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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-06-30Midday 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 Communicationb30/06/08[01] Social partners from 43 Asian and European countries meet to promote fair globalisationSome 150 workers' and employers' representatives from 43 countries in Europe and Asia will today meet for the first time to discuss the social dimension of globalisation. The inaugural Asia-Europe (ASEM) Social Partners Forum in Brussels (30 June - 1 July) will contribute to broader cooperation between the two regions on improving living and working conditions in the world. The Forum will be opened by Commissioner VladimÃr `pidla and Slovenian Labour Minister Marjeta Cotman. Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht will address the Forum on the second day.[02] Antitrust: Commission introduces settlement procedure for cartelsThe European Commission has introduced a settlement procedure for cartels which will allow the Commission to settle cartel cases through a simplified procedure. Under this procedure, parties, having seen the evidence in the Commission file, choose to acknowledge their involvement in the cartel and their liability for it. In return for this acknowledgement, the Commission can reduce the fine imposed on the parties by 10%. Settlements aim to simplify the administrative proceedings and could reduce litigation before the European Courts in cartel cases. This will in turn free Commission resources to pursue other cases. The Commission has analysed the 51 contributions received during the public consultation launched on 26th October 2007 (see IP/07/1608) and has revised the package in consultation with the Member States' competition authorities. The legislative package consists of a Commission Regulation together with a Commission Notice (the "settlement notice") explaining the new system in detail. The settlements package will enter into force on the day of its publication in the EU Official Journal.[03] Erasmus programme receives award for the second time in 2008The EU’s Erasmus Programme, which promotes student and staff exchanges in higher education, has been awarded the "Chemical Engineering Medal" from the University of Valladolid, Spain. The award, handed over on 27 June 2008, is a recognition of the programme's contribution to academic and professional performance in chemical engineering, a section of Valladolid's university in which almost 80 % of students participate in an Erasmus exchange. This is already the second award Erasmus received in Spain this year.[04]Europe and US sign aviation agreement to improve safety and cut costsAs of today, aviation relations between the European Community and the United States will be further strengthened through an agreement on aviation safety. Thanks to the mutual recognition of aviation safety certificates, the agreement will result in better harmonised safety systems on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as less cumbersome technical and administrative procedures for the recognition of certificates. It is expected that this will entail further improvement in safety levels and reduce costs by several millions of euros every year for European and US manufacturers alike. These savings should in turn be reflected in fares for passengers. [05] Euro area inflation estimated at 4.0%Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 4.0% in June 2008 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat. It was 3.7% in May. Euro area inflation is measured by the Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices (MUICP). To compute the MUICP flash estimates, Eurostat uses early price information relating to the reference month from Member States for which data are available4 as well as early information about energy prices. The flash estimation procedure for the MUICP combines historical information with partial information on price developments in the most recent months to give a total index for the euro area. No detailed breakdown is available. Experience has shown the procedure to be reliable (14 times exactly anticipating the inflation rate and 10 times differing by 0.1 over the last two years). Further information can be found in Eurostat News Release 113/2001 of 5 November 2001.[06] Commission clears acquisition of CONTARSA by DPWL and ZIMThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Contarsa Sociedad de Estiba, SA (CONTARSA) of Spain by DP World Ltd (DPWL) of the United Arab Emirates and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM) of Israel. DPWL is a global marine terminal operator. ZIM is active in global transportation (container liner shipping services) and logistics services and the operation of container terminals. CONTARSA provides stevedoring services in the Port of Tarragona. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.Rediffusion [07] Mergers: Commission authorises proposed joint venture between STMicroelectronics and NXPThe European Commission has authorised under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed joint venture between the French/Italian group STMicroelectronics and the Dutch company NXP. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[08]Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of the cigarette business of Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni by British American Tobacco, subject to conditionsThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the cigarette business together with certain roll- your-own tobacco and "snus" (a type of oral tobacco) interests of the Danish company Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni (STK) by British American Tobacco (BAT) of the UK. The Commission's decision is conditional upon the divestment of a number of tobacco brands, primarily in Norway where the Commission identified competition concerns. In light of this commitment, the Commission has concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. [09] La Commission se félicite de l'accord sur l'inter-connexion électrique France-EspagneLe Commissaire Européen à l'énergie Andris Piebalgs a salué l'accord conclu aujourd'hui entre le président du gouvernement espagnol, M. Zapatero et le premier ministre français, M. Fillon, sur la réalisation de l'interconnexion électrique France-Espagne grâce à l'action décisive du coordonnateur européen, Mario Monti.[10] Statement by Commissioner Louis Michel of 28 June 2008:The Commission condemns in the strongest terms the organization of a run- off in Zimbabwe despite repeated appeals by African and international authorities for a postponement. We consider that the systematic use of state-sponsored political violence and intimidation which led to the withdrawal of MDC candidate Morgan Tsvangirai has totally undermined the credibility of the process. The results of such a sham election cannot and will not be recognized as legitimate. We expect strong leadership from the AU and SADC to secure a negotiated political resolution of the crisis and push for a transitional framework for Zimbabwe, to prevent the country from plunging further into the abyss. Any mediation or negotiation must be based on the results of the first run of the elections, where the people of Zimbabwe were able to express their will. We will continue to closely follow the situation in Zimbabwe and we stand ready to support efforts towards ensuring democracy, stability, respect for human rights and economic recovery.[11] <!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF -- ><!-- PRV_ENDREF -->• Memo on The EU Roaming Regulation – One Year On One Year of Lower Mobile Charges Abroad. More Price Cuts for Voice Calls to Follow on 30 August. Will Industry Voluntarily Reduce SMS and Data Roaming Charges?• Memo on Antitrust: Commission introduces settlement procedure for cartels – frequently asked questions (see also IP/08/1056) • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Beef production in Europe: getting the policy framework right', Rome • Speech by Commissioner Fischer Boel 'Chancen und Herausforderungen für die Gemeinsame Agrarpolitik', Berlin - Embargo 1.30pm - • Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'Wissensregionen – Motoren für Europa', Bayreuth A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Outokumpu/Sogepar Ramius / Morgan Stanley / Phoenix Dichtungstecknik
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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