European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 01-12-07

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From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>

[01] La Commission autorise la fusion de Muzzik et Mezzo, deux chaînes musicales françaises La Commission européenne a autorisé la fusion entre les chaînes de télévision musicales françaises Mezzo et Muzzik. Mezzo est actuellement contrôlée par Lagardère et Vivendi-Universal, tandis que Muzzik est contrôlée par France Télécom et France Télévision. La concentration proposée ne soulève de problèmes de concurrence en raison de la petite taille de l'entité issue de la fusion et de l'absence de risque de coordination du comportement concurrentiel de ses entreprises mères.

[02] Commission clears Swedish joint venture between Saab and WM-Data for the provision of aerospace and automotive consulting services The European Commission has cleared the creation of a joint venture between aerospace company Saab AB and WM-Dara AB, active in the IT consulting sector. The joint venture between the two Swedish companies does not pose any competition concerns.

[03] La Commission propose de modifier la directive relative aux emballages et aux déchets d'emballages La Commission européenne a présenté une proposition modifiant la directive (94/62/CE) relative aux emballages et aux déchets d'emballages. La directive vise à prévenir ou à réduire les incidences environnementales des emballages et des déchets d'emballages en fixant des objectifs minimaux de valorisation et de recyclage. Les nouveaux objectifs, nettement plus ambitieux que les objectifs fixés pour 2001 par la directive actuelle, doivent être atteints en 2006. Compte tenu des différences sur le plan des coûts et des avantages du recyclage selon les matières, la proposition prévoit également des objectifs spécifiques pour les plastiques, les métaux, le papier/carton et le verre. Les objectifs spécifiques amélioreront le niveau global de protection de l'environnement dans l'UE. Ils réduiront également les distorsions de concurrence actuelles, conduiront à une harmonisation plus poussée au sein du marché intérieur et garantiront une plus grande stabilité permettant de planifier les investissements dans les infrastructures de recyclage.

[04] e-Economy : Commission outlines steps to maximise benefits for European enterprises A Communication on the impact of the e-Economy on European enterprises was presented by the European Commission to the EU's Council of Industry Ministers on 5th December. The Communication advocates systematically integrating the "e-dimension" into policies affecting enterprises. It also proposes to develop a policy agenda in 2002 to maximise the benefits of the e-Economy for European enterprises. In its analytical part, the Communication takes account of the considerable changes that have taken place in the e-Economy since the Lisbon Summit set the ambitious goal of making the EU the world's most "competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy" within 10 years.

[05] Commission takes legal action against Ireland and Italy for non- compliance with EU waste legislation The European Commission has decided to refer Ireland to the European Court of Justice for failing to respect the requirements of the EU's Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC) with regard to the controlled disposal and recovery of waste. The Commission has also decided to send Italy Reasoned Opinions (second written warnings under the infringement procedure used to ensure that all EU Member States uphold the rules agreed at European level) for failing to comply with the Directive's requirements with regard to landfills at Rodano (in Milan) and Granciara di Castelliri (in Frosinone). Commenting on the decisions, Ms Margot Wallström, the Environment Commissioner, said : "European citizens are entitled to receive an assurance that waste will be disposed of safely and in a controlled manner. It is very worrying to find situations in Ireland and Italy where such an assurance is still lacking".

[06] Pollution de l'eau : la Commission engage une procédure contre le Portugal pour non-respect d'un arrêt de la Cour La Commission européenne a décidé d'envoyer aux autorités portugaises une lettre de mise en demeure (premier avertissement écrit en cas de procédure d'infraction engagée afin que tous les Etats membres prennent les mesures nécessaires pour se conformer aux arrêts de la Cour de justice des Communautés européennes) pour non-respect d'un arrêt de la Cour relatif à la directive communautaire sur les substances dangereuses (76/464/CEE). En effet, le Portugal n'a toujours pas officiellement adopté ni notifié à la Commission, comme l'exige la directive, de programme de réduction de la pollution concernant quatre-vingt-dix-neuf substances dangereuses, et ce en dépit de l'arrêt de la Cour de justice de juillet 2000. Mme Margot Wallström, membre de la Commission responsable de l'environnement, a commenté la décision en ces termes : "La protection des eaux est un aspect essentiel de la politique environnementale communautaire et l'un de ceux qui préoccupent tout particulièrement bon nombre de citoyens parce que leur santé en dépend. J'espère que le Portugal ne tardera pas à mettre en œuvre les programmes de réduction de la pollution qui s'imposent."

[07] Franz Fischler signs EU/Slovenia wine agreement (! embargo 8 pm !) An agreement between the EU and Slovenia that will allow de facto duty free trade for wine has today been signed by Franz Fischler, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, and the Slovenian Agriculture Minister Franc But. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Ljubljana, Mr Fischler said that he was "particularly happy of this event," which concludes negotiations begun in 1998. The Commission sees this agreement, which should enter into force on the 1 January 2002, "as an important step in the integration process. Having in mind the tremendous progress made so far, I am sure that Slovenia will very soon fulfil all the conditions to be a new Member State."

[08] Cyprus : Anna Diamantopoulou plans to bring together Greek and Turkish- speaking communities on EU policies for social dialogue, the disabled and equal opportunities European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Anna Diamantopoulou today plans to bring together Greek and Turkish-speaking communities in Cyprus to present and discuss what the EU does to promote social dialogue between trade unions and employers, rights for disabled people and equal opportunities for women and men. The Commissioner has scheduled for later today meetings to take place on the "Green Line" separating the two communities in order to bring together NGOs and social partners from both sides. In the hope of obtaining a positive response for a constructive and beneficial dialogue and with a view to better preparing such an important event, the Commissioner addresses all invitations and full information material in both the Greek and Turkish languages. Meeting participants will all be able to speak their own language.

[09] Turkey : Commission approves euro 75 million payment under Structural Adjustment Facility The European Commission has approved the payment of euro 75 million under its Structural Adjustment Facility for Turkey. This follows completion of its assessment of Turkey's progress in meeting a series of conditions related to macroeconomic stability, deregulation, and reforms in the social security and agriculture sectors.

[10] Merger approved under the simplified procedure Nutricia Deutschland GmbH / Baxter Deutschland Holding GmbH / 2.HSC Home Supply+Care Beteiligungs GmbH

[11] Autre matériel diffusé Discours de M. Solbes : "Préparations au passage à l'euro : un état des lieux" à l'Association française des Trésoriers d'entreprise (Paris) Speech by Franz Fischler : "Croatian and EU Agriculture at the Dawn of the 21st century" at the Panel discussion at the Croatian Parliament (Zagreb) Speech by David Byrne : "The EU Consumer Protection Green Paper" at the Public Hearing on the Commission's Green Paper on Consumer Protection EU Response to the 11 September Latest update on European Commission action Note sur la préparation du Conseil Recherche Note sur les résultats du Conseil Télécoms Calendrier du 10 au 15 décembre

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