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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-12-06

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] José Manuel Barroso's reaction to UK Presidency proposal on future financing of the European Union
  • [02] Visit of the Russian government to the European Commission (07/12)
  • [03] Public procurement : new Commission initiatives on more open and efficient defence procurement
  • [04] Commission clears acquisition of Copenhagen Airports by Macquarie
  • [05] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Frans Bonhomme par Cinven
  • [06] Commission clears acquisition of part of Sara Lee by Sun Group
  • [07] Danuta Hübner in Bristol : "Making cities full partner in cohesion policy"
  • [08] La Commission associera plus étroitement les PTOM dans la programmation et la mise en œuvre des aides
  • [09] Financial markets second meeting of the re-established Inter- institutional Monitoring Group
  • [10] First preliminary results - Research & Development in the EU : in relation to GDP, EU25 R&D expenditure stable at 1.9% in 2004 ; in real terms, EU25 R&D expenditure grew by 1.3% per year between 2001 and 2004
  • [11] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2005-12-06 Reference: MEX/05/1206 Date: 06/12/2005 EXME05 / 6.12

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etb

    Communication

    06/12/05


  • [01] José Manuel Barroso's reaction to UK Presidency proposal on future financing of the European Union

    The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, stated on 5 December : "I have discussed with Prime Minister Blair the UK Presidency proposal on the Financial Perspectives he is presenting today. As I have told the Presidency, this is my first reaction : as it is, the UK Presidency proposal is unacceptable. It is simply not realistic. This proposal amounts to a budget for a “Mini Europe”, not the strong Europe that we need. Our ambition is an open, modern and enlarged Europe. For this to happen, the Union must have the means to deliver on the policies agreed between the Member States, the European Parliament and the Commission. This is not possible under this proposal for two main reasons. On the one hand, the level of investment it foresees is insufficient. On the other, it has not yet struck the right balance between the Member States. In particular, the proposal needs to become fairer for new Member States. I have been engaged in intensive talks with all the partners, and I will continue these talks over the next days."

    [02] Visit of the Russian government to the European Commission (07/12)

    Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and other members of the Russian government will be visiting the European Commission on 7 December for meetings with President José Manuel Barroso and other Commissioners. The talks are expected to give impetus to the implementation of the road maps for the four common spaces agreed earlier this year. They will also discuss the future basis of the relationship and international issues.

    [03] Public procurement : new Commission initiatives on more open and efficient defence procurement

    The European Commission has outlined its proposals for future initiatives to improve cross-border competition in defence procurement. In 2006, the Commission will adopt an 'Interpretative Communication' clarifying when Member States can derogate from EU law requiring competitive procurement with regard to supplies, works and services intended for specifically military purposes and crucial to essential security interests. In parallel, preliminary work will begin towards a possible Directive that would coordinate procedures for defence procurement in cases where the derogation under Article 296 EC is not applicable or a Member State chooses not to take advantage of it. These initiatives are based on the results of the consultation launched in September 2004 by the Green Paper on how to open defence public procurement to greater transparency and efficiency, compatible with the specific features of this sector (see IP/04/1133). They follow the recent supportive opinion issued by the European Parliament (see Wuermeling report).

    [04] Commission clears acquisition of Copenhagen Airports by Macquarie

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Copenhagen Airports A/S of Denmark by Macquarie Airports Copenhagen ApS, belonging to the Macquarie Bank group (Macquarie) of Australia. Copenhagen Airports owns and operates airports in two Danish cities, Kastrup and Roskilde. In addition, Copenhagen Airports has interests in various airports in Europe and worldwide. Macquarie is an Australian banking group active in investment banking, fund management, financial advisory, and leasing activities. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [05] La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Frans Bonhomme par Cinven

    La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement Concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de l'entreprise française Frans Bonhomme SAS (Frans Bonhomme) par l'entreprise britannique Cinven Limited (Cinven). Cinven est un groupe d'investissement en capital-risque qui fournit des conseils et des services de gestion d'investissement des fonds d'investissement. Frans Bonhomme est spécialisée dans la distribution des canalisations, tubes en plastique et de leurs accessoires auprès des professionnels. Il ressort de l'enquête menée par la Commission que l'opération envisagée n'entravera pas de manière significative la concurrence dans le marché commun. Cette affaire a été traitée selon la procédure simplifiée.

    [06] Commission clears acquisition of part of Sara Lee by Sun Group

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of control of the European Branded Apparel division (the Target Business) of Sara Lee Corporation of the US, by Sun Capital Partners IV, LP, belonging to the Sun Group, also of the US. The Sun Group manages private equity funds with investments in portfolio companies in a wide range of different activities throughout the world. The Target Business is active in Europe in the design, manufacture, wholesale distribution and sale of branded clothing. It markets a broad variety of women's lingerie, men's underwear, hosiery and socks under key brands such as Dim, Playtex, Nur Die, Lovable, Wonderbra and Unno. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [07] Danuta Hübner in Bristol : "Making cities full partner in cohesion policy"

    A set of new ideas on more cooperation to boost growth and create quality jobs in the towns and cities through regional policy was presented today by Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner in Bristol (UK) during an informal ministerial meeting. Commissioner Hübner presented the paper "Cohesion Policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions" which aims to deliver growth, jobs, social inclusion and better environment through a comprehensive urban development policy. The proposals are part of the Commission's reform of cohesion policy for 2007- 2013 and correspond to the EU Presidency drive to build 'sustainable communities'. A broad consultation on the Commission's paper has been launched and will close on 17 February 2006.

    [08] La Commission associera plus étroitement les PTOM dans la programmation et la mise en œuvre des aides

    La Commission européenne a annoncé le 5 décembre que des mesures concrètes seront prises pour associer plus étroitement les pays et territoires d'outre-mer (PTOM) la programmation et la mise en oeuvre des aides, ainsi qu'au processus des Accords de Partenariat Economique (APE). La Commission souhaite, en particulier, consulter les PTOM avant l'adoption de la future Communication concernant la stratégie de l'UE pour les Caraïbes, ainsi que sur celle relative aux relations entre l'UE et le Pacifique.

    [09] Financial markets second meeting of the re-established Inter- institutional Monitoring Group

    The second meeting of the Inter-institutional Monitoring Group (IIMG) was held on 18 November 2005. The Monitoring Group was re-established in spring this year (see IP/05/1002) in order to assess the progress made on implementing of the extended Lamfalussy process (see IP/02/195). The Inter- institutional Monitoring Group is composed of six independent experts. At its second meeting, the Monitoring Group heard from representatives of Levels 1-4 of the Lamfalussy structure.

    [10] First preliminary results - Research & Development in the EU : in relation to GDP, EU25 R&D expenditure stable at 1.9% in 2004 ; in real terms, EU25 R&D expenditure grew by 1.3% per year between 2001 and 2004

    In 2004 the EU25 spent nearly €200 billion on Research & Development (R&D). R&D intensity (i.e. expenditure as a percentage of GDP) in the EU25 stood at 1.90% compared to 1.92% in 2003. R&D intensity remained significantly lower in the EU25 than in other major economies. In 2003, R&D expenditure was 2.59% of GDP in the United States, 3.15% in Japan, while it was 1.31% in China. R&D expenditure in the EU25 rose by 1.3% in real terms on average per year between 2001 and 2004, compared to -0.1% in the United States and +1.8% in Japan between 2001 and 2003. In 2003 the business sector financed 54% of total EU25 R&D expenditure, while the shares of the business sector in the United States and Japan were 63% and 75% respectively. The EU goals in Research and Development, as set by the Lisbon summit strategy, are to achieve by 2010 a R&D intensity of at least 3% for the EU as a whole, and to have two thirds of R&D expenditure financed by the business sector. This information comes from Eurostat.

    [11] Autre matériel diffusé

    Frequently asked questions on new Commission initiatives on more open and efficient defence procurement

    Speech by Günter Verheugen : "Gemeinsame Anstrengungen für Wachstum und Beschäftigung" at Tourism Summit (Berlin)

    Speech by Viviane Reding : "Reinforcing the competitiveness of Europe's publishing industry" at European Publishers Forum

    Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "EU and OSCE - a strong partnership" at the 13th OSCE ministerial (05/12, Ljubljana) 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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