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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-04-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/04/08[01] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to attend EU-Central Asia Ministerial Troika 9/10 April in AshgabatThe EU Troika will meet its Central Asian Counterparts on 9 and 10 April in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan to continue developing the new partnership between the EU and Central Asia. This is the third time the EU has met the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in a joint meeting, which will be followed by individual troika meetings with each country. The meeting will focus on implementation of the new EU Strategy for Central Asia, including cooperation in fields of education, rule of law, economy, trade, energy and environment, as well as common threats and challenges like border management, and the fight against drug trafficking. The Central Asia Strategy developed last year is a sign of the EU's growing commitment to this important region, and the growing significance of relations with Central Asia is also demonstrated by the significant increase of EC assistance to the region in the period 2007 - 2013, to a total of €750 million.[02] Investment summit aims to boost regional integration and EU investment in Southern MediterraneanLeaders from the signatories of the Agadir Agreement (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan) are today meeting senior EU policy-makers and business representatives for talks designed to sharply increase EU investment in the Southern Mediterranean. The forum focuses on improving legal frameworks for investment, encouraging joint partnerships between EU and Southern Mediterranean businesses and boosting EU investment in the region, which is among the lowest for any such region globally. The Forum was opened by EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.[03] Post-trading markets: Commission encourages applications for new CESAME II GroupThe European Commission is to create CESAME II, a follow-up group to the successful Clearing and Settlement Advisory and Monitoring Experts' Group (CESAME; IP/04/935). The new group will, in particular, continue CESAME's work on dismantling the barriers to cross-border post-trading activities, continue co-ordinating the work on establishing common standards in this area as well as monitor their implementation. The group will be composed of practitioners and market participants who are knowledgeable in the post- trading field, i.e. the European and their domestic legal framework, as well as market setup and practices, and are therefore best placed to identify problems and, where applicable, propose (and implement) solutions to remove them. Interested candidates are invited to send an application to the Commission by 30 May 2008.[04] EU Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes aid worth € 89.7 million following forest fires in GreeceThe European Commission is proposing a grant for Greece from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) totalling € 89.7 million to offset part of the costs incurred after devastating forest fires during the summer of 2007. This proposal to the Budget Authority (European Parliament and Council) will result in funding being made available as soon as the Authority agrees. The grant will be used to reimburse the cost of emergency measures such as rescue services, the provision of temporary housing, the cleaning up of disaster-stricken areas and the restoration of basic infrastructures to working condition.[05] Commission to recover € 83 million of CAP expenditure from the Member StatesA total of € 83 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of inadequate control procedures or non-compliance with EU rules on agricultural expenditure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.[06] Micro enterprises accounted for 30% of those employed in the non- financial business economyIn 2005, there were almost 20 million enterprises active within the non- financial business economy (NFBE) in the EU27. Nearly all of these enterprises (99.8%) were either micro, small or medium-sized enterprises, with up to 249 persons employed. This share varied only marginally between Member States. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises' relative importance in terms of contribution to jobs and wealth was lower than their share in the total number of enterprises, since they accounted for 67% of total employment and 58% of value added2 in the non-financial business economy in the EU27 in 2005. This information is based on a report published by Eurostat.[07] Commission clears acquisition of EHP by EADS and ULBThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Euro Heat Pipes (EHP) of Belgium by EADS Astrium SAS of France, belonging to the EADS group of France and Germany, and Theodorus I and Theodorus II, both investment funds controlled by the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) of Belgium. ULB is a university in Brussels operating scientific parks and an academic hospital. EADS is active in commercial and military air sectors, civil and military helicopters, spacecrafts and electronic defence systems, as well as, through EADS Astrium, design, development and supply of space systems. EHP is active in the design, development, production and testing of thermal control systems used in spacecrafts and satellites. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Commission clears acquisition of Aldeasa by AutogrillThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Aldeasa SA of Spain by Autogrill SpA of Italy. Autogrill provides food and beverage and retail services for travellers worldwide. Aldeasa operates travel retail shops in Spain and Portugal, and also outside the EU. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] Commission clears acquisition of Autoput by FCC and PORRThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Sever-Jug Autoput d.o.o. (Autoput) of Serbia by FCC Construcción SA (FCC) of Spain and Allgemeine Baugesellschaft — A. Porr Aktiengesellschaft (PORR) of Austria. FCC is active in construction, services, cement and real estate. PORR is active in construction, building materials and project development. Autoput designs, constructs, operates and maintains the Horgoš-Po~ega highway in Serbia. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.Rediffusion [10] Commission's Northern Ireland Task Force reports progress on consolidating peace process, points out new leads to boost economy with EU supportThe European Commission today adopted a report from its Northern Ireland Task Force that identifies key EU policy initiatives and programmes which can be mobilised in support of the region's economy. The Task Force, set up by Commission President José Manuel Barroso and led by Commissioner Danuta Hübner, takes stock of Northern Ireland's economic development amid peace and stability, and points out leads for new ways in which the region can boost its modernisation. It aims to help the region's authorities to reap maximum benefit from the EU support they can receive from now until 2013.[11] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on United Kingdom and Ireland – Operational Programme 2007-13: Operational Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE III)• Memo on European hearing on crimes committed by totalitarian regimes • Speech by Commissioner Vassiliou 'The Burden of Cancer and the Need to work together on a European Level' • Speech by Vice-President Barrot on the occasion of the hearing on crimes committed by totalitarian regimes, Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Mandelson 'Agadir and after: prospects for a Free Trade Area of the Mediterranean', Brussels • Speech by Vice-President Wallström 'Ireland and Lisbon: giving people the facts', Brussels • Speech du Commissaire Špidla sur L'inclusion Sociale des Rom en Europe, Bruxelles • Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner 'The European Union and its place in the world – the current agenda', Bruges • Speech by Commissioner Reding 'The Potential of ICT to Contribute to Energy Efficiency and a European Low Carbon Economy', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : GALP Energia Espana/Agip Espana
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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