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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 98-05-11

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

11/05/98


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition d'AGF par Allianz sous condition de la réalisation d'engagements
  • [02] Commission clears the acquisition of Gist Brocades by DSM N.V. under the merger regulation
  • [03] Tobacco advertising : Padraig Flynn calls on the European Parliament to endorse the common position
  • [04] Inauguration d'un groupe à haut niveau pour l'étalonnage des performances
  • [05] European Social Policy Forum

  • [01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition d'AGF par Allianz sous condition de la réalisation d'engagements

    Le 8 mai 1998, la Commission européenne a donné son feu vert à la concentration par laquelle le groupe d'assurances allemand Allianz AG (Allianz) acquiert le contrôle de l'assureur français Assurances Générales de France (AGF). La concentration concerne l'assurance vie et non-vie. Le principal impact produit par la concentration s'exerce sur le marché de l'assurance crédit sur les marchandises vendues sur le marché intérieur et à l'exportation, en Italie et au plan européen. L'effet conjugué des parts de marché combinées résultant de l'opération et de l'impact additionnel dû aux liens directs existant entre AGF et Coface, le premier offreur en matière d'assurance export en Europe, a été à l'origine de doutes, également avancés par certains concurrents, quant à la création ou au renforcement d'une position dominante. Les parties ont néanmoins offert, au cours de l'instruction, des engagements considérés par la Commission comme propres à résoudre les problèmes de concurrence identifiés.

    [02] Commission clears the acquisition of Gist Brocades by DSM N.V. under the merger regulation

    On 16.03.1998, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of a Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4064/89 by which DSM N.V. (DSM) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of Koninklijke Gist-Brocades N.V. (GB) by way of a public bid. DSM is the ultimate holding of the DSM group which is active in energy, polymers, resins and plastic products and industrial and fine chemicals. GB is active in fine chemicals and biotechnology based on fermentation and enzyme processes.

    [03] Tobacco advertising : Padraig Flynn calls on the European Parliament to endorse the common position

    European Commissioner for Social Affairs Padraig Flynn today called for the European Parliament (in its second reading to the proposed Directive on tobacco advertising scheduled to take place tomorrow) to endorse the common position adopted by the Council of Ministers last December. "This represents a satisfactory response to the major health risk posed by smoking, and the efforts of the tobacco industry to recruit a new generation of consumers to replace the 500,000 smokers dying in the European Union (EU) each year". The Commissioner pointed out that : "those opposing the adoption of the Directive have long given up disputing the measure itself, and instead concentrate on procedural manoeuvres to delay it's adoption". The Commissioner also recalled that the Commission had strengthened it's initial proposal after the first reading in the Parliament. He noted that the text agreed by the Council in December takes account of the position of the Parliament at the first reading, which was why he was now able to fully recommend this text for approval as it stands. "The common position strikes a reasonable balance between the deeply conflicting interests involved". He pointed out that many of the amendments now proposed at second reading, would remove the legal basis for action at EU level, and thus make the text worthless. He called on Parliament to "reject these efforts to wreck the Directive, and vote on the text without any amendments".

    [04] Inauguration d'un groupe à haut niveau pour l'étalonnage des performances

    La Commission européenne a inauguré un groupe à haut niveau pour l'étalonnage des performances, un exercice destiné à comparer les performances et identifier les meilleures pratiques utilisées dans le monde dans des domaines-clés et les facteurs critiques qui déterminent le succès économique. Ce groupe d'experts a été créé dans le but d'assurer que tous les acteurs concernés de la société participent à l'élaboration de lignes directrices et de priorités en matière d'étalonnage des performances. M. Björn Svedberg, ancien président d'Ericsson, présidera le groupe. Celui-ci est chargé d'aider la Commission à fixer des priorités dans le domaine de l'étalonnage des performances et de coopérer avec la Commission dans l'interprétation des résultats ayant une incidence à l'échelle de l'Union européenne. Il devrait également encourager la participation de l'industrie à la mise en oeuvre de l'étalonnage des performances et, en particulier, jouer le rôle de relais pour les résultats qui relèvent du secteur des entreprises. Au début, le groupe fera des recommandations en ce qui concerne le développement de l'étalonnage des performances au-delà du programme pilote actuel et il pourra aussi émettre des commentaires sur les projets pilotes mis en oeuvre. Les recommandations du groupe concernant l'évolution future de l'étalonnage des performances seront soumises au Conseil "Industrie" en novembre 1998.

    [05] European Social Policy Forum

    The European Commission is organising the second European Social Policy Forum from 24 to 26 June 1998, at the Heysel-complex in Brussels. It will offer an opportunity to discuss the most important social issues in light of the follow-up to the Luxembourg Jobs Summit and the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty. "Forum 98" will bring together the key players in the European institutions and representatives of non governmental organisations (NGOs), social partners and national authorities in the Member States. President Jacques Santer and Social Affairs Commissioner Padraig Flynn will address the conference focusing on the three main issues chosen for debate : the future world of work ; social protection : adapting to changing needs ; and promoting participation and citizenship. On 25 June, the European platform of Social NGOs and the social partners are organising an "Open Forum" as a kind of "trade fair" of discussion. An exhibition will also accompany the conference. More information is available at http://europa.eu.int/socialforum98. Journalists are welcome to attend, and participate in the Forum.

    MIDDAY EXPRESS


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


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