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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-03-20
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] L'engagement de l'Union pour faciliter la vie quotidienne des familles
européennes
[02] State aid: Commission authorises temporary Belgian scheme allowing
subsidised state guarantees to boost real economy
[03] La fondation Eurosonic/Noorderslag est sélectionnée pour organiser
les European Border Breaker Awards en janvier 2010
[04] Douanes: la Commission européenne propose une dispense de contrôles
douaniers de sécurité entre l'UE et la Suisse
[05] Results of the first European inquiry among citizens about their
holiday plans 2009
[06] Industrial production down by 3.5% in euro area
[07] Commission clears acquisition of Heron Thermoelectric by GDF Suez and
GEK
[08] EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik to receive Honorary Doctorate from
Ghent University
[09] Président Barroso et Premier Ministre Topolánek rencontrent les
partenaires sociaux européens sur la crise économique
[10] Louis Michel announces additional support of €3 million for the Red
Cross (ICRC) in view of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Sri Lanka
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2009-03-20
Reference: MEX/09/0320
Date: 20/03/2009
EXME09 / 20.03
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
20/03/09
State aid: Commission authorises Latvian temporary aid scheme to grant aid
of up to €500 000
The European Commission has authorised, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a
Latvian measure to help businesses to deal with the current economic
crisis. Under the scheme, aid of up to €500 000 per firm may be granted
in 2009 and 2010 to businesses facing funding problems because of the
current credit squeeze. The aid will be granted in form of public
guarantees. The scheme meets the conditions of the Commission’s Temporary
Framework for state aid measures, which gives Member States additional
scope to facilitate access to financing in the present economic and
financial crisis (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1993&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1993).
It is therefore compatible with Article 87(3)(b) of the EC Treaty, which
permits aid to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member
State.
[01] L'engagement de l'Union pour faciliter la vie quotidienne des familles
européennes
Les 19 et 20 mars 2009, la Commission européenne a organisé Bruxelles,
avec le Conseil des Notariats de l'Union Européenne, un colloque consacré
"la coopération juridique au service des familles européennes". Ce
colloque a permis d'envisager les questions juridiques auxquelles sont
confrontées les familles du fait de leur dimension européenne, les
réponses déj apportées par le droit européen et les solutions futures
pour faire face aux attentes des citoyens européens.
[02] State aid: Commission authorises temporary Belgian scheme allowing
subsidised state guarantees to boost real economy
The European Commission has authorised under EC Treaty rules on state aid
a Belgian scheme aimed at providing relief to companies in Flanders
encountering financing difficulties as a result of the credit squeeze in
the current economic crisis. The scheme, put in place by the Flemish
Ministry of Economic Affairs, provides aid in the form of subsidised
guarantees for investment and working capital loans concluded by 31
December 2010. The scheme meets the conditions of the Commission’s
Temporary Framework for state aid measures to support access to finance in
the current financial and economic crisis (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1993&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1993),
as amended on 25 February 2009, because it is appropriate to remedy a
serious disturbance in the entire Belgian economy, is limited in time,
respects the relevant thresholds and applies only to companies that were
not in difficulty on 1 July 2008. It is therefore compatible with Article
87(3)(b) of the EC.
[03] La fondation Eurosonic/Noorderslag est sélectionnée pour organiser
les European Border Breaker Awards en janvier 2010
La Commission européenne a choisi Eurosonic/Noorderslag aux Pays-Bas pour
organiser la septième édition des European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA).
Par ces prix, la Commission européenne, en coopération avec l'Union
européenne de radiotélévision (UER,) entend récompenser de jeunes
artistes et groupes dont le succès dépasse les frontières nationales. En
même temps, ces prix visent aussi célébrer et promouvoir la richesse
et la diversité de la musique européenne, sa créativité et sa
contribution l'innovation.
[04] Douanes: la Commission européenne propose une dispense de contrôles
douaniers de sécurité entre l'UE et la Suisse
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition de
décision du Conseil visant étendre le champ d'application de l'accord
douanier signé en 1990 entre l'UE et la Suisse afin de le mettre en
conformité avec les nouvelles mesures communautaires relatives la
sécurité du transport de marchandises. L'accord proposé supprimera
l'obligation pour les opérateurs économiques de communiquer aux
autorités douanières, l'avance et par voie électronique, des
informations des fins de sécurité dans le cadre des échanges
commerciaux bilatéraux entre la Suisse et l'UE. En attendant, dans ses
échanges avec les pays tiers, la Suisse mettra en œuvre des mesures
douanières de sécurité équivalentes celles appliquées dans l'UE.
Cela permettra d'assurer des échanges commerciaux fluides entre la Suisse
et l'UE ainsi qu'un haut niveau de sécurité dans la chaîne
d'approvisionnement. Cette proposition doit être approuvée par le Conseil
des ministres et par le Conseil fédéral suisse avant sa signature, qui
devrait avoir lieu d'ici le 1er juillet 2009.
[05] Results of the first European inquiry among citizens about their
holiday plans 2009
Over 27,000 randomly selected citizens aged 15 and over, were interviewed
in February 2009 in the 27 EU Member States. For the first time the
Commission has done such an extensive survey, which offers to all tourism
stakeholders a wealth of information, presented analytically by country and
demographic categories. At least 50% of EU citizens travel each year, in
the majority of the EU countries this percentage is even higher, and nearly
three-quarters of citizens take at least one trip per annum.
[06] Industrial production down by 3.5% in euro area
In January 2009 compared with December 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial
production fell by 3.5% in the euro area (EA16) and by 2.9% in the EU272.
In December production decreased by 2.7% in both zones. In January 2009
compared with January 2008, industrial production declined by 17.3% in the
euro area and by 16.3% in the EU27. These estimates are released by
Eurostat.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of Heron Thermoelectric by GDF Suez and
GEK
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Heron Thermoelectric SA
and Heron II Viotia Thermoelectric Station SA, both Greek companies, by
Electrabel International Holdings BV, belonging to GDF Suez SA of France,
and GEK SA of Greece. GDF Suez generates, transports, stores, distributes
and supplies natural gas and generates and sells electricity. It is also
active in waste management and water related-services. GEK is active in
construction, industry, concessions, real estate and energy. Heron
Thermoelectric SA operates and manages the Heron I thermal power plant in
Greece. Heron II Viotia Thermoelectric Station SA is active in the design,
engineering, development and construction of the Heron II thermal power
plant. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure.
[08] EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik to receive Honorary Doctorate from
Ghent University
Today EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik, will be
presented with a doctors honoris causa at the Dies Natalis ceremony at the
University Hall of the University of Ghent at 16h00. Prof. Dr. Paul van
Cauwenberge will give the laudatio. Commissioner Potočnik will give a
speech. The speech from the Commissioner, "A European Spirit", will be
posted on the following website - under embargo - at 1 pm: <a
href="http://ec.europa.eu/comm/commission_barroso/potocnik/indexfl_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/comm/commission_barroso/potocnik/indexfl_en.htm
Rediffusion
[09] Président Barroso et Premier Ministre Topolánek rencontrent les
partenaires sociaux européens sur la crise économique
Le Président de la Commission européenne, José Manuel Barroso, et le
Premier Ministre tchèque Mirek Topolánek – pour la Présidence du
Conseil – ont rencontré ce matin les partenaires sociaux européens pour
débattre de l'impact social de la crise, et comment préparer le sommet du
mois de mai sur l’emploi. Le Sommet Social Tripartite d'aujourd'hui a
montré un clair consensus sur le besoin urgent d'une action coordonnée au
niveau européen, qui vient compléter et soutenir les actions au niveau
des Etats Membres, ainsi que le rejet des mesures protectionnistes.
Vladimír `pidla, Commissaire l'Emploi et aux Affaires sociales, ainsi
que les Premiers Ministres suédois et espagnol, Fredrik Reinfeldt et José
Luis Rodríguez Zapatero étaient aussi présents.
[10] Louis Michel announces additional support of €3 million for the Red
Cross (ICRC) in view of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Sri Lanka
In the north-east of Sri Lanka, up to 200,000 civilians are still trapped
in an area less than 50km2 where fierce fighting between government forces
and Tamil Tiger rebels continues. Louis Michel, the European Commissioner
for Development and Humanitarian Aid, has instructed his services to
prepare an emergency financing decision for €3 million to support the
ICRC in responding to the dramatic humanitarian situation.
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on Preparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of March 2009
• Introductory remarks of President Barroso at the Tripartite Social
Summit Press Conference, Brussels
• Speech by Commissioner Borg 'Making Headway on the Integrated Maritime
Policy', Malta
• Calendrier hebdomadaire du 23 au 29 mars
• Top News from the European Commission
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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