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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-03-01Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etbCommunication01/03/05[01] Les nouvelles dispositions communautaires sur la reconnaissance des décisions rendues dans le domaine du droit de la famille devraient mettre un terme aux enlèvements d’enfants dans l’Union européenneA compter du 1er mars, les décisions judiciaires en matière de responsabilité parentale seront reconnues à travers l'Union européenne en vertu d'un nouveau règlement du Conseil. Ce règlement a pour objectif de créer un espace judiciaire commun dans le domaine du droit de la famille afin de faire en sorte que les enfants puissent entretenir des contacts réguliers avec leurs deux parents après une séparation, même s'ils vivent dans des Etats membres différents. Pour apporter une solution efficace au problème des rapts parentaux dans l'UE, qui causent des souffrances épouvantables aux enfants concernés, le règlement impose une obligation stricte d'assurer le retour de l'enfant.[02] "HELP - For a life without tobacco" : EU launches new anti-smoking campaignYoung people, non-smokers and those wanting to quit can get help to lead a life without tobacco, according to a new, €72 million EU anti-smoking campaign launched today. European Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou kicked off the campaign at the Rond-Point Schuman outside the Commission's Berlaymont headquarters in Brussels by unveiling the campaign slogan "HELP: For a Life Without Tobacco" on a giant inflatable structure which will tour all 25 EU capitals. The new campaign has been devised for the Commission by a consortium of health experts and PR professionals (see MEMO/05/68 for details). The roadshow will be followed by a "HELP" TV and cinema advertising campaign over the summer. Commissioner Kyprianou said : "The sickness and death caused by smoking costs EU countries €100 billion a year. Prevention and information campaigns like "HELP" are an investment in a healthier and more prosperous future for our citizens. As well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles to young people, the campaign will also highlight the dangers of passive smoking and support the trend towards tobacco-free public places." The Commission has earmarked €72 million for the new campaign between now and 2008. Adolescents (15 to 18 year olds) and young adults (18 to 30 years olds) will be the main target groups.[03] Commission clears acquisition of Klöckner by LGBThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Klöckner & Co. AG (Klöckner) of Germany by Lindsay Goldberg & Bessemer L.P (LGB) of the U.S. LGB is an investment company, globally active in the acquisition of direct or indirect shareholdings in various different business sectors. The activities of the six companies belonging to the LGB portfolio include the manufacture and distribution of infrastructure facilities for the energy industry, the building and operation of pipelines, payment systems and the food and drinks industries (in particular spirits and meat products). With the exception of the activities in the food and drinks industries, all of these activities take place outside of the EU. Klöckner is globally active, mainly in the processing and distribution of steel, but is also active in the trade and storage of steel, distribution of aluminium, other metals and plastics. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[04] Commission clears acquisition of I&T by 3M and MagnaThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of I&T Innovation Technology Entwicklungs- und Holding Aktiengesellschaft (I&T) of Austria by 3M Österreich Gesellschaft m.b.H of Austria; controlled by 3M Company of the US, and New Magna Investments of Belgium, controlled by Magna International Inc. (Magna) of Canada. 3M is globally active in various different business sectors with a main focus on health care products, industrial products, consumer and office goods, display and graphic products, electro and communications products, safety, security and protection services and transportation. Magna is a diversified global car supplier. The company designs, develops and manufactures car components, assemblies, modules and systems, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles. Its products and services are sold primarily to manufacturers of cars and light trucks in North America, Europe, South America and Asia. I&T is currently solely controlled by Magna and is predominantly active in the design, production and sale of general wiring and circuit boards to the car industry. It is active in Austria, Germany and Slovakia. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[05] What does 'veal' mean to you ? Commission asks consumers to have their sayThe European Commission today launched an internet consultation on consumers' perception of veal. The survey raises questions on what characteristics consumers expect veal to have as well as on the production of calves. At the moment, meats with different characteristics are sold on the EU market under the denomination 'veal' without the consumer always being correctly informed on what she or he is buying. In the single market, correct information to the consumer is essential and several Member States have requested a harmonized definition of veal. The answers to the questions raised in the consultation might not be as uniform across Europe as one might think. On the basis of the information received through the on- line consultation, and following discussions with Member States and other stakeholders, the Commission intends to develop proposals for a European definition of 'veal'.[06] EU and US agree on new EU rice import regimeThe EU and the United States have agreed on a new regime for imports of husked rice into the Community. The agreement establishes a mechanism to calculate applied duties on husked rice. The applied duty may be adjusted every six months based on a comparison between actual imports and a reference import level. In practice, the applied duty can be 65€/t., 42, 5€/t. or 30€/t. depending on the operation of the mechanism. In July last year, the EU decided to adopt a bound duty for husked rice of 65€/t. and for milled rice of 175€/t. These bound duties will be notified to the WTO. The agreement between the EU and the US constitutes a positive pragmatic solution balancing the interests of Community producers with the need to supply the EU market and avoids a potential trade dispute, by preserving in the WTO certain rights of all parties concerned.[07] Commission brokers trade deal on wood packaging materialAgriculture Ministers of the 25 Member States agreed on 28 February to a compromise, brokered by the European Commission, to adjust the new EU import requirements for wood packaging material coming into force on 1 March 2005. The new requirements are based on the international standard agreed at FAO level in March 2002 (ISPM 15). The EU has opted to go beyond the requirements for heat treatment or fumigation of wood to also require the debarking of wood to be used in wood packaging materials. The debarking requirement is optional in the international standard, but it will give the EU even better protection against the introduction of plant pests and diseases. However, important EU trading partners, including the United States, showed that the debarking requirement posed a problem for the trade of a variety of goods packed using wood material. The compromise brokered by the Commission therefore postpones the specific requirement on debarking to 1 March 2006 to allow time for our trading partners to adjust and for further collection of research results and discussions on technical aspects of debarking. Markos Kyprianou, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, said : "This compromise is a win-win situation, allowing the EU to implement significantly strengthened rules now, while also allowing our trading partners enough time to adjust to the stricter measures envisaged for the future." The EU will be the first big economic bloc to implement the new FAO standard.[08] Estimation rapide - février 2005 : l'inflation de la zone euro estimée à 2,0%Selon une estimation rapide publiée par Eurostat, le taux d'inflation annuel de la zone euro s'établirait à 2,0% en février 2005. En janvier, le taux était de 1,9%. L'inflation de la zone euro est mesurée par l'Indice des Prix à la Consommation de l'Union Monétaire (IPCUM). Pour élaborer les estimations rapides de l'IPCUM, Eurostat utilise les informations préliminaires sur les prix du mois de référence, diffusées par les Etats membres pour lesquels les données sont disponibles, ainsi que des informations préliminaires sur les prix de l'énergie. La procédure d'estimation rapide de l'IPCUM combine des informations historiques avec des informations partielles sur les variations récentes de prix de manière à obtenir un indice total pour la zone euro. Il n'existe pas de ventilation détaillée. L'expérience a montré que la procédure d'estimation était fiable (anticipation exacte du taux d'inflation dans 13 cas, différence de 0,1 dans 10 cas et différence de 0, 2 dans un cas, en janvier 2005, au cours des deux dernières années). Des informations complémentaires sont disponibles dans le communiqué d'Eurostat 113/2001 du 5 novembre 2001.[09] Doha Round : Peter Mandelson and Mariann Fischer Boel travel to Kenya for multilateral trade talksEuropean Commissioners for Trade Peter Mandelson and for Agriculture Mariann Fischer Boel will today travel to Kenya for the start of a three day meeting of Trade Ministers of WTO member countries. The 'mini- Ministerial' meeting will focus on moving forward the Doha Development Round of international trade talks.[10] Technical briefing for European Neighbourhood Policy Country reportsThere will be a technical briefing on Wednesday 2 March at 11am with Michael Leigh, Relex Deputy Director General, on the publication of Country Reports by the European Commission for Egypt and Lebanon, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). On the basis of these reports, the Council will be invited to decide whether to develop ENP Action Plans for the three Southern Caucasus countries. For Egypt and Lebanon, following the previous recommendations by the Council to develop Action Plans, the country reports will provide the basis for taking these forward. The purpose of the Plans will be to define a joint agenda for relations with the EU for the following three to five years, with the objective of deepening political and economic cooperation. The technical briefing will be held in room 9/180. If you would like to attend please contact: Tanja.Gohlert@cec.eu.int[11] Autre matériel diffuséThe protection of children's rights within the EU under the "New Brussels II Regulation""HELP - Pour une vie sans tabac" The EU and its fight against tobacco: Questions and Answers Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (03/03) Speech by President Barroso : "The Lisbon strategy – a key priority of the European Commission" at ETUC Conference Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner to the London meeting on supporting the Palestinian Authority Speech by Olli Rehn : "Romania and the EU: common future, common challenges" at the Academy of Economic Studies (28/02, Bucharest) Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "European Union needs a clear answer on nuclear waste" at workshop 'Nuclear waste: facts and choices' (28/02) Discours de M. Spidla à la rencontre semestrielle avec la Plateforme des
ONGs sociales (28/02)
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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