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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-03-23

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] Au sommet social tripartite, les partenaires sociaux nationaux expriment leur volonté de jouer un rôle plus important dans la réalisation de la stratégie pour la croissance et l'emploi
  • [02] Commission requests phasing out of distortive tax regimes in Malta
  • [03] Commission clears joint venture between Time Warner and CBS
  • [04] Commission clears acquisition of UBF by ACP and Sofinim
  • [05] Commission clears acquisition of SWD by EnBW
  • [06] Des entreprises néerlandaise, danoise et française gagnent le grand prix européen des technologies de la société de l'information pour 2006
  • [07] Accounting standards : Commission and European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) agree future working relationship
  • [08] Commission adopts provisional anti-dumping measures on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes
  • [09] Commission and the Eastern African and Indian Ocean region discuss the European Development Fund for 2008-2013
  • [10] Stavros Dimas at opening of Belgium's first national park
  • [11] Biodiversité : Stavros Dimas fera le point lors de la conférence des Nations unies au Brésil
  • [12] Les négociations commerciales EuroMed à Marrakech lanceront les négociations sur les services et encourageront les projets relatifs aux ALE
  • [13] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-03-23 Reference: MEX/06/0323 Date: 23/03/2006 EXME06 / 23.3

    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

    23/03/06


  • [01] Au sommet social tripartite, les partenaires sociaux nationaux expriment leur volonté de jouer un rôle plus important dans la réalisation de la stratégie pour la croissance et l'emploi

    Les partenaires sociaux nationaux (représentants des syndicats et des employeurs) doivent être davantage associés à la stratégie de l'Union pour l'amélioration de la croissance et de l'emploi : voilà ce qu'ont pu entendre aujourd'hui à Bruxelles les participants au sommet social tripartite. Lors de ce sommet, qui s'est tenu quelques heures à peine avant celui du Conseil européen, le nouveau programme de travail des partenaires sociaux pour les trois prochaines années a été discuté en présence de M. Barroso, président de la Commission européenne, de M. Špidla, commissaire européen, de M. Schüssel, président du Conseil européen, de représentants des deux futures présidences de l'UE, ainsi que de partenaires sociaux de haut niveau au plan européen et national.

    [02] Commission requests phasing out of distortive tax regimes in Malta

    The European Commission has formally requested Malta under EC Treaty state aid rules to abolish the tax regime for Maltese Companies with Foreign Income (CFI) and the International Trading Companies' (ITC) regime by the end of 2010 at the latest. Under these regimes, revenues from foreign sources paid to shareholders of an ITC or a CFI are subject to minimal or no taxation. The Commission intends to put a definitive end to these offshore tax regimes because they seriously distort competition and trade in the Single Market. Malta has one month to accept the proposed measures, failing which the Commission may open a formal state aid investigation.

    [03] Commission clears joint venture between Time Warner and CBS

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the creation of a joint venture, the CW, between Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., ultimately controlled by Time Warner Inc. (Time Warner) of the US, and CBS Corporation (CBS), also of the US, controlled by Mr Sumner Redstone. Time Warner is primarily active worldwide in the provision of online services, filmed entertainment, the operation of cable systems and television networks and publishing. CBS is a mass-media company engaged in the production and delivery of television, radio and print publishing content in the US. Mr Sumner Redstone owns CBS and Viacom, a company active in cable television, motion pictures and digital media platforms. The CW will operate a free-to-air broadcast network in the US. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [04] Commission clears acquisition of UBF by ACP and Sofinim

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of United Broadcast Facilities (UBF) of Belgium by Allianz Capital Partner Gmbh (ACP), a company controlled by Allianz AG, Munich (Allianz) of Germany, and Sofinim N.V. (Sofinim) of Belgium. UBF is a full service broadcast facility provider to television broadcasting companies with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Germany, Portugal and Hungary. Sofinim is active in private equity investment. ACP is an investment vehicle ultimately controlled by Allianz which is active in the insurance and financial business. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [05] Commission clears acquisition of SWD by EnBW

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG (SWD) of Germany by EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), also of Germany. EnBW is active in energy and water supply and environmental services, as well as the manufacturing, distribution, installation and maintenance of the corresponding technical equipment and installations. SWD is active in power generation and distribution, supply of gas, district heating and water, waste disposal and management and city cleaning. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [06] Des entreprises néerlandaise, danoise et française gagnent le grand prix européen des technologies de la société de l'information pour 2006

    Une mémoire d’ordinateur capable de résister aux radiations et à une température de 200°C, un système de sécurité qui reconnaît les visages, et un système d' "empreintes digitales" pour le contenu numérique en vue d'empêcher le piratage multimédia ont gagné les grands prix des technologies de la société de l'information pour 2006, qui ont été remis hier soir à Vienne. Des entreprises française, danoise et néerlandaise ont gagné les trois grands prix, d'un montant de €200.000 chacun. Dix-sept prix de €5.000 chacun ont été décernés à des technologies innovantes provenant de douze pays. NextLimit, entreprise espagnole, a gagné deux prix pour des projets différents. Les vingt premiers projets ont été choisis le 20 mars par la Commission européenne parmi 213 candidats provenant de vingt-huit pays européens.

    [07] Accounting standards : Commission and European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) agree future working relationship

    The European Commission and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG), which is composed of accounting experts from the private sector in several Member States and provides the Commission with advice on the technical soundness of new accounting standards, have agreed their future working relationship. In particular, EFRAG will continue to provide the Commission with advice on the endorsement and interpretation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It will also provide opinions on the development and improvement of the standards and on how to implement them effectively. In addition, EFRAG is expected to participate in the early phases of debates on new and upcoming issues in the area of accounting standards.

    [08] Commission adopts provisional anti-dumping measures on Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes

    The European Commission has today adopted proposals by the European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson to impose a provisional anti-dumping duty on leather shoes from China and Vietnam. The measures follow a preliminary Commission investigation that has identified clear evidence of disguised subsidies and unfair state intervention to the leather footwear sector in China and Vietnam. The Trade Commissioner today firmly reiterated his willingness to work with the Vietnamese and Chinese governments to address the questions of competitive distortions raised by the Commission's investigation.

    [09] Commission and the Eastern African and Indian Ocean region discuss the European Development Fund for 2008-2013

    The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, launches today in Brussels the programming cycle for the 10th EDF (European Development Fund) for the East Africa and Indian Ocean region. This fourth Regional Seminar will be attended by the highest officials responsible for cooperation with Europe from the 12 countries of the region: Seychelles, Maurice, Sudan, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Uganda, Comoros, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. In December 2005, the European Council adopted a financial envelope for the 10th EDF which comes to €22.7 billion for the period 2008-2013. The 9th EDF which covered the period 2002-2007 had been allocated the sum of €13.5 billion. Good performance and respect for the commitments taken - especially with regard to good governance, sound management of public funds and efficient administration - are key factors for the increase in aid allocations towards each country.

    [10] Stavros Dimas at opening of Belgium's first national park

    (! embargo 14h00 !) Today at 14h00, European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will inaugurate Belgium's first national park, the Hoge Kempen, in the province of Limburg. The park covers an area of 56 km2, between Genk and Maasmechelen. The Hoge Kempen is the largest coherent forest and nature area in Flanders, with large pine forests, heather and stretches of water. It is the home of several rare and special animals, such as the bird Eurasian Nightjar, rare butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles, as well as water Lobelia vegetation, and many Orchid species. The park contains areas which are part of the EU-wide network of protected areas, Natura 2000. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Dimas will underline the importance of initiatives of this kind to preserve biodiversity, and fight the extinction of species. "Biodiversity loss is continuing at alarming rates, both in the EU and globally. Together with climate change, it is one of the most serious challenges mankind is facing. We are in danger of undermining the Earth's life support systems to the point where one day they could collapse." He continues: "The European Union has taken a strong position in order to stop this trend. The EU's leaders have committed themselves to halting the loss of biodiversity in Europe by 2010. The cornerstone of the EU approach is Natura 2000 which is now the world's largest network of protected areas. It presently covers 18% of the land in the EU-15 and is being extended to the EU-10." Correcting the impression that no economic activity is allowed within Natura 2000 areas, Commissioner Dimas says: "The Hoge Kempen National Park will join thousands of other sites in the network in demonstrating that nature conservation goes hand in glove with rural development. The national park will help to safeguard a beautiful landscape and exceptionally rich biodiversity in the heart of a densely populated frontier region. At the same time, it has the potential to attract thousands of visitors a year who will contribute extra revenue to the area's economy."

    [11] Biodiversité : Stavros Dimas fera le point lors de la conférence des Nations unies au Brésil

    Le commissaire européen à l'Environnement Stavros Dimas représentera la Commission lors de la huitième conférence des parties à la convention des Nations unies sur la diversité biologique, qui se tiendra à Curitiba (Brésil), du 20 au 31 mars. A cette occasion, il soulignera la nécessité de renforcer l'effort international afin d'enrayer le déclin de la diversité biologique. L'amélioration de la mise en œuvre de la convention, la création d'un réseau mondial d'espaces terrestres et marins protégés et la recherche d'un accord sur le régime international d'accès aux ressources génétiques et de partage des avantages feront partie des principaux sujets abordés lors de la conférence. Le commissaire Dimas présidera un groupe spécial sur la biodiversité et le commerce.

    [12] Les négociations commerciales EuroMed à Marrakech lanceront les négociations sur les services et encourageront les projets relatifs aux ALE

    Les ministres du commerce de l'UE et des pays méditerranéens se réuniront le vendredi 24 mars 2006 à Marrakech, au Maroc, pour la 5ème conférence du commerce euro-méditerranéen afin de promouvoir le commerce et les relations économiques dans toute la région méditerranéenne. Durant cette réunion, les ministres du commerce devraient réitérer leur engagement en faveur de la création, à l'horizon 2010, d'une zone de libre- échange euro-méditerranéenne intégrée. La conférence sera suivie de l'ouverture officielle de négociations sur la libéralisation du commerce des services et l'amélioration des règles d'établissement des entreprises à travers la région EuroMed.

    [13] Autre matériel diffusé

    Questions and answers about EU policy for protecting the most important habitats and species

    Trade and the Barcelona process

    Speech by Viviane Reding : "The need for a new impetus to the European ICT research and innovation agenda" at Investing in ICT Research and Innovation Conference (Vienna)

    Speech by László Kovács : "The European Commission's business taxation agenda" at the Oxford Centre for Business Taxation (! embargo 20h30 !)

    Discours de Mme Danuta Hübner lors de la rencontre avec les représentants de la région Nord Pas de Calais en France (22/03) From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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