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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-01-26
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Fonds structurels : approbation de neuf nouveaux programmes de
coopération transfrontalière et de voisinage
[02] Commission clears acquisition of Telcordia by Warburg and Providence
[03] Commission clears BT's acquisition of Infonet
[04] Wide publication for the post of OLAF Director-General
[05] Third quarter of 2004 : EU25 current account deficit €8.9 billion -
€10.9 billion surplus on trade in services
[06] Commission and Sudanese authorities sign Country Strategy Paper to
resume cooperation
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2005-01-26
Reference: MEX/05/0126
Date: 26/01/2005
EXME05 / 26.1
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
26/01/05
[01] Fonds structurels : approbation de neuf nouveaux programmes de
coopération transfrontalière et de voisinage
Mme Danuta Hübner, membre de la Commission européenne chargée de la
politique régionale, présentera demain au cours du Séminaire
International "Neighourhood Programmes", neuf nouveaux programmes de
coopération transfrontalière et de voisinage concernant des régions de
plusieurs des nouveaux Etats membres, de pays candidats à l'adhésion et de
pays tiers. Ces programmes, qui couvrent une population de 57 millions
d'habitants, relèvent de la politique régionale européenne et visent Ã
renforcer la coopération économique, sociale et territoriale dans les
régions frontalières et transfrontalières. Pour la période 2004-2006,
le financement total disponible de l'Union européenne s'élève à 260
millions €, dont l'essentiel (215 millions €) au titre de l'initiative
transfrontalière Interreg, le reste provenant des instruments financiers
destinés aux pays candidats à l'adhésion et aux pays tiers (Tacis, Phare
et CARDS). Les ressources de l'UE s'ajouteront à une autre dotation de 76Â
millions €, issue de sources nationales et régionales.
[02] Commission clears acquisition of Telcordia by Warburg and Providence
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of US company Telcordia
Technologies Inc. by two other US companies Warburg Pincus LLC and
Providence Equity Partners Inc., by way of purchase of shares. Warburg and
Providence are active as global private equity investors whereas Telcordia
is providing software and services for communications networks. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[03] Commission clears BT's acquisition of Infonet
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the
acquisition by British Telecommunications of Infonet Services Corporation,
a US operator providing global telecommunications services to large
multinational corporations. As the incremental share of the target company
in these services is limited, the Commission considers that the operation
will not significantly impede effective competition in the European
Economic Area or any substantial part of it.
[04] Wide publication for the post of OLAF Director-General
The current mandate of Franz-Hermann Brüner as Director General of the
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will come to an end on 1st March 2005. In
order to ensure the broadest possible participation, Siim Kallas, Vice-
President responsible for Administrative affairs, Audit and Antifraud, has
proposed that the Commission publish the vacancy notice in the Official
Journal of the European Communities.
[05] Third quarter of 2004 : EU25 current account deficit €8.9 billion -
€10.9 billion surplus on trade in services
According to the latest revisions, the EU25 external current account
recorded a deficit of €8.9 billion in the third quarter of 2004, as
compared with a surplus of €6.4 billion in the third quarter of 2003 and
a deficit of €7.1 billion in the second quarter of 2004. In the third
quarter of 2004, compared to the third quarter of 2003, a higher surplus
was recorded in the services account (+€10.9 billion compared to +€8.4
billion), while the goods account balance deteriorated (-€8.7 billion
compared to +€5.6 billion), as did the income account balance (-€2.4Â
billion compared to +€0.8 billion). The structural deficit in the current
transfers account remained almost unchanged (-€8.7 billion compared to
-€8.5 billion). These provisional data, issued today by Eurostat, are
subject to revision.
[06] Commission and Sudanese authorities sign Country Strategy Paper to
resume cooperation
Following the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the
Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A in Nairobi on 9 January 2005, the
European Commission and the Government of Sudan have finalised the Country
Strategy Paper for their cooperation. This document includes the National
Indicative Programme and was signed on 25 January 2005 by the Minister for
International Cooperation, Mr Takana, and the Commissioner for Development,
Mr Louis Michel. The President of the Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso,
the Vice-President of Sudan, Mr Taha, and Mr Nhial Deng Nhial, Commissioner
for External relations of the SPLM, witnessed the signature.
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Nine programmes for cross-border cooperation adopted for new Member States
Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner to the European Parliament's Foreign
Affairs Committee (25/01)
Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner to the Political Committee of the Euro-
Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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