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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-12-23Midday 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 Communicationb23/12/08[01] State aid: Commission approves Latvian support scheme for banksThe European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules a Latvian support scheme to stabilise financial markets by providing guarantees to eligible banks to ensure their access to financing. The Commission found the measure to be in line with its Guidance Communication on state aid to overcome the financial crisis (see IP/08/1495). In particular, the scheme ensures non-discriminatory access, is limited in time and scope, requires market oriented remuneration and contains sufficient safeguards to avoid abuses. The Commission therefore concluded that the scheme was an adequate means to remedy a serious disturbance of the Latvian economy and as such in line with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.[02] State aid: Commission approves state support for IKBThe European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a guarantee, that Germany is granting to IKB to cover the bank's medium-term refinancing needs in the financial crisis. The support aims to ensure that IKB's restructuring is not impeded by insufficient liquidity. The Commission found the measure appropriate to stabilise the bank, in line with its Guidance Communication on state aid in the financial crisis (see IP/08/1495) as well as its rescue and restructuring guidelines (see MEMO/04/172). The guarantee is necessary to avoid a serious disturbance in the German economy and to ensure the continuity of IKB's business activities. As it is limited in time and scope to the minimum necessary to restore the financing, requires an adequate fee level and ensures the economic viability of IKB, it is compatible with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.[03] State aid: Commission approves German banking rescue aid for NordLBThe European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a guarantee package, that Germany intends to grant to NordLB to cover the bank's medium-term refinancing needs in the financial crisis. The Commission found the measure appropriate to stabilise the bank, in line with its Guidance Communication on state aid in the financial crisis (see IP/08/1495). The guarantee is necessary to avoid a serious disturbance in the German economy. The measure is limited in time and scope, ensures a market- oriented remuneration and foresees sufficient behavioural safeguards to avoid abuses. The guarantee is therefore compatible with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.[04] State aid: Commission approves modifications to UK financial support measures to the banking industryThe European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, modifications to the UK support measures to the banking industry, initially approved by the Commission on 13 October 2008 (see IP/08/1496). The amendments mainly concern the fee payable on guaranteed liabilities and the widening of the range of currencies in which the guaranteed instruments can be issued. The modifications will bring the UK scheme in line with those in other Member States and support the provision of credit to the UK economy. The Commission therefore concluded that the UK support measures, as amended, are compatible with the common market.[05] Commission clears acquisition of Bellco by MPS Group and Argos SoditicThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Bellco S.r.l. of Italy by MPS Venture S.p.A. (MPS) of Italy and Argos Soditic France SAS. MPS is an investment company. Argos Soditic is a private equity firm. Bellco produces renal care products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[06] Commission clears joint venture between Hargreaves and EvonikThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the proposed joint venture between Evonik Power Minerals GmbH (EPM GmbH) of Germany and Hargreaves Services plc (HS) of the UK. EPM GmbH provides services to coal fired power plants in particular waste management and the marketing of coal combustion products. HS is active in mineral imports, waste management and transportation and mining in the UK. The joint venture, Evonik Hargreaves, will be active in the supply of fly and bottom ash, which are by-products from coal-fired power production, to customers in the UK. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Contrôles vétérinaires à l'importation: l'Union européenne et la Suisse reconnaissent l'équivalence de leurs législations.Aujourd'hui la Commission européenne et la Suisse ont reconnu l'équivalence de leurs législations dans le domaine des productions et des importations des animaux vivants et des produits d'origine animale. Cette reconnaissance a été entérinée à Paris, sous Présidence française, par le Comité mixte vétérinaire de gestion de l'Accord relatif aux échanges de produits agricoles.Elle entraîne l'abandon réciproque des contrôles vétérinaires aux frontières entre les Etats membres et la Suisse et facilite ainsi les mouvements des animaux vivants et des produits d'origine animale. A partir du 1er janvier 2009, ces mouvements s'effectueront donc aux conditions définies pour les échanges intracommunautaires. Les postes d'inspection vétérinaire frontaliers situés entre la Suisse et l'Union européenne disparaissent. Les postes d'inspection vétérinaire des aéroports suisses de Zurich et de Genève sont quant à eux reconnus par l'Union européenne pour la réalisation des contrôles à l'importation en provenance des pays tiers. Les contrôles des marchandises en transit sont eux aussi simplifiés. L'abandon réciproque des contrôles vétérinaires aux frontières concrétise les efforts conjoints menés depuis plusieurs années par la Suisse et l'Union européenne pour le rapprochement de leurs législations dans le domaine vétérinaire et contribue à l'amélioration des conditions de libre échange et d'accès aux marchés par la réduction des charges administratives supportées par les opérateurs économiques. La décision du Comité mixte est disponible sur le site: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/agreements_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/international/trade/agreements_en.htm Rediffusion [08] Mergers: Commission gives go-ahead for planned joint venture between Aéroports de Paris and the Nuance GroupThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed joint venture between the French company, Aéroports de Paris (ADP), and the Swiss company, The Nuance Group (TNG. The Commission found that the merger would not significantly restrict effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. 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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