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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-07-31

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] European Commission launches the Fourth Call for proposals for its Marco Polo programme
  • [02] Commission clears acquisition of Stroili Oro by Investindustrial, L Capital management and Ergon Capital
  • [03] La Commission autorise l’acquisition de Energie Investimenti par GDF et Camfin
  • [04] July 2006: Further improvement of economic sentiment in both the EU and the euro area
  • [05] July 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines slightly
  • [06] Flash estimate - July 2006 - Euro area inflation estimated at 2.5%
  • [07] Rédiffusion
  • [08] Mergers: Commission approves Celsa Group’s proposed acquisition of control over Fundia Reinforcing AS
  • [09] Mergers: Commission authorises Smithfield’s proposed acquisition of European processed meat products business of Sara Lee Corporation
  • [10] Reaction to the attack on city of Qana by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External relations and European neighbourhood policy
  • [11] Commission activates civil protection mechanism to help Lebanon cope with major oil spill
  • [12] Déclaration de Louis Michel, Commissaire européen au Développement et l’aide humanitaire, sur les élections en RDC Midday Express of 2006-07-31 Reference: MEX/06/0731 Date: 31/07/2006 EXME06 / 31.7

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    31/07/06


  • [01] European Commission launches the Fourth Call for proposals for its Marco Polo programme

    The European Commission published the fourth call for proposals for the highly successful Marco Polo programme. Commercial undertakings across the European Union and fully participating third countries are invited to submit proposals for the creation of new freight transport services that fight congestion on European roads and improve the environmental performance of the freight transport system, two main objectives of the EU transport policy.

    [02] Commission clears acquisition of Stroili Oro by Investindustrial, L Capital management and Ergon Capital

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Stroili Oro SpA of Italy by Investindustrial III LP (Investindustrial) of Italy, along with Stroili Oro’s current owners, L Capital management SA of France and Ergon Capital Partners SA of Belgium. Investindustrial is an investment fund specialising in small and medium enterprises in Italy and Spain. Stroili Oro is active in the retail distribution of semi-precious jewellery. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [03] La Commission autorise l’acquisition de Energie Investimenti par GDF et Camfin

    La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement Concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de l'entreprise Energie Ivestimenti par GDFI International Gaz de France S.A. et Camfin S.p.A. (Italie). GDFI est actif dans la distribution de gaz, la fourniture de gaz et les services d'énergie. Camfin est actif dans les secteurs de l'huile et de l'énergie, la distribution de produits de chauffage et de carburant diesel et du commerce de bitume. Energie Investimenti fournit du gaz naturel. 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.

    [04] July 2006: Further improvement of economic sentiment in both the EU and the euro area

    The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) in both the EU and the euro area continued to rise in July, reaching the highest levels since the beginning of 2001. The indicator rose by 0.6 points in both the EU and the euro area, up to 109.3 and 107.7, respectively. In both areas, sentiment has improved by more than 10 points over the last twelve months.

    [05] July 2006: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines slightly

    After a sharp increase in June, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area declined slightly in July. Regardless of this recent weakening, the BCI remains at a very high level, last achieved in 2000. The high level of the BCI together with the rebound in industrial production registered in May, suggests that industrial production growth has accelerated in the second quarter of 2006 and should remain buoyant in the third quarter. The decrease in the BCI was mainly due to a drop in industry managers' assessment of the production trend observed in recent months. While the assessment of total order books and production expectations for the months ahead improved, managers' views regarding export order books and the stocks of finished products remained unchanged.

    [06] Flash estimate - July 2006 - Euro area inflation estimated at 2.5%

    Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 2.5% in July 2006 according to a flash estimate issued by Eurostat. It was 2.5% in June. Euro area inflation is measured by the Monetary Union Index of Consumer Prices (MUICP). To compute the MUICP flash estimates, Eurostat uses early price information relating to the reference month from Member States for which data are available4 as well as early information about energy prices. The flash estimation procedure for the MUICP combines historical information with partial information on price developments in the most recent months to give a total index for the euro area. No detailed breakdown is available. Experience has shown the procedure to be reliable (14 times exactly anticipating the inflation rate, 9 times differing by 0.1 and once differing by 0.2, in January 2005, over the last two years). Further information can be found in Eurostat News Release 113/2001 of 5 November 2001.

    [07] Rédiffusion

    [08] Mergers: Commission approves Celsa Group’s proposed acquisition of control over Fundia Reinforcing AS

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition by Steel Management Services S.L., ultimately controlled by Celsa Group, of sole control over Fundia Reinforcing AS, both European companies active in the market of steel products for the reinforcement of concrete for construction purposes. At the production level, several large steel suppliers are active in the European Economic Area (EEA) and consolidation has so far remained limited. At the distribution level, where markets are national, the two companies are active in different countries. The Commission has therefore concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the EEA or a significant part of it.

    [09] Mergers: Commission authorises Smithfield’s proposed acquisition of European processed meat products business of Sara Lee Corporation

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Dutch company Sara Lee Foods Europe (“SLFE”) by a joint venture created by the US-based companies Smithfield Foods Inc. and Oaktree Capital Management LLC. Smithfield and SLFE are both active in the production and sale of processed meat products in Europe. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or a substantial part of it.

    [10] Reaction to the attack on city of Qana by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External relations and European neighbourhood policy

    "Israel’s attack on the city of Qana means an escalation of violence that is unjustifiable at a time when the international community is jointly working to find a solution to the conflict. Immediate cessation of violence and hostilities is now more important than ever. The killings of innocent people, particularly of children, must stop now. We keep supporting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in his efforts and approach to peace and call on all sides to restrain from further violence."

    [11] Commission activates civil protection mechanism to help Lebanon cope with major oil spill

    Lebanon has requested urgent help from the EU’s civil protection mechanism to contain environmental damage caused by a major oil spill off the coast of Lebanon. The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lebanon has asked for assistance from the European Commission’s Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) to mobilise the help of EU Member States in cleaning up the pollution caused by an estimated 10,000 – 35, 000 tons of heavy fuel oil.

    [12] Déclaration de Louis Michel, Commissaire européen au Développement et l’aide humanitaire, sur les élections en RDC

    Le 30 juillet 2006 les premières élections démocratiques et pluralistes depuis 40 ans se sont tenues en République Démocratique du Congo. Il s’agit de l’aboutissement concret d’un rêve qui pour les Congolais vient de très loin, une vraie opportunité de renouveau qui est maintenant portée de main. Je voudrais sincèrement féliciter le peuple congolais qui a montré une maturité et une appétence pour la démocratie. Je suis heureux d'avoir misé, depuis 1999, sur le peuple congolais qui était fatigué de la guerre et des conflits et qui a eu la volonté d'aller vers la démocratie, un processus irréversible. Dans l’attente de la publication des résultats de la Mission d’Observation Electorale de l’Union européenne, qui émettra une évaluation indépendante et rigoureuse des conditions de tenue du scrutin et de sa fiabilité, nous sommes heureux de constater que celui-ci s’est déroulé dans tout le pays sans incidents majeurs qui auraient pu mettre en danger ce long processus. Nous tenons particulièrement rendre hommage au sens civique, la retenue et au respect démocratique dont le peuple congolais a fait preuve pendant tout le déroulement du vote. Il s’agit l d’un acte démocratique fondamental qui témoigne de l’importance que la population congolaise attache cet événement historique. Cet engouement et cette détermination engagent formellement ceux et celles qui seront légitimés et mandatés par ce processus. A présent nous exhortons la population congolaise et tous les parties concernées poursuivre leur participation pacifique ce processus dans un esprit de réconciliation nationale et de respect de la démocratie et de l’Etat de Droit dans l’intérêt général du pays. La Commission européenne, premier bailleur de fonds du processus électoral, continuera d’apporter son soutien au peuple et l’Etat congolais dans cette nouvelle phase de son 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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