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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-10-13

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] €15 million funding for security research to combat terrorism
  • [02] Pêche : la Commission étend les aides destinées à améliorer la sécurité et l'hygiène des navires ainsi que l'efficacité des moteurs
  • [03] Liste noire des compagnies aériennes interdites : la Commission européenne adopte de nouvelles mesures
  • [04] Bluetongue : Commission adopts revised measures
  • [05] Commission approves Slovak aid scheme for combined transport
  • [06] Commission approves a prolongation of UK aid encouraging movement of intermodal containers by rail
  • [07] La Commission approuve un régime belge d'aide au transport par voies navigables
  • [08] Système communautaire de suivi du trafic des navires et d'information: la Commission envoie une mise en demeure à la Belgique
  • [09] Commission endorses Dutch state guarantees scheme worth up to €900 million for equity financing and loans to SMEs
  • [10] La Commission approuve les cartes des aides régionales 2007-2013 pour le Luxembourg et Malte
  • [11] Commission opens infringement procedure against Malta for maintaining import monopoly for petroleum products
  • [12] Commission asks Ireland to speed up protection of Irish nature sites
  • [13] Espagne : la Commission engage des procédures pour garantir la protection des oiseaux et des animaux sauvages
  • [14] Nature protection : Commission closes German habitats case, takes legal action against Finland over endangered bird species
  • [15] Environmental impact assessment : Commission to take legal action to improve implementation in Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia
  • [16] Conditions de nationalité applicables aux notaires : la Commission prend des mesures pour garantir la bonne application de la législation communautaire dans 16 Etats membres
  • [17] "Cohesion policy 2007-2013 to boost competitiveness", Danuta Hübner tells Warsaw Lisbon Strategy Forum
  • [18] Ten nominees for the logo for the EU birthday are known
  • [19] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2006-10-13 Reference: MEX/06/1013 Date: 13/10/2006 EXME06 / 13.10

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    13/10/06


  • [01] €15 million funding for security research to combat terrorism

    Recent terrorist events in the UK and Germany have once again drawn our attention to the threats posed to European transport systems. To improve the security of EU citizens, the European Commission has decided to fund a research project to improve the detection of explosives, including liquids, at airports. This is one of 15 new security research projects for which the Commission is allocating €15 million. The aim of this activity is also to strengthen the European industrial base. Another selected project will aim at improving the protection of the drinking water supply against bio/chemical terrorism. Other projects selected include : the development of an information management tool to improve security of humanitarian operations and rescue tasks in support of the external policies of the EU, the urgently needed interoperability and standards for border security and new methods against money laundering / financing of terrorist organisation.

    [02] Pêche : la Commission étend les aides destinées à améliorer la sécurité et l'hygiène des navires ainsi que l'efficacité des moteurs

    La Commission européenne a adopté une proposition modifiant certaines règles de la politique commune de la pêche de manière à étendre les aides publiques existantes pour l'amélioration de la sécurité, de l'hygiène, des conditions de travail, de la qualité des produits et du rendement énergétique à bord des navires de pêche. Cette proposition fait suite à l'adoption le 27 juillet 2006 du Fonds européen pour la pêche (FEP), qui constituera le mécanisme clé de financement en faveur du secteur de la pêche et des communautés de pêcheurs à compter du 1er janvier 2007. Conformément à la politique commune de la pêche, l'aide du FEP ne servira pas à augmenter la capacité de pêche de la flotte européenne même si le Fonds autorise l'octroi d'une aide pour le remplacement d'anciens par de nouveaux moteurs plus petits et pour la création d'une "banque de GT (tonnage)" afin de promouvoir de meilleures conditions de sécurité et d'hygiène. Bien que ces nouvelles mesures n'entraînent aucune augmentation de la capacité, elles requièrent d'apporter un certain nombre de modifications au règlement de base actuel de la PCP.

    [03] Liste noire des compagnies aériennes interdites : la Commission européenne adopte de nouvelles mesures

    La Commission européenne a adopté hier la deuxième mise à jour trimestrielle de la liste communautaire de compagnies aériennes interdites dans l'Union européenne, qui a été établie en mars 2006 et déjà modifiée en juin dernier. Cette nouvelle liste remplace la précédente et elle est immédiatement disponible sur le site Internet de la Commission (<a href="http://air-ban.europa.eu">http://air-ban.europa.eu). La Commission se conforme ainsi à ses obligations concernant la mise à jour régulière de la liste noire.

    [04] Bluetongue : Commission adopts revised measures

    The European Commission has today adopted a Decision to extend the Bluetongue restriction zone due to further cases of the virus, and to revise certain measures with regard to the movement of animals from the protection zones around the outbreaks. Under this Decision, the restriction zone is extended to cover all of Rhineland Palatinate and more areas in Lower Saxony, due to further bluetongue outbreaks in Germany. The restriction zone has also been expanded to cover more areas in North-West France due to new cases of the disease in Belgium, close to the French border. In addition, the Commission has decided to slightly adapt the restrictions on the movement of ruminants in order to reduce unnecessary burdens on farmers in these areas, and to reflect certain animal health and welfare considerations. The Commission is monitoring the bluetongue situation very closely, and measures will continue to be revised if necessary in light of any developments or further spread of the disease. Since the first case of bluetongue was reported in Northern European in mid- August, there have been around 650 outbreaks in total across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and France. Today's Decision was endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in mid- September. For more information, see:

    <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bluetongue_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bluetongue_en.htm

    [05] Commission approves Slovak aid scheme for combined transport

    The European Commission has authorised a Slovak scheme which intends to encourage the development of combined transport. The aid measures will contribute to achieve a traffic shift of freight from road to other modes of transport, in particular to rail and inland waterway transport.

    [06] Commission approves a prolongation of UK aid encouraging movement of intermodal containers by rail

    The European Commission has authorised a prolongation of an aid scheme to support the movement of intermodal containers by rail in Great Britain. The aid promotes the transfer of traffic flows from road to rail. It is in line with the objectives of the Commission's transport policy which encourages the development of rail and other environmentally friendly modes of transport as competitive alternatives to road haulage.

    [07] La Commission approuve un régime belge d'aide au transport par voies navigables

    La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aide belge destiné à encourager le développement du transport par voies navigables entre les ports côtiers flamands et l'hinterland. Ce régime promeut le transfert du trafic de marchandises de la route vers un mode de transport plus écologique. Il sera accessible à toutes les entreprises de transport de l'UE exploitant des services réguliers en Belgique.

    [08] Système communautaire de suivi du trafic des navires et d'information: la Commission envoie une mise en demeure à la Belgique

    La Commission européenne a envoyé une lettre de mise en demeure à la Belgique pour ne pas avoir pris les mesures nécessaires afin de se conformer à décision de la Cour de justice du 15 décembre 2005 relative à la non-transposition de la directive 2002/59/CE. Malgré l'adoption de deux arrêtés royaux et un arrêté ministériel, la transposition par la Belgique reste incomplète plus de deux ans et demi après la date fixée initialement pour la transposition (5 février 2004).

    [09] Commission endorses Dutch state guarantees scheme worth up to €900 million for equity financing and loans to SMEs

    The European Commission has authorised The Netherlands, under EC Treaty state aid rules, to provide guarantee coverage for equity financing or subordinated loans to SMEs. The guarantee scheme, called "Growth Facility" (Groeifaciliteit), is designed to help SMEs expand, and to promote the transfer of company ownership from the post-war-generation, to a new generation of owners. The notified measure is intended to counter economic stagnation. The Commission found that the guarantee measure does not constitute state aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty.

    [10] La Commission approuve les cartes des aides régionales 2007-2013 pour le Luxembourg et Malte

    La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu des règles sur les aides d'Etat du traité CE, les cartes des aides à finalité régionale couvrant la période 2007-2013 pour le Luxembourg et Malte. Ces décisions s'inscrivent dans un cadre plus global de réexamen des régimes d'aides régionales dans tous les Etats membres (voir IP/06/1176) conformément aux nouvelles lignes directrices concernant les aides à finalité régionale (voir IP/05/1653 et MEMO/05/491) adoptées en décembre 2005. Les nouvelles lignes directrices visent à réorienter les aides régionales vers les régions les plus défavorisées de l'Union élargie, tout en tenant compte de la nécessité d'améliorer la compétitivité et d'assurer une transition sans heurts. Les cartes de sept autres Etats membres ont déjà été approuvées par la Commission (voir IP/06/1176).

    [11] Commission opens infringement procedure against Malta for maintaining import monopoly for petroleum products

    The European Commission has decided to send a formal request for information to Malta concerning its failure to abolish the monopoly for the importation, storage and wholesale of petroleum products. Under the Accession Treaty, Malta was required to comply no later than 1 January 2006 with Article 31 EC Treaty, which forbids discrimination between Member States' nationals with regard to commercial state monopolies. The request for information takes the form of a letter of formal notice, the first stage of formal infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty. Malta has two months to reply.

    [12] Commission asks Ireland to speed up protection of Irish nature sites

    The European Commission has requested that Ireland implements two judgments of the European Court of Justice concerning the protection of Ireland's natural habitats. Ireland has not yet fully met a 1995 deadline to complete a list of nature sites to protect its most endangered natural habitats and species, as part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network. Nor has Ireland taken sufficient measures to recover vegetation in Irish uplands that were extensively damaged by overstocking of sheep from the 1980s onwards. A failure to satisfy the Court judgments will expose Ireland to the risk of substantial fines. Meanwhile, the Commission has been able to close a case against Ireland concerning the protection of shellfish waters from water pollution after Ireland has put in place the necessary safeguards.

    [13] Espagne : la Commission engage des procédures pour garantir la protection des oiseaux et des animaux sauvages

    La Commission européenne a décidé d'engager contre l'Espagne des procédures visant trois infractions à la législation communautaire en matière de protection des oiseaux et des animaux sauvages. Deux affaires concernent les effets que la réalisation de certaines infrastructures routières pourraient avoir sur les animaux sauvages - le lynx pardelle dans la zone de Doñana (Andalousie) et diverses espèces dans la zone de chênaies des rivières Alberche et Cofio (Encinares del río Alberche y río Cofio) (région de Madrid). La troisième affaire concerne la chasse au printemps d'oiseaux migrateurs dans la province de Biscaye, déclarée illégale par un arrêt de la Cour de justice. Dans l'affaire du lynx pardelle et celle de la chasse printanière, la Commission avertit une dernière fois l'Espagne qu'elle saisira la Cour si les infractions ne cessent pas.

    [14] Nature protection : Commission closes German habitats case, takes legal action against Finland over endangered bird species

    The European Commission has decided to close an infringement case against Germany over protected nature sites to be part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network. This decision follows the German authorities' latest proposal including a sufficient number of sites. At the same time, the Commission is starting legal action that could lead to a fine against Finland over its failure to fully implement a 2003 European Court of Justice judgement on the designation of protected areas under the EU Wild Birds Directive. Although Finland has designated a number of new protected areas since the judgement, it has not included an important area in the Ã…land archipelago, known as Nyhamn-BÃ¥tskär. This area is used as a wintering area by the Steller's Eider, a bird species which is under threat worldwide.

    [15] Environmental impact assessment : Commission to take legal action to improve implementation in Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia

    The European Commission is initiating infringement procedures against Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia over violations of a key EU law on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of projects. This directive aims to ensure that the environmental effects of a wide range of infrastructural, industrial and other projects are properly examined before any works are undertaken. The law also gives important participation rights to citizens. The Commission has identified gaps and deficiencies in the laws of these four Member States and is therefore sending first written warnings to ensure that they comply with all the provisions of the Directive.

    [16] Conditions de nationalité applicables aux notaires : la Commission prend des mesures pour garantir la bonne application de la législation communautaire dans 16 Etats membres

    La Commission européenne a pris des mesures à l'encontre de 16 Etats membres pour remédier aux infractions à la législation communautaire. La Commission va demander officiellement à l'Autriche, à la Belgique, à la France, à l'Allemagne, à la Grèce, au Luxembourg et aux Pays-Bas de modifier les dispositions de leur législation qui autorisent uniquement les ressortissants de leur propre pays à devenir notaires, ce qui est contraire aux règles du traité CE relatives à la liberté d'établissement. Ces demandes prennent la forme d'«avis motivés», qui constituent la seconde étape de la procédure d'infraction prévue à l'article 226 du traité CE. En l'absence de réponse satisfaisante dans un délai de deux mois, la Commission pourra saisir la Cour de justice. La Commission a également demandé à la République tchèque, à l'Estonie, à la Hongrie, à la Lettonie, à la Lituanie, à Malte, à la Pologne, à la Slovaquie et à la Slovénie de présenter des observations sur de semblables dispositions dans leur législation nationale. Ces demandes prennent la forme de «lettres de mise en demeure», qui constituent la première étape de la procédure d'infraction prévue à l'article 226 du traité CE. Si, après avoir examiné leurs observations, la Commission considère que la législation est contraire aux règles du traité CE, elle peut décider d'envoyer aux Etats membres concernés un avis motivé leur demandant officiellement de modifier leur législation.

    [17] "Cohesion policy 2007-2013 to boost competitiveness", Danuta Hübner tells Warsaw Lisbon Strategy Forum

    "The new Cohesion policy is designed to help European regions become more competitive while ensuring that lagging regions catch up", European Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner said today in Warsaw. The Commissioner addressed the fourth Congress on the Polish Lisbon Strategy Forum which was opened by Lech Kaczyński, the President of the Polish Republic. The conference was attended by a broad range of partners to discuss how to shape Poland's development policy taking into account the impact of globalisation.

    [18] Ten nominees for the logo for the EU birthday are known

    The competition for the logo of 50th anniversary of Treaty of Rome celebrations was launched by the European Institutions in July aimed. 1701 students of design and graphic arts, and young design professionals from all 25 Member States plus Bulgaria and Romania have put forward their proposals. Ten finalists, all art and design students, have been selected by a panel of internationally renowned design professionals this week. They come from Ireland, Slovakia, Austria, Latvia, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Finland, Lithuania and Denmark and will be invited to Brussels to attend the award ceremony. The three winning logos will be unveiled during the award ceremony taking place on Tuesday 17 October at 12h15 in the press room of the Berlaymont. The event will be co-chaired by Margot Wallström, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Vice- President of the European Parliament. The ten best logos were proposed by: Emma Donnelly from Ireland, Tomas Vrtich from Slovakia, Fabienne Faltus from Austria, Zane Jekabsone from Latvia, Jenny Lundgren from Sweden, Eloi Gimeno Lopez from Spain, Szymon Skrzypczak from Poland, Matti Ranki from Finland, Jurate Veteikyte from Lithuania and Tore Rosbo from Denmark.

    [19] Autre matériel diffusé

    PASR 2006 : 15 new security research projects to combat terrorism

    Commission guidelines on national regional aid for 2007-2013, Luxembourg and Malta – frequently asked questions

    Speech by Neelie Kroes : "Delivering on the crackdown: recent developments in the Commission's campaign against cartels" at the 10th annual Competition Conference at the European Institute (Fiesole)

    Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "The Benefits of the Single Market" at Conference organised by ANO pro Evropu (Prague)

    Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "EU audit regulation and international cooperation" at Conference on Audit Regulation (12/10)

    Speech by Danuta Hübner : "How to make Europe's Regions and Cities more attractive?" at Open Days' closing session at the European Parliament (12/10)

    Calendrier du 16 au 20 octobre 2006 From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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