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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-03-11
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Visit to Slovak Republic, meeting with Prime Minister Fico:
Commissioner Hübner applauds support for research and development
[02] State aid: Commission authorises temporary Hungarian scheme allowing
subsidised state guarantees to boost real economy
[03] Cinquième journée européenne des victimes du terrorisme
[04] Commission welcomes the adoption of the Directive on airport charges
by the European Parliament and the Council
[05] EU27 current account deficit 21.0 bn euro
[06] 17 March: Industrial Competitiveness Conference
[07] Commissioner Joe Borg to deliver keynote speech at Arctic conference
[08] Commission clears acquisition of ERSA by EDF and EnBW
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Kogeneracja by EDF and EnBW
[10] State aid: The Commission endorses the revised privatisation plan for
Olympic Airlines and Olympic Airways Services
[11] The Commission proposes making rights to slots more flexible in order
to counteract the impact of the crisis on air transport
[12] Aides d'État: la Commission étend son enquête sur les tarifs
réglementés de l'électricité en France
[13] Aides d'État: la Commission ordonne l'Espagne de récupérer une
aide illégale auprès de SNIACE
[14] Aides d'État: la Commission approuve une aide la restructuration de
33,5 millions € en faveur de l'entreprise polonaise Huta Stalowa Wola
[15] Joint statement by the Presidency of the ECOFIN Council and the
Commission on providing medium-term financial assistance to Romania
[16] EU-funded Ethiopian film "Teza" awarded main African film prize for
best film
[17] Authorisation for State aid to German combined transport aid scheme
[18] Aid to maritime transport: Commission approves modifications in the
Dutch tonnage tax scheme
[19] Commission approves Czech aid scheme supporting renewal of public
transport services
[20] La Commission européenne autorise un régime belge d’aide au
transport combiné rail/route
[21] Concentrations : la Commission autorise le projet de prise de
contrôle de Thales par Dassault Aviation et TSA
[22] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2009-03-11
Reference: MEX/09/0311
Date: 11/03/2009
EXME09 / 11.03
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
11/03/09
[01] Visit to Slovak Republic, meeting with Prime Minister Fico:
Commissioner Hübner applauds support for research and development
Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will be in the
Slovak Republic on 12-13 March to visit projects in Žilina and Trenčin
which have received investment support through the EU's Cohesion Policy. On
13 March, the Commissioner will meet the Slovak Prime Minister Róbert Fico,
to discuss the package of measures taken by the European Commission in
response to the financial and economic crisis.
[02] State aid: Commission authorises temporary Hungarian scheme allowing
subsidised state guarantees to boost real economy
The European Commission has authorised under EC Treaty rules on state aid a
Hungarian scheme aimed at providing relief to companies encountering
financing difficulties as a result of the credit squeeze in the current
economic crisis. The scheme allows authorities to grant aid in the form of
subsidised guarantees for investment and working capital loans and
financial leasing concluded by 31 December 2010. The scheme meets the
conditions of the Commission’s Temporary Framework for state aid measures
to support access to finance in the current financial and economic crisis
(see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1993&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1993),
as amended on 25 February 2009, because it is limited in time, respects the
relevant thresholds and applies only to companies that were not in
difficulty on 1 July 2008. It is therefore compatible with Article 87(3)(b)
of the EC Treaty, which permits aid to remedy a serious disturbance in the
economy of a Member State.
[03] Cinquième journée européenne des victimes du terrorisme
La Commission européenne exprime sa solidarité indéfectible et sa
profonde sympathie l’égard de l’ensemble des victimes d’attentats.
À l’occasion de la cinquième journée européenne des victimes du
terrorisme, la Commission européenne rend hommage celles et ceux qui ont
perdu la vie lors d’attentats commis en Europe et ailleurs dans le monde,
ainsi qu’aux personnes qui portent encore les cicatrices physiques et
psychologiques de ces événements tragiques. La Commission européenne
s’associe la douleur des victimes, de leurs familles et de leurs
proches.
[04] Commission welcomes the adoption of the Directive on airport charges
by the European Parliament and the Council
The EU legislators agreed today on a Directive on airport charges. Vice-
President Antonio Tajani, responsible for transport said: "I am delighted
with this outcome: it is an important first step in addressing airport
charges in Community law. Airport charges must be transparent and non-
discriminatory, which will benefit the citizens of Europe".
[05] EU27 current account deficit 21.0 bn euro
The EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of € 21.0 billion in
the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with a deficit of € 14.2 billion in
the fourth quarter of 2007 and a deficit of € 60.8 billion in the third
quarter of 2008. In the fouth quarter of 2008, the EU27 external balance of
trade in services recorded a surplus of € 23.0 billion, compared with a
surplus of € 19.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2007 and a surplus of
€ 19.3 billion in the third quarter of 2008. With this News Release from
Eurostat, a revised methodology has been applied. As a result, the figures
for the current account have been revised from the first quarter of 2004.
See the annex to this News Release for more details. The data are
provisional.
[06] 17 March: Industrial Competitiveness Conference
The high-level conference “Industrial competitiveness: Challenges,
opportunities and the role of policy in difficult times?” will bring
European and international leaders together to discuss the way ahead. The
European economy is greatly affected by the unwinding of the global
financial and economic crisis Falling demand and lost jobs are hitting
businesses, families and communities throughout the EU. The EU has every
interest in maintaining a strong and competitive industrial base as it
moves towards a knowledge-based and low carbon economy. The European Union
needs to intelligently use its economic policies to reinvigorate growth and
job creation and to fully exploit its long term strengths. A key speaker is
Paul Krugman, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Economics. The President
of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the Vice-President
and Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, Günter Verheugen as well as
ministers, business leaders, and internationally renowned economists will
also speak at the conference which will take place on Tuesday, 17th of
March 2009 in Brussels. <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/industry/industrial_competitiveness_conference.htm">More
information and on-line registration
[07] Commissioner Joe Borg to deliver keynote speech at Arctic conference
Joe Borg, EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, will be in
Berlin this evening to deliver the keynote address at an international
conference on new chances and new responsibilities in the Arctic region.
This major 3-day event, organised by the German Foreign Office, in
cooperation with the Foreign Offices of Denmark and Norway, will bring
together participants from a number of countries and a variety of spheres,
including politics, business, science and civil society. In his address Mr
Borg will outline the EU's vision for the Arctic and emphasise how dialogue
with the indigenous communities and international cooperation involving
Arctic States, peoples and the wider international community hold the key
to lasting and effective solutions to the problems facing the region. The
conference will comprise plenary sessions and three thematic forums – a
first focusing on the environment, research and social issues, a second on
resources and maritime traffic, and a third on international law. It will
focus on reconciling conflicting interests in the Arctic, on co-operation
among Arctic and non-Arctic states, and on the role of supranational
organisations such as the EU and UN.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of ERSA by EDF and EnBW
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Elektrownia ‘Rybnik’
S.A. (ERSA) of Poland by E.D.F. International of France, controlled by
Électricité de France SA (EDF) and Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW)
of Germany. EDF and EnBW are both active in the generation, transmission,
distribution and supply of electricity. ERSA generates, processes and
distributes electricity in Poland The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of Kogeneracja by EDF and EnBW
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Zespół Elektrociepłowni
Wrocławskich Kogeneracja S.A (Kogeneracja) of Poland by E.D.F.
International of France, controlled by Électricité de France SA (EDF) and
Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW) of Germany. EDF and EnBW are both
active in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of
electricity. Kogeneracja generates electricity and heat in Poland. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
Rediffusion
[10] State aid: The Commission endorses the revised privatisation plan for
Olympic Airlines and Olympic Airways Services
The Commission has today decided that the revised privatisation plan for
Olympic Airlines and Olympic Airways Services does not raise State aid
concerns. The original privatisation plan, which had been approved by the
Commission on 17 September 2008, was based on an open, transparent and non-
discriminatory public tender procedure. However, given the financial and
economic crisis, the tender process was not successful. The Greek
authorities have now pursued the sale by direct negotiation with interested
parties, in compliance with EC law.
[11] The Commission proposes making rights to slots more flexible in order
to counteract the impact of the crisis on air transport
The European Commission has today adopted a proposal for an amendment to
the 'slots' Regulation which it is submitting to the European Parliament
and the Council for urgent adoption. This temporary measure would allow
airlines to keep their rights over slots.
[12] Aides d'État: la Commission étend son enquête sur les tarifs
réglementés de l'électricité en France
La Commission européenne a étendu l'enquête approfondie, ouverte en
2007 au titre des règles du traité CE sur les aides d'Etat, au sujet de
tarifs d'électricité réglementés dont bénéficient certaines grandes
et moyennes entreprises en France (voir <a
href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/815&format=HTML&aged=1&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/815).
Ces tarifs artificiellement bas semblent procurer un avantage économique
important certaines entreprises et entraîner des distorsions de
concurrence sur le marché unique de l'Union européenne. L'extension de
l'enquête porte sur une prolongation du système des "tarifs de retour"
(ou "TARTAM") jusqu'en juin 2010, ainsi que sur l'ouverture de ce
dispositif de nouveaux bénéficiaires. Ce système, conçu comme une
mesure temporaire, a bénéficié jusqu' présent un petit groupe
d'entreprises qui sont essentiellement de très grands consommateurs
d'électricité. L'enquête ainsi étendue ne porte pas sur les tarifs
réglementés applicables aux ménages et aux petites entreprises.
[13] Aides d'État: la Commission ordonne l'Espagne de récupérer une
aide illégale auprès de SNIACE
En vertu des règles du traité CE relatives aux aides d'État, la
Commission européenne a estimé que la non-exécution de plusieurs accords
de rééchelonnement de la dette en faveur du producteur espagnol de fibres
synthétiques, SNIACE, entre 1993 et 1996, suppose une aide d'État. Une
telle aide est incompatible avec le droit communautaire car elle exonère
simplement l'entreprise du paiement de ses charges commerciales ordinaires
que ses concurrents ont dû payer, sans pour autant servir un quelconque
objectif d’intérêt public. Une telle aide confère au bénéficiaire un
avantage concurrentiel indu. La Commission a donc ordonné l'Espagne de
récupérer auprès de SNIACE l'aide qui s'élève plus de 22,6 millions
€, majorée des intérêts. L'enquête, ouverte initialement en 1998, a
été rouverte suite deux arrêts de la Cour en 2004 et 2007.
[14] Aides d'État: la Commission approuve une aide la restructuration de
33,5 millions € en faveur de l'entreprise polonaise Huta Stalowa Wola
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en application des règles du
traité CE sur les aides d'État, une aide la restructuration de 33,5
millions € que la Pologne envisage d'accorder l'entreprise Huta
Stalowa Wola S.A. (HSW). À l'issue d'une enquête approfondie, ouverte en
octobre 2007 (voir <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1481&format=HTML&aged=1&language=FR&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/1481),
la Commission a conclu que le plan de restructuration présenté par les
autorités polonaises devrait permettre de garantir la viabilité de
l'entreprise long terme, que l'aide se limitait au minimum nécessaire
pour mener bien cette restructuration et qu'elle ne créerait pas de
distorsion indue de la concurrence.
[15] Joint statement by the Presidency of the ECOFIN Council and the
Commission on providing medium-term financial assistance to Romania
In view of the adverse effects of the global financial turmoil on the
economic and financial situation in Romania, the Council Presidency and the
Commission express the European Union's readiness to support Romania in
avoiding risks of increasing market pressures and in achieving the orderly
unwinding of imbalances.
[16] EU-funded Ethiopian film "Teza" awarded main African film prize for
best film
After "Slumdog Millionaire", winner of 8 Oscars at this year's Academy
Award ceremony, EU support to international cinema has yet another success
to celebrate: "Teza", a movie by Ethiopian film maker Haile Gerima about
the "red terror" in Ethiopia, was the jury's unanimous choice for this
year's top African film prize during the 21st pan-African Cinema and
Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
[17] Authorisation for State aid to German combined transport aid scheme
The European Commission authorised today a German scheme which intends to
encourage the development of combined transport by supporting the
construction of new infrastructure and the introduction of innovative
equipment.
[18] Aid to maritime transport: Commission approves modifications in the
Dutch tonnage tax scheme
The European Commission decided today to authorise the changes the
Netherlands plan to make to their tonnage tax scheme. This tax regime
enables shipping companies not to pay company tax but only a flat-rate tax
based on the tonnage of their fleet.
[19] Commission approves Czech aid scheme supporting renewal of public
transport services
Today, the European Commission approved a Czech aid scheme benefiting
transport undertakings that carry out public services in the regions of
Jihovýchod, Jihozápad, Moravskoslezsko, Severozápad, Severovýchod,
Střední Čechy and Střední Morava. The State aid scheme aims at
facilitating the acquisition and modernisation of buses, trams,
trolleybuses, rail rolling stock and other vehicles in the Czech Republic.
[20] La Commission européenne autorise un régime belge d’aide au
transport combiné rail/route
Le régime d’aide belge approuvé aujourd’hui entrera en vigueur pour 4
ans et sera doté d'un budget de 25 millions d’euros par an. La mesure
vise encourager le développement d’offres comodales, en particulier
par voie ferroviaire.
[21] Concentrations : la Commission autorise le projet de prise de
contrôle de Thales par Dassault Aviation et TSA
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement CE sur les
concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de contrôle conjoint sur Thales
par Dassault Aviation et TSA, tous trois français. Après examen, la
Commission est parvenue la conclusion que l’opération n’entraverait
pas de manière significative l’exercice d’une concurrence effective
dans l’Espace économique européen (EEE) ou dans une partie
substantielle de celui-ci.
[22] Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo Antitrust : La Commission confirme avoir mené des inspections
chez EDF
• Discours du Président Barroso sur la Préparation du Conseil Européen,
Strasbourg
• Speech by Commissioner Piebalgs on EU Energy and Climate Policy, Doha
• Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Walner on the Energy in the Euro-
Mediterranean region, Barcelona – in Spanish only
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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