €27 million unlawful aid from Automobile CraiovaThe European Commission has closed its in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the privatisation of Automobile Craiova. The investigation, opened in October 2007 (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1467&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/1467), found that Romania had imposed conditions on the sale that aimed at ensuring a certain production and employment level, accepting in exchange a lower sales price. The higher production and employment level achieved for Craiova through the conditional sale and the lower revenue Romania had conversely earned constitute state aid.[06] State aid: Commission closes investigation into financing of Flemish public service broadcaster VRTThe European Commission has closed its investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime for VRT, the public service broadcaster in the Flemish community of Belgium in light of formal commitments by the Belgian authorities to amend the current regime. The modifications will clarify inter alia the definition and entrustment of the public service remit and introduce mechanisms to ensure the proportionality of the public funding. The Commission has concluded that these commitments would be suitable to ensure compliance with EU state aid rules. Belgium now has twelve months to implement the commitments.[07] State aid: Commission welcomes proposed changes to financing of Irish public service broadcasters and closes investigationThe European Commission has decided to close its investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into the financing regime of the Irish public service broadcasters RTÉ and TG4 following commitments from Ireland to amend the current regime. The main modifications concern the clarification of the public service remit, the entrustment of new activities, the transparency of accounts, supervision and control. The Commission concluded that the commitments were suitable to bring the regime in line with the state aid rules and ensure the necessary transparency and proportionality of funding. Ireland has now until December 2008 to implement these commitments in national law.[08] Antitrust: Commission imposes € 899 million penalty on Microsoft for non-compliance with March 2004 DecisionThe European Commission has imposed a penalty payment of € 899 million on Microsoft for non-compliance with its obligations under the Commission’s March 2004 Decision (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/382&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en/1467&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/04/382) prior to 22 October 2007. Today’s Decision, adopted under Article 24(2) of Regulation 1/2003, finds that, prior to 22 October 2007, Microsoft had charged unreasonable prices for access to interface documentation for work group servers. The 2004 Decision, which was upheld by the Court of First Instance in September 2007 (see CJE/07/63 and <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/359&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/07/359), found that Microsoft had abused its dominant position under Article 82 of the EC Treaty, and required Microsoft to disclose interface documentation which would allow non-Microsoft work group servers to achieve full interoperability with Windows PCs and servers at a reasonable price.[09] European Commission addresses challenges of forest-based industriesThe European Commission has today adopted a 19-point plan to address the challenges facing forest-based industries, which are adapting to deal with increased global competition, climate change and energy and wood supply availability. Important competitiveness challenges cover innovation, access to non-EU markets and high energy and transport costs. Moreover, the access to and availability of new and recovered raw material at competitive prices and the strategic role of this sector in limiting climate change are issues which need to be addressed specifically in order to provide the right framework conditions within which this industrial chain can prosper and grow. Furthermore, and in particular in the woodworking and printing sectors, the dimension of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) is especially relevant. The communication is part of the Commission's integrated industrial policy consisting of horizontal and sectoral measures.[10] La Commission approuve un programme spécial d'aide aux agriculteurs de la Finlande du SudLa Commission européenne a approuvé ce jour un programme national transitoire d‘aide aux agriculteurs de la Finlande du Sud, qui prévoit, pour les années 2008 à 2013, une aide structurelle et une aide au revenu. L'article 141 du traité d'adhésion de la Finlande constitue la base juridique des mesures d'aide spéciales provisoires en faveur des agriculteurs du Sud de la Finlande. La Commission peut autoriser ce type d'aide afin d'aider les agriculteurs à intégrer la politique agricole commune (PAC). La décision adoptée aujourd'hui prévoit, en faveur des agriculteurs de la Finlande du Sud, une aide nationale équilibrée et substantielle, qui viendra s'ajouter aux aides normalement octroyées dans le cadre de la PAC. Les agriculteurs bénéficieront d’un soutien accru pour améliorer les structures agricoles, et en particulier d'une aide à l'investissement et d'une aide aux jeunes agriculteurs.[11] Services portuaires maritimes – La Commission européenne autorise l'Allemagne à baisser ses taxes sur le gazole utilisé pour les activités de manutention portuaireLa Commission européenne a autorisé aujourd'hui, sur la base des règles communautaires sur les aides d'état, une baisse des accises sur le gazole utilisé par les entreprises de manutention portuaire. Le taux d'accise passera ainsi de 47,040 à 6,135 cents d'euro par litre pour ces activités.[12] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles[13] Louis Michel appelle à la reprise du processus démocratique au TchadLe Commissaire Louis Michel participera, ce jour, à Ndjamena à une réunion politique élargie afin de relancer le processus démocratique au Tchad. Les principaux facilitateurs internationaux, les représentants de la société civile ainsi que des représentants de la majorité présidentielle et de l'opposition membres du Comité de Suivi et d'Appui de l'Accord Politique du 13 Août seront présents.[14] Hübner lauds Lapland's ingenious strategy for development in a cold climateDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, starts a three- day visit to Northern Finland to discuss the region's new development strategy for 2007-2013 with local authorities and stakeholders. The region's strategy involves investment worth € 311 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Commissioner will also visit innovative projects – including Santa Claus' village -- carried out in 2000-2006 with co-funding from the ERDF.[15] Publication of Postal Directive marks start date for real market openingThe Third Postal Directive is published today in the Official Journal. The publication marks the entry into force of the directive and sets the clock ticking for abolishing legal monopolies on postal services by 31 December 2010. The Directive is the result of a broad political consensus on the way forward for the regulatory framework of European postal services. The Commission will monitor and assist Member States pro-actively in implementing the Directive. In particular, it will pay close attention to potential entry barriers that would deprive users of the benefit of a dynamic and open market.[16] First convergence meeting between European telecoms and spectrum regulators in Gothenburg (Sweden)Today in Sweden the European Regulators Group (ERG), which brings together national telecoms regulators from all over Europe, is meeting the Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), which includes national authorities responsible for the management of the radio spectrum. This is their first joint meeting and a first step towards a closer working relationship between spectrum management and telecom regulation. The meeting takes place following an invitation by Ms Treschow, Director General of the Swedish Post and Telecom Agency and Chairman of the RSPG. Among the main topics of discussion today are broadband infrastructure and the convergence of fixed and mobile communications. Both the ERG and the RSPG were established by a Commission decision in 2002, as bodies to give advice to the Commission. Today's meeting in Gothenburg will be attended by EU Telecoms and Media Commissioner Viviane Reding and Åsa Torstensson, Swedish Minister for Infrastructure.[17] Commission clears acquisition of Gruppo Argenta by Investitori Associati and CognetasThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Gruppo Argenta SpA (Argenta) of Italy by Investitori Associati SGR SpA (Investitori) of Italy and Cognetas Fund II (GP) Limited (Cognetas) of the Channel Islands. Investitori is an investment fund controlling a number of portfolio companies. Cognetas is a private equity investment firm. Argenta supplies, installs and manages vending machines for hot and cold drinks, snacks, food and personal care products in Italy. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[18] Rediffusion[19] Statement by Commissioner Michel on the political situation in KenyaEuropean Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel expressed his utmost concern following the announcement by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan that the talks between the Kenyan parties had stalled.Autre matériel diffusé • Memo on Commission Communication on Financial Stability – Frequently Asked Questions • Memo on State aid: Commission investigation into German banks IKB and Sachsen LB – frequently asked questions (see also <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/314&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/314) • Memo on Antitrust: Commission Decision of 27 February 2008 to impose penalty payments on Microsoft – frequently asked questions (see also <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/318&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/318) • Memo on Sovereign Wealth Funds – Frequently Asked Questions • Memo on Energy Council • Speech by Commissioner Hübner on "Reflection on the future of European Cohesion policy after 2013" • Speech by Commissioner Kroes Decision to impose € 899 million penalty on Microsoft for non-compliance • Speech by Commissioner Kroes on Structural Reforms to the Energy Market – Embargo 13h30 – • Speech by Commissioner Hübner on "Regiostars awards: Celebrating innovation" • Speech du Commissaire Špidla : Discours de clôture à l'occasion de participation à la table ronde "Adaptation au changement climatique en Europe - les options pour l'action européenne" au Comité économique et social européen • Speech by Commissioner Piebalgs on Regions for the sustainable energy
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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