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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-06-27Midday 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 Communicationb27/06/08[01] Le rapport sur la gestion budgétaire et financière pour 2007 pointe une meilleure gestion, mais aussi des fonds non dépensésLes dernières données concernant les dépenses de l'UE confirment une nouvelle fois une tendance croissante à l’investissement en faveur du progrès économique à long terme et de l'emploi. Pour ce premier budget de la nouvelle période de programmation 2007-2013, qui est aussi le premier budget de l’Union élargie à 27 membres, le rapport sur la gestion budgétaire et financière 2007 fait aussi apparaître une augmentation de la part des fonds destinés aux nouveaux États membres et, globalement, un peloton des principaux bénéficiaires inchangé par rapport à 2006. Le taux élevé d’exécution des dépenses (la quasi totalité du budget 2007 a été déboursé) confirme que la gestion budgétaire active porte ses fruits. Des enseignements restent cependant à tirer, pour les dépenses futures, de l’inutilisation en 2007 de certains fonds, qui sont de ce fait perdus pour les États membres. Il est essentiel de tout faire pour assurer l'utilisation effective et sans délai de tous les fonds inscrits au budget.[02] June 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines in JuneAfter a rebound in May, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased in June. The current level of the indicator suggests that industrial production growth weakened in the second quarter of this year, although it still points to a production growth rate which is above its historical average. All the five underlying components of the BCI registered a decrease. The industrial managers' appraisal of the production trend in recent months and their total order books deteriorated sharply, while their assessment of the stocks of finished products, production expectations and export order books declined moderately.[03] June 2008: Economic sentiment decreases further in both the EU and the euro areaIn June, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) continued to decline in both the EU and the euro area. It fell by 2.5 points in the EU and by 2.7 points in the euro area, to 94.6 and 94.9 respectively. In both regions, the ESI remains below its long-term average.[04] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Horizon Technology Group by AvnetThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Horizon Technology Group of Ireland by the US-based company Avnet, both distributors of information technology products. The Commission concluded that the concentration would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[05] High prices and lack of transparency source of anxiety for data roaming customersUse of mobile data services within individual Member States is growing much faster than cross border data roaming services, says a Connect2Roam study carried out for the European Commission. This is because mobile operators are introducing aggressive retail rates to compete with existing broadband offers. However, use of data roaming services remains limited as consumers are discouraged by extremely high charges when compared to national prices, as well as a lack of transparency related to the pricing by volume of data (Megabytes) used. High-volume users are susceptible to bill shocks if, for example, they surf the internet for long periods when using their datacard connection on a laptop computer.[06] Internet phone calls getting popular in European homesAn EU-wide survey of 27,000 households has revealed the emergence of new consumption patterns in telecoms services in Europe. Technological progress and competition have brought more choice to European consumers; 24% of households have given up their fixed telephone in favour of mobile phones while 22% of them are using their computer from home to make phone calls over the Internet. In an increasing number of Member States, European households are using wireless access to connect to the Internet, via mobile or satellite networks. Meanwhile, 29% of European households buy bundled telecoms and media packages, an increase of nearly 10% since last year. Nevertheless, the top priority for consumers in this fast evolving environment remains the quality of services.[07] Albania joins EU innovation & competitiveness programmeAlbania is the fifth country of the group of EU candidate and potential candidate countries to join an important part of the EU's Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) Under the CIP, the European Commission promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and growth in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Today, European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Mr Genc Ruli, Minister for Economy, Trade and Energy of the Republic of Albania, signed a Memorandum of Understanding formalising the Republic’s entry to the EIP, the entrepreneurship and innovation pillar of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). - also available in Albanian -[08] Ministerial Council of the Energy Community pushes further integration of electricity marketsOn Friday, 27 June 2008 in Brussels, the Energy Community Ministerial Council addressed key issues for the functioning of electricity markets in South-East Europe. At this occasion, Commissioner Piebalgs declared: "Last week the European Council reiterated its full support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and the importance of regional cooperation: the Energy Community is becoming a success story in this respect, but efforts should be pursued."[09] Maritime policy: Commission invites EU Member States to think "one ocean – one policy"The Commission has adopted a set of guidelines for Member States to enhance domestic coordination between all their sea-related sectoral policies and facilitate cooperation between different government bodies. The publication of these guidelines is a core action of the new Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU, endorsed by the European Council in December 2007. This policy is driven by the recognition that virtually every major issue facing Europe today, including energy, climate change, research, competitiveness and job creation, trade, and transport also has a maritime dimension. Just as the world’s seas are interlinked, so are human sea-related activities. In response, an increasing number of governments, both within and outside Europe, start to manage sea-related matters as a whole, rather than taking a sector-by-sector approach. For example, inter-ministerial committees and coordinating agencies for maritime affairs are being set up. The new guidelines say that national integrated maritime policies should all be guided by the principles of subsidiarity, follow an ecosystem-based approach and take account of the needs and know-how of stakeholders, in particular coastal regions. European affairs ministers will discuss the guidelines at a conference in Brest on 13 July. The Commission is looking forward to substantial conclusions from this meeting under the French Presidency. More information: "Guidelines for an Integrated Approach to Maritime Policy: Towards best practice in integrated maritime governance and stakeholder consultation", COM(2008)395 The Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/index_en.html">http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/index_en.htmlRediffusion [10] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of joint control over Hispasat by Abertis, SEPI, CDTI and INTAThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control over Spain's satellite operator Hispasat by Abertis of Spain and the Spanish state-owned entities SEPI, CDTI and INTA. After examination, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[11] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Schuitema by CVCThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Dutch based food retail company Schuitema by the investment fund CVC Fund IV, belonging to CVC Capital Partners Group of Luxemburg. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[12] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Antitrust: Commission confirms sending Statement of Objections to alleged participants in calcium carbide cartel• Speech by Commissioner Almunia 'The euro and EMU – preparing for the next decade', London • Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'European Regional Policy: Water as a driving force for Regional Development', Zaragoza – in Spanish only - • Calendrier du 30 juin au 6 juillet • Top News from the European Commission A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : CINVEN / PGHL HP/EDS Mars/Wrigley UPM RUS/BRIST/JV
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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