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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-10-02

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] Competition : Commission revises Block Exemption for IATA passenger tariff conferences
  • [02] Commission clears acquisition of Dalmine by EST
  • [03] La Commission autorise le projet de rachat de Banksys et de Bank Card Company par Atos Origin
  • [04] Internet Governance : Commission welcomes move towards full private- sector management by 2009
  • [05] Euro-area growth on a firm footing
  • [06] CAP reform : Commission steps up efforts to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy
  • [07] Commission presents results of Eurobarometer on HIV/AIDS
  • [08] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-10-02 Reference: MEX/06/1002 Date: 02/10/2006 EXME06 / 2.10

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    02/10/06


  • [01] Competition : Commission revises Block Exemption for IATA passenger tariff conferences

    The European Commission has adopted a Block Exemption Regulation revising the exemption IATA passenger tariff conferences have enjoyed from the EC Treaty's ban on restrictive business practices (Article 81). For routes within the EU, tariff conferences will no longer be exempted as of 1 January 2007. The Regulation exempts tariff conferences on routes between the EU and the US or Australia until 30 June 2007 and routes between the EU and other non-EU countries until 31 October 2007. However airlines benefiting from the block exemption on routes between EU and non-EU countries must provide the Commission with data on interlining to allow the Commission to consider whether the exemption for those routes should be extended beyond those dates. The new Regulation will also end the block exemption for IATA slots and scheduling conferences.

    [02] Commission clears acquisition of Dalmine by EST

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Dalmine Energie S.p.A. (Dalmine) of Italy by E.ON Sales & Trading GmbH (EST) of Germany, controlled by E.ON AG of Germany. EST is active in the supply of gas and electricity. Dalmine is active in the wholesale supply of gas and the retail supply of electricity and gas to industrial and commercial customers in Italy. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [03] La Commission autorise le projet de rachat de Banksys et de Bank Card Company par Atos Origin

    La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement sur les concentrations de l'UE, le projet d’acquisition, par la société française Atos Origin S.A. (AO), des sociétés belges Banksys N.V./S.A. et Bank Card Company (BCC). Après examen, 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.

    [04] Internet Governance : Commission welcomes move towards full private- sector management by 2009

    The United States government's decision to give more autonomy to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was welcomed by the European Commission today. On 30 September, a highly prescriptive Memorandum of Understanding between the US Department of Commerce and ICANN expired. It has now been replaced by lighter arrangements intended to end definitely by 2009. The Commission has been working for several years on a system of internet governance entrusted fully to the private sector without government interference in the internet's day-to-day management. The Commission cooperated in 1998 with the US in setting up ICANN and hosted, until 2006, the Secretariat of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to ICANN. Completing the transition of internet governance to the private sector also had been the explicit request by the EU and its partners at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis in November 2005 (see IP/05/1424 and IP/05/1433).

    [05] Euro-area growth on a firm footing

    The recovery of the euro-area economy appears to be on solid ground, with GDP growing in the first half of the year at a pace not seen in the last six years, finds the Quarterly Report on the Euro Area published today. Domestic demand has finally bounced back and has become the main source of growth. In a context of improving labour market and easing oil prices, the economic outlook could turn out better than expected in the near term. Further ahead, however, downside risks are set to become more prominent. In particular the equity price turbulence that was seen in late spring indicates that risks to growth related to the macro-financial environment have intensified. The focus section of the report looks at labour-market developments in the euro area and concludes that structural reforms and persistent wage moderation have boosted the economy's employment performance. Nevertheless, there is scope to further improve the functioning of labour markets. That past efforts are paying off should encourage further steps in the right direction.

    [06] CAP reform : Commission steps up efforts to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy

    Experts from around Europe gather in Brussels tomorrow for a two-day conference on simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy. The keynote speakers will be Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel and Enterprise and Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen. The results of the conference will feed into the European Commission's ongoing efforts to reduce the bureaucratic burden on farmers and national administrations. Cutting 'red tape' is a major priority for the Commission, especially in view of the focus on growth and jobs in the Lisbon Strategy. And as the source of the greatest chunk of EU rules, agriculture must and will play its part. By its very nature, the CAP is complex. It addresses complex problems in a complex geographical setting and is the result of difficult political compromises. But this must not detract from the drive to make it simpler where that is possible. Simplification efforts focus on both technical and political simplification. In the first category are the Commission's preparations for a single Common Market Organisation, where a proposal is expected in December. The latter is all about changing underlying policies in ways which make them simpler. The upcoming 'health check' of the CAP provides a perfect opportunity for further simplification work.

    [07] Commission presents results of Eurobarometer on HIV/AIDS

    Today in Brussels at an EU HIV/AIDS prevention round table, focussing on safer sex for young people, the European Commission released results of the latest Eurobarometer on HIV/AIDS. The survey looks into public awareness and citizens' behaviour in the context of the AIDS epidemic. Although the level of awareness regarding HIV/AIDS is generally high, citizens from the Member States which joined the EU in 2004 tend to provide less correct answers. On average, most Europeans are aware of the risks of sharing needles, receiving infected blood or having unprotected sex. Most respondents also declare this led them to take precautions when having sexual intercourse, and seeking stability in the choice of partners. However, misconceptions still remain : for instance, only 40% of respondents know it is not possible to be infected by HIV when kissing on the mouth.

    [08] Autre matériel diffusé

    Revision of Block Exemption from Competition Rules for IATA Conferences – frequently asked questions

    Questions and answers on the Eurobarometer on HIV/AIDS

    Speech by Joaquin Almunia : "Euro area enlargement: opportunities and challenges" at Conference 'Lithuania and the Euro' (Vilnius) 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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