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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-02-29Midday 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 Communicationb29/02/08[01] Europe's GÉANT, the world's highest speed computer network, goes globalEurope's GÉANT, the world's largest multi-gigabit computer network dedicated to research and education, is linking up to similar networks world-wide to create a single global research network. In Europe, GÉANT already links researchers from Reykjavik to Vladivostok, serving around 30 million users in over 3500 universities and research centres and connecting 34 national research networks. High-speed links will now be established with regional research network infrastructures emerging in the Balkans, the Black Sea and Mediterranean regions, as well Asia, Southern Africa and Latin America. In Europe, GÉANT has enabled ground-breaking research collaboration in fields such as climate change, radio astronomy and biotechnology.[02] February 2008: Economic sentiment weakens further in both the EU and the euro areaIn February, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) decreased further in both the EU and the euro area. It fell by 3.1 points in the EU and by 1.6 points in the euro area, to 100.2 and 100.1 respectively. The indicator, which has been on a downward path since mid-2007, now stands at its long- term average in both areas.[03] February 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines further in FebruaryThe Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area continued to decline in February. The indicator is still at a fairly high level, which suggests steady economic activity in the industry sector in the first months of this year, despite the deceleration in industrial production growth registered at the end of 2007. The decrease in the BCI is mainly due to a worsening of industry managers' production expectations for the months ahead. Managers' assessments of their total order books and export order books also declined slightly, while their views of the stocks of finished products and production trend observed in recent months remained unchanged.[04] Telecoms Rules: Caller location information for 112 makes progress in two more Member StatesIn a new round of infringement proceedings for Telecoms Rules, the European Commission has closed two cases against Latvia and Poland. The Commission has decided to also suspend its previous decision to refer a case to the European Court of Justice.[05] La Commissaire Ferrero-Waldner en visite à AlgerBenita Ferrero-Waldner se rendra à Alger les 3 et 4 mars prochains pour rencontrer le Président de la République, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, le Chef du Gouvernement, Abdelaziz Belkhadem, le Ministre des Affaires Etrangères, Mourad Medelci, et le Ministre de l’Energie et des mines, Chakib Khalil. Pendant sa visite, la Commissaire européenne des relations extérieures et de la politique de voisinage discutera avec les autorités algériennes l’approfondissement du partenariat euro-algérien.[06] Commissioner Piebalgs joins the blogosphereEnergy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has joined today the ranks of EU Commission bloggers and other key figures of the public sphere who are increasingly embracing new technologies in an effort to communicate better with the public. The first weekly entry of the Commission's energy blog is already available with comments on the Energy Council held yesterday. Comments from internauts around the world are welcome.[07] Nomination of Mrs Androula Vassiliou as successor to Mr Markos KyprianouThe President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has today written to the President of the Council and to the President of the European Parliament, transmitting the resignation of Mr Markos Kyprianou as a member of the European Commission, and President Barroso's agreement with the nomination by the Republic of Cyprus of Mrs Androula Vassiliou as a member of the Commission. Mrs Vassiliou will take over the "Health" portfolio.[08] Euro area unemployment stable at 7.1%The euro area (EA15) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.1% in January 2008, unchanged compared with December 2007. It was 7.7% in January 2007. The EU27 unemployment rate was 6.8% in January 2008, the same as in December 20073. It was 7.5% in January 2007. In January 2008, the lowest rates were registered in the Netherlands (2.9%) and Denmark (3.1% in December 2007), and the highest in Slovakia (10.4%). These figures are published by Eurostat.[09] Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro en hausse à 3,2%Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro a été de 3,2% en janvier 2008, contre 3,1% en décembre 2007. Un an auparavant, il était de 1,8%. Le taux d’inflation mensuel a été de -0,4% en janvier 2008. Le taux d’inflation annuel de l’UE a été de 3,4% en janvier 2008, contre 3,2% en décembre 2007. Un an auparavant, il était de 2,1%. Le taux d’inflation mensuel a été de -0,2% en janvier 2008. Ces chiffres sont publiés par Eurostat.[10] Commission clears acquisition of AWD by Swiss LifeThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of AWD Holding AG (AWD) of Germany by Swiss Life Holding AG (Swiss Life) of Switzerland. Swiss Life is a life insurance company. AWD distributes financial products, including life insurance. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.Rediffusion [11] The UK and Cyprus regain FMD-free status from OIEThe Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has recommended to the International Committee of the OIE to reinstate the FMD-free status of the UK and Cyprus as of 19 and 21 February 2008 respectively. The United Kingdom and Cyprus have eradicated Foot-and Mouth disease (FMD) from their territories after they successfully dealt with the limited number of outbreaks recorded in 2007.[12] Visite du commissaire Mandelson en Afrique du Sud pour approfondir les liens commerciaux et la coopération au développementM. Peter Mandelson, commissaire européen au commerce, entame aujourd’hui un voyage de cinq jours dans quatre pays d’Afrique australe, au cours duquel il participera au Lesotho à une réunion des ministres du commerce des pays les moins avancés consacrée au cycle des négociations sur le commerce mondial de Doha. M. Mandelson se rendra également en Afrique du Sud, au Botswana et en Zambie, où il rencontrera des dirigeants et des représentants de la communauté de développement de l’Afrique australe (CDAA) et de l’Afrique australe et orientale (ESA) pour s'entretenir des accords de partenariat économique en cours de négociation entre l’Union européenne et ces pays. Il rencontrera, entre autres, le président sud africain Thabo Mbeki, le ministre zambien du commerce Felix Mutati, le secrétaire général du COMESA (marché commun de l'Afrique australe et orientale) Erastus Mwencha et le ministre botswanais du commerce et de l’industrie Neo Moroka.[13] Mergers: Commission clears proposed joint control of Spanish online travel agency Rumbo by Telefónica and OrizoniaThe European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by the Spanish travel operator Orizonia Corporation (via its subsidiary Turmed) of joint control of online travel agency Rumbo ("Red Universal de Marketing y Booking Online") with Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica, S.A. The Commission further approved the integration of the travel agencies Terra Business Travel (belonging to Telefónica) and Viajar.com (belonging to Orizonia) into Rumbo. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[14] Louis Michel exhorte à la relance du dialogue politique au TchadLe Commissaire Louis Michel a appelé à la reprise du dialogue politique entre la majorité présidentielle et l'opposition au Tchad au cours de sa deuxième visite dans le pays en moins d'un mois.[15] Commissioner Michel welcomes coalition government for KenyaEuropean Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, today welcomed a power-sharing agreement between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.Autre matériel diffusé • Memo on Antitrust: Commission welcomes E.ON proposals for structural remedies to increase competition in German electricity market • Memo on GÉANT: Europe's research network – Frequently Asked Questions • Memo on Preparation Environment Council, 3 March 2008 • Speech by President Barroso on Globalisation and Europe, American Chamber of Commerce 28 February 2008 • Speech by Vice President Verheugen "Verabschiedung Binnenmarktpaket, Beispiel für gute Rechtsetzung in Europa" – in German only – • Speech by Commissioner Reding on The Wireless Growth Potential: the Economic Case for an Ambitious Reform of Spectrum Management • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy on How the Internal Market works for Business in Lithuania • Speech by Commissioner Mandelson on Why the poorest need a Doha deal • Calendrier hebdomadaire du 3 au 9 mars • Top News from the European Commission A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Bridgepoint/ Prêt à manger Eaton / Moeller Platinum Equity/Delphi Steering Randstad / Vedior
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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