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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 96-11-11
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb
11 / 11 / 1996
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Rural development conference
[02] Commission approves acquisition of TNT by PTT Post
[03] Commission clears the acquisition of Duracell by Gillette
[04] Paraphe de l'accord de coopération entre l'UE et la République
Démocratique Populaire Lao
[05] Sir Leon Brittan: "Europe needs muscle to negotiate goods deals in new
trade areas like investment"
[06] Transport pricing policy would lower costs for motorists and hauliers, Neil
Kinnock argues
[01] Rural development conference
A conference on the future shape of Rural Development Policy took place in
Cork, Ireland, on the 7-9th November in which over 500 people participated. At
the conclusion of the three days of discussion the "Cork Declaration" was
presented. This declaration represents the views of the participants as to the
requirements of the post-1999 Rural Development Policy. In summary, it lays
emphasis on increasing the profile and priority of rural development in particular
by allocating a growing share of available resources to it, providing support for
rural development in all rural areas, and introducing more subsidiarity,
simplification and integration in relation to the various different measures
available to support rural development. The Presidency has indicated its
intention of having this declaration endorsed by the European Heads of State
Summit in Dublin in December.
[02] Commission approves acquisition of TNT by PTT Post
The European Commission has approved the proposed acquisition by PTT Post
BV (Netherlands) of TNT Ltd (Australia), which is the subject of a public bid. PTT
Post, the postal administration of the Netherland formerly but no longer controlled
by the State, and TNT, active in the transportation of documents and goods,
control jointly GD Express Worldwide (Netherlands), which supplies international
mail services. By acquiring control of TNT, PTT Post also acquires sole control
of GD Express Worldwide to supply services both domestic and international,
differentiated according to speed of delivery and other characteristics.
[03] Commission clears the acquisition of Duracell by Gillette
The European Commission has cleard the acquisition by The Gillette Company
of sole control of the whole of Duracell International Inc. Gillette is a US
internationally focused consumer products group, currently active worldwide
mainly in the manufacture and distribution of personal grooming products,
stationery products (Waterman, Parker and Paper Mate brands), small electrical
and electronic appliances (through its Braun subsidiary). Duracell is a US
company competing worldwide in the manufacture and marketing of consumer
batteries of any type and size. Since Gillette and Duracell are currently operating
in unrelated fields, the proposed concentration will not result in any horizontal nor
vertical overlap between their business activities. Furthermore, after examination
of the information acquired, the Commission has concluded that the concentration
is not likely to significantly affect customers' ability to market and sell competing
brands.
[04] Paraphe de l'accord de coopération entre l'UE et la République
Démocratique Populaire Lao
Le 8 novembre, les représentants de la Commission européenne et du
gouvernement de la République Démocratique Populaire Lao ont procédé au
paraphe d'un Accord-cadre portant sur la coopération au développement et la
coopération économique et commerciale. Parmi les objectifs mentionnés dans
l'Accord, apparaissent également la protection de l'environnement, l'énergie, la
science et la technologie.
[05] Sir Leon Brittan: "Europe needs muscle to negotiate goods deals in new
trade areas like investment"
( embargo 3 pm !!!
) In a speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan argues that the European Union needs to
negotiate collectively if it is to win good deals for European business in the future.
He argues that business must get as involved as possible, adding that the Single
Market has create fertile conditions for healthy competition. The single market
works essentially because it has a referee - the European Commission - and a
backstop - the Court of Justice - to ensure that the rules are respected by all.
( !!! embargo 3 pm !!!
)
[06] Transport pricing policy would lower costs for motorists and hauliers, Neil
Kinnock argues
Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock told a seminar of EU transport experts
invited to Brussels by the European Commission today to debate the issue of
transport pricing, that differential pricing would bring down transport costs: "We
are interested in congestion pricing because it could help reduce delays and
costs, not because we want to punish road users," he said, adding: "The last
thing we want is a generalised increase in existing flat rate charges - they give
no incentive to improve transport behaviour and they make no contribution to
reducing congestion, pollution or accidents."
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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