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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-10-17
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Santé mentale : la Commission adopte un livre vert sur une maladie
qui touche un adulte sur quatre
[02] Trade mark protection in the EU gets cheaper
[03] Remboursement des produits pharmaceutiques : la Commission demande Ă
l'Espagne de garantir la transparence de ses décisions
[04] Commission investigates rules on parallel imports of pesticides into
UK, Italy, Poland and Hungary
[05] Internal Market : infringement proceedings against Austria, Finland,
France, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Sweden
[06] €280 millions d'aides nationales aux agriculteurs grecs
[07] Avian influenza : high pathogenic type H5N1 confirmed in Romania is
same strain as in Asia and Turkey
[08] Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the holding of the referendum in Iraq
as an important step towards democracy and stability in Iraq (15/10)
[09] La Commission renforce son aide de €10 millions pour les victimes du
tremblement de terre en Asie du Sud
[10] Commission approves acquisition of control of ZĂĽblin by Strabag ;
refers review of regional asphalt markets to Germany's Federal Cartel
Office
[11] Commission clears joint acquisition of Baltic Grain Terminal by ADM
Szamotuły and Cefetra
[12] Vladimir Ĺ pidla on the International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty : "Having a job is the best weapon against poverty"
[13] Danuta HĂĽbner visits Slovakia (16-17/10)
[14] €5.67 million to pay for emergency aid for storm damages
[15] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-10-17
Reference: MEX/05/1017
Date: 17/10/2005
EXME05 / 17.10
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etb
Communication
17/10/05
[01] Santé mentale : la Commission adopte un livre vert sur une maladie
qui touche un adulte sur quatre
Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a adopté un livre vert sur la
santé mentale afin de s'attaquer aux maladies mentales, qui touchent
actuellement plus d'un adulte sur quatre dans l'Union européenne. Ce texte,
vise à lancer une consultation publique sur les moyens d'améliorer la
gestion de la maladie mentale et de promouvoir le bien-ĂŞtre mental dans
l'UE. Les troubles mentaux atteignent chaque année plus de 27% des
Européens d’âge adulte; ils sont à l'origine de la plus grande partie
des 58 000 décès annuels dus au suicide, lequel fait plus de victimes que
les accidents de la route. De plus, le niveau de santé mentale peut avoir
une influence importante sur le bien-ĂŞtre Ă©conomique et social de la
société. Pourtant, jusqu'à une date récente, d'autres questions de
santé publique ont nettement éclipsé la santé mentale. C'est pourquoi
la Commission ouvre aujourd'hui un large débat sur la question, afin de
souligner l'importance du bien-ĂŞtre mental et d'examiner les meilleurs
moyens d'élaborer une stratégie communautaire globale sur la santé
mentale.
[02] Trade mark protection in the EU gets cheaper
The European Commission has decided to lower the fees payable to the
Community agency responsible for granting EU-wide trademark rights, OHIM
(Office for the Harmonization in the Internal Market, located in Alicante,
Spain). This measure - unprecedented in the EU and endorsed by Member
States - will make intellectual property protection cheaper for businesses
operating in the EU single market, saving them between €37 and €40
million a year.
[03] Remboursement des produits pharmaceutiques : la Commission demande Ă
l'Espagne de garantir la transparence de ses décisions
La Commission européenne a pris des mesures à l'encontre de l'Espagne en
raison des conditions de remboursement de certains médicaments (tels que
différents médicaments anti-inflammatoires, des traitements destinés aux
diabétiques ou de prévention contre la thrombose) qui ne sont pas
justifiées de manière appropriée. En Espagne, les médicaments sont
remboursés par le système d'assurance maladie s'ils figurent sur une
liste de produits pharmaceutiques bénéficiant d'un remboursement.
Toutefois, pour certains médicaments, les autorités espagnoles exigent
également l'approbation préalable des prescriptions individuelles, sous
la forme d'un visa d'inspection, avant que les patients puissent
effectivement être remboursés. La Commission considère que cette
procédure ne repose pas sur des critères objectifs et vérifiables, comme
l'impose la législation de l'UE. Dans ce contexte, la Commission a
formellement demandé à l'Espagne dans une lettre (sous forme d'avis
motivé) d'introduire des procédures de prise de décision plus
transparentes pour le remboursement des médicaments.
[04] Commission investigates rules on parallel imports of pesticides into
UK, Italy, Poland and Hungary
The European Commission has started inquiries into certain practices
applied by the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Hungary that make parallel
imports of pesticides from other Member States difficult. Under EU law,
such imports are allowed if the product imported is allowed to be sold in
the Member State of origin and is identical or sufficiently similar to one
already authorised for sale in the Member State of destination. The
Commission has asked the four Member States to explain and clarify their
rules on the importation of plant protection products from other Member
States.
[05] Internal Market : infringement proceedings against Austria, Finland,
France, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Sweden
The European Commission has decided to refer France and Greece to the
European Court of Justice regarding their implementation of the Second Anti-
Money Laundering Directive : France has notified its transposition measures
only partially and Greece has not yet communicated to the Commission any of
its transposition measures for the Directive. Austria, Sweden and Finland
will also be referred to the Court with respect to provisions in some of
their Bilateral Investment Treaties concluded before their accession to the
EU with non-EU countries. In addition, the Commission has decided, under
Article 228 of the EC Treaty, to refer Portugal to the Court regarding its
non-compliance with a 2004 Court judgment on its implementation of
Directive 89/665/EEC on remedies in Public Procurement. The Court may then
impose a daily penalty or/and lump sum payment on Portugal. In the area of
insurance, the Commission has decided formally to request Italy to modify
its legislation requiring all insurers that are licensed to provide
compulsory motor insurance in Italy to offer insurance for all categories
of insured in all regions of Italy. Sweden will also be formally requested
to implement correctly Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the Legal Expenses Insurance
Directive. Finally, the Commission has decided to close a case against
Malta regarding its legislation that required every user of a satellite
dish in Malta both to have a licence and to pay a fee for this licence in
order to be allowed to receive satellite television services.
[06] €280 millions d'aides nationales aux agriculteurs grecs
La Commission européenne a autorisé l'octroi d'aides nationales, d'un
montant total de €280 millions, aux agriculteurs et aquaculteurs grecs
qui ont subi les effets des intempéries de février 2004. Ces intempéries
ont provoqué des pertes d'une ampleur telle qu'elles ont pu être
assimilées à une catastrophe naturelle. Les aides nationales approuvées
sont destinées à permettre la reconstitution du potentiel de production
endommagé (par exemple, la replantation d'arbres ou la réparation de
dégâts matériels), ainsi que la perte de production subie, les
conditions climatiques pouvant faire sentir leurs effets pendant plusieurs
années. En vertu de la réglementation communautaire en matière d'aides
d'Etat dans les secteurs de l'agriculture et de la pĂŞche, lorsque
l'existence d'une catastrophe naturelle a été dûment établie, les
indemnisations sont considérées comme compatibles avec le marché commun
pour autant qu'elles n'entraînent pas de surcompensation des dommages
subis. Mme Fischer Boel, membre de la Commission chargée de l'agriculture
et du développement rural, a exprimé l'espoir que ces aides puissent
soulager les victimes des intempéries, confrontées à de graves
difficultés.
[07] Avian influenza : high pathogenic type H5N1 confirmed in Romania is
same strain as in Asia and Turkey
"The European Commission has been informed that test results from the EU
laboratory at Weybridge this afternoon confirmed that the avian influenza
virus in Romania is the same high pathogenic H5N1 strain found in Asia and
in Turkey”, said the European Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner
Markos Kyprianou. On 15 October, tests confirmed that the virus in Romania
was an H5N1 strain but further tests were required to confirm the link with
the strain found in Asia and Turkey. This link has now been confirmed. "As
a precautionary measure following the confirmation of the H5N1 virus in
Turkey on 13 October, the Commission had already been working on the
assumption that the virus found in Romania was also the H5N1 strain.
Therefore appropriate measures are already in force", said Commissioner
Kyprianou. A measure blocking the import into the EU of live birds, poultry
meat and other poultry products from Romania came into force last Thursday
and a Commission decision on reinforced preventive measures was endorsed by
Member State experts on 14 October. The Romanian authorities have taken the
necessary culling measures and imposed restrictions on the movement of
birds within Romania."
[08] Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the holding of the referendum in Iraq
as an important step towards democracy and stability in Iraq (15/10)
The European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner,
stated on 15 October : "Despite the difficult security situation, it has
been a great day for democracy in Iraq. I pay tribute to all those Iraqis
who cast their votes. By voting Iraqis have confirmed their commitment to
democratic change. Risking their personal safety to exercise their
democratic rights required immense courage. I condemn all violent acts, and
regret the loss of life and the casualties that occurred. These criminal
acts have not succeeded in quenching the Iraqi people's determination to
take their political future in their hands. This vote was an important step
to a future in which political differences will be settled in Iraq through
democratic dialogue, and not through violence. The Commission remains
committed to supporting the Iraqis in their efforts to build a stable and
prosperous country with democratic and accountable institutions."
[09] La Commission renforce son aide de €10 millions pour les victimes du
tremblement de terre en Asie du Sud
Suite aux premières allocations de €3.6 millions, la Commission
européenne a décidé de renforcer son aide aux victimes de €10
millions. Cette aide couvrira les besoins les plus urgents des victimes de
la catastrophe en Asie du Sud, telle que nourriture, eau potable, abris et
soins médicaux. Ces fonds seront versés via le service d'Aide humanitaire
de la Commission européenne (ECHO), sous la responsabilité de M. Louis
Michel, Commissaire européen en charge du Développement et de l'aide
humanitaire.
[10] Commission approves acquisition of control of ZĂĽblin by Strabag ;
refers review of regional asphalt markets to Germany's Federal Cartel
Office
Acting under the EU Merger Regulation, the European Commission has given
FIMAG Finanz Industrie Management AG (FIMAG), the Austrian holding company
of the Strabag Group, the go-ahead to acquire control of the German
construction company Ed. ZĂĽblin AG (ZĂĽblin). The Commission concluded
that the planned operation will not significantly impede effective
competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it, as
the parties' combined market shares on the relevant markets in Germany will
be limited and there will be only a slight increase of market share on the
relevant markets in Austria. At the same time, the Commission has referred
the assessment of the impact of the operation on the regional asphalt
markets in Berlin, Chemnitz, Leipzig/Halle, Rostock and Munich to Germany's
Federal Cartel Office.
[11] Commission clears joint acquisition of Baltic Grain Terminal by ADM
Szamotuły and Cefetra
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of the Polish company BTZ by Wielkopolskie Zakłady
Tłuszczowe ADM Szamotuły (ADM Szamotuły) and the Dutch company Cefetra.
The Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly
impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any
substantial part of it.
[12] Vladimir Ĺ pidla on the International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty : "Having a job is the best weapon against poverty"
More than 68 million people in the European Union continue to live at risk
of poverty. Today, on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty,
the European Commission is supporting a Round Table Conference in Glasgow,
bringing together people from all over Europe as part of our ongoing
efforts to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty as part of
the Lisbon process by 2010. Globalisation and ageing societies represent
growing challenges to our current policies and we must respond by reforming
and modernising our social protection systems and developing policies to
ensure that all our citizens have the opportunity to participate in society
and to enjoy a full and rewarding life. Commissioner for Employment, Social
Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla says : "Having a job is
the best weapon against poverty. Equal opportunities and strong social
protection systems in the combination with more jobs provide a solid
foundation for improving the living conditions of Europe's citizens in the
years to come."
[13] Danuta HĂĽbner visits Slovakia (16-17/10)
The European Commissioner for Regional Policy Danuta HĂĽbner visits
Slovakia on 16-17 October 2005, on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister
for European Affairs Pal Csaky. On her first visit to Slovakia,
Commissioner HĂĽbner will meet Deputy Prime Minister Pal Csaky, Deputy
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ivan Miklos, Minister of Construction
and Regional Development Laszlo Gyurovszky and Slovak representatives to
discuss the regional development and other regional policy issues. The
Commissioner will also take part in the signing ceremony of an Agreement
for implementation of the Commission's decision awarding a grant to finance
emergency measures. Ms HĂĽbner will also give opening addresses at the
Conference on Regional Policy and sustainable Development and at the
Conference "How to Use Structural Funds for Research and Development".
[14] €5.67 million to pay for emergency aid for storm damages
Today in Bratislava, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Danuta
Hübner, and Slovak Deputy Prime Minister, Pál Csáky Bra, signed an
agreement to pay €5.67 million to Regions of Slovakia - including Banská,
Bystrica, Košice, Prešov, Žilina - worst hit by the severe storm of
November 2004. The grant is being made available through the European Union
Solidarity Fund (EUSF). It will reimburse public funds spent on the
immediate emergency response : restoring infrastructure, setting up
temporary accommodation, activating rescue services and clean-up operation
in affected areas.
[15] Autre matériel diffusé
Avian influenza : Commission proposal for reinforced measures agreed with
the Member States (14/10)
Speech by Danuta Hübner : "EU Regional Policy – vision and challenges"
at Conference on Regional Policy and Sustainable Development Slovak
National Bank (Bratislava)
Opening address by Danuta HĂĽbner at Conference on EU Structural Funds and
RTD Support in Slovakia in the context of experiences of other Member
States (Bratislava)
Speech by Neelie Kroes : "Damages Actions for Breach of EC Competition
Rules: Realities and Potentials" (Cour de Cassation, Paris)
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "The benefits of economic liberalisation" at
Kenmare Economics Conference (14/10)
Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "The Future of Europe – Are we asking the
right questions?" at the Institute of European Affairs (14/10, Dublin)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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