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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-08-29
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] August 2008: Economic sentiment continues to decline in both the EU
and the euro area
[02] August 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area continues to
decline in August
[03] ECURIE ALERT: Belgian nuclear authorities alert the Commission about
measures taken after releases of radioactive iodine
[04] Euro area inflation estimated at 3.8% in August
[05] Euro area unemployment stable at 7.3% in July; EU also stable at 6.8%
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Citibank Germany by Crédit Mutuel
[07] Commission clears acquisition of parts of LyondellBasell and Rhodia by
Perstop
[08] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2008-08-29
Reference: MEX/08/0829
Date: 29/08/2008
EXME08 / 29.08
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
29/08/08
[01] August 2008: Economic sentiment continues to decline in both the EU
and the euro area
In August, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined further in both
the EU and the euro area. It fell by 1.9 points in the EU and by 0.7 of a
point in the euro area, to 86.9 and 88.8 respectively. In the EU, the ESI
reached its lowest level since December 1993.
[02] August 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area continues to
decline in August
After a fall below its long-term average in July, the Business Climate
Indicator (BCI) for the euro area decreased again in August. The low level
of the indicator suggests that industrial activity remains subdued.
[03] ECURIE ALERT: Belgian nuclear authorities alert the Commission about
measures taken after releases of radioactive iodine
On 28 August at 23:31 the European Commission received an ECURIE alert
notification from Belgium concerning a radiological incident in the
Institut National de Radio-éléments (IRE) in Fleurus, Belgium. There had
been a release of gaseous Iodine-131 from this facility. The incident had
been classified Level 3 on the international INES scale (comprising 7
steps) on 26 August. On the basis of the analysis of environmental samples
the Belgian authorities (Federal Agency for Nuclear Control) have now
decided to implement protective actions, in particular restrictions on the
consumption of local food produce (vegetables and milk), up to a distance
of 5 km (sector North-East). In accordance with the ECURIE procedures the
Commission immediately forwarded the alert notification to the ECURIE
contact points in all Member States, Switzerland.
[04] Euro area inflation estimated at 3.8% in August
Euro area annual inflation is expected to have been 3.8% in August 2008
according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat. It was 4.0% in July. To
compute the flash estimate, Eurostat uses early price information from
Member States for which data are available as well as early information
about energy prices. 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.
[05] Euro area unemployment stable at 7.3% in July; EU also stable at 6.8%
The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 7.3% in July
2008, unchanged compared with June. It was 7.4% in July 2007. The EU
unemployment rate was 6.8% in July 2008, unchanged compared with June. It
was 7.1% in July 2007. Eurostat estimates that 16.292 million men and women
in the EU, of which 11.372 million in the euro area, were unemployed in
July 2008. Compared with June 2008, the number of persons unemployed
decreased by 73 000 in the EU and increased by 25 000 in the euro area.
Compared with July 2007, unemployment fell by 563 000 in the EU and rose by
59 000 in the euro area. These figures are published by Eurostat.
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Citibank Germany by Crédit Mutuel
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Citigroup's German retail
banking business (Citibank Germany) by Banque Fédérative du Crédit
Mutuel, France (Crédit Mutuel). Both companies are active in retail
banking and insurance. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of parts of LyondellBasell and Rhodia by
Perstop
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of the toluene diisocyanate
business of LyondellBasell Industries of The Netherlands and the
hexamethylene diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate businesses of Rhodia
SA of France by Perstorp Holding AB (Perstorp) of Sweden. Perstorp
manufactures and supplies specialty chemicals. LyondellBasell manufactures
and supplies toluene diisocyanates, used primarily in the manufacturing of
polyurethane foams and coatings. Rhodia: manufactures and supplies
hexamethylene diisocyanates and isophorone diisocyanates, organic compounds
which are used primarily in the manufacturing of polyurethane coatings and
coating resins. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[08] Autre matériel diffusé
• Calendrier hebdomadaire du 1er au 7 septembre
• Top News from the European Commission
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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