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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-11-26Midday 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[I] Résultats de la Commission du 26 novembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 26 November 2008
[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb26/11/08[I] Résultats de la Commission du 26 novembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 26 November 2008[01] Antitrust: Commission opens German electricity market to competitionThe European Commission has adopted a decision that renders legally binding commitments offered by E.ON to address concerns raised in the course of an investigation under EC Treaty rules prohibiting the abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82, see MEMO/06/463). The Commission had concerns that E.ON may have withdrawn available generation capacity from the German wholesale electricity markets (to raise prices), and have deterred new investors in generation. Furthermore, the Commission had concerns that E.ON may have favoured its production affiliate for providing balancing services, while passing the resulting costs on to final consumers, and prevented other power producers from exporting balancing energy into its transmission zone. Subsequently, E.ON offered to divest around 5 000 MW of its generation capacity to address the concerns regarding the generation market. E.ON also committed to divest its extra-high voltage network to meet the concerns on the electricity balancing market. In the light of the commitments offered by E.ON, the Commission has now closed its investigation.[02] Nuclear Safety: Commission moves aheadToday the Commission adopted a revised proposal for a Directive setting up a Community framework for nuclear safety. The new Directive responds to EU citizens' concerns for Europe-wide binding safety legislation for the operation of nuclear power plants. It defines basic obligations and general principles for the safety of nuclear installations in the EU while enhancing the role of national regulatory bodies.[03] Commission investigates into aid granted for TSE tests in BelgiumThe European Commission has decided today to launch a formal investigation against unlawful State aid granted by Belgium since 2002 to farmers for the BSE tests of bovine animals. The State aid rules for agriculture do allow the granting of aid for BSE tests up to a certain amount, but the Commission received indications that Belgium has granted aid exceeding this amount. Therefore, the Commission expresses its doubts as to the respect of the maximum aid amounts by Belgium.[04] Commission investigates aid granted to Farm Dairy Flevoland in the NetherlandsThe European Commission has decided today to launch a formal investigation against possible illegal State aid granted by the Dutch Province Flevoland to the undertaking Farm Dairy Flevoland in 1999. The aid amounts to € 715 000. The aid does not seem to be in line with the State rules applicable at the time of the granting of the aid.[05] Commission declares Austrian State aid to Postbus compatible with the common marketThe European Commission decided today that the public service contract concluded between the Austrian bus company Postbus and the Verkehrsverbund Tirol, the private-law body in charge of organising public transport in the district of Lienz, contains State aid. At the same time, the Commission has found that this State aid is compatible with the common market.[06] Commission authorises Czech State aid to bus operators in Southern MoraviaThe European Commission recognised today that compensations granted to Southern-Moravian bus operators in the Czech Republic are State aid measures. The measures have been found compatible with the common market.[07] La Commission autorise un régime d’aides belge en faveur des modes de transport alternatif la routeLa Commission européenne a approuvé aujourd’hui un régime belge d’aides au transport terrestre de marchandises qui vise promouvoir des modes de transport respectueux de l'environnement et alternatifs au transport routier. Ce régime sera en vigueur pendant la période 2008-2013 avec un budget annuel de € 3,5 millions. Il servira encourager le développement du transport de marchandises par voie fluviale et par chemin de fer, y compris le transport combiné. Il permettra aux autorités belges de poursuivre une politique de mobilité respectueuse de l’environnement pour un développement durable de la région wallonne.[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles[08] Deuxième édition de Juvenes Translatores, le concours de traduction pour les jeunesDemain, de la Guadeloupe, aux Antilles, Kittilä, au nord du cercle arctique, en passant par São Roque do Pico, dans les Açores, et Etterbeek, Bruxelles, deux pas du siège de la Commission européenne, des élèves de toute l'Europe s'appliqueront traduire un texte dans un style le plus fluide possible, tout en veillant en respecter le sens. Tel est l'objectif de la deuxième édition du concours Juvenes Translatores («jeunes traducteurs» en latin), organisée par la Commission européenne pour les établissements d'enseignement secondaire supérieur de tous les États membres de l'Union européenne.[09] Mergers: Commission approves proposed joint venture between Ericsson and STMicroelectronicsThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between EMP, the wireless platform business of Ericsson of Sweden, and ST-NXP, the wireless semiconductors business of STMicroelectronics of the Netherlands. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[10] La Commission se félicite du communiqué de Bordeaux, qui marque un progrès important de la coopération européenne dans l'enseignement et la formation professionnelsLes ministres de l'enseignement et de la formation professionnels (EFP) des États membres de l'Union européenne, des pays de l'AELE/EEE et des pays candidats l'adhésion, ainsi que la Commission européenne et les partenaires sociaux européens ont adopté aujourd'hui le communiqué de Bordeaux dans le but de renforcer la coopération dans le domaine de l'enseignement et de la formation professionnels.[11] Discussions de haut niveau Biarritz sur l’agenda sportif européenLa Commission européenne organise le tout premier forum européen du sport Biarritz les 26 et 27 novembre. Des acteurs importants du monde sportif discuteront de l’application du Livre blanc sur le sport de 2007, du financement des sports de masse et de la spécificité du sport. Le forum est organisé parallèlement la réunion informelle des ministres des sports de l’Union européenne, qui se tient les 27 et 28 novembre dans le cadre de la présidence française. En présence du président du CIO M. Jacques Rogge, le président de la FIFA M. Sepp Blatter, le président de l’UEFA M. Michel Platini, d’autres représentants du sport et les ministres des sports de l’UE aborderont des questions de politiques et de gouvernance du sport. La présidence diffusera les conclusions et tiendra une conférence de presse vendredi 12 h 45. La Commission sera représentée aux deux événements par M. Ján Figeľ, commissaire européen au sport.[12] The EU and Côte d'Ivoire sign stepping stone trade dealThe EU and Côte d'Ivoire have today signed a 'stepping stone' Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the first of its kind between the EU and an African trade partner. Amadou Koné, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister for African Integration and Karl Falkenberg, Deputy Director General for Trade at the European Commission, signed the deal in the Ivorian capital Abidjan. The agreement combines the benefits of a trade agreement with development assistance targeted at accelerating growth and development in Côte d'Ivoire. The final goal remains to conclude a full EPA with all the members of the West African region that will promote competitiveness, growth and investment while accelerating regional integration.[13] Commission clears acquisition of SGB Group by BC FundsThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Starkstrom Gerätebau GmbH of Germany and its subsidiaries (the SGB Group) by BC Funds, private equity funds managed by CIE Management II Limited (CIEM) and advised by BC Partners Limited of the UK. BC Funds invests in companies in various sectors, mainly throughout Europe. SGB Group manufactures and maintains electrical power transformers. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.Rediffusion [14] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of MÁV Cargo by Rail Cargo Austria, subject to conditionsThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of MÁV Cargo of Hungary by the Austrian company Rail Cargo Austria (RCA), both active in the provision of rail freight transport and freight forwarding services. The Commission's decision is conditional upon RCA's commitment to remove structural links and review contractual links to GySEV (Raaberbahn). The Commission concluded that the transaction, as modified by these commitments, would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[15] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo sur les Ententes: la Commission confirme avoir mené des inspections surprises auprès d'entreprises pharmaceutiques• Memo on The European Vocational Education and Training policy (VET) - Frequently Asked Questions • Memo on Interim Economic Partnership Agreements - West Africa: Ivory Coast and Ghana • Memo on Nuclear Safety Directive • Memo on Telecoms Council, Brussels, 27 November 2008: SMS & Data Roaming and Telecoms Reform to be discussed by Ministers • Discours du Président Barroso 'Europe : une force d'initiative et de proposition dans un monde en mutation', Bruxelles • Speech by Vice-President Wallström 'Communicating Europe – Mission impossible?', Berlin • Discours du Vice-président Barrot '2ème conférence euro-africaine sur la Migration et le Développement', Paris A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : StatoilHydro/St1/St1 Avifuel News Corp/Permira/NDS
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 |