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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-12-18Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb18/12/06[01] Simplification de la politique agricole commune : la Commission propose de remplacer 21 organisations communes de marché par une OCM uniqueLa Commission européenne a proposé aujourd'hui la mise en place d'une Organisation Commune de Marché (OCM) unique pour l'ensemble des produits agricoles afin de remplacer les 21 OCM actuelles. Cette initiative constitue une étape essentielle du processus en cours de rationalisation et de simplification de la politique agricole commune dans l'intérêt des agriculteurs, des administrations et des entreprises du secteur agricole. La création d'une OCM unique permettra d'alléger la législation dans ce domaine, de renforcer sa transparence et de rendre la politique plus accessible. Elle constitue un exemple concret d'amélioration de la réglementation et s'inscrit par conséquent à part entière dans le cadre de la stratégie de Lisbonne. La proposition d'aujourd'hui est la plus importante simplification technique de la PAC jamais accomplie. Elle ne doit toutefois pas être interprétée comme un moyen de réformer la politique par des voies détournées. D'autres possibilités de simplifications de nature politique seront examinées dans le cadre de l'évaluation globale des réformes de la PAC prévue pour 2008. L'OCM unique proposée permettra d'abroger plus de 40 actes du Conseil et remplacera plus de 600 articles juridiques figurant dans les règlements actuels par moins de 200 articles. La proposition va maintenant être soumise au Conseil et au Parlement et la Commission espère qu'elle pourra entrer en vigueur en 2008.[02] Markos Kyprianou to meet Russian Agriculture Minister and Veterinary Chief in Moscow on TuesdayEuropean Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will meet Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev and the head of the Russian Veterinary and Phytosanitary authority Sergei Dankvert in Moscow on Tuesday for talks to avert a Russian trade ban on EU animal products from 1 January 2007. Speaking ahead of his visit Commissioner Kyprianou said: "I am pleased that my Russian counterparts have accepted my long-standing offer to travel to Moscow for talks, and the Commission views this as a positive sign. In recent days, the Commission President, myself and the Member States have made it clear that exports of animal products from the EU are an area of Community competence and bilateral agreements cannot be envisaged. We welcome the fact that no Member State has agreed to sign such a deal. The Commission hopes that tomorrow's meetings will allow us to strike an agreement with Russia that will address Russia's concerns, while safeguarding community competence, reiterating the validity of the transitional measures taken for Bulgaria and Romania, and their effective application by Member States. The Commission is making every possible effort to avert an unnecessary trade ban on 1 January 2007."[03] La Commission renforce la sécurité de la chaîne d'approvisionnement de l'UE tout en facilitant les échanges internationauxLa Commission européenne a adopté un règlement visant à renforcer la sécurité des envois qui entrent sur le territoire douanier de l'UE ou qui en sortent et à offrir de plus grandes facilités aux opérateurs qui respectent la législation. Celui-ci introduit un cadre pour une meilleure analyse des risques applicable aux marchandises franchissant les frontières de l'UE. Aux termes dudit règlement, à compter du 1er janvier 2008, les opérateurs fiables (opérateurs économiques agréés), respectant des normes rigoureuses en matière de sécurité, bénéficieront de mesures de facilitation des échanges et, à compter du 1er juillet 2009, l'échange électronique d'informations préalables entre les opérateurs et les autorités douanières pour toutes les marchandises entrant et sortant du territoire de l'UE sera institué. Le règlement exige également que les autorités douanières échangent des informations sur les exportations par voie électronique afin d'accélérer les procédures d'exportation.[04] Excise duties / minimum retail prices of cigarettes : infringement proceedings against IrelandThe European Commission has decided to send Ireland a reasoned opinion – the second stage in the infringement procedure provided for in Article 226 of the EC Treaty – because of the fixing of minimum and maximum retail prices for cigarettes by that country. The Commission takes the view, based on well established case law of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, that such prices infringe Community law, distort competition and benefit only manufacturers, by safeguarding their profit margins (see IP/06/483). Unless the legislation in the Member States concerned is brought into compliance within two months of receipt of the reasoned opinion, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.[05] Commission approves proposed acquisition of Berliner Bank by Deutsche BankThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Berliner Bank AG & Co. KG of Germany, by Deutsche Bank AG, also of Germany, by way of purchase of shares. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area or any substantial part of it.[06] Commission clears joint venture between WHO and CodereThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the joint venture between William Hill Organization Limited (WHO) of the UK, belonging to the William Hill group, and Codere SA of Spain. WHO operates internet gambling sites and provides fixed odds bookmaking services via licensed betting offices and telephone. Codere manages gaming machines, bingo halls and racetracks. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears acquisition of by Hilding Anders by CandoverThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Hilding Anders Holding AB (Hilding Anders) of Sweden by Candover Partners Limited (Candover) of the UK. Candover provides equity for European buy-outs. Hilding Anders develops, manufactures and markets beds, mattresses and related products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Commission clears acquisition of Harpen by Cerberus and Goldman SachsThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Harpen Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG and Harpen Immobilien Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH (together Harpen) of Germany by Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (Goldman Sachs) and Cerberus Group (Cerberus), both of the US. Goldman Sachs is an investment bank. Cerberus is a private equity fund. Harpen is active in the rental and development of property. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] Commission clears acquisition of Serono by MerckThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Serono S.A. of Switzerland by Merck KGaA (Merck) of Germany. Merck is a global research-based pharmaceutical and chemical company. Serono is a research-driven global biotechnology company active in the discovery, development, production, sales and marketing of biotechnical products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[10] Commission clears acquisition of part of ExxonMobil by PetroplusThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of part of Exxon-Mobil - ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH (ExxonMobil CEH) of Germany by Petroplus International B.V. (Petroplus) of the Netherlands, controlled by Riverstone Holdings LLC of the US. Petroplus is active in the refining, storing, marketing and international trading of crude oil. ExxonMobil CEH operates the Ingolstadt refinery in Germany and is a wholesale supply of refined oil products. Riverstone Holdings LLC is a private equity company. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[11] Zone euro : reprise générale et auto-entretenueLe rapport trimestriel sur la zone euro, publié aujourd'hui, indique que la zone euro a connu au troisième trimestre une croissance plus faible mais néanmoins encore solide, et confirme que la reprise est générale et durable. La croissance est soutenue essentiellement par la demande intérieure. L'évolution positive du marché du travail s'est poursuivie, avec un taux de chômage à son plus bas niveau depuis 2001. La zone euro est donc en bonne position pour faire face à une conjoncture internationale légèrement moins favorable du fait du ralentissement américain. La section "Focus" du rapport examine les déséquilibres actuels des balances courantes des pays de la zone euro. Le fait que certains pays enregistrent des déficits élevés est le signe d'une meilleure intégration financière au sein de la zone, mais il est aussi le reflet d'évolutions divergentes de la compétitivité, qui sont parfois renforcées par les politiques économiques.[12] Octobre 2006 : excédent de €2,4 milliards du commerce extérieur de la zone euro ; déficit de €13,2 milliards pour l'UE25D'après les premières estimations pour le mois d'octobre 2006, la zone euro a enregistré un excédent du commerce extérieur de €2,4 milliards avec le reste du monde, comparé à €+0,1 milliard en octobre 2005. Le solde enregistré au mois de septembre 2006 avait été de €+2,1 milliards, contre €+1,1 milliard en septembre 2005. En octobre 2006, les exportations, corrigées des variations saisonnières, sont restées stables par rapport à septembre 2006, tandis que les importations ont augmenté de 0,6%. Les premières estimations du solde des échanges extra- UE25 pour le mois d'octobre 2006 indiquent un déficit de €13,2 milliards, contre €-11,0 milliards en octobre 2005. Au mois de septembre 2006, le solde avait été de €-13,2 milliards, contre €-9,6 milliards en septembre 2005. En octobre 2006, les exportations, corrigées des variations saisonnières, ont reculé de 1,2% par rapport à septembre 2006 et les importations de 0,4%. Ces données sont publiées par Eurostat.[13] GDP per capita in purchasing power standards : GDP per capita in the Member States ranged from 48% to 251% of the EU25 average in 2005GDP per capita in Luxembourg, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS), was more than twice the EU25 average in 2005, while Ireland was about 40% above the average. The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Sweden were between approximately 15% and 25% above the average. Finland, Germany and France recorded figures about 10% above the EU25 average, while Italy and Spain were around the average. Cyprus was about 10% below the EU25 average, while Greece and Slovenia were around 20% below. The Czech Republic, Portugal and Malta were around 30% below the EU25 average, while Hungary, Estonia and Slovakia were about 40% below. Lithuania, Poland and Latvia were around half of the EU25 average. The data for 2005, 2004 and 2003, published by Eurostat, are based on revised purchasing power parities, and the latest GDP and population figures.[14] EU releases new reference materials for testing genetically modified cotton and sugar beetThe European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has today made available certified reference materials for the analysis of genetically modified (GM) cotton and sugar beet. The release of the two new materials together with a set of starch-modified potato materials introduced earlier this year, brings the number of certified GMO reference materials to 14 provided by the JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) located in Geel, Belgium. Certified reference materials are needed for calibrating the methods used to quantify the GM content and for controlling the quality of measurements. Implementing EU legislation on labelling of food and feed products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) largely depends on the accuracy and reliability of those measurements. For each GMO authorised for food and feed use in Europe, certified reference materials need to be available. IRMM is one of the largest reference material providers in the world, and was the first to produce reference materials for the analysis of genetically modified materials. It has developed specialised techniques for the processing and certification of GMO reference materials since 1997. The GMO reference materials of IRMM are produced under the European Reference Materials (ERM®) label that guarantees the use of best practices in production. The JRC is playing a leading role in ensuring a harmonised approach between EU Member States, industry and stakeholders. It now hosts six Community Reference Laboratories (CRLs) on food and feed safety in support of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). This includes a CRL for GM food and feed located at the JRC's Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) in Ispra, Italy, that validates methods for sampling, identification and detection.Further information: <a href="http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu">http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu; <a href="http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu">http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu [15] Eurobaromètre standard 66 : automne 2006L'enquête Eurobaromètre de cet automne portait non seulement sur les indicateurs clés des attitudes générales des citoyens de l'Union européenne vis-à -vis de cette dernière, mais aussi, pour la première fois, sur les valeurs et les questions de société qui font actuellement débat dans de nombreux Etats membres.[16] Commission calls for immediate resumption of talks in order to avoid a new war in SomaliaThe European Commissioner for development for humanitarian aid, Louis Michel, expressed on 16 December the deepest concern of the European Union at the deteriorating security situation in Somalia and the risk of an imminent conflict between the Transitional Federal Government and the Supreme Council of Islamic Courts. He said: "I call upon all parties to refrain from engaging in a war that cannot be won by anyone. The spoilers and warmongers of all sorts that seek conflict in order to prevail militarily are fooling themselves as well as the Somali people. The Somali people are tired of war and violence. They crave and deserve peace, security and development for their country, and a chance to build decent livelihoods and a future for their children. A new war in Somalia will have tragic consequences not just for the people of Somalia but for the whole region and beyond. We simply cannot afford for that to happen."[17] Autre matériel diffuséSingle Common Market Organisation: questions & answersSingle Common Market Organisation: 21 market organisations under one legislative roof Opening remarks by Mariann Fischer Boel at press conference : "Simplifying the CAP: Proposal for a Single Common Market Organisation" EU customs security amendments – frequently asked questions Preparation Agriculture/Fisheries Council of December 2006 Speech (audiocast) by Peter Mandelson : "Trade Policy and Climate Change"
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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