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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-08-07
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Commission clears acquisition of Associated British Ports by Goldman
Sachs/GICSI and Borealis
[02] Rédiffusion
[03] Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, on the reports of prison sentence against four
members of "Partnyorstvo" NGO
[04] Commission regrets worsening of access situation for humanitarian
relief in Lebanon
[05] Statement from the Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, on the formation of a new
government in Ukraine
Midday Express of 2006-08-07
Reference: MEX/06/0807
Date: 07/08/2006
EXME06 / 07.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
07/08/06
[01] Commission clears acquisition of Associated British Ports by Goldman
Sachs/GICSI and Borealis
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Associated British Ports
by Goldman Sachs/GICSI and Borealis. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a
global investment banking, securities and investment management firm.
Borealis Infrastructure Management Inc. is one of the largest
infrastructure investors in the world. Associated British Ports Holdings
PLC is a UK company, its principal business activities are in UK port
operations and provision of related services. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[02] Rédiffusion
[03] Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, on the reports of prison sentence against four
members of "Partnyorstvo" NGO
"I am shocked by reports of the heavy prison sentence given today by a
Belarusian court against four members of the "Partnyorstvo" NGO, after they
had attempted to peacefully observe the 19 March presidential elections.
This latest sentence adds to the sad record of arrests and imprisonment in
Belarus in the wake of the 19 March flawed elections. I consider this
condemnation to be further confirmation of the conclusions of the
OSCE/ODIHR report that the elections failed to meet OSCE commitments for
democratic elections. I condemn unreservedly any detention of members of
civil society exercising their fundamental rights of freedom of expression
and association and I call for their immediate release. "
[04] Commission regrets worsening of access situation for humanitarian
relief in Lebanon
Following the targeting of transportation routes north of Beirut by the
Israeli defence forces, the provision of humanitarian aid by land to the
Lebanese population in need has become increasingly difficult. Access both
to and from Lebanon as well as movement within Lebanon has been seriously
affected by the recent attacks. European Commissioner for External
Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said: "The
humanitarian situation in Lebanon is deteriorating and now more than ever
it is essential that we continue to have access to the people that urgently
need our help, in particular those displaced or stranded in the South.
Harming those who have done no harm does not help anybody. Both parties
have a responsibility to ensure that corridors for the safe provision of
aid to the needed Lebanese are open and respected." European Commissioner
for Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, added: "The bombing of roads that have
been previously cleared as safe for evacuation and humanitarian aid could
have a major impact on the delivery or our aid. We will need guarantees for
the safety of our people on the ground if we are to successfully continue
the provision of aid. Louis Michel calls once more for the respect of the
international humanitarian laws."
[05] Statement from the Commissioner for External Relations and European
Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, on the formation of a new
government in Ukraine
"The Rada has now approved the appointment of Viktor Yanukovych as Prime
Minister of Ukraine. I congratulate Mr Yanukovych and look forward to
working with the new government. The holding of free and fair parliamentary
elections on 26 March was a further milestone in Ukraine’s democratic
development and I trust that the new government will continue on the path
of both political and economic reform. This is essential to create the
conditions in which the country can build a prosperous and stable future,
firmly rooted in the Ukrainian people’s attachment to the principles of
democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Since the Orange
Revolution, the relationship between Ukraine and the EU has been
substantially strengthened and there have been many concrete achievements
(e.g. our joint work in the field of energy, based on the MoU on energy co-
operation, our work towards visa facilitation and readmission agreements,
the launch of the EU border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and Moldova). The
EU-Ukraine Action Plan has been a key instrument in deepening this
relationship and in moving forward reforms in Ukraine. I welcome the new
government’s intention to continue working with the EU to implement our
joint EU-Ukraine Action Plan. Together, we will further deepen our
partnership and I look forward to working with the new administration to
develop a new enhanced agreement to take our co operation further forward.
I hope that, once the necessary legislative work has been finalised to open
the way for Ukraine’s accession to the WTO, we can start working towards
a Free Trade Area as part of this new agreement. "
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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