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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-02-28Midday 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 Communicationb28/02/08[01] Marchés publics: procédure d'infraction contre la FranceLa Commission a décidé de saisir la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes d'un recours contre la France concernant les dispositions du code des marchés publics relatives à la procédure dite des marchés de définition.[02] Qualifications professionnelles: procédure d'infraction contre la FranceLa Commission a décidé d'introduire un recours contre la France devant la Cour de justice des CE pour avoir enfreint tant les articles 39, 43 et 49 du traité CE que la directive 92/51/CEE relative au système général de reconnaissance des diplômes, consolidée dans la directive 2005/36/EC, en refusant aux moniteurs de snowboard d'autres Etats membres et plus particulièrement aux moniteurs allemands d’enseigner cette seule discipline en France au motif qu'en France l'accès à cette activité est réservé aux moniteurs de ski.[03] Espagne: remboursement de soins hospitaliers nécessaires à l'occasion d'un séjour temporaire dans un autre Etat membreLa Commission a décidé de saisir la Cour de Justice à l'encontre de l'Espagne estimant que le refus des autorités espagnoles d'accorder un remboursement complémentaire pour des frais engagés à l'occasion de soins hospitaliers nécessaires à l'occasion d'un séjour temporaire dans un autre Etat membre privait les citoyens européen d'un droit qui leur a été reconnu par la Cour au titre de l'article 49 du Traité tel qu'interprété par l'arrêt Vanbraeckel (arrêt du 12.07.01, C-368/98).[04] Bolivie: la Commission européenne prévoit 2 millions € d'aide humanitaire pour les victimes des inondationsAprès le déploiement de ses experts de terrain pour analyser la situation humanitaire en Bolivie, la Commission européenne prévoit une décision humanitaire de 2 millions € pour venir en aide aux victimes des inondations. Ces fonds, gérés par le service d'aide humanitaire de la Commission (ECHO), sous la responsabilité directe du Commissaire Louis Michel, viendront en aide à près de 110 000 personnes vivant dans les départements les plus touchés de Bolivie.[05] Free movement of services: Commission acts to remove obstacles to provision of gambling services in Greece and the NetherlandsThe European Commission has taken action to put an end to obstacles to the free movement of gambling services in Greece and the Netherlands. The Commission has formally requested these Member States to amend their respective laws following consideration of their replies to official requests for information in which the Commission sought to verify whether the restrictions in question are compatible with Article 49 of the EC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of services. These requests were sent to Greece in June 2007 (IP/07/909) and to the Netherlands in April 2006 (IP/06/436).[06] World's cleanest ship demonstrates how research is developing the waterborne transport of the futureToday, the low-emission, fuel efficient and environmentally friendly barge m/v 'Victoria' is moored in the Port of Brussels for a special one-day event illustrating how clean shipping technology is revolutionising the way goods are transported in Europe. BP and the EU-financed research project "CREATING" have worked together to develop environmentally efficient inland navigation. This fully operational vessel demonstrates how EU research provides real solutions to real problems; in this case delivering safer, cleaner, and more competitive waterborne transport for the future. In addition to "CREATING", the event, attended by key EU industry representatives, researchers and policy makers, showcases two complementary projects working on marine engine technology and the use of alternative fuels.[07] Freedom of establishment: infringement proceedings against PortugalThe European Commission has decided to refer Portugal to the European Court of Justice over its restrictions on the establishment of inspection centres for motor vehicles, which are incompatible with Article 43 of the EC Treaty.[08] VAT: Commission takes steps against 8 Member States as regards the application of the travel agents' schemeThe European Commission has formally requested Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Italy, Finland, Greece and the Czech Republic to amend their legislation with regard to the application of the special VAT 'margin' scheme for travel agents. The request is in the form of a reasoned opinion which is the second stage of the infringement proceedings provided for in Article 226 of the Treaty. If these Member States fail to comply with the reasoned opinion within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Communities.[09] Taxation of outbound dividends and interest: Commission takes steps against Lithuania and LatviaThe European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion (the second step of the infringement procedure of Article 226 of the EC Treaty) to Lithuania about its rules under which interest paid to foreign companies, investment funds and pension funds is taxed more heavily than interest paid to comparable domestic recipients. It has also sent a request for information in the form of letter of formal notice (the first step of the infringement procedure of Article 226 of the EC Treaty) to Latvia about its rules under which dividends paid to non-resident individuals may be taxed more heavily than dividends paid to residents. Lithuania and Latvia are asked to reply within two months.[10] VAT – Commission takes steps against Poland with regard to the application of rules on place of supply of servicesThe European Commission has formally requested Poland to bring its legislation on the application of certain VAT rules on place of supply of services into line with the provisions of the VAT Directive. The request takes the form of a reasoned opinion (second step of the infringement procedure provided for in Article 226 of the EC Treaty). If, within two months, the relevant national provisions are not amended so as to comply with the reasoned opinion, the Commission may decide to refer this matter to the European Court of Justice.[11] The Commission refers Portugal to the Court of Justice due to its legislation on the movement and holding of products subject to excise dutiesThe European Commission has decided to refer Portugal to the Court of Justice for certain national provisions which, in the Commission's opinion, do not comply with EU legislation on the movement and holding of goods subject to excise duties. The Commission believes that the Portuguese rules create a burden for traders that is disproportionate to the objective pursued.[12] Direct Taxation: Commission requests Belgium to end discrimination against foreign nurseries and foreign artists and sportsmenThe European Commission has sent Belgium formal requests to end two cases of tax discrimination. The first case concerns income tax relief for the cost of nurseries. Such relief is available only if the children are placed in Belgian nurseries, but not if they are placed in foreign nurseries. The second case concerns foreign artists and sportsmen. The Belgian tax law may lead to higher taxation for foreign artists and sportsmen than for artists and sportsmen resident in Belgium. The requests are in the form of ‘reasoned opinions’ under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If Belgium does not reply satisfactorily to the reasoned opinions within two months the Commission may refer the cases to the European Court of Justice.[13] Taxation: Commission requires Greece to change the way requests for refund of unduly paid taxes are treatedThe Commission has issued a Reasoned Opinion addressed to Greece concerning its treatment of requests for the refund of unduly paid taxes following the Judgement of the European Court of Justice in Case C-62/93. The rights tax payers derive from Community VAT law include the right to obtain the repayment of taxes paid when Member States failed to transpose it correctly.[14] Direct taxes: Commission requests Portugal to end discrimination against investments held abroadThe European Commission has sent Portugal a formal request to amend its legislation concerning the tax rules applicable to investments held in financial institutions established outside Portugal. The income flowing from these investments may, in certain cases, be more heavily taxed than the income of investments held in Portugal. The Commission considers that these rules are incompatible with the EC Treaty, which guarantees the free movement of capital. The request is in the form of a ‘reasoned opinion’ under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If Portugal does not reply satisfactorily to the reasoned opinion within two months the Commission may refer the matter to the Court.[15] Commission launches consultation on reform of the CFP control systemThe European Commission has started a consultation exercise on its initiative to reform the control system of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Strengthening control and enforcement is one of the main pillars of the CFP reform process begun in 2002. However, as underlined by recent reports from both the Commission and the Court of Auditors, serious shortcomings persist in this area. Primary responsibility for implementation and control of the CFP lies with the EU Member States, within a framework agreed and laid down by the Council of Ministers. The purpose of the consultation is to establish what action is both desirable and appropriate at EU level, and to gauge the probable impact of the initiatives under consideration. A detailed consultation paper has been published on the Internet, and stakeholders and citizens have until 5 May 2008 to provide the Commission with their views.[16] Marché intérieur: procédure d'infraction concernant l'Italie en matière de stations-service (distribution de carburants)La Commission européenne a décidé de traduire l'Italie devant la Cour de justice en raison des restrictions nationales en matière d'établissement des stations-service. Selon la Commission, les dispositions italiennes sont contraires à l'article 43 du traité CE qui prévoit la liberté d'établissement à l'intérieur de l'Union européenne. Les règles visées, qui sont imposées tant au niveau étatique qu'au niveau régional dans le domaine de la distribution des carburants au détail, portent sur une série de restrictions qui rendent impossible ou en tout cas extrêmement difficile l'entrée sur le marché italien de nouveaux concurrents provenant d'autres Etats membres de l'UE.[17] Corporate taxation: Commission requests Spain to amend discriminatory anti-abuse rulesThe European Commission has sent Spain a formal request to amend its discriminatory anti-abuse rules in the corporate tax area according to which income originating from specific Member States or territories of the EU is taxed more heavily than domestic income. The Commission considers these rules incompatible with the freedoms of the EC Treaty. This request is in the form of a reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty. If Spain does not amend its law within two months, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice.[18] Commission organises forum to foster university – business cooperationThe European Commission is organising the first European University/Business Forum on 28-29 February 2008 in Brussels. This inaugural meeting is the first of many, whose aim is to facilitate the exchange of good practice between universities and businesses, provide for mutual learning and networking, and inspire further action in the Member States. The Forum responds to calls from universities and companies for there to be a regular, lasting platform for dialogue, exchange, sharing and learning.[19] EU requires "magnetic toys" to carry a warning labelToys containing magnets look set to carry a mandatory warning label across the EU, under a Commission proposal approved by Member States in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) Committee today. The proposal for a draft Commission decision will cover all "magnetic toys" - toys that contain or consist of loose or detachable magnets, or magnetic components of such size and shape that they can be swallowed by children. The warning label will be carried on the packaging or be otherwise attached to the toy.[20] Sécurité et environnement: de nouveaux satellites pour une meilleure observation de la terreDe nouveaux satellites viendront bientôt compléter le système GMES d'observation de la terre (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), à la suite d'un accord signé aujourd'hui à Bruxelles par Jean-Jacques Dordain, directeur général de l'Agence spatiale européenne (ESA) et Heinz Zourek, directeur général de la direction générale des entreprises et de la politique industrielle de la Commission européenne. Le système GMES est une initiative de l'Union européenne menée en partenariat avec l'ESA, qui vise à développer une capacité intégrée de surveillance environnementale et de sécurité en combinant des observations au sol et depuis l'espace. Les données produites par cette infrastructure permettront de mieux connaître la surface de la terre, son atmosphère et ses océans et aideront les services d'urgence et de sécurité. Elles permettront, en particulier, une meilleure gestion des crises environnementales et en matière de sécurité.[21] Internal Market: infringement proceedings against Czech Republic and Latvia regarding non-implementation of EU rulesThe European Commission has decided to refer the Czech Republic to the European Court of Justice over its partial implementation in national law of the Institutions for Occupational Retirement Provision (IORP) Directive. The Commission will also formally request Latvia to implement a company law Directive. This formal request takes the form of a "reasoned opinion", the second stage of the infringement procedure laid down in Article 226 of the EC Treaty. If there is no satisfactory reply within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.[22] Sûreté des ports : la Commission européenne envoie des avis motivés à l’Allemagne et à la PologneLa Commission a décidé d’envoyer des avis motivés à l'Allemagne et à la Pologne pour ne pas avoir transposé dans leur droit national les normes européennes sur l'amélioration de la sûreté des ports. L'envoi d'un avis motivé constitue la dernière étape avant une éventuelle saisine de la Cour de justice.[23] L'accord sur le transport maritime signé entre l'UE et la Chine entre en vigueurL'accord sur le transport maritime signé en 2002 entre la Chine et la Communauté européenne et ses États membres entrera en vigueur le 1er mars 2008. Pour marquer cet évènement, une déclaration conjointe a été faite aujourd'hui et une conférence de presse a été organisée à Pékin en présence des autorités chinoises, de représentants de la Commission, des États membres et de l'industrie de chacune des parties. L'accord contient des dispositions sur l'accès au marché et prévoit une coopération des deux parties dans le domaine des affaires maritimes. Il constitue désormais l'élément essentiel des relations solides établies entre la Chine et l'UE dans le secteur maritime.[24] Performance énergétique des bâtiments: la Commission engage des procédures devant la Cour de justice à l’encontre de la Belgique et du Royaume-UniLa Commission européenne a ouvert aujourd’hui des procédures devant la Cour de justice à l’encontre de la Belgique et du Royaume-Uni, qui ne lui ont pas communiqué de mesures nationales d’exécution adéquates comme l’exigeait la directive de 2002 sur la performance énergétique des bâtiments[1]. La directive a pour but de réduire la consommation d’énergie dans les bâtiments et constitue à ce titre un instrument législatif important de l’UE pour améliorer le rendement énergétique global.[25] Directive sur l’écoconception: la Commission adresse des avis motivés à cinq États membresAujourd’hui, la Commission a envoyé des avis motivés à la République tchèque, à la Finlande, à la Grèce, au Portugal et au Luxembourg, qui n'ont pas communiqué leurs mesures de transposition de la directive sur l'écoconception . Cette directive vise à réduire l’impact environnemental des produits consommateurs d’énergie et constitue un des piliers de la stratégie de l’UE en matière d’efficacité énergétique.[26] Commission refers Greece to the European Court of Justice for non transposition of certain measures regarding the Blood DirectivesToday the European Commission has decided to refer Greece to the European Court of Justice for the non-transposition of implementing measures in relation to the Blood Directive 2002/98/EC, which is setting EU-wide quality and safety standards for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and blood components. The implementing measures which Greece has still not transposed concern the traceability of blood and blood derivatives (Directive 2005/61/EC) and quality standards (Directive 2005/62/EC). The implementing measure on traceability establishes a verification procedure for issuing blood and blood components, and details the data that has to be recorded. It also foresees the notification of serious adverse reactions and annual reporting and exchange of information between national authorities. The implementing measure on quality assurance puts forward standards and specifications of a quality system for blood establishments (bodies responsible for the collection and testing of human blood or blood components intended for transfusion). This does not include hospital blood banks. This is now the third stage in the infringement procedure against Greece, - on 16 October 2006, the Commission sent a "letter of formal notice", which was followed by a "reasoned opinion" on 29 June 2007.Rediffusion [27] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of Packard Bell by AcerThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Dutch-based company Packard Bell by Taiwan- based personal computers manufacturer Acer. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.Autre matériel diffuse • Memo on Employment and Social Policy Council • Memo on Magnets in Toys: Questions and Answers A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Itema/BarcoVision BNP PARIBAS / NATIXIS / SLIB
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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