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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 02-08-30
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] LIFE-Environment: Commission grants €69 million for 109 environmental
innovation projects
[02] Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.1%
[03] Commission clears Dexia/Banco Popular joint control of Spain's Fortior
Midday Express 30/08/2002
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 30/08/2002
[01] LIFE-Environment: Commission grants €69 million for 109 environmental
innovation projects
The European Commission has selected 109 new environmental demonstration
projects for co-funding under the LIFE-Environment programme. These
projects are co-funded to gain knowledge and experience to help develop and
implement EU environmental legislation in the European Union and candidate
countries. They will enable demonstration and development of new methods
for the protection and the enhancement of the environment. This year's
selected projects represent a total investment of around €213 million, to
which LIFE-Environment will provide €69 million. Among the 109 projects
selected, those relating to the sustainable management of water resources
predominate. These projects cover waste water treatment, groundwater
protection and river basin management.
[02] Euro-zone inflation estimated at 2.1%
Euro-zone annual inflation is expected to be 2.1% in August 2002, up from
1.9% in July 2002, according to a flash estimate issued today by Eurostat -
the Statistical Office of the European Communities in Luxembourg. The euro-
zone inflation is measured by the Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices
(MUICP). To compute the MUICP flash estimates, Eurostat uses early price
information relating to the reference month from Member States for which
data are available as well as early information about energy prices. The
estimation procedure for the MUICP flash estimate issued today combines
historical information with partial information on price developments in
the most recent months to give a total index for the euro-zone. No detailed
breakdown is available. Simulations have shown the procedure to be reliable
(14 times correctly anticipating the full estimate, 8 times differing by
0.1 and 2 times differing by 0.2 - last time in April 2002 - over the last
two years). Nevertheless a major structural change such as the introduction
of the euro is likely to affect the performance of the estimation
procedure. Thus the August 2002 flash estimate carries a greater
uncertainty than past performance would indicate. Further information can
be found in Eurostat news release N° 113/2001, 5 November 2001.
[03] Commission clears Dexia/Banco Popular joint control of Spain's Fortior
The European Commission has cleared a deal whereby Banque Internationale à
Luxembourg (BIL), which belongs to the French-Belgian banking group Dexia,
and Banco Popular Español acquire joint control of Spain's Fortior Holding
S.A. Fortior deals with financial assessment, asset management, investment
and pension fund management in Spain.(The deal, which was notified for
clearance under the Merger Regulation on July 25, was examined under a
simplified procedure).
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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