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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 98-03-11

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>

MIDDAY EXPRESS

News from the Spokesman's midday briefing

Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb

11/03/98


CONTENTS / CONTENU

[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

  • [01] Commission backs New Transatlantic Marketplace
  • [02] La Commission rejette la clause d'exclusivité imposée par Unilever sur le marché irlandais des glaces
  • [03] Public procurement : Commission Communication outlines policy priorities
  • [04] Commission proposes to streamline system of weekend lorry bans
  • [05] Commission proposes random road checks on commercial vehicles to enhance safety and environmental protection in the EU
  • [06] Commission adopts measures to improve the welfare of laying hens
  • [07] Great Britain : European Social Fund - Objective 4
  • [08] Commission takes further legal action against Member States' "Open Skies" agreements with the United States
  • [09] La Commission examine certains aspects du programme allemand de 1994 d'achat à prix réduit de terres nationalisées par l'ex RDA
  • [10] Commission opens procedure regarding state aid to the Sican group for R&D in microelectronics
  • [11] La Commission demande des informations supplémentaires sur les mesures de soutien à Banco di Sicilia et Sicilcassa
  • [12] Commission decides to investigate state aid to Océ N.V.
  • [13] AutoEuropa : closure of file after satisfactory cooperation between the Commission and Portuguese authorities
  • [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

  • [14] Wolters Kluwer and Reed Elsevier abandon their projected merger
  • [15] La Commission a autorisé la prise de contrôle de Guilbert par le groupe Pinault-Printemps-Redoute
  • [16] Commission partially refers to the Italian authorities the proposed acquisition of GS by Promodes and Schemaventuno
  • [17] Reduced CO² emissions from cars : Commission acknowledges new proposal from ACEA

  • [I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

    [01] Commission backs New Transatlantic Marketplace

    The European Commission proposed to the Council of Ministers the creation of a New Transatlantic Marketplace (NTM) - a wideranging proposal to remove trade barriers between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). The NTM provides for action in four key areas : (a) the Widespread removal of technical barriers to trade through increased mutual product recognition and/or harmonisation ; (b) a political commitment to eliminate all industrial tariffs by 2010, as long as a critical mass of other trading partners also agree to do so ; (c) the creation of a free trade area in services ; (d) and further liberalisation of investment, public procurement and intellectual property. Independent economic analysis suggests that the benefits of the NTM to Europe alone will be ECU 150 billion per annum after the first five years. In 1996, two way trade in goods and services between the EU and the US amounted to more than ECU 355 billion. The proposal to create the NTM was first set out in the 1995 New Transatlantic Agenda, which established a pattern of cooperation and joint action between the EU and the US governments at all levels.

    [02] La Commission rejette la clause d'exclusivité imposée par Unilever sur le marché irlandais des glaces

    La Commission européenne a adopté une décision condamnant la condition d'exclusivité imposée par Unilever en Irlande pour la mise à disposition de congélateurs, dans le but de faciliter l'accès d'autres fournisseurs au marché des glaces destinées à la consommation immédiate. Unilever est le principal fournisseur de glaces en Irlande, avec une part de marché supérieure à 85%. Unilever dispose d'un vaste parc de congélateurs qui sont mis à la disposition des détaillants sans aucun frais direct, à condition toutefois de n'être utilisés que pour entreposer les produits de la société. La Commission estime que cette condition d'exclusivité a pour effet de contraindre de nombreux points de vente bénéficiaires à ne proposer à la vente que les glaces d'Unilever. Les concurrents d'Unilever n'ont donc pas accès à ces points de vente. La Commission estime que la condition d'exclusivité enfreint l'article 85 du traité CE. Elle considère en outre qu'Unilever abuse de sa position dominante sur le marché irlandais.

    [03] Public procurement : Commission Communication outlines policy priorities

    Priorities for public procurement policy have been outlined in a Communication adopted by the European Commission. The latter intends to propose amendments later in 1998 to the existing Directives concerning their scope (notably to take account of utilities operating in an effectively competitive environment following liberalisation and establish uniform rules for concessions) and to introduce greater flexibility as regards dialogue between purchasers and suppliers and the use of framework contracts. In addition, the Commission will clarify its position on interpretation of the current Directives and ultimately combine the Directives on works, supplies and services procurement into a single consolidated Directive. The Communication also outlines other initiatives to improve immediately enforcement of the rules on open and competitive procurement, including faster infringment proceedings and encouraging Member States to respect the existing rules (eg through independent authorities). Other initiatives would facilitate access to procurement market for small and medium-sized enterprises, encourage the use of modern information and communications technologies to promote electronic procurement and to identify synergies with other policy objectives of the European Union such as defence, the environment and liberalisation of world trade.

    [04] Commission proposes to streamline system of weekend lorry bans

    Seven of the 15 Member States of the European Union (EU) ban lorries through their territory for part of the weekend and during public holidays - but the dates of holidays, the start and duration of the weekend ban, exceptions to it and even the definition of what constitutes a lorry on an international journey, differ. The resulting confusion has made it difficult for hauliers to plan their journeys properly and several Member States have asked the European Commission to draft legislation to streamline the system. The Commission believes that a EU framework must respond to the needs of users - in this case the citizen as much as the road haulage industry. So, in making its proposals today, it has tried to balance the need for a transparent system that guarantees the single market principle of freedom of movement, against the equally important right of Member States to restrict lorry traffic, when necessary, for environmental, social and safety reasons. The proposal, which will only apply to international lorry traffic travelling on the TransEuropean road Network, allows national authorities to impose a ban between the hours of 07h00 to 22h00 on Sundays and public holidays. Any Member State, however, that wishes to extend that period may do so if it can justify the need on objective environmental, safety or social grounds. Moreover driving bans on noisy trucks can be imposed at night - as is currently the case in Austria - and exceptions to the general rule will be permitted in specific circumstances (eg a smog alert, a period of particularly heavy traffic bad weather conditions or the need for road maintenance). On all other roads and for all non-international traffic, Member States will continue to have the right to set whatever driving bans they wish. The Commission estimates that by streamlining the system the savings to industry will be some ECU 1, 500 million.

    [05] Commission proposes random road checks on commercial vehicles to enhance safety and environmental protection in the EU

    The European Commission proposed a draft directive requiring Member States to supplement the annual roadworthiness test on commercial vehicles with random roadside inspections. Recent surveys indicate that annual inspection on these vehicles does not guarantee an acceptable standard of maintenance throughout the year. Given that the road haulage market becomes fully liberalised as of 1 July 1998, and that heavy goods vehicles already cause around 20% of the annual 45,000 deaths on the roads of the European Union, action is needed now to improve road safety and air quality as well as to create the conditions of fair competition by ensuring that all vehicles are maintained to similar standards.

    [06] Commission adopts measures to improve the welfare of laying hens

    The European Commission proposed to the Council of Ministers a new Directive aimed at improving the housing conditions for laying hens. The Directive lays down minimum protection rules for laying hens kept in various forms, including cages. The new requirements would apply to newly built or rebuilt systems from 1 January 1999 and from 1 January 2009 for all housing systems and propose in particular to increase the minimum areas per hen in battery cages from 450 cm² to 800 cm². The proposal also stipulates minimum management requirements as well as other factors affecting the hens environment such as temperature, lighting and ventilation. A revision on the basis of new scientific data is required by 2006 in order to prepare if necessary the phasing out of housing systems which do not meet animal welfare requirements.

    [07] Great Britain : European Social Fund - Objective 4

    The European Commission has approved the Single Programming Document (SPD) providing European structural assistance for Great Britain under Objective 4 of the European Social Fund (ESF). Assistance from the ESF for 1998 and 1999 under this SPD amounts to ECU 247,4 million. European intervention under Objective 4 of the ESF seeks to facilitate the adaptation of workers to industrial change and to changes in production systems. The SPD (a document drawn up jointly by the Member State and the Commission) sets out the priorities for assistance and the resources required. The priorities which form the basis of assistance from the ESF under the Objective 4 SPD for Great Britain are : (1) to develop anticipation tools used in the development of training programmes ; (2) to target training on those individuals within companies who do not have relevant up-to-date skills and who risk becoming unemployed ; (3) to fund the development of innovative training systems ; to encourage improved networking between SMEs and SMEs and large firms and the dissemination of results of research.

    [08] Commission takes further legal action against Member States' "Open Skies" agreements with the United States

    The European Commission decided to proceed with its legal action against eight Member States who, in violation of the law of the European Union (EU), have concluded aviation agreements with the United States. At the initiative of Neil Kinnock, Commissioner for Transport, a 'reasoned opinion' will now be sent to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany Luxembourg, Sweden and the United Kingdom. According to the Commission, the signing of bilateral aviation agreements with the US has a negative impact on the operation of the liberalised EU market in civil aviation and is thus an infringement of European law. To ensure that aviation agreements negotiated with the US guarantee free and fair competition for all EU air carriers, the Commission has asked for, and been granted a mandate to negotiate such an agreement on behalf of the EU. At present, Member States have limited the scope of the mandate and without immediate change, it is in the Commission's view, impossible to open a dialogue with the US. The Member States concerned have two months in which to reply to the reasoned opinion. If the response is not satisfactory, the Commission may subsequently decide to take the case to the European Court of Justice.

    [09] La Commission examine certains aspects du programme allemand de 1994 d'achat à prix réduit de terres nationalisées par l'ex RDA

    La Commission a eu aujourd'hui un débat approfondi sur la loi allemande de dédommagement et de compensation, Entschädigungs- und Ausgleichsleitungsgesetz (EAGL), de décembre 1994 qui prévoit un programme d'achat à prix réduit de terres nationalisées par l'ex RDA. La Commission est arrivée à la conclusion que le principe de cette loi ne pose pas de problème, mais qu'au titre du droit communautaire, il y a lieu d'examiner les cas de rachat préférentiel dans lequels les acheteurs n'ont pas de lien avec les terres concernées. Ces cas pourraient effectivement constituer des aides d'Etat et poser des problèmes au titre des dispositions des articles 92 à 94 du Traité. Afin de pouvoir examiner ces cas et compte tenu des nombreuses plaintes auxquelles elle est confrontée, la Commission s'est mis d'accord sur le principe d'ouvrir la procédure d'aide d'Etat. Il s'agit, pour la Commission, d'être en mesure de faire la part des choses entre les aides acceptables et non-acceptables dans le cadre de la loi EAGL. L'ouverture de la procédure permettra à toutes les parties concernées de faire valoir leur point de vue auprès de la Commission. Celle-ci définira l'objet exact de l'ouverture de la procédure dans les jours à venir et prendra à ce moment sa décision formelle.

    [10] Commission opens procedure regarding state aid to the Sican group for R&D in microelectronics

    The European Commission has decided to open the procedure according to Article 93(2) EC-Treaty for aid to the Sican group of companies. The Sican group, based in Hannover, was created in the early 1990s to undertake research in the area of microelectronics. It has carried out research projects together with, and under contract to, enterprises in Niedersachsen. Following complaints, the Commission has established that the German authorities have not notified aid of more than ECU 100 million. Neither has the Commission received sufficient information to ascertain the compatibility of the aid with the Common market. Although favourable to state aid for the promotion of research and development, the Commission has opened the procedure given its serious doubts as to this compatibility.

    [11] La Commission demande des informations supplémentaires sur les mesures de soutien à Banco di Sicilia et Sicilcassa

    La Commission européenne a demandé aux autorités italiennes de fournir des informations supplémentaires afin de déterminer si l'opération de création d'une pole bancaire régional en Sicile est réalisée avec des aides d'Etat compatibles avec les règles communautaires de concurrence. Il s'agit en particulier des mesures de soutien de la reprise par le Banco di Sicilia des actifs et des passifs de la banque Sicilcassa qui, en septembre 1997, a été placée en liquidation forcée administrative. En même temps, la Commission a autorisé une intervention pour 1.000 milliards de lires du fonds de tutelle des dépôts dans la liquidation de Sicilcassa.

    [12] Commission decides to investigate state aid to Océ N.V.

    The European Commission has decided to investigate the Dutch government's proposal to give aid of ECU 23 million to Océ N.V. for the development of colour ink-jet printers. In 1994, Océ received a grant of ECU 3,2 million for an ink-jet project of duration 1994 to 1996 under a Commission approved scheme. The new project, of duration 1997 to 2001, presented as being largely research and development - does not appear to be eligible for public funding within the meaning of state aid rules. The work described corresponds to a product development work programme aimed at developing prototypes to maturity and readying them for series production. As such, no 'incentive' effect of the proposed aid - i.e. an inducement for the company to carry out research which it would not otherwise have pursued - appears to exist. The Commission has given the Dutch authorities one month to reply.

    [13] AutoEuropa : closure of file after satisfactory cooperation between the Commission and Portuguese authorities

    The European Commission and the Portuguese Government have reached agreement on the repayment of training aid to AutoEuropa, a Ford/Volkswagen joint venture at Setubal in Portugal, which produces the Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra models. The company was created in 1991 with investments, some of which were provided in the form of regional funding (for investment) and social funding (for training purposes). The Commission approved these measures in 1991 and has since monitored their application. The Commission found that AutoEuropa was still receiving public funds for training purposes after the launch of production in 1995 exceeding the applicable ceiling (50% of total cost for basic training purposes and 25% for job specific training). Portuguese authorities have cooperated fully with the Commission to ensure prompt repayment of the excessive aid. The Commission has therefore decided today to close the file.

    [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

    [14] Wolters Kluwer and Reed Elsevier abandon their projected merger

    On 10/11/1997, Reed Elsevier and Wolters Kluwer notified to the European Commission under the rules established by the European Union's merger control regulation their intention to merge. On 11/12/1998, the Commission decided to open an in-depth investigation of the merger, given its implications for competition in a number of national markets for professional publishing. The Commission adopted then the preliminary view that the merger between these two leading publishers could create a dominant position in the world-wide market for academic publishing (scientific journals and books), in the markets for publications for professional use in the areas of law and tax in the Netherlands, in the United Kingdom, in France and in Italy, in the market for publications for primary and secondary schools (educational publishing) in the United Kingdom, in a number of markets for business publications in the Netherlands, in the market for Dutch dictionaries and in the European market for the services provided by transport databases. Following an in- depth enquiry of the Commission which confirmed its preliminary view that the proposed merger would result in a significant impediment to competition in those markets and objections raised on competition grounds in a statement to Wolters Kluwer and Reed Elsevier on 20/02/1998, the latter have announced on 09/03/1998 that they had decided to abandon their current project to merge.

    [15] La Commission a autorisé la prise de contrôle de Guilbert par le groupe Pinault-Printemps-Redoute

    La Commission européenne a autorisé une opération par laquelle le groupe Pinault-Printemps-Redoute, par l'intermédiaire d'Artémis, acquerra le contrôle du groupe français Guilbert par voie d'offre publique d'achat amicale. Le groupe Guilbert est actif dans la distribution directe, aux entreprises, de fournitures et matériel de bureau. Pour sa part le groupe Pinault-Printemps-Redoute est présent dans la distribution "grand public" (Le Printemps, Conforama, La Redoute et La Fnac), la distribution aux professionnels du bâtiment (Pinault Distribution et Rexel), le commerce international (CFAO) et le crédit à la consommation. Les deux groupes étant actifs dans des secteurs différents de la distribution, la Commission a considéré que l'opération ne conduisait pas au renforcement ou à la création d'une position dominante.

    [16] Commission partially refers to the Italian authorities the proposed acquisition of GS by Promodes and Schemaventuno

    The European Commission has decided to refer partially to the competent Italian authorities ("Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato") the examination of the acquisition by Promodès of joint control with Schemaventuno (holding belonging to Benetton and Del Vecchio families) of GS, company formerly solely controlled by Schemaventuno. With a second decision adopted the same day the Commission has declared the rest of the operation compatible with the common market. The Commission has decided to refer the case for the effects of the operation on some local markets and, in particular, Torino, Vercelli and Aosta. As far as the rest of the case is concerned, the Commission has considered that the notified operation does not raise any serious doubts at the national level.

    [17] Reduced CO² emissions from cars : Commission acknowledges new proposal from ACEA

    Ritt Bjerregaard, European Commissioner for Environment, and Bernd Pischetsrieder, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) met in Strasbourg on 10th March to discuss an environmental agreement on CO² emissions from passenger cars. Mr Pischestsrieder presented to the Commissioner a new proposal which had been adopted unanimously by the ACEA Board - composed of the CEOs of the European car manufacturers - on 4th March. Under this new offer the Industry would commit itself to reduce the average CO² emissions of its new cars sold in the European Union to 140 g/km by 2008, corresponding to 6 l/100 km for petrol cars and 5.3 l/100 km for diesel cars. This represents a reduction of 25% compared to the 1995 baseline of 186 g/km. Mrs Bjerregaard welcomed the fact that ACEA had made a new proposal. "The new proposal is clearly an improvement. I am very pleased that the European Car Industry is showing that it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. We will study the new offer with an open mind and discuss it with the Member States at the Environment Council on 23rd March", the Commissioner said.

    MIDDAY EXPRESS


    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


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