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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-05-22Midday 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 Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb22/05/06[01] La Commission propose un nouveau plan communautaire pour préserver la biodiversitéLa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une communication définissant une ambitieuse stratégie politique visant à enrayer l'appauvrissement de la biodiversité d'ici 2010. Elle prévoit en particulier un plan d'action communautaire proposant des mesures concrètes tout en précisant les compétences respectives des organes de l'UE et des Etats membres. La communication comporte également des indicateurs de suivi des progrès enregistrés et un calendrier d'évaluations. Les mesures qui s’imposent pour mettre un terme à la perte de biodiversité dans l'UE et répondre aux engagements internationaux dans ce domaine sont clairement énoncées. Un nouveau mécanisme consultatif est créé afin d'aider les décideurs à mieux exploiter les connaissances disponibles.[02] Iraq : Commission prepares new €200 million assistance packageFollowing the nomination of the new Iraqi government on Saturday, the European Commission will make available of €200 million to continue supporting the reconstruction of the country in 2006. This new contribution comes on top of the already allocated €518 million provided between 2003 and 2005 and demonstrates the Commission's determination to support the country, the new Iraqi government and the Iraqi people. The Commission will also soon step up its presence in Baghdad and will nominate a Head of Delegation. With the new government in place the Commission expects to launch negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement in the near future.[03] Commission launches public consultation on reform of fruit and vegetables marketThe European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development has today launched a consultation on the future of the Common Market Organisation for fresh and processed fruit and vegetables. Following the reforms of 2003/04/05, the Commission is now embarking on reforms of the three sectors not yet covered - wine, fruit and vegetables and bananas. The Commission is currently awaiting the finalisation of impact assessments into the functioning of the current fruit and vegetable regime. To complement this and ensure it gathers the views of all interested parties, the Commission has today also launched a public consultation. The Commission's reform proposal on fruit and vegetables is due to be published in November this year. The consultation runs until 13 July and the paper is available at the following web address:<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/consultations/fruitveg/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/consultations/fruitveg/index_en.htm [04] Commission clears acquisition of Graub by Agravis and BayWaThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Dr. E. Gräub AG (Gräub) of Switzerland by Agravis Raiffeisen AG (AGRAVIS) and BayWa AG (BayWa), both of Germany. Agravis and BayWa both distribute agricultural products, such as seeds, pesticides and fodder. Gräub produces and sells animal pharmaceuticals. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[05] La Commission autorise le rachat de GTECH par LottomaticaLa Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement sur les concentrations, le projet d'acquisition, par la société italienne Lottomatica, de son concurrent GTECH, société américaine active dans le secteur des jeux et des paris. La Commission a conclu que l'opération n’entraverait pas significativement une concurrence effective dans l'Espace économique européen ou une part importante de celui-ci.[06] Commission clears, subject to conditions, takeover of Gemplus by AxaltoThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the planned acquisition by the Dutch company Axalto of Gemplus, established in Luxemburg. Both companies produce and sell smart cards used for mobile phones, payments and identification, and related products and services. The parties have provided commitments to license the combined entity's patent portfolio and provide third parties with interoperability information necessary to ensure the compatibility of their mobile phone SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards with the combined entity's technology. In light of these commitments, the Commission has concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or a significant part of it.[07] La Commission autorise Charterhouse et Robert Zolade à prendre le contrôle en commun de EliorLa Commission européenne vient d'autoriser, en vertu du règlement CE sur les concentrations, le projet de rachat du contrôle en commun de Holding Bercy Investissement (HBI), la société qui contrôle le traiteur français Elior, par Robert Zolade, un citoyen français, et Charterhouse, un fournisseur de capitaux propres et de services de gestion de fonds. La Commission est parvenue à la conclusion que l'opération n'entraverait pas de manière significative une concurrence effective dans l'Espace économique européen ou une partie substantielle de celui-ci.[08] March 2006 : Euro area external trade surplus €1.2 billion ; €12.1 billion deficit for EU25According to Eurostat, the first estimate for the euro area trade balance with the rest of the world in March 2006 gave a €1.2 billion surplus compared with +4.0 billion in March 2005. The February 2006 balance was - 3.1 billion, compared with +3.4 billion in February 2005. In March 2006 compared with February 2006, exports, seasonally adjusted, rose by 1.2% while imports fell by 1.5%. The first estimate for March 2006 extra-EU25 trade was a €12.1 billion deficit, compared with -6.5 billion in March 2005. In February 2006, the balance was -15.2 billion, compared with -6.8 billion in February 2005. In March 2006 compared with February 2006, exports, seasonally adjusted, rose by 0.7% while imports fell by 1.7%.[09] Le marché de l'électricité de l'UE : la capacité de production d'électricité d'origine éolienne a progressé de plus de 150% dans l'UE25 depuis 2000Selon des chiffres publiés aujourd'hui par Eurostat, en 2004, la capacité totale de production d'électricité de l'UE25 a atteint pratiquement 704 GW1, soit 6% de plus qu'en 2000. La puissance installée des éoliennes a augmenté de 154% depuis 2000. Elle représente plus de la moitié de la puissance nouvellement créée, le reste provenant essentiellement des centrales thermiques classiques.[10] Europe's regions are the key to more growth and jobs, says Danuta Hübner during a visit to South West EnglandThe role of local and regional partners is crucial in Europe's bid to become more competitive in the global economy, says Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy. Commissioner Hübner visits Cornwall today, where she will inaugurate the GBP 53m second phase of the Combined Universities in Cornwall project and visit the famous Eden Project which has been co-financed by the EU regional development fund. On Tuesday, she will participate in the launch of South West England's Regional Economic Strategy and visit two further projects in Plymouth: the Royal William Yard and the Biomedical Exploitation Facility at the Peninsula Medical School. The Commissioner's visit will highlight the excellent use of the EU funds in the South West and their contribution to the development of the region.[11] Insurance : public hearing on 'Solvency II'The European Commission is organising a public hearing on 21 June 2006 to give all stakeholders the opportunity to express their views on the 'Solvency II' insurance project, which aims to bring about a radical revision of current EU law on insurance and is at a critical stage in its development. The Commission intends to put forward a proposal for a Directive in 2007, which means that fundamental decisions on the way forward will have to be taken in the next few months. Speakers and panellists from the Commission, the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS), the insurance industry and other stakeholders will set the scene and consider how Solvency II may affect the European insurance market. Ongoing international developments, for example in relation to the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the International Accounting Standards Board, will also be considered. The registration form and programme are available at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/solvency2/hearing_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/solvency2/hearing_en.htm[12] Autre matériel diffuséQuestions and answers about EU biodiversity policySpeech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Intercultural dialogue: the media's role" at seminar on Racism, Xenophobia and the Media 'Towards respect and understanding of all religions and cultures' (Vienna) Speech by Danuta Hübner : "Europe cannot fail to inspire" at the St. Gallen Symposium 2006 (20/05) Speech by Stavros Dimas : "European policy responses to floods" at European Conference on Flood Risk Management (19/05, Vienna) Speech by Margot Wallström : "Europe: which way forward ?" at the occasion
of Plan D visit to Denmark (19/05, Copenhagen)
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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