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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-04-02Midday 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 Communicationb02/04/08[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 2 avril 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 2nd April 2008[02] «Debate Europe» – La parole aux citoyensLa Commission européenne souhaite accroître la participation des citoyens au processus de prise de décision de l'Union. Dans une communication intitulée «"Debate Europe" — Exploiter les réalisations du Plan D comme Démocratie, Dialogue et Débat», elle présente une série de mesures destinées favoriser un débat général et permanent entre les citoyens de tous horizons, au niveau national et communautaire, sur le futur de l'Union européenne.[03] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of Moeller by EatonThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the whole of Moeller Group, a German manufacturer of electrical engineering components and devices, by Eaton Corporation of the US. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.[04] State aid: Commission launches in-depth investigation into UK restructuring aid package for Northern RockThe European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation under the EC Treaty’s rules on state aid into the UK authorities' package of measures to support the restructuring of Northern Rock, the UK mortgage bank. The Commission received the notification of these measures on 17th March 2008. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties the possibility to comment on the proposed measures but it does not prejudge the outcome.[05] State aid: Commission opens inquiry into UK state financing of capital costs of digital switchover of Channel 4The European Commission has launched an investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into state aid proposed by the UK authorities for Channel 4 to help it meet the capital costs of digital switchover. The Commission will investigate whether this subsidy threatens to distort competition in the Single Market. The investigation will provide interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the planned measures. The opening of a formal investigation procedure does not prejudge the final outcome.[06] Customs beyond 2013: Commission launches a debate on the future evolution of CustomsThe European Commission has adopted a Communication in order to develop a long term strategy for the evolution of the Customs Union. The Communication enumerates the strategic objectives for Customs based on present developments, such as Electronic Customs and Modernised Customs Code, and proposes a coordinated approach for the customs working methods in order to meet theses objectives. It stresses the need to develop as soon as possible a multi-annual strategic plan and a comprehensive implementation plan which would ensure that all actors (Commission, Member States and traders) are able to make their own resource planning and would be ready in time to meet the objectives of a more efficient EU Customs.[07] Commission proposes review of measures to hasten cod recoveryThe European Commission today adopted a proposal to amend the cod recovery plan which has been in place since 2005. Recent scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) concludes that the current measures have been inadequate to reduce fishing pressure on cod to the point where it could allow the stock to recover. Of the four cod stocks concerned, only North Sea cod has shown some limited signs of recovery. The main changes proposed today include new objectives based on limiting the amount of fish removed from the sea by fishing rather than on targeting defined amounts of cod in the stock concerned, simplification of the fishing effort management system and a more flexible approach in adapting the rate of fishing pressure reduction to different stages of recovery. There will also be specific mechanisms to encourage the reduction of discards and to encourage the application of cod-avoidance programmes. The plan would also be extended to cover the Celtic Sea cod stock. The Commission's proposal is based on the collective experience of implementing the plan over the last three years, and on the opinions of stakeholders as summarised in the symposium on cod recovery held in March 2007.[08] State aid: Commission authorises restructuring loan for C. Hartwig Warszawa S.A.The European Commission authorised today restructuring aid for the transport company C. Hartwig Warszawa S.A. The aid consists of a loan amounting to 13 000 000 Polish zlotys (€ 3 385 416), which will be repaid by 2009.[09] Regional airport infrastructure: Commission approves Polish aid to Łódź airportThe European Commission has today decided not to raise any objections to the public financing of infrastructure development at the Polish regional airport "Port Lotniczy Łódź Sp. z o.o.". The measure is aimed at improving the airport infrastructure and therefore at enhancing the social and economic development of the entire region of Lódzkie.[10] Clean Transport: Commission authorises Slovakia to grant fiscal aid to railway and inland waterways transportThe European Commission has decided today not to raise any objections to the excise duty reductions and exemptions introduced by Slovakia for the benefit of railway and inland waterways transport. These measures are aimed at reducing external costs in the transport sector.[11] European Commission clears Bulgaria's financing of environmental clean- up of former coal mining sitesThe Commission decided today not to raise any objections to the conditions of the Bulgarian State's involvement in the environmental clean-up of former coal mining sites in the country. State financing of the programme will amount to € 19 million, which will be paid out over a four year period.[12] European Commission authorises Polish State Aid for coal industryThe Commission has decided today not to raise any objections to the PLN 1.3 billion (approximately € 350 million) which Poland proposes to grant to its coal industry for the years 2008 to 2010. The state aid aims to cover the restructuring costs of the coal mines resulting from administrative, legal or tax provisions and the labour costs associated with the financing of staff reductions.[13] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles[14] Débat public : l'incidence des arts et de la culture sur le dialogue interculturelLes arts et la culture seront l'ordre du jour mercredi, l'occasion du deuxième débat de Bruxelles organisé dans le cadre de l'Année européenne du dialogue interculturel 2008. Ce débat, intitulé “Négocier les différences: une responsabilité partagée entre les artistes et les institutions culturelles”, a été préparé par la Commission européenne en coopération avec le Forum européen pour les arts et le patrimoine (FEAP) et la Fondation européenne de la culture (FEC). Il aura lieu le 2 avril 18h30 au Résidence Palace de Bruxelles. Il sera ouvert par le commissaire européen Ján Figel' et la députée européenne Claire Gibault le clôturera.[15] Joe Borg travels to MoroccoJoe Borg, European Commissioner for Maritime Affaires and Fisheries, will arrive in Morocco this evening where he is to address the first-ever Euro- Med Ministerial Conference on Tourism which opens tomorrow in Fez. The aim of the conference is to define new measures to encourage and support closer cooperation between the EU and its southern Mediterranean partners in the field of tourism. The meeting will bring together Ministers responsible for tourism from the 39 Euro-Med partner countries. On Friday, Mr Borg will travel to Rabat for bilateral meetings with senior Moroccan politicians on both maritime and fisheries issues before travelling to Mauritania in the evening.[16] Industrial producer prices up by 0.6% in euro areaIn February 2008 compared with January 2008, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.5% in the EU27. In January prices increased by 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. In February 2008 compared with February 2007, industrial producer prices gained 5.3% in the euro area and 6.1% in the EU27. These figures come from Eurostat.[17] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on State aid: Commission launches in-depth investigation into UK restructuring aid package for Northern Rock – frequently asked questions (see also IP/08/489)• Speech by Commissioner Charlie McCreevy 'Latest developments on policy response to financial turmoil', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Vassiliou at the European Parliament Hearing, Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel on the Future of EU dairy sector, Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Almunia 'The EU response to the rise of Sovereign Wealth Funds', Brussels ( EMBARGO 14H30) A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Delta Lloyd / Swiss Life Belgium Electrabel/Compagnie Nationale du Rhône Nordic Capital/TietoEnator
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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