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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-01-22
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission tables farm reform to give farmers a long-term perspective
for sustainable agriculture
[02] CAP reform - a long term perspective for sustainable agriculture
[03] La réforme de la PAC
[04] Commission launches initiative to boost entrepreneurship in Europe
[05] Commission urges focus on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
[06] La Commission renforce les éléments clés du contrôle de gestion et de
l'audit interne
[07] Commission proposes phase-out of State guarantees for Austrian banks
[08] Commission authorises UK stamp duty exemption scheme for disadvantaged
areas
[09] La Commission propose de supprimer progressivement la garantie
accordée par l'Etat français à CDC IXIS
[10] State aid probe into possible overcompensation for Danish public
service broadcaster TV2
[11] €50 million rescue aid for MobilCom cleared ; in-depth probe into
additional aid of €112 million
[12] La Commission autorise l'aide au sauvetage d' "ABX Logistics"
[13] Aide au sauvetage et à la restructuration d'Air Lib : la Commission
ouvre la procédure d'examen des mesures prises par la France
[14] Commission authorises the Principality of Asturias to grant aid to the
coal industry
[15] Commission authorises the United Kingdom to grant aid to the coal
industry
[16] Insurance : Commission continues infringement procedure concerning
regulation and supervision of Lloyd's
[17] La Commission invite Mme Edith Cresson à formuler ses observations en
réponse aux allégations selon lesquelles elle aurait violé ses obligations
pendant son mandat de Commissaire
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[18] Romano Prodi ouvre la réunion inaugurale du Groupe des Sages sur le
Dialogue entre Peuples et Cultures
[19] Commission opens in-depth investigation in Siemens/Drägerwerk hospital
equipment venture
[20] Commission clears AMEC's control of French construction services firm
SPIE
[21] Customs : Commission welcomes Council adoption of Regulation
suspending duties on weapons and military equipment
[22] Décembre 2002 : le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro en hausse à
2,3% ; le taux de l'UE15 en hausse à 2,2%
[23] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 22/01/2003
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 22/01/2003[I] Résultats de la Commission
du 21 janvier 2003 - Outcome of Commission meeting of 21 January
[01] Commission tables farm reform to give farmers a long-term perspective
for sustainable agriculture
The European Commission has adopted a package of proposals to reform the
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Commission proposal will provide EU
farmers with a clear policy perspective to go with the financial framework
until 2013 for agricultural expenditure, as decided by the Heads of State
and Government in Brussels in October 2002. It will also make European
agriculture more competitive and market oriented, promote a substantial
simplification in the CAP, facilitate the enlargement process and help to
better defend the CAP in the WTO. The proposed adjustments allow maximum
flexibility in production decisions of farmers while guaranteeing them
income stability. The implementation of the Commission reform would remove
environmentally negative incentives in the current policy and provide
further encouragement for more sustainable farming practices. These
adjustments are necessary to ensure that the EU is able to provide a
sustainable and predictable policy framework for the European Model of
Agriculture over the coming years. Such changes are made even more urgent
by the new budgetary framework. These changes will enable the EU to ensure
a transparent and more equitable distribution of income support for farmers,
and to better respond to what our consumers and taxpayers want. These
proposals are the follow-up to the Commission's midterm review proposals
from July 2002.
[02] CAP reform - a long term perspective for sustainable agriculture
Questions and answers
[03] La réforme de la PAC
Comparaison situation actuelle, communication de juillet 2002, propositions
de janvier 2003
[04] Commission launches initiative to boost entrepreneurship in Europe
Europe needs to produce more entrepreneurs and to get more entrepreneurs to
grow their businesses. In the EU, too few people are involved in new
entrepreneurial ventures and their businesses do not grow so as much as
those in the US. To enhance efforts to foster entrepreneurship in Europe,
the European Commission has now published a Green Paper to stimulate debate
on the future agenda for entrepreneurship. This is the first time that the
Commission launches a comprehensive policy initiative to focus on the
entire range of issues that could stimulate entrepreneurship in Europe.
This Green Paper follows the adoption, last December, of the Communication
on Industrial policy in an enlarged Europe (see IP/02/1884).
Entrepreneurial initiative and risk-taking should be encouraged in the
first place to boost job creation and growth. Besides wealth and jobs,
entrepreneurship brings benefits to society, such as availability of a wide
variety of products and services. It can also be a keystone in building
social cohesion when access to entrepreneurship is made easier for
economically disadvantaged groups or regions.
[05] Commission urges focus on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
The European Commission has adopted a package of documents outlining EU
policy towards small and medium-sized enterprises, which provides a
snapshot of recent progress in small business policy across Europe and
points to possible further policy actions. A key finding is that EU Member
States and candidate countries need to focus on small and medium sized
enterprises (SMEs) more often in their rule and policy making :
consultation of small businesses remains low in both policy and law-making.
Europe therefore urgently needs to give small businesses the opportunity to
voice their views. However, the documents also stress that substantial
progress has been made in key areas such as education for entrepreneurship
and simplification of administrative procedures, both in candidate
countries, who are facing up the challenge of building an entrepreneurial
culture and in Member States. To help develop a more stable and creative
enterprise sector in candidate countries, the financial sector is
encouraged to take a closer look at SME lending as a source of
opportunities, rather than just risks. The Commission has recently taken
several initiatives to support SMEs. In this context, the recently
nominated SME Envoy has a crucial role in ensuring a more coordinated
approach on SME issues.
[06] La Commission renforce les éléments clés du contrôle de gestion et de
l'audit interne
La Commission européenne a clarifié des aspects clés concernant les
rapports d'activité annuels (RAA) et les déclarations sur la gestion
financière signés par les directeurs généraux, ainsi que le rôle des
différents services et acteurs en matière de gestion, d'audit et de
contrôle financiers. Cette clarification formelle était la principale
recommandation de l'exercice RAA, mené pour la première fois en 2002.
Foncièrement, les décisions prises définissent de manière plus précise le
processus commun visant à garantir que les rapports donnent une image
fiable, exhaustive et correcte des affaires et à évaluer toute réserve
susceptible d'accompagner les déclarations. Ces décisions confirment en
outre la portée du contrôle et de l'audit internes dans les services de la
Commission et au niveau central tout en définissant plus précisément le
rôle des différents acteurs en présence. Il a été confirmé que, tout en
recueillant les informations et avis provenant de différents niveaux au
sein des services de la Commission, le directeur général restera seul
responsable de la teneur du rapport et de la déclaration. Ces décisions
sont axées sur le rôle du service financier central de la Commission - qui
fait partie de la DG Budget - dans la mise en place de la formation et de
l'appui nécessaires aux DG en matière de contrôle interne, ainsi que sur le
rôle du service d'audit interne. Elles visent aussi à garantir que l'audit
interne émette un avis correct sur l'adéquation et la qualité des systèmes
de contrôle et d'audit internes, comme le prévoit le nouveau règlement
financier en vigueur depuis le début de l'année.
[07] Commission proposes phase-out of State guarantees for Austrian banks
The European Commission has adopted a formal decision proposing Austria to
phase out State guarantees in favour of some Austrian banks. The Commission
had, earlier in April 2002, informed Austria that its system of State
guarantees for some banks constituted State aid. Now, the Commission's
decision requests Austria to respond within two months whether it accepts
to phase out the existing guarantees. In this case Austria has until the
end of June 2004 to communicate the measures it intends to take to phase
out the State guarantees.
[08] Commission authorises UK stamp duty exemption scheme for disadvantaged
areas
The European Commission has decided that, subject to a number of conditions,
that the UK stamp duty exemption is in line with EU objectives on economic
and social cohesion as well as sustainable development. In addition,
trading conditions will not be adversely affected to an extent contrary to
the common interest.
[09] La Commission propose de supprimer progressivement la garantie
accordée par l'Etat français à CDC IXIS
La Commission européenne a proposé que la garantie accordée par la banque
publique Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) à sa filiale CDC IXIS
soit progressivement supprimée. Les autorités françaises ont déjà accepté
d'abandonner cette garantie au terme d'une période transitoire. La
Commission demande désormais à la France d'arrêter définitivement le
calendrier et les modalités du retrait progressif des garanties d'Etat. La
France disposera d'un maximum de deux mois pour présenter un calendrier
précis à cette fin.
[10] State aid probe into possible overcompensation for Danish public
service broadcaster TV2
The European Commission has decided to launch a probe into the State
financing by Denmark of its public broadcaster TV2. The probe will cover
the period 1995-2002. The Commission has come to the preliminary conclusion
that the Danish State overcompensated the net additional cost incurred by
TV2 for providing services of general interest. The amount of
overcompensation is estimated at €87.8 million. Furthermore, there are
indications that TV2 used these excess public funds to cross-subsidise its
advertising business. The Commission will further analyse whether the
prices TV2 charges for advertising would undercut those that an efficient
commercial operator would have to charge to cover costs.
[11] €50 million rescue aid for MobilCom cleared ; in-depth probe into
additional aid of €112 million
The European Commission has cleared rescue aid of €50 million in favour of
MobilCom AG, a German provider of telecommunications services. The aid was
granted in September 2002 in the form of a State guaranteed loan.
Simultaneously, the Commission initiated formal investigation proceeding on
an additional State guaranteed loan of €112 million, which was granted to
MobilCom in November 2002. While the Commission considers that the initial
loan of €50 million is indeed necessary to keep MobilCom afloat for a
transitory period, the German authorities have, at this stage, not been
able to demonstrate that the second loan of €112 million is indispensable
in this respect. Accordingly the Commission has opened formal investigation
proceedings on this second loan.
[12] La Commission autorise l'aide au sauvetage d' "ABX Logistics"
La Commission européenne a autorisé une aide au sauvetage sous forme de
trois crédits relais en faveur de trois entités "ABX Logistics" en France,
en Allemagne et aux Pays-Bas, dont la société mère est la "SNCB". L'aide au
sauvetage, remboursable à moyen terme, doit permettre de maintenir
temporairement la viabilité et de prévenir la perte d'emplois au sein des
trois entités bénéficiaires, ce qui devrait également bénéficier à
l'ensemble des activités ABX. Une décision quant à l'avenir des sociétés
bénéficiaires devra être prise dans les six mois à compter du 21 janvier.
[13] Aide au sauvetage et à la restructuration d'Air Lib : la Commission
ouvre la procédure d'examen des mesures prises par la France
Devant la décision française de prolonger à 12 mois au total l'aide au
sauvetage d'Air Lib, l'absence de plan de restructuration notifié et enfin
la présence éventuelle d'autres financements d'origine publique, la
Commission européenne a décidé d'ouvrir la procédure d'examen des mesures
prises en faveur d'Air Lib. La Commission émet en effet des doutes quant à
la compatibilité de ces mesures, qui pourraient notamment être utilisées
pour développer le réseau de la compagnie, avec les règles de concurrence.
[14] Commission authorises the Principality of Asturias to grant aid to the
coal industry
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the
subsidies amounting to €3,000,000 which the Principality of Asturias is
proposing to grant to private coal mining companies to improve working
safety in mines and to protect the environment. The aid is compatible with
the proper functioning of the internal market.
[15] Commission authorises the United Kingdom to grant aid to the coal
industry
The European Commission has decided not to raise any objections to the
operating aid amounting to almost GBP 9,000,000 which the United Kingdom is
proposing to grant to ten coal mines. The aid should help to make the mines
viable, enabling them to continue their activities beyond 2002 without the
need for public subsidy. The aid is compatible with the proper functioning
of the internal market.
[16] Insurance : Commission continues infringement procedure concerning
regulation and supervision of Lloyd's
The European Commission has decided to continue its formal infringement
procedure into the regulation and supervision of the Lloyd's insurance
market following the changes introduced by the UK Financial Services and
Markets Act (FSMA) 2000. The Commission's aim is to verify that the current
supervision and regulation of Lloyd's is fully in line with the
requirements of the first non-life insurance Directive (73/239/EEC). That
Directive aims principally to entrust public authorities with a duty to
effectively supervise insurance undertakings. Following the sending of a
first letter of formal notice in December 2001, i.e. prior to the
communication by the UK government of the newly adopted FSMA 2000 (see
IP/01/1880), the Commission has now sent the UK authorities an additional
letter of formal notice requesting further information within two months.
The Commission recognises the improvements achieved through the FSMA 2000
regime, but still has some remaining concerns over compliance with the
Directive. The Commission's request to the UK authorities constitutes the
first stage of the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the EC
Treaty. On the basis of the information received, the Commission will
decide whether or not it considers there is a violation of EU law, and so
whether to send a reasoned opinion to the UK (the next stage of
infringement procedures).
[17] La Commission invite Mme Edith Cresson à formuler ses observations en
réponse aux allégations selon lesquelles elle aurait violé ses obligations
pendant son mandat de Commissaire
La Commission européenne a décidé de préparer une communication exposant
les faits relatifs à d'éventuels manquements de Mme Cresson aux obligations
qui, en vertu de l'article 213 du traité CE, lui incombaient lorsqu'elle
était Commissaire. La communication sera envoyée à Mme Cresson, qui sera
invitée à transmettre ses observations à la Commission.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[18] Romano Prodi ouvre la réunion inaugurale du Groupe des Sages sur le
Dialogue entre Peuples et Cultures
Créé à l'initiative du Président de la Commission européenne, le Groupe des
Sages sur le Dialogue entre les Peuples et les Cultures tiendra sa réunion
inaugurale le jeudi 23 janvier 2003 en présence du Président Prodi. Les
membres constitutifs de ce Groupe sont : Mmes Assia Alaoui Bensalah, Fatima
Mernissi et Tullia Zevi, ainsi que MM. Jean Daneil, Malek Chebel, Don Juan
Diez Nicolas, Umberto Eco, Schmuel N. Eisenstadt, George Joffé, Ahmed Kamal
Aboulmagd, Bichara Khader, Adnan Wafic Kassar, Pedrag Matwejevic, Rostane
Mehdi, Tariq Ramadan, Faruk Sen et Faouzi Skali.
[19] Commission opens in-depth investigation in Siemens/Drägerwerk hospital
equipment venture
The European Commission has decided to open a detailed investigation into a
planned joint venture whereby the German company Siemens transfers its
medical ventilators, anaesthesia delivery systems and patient monitoring
businesses to Dräger Medical, currently wholly-owned by German Drägerwerk.
Siemens and Drägerwerk would jointly-control Dräger Medical.
[20] Commission clears AMEC's control of French construction services firm
SPIE
The European Commission has granted clearance under the Merger Regulation
to the acquisition of full control of French firm SPIE SA by AMEC plc of
Britain. Both companies are active in engineering and construction
services. SPIE is currently a joint venture between Financière SPIE Sca and
Amec. (The operation, notified on 6 december 2002, was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure)
[21] Customs : Commission welcomes Council adoption of Regulation
suspending duties on weapons and military equipment
The European Commission has welcomed the adoption without discussion by the
EU's Council of Ministers on 21st January of a Regulation suspending import
duties on certain weapons and military equipment. The Regulation, based on
a Commission proposal dating from 1988, acknowledges that the security
interests of the EU as well as the demands of international military
cooperation justify such a suspension of customs duties to assist Member
States' defence authorities in procuring the best military materials
available world-wide. The suspensions apply to a whole range of weapons and
military equipment as well as to parts and components for incorporation or
fitting into the listed goods and to goods for use in training or testing
of the listed goods. The suspension applies only where the products are
imported by or on behalf of the military defence authorities of a Member
State. Private companies in the EU will be able to produce the relevant
military products out of materials imported duty-free, once the companies
supply the final products to Member States' defence authorities. Special
import procedures included in the text are designed to protect military
secrecy. The Regulation applies from 1 January 2003.
[22] Décembre 2002 : le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro en hausse à
2,3% ; le taux de l'UE15 en hausse à 2,2%
Le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro a augmenté de 2,2% en novembre
2002 à 2,3% en décembre 2002, indique aujourd'hui Eurostat. Un an
auparavant, le taux était de 2,0%. Le taux d'inflation annuel de l'UE15 est
passé de 2,1% en novembre à 2,2% en décembre 2002. Un an auparavant, le
taux était de 1,9%. En décembre, les taux annuels les plus élevés ont été
relevés en Irlande (4,6%), en Espagne et au Portugal (4,0% chacun). Les
taux les plus bas ont été enregistrés en Allemagne (1,1%), en Belgique (1,
3%), en Autriche, en Finlande, en Suède ainsi qu'au Royaume-Uni (1,7%
chacun).
[23] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur la préparation du Conseil informel Emploi et Affaires sociales (23-
24, Nafplio)
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Ecofin aspects fiscalité
Address by Pedro Solbes at Ecofin press conference (21/01)
Speech by David Byrne : "From national legislation to a framework directive
on fair commercial practices" at workshop on Unfair Commercial Practices
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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