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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-09-11Midday 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 Communicationb11/09/08[01] «Plusieurs langues, un seul but»: la Commission, l’UEFA et le FARE lancent un spot TV en faveur de la tolérance par les langues pour la saison de football 2008-2009À l’occasion de l’Année européenne du dialogue interculturel (2008), la Commission européenne, l’UEFA (Union des associations européennes de football) et le réseau FARE (Football contre le racisme en Europe) lancent un message télévisé commun mettant l’accent sur la tolérance et sur le rôle des langues en tant que passerelles entre les hommes. Ce film met en scène trois groupes de supporters plongés dans l’effervescence d’un match: placés dans des situations et des décors inspirés de la vie réelle, tous partagent la même passion pour le football et vivent le match de la même façon indépendamment de leur culture, de leur origine ou de leur langue. Dans toute l’Europe et au- delà , des millions de téléspectateurs verront ce film, diffusé dès le 16 septembre et pendant toute la saison à la mi-temps des rencontres de la Ligue des Champions de l’UEFA. Le lancement de cette campagne intervient au moment où la Commission s’apprête à présenter une nouvelle communication stratégique sur le multilinguisme, qui souligne l’importance de l’apprentissage des langues et la nécessité de protéger et de promouvoir la diversité culturelle et linguistique.[02] Climate change: Strong public support for EU targets on climate changeEuropeans are highly concerned about climate change and clearly willing to take action against it. A majority of Europeans believes that the European Union's targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and increasing the share of renewable energy by 2020 are about right or even too modest. However, a significant proportion of people feel poorly informed about climate change and ways to help fight it. These are the main conclusions of a special Eurobarometer survey of public attitudes about climate change commissioned by the European Parliament and the European Commission which was published today.[03] European Commission launches a call for tender to establish a Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) project network in EuropeThe European Commission is preparing to establish a network of projects to demonstrate the use of CCS technology in power plants. The Commission launches a call for tender for an external service provider to assist in establishing and running the network. The deadline for submission of tenders is 6 October 2008 and the selection process should be completed by the beginning of 2009.[04] EU27 current account deficit € 36.3 billionThe EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of € 36.3 billion in the second quarter of 2008, compared with a deficit of € 18.1 billion in the second quarter of 2007 and a deficit of € 26.5 billion in the first quarter of 2008. In the second quarter of 2008, the EU27 external balance of trade in services recorded a surplus of €17.4 billion euro, compared with a surplus of € 24.5 billion in the second quarter of 2007 and a surplus of €17.4 billion in the first quarter of 2008. These provisional data, issued by Eurostat will be subject to revision.[05] Commission clears joint venture between Sodexo and SofincoThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the joint venture between Sofinco, belonging to the French group Crédit Agricole SA and Sodexo Pass International, belonging to the French group Sodexo SA. Sofinco is a consumer credit company. Sodexo Pass International is active in food and facilities management and service cards. The joint venture will promote and sell gift vouchers and cards in France. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[06] Commissioner Kuneva calls for more information and better choice in Financial ServicesMeglena Kuneva, European Commissioner for Consumers, today highlighted the need to improve financial services for EU consumers, in order to have a competitive and integrated retail financial market. Speaking at the Eurofi Conference in Nice, the Commissioner spoke of the problems faced by consumers in this sector, including insufficient financial education, poor and confusing pre-contractual information, and a general lack of transparency within the financial services industry. This results in a low level of consumer confidence in financial dealings, the choice of inappropriate products and higher costs. Quoting recent Eurobarometer data, she said that 79% of consumers would prefer to see contracts with their bank presented in a standard form so that costs could be easily compared between banks, enabling better consumer choices. She pointed out that the Commission's work on pre-contractual information is already bearing fruit. Standard information templates are part of the new Consumer Credit Directive, and will also be seen on the investment side, once the new proposal for a revised Directive on investment funds (UCITS) is adopted. Results of work being carried out by the Commission to tackle hidden or incomprehensible bank charges will also become available in 2009. The Commissioner said that consumers should "know precisely what they are signing up to in advance" and committed to delivering real improvements in financial services, to be felt where it counts, by every consumer in every Member State.[07] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Preparation of Eurogroup and Informal Economic and Finance Ministers Council, Nice (France) 12 and 13 September 2008• Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'Microfinance: Tool for growth and employment in Europe', Nice • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy 'Financial Turmoil: latest developments on policy response', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Kuneva 'Key issues for the financial services industry in today's context', Nice • Speech by President Barroso 'The EU and Africa: a Partnership base on Dialogue', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Capgemini/BAS Sanofi-Aventis/Zentiva
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 |