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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-12-20
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Le redressement conjoncturel dans la zone euro s'est ralenti durant le
troisième trimestre 2004
[02] Aarhus Convention : Commission welcomes agreements to strengthen
citizens' involvement in environmental matters
[03] Alrosa and De Beers offer diamond trade commitments
[04] Commission clears Cytec's acquisition of UCB's Surface Specialties
business, subject to conditions
[05] Commission clears acquisition of BIAC by MABSA and the Belgian State
[06] Commission clears acquisition of MGC by Permira, PEP and Marazzi
[07] Commission clears acquisition of BVAG by VWD
[08] Commission clears acquisition of Deutschbau Holding by Viterra
[09] Commission clears acquisition of BERU by BorgWarner
[10] La Commission saisit la Cour de justice Ă l'encontre des Etats membres
n'ayant pas transposé les normes communautaires de lutte contre la
discrimination
[11] Pension taxation : Commission requests Sweden to end discrimination
against foreign pension funds
[12] Commission considers Finland's tax rules concerning employment-related
income paid to non-residents incompatible with EC Treaty
[13] VAT - Commission takes Austria and Finland to the Court of Justice
[14] Douane : la Commission saisit la Cour de Justice contre l'Italie
concernant la redevance environnementale sicilienne
[15] TVA : remboursement de la TVA aux assujettis non Ă©tablis dans l'Etat
de remboursement - la Commission traduit le Luxembourg devant la Cour de
Justice
[16] Taxation : infringement proceedings against Italy for failure to
notify the Commission of national measures implementing two EU Directives
[17] TVA : la Commission poursuit des procédures d'infraction à l'encontre
de la Grèce, l'Espagne, la France et la Pologne
[18] La Commission annonce 100 millions d'€ de dons en faveur du Burundi
[19] La Commission se réjouit de la volonté d'apaisement des Présidents
Kabila et Kagame
[20] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2004-12-20
Reference: MEX/04/1220
Date: 20/12/2004
EXME04 / 20.12
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb
Communication
20/12/04
[01] Le redressement conjoncturel dans la zone euro s'est ralenti durant le
troisième trimestre 2004
Il ressort du rapport trimestriel sur la zone euro publié ce jour par la
Commission européenne que la croissance du PIB est restée légèrement
inférieure aux prévisions au cours du troisième trimestre. Il faut
cependant replacer dans leur contexte les données récentes, qui semblent
indiquer que des risques continuent de peser sur les perspectives de
croissance à court terme. Ce ralentissement intervient en effet après un
premier semestre durant lequel l’évolution de l’économie a été
plus favorable que prévu. En outre, l’activité économique ne s’est
pas ralentie partout dans la zone euro, mais s’est renforcée au
contraire dans plusieurs pays. Enfin, l’évolution survenue durant le
troisième trimestre résulte principalement de mouvements de grande
ampleur des composantes les plus instables de la demande, et doit donc
être interprétée avec prudence.
[02] Aarhus Convention : Commission welcomes agreements to strengthen
citizens' involvement in environmental matters
The European Commission welcomes the green light given today by the
Environment Council for the European Union to ratify the Aarhus Convention.
The Council also reached a political agreement on a Regulation that will
apply the Convention’s provisions to Community institutions and bodies.
The Aarhus Convention lays down a set of basic rules to promote citizens'
involvement in environmental matters and improve enforcement of
environmental law. It grants the public access to environmental information,
provides for participation in environmental decision-making, and allows the
public to seek redress when environmental law is infringed, including
breaches of the two previous rights.
[03] Alrosa and De Beers offer diamond trade commitments
In response to an investigation launched by the European Commission into a
possible violation of EC Treaty competition rules, Alrosa and De Beers have
offered commitments to the Commission regarding their notified rough
diamonds Trade Agreement.
[04] Commission clears Cytec's acquisition of UCB's Surface Specialties
business, subject to conditions
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the proposed acquisition of UCB’s Surface Specialties
(Surface Specialties) business by Cytec Industries Inc. (Cytec) of the US.
The Commission’s review highlighted serious concerns in two amino resins
markets, but Cytec was able to address these concerns by offering to divest
Surface Specialties’ Fechenheim plant (Germany), which accounts for
almost all of Surface Specialties European production. In the light of
these commitments, the Commission has concluded that the transaction would
not significantly impede effective competition in the EEA or any
substantial part of it and has therefore approved the concentration
[05] Commission clears acquisition of BIAC by MABSA and the Belgian State
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Brussels International
Airport Company (BIAC) by the Luxembourg-based undertaking Macquarie
Airports Brussels S.A. (MABSA) and the Belgian State. MABSA belongs to the
Macquarie Group, an Australian banking group active in investment banking,
fund management, financial advisory and leasing activities. BIAC is the
owner and operator of Brussels National Airport, located in Zaventem,
Belgium. It manages the airport infrastructure and coordinates and controls
the activities of the various operators at the airport. It is currently
controlled by the Belgian State, which owns 63.56% of its shares. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[06] Commission clears acquisition of MGC by Permira, PEP and Marazzi
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of MGC of Italy by Guernsey-
based undertaking Permira, Private Equity Partners (PEP) of Italy and
Marazzi also of Italy. MGC is active in the production and distribution of
ceramic tiles. Marazzi is a holding company, controlled by the Marazzi
family, which currently owns MGC. Permira and PEP are both private equity
firms controlling several companies, none of whom is active in the ceramic
tiles market, or in upstream or downstream markets. The operation was
examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of BVAG by VWD
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of German company
Braunschweiger Versorgungs-AG (BVAG) by Veolia Water Deutschland GmbH
(VWD). Veolia is a large French utility with activities in water, waste
water disposal, energy and transport. Its German water and waste water
business is operated by VWD whose activities focus on Berlin and the German
Länder of Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt. BVAG's main business is the
distribution of electricity, gas, water and district heating in the city of
Braunschweig. It is also active in the generation and trade of electricity
in other regions of Germany. The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of Deutschbau Holding by Viterra
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Deutschbau Holding by
German company Viterra. Deutschbau Holding is currently jointly controlled
by Viterra and DB Real Estate Management GmbH (a joint venture approved by
the Commission in 1997). Viterra is active in the management and rental of
residential real estate. Its assets are mainly located in the Ruhr area and
the Rhein-Main-region in Germany. Viterra is also active in the sale of
private and commercial real estate. Deutschbau Holding is the holding
company of Deutschbau Wohnungsgesellschaft GmbH and Deutschbau Immobilien-
Dienstleistungen GmbH. Deutschbau Wohnungsgesellschaft owns approximately
33.200 appartments, which are located all over Germany, however very few of
them in the Ruhr region and the Rhein-Main-region. Deutschbau Immobilien-
Dienstleistungen is mainly involved in the management of apartments of
Deutschbau Wohnungsgesellschaft and to a minor extent apartments belonging
to third parties. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of BERU by BorgWarner
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of German company BERU AG by
US company BorgWarner. BorgWarner is mainly active in the manufacture and
supply of products for the management and enhancement of engines and torque
management products. BERU is a supplier of components and systems for
diesel cold-start technology, ignition technology and electronics and
sensors technology. The operation was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure.
[10] La Commission saisit la Cour de justice Ă l'encontre des Etats membres
n'ayant pas transposé les normes communautaires de lutte contre la
discrimination
La Commission européenne a annoncé qu'elle citerait cinq Etats membres
devant la Cour de justice pour non transposition de la directive sur
l'égalité en matière d'emploi. Cette directive, qui interdit les
discriminations fondées sur l'âge, le handicap, la religion ou
l'orientation sexuelle dans le domaine de l'emploi et la formation
professionnelle, aurait dû être transposée en droit interne au plus tard
au mois de décembre, l'année dernière.
[11] Pension taxation : Commission requests Sweden to end discrimination
against foreign pension funds
The European Commission has decided to send a formal request to Sweden to
amend its discriminatory pension tax legislation. The main problem is that,
under Swedish law, pension contributions that an employer makes on behalf
of his employees to foreign pension funds are not tax deductible while
contributions paid to domestic funds are. The request is in the form of a
reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure under
Article 226 of the EC Treaty. This action demonstrates the new Commission's
commitment to continue the work commenced by the previous Commission on the
elimination of tax obstacles to the cross-border provision of occupational
pensions (see IP/01/575 and MEMO/01/142).
[12] Commission considers Finland's tax rules concerning employment-related
income paid to non-residents incompatible with EC Treaty
The European Commission has sent Finland a formal request to amend its
legislation concerning the taxation of employment-related salaries and
pensions. Under Finnish law such income is subject to a final withholding
tax at a rate of 35% when it is paid to non-resident individuals whereas
for resident individuals it is taxed according to a progressive scale. The
Commission considers that the difference in the tax treatment of the two
categories of taxpayer, in so far as it results in a higher tax burden on
the income of non-resident individuals in situations objectively similar to
those of residents, constitutes indirect discrimination on the grounds of
nationality prohibited by the Treaty. The request is in the form of a
reasoned opinion, the second stage of the infringement procedure under
Article 226 of the Treaty. If Finland does not amend its legislation within
two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice.
[13] VAT - Commission takes Austria and Finland to the Court of Justice
The European Commission has decided to take Austria to the Court of Justice
over a simplified tax scheme which it applies on passenger transport
operators established in other Member States or certain third countries and
which does not comply with the Sixth VAT Directive. The Commission is
taking similar action against Finland because it has maintained the
obligation, in certain circumstances, for foreign businesses engaging in
economic activity in Finnish territory to designate a tax representative,
despite the entry into force of Directive 2000/65/EC (see IP/00/1168) which
was intended to eliminate such obligations.
[14] Douane : la Commission saisit la Cour de Justice contre l'Italie
concernant la redevance environnementale sicilienne
La Commission européenne a décidé de saisir la Cour de Justice
Ă l'encontre de l'Italie au sujet de la redevance environnementale
sicilienne. La Commission estime que cette redevance, qui, en substance,
frappe le gaz nature en provenance d'Algérie, est contraire au tarif
douanier commun de la Communauté Européenne (CE) ainsi qu'aux principes
fondamentaux qui régissent la politique commerciale commune et aux
obligation internationales de l'UE découlant de l'accord de coopération
avec l'Algérie. Les autorités italiennes n'ont ni répondu à l'avis
motivé, deuxième étape de la procédure d'infraction prévue à l'article
226 du traité CE, qui leur avait été adressé en juillet 2004 (voir
IP/04/948), ni mis en conformité avec le droit communautaire la
législation italienne concernant ladite redevance.
[15] TVA : remboursement de la TVA aux assujettis non Ă©tablis dans l'Etat
de remboursement - la Commission traduit le Luxembourg devant la Cour de
Justice
La Commission europĂ©enne a dĂ©cidĂ© de saisir la Cour de Justice Ă
l'encontre du Grand Duché de Luxembourg au sujet des retards excessifs
pour le remboursement aux assujettis non Ă©tablis au Luxembourg de la taxe
sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA). Ces remboursements sont actuellement
effectués avec des retards considérables, certains remboursements datant
de 2000 n'Ă©tant pas encore intervenus. Cette situation constitue une
violation du délai de six mois imposé par la huitième directive relative
au système commun de TVA (79/1072/CEE) et entraîne d'importantes
difficultés de trésorerie pour les opérateurs économiques.
[16] Taxation : infringement proceedings against Italy for failure to
notify the Commission of national measures implementing two EU Directives
The European Commission has decided to refer Italy to the European Court of
Justice for failing to notify it of national measures implementing
Directive 2002/94/EC on mutual assistance for the recovery of tax claims.
The Commission has also officially requested Italy to notify it of the
national measures taken to implement Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October
2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy
products and electricity. This official request is in the form of a
reasoned opinion, the second stage of an infringement proceeding under
Article 226 of the Treaty. If Italy fails to bring its legislation into
line within two months of receiving the reasoned opinion, the Commission
may also bring this case before the Court of Justice.
[17] TVA : la Commission poursuit des procédures d'infraction à l'encontre
de la Grèce, l'Espagne, la France et la Pologne
La Commission européenne a décidé d'envoyer aux pays suivants des
demandes formelles de rectifier des mauvaises applications de la
rĂ©glementation relative Ă la taxe sur la valeur ajoutĂ©e (TVA) : Ă
l'encontre de la Grèce pour d'une part le refus d'exonérer l'aspect
"assurance" des contrats d'assistance routière et d'autre part,
l'obligation imposée aux assujettis non établis d'avoir un représentant
fiscal alors que cette obligation a été supprimée par la directive
2000/65/CE; à l'encontre de l'Espagne en ce que la législation espagnole
prĂ©voit la perception d'une TVA sur des prestations de services rendues Ă
titre gratuit même si elles sont effectuées à des fins professionnelles;
Ă l'encontre de la France en ce qu'elle a introduit, en ce qui concerne les
produits emportés dans les bagages des voyageurs de pays tiers, des
limites non prévues par la directive; et à l'encontre de la Pologne en ce
qu'elle exonère certaines prestations de services d'accès à internet
alors que celles-ci devraient être taxées. Les demandes sont sous forme
des avis motivés (seconde phase de la procédure d'infraction prévue
par l'article 226 du Traité). En l'absence d'une mise en conformité des
lĂ©gislations de ces Etats membres endĂ©ans un dĂ©lai de deux mois Ă
compter de la réception de l'avis motivé, la Commission pourra décider
de porter ces affaires devant la Cour de justice européenne.
[18] La Commission annonce 100 millions d'€ de dons en faveur du Burundi
Le Commissaire européen Louis Michel, lors de sa visite à Bujumbura au
Burundi le 17 décembre 2004, a signé et annoncé de nouveaux dons de la
Commission européenne à hauteur de 100 millions d'€. Ces financements
viennent en supplĂ©ment du vaste programme d’appui de la Commission dĂ©jĂ
en cours. Ces appuis massifs ont tous pour objectifs la lutte contre la
pauvreté et la consolidation du processus de paix.
[19] La Commission se réjouit de la volonté d'apaisement des Présidents
Kabila et Kagame
Le Commissaire européen au Développement et à l'Aide humanitaire Louis
Michel a adressé le samedi 19 décembre un appel pressant aux autorités
et Ă la population de la RĂ©publique DĂ©mocratique du Congo (RDC) pour
mener à bon terme la transition démocratique : "La paix, la démocratie
et la prospérité sont à portée de main au Congo pour la première fois
en 40 ans. Nous sommes à quelques mois d’un nouveau départ, d’une
nouvelle indépendance. Saisissez cette chance!"
[20] Autre matériel diffusé
Note sur la préparation du Conseil Agriculture / Pêche (21-22/12)
Discours de M. Louis Michel : "Les Ă©lections doivent restituer au peuple
congolais ses droits à la liberté, à la démocratie et au bonheur" devant
la Commission Electorale Indépendante (18/12, République Démocratique du
Congo)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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