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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-04-25

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

  • [01] Antitrust : la Commission prolonge et modifie l'exemption par catégorie pour les consortiums maritimes
  • [02] Sasol and Total abort proposed petroleum-based wax joint venture and withdraw notification
  • [03] Commission approves acquisition of Radianz by BT
  • [04] Commission opens in-depth investigation into Johnson & Johnson’s take-over of Guidant Corporation
  • [05] La Commission octroie 1,5 million d'€ supplémentaire pour lutter contre l'épidémie de fièvre de Marbourg en Angola
  • [06] Commission launches investigations into sharp surge in Chinese textiles imports
  • [07] Peter Mandelson to travel to Asia (26-29/04)
  • [08] Isotopes for society
  • [09] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2005-04-25 Reference: MEX/05/0425 Date: 25/04/2005 EXME05 / 25.4

    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

    25/04/05


  • [01] Antitrust : la Commission prolonge et modifie l'exemption par catégorie pour les consortiums maritimes

    La Commission européenne a renouvelé, jusqu'au 25 avril 2010, une exemption par catégorie permettant aux compagnies maritimes de conclure des accords de consortium dans le domaine du transport maritime de fret à destination ou en provenance d'un ou plusieurs ports de l'UE. L'exemption par catégorie, qui a été adoptée pour la première fois en 1995 et renouvelée en 2000, couvre automatiquement les consortiums maritimes détenant une part de marché inférieure à 30% (ou 35% s'ils fonctionnent en dehors de ce que l'on appelle une conférence maritime). La Commission a également apporté quelques modifications mineures à cette exemption par catégorie, après avoir consulté les Etats membres et les tiers intéressés. Conformément au règlement de la Commission, l'ensemble des accords (à l'exception des accords de fixation des prix) ayant pour objectif l'exploitation en commun de services de transport maritime de ligne ne sont pas soumis à l'interdiction relative aux pratiques commerciales restrictives figurant à l'article 81 du traité CE, sous réserve qu'ils respectent les conditions et obligations définies dans le règlement. L'exemption ne couvre pas le transport de passagers.

    [02] Sasol and Total abort proposed petroleum-based wax joint venture and withdraw notification

    The European Commission has acknowledged the withdrawal by Sasol Wax International AG (of Germany) and Total S.A (of France) of their notification of a proposed joint venture in the field of petroleum-based waxes. The proposed joint venture was notified to the Commission on 17th February 2005 for clearance under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed joint venture on 13th April 2005 because the Commission had serious concerns that the transaction could significantly impede effective competition in the common market (see IP/05/425). The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission will not take any further action now that the joint venture agreement has been terminated and the notification withdrawn.

    [03] Commission approves acquisition of Radianz by BT

    The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of the US-based company Radianz, a financial services extranet provider, by BT Group plc. An extranet is a secure private network to share business information using internet technology in conjunction with the public telecommunications system. The Commission concluded that the acquisition would not significantly impede effective competition in the EEA or in any substantial part of it, as the parties' activities do not overlap, and as there will be no negative impact either on the market for the provision of extranet services to the financial community or on the upstream global telecommunication services market.

    [04] Commission opens in-depth investigation into Johnson & Johnson’s take-over of Guidant Corporation

    The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the planned $24 billion (around €18 billion) acquisition by US healthcare group Johnson & Johnson (J&J) of its competitor Guidant, a US company specialised in cardiovascular medical products. The Commission's initial market investigation has found that the proposed acquisition may create significant competition problems given the two companies' horizontal overlaps in markets for medical devices for the treatment of coronary and peripheral artery diseases and for cardiac surgery. The decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has 90 working days to take a final decision on whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the Single Market. The Commission is actively co-operating with the US Federal Trade Commission, which is also investigating the merger.

    [05] La Commission octroie 1,5 million d'€ supplémentaire pour lutter contre l'épidémie de fièvre de Marbourg en Angola

    La Commission européenne a adopté une deuxième décision d'urgence en réponse à l'épidémie de fièvre de Marbourg qui frappe le nord de l'Angola. La flambée de cette fièvre hémorragique rare d'origine virale a atteint aujourd'hui le niveau le plus grave jamais enregistré. C'est aussi la première fois que des cas ont été diagnostiqués dans un environnement urbain. Il n'existe malheureusement aucun traitement spécifique contre la fièvre de Marbourg, mais il est nécessaire de fournir des soins hospitaliers de soutien et des techniques de protection du personnel infirmier pour prévenir les contacts directs avec les patients.

    [06] Commission launches investigations into sharp surge in Chinese textiles imports

    European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson announced on 24 April that he has decided to ask the Commission to authorise him to launch investigations into nine categories of Chinese textile exports to the EU. This decision was made in the light of a sharp surge in imports from China during the first quarter of 2005. In all these categories, import volumes for Chinese textiles have risen above the 'alert levels' defined by the guidelines published by the commission on 6 April. The Commission will now conduct a rapid investigation (maximum two months) to determine if market disruption has occurred and whether the EU should impose special safeguard measures. In parallel, it will launch immediate consultations with China in an attempt to find a satisfactory solution.

    [07] Peter Mandelson to travel to Asia (26-29/04)

    European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson departs today for Asia, where he will make official visits to Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. He will take part in the ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat in Vietnam on April 27 and give a keynote speech at the World Economic Forum Asia Round Table in Singapore on April 29. He will meet with the Prime Minister of Vietnam Phan Van Khai, the Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra and Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

    [08] Isotopes for society

    Isotopes - caused by varying numbers of neutrons in an element – have many practical uses in our society. The 5th International Conference on Isotopes (ICI), with the theme "Isotopes for society", will take place at the Charlemagne Building in Brussels, 25-29 April. The conference is organised by the European Commission and ESTRO (European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology). Since it was first held in Beijing in 1995, the ICI has grown to become one of the most important international events in its field. This conference brings together more than 300 experts from around the world, it fosters collaboration for more efficient research and development activities, and it raises awareness of a research sector that provides important applications in the fields of health, consumer protection, environment and industrial safety.

    [09] Autre matériel diffusé

    Note on preparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of April 2005

    Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Europe's Neighbours – Towards Closer Integration" at Brussels Economic Forum (22/04)

    Speech by Günter Verheugen : "Promoting the Competitiveness of European Engineering" at Orgalime 50th Anniversary (22/04) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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