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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-02-12
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Strengthening the international humanitarian response: Commission
adopts €27 million capacity-building programme
[02] State aid: Commission authorises support package for Hungarian
financial institutions
[03] State aid: Commission approves €1.5 billion capital injection from
the Belgian public authorities for Ethias group
[04] Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announces assistance of €149
million to Egypt for education, transport and public services and civil
society programmes
[05] Commission re-launches Europe Direct information network
[06] Toward a visa-free regime between the European Community and Antigua
and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mauritius, Barbados and
Seychelles
[07] Industrial production down by 2.6% in euro area
[08] Commission clears acquisition of BGZ by Rabobank
[09] La Commission européenne appuie la décision de l'Union Africaine
mettant en place des sanctions ciblées à l'encontre de la junte militaire
en Mauritanie
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2009-02-12
Reference: MEX/09/0212
Date: 12/02/2009
EXME09 / 12.02
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
12/02/09
[01] Strengthening the international humanitarian response: Commission
adopts €27 million capacity-building programme
The European Commission has adopted a new funding decision for €27
million to strengthen global humanitarian preparedness and the response
capacity of international organisations. Daily experience confirms the view
of the Commission's humanitarian partner organisations that there are still
significant gaps to be filled, notably in respect of logistics, pre-
positioning and disaster-preparedness in sectors such as health,
water/sanitation, shelter, food assistance and protection.
[02] State aid: Commission authorises support package for Hungarian
financial institutions
The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules a
Hungarian package intended to stabilise the markets as a response to the
global financial crisis. The package will provide eligible credit
institutions with new capital and guarantees on short and medium term newly
issued debt, under strict conditions. The Commission found the measures to
be in line with its guidance Communications on state aid to overcome the
financial crisis (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1495&format=HTML&aged=0&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1495
and <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1901&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1901).
In particular, the package ensures non discriminatory access, is limited in
time and scope, provides for a market-oriented remuneration and foresees
adequate safeguards to minimise potential distortions of competition. The
Commission therefore concludes that the scheme is an adequate means to
remedy a serious disturbance in the Hungarian economy and is as such
compatible with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.
[03] State aid: Commission approves €1.5 billion capital injection from
the Belgian public authorities for Ethias group
Under the EC Treaty rules on state aid, the European Commission has
approved a capital injection of €1.5 billion from the Belgian Government
for the insurance and banking group Ethias. It concluded that the measure
was in line with its communication providing guidance on state aid to
overcome the current financial crisis (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1495&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1495)
as well as its rescue and restructuring aid guidelines (see <a
href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/04/172&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/04/172).
The aid is limited to the minimum required to enable the Ethias group to
continue operations and provides for an adequate return on the capital
provided by the state authorities. It is therefore compatible with ArticleÂ
87(3)(b) of the EC Treaty, which permits aid intended to remedy a serious
disturbance in the economy of a Member State.
[04] Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announces assistance of €149
million to Egypt for education, transport and public services and civil
society programmes
The European Commission is now making available a package worth €149
million to Egypt within the 2008 Annual Action Programme under the European
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument. Commissioner for External
Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner made the
announcement in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Health and
Population Prof. Dr. Hatem El-Gabaly on the occasion of his visit to
Brussels. The focus of the programmes financed under this package will be
on education, reforms in the transport sector, improvement of the water and
waste water services and support for civil society.
[05] Commission re-launches Europe Direct information network
A second generation of the Europe-wide network of Europe Direct information
centres for 2009—2012 was launched today. The new network will extend
possibilities for citizens to get practical information and advice on
exercising rights in the European Union. The general public will be able to
turn to one of the 500 information centres to get their specific questions
on EU matters answered. The Europe Direct centres will also provide
feedback from citizens to the EU institutions, and actively promote local
and regional debate on EU topics.
[06] Toward a visa-free regime between the European Community and Antigua
and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Mauritius, Barbados and
Seychelles
Mutual visa-free travel becomes soon a reality between the European
Community and Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Saint Kitts and Nevis,
Mauritius, Barbados and Seychelles – The Commission approves the draft
Council Decisions on the signature and conclusion of short-stay visa waiver
agreements with these six countries.
[07] Industrial production down by 2.6% in euro area
In December 2008 compared with November 2008, seasonally adjusted
industrial production fell by 2.6% in the euro area (EA15) and by 2.3% in
the EU27. In November production decreased by 2.2% in both zones. In
December 2008 compared with December 2007, industrial production declined
by 12.0% in the euro area and by 11.5% in the EU27. Compared with 2007, the
average industrial production index for 2008 fell by 1.7% in the euro area
and by 1.6% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of BGZ by Rabobank
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Bank Gospodarki
Żywno[ciowej S.A. (BGZ) of Poland by Rabobank International Holding B.V.
(Rabobank) of The Netherlands. BGZ is currently jointly controlled by
Rabobank and the State Treasury of the Republic of Poland. Rabobank is
active in retail and corporate banking, financial services and the
provision of mortgages. BGZ provides banking services to private
individuals, small and medium enterprises and large corporate and
government institutions. BGZ specialises in banking services to customers
in rural areas and small towns, as well as customers from the agricultural
and food-processing sectors. The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
Rediffusion
[09] La Commission européenne appuie la décision de l'Union Africaine
mettant en place des sanctions ciblées à l'encontre de la junte militaire
en Mauritanie
Le Commissaire européen au Développement et à l'Aide humanitaire, Louis
Michel, a déclaré: "J'appuie totalement cette décision de l'Union
Africaine tout en regrettant qu'on en soit arrivé à ce stade. Depuis des
mois la communauté internationale demande aux différentes parties en
conflit de définir une solution consensuelle que nous pourrions appuyer.
Je suis déçu de constater que la junte continue à mettre en œuvre sa
propre solution entrainant ainsi le pays dans l'isolement international
avec des conséquences politique et socio-économiques graves. Je continue
à croire qu'il existe des possibilités de convergence entre toutes les
parties mais ceci nécessite, contrairement à ce que l'on constate, un
dialogue direct et une volonté de trouver un consensus".
[10] Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification
Mechanism in Bulgaria
• Memo on Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification
Mechanism in Romania
• Speech by Commissioner Dimas 'Will the EU meet its 2010 target? What
more needs to be done?', Brussels
• Opening Remarks by President Barroso at the Joint Press Conference with
Czech Prime Minister Topolánek, Brussels
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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