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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 99-02-24
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
24/02/99
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission
meeting
[01] La Commission engage une réflexion sur l'application des règles de
concurrence au sport
[02] Marchés publics : la Commission lance une consultation sur les
concessions
[03] Commission approves public funding of two public special interest
channels in Germany
[04] Commission declares incompatibility of some aid granted to Daewoo
Vitoria
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[05] Ritt Bjerregaard on chemicals in the EU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission
meeting
[01] La Commission engage une réflexion sur l'application des règles de
concurrence au sport
Le Commissaire européen à la concurrence, Karel Van Miert, en accord avec
les Commissaires respectivement responsables de la Culture et des Affaires
sociales, Marcelino Oreja et Padraig Flynn, a informé la Commission de
quelques orientations préliminaires de ses services sur l'application des
règles de concurrence de l'Union européenne (UE) dans le domaine du sport.
Ces orientations ne préjugent pas des conclusions définitives de l'examen
de la soixantaine de dossiers encore ouverts mais elles reflètent l'état
actuel de réflexion sur la manière dont la Commission envisage de trancher
certaines questions délicates. Les orientations définitives ne seront
adoptées que suite à un processus de réflexion et de dialogue avec le monde
du sport qui a été lancé à l'initiative de M. Oreja. Le but de la
Commission consiste à garantir la cohérence entre les différentes actions
et politiques qu'elle mène et qui ont un impact sur le sport, notamment
entre la libre circulation des personnes au sein de l'UE, la défense de la
concurrence, la politique culturelle et la politique de l'audiovisuel.
[02] Marchés publics : la Commission lance une consultation sur les
concessions
La Commission européenne a décidé de lancer une consultation sur
l'application des règles du marché unique à certaines formes de partenariat
entre des entités publiques et le secteur privé, et en particulier aux
concessions. Cette consultation se basera sur un projet de Communication
interprétative visant à éclaircir comment les principes du Traité de
l'Union européenne concernant notamment la non-discrimination, la liberté
d'établissement et la libre prestation de services, ainsi que les
Directives sur les marchés publics, doivent être appliqués aux contrats de
concession ou aux autres formes analogues de partenariat public privé.
Suite à la consultation de tous les milieux intéressés, qui prendra fin au
mois de mai 1999, la Commission adoptera la Communication interprétative
dans sa version définitive.
[03] Commission approves public funding of two public special interest
channels in Germany
The European Commission has approved the financing from State resources of
the two German public special interest channels "Kinderkanal" and
"Phoenix". Further to a complaint, the Commission found public funding of
both channels through the transfer of monies collected from licence fees to
constitute State aid. The Commission found the transfers compatible with
the European Union Treaty because they allow for public service remits of
the public broadcasting.
[04] Commission declares incompatibility of some aid granted to Daewoo
Vitoria
The European Commission has declared incompatible with the common market
aid granted to Daewoo Electronics Manufacturing S.A. "Demesa" for the
construction of a refrigerators plant in the industrial area of Jundiz,
Vitoria, in the Basque Country (Spain). The total cost of the investment
is 71,133,388 euro (11,835,600,000 ESP). The case goes back to June 1996,
when three Spanish and European manufacturers' associations filed a
complaint with regard to aid allegedly received by Demesa in the form of
investment subsidies and tax exemptions which went beyond the maximum
ceiling for regional aid in the Basque Country. The Commission, in view of
the difficult situation of the refrigerators and freezers market in which
Demesa operates, concludes that only the investment aid corresponding to
20% of the eligible costs, which has been granted in conformity with the
Ekimen regional aid scheme, is compatible with the common market.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[05] Ritt Bjerregaard on chemicals in the EU
Speaking today in Brussels at a brainstorming workshop on chemicals,
European Commissioner for the Environment Ritt Bjerregaard recalled that :
"We have at our disposal an impressive arsenal of instruments, covering
hazard identification, risk assessment and risk management, and covering in
principle all chemicals, new and old", but "development and use of the
instruments has not been reflected in growing public confidence in
chemicals. We're getting the message that the current legislation just
isn't doing the job". "We need a system that demonstrably deals with the
concerns, with the emphasis on prevention rather that cure. And we're not
there yet". The Commissioner underlined the "major concern related to the
number of chemicals, which constitute the 'burden of the past' and for
which there is little data available". "Risk assessment provides the basis
for the management of hazardous chemicals. There are no risk reduction
measures without a risk assessment. Is this basis still valid in all
instances ? What about chemicals which are known to cause cancer, or which
are mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction ? Does their risk assessment need
to be supplemented by a cost-benefit analysis prior to managing the risk ?
The Commission in 1993 thought not, but the European Parliament and the
Council of Ministers decided otherwise. Often the effects related to the
use of chemicals only emerge with time. The phenomenon of endocrine
disruption and the migration of phthalates in soft PVC toys illustrates
this point". The Commissioner concluded : "We must balance the interests
of the protection of the environment and human health, as well as consumer
protection, with the need for industry to remain competitive. We must also
respect the requirements of the internal market. In summary, we have to
take account of the social, environmental and economic dimensions."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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