|
|
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-12-01
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission looks ahead to tackle disability discrimination
[02] Services bancaires: la Commission se félicite des nouvelles règles
sectorielles en matière de changement de compte bancaire
[03] Central African Republic: Commission provides €6 million in
humanitarian aid
[04] 50th Anniversary of the European Commission's Central Library:
Conference on Libraries and Innovation
[05] Les États membres de l’UE approuvent une réglementation
internationale pour l’étiquetage des produits chimiques
[06] Duty-free imports: New rules for travellers' allowances into the
European Union from 1 December 2008
[07] VAT fraud: The European Commission presents an action plan to better
combat VAT fraud
[08] External Borders Fund 2007-2013 – Spain
[09] Fonds pour les frontières extérieures 2007-2013 - Hongrie
[10] External Borders Fund 2007-2013 – Latvia
[11] Fonds européen pour les réfugiés 2008-2013: Espagne
[12] European Refugee Fund 2008-2013 – Hungary
[13] European Refugee Fund 2008-2013 – Czech Republic
[14] Fonds européen pour le retour 2008 2013 – Roumanie
[15] Fonds européen pour le retour 2008-2013 – Hongrie
[16] European Return Fund 2008-2013 – Malta
[17] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Germany
[18] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Austria
[19] Fonds européen pour l’intégration des ressortissants de pays tiers
2007 2013 – France
[20] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Slovenia
[21] Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida 2008 – La Commission
européenne appelle à renforcer la prévention et le dépistage du VIH
[22] EU invests €9.2m for academic cooperation with industrialised
countries in North America and Asia-Pacific
[23] Commission clears acquisition of ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe by
ThyssenKrupp
[24] Commission clears acquisition of Zimbo by Bell
[25] Commission clears acquisition of GAPS by Greenvision ambiente and
Itochu
[26] Energising the climate for business in the Baltic Sea Region: Danuta
Hübner attends Baltic Development Forum summit
[27] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2008-12-01
Reference: MEX/08/1201
Date: 01/12/2008
EXME08 / 01.12
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
01/12/08
[01] Commission looks ahead to tackle disability discrimination
The European Commission will today launch a debate on the future shape of
European disability policy ahead of the European Day of People with
Disabilities on 3 December. The conference "Acting locally for a society
for all" – taking place today and tomorrow in Brussels – will bring
together key players in the disability field to discuss follow-up to the
current European Disability Action Plan. It will also provide an
opportunity to discuss the European Commission's recent proposal for
legislation to combat discrimination in access to goods and services,
social protection and social advantages, education and health care (see <a
href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1071&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1071
& <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/461&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/08/461).
[02] Services bancaires: la Commission se félicite des nouvelles règles
sectorielles en matière de changement de compte bancaire
La Commission européenne se félicite de l’adoption par l’EBIC
(European Banking Industry Committee) d’un ensemble de «principes
communs pour le changement de compte bancaire» qui facilitera, pour les
consommateurs, le transfert de leur compte vers une autre banque établie
dans leur État membre. Selon la Commission, ces principes représentent un
avantage tangible pour les consommateurs et devraient contribuer au
renforcement de la concurrence sur le marché européen des services
bancaires de détail. Ces nouvelles règles ont été élaborées en
réponse à l’invitation lancée par la Commission dans son train de
mesures intitulé «Un marché unique pour l’Europe du XXIe
siècle» (cf. <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1728&format=HTML&aged=1&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/1728).
[03] Central African Republic: Commission provides €6 million in
humanitarian aid
The European Commission has allocated €6 million in humanitarian aid to
help around 200,000 displaced people and other vulnerable civilians in the
north of the Central African Republic (CAR). Despite some recent political
progress, the situation in the north of the country has not allowed for a
significant improvement of the humanitarian situation over the past year.
In addition to the nearly 200.000 people internally displaced, some 98,000
have sought refuge in neighbouring countries (Chad, Cameroon and Sudan).
There are also around 2.600 refugees from Darfur in the north-east of the
CAR.
[04] 50th Anniversary of the European Commission's Central Library:
Conference on Libraries and Innovation
The European Commission will host a conference on the subject of "Libraries
and innovation" on 1 December in Luxembourg and on 2 December in Brussels.
This event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the European
Commission's Central Library and anticipates the 2009 European Year of
Creativity and Innovation.
[05] Les États membres de l’UE approuvent une réglementation
internationale pour l’étiquetage des produits chimiques
La Commission européenne se félicite de l’accord entre les États
membres au sujet de l’alignement de la législation de l’UE relative Ã
la classification, à l’étiquetage et à l’emballage des substances et
des mélanges sur le système général harmonisé des Nations
unies (SGH). Ce nouveau système permettra de garantir qu’un même danger
sera décrit et signalé de façon identique dans le monde entier.
L’utilisation de critères de classification et d’éléments
d’étiquetage ayant fait l’objet de conventions internationales devrait
faciliter les échanges et contribuer aux efforts généraux visant Ã
protéger les êtres humains et l’environnement contre les effets nocifs
des produits chimiques. Le nouveau règlement complétera le règlement
REACH concernant l’enregistrement, l’évaluation et
l’autorisation des substances chimiques, ainsi que les restrictions
applicables à ces substances. Le 3 septembre dernier, le règlement SGH a
déjà été approuvé par le Parlement européen. La prochaine étape sera
sa publication au Journal officiel, ce qui fera alors de l’UE l’un des
chefs de file dans l’adoption concrète du système des Nations unies.
[06] Duty-free imports: New rules for travellers' allowances into the
European Union from 1 December 2008
From 1 December 2008, new rules on tax and duty free imports enter into
force. Travellers will benefit from cost savings when importing goods into
the EU in their personal luggage. At the same time, Member States will
avoid administrative costs currently involved in collecting small amounts
of duties and taxes.
[07] VAT fraud: The European Commission presents an action plan to better
combat VAT fraud
Today the European Commission adopted a Communication presenting a short
term action plan with a list of future legislative measures to enhance the
capacity of tax administrations to prevent or detect VAT fraud (in
particular "missing trader fraud") and to recover taxes. Moreover, it has
adopted two measures to amend the VAT Directive. The first aims to prevent
the existing abuse by fraudsters of the VAT exemption at importation and
the second to give Member States the possibility to make the supplier of
goods liable for the VAT loss created by his missing customer in another
Member State, when he did not report his supply to his VAT authority.
[08] External Borders Fund 2007-2013 – Spain
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the External
Borders Fund 2007-2013 for Spain for an estimated amount of € 356 million,
together with the 2007 annual programme.
[09] Fonds pour les frontières extérieures 2007-2013 - Hongrie
La Commission européenne a adopté le programme pluriannuel de mise en
œuvre du Fonds pour les frontières extérieures 2007-2013 présenté par
la Hongrie, ainsi que ses deux premiers programmes annuels (2007 et 2008),
pour un montant estimé de 62 millions d’euros.
[10] External Borders Fund 2007-2013 – Latvia
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the External
Borders Fund 2007-2013 for Latvia for an estimated amount of € 16 million,
together with the first two annual programmes (2007 and 2008).
[11] Fonds européen pour les réfugiés 2008-2013: Espagne
La Commission européenne vient d’adopter le programme pluriannuel de
l'Espagne dans le cadre du Fonds européen pour les réfugiés pour la
période 2008-2013, dont le montant est estimé à 7,8 millions d’euros,
ainsi que le programme annuel 2008.
[12] European Refugee Fund 2008-2013 – Hungary
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Refugee Fund 2008-2013 for Hungary for an estimated amount of € 5.5
million as Community contribution, together with the first annual programme
2008.
[13] European Refugee Fund 2008-2013 – Czech Republic
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Refugee Fund 2008-2013 for the Czech Republic for an estimated amount of
€ 8,6 million, together with the annual programme 2008.
[14] Fonds européen pour le retour 2008 2013 – Roumanie
La Commission européenne vient d’adopter le programme pluriannuel de la
Roumanie dans le cadre du Fonds européen pour le retour pour la période
2008 2013, dont le montant est estimé à 6 millions d’euros, ainsi que le
premier programme annuel (2008).
[15] Fonds européen pour le retour 2008-2013 – Hongrie
La Commission européenne vient d’adopter le programme pluriannuel de la
Hongrie dans le cadre du Fonds européen pour le retour pour la période
2008-2013, dont le montant est estimé à 12 millions d’euros, ainsi que
le premier programme annuel (2008).
[16] European Return Fund 2008-2013 – Malta
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Return Fund 2008-2013 for Malta for an estimated amount of € 5 million,
together with the first annual programme (2008).
[17] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Germany
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Fund for the integration of third country nationals 2007-2013 for Germany
for an estimated amount of € 132.36 million as Community contribution,
together with the first two annual programs (2007 -2008).
[18] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Austria
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Fund for the integration of third country nationals 2007-2013 for Austria
for an estimated amount of € 17.26 million as Community contribution,
together with the first two annual programs (2007 -2008).
[19] Fonds européen pour l’intégration des ressortissants de pays tiers
2007 2013 – France
La Commission a adopté le programme pluriannuel 2007-2013 pour la France
au titre du Fonds européen d’intégration des ressortissants de pays
tiers (dont le montant est estimé à 67,62 millions d’euros pour ce qui
concerne le concours communautaire), ainsi que les deux premiers programmes
annuels (2007 et 2008).
[20] European Fund for the Integration of third country nationals 2007-2013
– Slovenia
The Commission has adopted the multiannual programme under the European
Fund for the integration of third country nationals 2007-2013 for Slovenia
for an estimated amount of € 5.5 million as Community contribution,
together with the first two annual programmes 2007 and 2008.
[21] Journée mondiale de lutte contre le sida 2008 – La Commission
européenne appelle à renforcer la prévention et le dépistage du VIH
Vingt-cinq ans après la découverte du virus par les chercheurs, aucun
traitement ni vaccin contre le sida n’est encore disponible. On estime
aujourd’hui à plus de 30 millions le nombre de porteurs du VIH/sida dans
le monde et à environ 2 millions, le nombre de victimes par an. Plus des
deux tiers de ces décès surviennent en Afrique sub-saharienne. En Europe,
plus de 700 000 personnes vivent avec le virus et 30 000 nouvelles
infections sont notifiées chaque année.
[22] EU invests €9.2m for academic cooperation with industrialised
countries in North America and Asia-Pacific
The European Commission is consolidating the longstanding cooperation with
the US and Canada with the launch of a new round of 24 innovative projects
involving universities and training institutions on both sides of the
Atlantic. In addition, this year 11 joint curriculum development and
student mobility projects were agreed and launched with Australia, Japan,
South Korea and New Zealand. All these projects are jointly funded and
supervised by the European Commission and the governments in the partner
countries. The objective is to promote mutual understanding, transparency
and quality in higher education and training, by setting up long-term
institutional cooperation at bachelor's and master's level, allowing
students from Europe and from the partner countries to have a unique
experience studying abroad in a global context. The 35 projects launched
this year involve 189 institutions and more than 2,000 student exchanges.
[23] Commission clears acquisition of ThyssenKrupp Röhm Kunststoffe by
ThyssenKrupp
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of ThyssenKrupp Röhm
Kunststoffe GmbH of Germany by ThyssenKrupp Services AG, also of Germany.
ThyssenKrupp Services AG supplies materials, industrial services and
commodities for production and manufacturing companies. ThyssenKrupp Röhm
Kunststoffe sells semi-finished plastic products and provides related
services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure.
[24] Commission clears acquisition of Zimbo by Bell
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Zimbo Fleisch- und
Wurstwaren GmbH & Co. KG (Zimbo) of Germany by Bell Holding AG (Bell) of
Switzerland, belonging to the Swiss Coop group. Bell and Coop both produce
and distribute meat and sausages and sell daily consumer goods. Zimbo
produces and distributes meat and sausages. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[25] Commission clears acquisition of GAPS by Greenvision ambiente and
Itochu
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Greenvision ambiente
Photo Solar Srl (GAPS) of Italy by Itochu Corporation (Itochu) of Japan and
Greenvision ambiente Srl (Greenvision) of Italy. GAPS is currently solely
owned by Greenvision and designs photo-voltaic systems. Greenvision is
active in bio building, civil engineering and agro-technologies, renewable
energies and environmental services. Itochu is a trading company with
diversified products. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure.
Rediffusion
[26] Energising the climate for business in the Baltic Sea Region: Danuta
Hübner attends Baltic Development Forum summit
'How to remain competitive and prosperous in times of global turmoil' –
this will be the theme of a keynote address by Danuta Hübner, European
Commissioner for regional policy, at the 2008 Baltic Development Forum
summit in Copenhagen on 1 December. The summit, hosted by the transnational
Øresund region, which links the metropolitan areas of Copenhagen and
Malmö (Sweden), will also provide an important opportunity for
representatives of the Baltic governments, business and academia to discuss
the European Commission's plans for an EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy, which
aims to boost economic development in the region and to improve the
environmental state of the Baltic Sea.
[27] Autre matériel diffusé
• Speech by Commissioner Hübner 'Energising the climate for business in
the Baltic Sea Region, Copenhagen
• Speech by Vice-President Wallström 'Reasons to be hopeful', Interfaith
Climate Summit, Uppsala
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
|
