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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-02-02
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] Commission assesses the updated convergence programmes of Denmark,
Estonia, Malta, Poland and Slovakia
[02] Commission assesses the updated stability programmes of Belgium,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy
[03] Commission takes two decisions concerning Slovenian electricity sector
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] Commission refers Blackstone acquisition of NHP in the UK care homes
market to the UK competition authority
[05] December 2004 compared to November 2004 : industrial producer prices
down by 0.2% in euro-zone, down by 0.3% in EU25
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-02-02
Reference: MEX/05/0202
Date: 02/02/2005
EXME05 / 2.2
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
02/02/05
[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome
of today's Commission meeting
[01] Commission assesses the updated convergence programmes of Denmark,
Estonia, Malta, Poland and Slovakia
Having examined their respective updated multi-annual convergence
programmes, the European Commission has concluded that Denmark and Estonia
fully meet the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact on budgetary
discipline while Malta is on track for correcting its excessive deficit by
2006 as recommended by the Council. But it calls on Poland to strengthen
fiscal adjustment and to carry out the comprehensive reform plan adopted in
2004 in order to be able to bring its deficit below 3% of GDP in 2007.
Slovakia is called to use any expenditure savings and unexpected revenues
to accelerate the reduction of its deficit. The Commission's
recommendations on the five convergence programmes as well as on six
stability programmes also assessed today (see IP/05/129) will be on the
agenda of the European Union finance ministers meeting on 17 February.
[02] Commission assesses the updated stability programmes of Belgium,
Finland, France, Germany, Ireland and Italy
Having examined their respective updated multi-annual stability programmes,
the European Commission concludes that Finland and Ireland fully meet the
requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact whereas Belgium deserves
praise for keeping its high debt on a downward path and for maintaining a
budget surplus. France, Germany and Italy, the other members of the euro
zone to have their programmes assessed this week, must pursue budgetary
consolidation in order to reach the medium-term objective of close to
balance or surplus. The Commission’s recommendations on the six stability
programmes as well as on five convergence programmes also assessed today
(see IP/05/127) will be on the agenda of the European Union finance
ministers meeting on 17 February.
[03] Commission takes two decisions concerning Slovenian electricity sector
The European Commission has authorised under the terms of EU rules on state
aids compensation for so-called "stranded costs" for three Slovenian
electricity generators : TE oštanj, NE Krško and TE Trbovlje. "Stranded
costs" are defined as costs arising from commitments entered into before
electricity markets were liberalised. The Commission has also decided to
open a formal investigation into the so-called system of preferential
dispatching of electricity aimed at boosting renewable energy to assess its
compatibility with state aid rules.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] Commission refers Blackstone acquisition of NHP in the UK care homes
market to the UK competition authority
In response to a request from the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT - the UK
competition authority), the European Commission has decided to refer to the
OFT the competence to assess the impact of the acquisition of UK based NHP
plc by the US Blackstone Group. Both parties are active in the UK private
care home market for the elderly. The Commission has decided to refer the
case as the concentration affects competition in a distinct market within
the territory of the UK that does not form a substantial part of the common
market.
[05] December 2004 compared to November 2004 : industrial producer prices
down by 0.2% in euro-zone, down by 0.3% in EU25
The euro-zone industrial producer price index fell by 0.2% in December 2004
compared with the previous month, Eurostat estimates today. In December
2004, EU25 prices decreased by 0.3%. In November 2004 prices fell by 0.2%
in the euro-zone, while they remained stable in the EU25. In December 2004
compared to December 2003, industrial producer prices grew by 3.6% in the
euro-zone and by 4.3% in the EU25. The average industrial producer price
index for 2004, compared to 2003, rose by 2.3% for the euro-zone and by
2.8% for the EU25.
[06] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Siim Kallas at presentation of European Parliament draft
resolution on the discharge for implementing the EU general budget for the
financial year 2003 (Wynn Report) (01/02)
Discours de M. Jacques Barrot : "Programme de travail pour 2005 dans le
domaine des transports" devant la commission Transports du PE (01/02)
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Governance and Accountability in Financial
Services" at Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of European Parliament
(01/02)
Speech by Günter Verheugen : "Future of EU-Shipbuilding" at Committee of
EU-Shipbuilders' Associations (CESA) and the European Marine Equipment
Council (EMEC) (01/02)
Speech by Janez Potočnik : "The Future of R&D as a factor for European
Competitiveness" at European Policy Centre dialogue
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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