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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-06-21

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] Sommet UE – Etats-Unis: signature d'un nouvel accord pour stimuler la coopération dans l'enseignement supérieur et la formation professionnelle
  • [02] Commission assesses Portuguese action to correct excessive deficit by 2008
  • [03] Commission recommends abrogation of excessive deficit procedure against Cyprus
  • [04] Danuta Hübner in Sofia: "Bulgaria needs to stay in the fast lane of reforms to join in 2007"
  • [05] Reducing animal testing: Industry commits to action programme, Commission tables guidelines for labelling cosmetics as “not tested on animals”
  • [06] European Union signs aviation agreement with New Zealand
  • [07] Commission clears acquisition of Sanitas by CVCI and Amber
  • [08] Commission clears acquisition of Solvicare by Solvay and Umicore
  • [09] La Commission autorise l’acquisition d’Alstom par Bouygues
  • [10] Rédiffusion
  • [11] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Dow’s superabsorbent polymers business by Degussa
  • [12] Competition: Commissioner Kroes discusses introduction of Chinese competition law with Chinese Government
  • [13] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-06-21 Reference: MEX/06/0621 Date: 21/06/2006 EXME06 / 21.6

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    21/06/06


  • [01] Sommet UE – Etats-Unis: signature d'un nouvel accord pour stimuler la coopération dans l'enseignement supérieur et la formation professionnelle

    Lors du sommet bilatéral qui s'est tenu aujourd'hui Vienne, l’Union européenne et les Etats-Unis ont signé un nouvel accord d'une durée de huit ans en matière d'éducation, renouvelant ainsi leur ancien programme de coopération dans le domaine de l'enseignement supérieur et de la formation professionnelle. Le nouvel accord instaurera des programmes novateurs donnant lieu des diplômes transatlantiques, favorisera les échanges d'étudiants, d'enseignants et d'autres professionnels, renforcera le programme Schuman-Fulbright et encouragera une collaboration institutionnelle plus étroite dans l'enseignement supérieur.

    [02] Commission assesses Portuguese action to correct excessive deficit by 2008

    The European Commission considers that Portugal is on track to correct its excessive deficit by 2008 as recommended by the Council in September 2005, provided it strictly implements the 2006 budget and pursues a rigorous budgetary consolidation strategy in 2007 and following years. At present it does not appear necessary to recommend any further steps under the excessive deficit procedure. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly in light of the significant risks and uncertainties surrounding the evolution of the budget.

    [03] Commission recommends abrogation of excessive deficit procedure against Cyprus

    The European Commission today has decided to recommend that the Council abrogates the excessive deficit procedure (EDP) against Cyprus after the deficit fell to 2.4% of GDP in 2005 and is projected to decrease further in 2006 and 2007. Cyprus’s debt to GDP ratio also dropped to 70¼%, in 2005 and is seen at 68% in 2007. Cyprus would be the first of the six new Member States that were put into the EDP upon European Union membership, to see the procedure abrogated. It would also be the first procedure to be closed since the Netherlands, in June 2005. In total, there remain 11 countries in excessive deficit procedure, five of which are in the euro area.

    [04] Danuta Hübner in Sofia: "Bulgaria needs to stay in the fast lane of reforms to join in 2007"

    Bulgaria has made significant progress but needs to take decisive action in certain key policy fields to be able to join the European Union in 2007, said Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner visiting Sofia, today. She noted that Bulgaria can take full advantage of the benefits that come together with the accession only if the Bulgarian authorities manage to complete their reforms and preparations in time. The Commissioner is meeting with the President Georgi Parvanov, Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski, European Affairs Minister Meglena Kuneva and members of the Bulgarian government concerned with Structural Funds. During her visit, Commissioner Hübner will also participate at the signing ceremony of two Solidarity Fund agreements granting € 20.35 million of EU aid to the regions of Bulgaria devastated by the flooding disasters in 2005.

    [05] Reducing animal testing: Industry commits to action programme, Commission tables guidelines for labelling cosmetics as “not tested on animals”

    The fight against animal testing gets more concrete. Initiated by the European Commission, the new “European Partnership on Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing” published today an action programme. It follows the so-called “3 Rs” concept, aimed at refining, reducing and replacing animal use to meet regulatory safety requirements. The partnership on alternative approaches to animal testing between the Commission, industry associations and major companies in the area of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, crop protection and cosmetics was initiated a year ago. In addition, the Commission has published guidelines for labelling cosmetic products as “not tested on animals”. They will enable industry to indicate that no animal tests have been carried out by the manufacturer and his suppliers in relation to the product development. Common criteria are applied for the use of such claims, in particular to ensure that they do not mislead the consumer or lead to unfair competition. Moreover, industry that chose to have this labelling must be able to prove the reality of the absence of animal testing.

    [06] European Union signs aviation agreement with New Zealand

    Today the EU and New Zealand signed an aviation agreement which allows European airlines to fly between New Zealand and any EU Member State. The agreement removes nationality restrictions in the bilateral air services agreements between EU Member States and New Zealand and therefore allows any EU airline to operate flights between any EU Member State where it is established and New Zealand. It acknowledges the existence of the single market for air transport in the relations between the EU and New Zealand and demonstrates that there is an external dimension of the single market for air transport.

    [07] Commission clears acquisition of Sanitas by CVCI and Amber

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of AB Sanitas (Sanitas).of Lithuania by Citigroup Venture Capital International Jersey Limited (CVCI) of Jersey, the Channel Islands, and Amber Trust II SCA (Amber) of Luxembourg. Sanitas produces and sells pharmaceuticals. Amber is a buy out/private equity fund investing primarily in the Baltic States. CVCI is a private equity investments company. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [08] Commission clears acquisition of Solvicare by Solvay and Umicore

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Solvicore of Germany by Solvay SA and Umicore SA, both of Belgium. Solvay is a chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals group. Umicore is active in materials technology. Solvicore produces membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cell applications. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [09] La Commission autorise l’acquisition d’Alstom par Bouygues

    La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement Concentrations, le projet d'acquisition par lequel l'entreprise française Bouygues S.A. (Bouygues) acquiert le contrôle de l'entreprise Alstom, française également. Bouygues est actif dans la construction, les télécommunications et les médias. Alstom est actif dans la fabrication d'équipement de production d'électricité et services associés, la fabrication d'équipement de transport ferroviaire et les services associés. Il ressort de l'enquête menée par la Commission européenne que l'opération envisagée n'entravera pas de manière significative la concurrence dans le marché commun. Cette affaire a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée.

    [10] Rédiffusion

    [11] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Dow’s superabsorbent polymers business by Degussa

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the superabsorbent polymers business of the US company Dow by Degussa of Germany. Both Dow and Degussa are active in the production of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) used in particular in hygienic and personal care products. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

    [12] Competition: Commissioner Kroes discusses introduction of Chinese competition law with Chinese Government

    European Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes met Ma Xiuhong, the Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce in charge of competition, in Brussels on 20th June to discuss the draft Anti-Monopoly Law which was recently endorsed by the Chinese State Council. The visit took place in the framework of the EU-China Competition Policy Dialogue and is the latest in a range of EU-China contacts to discuss competition policy matters that began in 2003.

    [13] Autre matériel diffusé

    Speech by Charlie McCreevy “Annual Policy Strategy“ at the European Parliament IMCO Committee

    Speech by Olli Rehn “Turkey: state of play of the accession process” at the European Parliament, AFET committee – Exchange of Views Commissioner Rehn

    Speech by Stavros Dimas “Political priorities in environment policy 2007” at the Environment Committee at the European Parliament

    Speech by Neelie Kroes “Competition Policy: Achievements in 2005, Work in 2006, Priorities in 2007” at the meeting of European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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