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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-02-13

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] La Commission prĂ©sente un projet visant Ă promouvoir l'esprit d'entreprise dans les Ă©coles et les universitĂ©s
  • [02] L'Europe exige davantage de rĂ©formes pour pouvoir faire face aux coĂ»ts du vieillissement
  • [03] Financial services : strong support for strengthening the single market framework for investment funds
  • [04] Commission clears acquisition of Michel Thierry by MatlinPatterson and Deutsche Bank
  • [05] Commission clears acquisition of BSN by MPE
  • [06] Première rĂ©union d'un groupe de spĂ©cialistes sur l'intĂ©gration des minoritĂ©s ethniques dĂ©savantagĂ©es vivant sur le territoire de l'UE
  • [07] Avian influenza : highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Greece
  • [08] Avian influenza confirmed in wild swans in Italy : Italian authorities applying precautionary measures
  • [09] Avian influenza : highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Bulgaria
  • [10] Avian influenza H5 confirmed in a swan in Slovenia : Slovenian authorities implement the same measures as in Greece and Italy
  • [11] L'UE et les Nations unies lancent un plan d'action humanitaire en faveur de la RĂ©publique dĂ©mocratique du Congo
  • [12] EU deploys Election Observation Mission to Uganda for presidential and parliamentary Elections
  • [13] International trade in services : EU25 surplus in trade in services increased to €42.8 billion in 2004
  • [14] Markos Kyprianou welcomes nomination of Catherine Geslain-LanĂ©elle as Executive Director of EFSA
  • [15] Autre matĂ©riel diffusĂ© Midday Express of 2006-02-13 Reference: MEX/06/0213 Date: 13/02/2006 EXME06 / 13.2

    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

    13/02/06


  • [01] La Commission prĂ©sente un projet visant Ă promouvoir l'esprit d'entreprise dans les Ă©coles et les universitĂ©s

    Pour réussir à préserver son modèle social, l'Europe a besoin d'une plus forte croissance économique, de créations d’entreprises plus nombreuses, d'un plus grand nombre d'entrepreneurs prêts à se lancer dans des projets innovateurs et de PME à forte croissance. Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a présenté les grandes lignes de plusieurs recommandations visant à renforcer le rôle de l'éducation dans l'instauration d'une culture plus entrepreneuriale dans les sociétés européennes. L'enseignement scolaire devrait, très tôt, sensibiliser les jeunes à l'esprit d'entreprise comme option pour l'avenir, leur donner les moyens de développer des compétences entrepreneuriales de base, les aider à être plus créatifs et à avoir plus confiance en eux dans ce qu'ils entreprennent. A un stade ultérieur, les universités et les instituts techniques devraient intégrer l'esprit d'entreprise, comme une composante importante du cursus, en le diffusant dans différentes matières, et inviter ou encourager les étudiants à assister à des cours d'entrepreneuriat. Cette initiative s'inscrit dans le partenariat de Lisbonne pour la croissance et l'emploi.

    [02] L'Europe exige davantage de réformes pour pouvoir faire face aux coûts du vieillissement

    Les gouvernements de l'UE doivent intensifier leurs efforts de réforme face au vieillissement rapide des populations. Un rapport soumis aux ministres des finances de l'UE préparé conjointement par la Commission européenne et le comité de politique économique contient de nouvelles projections détaillées des coûts économiques et budgétaires pour tous les Etats membres jusque 2050. La portée du défi démographique est considérable. Le départ à la retraite de la génération du baby-boom à partir de 2010 et l'augmentation continue de l'espérance de vie signifient que l'Europe ne disposera plus que de seulement deux personnes en âge de travailler, au lieu de quatre, pour chaque personne âgée d'ici 2050. Avec des politiques inchangées, les taux de croissance potentiels de l'UE seront pratiquement réduits de moitié d'ici 2030 et les finances publiques seront soumises à une pression sévère en raison de l'augmentation des dépenses consacrées à la retraite, à la santé et aux soins de longue durée. Des signes positifs indiquent que de nombreux Etats membres relèvent le défi. Plusieurs pays ont restreint l'accès aux régimes de préretraite et ont réformé leurs systèmes de retraite. Ce rapport montre que les réformes portent leurs fruits, à la fois en élevant les âges de retraite effectifs et en assurant un meilleur contrôle des pressions qui pèsent sur les dépenses publiques futures. Mais la complaisance n'est pas de mise et la viabilité reste clairement menacée. Les années à venir offrent encore une fenêtre d'opportunité pour intensifier les réformes avant que les effets ne se fassent complètement ressentir. Retarder ces réformes ne les rendra que plus douloureuses.

    [03] Financial services : strong support for strengthening the single market framework for investment funds

    The European Commission has published an analysis of over 120 detailed responses from the European fund industry and other stakeholders to its July 2005 Green Paper on "enhancing EU framework for investment funds" (IP/05/927), which invited comment on a range of proposals aimed at boosting the efficiency of the single market for investment funds. The responses showed strong support for improving implementation of the existing framework and also provided insight into potential solutions to some of the main challenges facing fund investors and market practitioners. The results and subsequent work will feed into the Commission's White Paper on investment funds, scheduled for publication in autumn 2006. An efficient European investment fund market – which accounts for over €5 trillion of assets – is of key importance for mobilising funds for productive investment and contributing to better provisioning for old age.

    [04] Commission clears acquisition of Michel Thierry by MatlinPatterson and Deutsche Bank

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Michel Thierry SA of France by MatlinPatterson LLC of the US and Deutsche Bank AG of Germany. MatlinPatterson is active in investment and Deutsche Bank is active in banking. Michel Thierry : manufactures and supplies fabrics and seat covers for the car industry. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [05] Commission clears acquisition of BSN by MPE

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of BSN Medical GmbH & Co. KG (BSN) of Germany by Montagu Private Equity Ltd (MPE) of the UK. MPE is active in the management of private equity funds. BSN is a manufacturer of non pharmaceutical professional medical products, including wound care (surgical dressings, professional first aid dressings), immobilisation products (plaster casts, synthetic casts, splints, etc.), bandaging (support bandages, fixation bandages, orthopaedic soft goods) and phlebology products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [06] Première réunion d'un groupe de spécialistes sur l'intégration des minorités ethniques désavantagées vivant sur le territoire de l'UE

    Dans le contexte de sa stratégie-cadre de lutte contre les discriminations, la Commission européenne a chargé un groupe de haut niveau de se pencher sur l'insertion sociale des minorités ethniques vivant sur le territoire de l'Union européenne. Ce groupe, qui est présidé par Mme Rita Süssmuth, ancienne présidente du Bundestag, se compose au total de dix personnalités issues du monde des affaires, des milieux politiques locaux, de la société civile, des sphères universitaires, ou encore, des médias. Il tiendra ce jour sa réunion inaugurale en présence du commissaire européen chargé de l'emploi, des affaires sociales et de l'égalité des chances, M. Vladimír `pidla.

    [07] Avian influenza : highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Greece

    The European Commission has been informed on 11 February that test results from the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Weybridge confirm that the outbreak of avian influenza in wild swans in Greece was caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. The results come from samples taken from three dead wild swans found in the prefectures of Thessaloniki and Pieria earlier this week. As the Commission already adopted a Decision on 10 February, laying down strict safeguard measures to be applied in the affected areas of Thessaloniki and Pieria (see MEX/06/0210), no further EU measures need to be taken in relation to Greece at this time. The avian influenza situation in Greece and other affected countries will be reviewed by the Standing Committee on the Food and Chain and Animal Health which meets on 16-17 February.

    [08] Avian influenza confirmed in wild swans in Italy : Italian authorities applying precautionary measures

    On 11 February, the Italian authorities informed the European Commission of confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dead wild swans tested on the eastern coast of Sicily, in Taranto (Puglia) and in Calabria. The confirmatory tests were carried out by the Italian national laboratory for avian influenza in Padua (an accredited EU laboratory and also the reference laboratory of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the OIE), following preliminary positive tests undertaken by laboratories in Palermo, Portici and Foggia.

    [09] Avian influenza : highly pathogenic H5N1 virus confirmed in Bulgaria

    The European Commission has been informed on 11 February that test results from the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Weybridge confirm that the recent case of avian influenza in wild swans in Bulgaria was caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. The disease was detected in wild swans in the Bulgarian wetland region of Vidin, close to the Romanian border, last week. The Bulgarian authorities have also informed the Commission of other suspected cases in wetlands close to the Black sea. The Commission is preparing a decision banning imports of live poultry and birds, wild feathered game meat and meat products, eggs and unprocessed feathers from the affected areas in Bulgaria, and this decision is expected to be endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) on 16 February.

    [10] Avian influenza H5 confirmed in a swan in Slovenia : Slovenian authorities implement the same measures as in Greece and Italy

    On 12 February, the Slovenian authorities informed the European Commission of a confirmed case of avian influenza virus H5 in swan. The Slovenian Laboratory for Avian influenza has made the first analysis, and samples have been sent to the EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in Weybridge (United Kingdom) for further tests. The Slovenian authorities have given a commitment to the European Commission to apply immediately the same precautionary measures as those set out in the Commission Decision adopted for Greece on 10 February, and applied in Italy during the week end.

    [11] L'UE et les Nations unies lancent un plan d'action humanitaire en faveur de la République démocratique du Congo

    L'Union européenne et l'OCHA (Office pour la coordination des affaires humanitaires des Nations unies) organiseront le 13 février à Bruxelles une conférence ministérielle afin de lancer le plan d'action humanitaire pour la République démocratique du Congo. Malgré des progrès politiques substantiels, la population de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) reste confrontée à d'énormes difficultés. Les taux de mortalité demeurent élevés, en particulier chez les enfants de moins de cinq ans et d'autres indicateurs de santé sont parmi les plus alarmants du monde. Le gouvernement belge accueillera la réunion, qui sera présidée par Louis Michel, commissaire européen chargé du développement et de l'aide humanitaire, et par Jan Egeland, secrétaire général adjoint aux affaires humanitaires et coordinateur de l'aide d’urgence des Nations unies.

    [12] EU deploys Election Observation Mission to Uganda for presidential and parliamentary Elections

    The European Commission has deployed an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the parliamentary and presidential elections, scheduled to take place on 23 February, following an invitation from the Electoral Commission of Uganda. The EU EOM is led by Mr Max van den Berg, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Development.

    [13] International trade in services : EU25 surplus in trade in services increased to €42.8 billion in 2004

    In 2004, EU25 external trade in services recorded a surplus of €42.8 billion, compared to 37.0 billion in 2003. This increased surplus was mainly due to a higher surplus in transportation (+13.4 billion in 2004 compared to +7.0 billion in 2003), while the deficit registered for travel was slightly lower (-12.9 billion compared to -13.4 billion). The surplus recorded for "other services" fell slightly (+42.5 billion compared to +43.9 billion). The surplus registered in other services in 2004 was mainly due to the surpluses recorded in financial services (+14.4 billion), other business services (+18.1 billion) and computer and information services (+9.7 billion). The largest deficit was registered in royalties and license fees (-8.9 billion). These data, issued by Eurostat, are subject to revision.

    [14] Markos Kyprianou welcomes nomination of Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle as Executive Director of EFSA

    On 10 February, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Markos Kyprianou, welcomed the selection of Mrs Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle as the new Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Ms Geslain-Lanéelle, who is French, is currently regional and interdepartmental Director for Agriculture and Forestry for the Ile de France region, having previously held the position of Director- General of Food at the French Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Her appointment as EFSA Executive Director can be confirmed once she has had a hearing with the European Parliament's Environment Committee. Mr Kyprianou said: "I am very pleased with this nomination and would like to congratulate Ms Geslain-Lanéelle. I am confident that her high level of experience in the area of food safety will make her a valuable asset to EFSA. I look forward to continued close cooperation between EFSA and the European Commission in ensuring the greatest possible level of food safety throughout the EU." For more information, see: www.efsa.eu.int / contact : Lucia De Luca (EFSA) - Tel: + 39 0521 036 287

    [15] Autre matériel diffusé

    Promoting entrepreneurial mindsets – Examples of good practice in Europe

    Note sur la préparation de l'Eurogroupe et du Conseil Ecofin

    Speech by Janez Potočnik : "Research and Innovation – an Opportunity for Convergence Regions" at Conference on Structural Funds (Warsaw)

    Discours de M. Louis Michel : "Le Plan d'Action Humanitaire, un outil pour redonner de la dignité à des millions de Congolais" à la Conférence ministérielle de lancement du Plan d'Action Humanitaire 2006 pour la RDC From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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