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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-01-27Midday 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 Communicationb27/01/09[01] EU-Afghanistan Troika: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to confirm long term commitmentBenita Ferrero-Waldner Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy will attend the EU-Afghanistan Ministerial Troika meeting on 28th January in Prague. Afghanistan is represented by Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta. The meeting will touch upon the implementation of Afghanistan’s democracy agenda, the preparation of Afghanistan’s presidential and parliamentary elections foreseen in 2009 as well as the EU's contribution to improving rule of law and regional developments including Afghan-Pakistan relations. Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner will confirm the EU's commitment to Afghanistan with the €500 million assistance package for 2008-2010 which focuses on three key priority areas: reform of the justice sector; rural development including alternatives to poppy production; and health.[02] Vice-President Tajani meets Israeli PM OlmertEuropean Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Transport is today in Israel where he met Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and the Israeli Minister for Transport Shaul Mofaz. Tajani is on a 4-day visit where he will also deliver a speech at the opening of the 4th International Space Conference on Wednesday 28 January.[03] The European Commission has today published the programme for a High- Level Conference on Private Equity and Hedge Funds, to be held in Brussels on 26-27 FebruaryThe conference will bring together representatives of the hedge fund and private equity industries, investors, members of the regulatory community and other experts to discuss emerging policy issues in these sectors. The conference will focus in particular on financial stability, transparency and investor protection. The conclusions from these discussions, coupled with the results of an ongoing public consultation on hedge funds, will feed in to the European Commission's review of the adequacy of supervisory and regulatory arrangements for all financial market actors in the context of the financial crisis. Registration for this event will remain open until 18 February and is now available at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/investment/alternative_investments_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/investment/alternative_investments_en.htm[04] Consumers: Commissioner Kuneva opens conference to address health risks of Personal Music PlayersMeglena Kuneva, Commissioner for Consumers, is today hosting a high profile stakeholder conference on the safety of Personal Music Players. An Opinion from the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) last October found that listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to hearing damage and loss. In fact, 5-10% of personal music player listeners risk permanent hearing loss if they listen to a personal music player at high volumes for more than one hour per day for at least 5 years. Today's conference brings together EU Member States, scientists, industry, consumer organisations, MEPs and other stakeholders, to examine what measures may need to be taken to reduce that risk. The discussions will cover precautions that users can take, technical solutions that industry could apply to minimise hearing damage, and whether there is a need for further regulation or revision of existing safety standards to protect consumers. The conference is taking place today (27 January) in the Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, from 09.00-18.00. Footage is available on EBS. For more information, see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/news/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/safety/news/index_en.htmRediffusion [05] Concentrations: la Commission ouvre une enquête approfondie sur le projet de rachat de SN Brussels Airlines par LufthansaLa Commission européenne a ouvert une enquête approfondie, en vertu du règlement CE sur les concentrations, sur le projet de rachat de SN AirHolding (SNAH, Belgique) par Lufthansa (Allemagne), toutes deux actives dans le secteur du transport aérien de passagers et de fret. L'enquête initiale menée sur le marché par la Commission a révélé que l'opération envisagée risquait d'entraver de manière significative le jeu d'une concurrence effective, soulevant ainsi de sérieux doutes quant à sa compatibilité avec le marché unique en ce qui concerne, au moins, le transport aérien de passagers sur plusieurs lignes reliant la Belgique à l'Allemagne et à la Suisse. La décision d'ouvrir une enquête approfondie ne préjuge pas l'issue de l'instruction. La Commission dispose à présent d’un délai de 90 jours ouvrables (jusqu’au 10 juin 2009) pour arrêter une décision finale.[06] Autre matériel diffusé• Speech by Commissioner Kuneva at the Personal Music Players Stakeholders' Conference, Brussels• Speech by Commissioner McCreevy 'Financial Markets & Economic Recovery - Restoring Confidence and responding to public concerns', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Crédit Mutuel/Cofidis Goldman Sachs/Constellation Energy Commodities BASF/CIBA
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 |