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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-12-17Midday 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 Communicationb17/12/07[01] Commission co-chairs Palestinian Donors Conference and announces €440 million ($650 million) to the Palestinians for 2008European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner unveiled today a pledge of €440 million ($650 million) to the Palestinian people for 2008 at the Paris Donors Conference. The Conference is co-chaired by France, the European Commission, Norway and Quartet Special Representative Blair and will also be attended by Palestinian President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad, Israel Foreign Minister Livni and representatives of all international donors to the Palestinians attended this meeting. Commissioner Ferrero- Waldner will also announce the launching in February 2008 of PEGASE, a new financial mechanism to provide assistance to the Palestinians which will cooperate closely with the Palestinian Authority and will contribute to the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan. Furthermore, Benita Ferrero- Waldner will also participate in the first Quartet meeting after the Annapolis Conference.[02] Albania joins EU research programme - EMBARGO 16.30 -Today, Albania will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with the European Commission allowing it full participation in the EU's Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7). "Associated status" allows Albania to participate in all calls for proposals and compete on an equal footing with the EU Member States for research co-operation and support actions funded by FP7, as of 1 January 2008. As such, this agreement is an important part of the process of applying to join the EU, allowing scientists, universities and companies to create links with their counterparts across Europe and build up their scientific expertise, including in scientific fields crucial to implementing the body of EU legislation. Albania is now added to other countries in the Western Balkans regions that are associated to FP7 – Serbia, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.[03] EU Network of Energy Security Correspondents meets in BrusselsThe European Commission is hosting today the second meeting of the EU Network of Energy Security Correspondents (NESCO) in Brussels. The Network correspondents from the European Commission, the Council Secretariat and the EU Member States will discuss a report on the functioning of the Network since its establishment in May 2007.[04] Commissioner Piebalgs welcomes adoption of the new Energy Star programmeThe Council adopted today the new Regulation for implementing the EU-US Energy Star programme in the EU. This Regulation requires EU institutions and central Member State government authorities to use energy efficiency criteria no less demanding than those defined in the Energy Star programme when purchasing office equipment. Energy Star is part of the Community strategy to better manage energy demand, contribute to security of energy supply and mitigate climate change.[05] GDP per inhabitant in the Member States ranged from 37% to 280% of the EU27 average in 2006GDP per inhabitant in Luxembourg, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS), was more than two-and-a-half times the EU27 average in 2006, while Ireland was nearly 50% above the average. The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium were between around 20% and 30% above the average. The United Kingdom, Finland, Germany and France recorded figures between 10% and 20% above the EU27 average, while Spain, Italy and Greece were around the average.Cyprus and Slovenia were about 10% below the EU27 average, while the Czech Republic, Malta and Portugal were between 20% and 25% below. Estonia, Hungary and Slovakia were about 35% below the average, while Lithuania, Latvia and Poland were between 40% and 50% below the average. Romania and Bulgaria were around 60% below the EU27 average. These data for 2006, 2005 and 2004, published by Eurostat are based on revised purchasing power parities, and the latest GDP and population figures. They cover the 27 EU Member States, the three candidate countries, three EFTA countries and four Western Balkan countries.[06] Commission clears acquisition of part of IBM by AT&TThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of control of much of the global telecommunications services operations of International Business Machines Inc. (IBM) of the US by AT&T Corp. (AT&T) of the US. AT&T provides international voice and data communication services. IBM supplies Information Technology (IT): services and equipment, computer software and related services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] Commission clears acquisition of Mark IV by Sun Capital FundsThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Mark IV Industries, Inc. (Mark IV) of the US by Sun Capital Partners V, L.P. and Sun Capital Partners IV, L.P. (together Sun Capital Funds) of the US. Sun Capital Funds is a private investment group. Mark IV manufactures engineered systems and components. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[08] Statement by Joe Borg on the Conclusions of the European Council on an Integrated Maritime Policy for the Union"Over the past two years, a large consensus has been developing within the European Union and its institutions in favour of the development of an Integrated Maritime Policy for the Union. In this context, the Commission adopted, on 10 October 2007, its vision for such a policy and proposed specific actions aimed at increasing economic benefit from the seas in an environmentally sustainable manner. I am therefore extremely pleased that, in its conclusions today, the European Council unreservedly welcomed both this vision and the actions that we proposed. The call on future Presidencies of the Union to work on the establishment of the Integrated Maritime Policy is an invitation to Member States to join forces with the Commission in implementing this new, emerging European policy. I am also pleased that Heads of States and Governments have acknowledged that this new Policy is a tool to address the challenges of sustainable development and competitiveness. By doing so, the European Council recognises the intrinsic links between Maritime Policy and Europe's main priorities such as making the most of globalisation, fighting climate change and adapting to its impacts, achieving energy sustainability and tapping into the potential of our oceans and seas in a sustainable manner." <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/">http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/[09] Rediffusion[10] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of RSDB by QuebecorThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of sole control of RSDB of the Netherlands by Quebecor of Canada. Both companies provide printing services for publications (magazines, catalogues/advertisements) and service activities related to printing (pre-press and after-press). The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.[11] Climate change: EU welcomes agreement to launch formal negotiations on a global climate regime for post-2012Commission President José Manuel Barroso: “There is only one planet. Together, developed and developing countries can reach success.”Autre matériel diffusé • Memo on How is the European Commission responding to the needs of the Palestinians • Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner at the Paris Donors Conference A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :
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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