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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-03-20Midday 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 Communicationb20/03/09State 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 européennesLes 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 economyThe 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 2010La 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 SuisseLa 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 2009Over 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 areaIn 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 GEKThe 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 UniversityToday 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.htmRediffusion [09] Président Barroso et Premier Ministre Topolánek rencontrent les partenaires sociaux européens sur la crise économiqueLe 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 LankaIn 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/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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