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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-03-22

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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 confirms quality of European GMO legislative framework
  • [02] Public procurement : Commission acts on Greek legislation excluding certain companies from public contracts
  • [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

  • [03] Les partenaires sociaux saluent la révision de la stratégie de Lisbonne par la Commission
  • [04] Commission clears acquisition of KPG by Kodak
  • [05] Commission clears acquisition of SIT by Banca Intesa, IFIL, Marcegaglia and Sviluppo
  • [06] Internal market : infringement cases against the UK, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Finland
  • [07] EU sustainable development strategy : sustainable development in figures - 120 indicators available on-line on the Eurostat website
  • [08] "Space has a security dimension, security has a space dimension"
  • [09] Benita Ferrero-Waldner attends Arab League Summit
  • [10] La Commission assure de son plein soutien la médiation du Président Mbeki en Côte d'Ivoire
  • [11] Joe Borg : Boulogne montre l'importance de la politique commune de la pêche (PCP)
  • [12] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2005-03-22 Reference: MEX/05/0322 Date: 22/03/2005 EXME05/ 22.3

    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

    22/03/05


  • [I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

    [01] Commission confirms quality of European GMO legislative framework

    The European Commission has taken stock of the EU legislative framework on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). During the debate, the Commission confirmed its full confidence in the existing regulatory framework on GMOs, one of the strictest in the world, which provides for a high level of scientific assessment and at the same time safeguards the consumers' right to choose. The Commission concluded that it would continue to comply fully with its legal obligations and proceed with the approval of pending authorisations as appropriate. While continuing to fulfil the responsibilities imposed on it by the EU legislative framework, the Commission has reflected on the need to develop consensus between all interested parties.

    [02] Public procurement : Commission acts on Greek legislation excluding certain companies from public contracts

    The European Commission has decided to ask Greece for its observations on the compatibility with EU law of Greek national law preventing companies "interconnected" with Greek mass media businesses from obtaining public contracts. The Commission's request takes the form of a letter of formal notice, the first stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

    [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

    [03] Les partenaires sociaux saluent la révision de la stratégie de Lisbonne par la Commission

    La Commission européenne a obtenu aujourd'hui l'appui des partenaires sociaux européens (UNICE/UEAPME et CEEP pour les employeurs et CES/Eurocadres pour les syndicats) pour officialiser la révision de sa stratégie de Lisbonne, qui traduit l'importance de l'emploi et de la croissance dans l'Union européenne. Le sommet social européen tripartite s'est tenu à Bruxelles avec les représentants de la Commission et des présidences actuelle et future de l'UE.

    [04] Commission clears acquisition of KPG by Kodak

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) of the US by Eastman Kodak Company (Kodak) also of the US. Kodak produces and sells variable images printing equipment. KPG provides graphic arts products (film, printing plates, etc.). KPG consists of two legal entities, one operating in the US (KPG LLC) and one in the rest of the world, including the EEA (KPG Ltd). KPG is a joint venture currently controlled by Kodak (50%) and Sun Chemical (50%). The creation of this joint venture was cleared by the Commission in January 1998. Sun Chemical intends to withdraw from the joint venture and Kodak intends to acquire Sun Chemical's equity interest, thus acquiring sole control over KPG. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [05] Commission clears acquisition of SIT by Banca Intesa, IFIL, Marcegaglia and Sviluppo

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Sviluppo Italia Turismo S.p.A. (SIT) of Italy by Italian companies Banca Intesa S.p.A., Marcegaglia S.p.A. and Sviluppo Italia S.p.A. and IFIL Investissements S.A. (IFIL) of Luxembourg. SIT is a subsidiary of Sviluppo Italia, charged with the development of tourism in remote areas. Currently it owns and rents to tour operators several holiday centres in the South of Italy. Banca Intesa is the holding company of a banking and financial group. IFIL, controlled by Giovanni Agnelli e C. S.a.p.a., is a holding company of a group active in different sectors, including tourism through the Alpitour group. Marcegaglia is mainly active in steel manufacturing. The Marcegaglia group is also active in several other sectors, including tourism, through the management of two holiday centres (in Albarella near Venice and Pugnochiuso in Puglia). Sviluppo Italia is an Italian agency for enterprise to encourage investment development. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [06] Internal market : infringement cases against the UK, Portugal, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Finland

    The European Commission has decided to send a letter of formal notice asking the UK for full information on its execution of a European Court judgement requiring it to implement EU law on reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings. It has also decided to ask Portugal formally, by means of a reasoned opinion, to remove a requirement for architects holding qualifications from other Member States to take an examination before they can practise in Portugal. Finally, the Commission has decided to issue reasoned opinions, the second stage of the infringement procedure, to Denmark, Austria, Finland and Sweden because their Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) with non-EU countries are incompatible with the EC Treaty. If no satisfactory reply to a reasoned opinion is received within two months, the Commission may decide to refer the Member States concerned to the Court.

    [07] EU sustainable development strategy : sustainable development in figures - 120 indicators available on-line on the Eurostat website

    To coincide with the European Council meeting of 22 and 23 March 2005, which will cover, amongst other topics, the revision of the sustainable development strategy adopted by the European Union in Gothenburg in 2001, Eurostat is making available to all users on its website the sustainable development indicators recently adopted by the European Commission. Some 120 indicators are currently available, for the most part since 1990. They reflect the various priorities adopted in Gothenburg (climate change, public health, management of natural resources, transport, ageing society, social exclusion and poverty) and subsequently in Barcelona in 2002 (global partnership for sustainable development), as well as the commitments which the EU made at the Johannesburg summit on sustainable development, again in 2002 (patterns of production and consumption, good governance).

    [08] "Space has a security dimension, security has a space dimension"

    The global security environment has undergone dramatic, fundamental and profound change in recent years. Space technologies can make a significant contribution to how we face a wide range of threats, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. These are the main findings of a report by the Space and Security Panel of Experts on the security issues on European Space Policy the Commissionn published today. It recommends setting up a coherent European framework to contribute to the space-based elements of a global situation awareness system.

    [09] Benita Ferrero-Waldner attends Arab League Summit

    The European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner will attend the Arab League Summit in Algiers on 22 March 2005. This meeting will bring together heads of state and senior officials from the 22 Member States of the Arab League along with representatives from the European Union and United Nations. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will underline the Commission's support for the Arab League and for the current political momentum in the region.

    [10] La Commission assure de son plein soutien la médiation du Président Mbeki en Côte d'Ivoire

    Le Commissaire européen au Développement et à l'Aide humanitaire, Louis Michel, a marqué son plein soutien aux efforts du médiateur de l'Union africaine, le Président de l'Afrique du Sud, M. Tabo Mbeki, et a lancé un appel au dialogue politique lors de sa visite en Côte d'Ivoire.

    [11] Joe Borg : Boulogne montre l'importance de la politique commune de la pêche (PCP)

    S'adressant à la filière pêche et autres secteurs concernés à Boulogne- sur-Mer (France) le 21 mars, le Commissaire européen pour la Pêche et les Affaires maritimes Joe Borg a souligné que Boulogne et la zone environnante avaient mis en évidence le rôle joué par la politique commune de la pêche dans l'économie locale. "La PCP assure l'accès aux ressources halieutiques essentielles pour la flotte locale ; elle établit les règles nécessaires pour assurer l'avenir de la pêche et facilite l'approvisionnement en produits de la mer par des règles communes de commercialisation."

    [12] Autre matériel diffusé

    Questions et réponses sur la réglementation des OGM dans l'UE

    Speech by Vice-President Jacques Barrot : "Air transport" at the European Institute (Washington, ! embargo 16h00 !)

    Speech by Viviane Reding : "Convergence and Innovation: the New Agenda for Growth and Jobs" at meeting of the Council of Presidents of UNICE (21/03) 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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