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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-10-10Midday 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 Générale Presse etbCommunication10/10/05[01] Humanitarian support for earthquake victims : Commission's immediate responseEarly this morning, the European Commission formally adopted its fast track humanitarian decision for €3 million announced yesterday to provide urgent assistance to the victims of the South Asia earthquake. €600,000 has also been earmarked from funds already available under a previous decision. The aim is to meet immediate humanitarian needs such as shelter, blankets, water, food and medical assistance. The funds are being channelled by the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), under the responsibility of the Commissioner Louis Michel, through experienced operational partners already working in the region.[02] Crédit à la consommation: la Commission adopte une proposition révisée afin de faciliter un accordLa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition révisée de directive sur le crédit à la consommation qui vise à niveler par le haut les droits dont jouissent les consommateurs de l'Union, au sein d'un véritable marché unique de ces services. Le but de la proposition modifiée est de tenir compte des avis exprimés par le Parlement européen en première lecture et de faciliter un accord entre le Parlement et le Conseil. Parmi les principaux changements apportés à la première proposition modifiée de la Commission, qui datait d'octobre 2004, on peut citer l'accent placé sur le véritable crédit à la consommation (jusqu'à €50.000) ; le crédit hypothécaire sera abordé séparément. Le texte laisse également une marge plus grande aux Etats membres pour adapter certaines dispositions à leur situation nationale, tout en garantissant la protection du marché unique grâce à une clause de "reconnaissance mutuelle". Les principaux droits que la proposition accorde aux consommateurs sont, entre autres, un droit de rétractation dans un délai de 14 jours, un droit de remboursement anticipé et le droit d'annuler un contrat de crédit en cas de renoncement à l'achat qui y est lié.[03] Commission to support 'smart' headlamp systemsNew, "clever" car headlamps can adapt their beam patterns according to changing road and traffic conditions. These so-called Adaptive Front- lighting Systems (AFS) improve illumination while reducing the risk of glare. Thus, the use of such AFS headlight would bring about improvements to driver comfort and safety. While such headlights were forbidden up to now in the EU, the Commission is now proposing to allow manufacturers to install AFS in cars by acceding to United Nations legislation. Subject to assent from the European Parliament and the Council, the Commission intends to adopt a new United Nations Regulation which allows for approval of AFS systems for use in EU Member States and many other contracting parties such as Japan and Russia.[04] Commission clears acquisition of SBS by PKSThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Broadcasting SA (SBS) of Luxembourg by PKS Media S.à .r.l. (PKS) of Luxembourg, jointly controlled by Permira Holdings Limited (Permira) of Guernsey, the Channel Islands and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (KKR) of the US. Permira and KKR are private equity investment companies. PKS is a vehicle company established solely for the purposes of the acquisition of SBS. SBS is a media company, primarily involved in free-to-air and pay-TV and radio broadcasting. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[05] Commission approves acquisition of MCI by VerizonThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of MCI by Verizon Communications (Verizon), both US companies. After carefully examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.[06] Joe Borg visits PortugalThe European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Joe Borg, today began a two-day visit to Portugal. This morning the Commissioner met with Mr Jaime Silva, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, in Lisbon. He then had a meeting with representatives of the fisheries sector before setting off for a visit to the port of Peniche. Among the items discussed at these meetings were the proposed European Fisheries Fund (EFF), the proposed recovery measures for southern hake and Norway lobster stocks off the Iberian Peninsula, the ban on deep sea trawling and gill nets around the Azores to protect sensitive marine habitats, and Portuguese fisheries on the high seas and under fisheries agreements between the EU and non-member countries. The Commissioner invited stakeholders to play an active role in the relevant Regional Advisory Councils. "Your contribution is essential to our common efforts to put in place the necessary measures to rebuild and protect fish stocks which are key to the future of the industry and of the coastal communities concerned", the Commissioner said. Tomorrow, Mr Borg will open the International Conference on Integrated Ocean Policy in Lisbon. The Commissioner will speak of the preparation of the Green Paper (consultation document) on a future Maritime Policy for the EU, the progress made so far in this process and the Commission's eagerness to learn from the experience of other participants. The Green Paper is due to be launched in the first semester of 2006.[07] Markos Kyprianou visits BulgariaEuropean Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou begins an official visit to Sofia today. Commissioner Kyprianou commented : "Bulgaria has made significant efforts to adapt to the acquis communautaire. However, there are areas we still need to work on together to ensure full compliance with EU requirements before accession. As some of these areas fall under my competence within the Commission, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts on issues of mutual concern and I hope that we will be able to resolve all outstanding issues rapidly and effectively in the coming months." On Monday, Commissioner Kyprianou will meet the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Mr Sergei Stanishev as well as Mr Ivailo Kalfin Foreign Affairs Minister, Ms Meglena Kuneva Minister of European Affairs, Mr Roumen Ovcharov, Minister of Economy, Mr Radoslav Gaydarski, Minister for Health and Mr Nihat Kabil, Minister for Agriculture. The Commissioner will give his political backing to the ongoing progress in preparing for adhesion, but he will also highlight the outstanding issues and problems in both the legislative programme of transposing the acquis and in the administrative capacity required. On Tuesday morning, Commissioner Kyprianou will visit the Central Laboratory of Veterinary Control and Ecology (CLVCE), and at 11h00 he will give a press conference in the EC Delegation in Sofia. At noon, the Commissioner will meet the President of Bulgaria, Mr Georgi Purvanov.[08] Autre matériel diffuséMessages of condolence from President Barroso and Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner to Indian and Pakistan authorities (09/10)Information on suspicion of Avian Influenza in Romania and Turkey Questions and answers on the Commission's revised proposal for a new EU consumer credit law Preparation of Eurogroup and Economic and Finance Ministers Council (10- 11/10, Luxembourg) Preparation of the Competitiveness Council of Ministers (11/10, Luxembourg) European Week of Regions and Cities will bring together 2,500 national, regional and local actors of regional development Speech by Olli Rehn : "Achieving Stability and Association with the EU" at Ceremony to open SAA negotiations (Belgrade) Speech by Olli Rehn : "EU and Turkey together on the same journey" at
Erciyes University (07/10, Kayseri)
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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