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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-02-25
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission assesses Stability and Convergence Programmes of Italy,
Luxembourg, Lithuania and Portugal
[02] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of consumer credit
company Cofidis by Crédit Mutuel
[03] State aid: Commission approves €7.4 million investment aid to
Pirelli for tyre plant in Piemonte, Italy
[04] Aides d'État: la Commission autorise la France accorder une aide de
46,5 millions d'euros en faveur du projet de R&D «Solar Nano Crystal»
[05] State aid: Commission issues guidance on state aid enforcement by
national courts
[06] Commission meets employers and trades unions to tackle the economic
crisis and take action on jobs
[07] EU support to fight the crisis in the automotive sector
[08] Commission authorises Irish tonnage tax amendment
[09] Airport financing: Commission gives green light to state support for
Kassel-Calden Airport in Germany
[10] Airport financing: Commission gives green light to state support for
Münster/Osnabrück Airport in Germany
[11] EU Commissioner Potočnik to receive Declaration from European Science
Parliament
[12] Commission clears acquisition of Okna by Penta
[13] Commission clears acquisition of Sedas and by Akenerji by CEZ and
Akkok
[14] Vice-President Günter Verheugen to visit Ireland on 26 February
[15] Commission increases flexibility of structural funds in response to
financial crisis
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2009-02-25
Reference: MEX/09/0225
Date: 25/02/2009
EXME09 / 25.02
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
25/02/09
[01] Commission assesses Stability and Convergence Programmes of Italy,
Luxembourg, Lithuania and Portugal
Today the European Commission has examined the updated Stability and
Convergence Programmes (SCPs) of Italy, Luxembourg, Lithuania and Portugal.
As with last week's 17 other programmes (see IP/09/273 andIP/09/274 ), the
assessment take place against the background of the ongoing sharp economic
downturn. Budgetary positions are projected to deteriorate markedly in 2009
in Italy, Luxembourg and Portugal. In the latter two countries, this also
reflects significant economic stimulus packages adopted in line with the
European Recovery Plan that called for timely, targeted and temporary
fiscal measures in Member States with fiscal room for manoeuvre. Italy's
recovery measures are budgetary neutral, which seems adequate in view of
the country's very high debt ratio. In Lithuania, the planned restrictive
fiscal stance over the whole programme period is an appropriate response to
address the existing economic imbalances. However, budgetary outcomes in
the programme are subject to significant downside risks.
[02] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of consumer credit
company Cofidis by Crédit Mutuel
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of consumer credit company Cofidis by retail banker
and insurer Crédit Mutuel, both headquartered in France. The Commission
concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective
competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of
it.
[03] State aid: Commission approves €7.4 million investment aid to
Pirelli for tyre plant in Piemonte, Italy
The European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty’s rules on
state aid, €7.4 million of aid to Pirelli Industrie Pneumatici S.r.l.
(Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.) for an initial investment project in Settimo
Torinese. The project is aimed at extending the existing plant of Pirelli
and introducing new innovative products. The investment should safeguard
900 jobs and facilitate the creation of a pole for innovation and
production in the area. The project is in line with EU Regional Aid
Guidelines (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1653&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/05/1653)
because it will contribute to regional development without unduly
distorting competition.
[04] Aides d'État: la Commission autorise la France accorder une aide de
46,5 millions d'euros en faveur du projet de R&D «Solar Nano Crystal»
La Commission européenne a décidé, en vertu des règles du traité
relatives aux aides d'État, de ne pas soulever d'objections au soutien
financier de 46,5 millions d'euros que la France envisage d'accorder au
projet de recherche et de développement intitulé Solar Nano Crystal.
L'objectif de ce projet, mis en œuvre par un consortium dirigé par PV
Alliance LabFab, est de développer l'ensemble de la filière de l'énergie
solaire, allant de la production de silicium aux modules photovoltaïques.
La Commission a constaté que cette aide était compatible avec
l'encadrement européen des aides d'État la recherche, au développement
et l'innovation (voir <a
href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/1020&format=HTML&aged=1&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/06/1600)
parce que, conformément aux objectifs de l'Union européenne, elle
encourage des activités de recherche et développement qui n'auraient pas
été menées en l'absence de l'aide et qui visent promouvoir les formes
d'énergie durables et diversifiées. Ces avantages l'emportent sur les
risques de distorsion de la concurrence.
[05] State aid: Commission issues guidance on state aid enforcement by
national courts
The European Commission has issued a set of guidelines to assist Member
States' courts in applying EU state aid rules. These guidelines are aimed
at supporting national courts and potential claimants in relation to
domestic state aid challenges, in particular concerning the recovery of
illegal aid from the beneficiary, interim relief or possible damages
actions. In addition, the guidelines cover how national judges can ask the
Commission for information or opinions on the application of the state aid
rules.
[06] Commission meets employers and trades unions to tackle the economic
crisis and take action on jobs
The European Commission today continued its work to implement the European
Economic Recovery Plan with a special meeting with the representatives of
trades unions and employers at EU level. It showed a wide consensus that
the internal market and the Recovery Plan provided the right springboard
for tackling the crisis and taking action on jobs in Europe, and that
further measures would have to be put in place at EU level.
[07] EU support to fight the crisis in the automotive sector
The automotive sector with its 12 million jobs depending on this strategic
industry has been hit particularly hard by the current economic crisis with
new registrations down by 20% and gloomy expectations for 2009. Due to its
close links to other sectors and the wide spread of supply industry and
vehicle trade, the negative economic effects reaches out to millions of
employees in all Member States. In today's communication, the European
Commission defends a proactive stance to support industry in their efforts
to withstand the crisis, soften negative effects and ensure long-term
competitiveness. Building on the European Economic Recovery Plan of 2008,
it sets various measures to improve access to credit, to clarify the rules
for granting state aid in the particular circumstances, to boost the demand
for new vehicles through coordinated national action, to minimise social
costs and retain the skilled workforce and to defend fair competition in
open markets. The Commission suggests a new partnership with industry,
trade unions and Member States in the context of the CARS 21 process to
accompany the common crisis response.
[08] Commission authorises Irish tonnage tax amendment
The Commission decided today to authorise an amendment of the Irish tonnage
tax related to time charter rules as it contributes to the development of
Community maritime policy.
[09] Airport financing: Commission gives green light to state support for
Kassel-Calden Airport in Germany
The European Commission has today decided not to raise any objections to
German authorities giving financial support to a project developing Kassel-
Calden Airfield into a regional airport for scheduled, charter, commercial
and cargo traffic.
[10] Airport financing: Commission gives green light to state support for
Münster/Osnabrück Airport in Germany
The European Commission has today decided not to raise any objections to
German authorities giving financial support to a project developing
Münster/Osnabrück Airport into an airport offering new intercontinental
connections and air cargo services.
[11] EU Commissioner Potočnik to receive Declaration from European Science
Parliament
Tomorrow EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik, will
meet representatives of the European Science Parliament, of which he is
patron, to receive the Parliament's Aachen Declaration. This Declaration
represents the conclusions of the European Science Parliament's first
meeting, on the topic 'Europe energised – Will lights go out in 2050?'.
The Declaration will call on the European Union and Member States to take
action on a number of issues, ranging from ensuring 'that existing laws on
energy efficiency reflect the state of the art of science' to 'increasing
the role of ecological issues in education and teacher training'. A full
copy is available at <a href="http://www.science-parliament.eu/">http://www.science-
parliament.eu/. The European Science Parliament is an ongoing discussion
forum dealing with current topics related to science and research. In
October 2008, 120 participants of different age and professions from
various EU Member States took part in the first meeting of the European
Science Parliament – among them more than 70 pupils and students,
representatives of the younger generations. EU Commissioner Janez Potočnik
and Philippe Busquin, MEP, will meet a delegation of official
representatives of the ESP, among them Lord Mayor of Aachen Dr. Jürgen
Linden and Rector of the University of Aachen (RWTH) Prof. Ernst
Schmachtenberg, at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-
Westphalia to the European Union, Rue Montoyer 47,at 11 am, 26 February
2009. Journalists interested to attend and should contact Winifried
Broemmel at the ESP (<a href="mailto:winfried.broemmel@mail.aachen.de">winfried.broemmel@mail.aachen.de).
[12] Commission clears acquisition of Okna by Penta
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Okna RąbieD Sp. zo.o.
(Okna) of Poland by Penta Holding Limited (Penta) of the Czech Republic.
Penta is a private equity company. Okna assembles and distributes windows
and glass doors. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[13] Commission clears acquisition of Sedas and by Akenerji by CEZ and
Akkok
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Akenerji Elektrik Uretim
A.S. (Akenerji) of Turkey and Sakarya Elektrik Dagitim A.S. (Sedas), both
of Turkey by CEZ, a.s. of the Czech Republic and Akkok Sanayi Yatirim ve
Gelistirme A.S. (Akkok) of Turkey. CEZ generates, distributes and sells
electricity and is active in coal mining. Akkok is active in energy,
chemicals, textiles and real estate. Akenerji is active in the generation
of electricity and steam. Sedas distributes and sells electricity. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[14] Vice-President Günter Verheugen to visit Ireland on 26 February
Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, responsible for Enterprise and
Industry, will pay a visit to Ireland tomorrow to meet Mary Coughlan,
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and
Employment. Vice President Verheugen will also meet with European Affairs
committee of the Irish Parliament. During his visit Vice President
Verheugen will focus on what can be done to overcome the recession, restore
long-term growth prospects and mitigate adverse social effects. He will
draw attention to important EU policies which can help to stimulate and
preserve employment, such as the European Commission's economic recovery
plan and the recently adopted Small Business Act, which aims at assisting
Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) by cutting red tape and putting
their needs in the centre of policy making. He will discuss how Ireland's
entrepreneurial potential, its capacity for innovation and its highly
skilled work force can be harnessed to rebuild growth and jobs. Vice-
President Verheugen will also address the Institute of European Affairs, a
Dublin-based think tank, and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation
(IBEC). IBEC represents over 7,500 member businesses and organizations from
all sectors.
Rediffusion
[15] Commission increases flexibility of structural funds in response to
financial crisis
In response to the financial and economic crisis, Regional Policy
Commissioner Danuta Hübner has announced a package of decisions by the
European Commission aimed at giving Member States more flexibility in their
use of the structural funds. The changes will extend the deadline for EU
countries to use up their allocations from the 2000-2006 funding period and
ensure that every available euro can be used to maximum effect.
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on Background on the situation in the car industry
• Memo on State aid: Commission issues guidance on state aid enforcement
by national courts - frequently asked questions
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :
TPV/Philips Branded Monitors
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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