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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-06-04Midday 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[I] Résultats de la Commission du 4 juin 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 4 June 2008
[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb04/06/08[I] Résultats de la Commission du 4 juin 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 4 June 2008[01] La Commission autorise le financement des aéroports de Lublin et de GdańskLa Commission européenne a approuvé aujourd'hui une aide de € 296 millions pour la construction d'un nouvel aéroport polonais Lublin Świdnik. Elle a également donné son feu vert un financement public d'un total de € 1,7 million pour le développement de l'aéroport de Gdańsk Rębiechowo.[02] State aid: Commission approves restructuring of Sachsen LBThe European Commission has concluded that a liquidity facility and a state guarantee for German bank Sachsen LB, in the context of the sale of Sachsen LB to Landesbank Baden Württemberg (LBBW), are compatible with EC Treaty state aid rules. The Commission opened an in-depth investigation in February 2008 (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/314&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/314) and has now concluded that the measures do constitute state aid but are compatible with the EC rules on rescue and restructuring aid. The measures will allow the restructuring of Sachsen LB and include compensatory measures to limit distortions of competition created by the aid.[03] State aid: Commission requests Hungary to end long-term power purchase agreements and recover state aid from power generatorsThe European Commission has requested Hungary, following an in-depth investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules, to end long term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for electricity because they constitute unlawful and incompatible state aid to the power generators. The PPAs should be terminated before the end of 2008. Hungary must at the same time recover the aid granted to the generators concerned since Hungary's EU accession.[04] Aides d’État: la Commission approuve l’extension de la carte française des aides finalité régionale deux nouvelles zonesLa Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles du traité CE sur les aides d'État, l’extension de la carte française des aides finalité régionale pour couvrir les zones d’emploi de Châteaudun et de Nogent-le-Rotrou dans le département de l’Eure-et-Loir et d’Amiens Nord dans la Somme. Cette extension vise répondre aux sinistres économiques auxquels ces zones ont récemment été confrontées en permettant aux entreprises qui y sont situées de bénéficier d’aides l’investissement et la création d’emploi.[05] Aides d’Etat : la Commission autorise une aide de 46 millions d’euros mise en place par la France en faveur du programme de R&D « GENESIS »La Commission européenne a décidé de ne pas soulever d’objection en vertu des règles du traité CE sur les aides d’Etat l’égard du soutien financier de 46 millions d’euros accordé par la France au programme de recherche-développement (R&D) intitulé « GENESIS ». GENESIS est réalisé par un consortium de 17 partenaires dont le chef de file est le groupe Arkema. Il vise la mise en place d'une filière technologique centrée autour des nanomatériaux. A l'issue d'un examen approfondi de l'aide accordée Arkema dans le cadre du programme Genesis, la Commission a conclu que l'aide était compatible avec les règles de l'UE sur les aides d'Etat. En particulier, la mesure répond une défaillance de marché liée aux risques élevés que comporte le projet.[06] State aid: Commission prohibits tax exemptions of almost €3 million to Alas SlovakiaThe European Commission has decided under EC Treaty state aid rules not to authorise regional investment aid in the form of tax exemptions that could amount to around €2.9 million in favour of Alas Slovakia s.r.o. The Commission's in depth investigation, launched in December 2007, concluded that the proposed aid would not sufficiently contribute to regional development as to justify the distortions of competition that the granting of a selective advantage to a large company would have brought about. Neither the Slovak authorities, nor any other interested party, responded to the doubts expressed by the Commission during its in-depth investigation. A negative decision was therefore inevitable. As the aid has not yet been granted, it is not necessary to order the recovery of the aid.[07] Mergers: Commission approves proposed takeover of M-Real Zanders' Reflex paper mill by Arjowiggins, subject to conditionsThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed takeover of the Reflex paper production mill in Germany, that currently belongs to the Finnish paper manufacturer M-Real, by the French paper manufacturer Arjowiggins, subject to conditions. In December 2007 (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1870&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/1870), the Commission opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed takeover because of competition concerns, particularly on the market for carbonless paper. In the light of the Commission's concerns, Arjowiggins offered to divest M-Real's carbonless paper business. The Commission concluded that, with these commitments, the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or a significant part of it.[08] La Commission approuve une simplification apportée un régime d'aides en faveur des armateurs françaisLa Commission européenne a accepté aujourd'hui la modification d'un régime français en faveur du transport maritime et afférent aux charges sociales patronales des marins embarqués. Ce régime d'aides avait été initialement approuvé par la Commission en février 2001. La modification approuvée aujourd’hui concerne le mode d’octroi de l’aide.[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles[09] Climate change: Awareness campaign aims to create virtual community of young 'changers'The public awareness raising campaign on climate change launched by the European Commission in May 2006 moves into a final stage tomorrow that will focus on five Member States – Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria. Launched on World Environment Day, this third phase of the “You control climate change” campaign aims to initiate pro- active dialogue on climate change in these five countries, where national campaigns have not yet been implemented. This stage of the campaign is centred around television advertising and a competition for young people that seeks to create a virtual community of ‘Changers’ committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by adapting their daily habits.[10] Commission launches consultation on revised Impact Assessment GuidelinesThe European Commission is inviting all stakeholders to comment on draft revisions to the Impact Assessment Guidelines which are used by its staff when preparing policy proposals. Impact assessments are now a key part of the policy making culture of the Commission, and these Guidelines explain the procedures and the key analytical steps to prepare them, carry them out and then present them. All impact assessments must include public consultations as part of the preparation process, and stakeholders play an essential role in providing necessary information, both qualitative and quantitative, to the Commission services.[11] Fisheries: Commission proposes a simpler approach to technical measuresThe European Commission has today adopted a proposal for a Council regulation on technical measures to promote the conservation of fish stocks, to reduce discards and protect vulnerable marine habitats in EU waters outside the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The aim of the present regulation is to lay down the general principles underlying all technical measures in these waters, together with a small number of specific measures which will be permanently applicable in all areas. More specific rules which need to be adapted to local conditions will then be laid down in a series of Commission regulations, corresponding to the fisheries covered by the Regional Advisory Councils concerned. This approach should lead not only to a clearer and simpler technical framework for EU fisheries, but also to one which is better adapted to different ecosystems and more responsive to input from stakeholders.[12] Volume of retail trade down by 0.6% in euro areaIn April 2008, compared with March 2008, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In March retail trade fell by 0.9% and 1.1% respectively. In April 2008, compared with April 2007, the retail sales index fell by 2.9% in the euro area and by 0.8% in the EU27. In April 2008, compared with March 2008, “food, drinks and tobacco” decreased by 1.0% in the euro area and by 0.6% in the EU27. The non food sector fell by 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in nine Member States, fell in eight and remained unchanged in Denmark. The highest increases were observed in Lithuania (+4.9%), Latvia (+2.3%) and Poland (+2.2%), and the largest decreases in Sweden (-1.8%), Germany (-1.7%) and Luxembourg (- 1.5%). These first estimates come from Eurostat.[13] Commission clears joint venture between ArcelorMittal and BorusanThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the proposed joint venture between ArcelorMittal SA (AM) of Luxembourg and Borusan Holdings A.S. (Borusan) of Turkey. AM is a global steel producer. Borusan is active in steel, distribution, logistics and telecommunications. The joint venture will produce hot strip steel. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[14] Commission clears acquisition of GA by Boeing and Alenia NAThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Global Aeronautica LLC (GA) of the US by The Boeing Company (Boeing) of the US and Alenia North America Inc. (Alenia NA) also of the US and belonging to the Italian Finmeccanica group. Boeing is active in commercial aircraft, defence and space industries and related services. Alenia NA builds aircraft and aerostructures. GA is active in aerostructure pre-assembly, specifically fuselage sections for the Boeing 787 programme. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[15] President Barroso participates in the dedication of the first Grand Synagogue of Europe in BrusselsTonight, Commission President José Manuel Barroso will participate in the solemn dedication of the Grand Synagogue of Brussels as "Grand Synagogue of Europe". The ceremony will take place at the synagogue (Rue de la Régence) from 19.00 - 20.15. Chief rabbis and representatives of other religions from a number of European countries, representatives from the EU institutions (including Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani), the Brussels diplomatic corps and the Belgian civil society will attend the ceremony. The ceremony will include the reading of a specially drafted prayer for Europe, a speech by President Barroso, the signing of a document of dedication and the unveiling of a special dedication plaque by President Barroso.Rediffusion [16] European Business Awards for the Environment 2008Four Companies have won the 2008 European Business Awards for the Environment. The winners were announced this evening by European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas at an awards ceremony during the annual Green Week conference in Brussels. The awards recognise "the Best of the Best" businesses that have won awards at national level.[17] Commissioner Joe Borg at the Baltic Sea States Summit in RigaThe 7th biennial Baltic Sea States Summit will be held on 3 and 4 June in Riga, Latvia. Reform of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region will both feature on the Summit agenda. The European Union firmly believes that the Summit will result in a more effective CBSS and looks forward to working with it as an important actor in the region. The CBSS has a fundamental role to play in a region where the EU also interacts with three other partners – Iceland, Norway and the Russian Federation. Together with those partners, the EU is engaged in developing the Northern Dimension policy. Joe Borg, the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, will be representing Commission President José Manuel Barroso at the Summit on 4 June 2008. This is an opportunity for Commissioner Borg to forge closer links with political leaders and stakeholders in the region and to receive further valuable input as the Commission continues to make strides towards launching the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region.[18] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Preparation Environment Council, 5 June 2008• Speech by President Barroso 'European Chemicals Agency: Turning REACH into Reality', Helsinki • Speech by Commissioner Dimas 'Only One Earth – don't waste it!', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Avnet/Horizon Technology
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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