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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-10-03Midday 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 Communicationb03/10/08[01] Figel' on official visit to UkraineOn the occasion of his official visit to Ukraine, the European Commissioner in charge of Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel', presented themes for future cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the areas of education, culture, youth and sport.[02] Mobility of apprentices in the spotlight in ParisMore than 10,000 young apprentices from France and across Europe are participating today in an event organised by the French Presidency to highlight the benefits of a period of mobility abroad during an apprenticeship. This is the first meeting of its kind. It takes place at the Palais des Omnisports in Paris. The European Commission welcomes this initiative, since it helps place the spotlight on the issue of mobility in vocational education and training in general.[03] EU boosts national efforts to fight poverty and social exclusionThe European Commission has today put forward a set of common principles to help guide EU countries in their strategies to tackle poverty. The Recommendation is based around three key aspects: adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality services. National governments will be encouraged to refer to these common principles and define policies for 'active inclusion' on this basis so as to step up the fight against exclusion from society and from the labour market.[04] Parents face shortage of childcare services, says EU reportChildcare services in EU countries are failing to respond to the needs of parents, despite some progress, according to a report today by the European Commission. The report finds that most countries have missed the targets for childcare provision – for 90% of children between three and school age and 33% of children under three – that EU leaders set themselves at Barcelona in 2002. The 'Barcelona targets' are an integral part of the EU's strategy for growth and jobs and aim to help young parents – and in particular women – into work. Today's report forms part of a broader package of measures by the Commission to improve work-life balance for Europeans (see IP/08/1450).[05] Commission improves work-life balance for millions with longer and better maternity leaveMillions of women throughout Europe will be entitled to longer and better maternity leave under proposals unveiled today by the European Commission. A separate proposal would also improve the situation of self-employed women by providing equivalent access to maternity leave, on a voluntary basis. The two initiatives form part of a package of measures to improve work-life balance for all Europeans – both women and men. They aim to update and improve existing EU legislation and will now be sent to the European Parliament and national governments for discussion. Meanwhile, the European social partners have launched negotiations to improve other forms of family leave, such as parental leave.[06] Launch of OPEN DAYS 2008: The annual flagship event of Europe’s Regional PolicyThe sixth annual OPEN DAYS - European Week of Regions and Cities, organised by the European Commission and EU Committee of the Regions, takes place 6-9 October. Some 7400 European, national and regional policy-makers, experts and representatives of banking, business and civil society will participate in 145 seminars and other events in Brussels. Simultaneously, under the OPEN DAYS banner, 230 local events will take place throughout the EU and further afield. The four-day event is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience on job creation, innovation, climate change and other challenges, as well as contributing to the debate on Europe’s future Cohesion Policy.[07] Danuta Hübner in Poznań (Wielkopolskie): Commissioner underlines shared responsibility of citizens to build a stronger EuropeThe European Commissioner responsible for regional policy, Danuta Hübner, will today address the official opening of the academic year at the University of Economics in Poznań, during a visit to the region of Wielkopolskie. Her speech will focus on why Europe needs the Lisbon Treaty. Commissioner Hübner will also meet representatives of regional authorities to discuss the implementation of EU cohesion policy investments in Wielkopolskie, which will total €1.2 billion in 2007-2013.[08] Volume of retail trade up by 0.3% in euro areaIn August 2008, compared with July 2008, the volume of retail trade rose by 0.3% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.4% in the EU27. In July retail trade increased by 0.1% and 0.3% respectively. In August 2008, compared with August 2007, the retail sales index fell by 1.8% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU27. In August 2008, compared with July 2008, “food, drinks and tobacco” rose by 0.7% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27. The non food sector grew by 0.1% and 0.4% respectively. Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade rose in ten, fell in seven and remained unchanged in Denmark. The highest increases were observed in Luxembourg (+6.8%), Germany (+3.1%), Slovenia and Finland (both +1.4%), and the largest decreases in Lithuania (-2.5%), Latvia (-1.2%) and Austria (- 0.8%). These first estimates come from Eurostat.Rediffusion [09] Le Forum pharmaceutique couronné de succèsLe rapport final du Forum pharmaceutique, présenté aujourd’hui Bruxelles, formule différents principes et recommandations concernant trois défis majeurs relever dans le domaine pharmaceutique: comment améliorer l’information sur les maladies et les traitements, comment comparer les médicaments et identifier les plus efficaces et comment trouver un juste équilibre entre l’accès aux médicaments et la récompense de l’innovation, compte tenu des contraintes budgétaires dans le secteur de la santé? Le vice-président de la Commission européenne, Günter Verheugen, et la commissaire Androulla Vassiliou assuraient la coprésidence du Forum, qui réunissait des représentants des États membres et des acteurs concernés, y compris des associations de patients, des professionnels de la santé, des entreprises et des compagnies d’assurance. Cette réunion marque la fin d’une mission de trois ans. Le rapport final propose un ensemble de principes et de recommandations visant renforcer la coopération dans trois domaines essentiels.[10] Concentrations: la Commission autorise le projet de rachat d'OTE par Deutsche TelekomLa Commission européenne a autorisé, conformément au règlement CE sur les concentrations, le projet de rachat de l'opérateur grec de télécommunications OTE par l'opérateur allemand de télécommunications Deutsche Télécom. Elle a conclu que cette opération n'entraverait pas de manière significative l'exercice d'une concurrence effective dans l'Espace économique européen (EEE) ou une partie substantielle de celui-ci.[11] State aid: Commission approves German rescue aid package for Hypo Real Estate Holding AGThe European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty’s rules on state aid, loan guarantees totaling €35 billion that the German Federal Government, together with a group of German financial institutions, intends to provide for covering Hypo Real Estate's re-financing needs until April 2009. The Commission concluded that the measures comply with EU rules on rescue aid. The approval of the rescue aid measure has no bearing on whether any future measures taken by the German authorities to support a restructuring would be similarly approved. Any such measures would have to be assessed on their own merits according to the rules on restructuring aid to establish whether aid was involved, and if so whether sufficient compensatory measures to offset potential distortions of competition were put in place.[12] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Childcare services in the EU• Memo on Work-life balance package • Speech by Vice-President Wallström 'Women and global security', University of California, Berkeley • Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'Regions are new actors of economic development', Lviv • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy "The new Postal Directive" • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy "10th birthday Dinner speech" • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy "Achievements and issues with MiF ID, SEPA/PSD Progress" • Speech by Commissioner McCreevy "An Ageing Society – can we afford to live longer" • Speech by Commissioner Hübner "Why does modern Europe need the Lisbon Treaty?" • Speech by Commissioner Borg 'The Integrated Maritime Policy Action Plan and the Regions', Bayonne • Calendrier hebdomadaire du 6 au 12 octobre • Top News from the European Commission A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Goldman Sachs / Appliances Components Company, Bianchi Vending & Finder
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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