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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-05-11Midday 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 Communicationb11/05/07[01] Fiscalité en Europe : la Commission lance un nouvel outil d'information en ligne sur les impôts en vigueur dans les Etats membresLa Commission européenne lance "Les impôts en Europe", son nouvel outil d'information destiné aux citoyens et aux entreprises. Cette base de données en ligne donne des renseignements sur les principaux impôts en vigueur dans les Etats membres. Interface conviviale, elle offre des informations sur quelque 500 impôts (assiette de l'impôt, taux d'imposition applicable, etc.), telles qu'elles sont communiquées à la Commission européenne par les autorités nationales. De plus, elle fournit des renseignements sur les recettes tirées de chaque impôt. Tous les utilisateurs y ont accès gratuitement.[02] Commission endorses €111 million aid to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech for a new car manufacturing plant in the Czech RepublicThe European Commission has authorised, under the EC Treaty state aid rules, an ad hoc aid of €111 million, that the Czech Government plans to provide to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech for the setting-up of a new passenger car production plant in the Moravia-Silesia region of the Czech Republic. The aid consists of a direct cash grant together with ï€a transfer of land at a reduced price. The aid is combined with other regional aid measures to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech which are granted under already approved aid schemes. The total regional aid package to the beneficiary company amounts to €194.49 million, for an eligible investment cost of €1.148 billion. The Commission considered the aid to be compatible with the state aid rules, based on the Commission’s cohesion policy and in conformity with the conditions for regional aid to large investment projects.[03] La Commission ouvre une enquête approfondie sur les aides à la restructuration en faveur des entreprises chimiques italiennes NGP et SimpeLa Commission européenne a lancé, en application des dispositions communautaires en matière d'aides d'Etat, une enquête approfondie sur les aides à la restructuration, d'un montant de quelque €20,87 millions, octroyées aux entreprises chimiques italiennes NGP et Simpe. Les aides ont été accordées en vue de la restructuration des actifs consacrés à la polymérisation dans ces entreprises établies à Acerra, en Campanie. La Commission doit vérifier si les entreprises ont contribué elles-mêmes à concurrence de 50% aux coûts de la restructuration comme l'exigent les règles de la Commission sur les aides à la restructuration et si des mesures compensatoires ont été prises pour compenser les éventuelles distorsions de concurrence. L'ouverture d'une procédure d'enquête formelle donnera aux parties intéressées la possibilité de faire connaître leur point de vue sur ces mesures. Elle ne préjuge pas de l’issue de la procédure.[04] Antitrust : Commission initiates proceedings against RWE Group concerning suspected foreclosure of German gas supply marketsThe European Commission has decided to open antitrust proceedings against the German energy company RWE. The case arises out of information obtained during inspections carried out in 2006 on RWE premises in Germany (see MEMO/06/205). The Commission proceedings focus on possible exclusion of potential competitors from the market (i.e. so-called market foreclosure) by RWE Group through the putting in place of artificial obstacles to access by other companies (so-called 'third party access') to its gas transport network in its core area, North Rhine-Westphalia.[05] Antitrust : Commission initiates proceedings against the ENI Group concerning suspected foreclosure of Italian gas supply marketsThe European Commission has decided to open anti-trust proceedings against the Italian energy company ENI. The case arises out of the inspection carried out in 2006 on ENI premises and premises of ENI subsidiaries in Italy, Austria and Germany (see MEMO/06/205). The Commission proceedings focus on behaviour by the ENI Group which it suspects may have been aimed at exclusion of potential competitors from Italian gas supply markets (i.e. so-called market foreclosure).[06] Commission clears acquisition of Fastweb by SwisscomThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Fastweb S.p.A. of Italy by Swisscom of Switzerland. Swisscom is active in telecommunication, broadcasting and multimedia services. Fastweb provides fixed voice, broadband and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears acquisition of Armacup and Agencie by WWL and EUKORThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Armacup Maritime Services Ltd (Armacup) and Agencie Maritime Holdings Ltd (Agencie), both of New Zealand, by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL) of Norway and EUKOR Car Carries Inc. (EUKOR) of Korea. WWL provides sea transportation for roll- on/roll-off cargo, operating sea terminals and inland processing/logistic centres. EUKOR also provides sea transportation for roll-on/roll-off cargo and logistic services to the automotive industry. Agencie operates regular roll-on/roll-off services from Korea and Japan to Fiji and New Zealand. Armacup is a general agent for Agencie. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Günter Verheugen salue le vote du Parlement sur la déréglementation des produits pré-emballésLa Commission européenne s'est félicitée le 10 mai de l'accord du Parlement en vue d'une simplification de la législation communautaire concernant les produits pré-emballés. La directive autorise les formats libres pour tous les produits pré-emballés sauf les vins et les spiritueux, pour lesquels il existe déjà des formats UE obligatoires. Cela signifie que vingt-sept réglementations nationales et deux directives européennes sur les quantités nominales seraient remplacées par une directive européenne unique. Cette simplification va dans le sens de la jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice européenne qui a mené progressivement à la libéralisation des formats d'emballage. C'est aussi un nouveau jalon dans le programme de travail de la Commission visant à simplifier la législation de l'UE dans le cadre de l'initiative Mieux légiférer. Le Conseil Compétitivité votera sur la proposition à sa réunion des 21 et 22 mai.[09] Far-reaching simplification of European car legislation and EU-wide approval for trucks and bussesManufacturers of trucks, vans, buses, and trailers will no longer need to get approval for the same vehicle in 27 different countries, before placing it on the market. This is one important feature of the fundamental recast of the key legal instrument for the single market in motor vehicles, the Framework Directive on Car Type-Approval. On 10 May, the European Parliament, following a report by MEP Malcolm Harbour, voted in favour of the European Commission's proposal to extend the scope of the directive to trucks, vans, buses, and trailers. Up to now the Community type-approval was restricted to passenger cars, motorbikes, mopeds and agricultural tractors. The new procedures will reduce the administrative burden on EU manufacturers and improve their competitiveness. It will also improve vehicle safety and open a new possibility, which is of particular interest to for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME's), to access the internal market by creating a European small series type-approval system. The new framework Directive will now be examined by Member States.[10] La Commission consulte les acteurs concernés sur le régime du cotonLa Commission européenne a publié une consultation concernant le régime de l'Union européenne applicable au coton. A la suite de la réforme de la politique agricole commune de 2003, le Conseil a adopté en 2004 un nouveau régime d'aide pour le coton, applicable à compter de janvier 2006. Dans le cadre du nouveau régime, 65% de l'aide étaient "découplés" (c'est-à - dire indépendants de la production) et 35% demeuraient liés à la production de coton, sous forme de paiements à la surface. La réforme a été contestée par le gouvernement espagnol devant la Cour de justice européenne, qui l'a annulée en septembre 2006. La Cour n'a pas remis en question l'approche suivie par la réforme (modification du régime d'aide), mais a estimé que la Commission aurait dû réaliser une étude d'impact incluant les coûts de main-d'Å“uvre dans le calcul des coûts de production et évaluer les effets de la réforme sur les égreneurs locaux. En vue de préparer l'évaluation d'impact et avant d'élaborer une nouvelle proposition, la Commission a récemment lancé une consultation internet. Les réponses seront prises en compte lors de l'examen des options qui figureront dans la nouvelle proposition.[11] Commission launches consultation on a sustainable future for European aquacultureThe European Commission has started a consultation exercise on opportunities for the development of aquaculture in the European Union. The steady growth in the demand for fisheries products represents great potential for further development in the production of such products from aquaculture. The purpose of this consultation is, therefore, to establish what action is desirable at EU level so that both the sector and the consumers can reap the maximum benefit from this development, while ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture activities. A detailed consultation paper has been published on the Internet, and stakeholders and citizens have until 15 July 2007 to provide the Commission with their views.[12] Joe Borg : "Mauritius meeting will be decisive for the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission's fight against illegal fishing"The European Commission considers that the forthcoming annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), in Mauritius, on 13-18 May 2007, will be crucial for the ability of the organisation to effectively fight illegal fishing in the area under its management responsibility. This will depend on the completion of its current reform process which should lead to the establishment of IOTC as a separate tuna regional fisheries management organisation (RFMO), independent from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This would place it on a par with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Convention and the West Central Pacific Fisheries Convention. As the role of RFMOs in combating illegal fisheries on the high seas increases, the IOTC finds itself unable to address the massive uncontrolled fishing activities of Taiwan which have rocketed in the Indian Ocean. This is due to the fact that, as an FAO body, the IOTC must align itself with the position of the United Nations, and therefore FAO, which do not recognise Taiwan. This means that Taiwan cannot become a contracting party to the IOTC and as such is not bound by the rules that apply to the other fishing partners in the region, thus undermining the IOTC's credibility and damaging fish stocks in the region. Last year, IOTC members unanimously agreed the necessary modifications to their convention that would make IOTC an independent RFMO and, as a result, allow Taiwan to join IOTC. As a contracting party Taiwan would be bound by IOTC rules thus tackling the huge problem caused by its hitherto unregulated fishing. The Commission recalls the FAO's commitment to "facilitate the reform process" of the IOTC. The Commission therefore looks forward to FAO taking effective action so as to ensure the successful and expeditious completion of this process which would be of such benefit to the sustainability of fisheries in the Indian Ocean.[13] Andris Piebalgs opens the first Latvian agency of the Intelligent Energy programmeEuropean Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs inaugurated today the first energy agency in Latvia, which was supported by the European Commission Intelligent Energy Europe programme. The programme supports the establishment of new regional or local energy agencies in order to help public authorities, and their communities, improve their energy efficiency and make the most of locally based renewable energy resources.[14] Debates on the past and the future of the EU at schools all across EuropeFor the fifth year, the network of Ministers in charge of Education (European Schoolnet) organises "Spring Day for Europe", in collaboration with the European Commission. "The Spring Day" campaign is held in the framework of the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome. So far 4300 schools have registered their participation. As part of the project, Margot Wallström, Vice-President of Commission, responsible for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, will take part today in the Internet chat with pupils from numerous Member States. "Spring Day for Europe" is a campaign aiming to enable young people to gain a vivid awareness of European questions and to integrate them into their study programme. In order that young people in Europe play a full part in this flagship anniversary, the Commission has taken the initiative to organise, in tandem with the other European institutions, another "Spring Day in Europe", this time focusing on the theme of "Together since 1957" and having the aim of encouraging schools in all the Member States and candidate countries to develop educational initiatives relating to European affairs. Schools are invited to organise until 30 June 2007, European days of exchanges, debates and meetings with local, regional, national or international personalities, giving pupils and teachers the opportunity to learn about European integration and improve their understanding of it. Schools are also encouraged to take part in discussion fora and teaching activities on the operation of the institutions and on the values of Europe. The fourth previous editions of Spring Day for Europe were on the Convention (2003), the enlargement (2004), the Constitution (2005) and the debate about the future of the EU (2006). You can follow the chat here:<a href="http://www.springday2007.net/ww/en/pub/spring2007/misc/chats_calendar.htm">http://www.springday2007.net/ww/en/pub/spring2007/misc/chats_calendar.htm The Website devoted to the operation is available in 22 languages at the following address: <a href="http://www.springday2007.net">http://www.springday2007.net [15] Bologna goes global - Ján Figel' puts higher education reform in a global contextOn 17 and 18 May, Ministers responsible for Higher Education from 45 European countries will meet in London to discuss progress made in the Bologna Process, which aims to establish a European Higher Education Area by 2010. Ministers will also adopt a strategy on how to reach out to other continents, and will approve the creation of a Register of European Higher Education Quality Assurance Agencies.[16] Autre matériel diffuséBologna process : FAQ on the social dimension of higher education in EuropeFrequently asked questions : the Bologna Process Speech by Leonard Orban : "Training for the future" at 11th SCIC- Universities Conference Speech by Neelie Kroes : "European competition policy facing a renaissance of protectionism - which strategy for the future?" at St Gallen International Competition Law Forum Discours de M. Vladimir Å pidla : "Partenariat entre l'Année européenne 2007 de l'égalité des chances pour tous et le Concours Eurovision de la chanson" au Village Eurovision (Helsinki) Speech by Andris Piebalgs : "Baltic Region Future Energy Landscape" at the Renewable energy conference - Future Perspectives in the Baltic Region (Riga) Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel : "Prosperity and other objectives in European agriculture" at World Agriculture Forum (09/05, St Louis, Missouri) Calendrier du 14 au 20 mai 2007 Top News from the European Commission - 14 May–10 June 2007
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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