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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-01-19
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 19 janvier 2005 -
[01] Aides d’Etat Concurrence /Competition State Aids
[02] State aid: Commission opens formal investigation into UK property tax
on telecommunication
[03] State aids: Commission opens inquiry into support measures for Polish
car maker FSO
[04] Aides Transport et Energie /Transport and Energy Aids
[05] «Feu vert» aux mesures sociales qui accompagnent la restructuration
des chemin de fer tchèques
[06] Commission authorises German aid for the development of regional
airports
[07] La Commission européenne veut des confirmations sur la
recapitalisation d’ALITALIA
[08] European Commission authorises Germany to grant €2.7 billion to its
coal industry
[09] Environment/Environnement
[10] Emissions trading: Commission continues legal action against four
member states
[11] Environment: Commission pursues legal action against Austria and
Germany
[12] Agriculture et Développement Rural/Agriculture and Rural Development
[13] Ouverture d’une nouvelle enquête sur des réductions d’accises
aux carburants pour le chauffage des serres en Italie
[14] The Commission approves Danish introduction of a new tax on
phosphorous in feed
[15] La Commission adopte une décision mixte concernant le régime d'aides
d'État en faveur des producteurs français de vins de «Rivesaltes»
[16] Commission clears interventions in the agricultural sector in Sicily
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[17] Lutte antitrust: la Commission inflige des amendes d’un montant
total de € 216.91 million au cartel de l'acide monochloracétique
[18] Public procurement – Commission sets out Action Plan to move public
purchasing in Europe online
[19] REACH: Commission supports search for balanced solutions to advance
progress on new chemicals policy
[20] Competition: German Football League commitments to liberalise joint
selling of Bundesliga media rights made legally binding by Commission
decision
[21] Mergers: Commission approves sale by Banco Comercial Português of a
stake in its life insurance business to Fortis
[22] EU – Central America: launch of regional integration assessment
[23] Results of the meeting between European Commissioner Lászl Kovács,
and the Swedish Finance Minister Pär Nuder
[24] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-01-19
Reference: MEX/05/0119
Date: 19/01/2005
EXME05 / 19.1
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
19/01/05
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 19 janvier 2005 -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 19 January
[01] Aides d’Etat Concurrence /Competition State Aids
[02] State aid: Commission opens formal investigation into UK property tax
on telecommunication
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation to assess the way
in which a property tax is applied to British Telecommunications (BT) and
Kingston Communications (Kingston) in the United Kingdom (UK). In
particular, the Commission will examine whether the way in which the so-
called “business rates” tax is levied on telecommunications
infrastructure belonging to BT and Kingston complies with EC Treaty rules
requiring Member States not to grant aids or subsidies and does not distort
competition in relation to other telecommunications operators
[03] State aids: Commission opens inquiry into support measures for Polish
car maker FSO
The European Commission has opened a formal probe into the compatibility
with EC Treaty state aid rules of a series of public authority measures for
the restructuring of Fabryka Samochodow Osobowych S.A. (FSO ex DAEWOO).
According to the Commission's preliminarily assessment, some of these
measures have not been granted yet. EC Treaty state aid rules require
Member States not to grant aids or subsidies which distort or threaten to
distort competition within the EU’s Single Market. The Commission will
not examine several other aid measures granted by the Polish authorities
before accession.
[04] Aides Transport et Energie /Transport and Energy Aids
[05] «Feu vert» aux mesures sociales qui accompagnent la restructuration
des chemin de fer tchèques
La Commission européenne a autorisé aujourd’hui les mesures sociales
que le gouvernement tchèque souhaite mettre en place afin de réduire les
conséquences sociales négatives de la restructuration des chemins de fer
tchèques
[06] Commission authorises German aid for the development of regional
airports
The European Commission decided today that a German aid scheme for the
construction and development of regional airports in structurally weak
regions is compatible with European legislation. The public aid measure is
part of the joint Federal Government-Länder scheme for improving regional
economic infrastructure in Germany and will apply for 2004-2006.
[07] La Commission européenne veut des confirmations sur la
recapitalisation d’ALITALIA
La Commission a décidé aujourd’hui de commencer une analyse détaillée
des conditions de la recapitalisation d’Alitalia. Cette analyse,
qu’elle souhaite rapide, porte sur la recapitalisation de 1,2 milliard
€ prévue pour l’activité de transport aérien (AZ Fly), notamment sur
la garantie de la part souscrite par le marché. La prise de contrôle
hauteur de 220 millions € des activités au sol (AZ Services) par la
holding publique Fintecna doit également être examinée. Il s’agit de
vérifier la conformité de ces deux opérations au principe de
l’investisseur avisé en économie de marché, ainsi que la régularité
des relations commerciales entre les deux entreprises. En application du
principe de l’aide unique, dit du « one time last time », Alitalia, qui
a déj bénéficié d’une aide la
restructuration en 1996-1997, ne peut y prétendre nouveau..
[08] European Commission authorises Germany to grant €2.7 billion to its
coal industry
The Commission decided today not to raise any objections to the €2.7
billion aid package which Germany is proposing to grant to its coal
industry for the year 2005. The aid is in accordance with the overall
restructuring plan that the Commission approved for the German coal
industry for the period 2003 to 2005...
[09] Environment/Environnement
[10] Emissions trading: Commission continues legal action against four
member states
The European Commission is continuing legal action against four Member
States for not having fully transposed the Emissions Trading Directive into
national law by 31 December 2003. Greece, Italy, Belgium and Finland are
being taken to the European Court of Justice. The Emissions Trading scheme,
a major initiative to help the EU and its Member States meet their emission
targets under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, will ensure that greenhouse gas
emissions in the energy and industry sectors are cut at least cost to the
economy. It will be the largest such scheme ever implemented. Incomplete
national transposition of the Directive by the four Member States has not
hindered the start of the emissions trading scheme on 1 January as planned.
In a separate case, the Commission is also sending Italy a final written
warning because it has submitted an incomplete National allocation plan.
National allocation plans have to outline the number of CO2 emission
allowances that Member States intend to allocate to their industries.
[11] Environment: Commission pursues legal action against Austria and
Germany
The European Commission will take Austria and Germany to the European Court
of Justice for breaches of environmental legislation in four cases. They
have both failed to comply fully with an EU law on recycling of old cars.
Germany has not fully transposed into its national legislation an important
EU law on water protection and Austria has not correctly transposed the
‘Seveso’ directive on the prevention of major industrial accident
hazards.
[12] Agriculture et Développement Rural/Agriculture and Rural Development
[13] Ouverture d’une nouvelle enquête sur des réductions d’accises
aux carburants pour le chauffage des serres en Italie
Aujourd’hui, la Commission européenne a décidé d’ouvrir une nouvelle
procédure d’examen l’égard des réductions d’accises appliquées
aux carburants utilisés pour le chauffage des serres en Italie. En fait,
les serristes bénéficieraient d’une exonération totale d’accises sur
ces carburants. A ce stade, l’aide inhérente cette mesure apparaît
difficilement justifiable la lumière des règles applicables en matière
d’aides d’Etat.
[14] The Commission approves Danish introduction of a new tax on
phosphorous in feed
The European Commission has decided not to raise objections to Denmark’s
proposed new tax on phosphorous in feed, which aims at reducing the use of
phosphorous in agriculture. In order not to increase the overall tax level
in the Danish agriculture sector, the tax on agricultural land will be
lowered in return. The scheme is considered not to constitute state aid in
favour of farmers. Even if there would be an element of state aid, the
Commission finds it can be declared compatible with State aid rules..
[15] La Commission adopte une décision mixte concernant le régime d'aides
d'État en faveur des producteurs français de vins de «Rivesaltes»
La Commission européenne a adopté une décision en partie positive et en
partie négative en ce qui concerne le régime d'aides d’État mis en
place par la France pour remédier l'effondrement des ventes des vins de
«Rivesaltes» durant la période 1996-2000. Les aides la promotion de
l'appellation «Rivesaltes» et une partie des aides la reconversion des
vignobles ont été jugées compatibles avec les règles communautaires
régissant les aides d’État, contrairement aux aides l’hectare
versées aux agriculteurs ayant vendu leur production en tant que vin de
table
[16] Commission clears interventions in the agricultural sector in Sicily
The European Commission today decided to clear, subject to conditions, a
number of State aid measures in favour of agricultural undertakings in
Sicily. The measures aim to provide aid to agricultural undertakings in
Sicily through renegotiation of loans, compensation for agri-environmental
commitments and compensation for losses caused by adverse weather events.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[17] Lutte antitrust: la Commission inflige des amendes d’un montant
total de € 216.91 million au cartel de l'acide monochloracétique
La Commission européenne a infligé Akzo Nobel, Atofina ( présent
dénommée «Arkema») et Hoechst des amendes d’un montant total de
€ 216.91 million pour avoir mis en œuvre une entente illégale sur le
marché de l’acide monochloracétique (AMCA). L'AMCA est un
intermédiaire chimique entrant dans la fabrication de détergents,
d'adhésifs, de produits auxiliaires textiles et d'épaississants utilisés
dans les produits alimentaires, les produits pharmaceutiques et les
cosmétiques. Le niveau des amendes confirme la détermination de la
Commission sévir contre les sociétés qui concluent des ententes
illégales. Les amendes infligées Atofina et Hoechst ont été
fortement majorées étant donné que ces deux sociétés avaient déj
été sanctionnées pour des comportements illégaux similaires.
[18] Public procurement – Commission sets out Action Plan to move public
purchasing in Europe online
The European Commission has published an Action Plan on electronic public
procurement to assist Member States in implementing the new Procurement
Directives adopted in 2004. The objective is to enable any business with a
PC and an internet connection to bid for public contracts electronically
anywhere in the EU, based on clear conditions and procedures and with all
the necessary security. The Directives provide for the first time a
coherent EU framework for the transparent and non-discriminatory use of
electronic means in public procurement, which will help make procurement
more competitive and efficient. As public procurement accounts for over 16%
of the EU economy (see IP/04/149), opening up procurement markets can
significantly boost competitiveness and reduce government spending.
[19] REACH: Commission supports search for balanced solutions to advance
progress on new chemicals policy
The European Commission proposal for REACH (Registration, Evaluation and
Authorisation of Chemicals) is currently under examination by the European
Parliament (EP). In their remarks at a European Parliament public hearing
today, Commissioners Günter Verheugen and Stavros Dimas underlined the
Commission’s commitment to helping to find a balanced solution to the
main issues being discussed in the ongoing legislative procedure for the
adoption of REACH. They both stressed the importance of delivering health
and environment improvements while safeguarding the competitiveness of
European industry and SMEs in particular..
[20] Competition: German Football League commitments to liberalise joint
selling of Bundesliga media rights made legally binding by Commission
decision
The Commitments given by the German Football League (‘Ligaverband’)
regarding the central marketing of the media rights of the Bundesliga and
2. Bundesliga from now until June 2009 have been rendered legally binding
by a formal decision adopted by the European Commission. This is the first
ever so-called ‘commitment decision’ under new procedures for the
application of EU competition rules (Regulation (EC) 1/2003) that entered
into effect on 1st May 2004. . The commitments liberalise the central
marketing arrangements and maximise the rights for television and new media
(UMTS, Internet) available to football fans. Fans will also be able to
enjoy new services, in particular for the new media, that the clubs can now
develop. The Commission had been concerned that the exclusive selling of
commercial broadcasting rights by the ‘Ligaverband’ may have violated
the EC Treaty’s ban on cartels and restrictive business practices
(Article 81)
[21] Mergers: Commission approves sale by Banco Comercial Português of a
stake in its life insurance business to Fortis
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of 51% of the insurance business of the Portuguese
company Banco Comercial Português (BCP) by the Netherlands-based Fortis
Insurance International NV (Fortis), which belongs to the international
Fortis Group. As the insurance activities of BCP are concentrated
exclusively in Portugal and as Fortis is not active in the insurance market
in Portugal, the Commission has concluded that the transaction would not
significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area
(EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[22] EU – Central America: launch of regional integration assessment
he European Union-Central America Joint Committee is meeting today in
Brussels to launch a joint assessment of regional integration in Central
America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama). The intention of both parties is that this assessment should be a
step on the way to negotiations between the EU and Central America for an
Association Agreement. Other important topics to be raised include recent
developments in the Central American integration process, the future impact
of the EU Constitutional Treaty on external relations, developments in
Central American regional security, EU cooperation in support of the
regional integration process and the proposed new Generalised Systems of
Preferences “GSP+”. <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/ca/index.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/ca/index.htm
[23] Results of the meeting between European Commissioner Lászl Kovács,
and the Swedish Finance Minister Pär Nuder
On Tuesday 18 January, European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs
Lászlό Kovács had a fruitful exchange of views on tax and customs issues
with Swedish Finance Minister Pär Nuder. Commissioner Kovács and Mr.
Nuder agreed on the importance of a proper EU debate on alcohol taxation,
following the Commission's report of May 2004 on the operation of the EU-
wide system of minimum rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic
beverages, so as to find a solution both to the distortions caused by the
currently widely divergent rates of duty in Member States and to the health
concerns of some countries such as Sweden. Mssrs Kovács and Nuder also
discussed the Commission proposal on reduced VAT rates of July 2003 and how
to balance the opposition of some Member States to any extension of the
scope of reduced VAT rates with the wish of some Member States to extend
their scope where this does not interfere with the proper functioning of
the Internal Market. Other areas covered included co-operation in the fight
against tax fraud, customs controls and modernisation of VAT rules on the
place of supply of services.
[24] Autre matériel diffusé
Rediff: Speech by Olli Rehn at the European Parliament Foreign Affairs
Committee on the State of Play of the Enlargment Process
Speech by Stavros Dimas at the European Parliament public hearing on REACH
Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel at the European Parliament Agricultural
Committee (embargo 16h45)
Memo on the details of broadcasting rights commitments made by the German
Football League
Memo on state aid: Commissioner Kroes and German State Secretary Koch-Weser
discuss Landesbanken
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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