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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-02-28
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] European Commission proposes increased Protection of Freight Transport
against Terrorism
[02] February 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area improved
[03] February 2005: Economic sentiment continues to improve in both the EU
and the euro area
[04] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition by T-Systems of IT service
provider Gedas
[05] January 2006 (new reference year 2005=100 for the HICP1) -Euro-zone
annual inflation up to 2.4% - EU25 up to 2.2%
[06] Statement by Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, on the adoption
of the Aid Regulation for the Turkish Cypriot community by the Council
[07] Rédiffusion
[08] Commission unveils € 120 million package for the Palestinians
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-02-28
Reference: MEX/06/0228
Date: 28/02/2006
EXME06 / 28.2
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
28/02/06
[01] European Commission proposes increased Protection of Freight Transport
against Terrorism
The European Commission proposed new European rules to protect freight
transport better against terrorist attacks. These rules will enhance the
security of the supply chain in land transport. The rules will allow
operators which participate in the scheme to enjoy benefits in the area of
security control and give such operators an enhanced security standing in
their relations with commercial partners, including insurance companies.
[02] February 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area improved
The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area resumed its upward
trend in February after a marginal decline in January. The BCI, which has
been above its long term average since September of last year, reached its
highest level in five years in February. The improvement of the indicator
suggests that industrial production growth has picked up further since the
start of this year. The increase of the BCI was largely due to a rise in
industry managers’ assessment of the production trend observed in recent
months. The assessment of total order books and export order books also
improved. Managers’ production expectations for the months ahead, as well
as their assessment of stocks of finished products, improved only
marginally
[03] February 2005: Economic sentiment continues to improve in both the EU
and the euro area
The upward trend of the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) that began in
the summer of 2005 continued in February. Compared with January, the
indicator improved by a robust 1.8 points in the EU and by 1.2 points in
the euro area. In both areas, the indicator is now considerably above its
long term average.
[04] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition by T-Systems of IT service
provider Gedas
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition by T-Systems (headquartered in Germany) of German IT
service provider Gedas AG. The Commission concluded that the transaction
would not significantly impede effective competition in the European
Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[05] January 2006 (new reference year 2005=100 for the HICP1) -Euro-zone
annual inflation up to 2.4% - EU25 up to 2.2%
Euro-zone annual inflation was 2.4% in January 2006, up from 2.2% in
December 2005. A year earlier the rate was 1.9%. Monthly inflation was -
0.4% in January 2006. EU25 annual inflation was 2.2% in January 2006, up
from 2.1% in December 2005. A year earlier the rate was 2.0%. Monthly
inflation was -0.4% in January 2006. EICP annual inflation was 2.2% in
January 2006. These figures come from Eurostat.
[06] Statement by Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn, on the adoption
of the Aid Regulation for the Turkish Cypriot community by the Council
The Commission welcomes today’s decision of the General Affairs and
External Relations Council (GAERC) to adopt the Regulation establishing an
instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of
the Turkish Cypriot community. Adopting this Regulation enables the EU to
bring assistance where it is urgently needed in fields such as energy and
environment. Many concrete projects can now be realised which bring the
Turkish Cypriot community closer to the European Union. The Aid Regulation
will also allow the Commission to prepare the Turkish Cypriot community for
the future application of EU Law following a comprehensive settlement of
the Cyprus problem. The adoption of the aid package should be seen as a
first step by the EU towards putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish
Cypriot community and facilitating the reunification of Cyprus as laid down
in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on
26 April 2004. The Commission encourages the Council to move towards
adoption of the proposal made in 2004 on trade between the EU and the
Turkish Cypriot community. In line with its long-standing position, the
Commission remains fully committed to supporting a resumption of UN-led
talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue as soon as
possible
[07] Rédiffusion
[08] Commission unveils € 120 million package for the Palestinians
The European Commission today unveils a package worth more than €120
million to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian population and to help
stabilise the finances of the current caretaker government. €40 million
will be earmarked to ensure the continued and uninterrupted supply of
essential public services such as electricity and water. €64 million will
be allocated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). This
emergency relief will help alleviate the hardships of the most vulnerable
people in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In addition, the European
Commission is supporting the release of some of the money held over from
2005 in the World Bank Reform Trust Fund, in order to help the caretaker
government meet obligations including salary payments. This package is
independent from any future decisions on support for the incoming
Palestinian Authority, which will be reviewed once the new government is in
place, in the light of the principles set out in the Quartet statement of
30th January
[09] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Danuta Hübner in Berlin “Shaping Structural Funds programmes
in Germany for the next programming period 2007-2013”
Speech by M. Charlie McCreevy at the Limerick City Council on “The future
of Europe”
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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