|
|
|
European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-02-14
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 13 février -
[01] Commission assesses convergence programmes of Estonia, Lithuania,
Sweden and the United Kingdom
[02] La Commission examine les programmes de stabilité de la Grèce et du
Portugal
[03] Commission launches public consultation on draft merger guidelines for
companies in a vertical or conglomerate relationship
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] Commission gives new boost to trade of goods within the EU
[05] Andris Piebalgs welcomes successful coupling of the Belgian, Dutch and
French electricity markets
[06] Commission welcomes new US proposals allowing easier deregistration
from capital markets
[07] Rapport du CCR sur la situation critique des eaux côtières et des
mers en Europe
[08] Stavros Dimas visits Washington for climate talks
[09] Commission invites TV weather presentors to raise awareness of climate
change
[10] EU-India : Benita Ferrero-Waldner makes first bilateral visit
[11] Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the second anniversary of the assassination
of Prime Minister Hariri
[12] Commission allocates €2 million in emergency aid to flood victims in
Mozambique
[13] La Commission condamne la suspension des libertés fondamentales en
Guinée (13/02)
[14] Commission has carried out inspections in the power transformers
sector
[15] Un nouveau site web de la Commission pour répondre aux questions des
parties prenantes sur la Directive concernant les marchés d'instruments
financiers (directive "MiFID")
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2007-02-14
Reference: MEX/07/0214
Date: 14/02/2007
EXME07 / 14.2
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
14/02/07
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 13 février -
Outcome of Commission meeting of 13 February
[01] Commission assesses convergence programmes of Estonia, Lithuania,
Sweden and the United Kingdom
The European Commission has examined the updated convergence programmes of
Estonia Lithuania, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Sweden's and Estonia's
medium-term budgetary positions are sound and they provide good examples of
fiscal policies conducted in compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact.
To contribute to macroeconomic stability, Estonia should, however, aim for
a higher budgetary surplus than planned for 2007. As to Sweden it will be
important to ensure that the reduction of the budgetary surplus in 2007
does not spill over to subsequent years. The programme of the United
Kingdom seems broadly consistent with a correction of the excessive deficit
by the financial year 2006/07, the deadline set by the Council. However, it
should strengthen further its fiscal position in the later programme years
in order to address the risks to long term sustainability of the public
finances. Lithuania also envisages continued fiscal consolidation, but its
budgetary stance may not ensure that the medium term objective is achieved
by 2008. Lithuania should therefore exploit the good times and back its
programme up with measures to achieve an annual improvement in the
structural balance of 0.5% of GDP.
[02] La Commission examine les programmes de stabilité de la Grèce et du
Portugal
La Commission européenne a examiné les programmes de stabilité
actualisés de la Grèce et du Portugal et a constaté qu'un ajustement
budgétaire structurel significatif était en cours dans ces pays.
Toutefois, des risques pèsent sur la réalisation des objectifs
budgétaires à moyen terme, et des efforts considérables doivent encore
être déployés pour poursuivre l'assainissement des finances publiques.
La Grèce semble avoir corrigé son déficit excessif en 2006, mais elle
devrait mettre à profit les perspectives de croissance soutenue pour
accélérer le rythme de l'assainissement budgétaire à partir de 2007 et
se préparer à un risque de déficits plus élevés que
prévu à partir de 2008. Dans l'ensemble, la stratégie budgétaire du
Portugal devrait permettre de corriger le déficit excessif en 2008 au plus
tard, pour autant que les mesures envisagées soient intégralement et
effectivement mises en œuvre et qu'elles soient renforcées au cas où la
croissance économique serait moins élevée que prévu. Un risque élevé
continue de peser sur la viabilité des finances publiques de ces deux pays
à long terme.
[03] Commission launches public consultation on draft merger guidelines for
companies in a vertical or conglomerate relationship
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on draft
guidelines for the assessment of mergers between companies that are in a so-
called vertical or conglomerate relationship (also known as "non-horizontal
mergers"). Such mergers are aimed at broadening a company's activities
either by merging with a company at another level of the supply chain
(vertical merger) or with a company active in a separate but related market
(conglomerate merger). Interested parties are invited to submit their
comments on the draft guidelines by 12th May. Following the consultations,
the definitive version of the guidelines will be adopted by the Commission.
The guidelines will then serve to provide guidance to companies envisaging
such types of merger.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[04] Commission gives new boost to trade of goods within the EU
The European Commission has proposed a broad package of measures to assure
a smoother functioning of the internal market for goods. This will make it
easier for companies, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises,
to market products in the European Union while assuring a high level of
safety and quality. For industrial goods which are already subject of EU-
legislation it is suggested to establish a system of market surveillance
which is built upon the existing system for consumer products. Furthermore
cooperation between national accreditation bodies should be re-enforced and
new rules to enhance confidence and trust in the CE mark are proposed. A
common legal framework, build on simple common definitions and procedures
for the marketing of industrial products, will serve as a toolbox for
future sectoral legislation. These measures will have an impact on 22
industrial sectors, representing a market volume of around €1500 billion
a year. Improvements are proposed for the trade with goods which do not
fall under EU-legislation which accounts for around a quarter of EU intra
manufacturing trade. At present many companies are discouraged from
venturing outside their domestic market because they have to prove that
their products fulfil the requirements of technical rules in other Member
States. It is now suggested that public authorities will have to justify to
companies, why a product which was lawfully marketed in another Member
State, cannot be sold on their national market. In addition, it is proposed
to create local product points which will provide information to businesses
about additional requirements outside their home market.
[05] Andris Piebalgs welcomes successful coupling of the Belgian, Dutch and
French electricity markets
"Market coupling is an important step towards the true integration of
European electricity markets". With these words Energy Commissioner Andris
Piebalgs welcomed the trilateral coupling of the French, Belgian and Dutch
electricity markets that was presented to the press today. Since 21
November last year, the new joint market has enabled the creation of a
power exchange in Belgium , the use of interconnectors has become
significantly more efficient, while the price levels between the three
countries have converged.
[06] Commission welcomes new US proposals allowing easier deregistration
from capital markets
The European Commission has welcomed new rules proposed by the United
States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that would make it
much easier for non-US companies listed on US capital markets to deregister
from those markets at a time of their choosing, once certain criteria have
been fulfilled. In the Commission's view, the new rules, which are based on
a comparison of the company's trading volume on the US market and on its
primary market, have the potential to largely resolve issues concerning the
existing rules, which are based on the number of US investors and are
considered by EU companies to be overly restrictive. In addition, the
Commission strongly encourages SEC to ensure swift adoption of its revised
proposal. The Commission has set out these views, as well as some
additional technical comments, in a letter to the SEC responding to its
call for comments on the proposed rules. The Commission's response is
supported by EU Member States and European issuers associations.
[07] Rapport du CCR sur la situation critique des eaux côtières et des
mers en Europe
Le Centre commun de recherche (CCR) de la Commission européenne a établi
un rapport exposant en détail les effets du changement climatique sur les
eaux côtières et les mers régionales de l'Europe. Le rapport examine les
effets du changement climatique et l'impact des activités humaines sur les
habitats côtiers et marins en Europe. Il met également en évidence les
lacunes dans les connaissances scientifiques et technologiques actuelles
concernant les incidences liées au climat, et formule des recommandations
pour y remédier. Le rapport souligne que toute politique visant Ã
atténuer les incidences du changement climatique devra tenir compte du
problème de l'exploitation des mers et des côtes par l'homme, afin
d’assurer une gestion durable des ressources marines. Le rapport a été
présenté lors du symposium "Climate Change and the European Water
Dimension" organisé à Berlin par la présidence allemande de l'UE (12-14
février).
[08] Stavros Dimas visits Washington for climate talks
European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will visit Washington on 14-
16 February for meetings with government officials and leading members of
Congress on future action to combat climate change and other environmental
issues. He will be setting out the ideas contained in the integrated energy
and climate change package put forward by the Commission last month (see
IP/07/29). On 14 February Commissioner Dimas will speak at the opening
session of, and participate in, a global 'legislators forum' on climate
change and energy security at the US Congress. He will have meetings with
James Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council of Environmental
Quality, and Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.
Commissioner Dimas will also hold talks with the chairs of the Senate
environment and energy committees, Barbara Boxer and Jeff Bingaman, both of
whom have legislative proposals for greenhouse gas emissions trading
pending before Congress. On 16 February, the 2nd anniversary of the Kyoto
Protocol's entry into force, Commissioner Dimas will address a
Transatlantic Roundtable on energy and environment organised by the
European Institute.
[09] Commission invites TV weather presentors to raise awareness of climate
change
As part of the European Commission's "You control climate change" awareness-
raising campaign, more than 45 meteorologists and television weather
presenters from across the European Union will meet on 16 February at the
Commission's Berlaymont headquarters in Brussels. The meeting coincides
with the second anniversary of the Kyoto Protocol's entry into force. As
both climate experts and media personalities in their home countries,
weather presenters are well placed to help the campaign's aims of raising
public awareness about climate change and what individuals can do to help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are being invited to form a network
to support these goals. The meeting will be opened by the Commission's
Director-General for Environment, Mogens Peter Carl. Other speakers include
Mr Jerry Lengoasa, Assistant Secretary-General of the World Meteorological
Organisation, and two lead authors of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change's forthcoming Fourth Assessment Report, Prof Stefan
Rahmstorf of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Germany)
and Professor Pavel Kabat of Wageningen University and Research Centre (the
Netherlands). Interviews with individual participants are possible upon
request in advance.
[10] EU-India : Benita Ferrero-Waldner makes first bilateral visit
The European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner will make her first bilateral visit to India from 16
to 20 February travelling to Delhi, Rajasthan and Mumbai. During her stay
she will meet with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Foreign Minister Pranab
Mukherjee, Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram and Trade Minister
Kamal Nath and National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan to discuss the
implementation of the Joint Action Plan, common challenges and areas of
ever closer cooperation. The Commissioner will also visit EU financed
projects on drinking water schemes and a sewage treatment plant in
Rajasthan, and meet with the Chief Minister of the State.
[11] Benita Ferrero-Waldner on the second anniversary of the assassination
of Prime Minister Hariri
Following the attacks perpetrated against buses yesterday in Lebanon,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and
Neighbourhood Policy, has said : "On the second anniversary of the
assassination of Prime Minister Hariri, I call on all parties in Lebanon to
work for their own stability, to condemn violence and peacefully
commemorate the 14th February and to work to resolve the current political
impasse through dialogue. I strongly condemn the terrorist bomb attacks on
two buses in Lebanon today, which caused numerous casualties. While the
perpetrators must be pursued and brought to justice, this appalling crime
must not be allowed to undermine stability in Lebanon. I express my
condolences to the Lebanese people at this time of loss."
[12] Commission allocates €2 million in emergency aid to flood victims in
Mozambique
The European Commission has allocated €2 million in an emergency decision
to help flood victims in Mozambique. Flooding provoked by torrential rains
has seriously affected people in four Southern African countries with
Mozambique worst hit. Dozens have been killed, thousands are homeless and
crops have been severely damaged. In the most affected region, the flooded
Zambezi river valley in central Mozambique, 60,000 people have been
evacuated and more than 100,000 others are at risk. An emergency expert
from the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO, is already in the
affected region, assessing the basic needs of flood victims and liaising
with relief agencies on rescue operations to be funded. The Commission's
main objective is to ensure that flood victims are resettled in safer areas
with access to clean water and adequate health care, in particular to
prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases. Support will also be provided to
re-establish crop and livestock production. The emergency funds are
channelled through the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO,
under the responsibility of Louis Michel, the Commissioner for Development
and Humanitarian Aid.
[13] La Commission condamne la suspension des libertés fondamentales en
Guinée (13/02)
La Commission européenne exprime son extrême préoccupation par rapport Ã
la dégradation de la situation politique en Guinée et condamne vivement
la suspension effective des droits individuels et des libertés
fondamentales suite à la déclaration de l'état de siège dans le pays.
Elle déplore les pertes de vies humaines à la suite des violentes actions
des forces de l'ordre, la violation continuée des droits de l'homme et la
suppression de toute liberté. Elle déplore également les mesures
répressives mises en œuvre contre les radios privées et regrette que
celles-ci aient été pillées, leur personnel arrêté et elles-mêmes
forcées de suspendre leurs émissions.
[14] Commission has carried out inspections in the power transformers
sector
The European Commission can confirm that on 7th and 8th February 2007
Commission officials carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of
several power transformer producers in France, Germany and Austria. The
function of power transformers is to reduce or to increase the voltage in
an electrical circuit, and they are therefore key constituent components in
electricity transmission and distribution networks. The Commission has
reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated Article 81
of the EC Treaty, which prohibits practices such as price fixing. The
Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the
national competition authority. Surprise inspections are a preliminary step
in investigations into suspected cartels. The fact that the Commission
carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of
anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the
investigation itself. The European Commission respects the rights of
defence, in particular the right of companies to be heard in antitrust
proceedings. There is no strict deadline to complete cartel inquiries.
Their duration depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of
each case, the extent to which the undertakings concerned cooperate and the
exercise of the rights of defence.
[15] Un nouveau site web de la Commission pour répondre aux questions des
parties prenantes sur la Directive concernant les marchés d'instruments
financiers (directive "MiFID")
La Commission européenne a lancé un site web interactif où les parties
prenantes, notamment les entreprises, les associations professionnelles et
les investisseurs, peuvent poser des questions au sujet de la Directive
concernant les marchés d'instruments financiers (2004/39/EC) (MiFID), qui
vient d'être finalisée, et de ses mesures d'exécution. Le site web
permet également aux parties prenantes de voir les réponses aux questions
déjà posées et leur permet aussi de poser des nouvelles questions. Ce
site web se trouve à l'adresse suivante :
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/isd//questions/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/securities/isd//questions/index_en.htm
[16] Autre matériel diffusé
Package on Internal Market for goods
Speaking notes of vice-President Günter Verheugen on Internal Market for
Goods
Note on Special Energy Council on 15 February
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
|
