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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-03-26Midday 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 Communicationb26/03/08[01] Quarterly report on the euro area: headwinds gather strengthThe economy has to contend with strengthening external headwinds but the euro area is showing resilience helped by strong growth in emerging markets, shows the latest Quarterly Report on the Euro Area (QREA). The most recent hard and soft data are consistent with the growth forecast announced on 21 February. The Report also looks at why growth and inflation have become more stable in industrialised countries in recent decades, a phenomenon economists refer to as the 'Great Moderation'. It shows that labour market reforms have succeeded in increasing employment levels but that there is a growing divide on the labour market, with the burden of reform falling on those not subject to standard labour contracts. It also shows that the economies of the Member States are reacting differently to the ongoing inflationary pressures. Finally, in its focus section, the QREA argues that East Asia could take inspiration from the European economic and monetary experience to the benefit of the region and indeed the whole world.[02] Industrial new orders up by 2.0% in euro areaIn January 2008 compared with December 2007, the euro area (EA15) industrial new orders index grew by 2.0%. In December the index fell by 3.6%. In the EU27 new orders decreased by 1.0% in January 2008 and by 1.7% in December 2007. Excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment industrial new orders gained 1.3% in the euro area but lost 0.8% in the EU27. In January 2008 compared with January 2007, industrial new orders increased by 7.3% in the euro area and by 6.7% in the EU27. Total industry excluding ships, railway & aerospace equipment grew by 5.8% in the euro area and by 5.6% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat.[03] Commissioner Kroes outlines competition policy objectives to EPEuropean Commissioner for Competition Neelie Kroes today told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament that she intends to push her policy agenda until the last day of the current Commission's mandate. Kroes said that the past six months were ones of achievement for the Commission's competition policy, and promised more of the same through initiatives such as the Antitrust Damages White Paper due next month. Kroes said that a desire to make a real difference to people's lives rather than ideology was the reason for her energy in these efforts. Kroes cited the current sector inquiry into pharmaceuticals and efforts to introduce effective competition in the energy sector through antitrust action (e.g E.ON's offer to divest certain generation assets and unbundle ownership of its transmission network) as examples of where competition policy can make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of millions of people in Europe (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/152&type=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">SPEECH/08/152)[04] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-13: Castilla y Léon Regional Operational Programme• Memo on Antitrust: Commission initiates formal proceedings against Visa Europe Limited • Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-13: Extremadura Regional Operational Programme • Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-13: Murcia Regional Operational Programme • Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-2013: Asturias Regional Operational Programme • Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-13: Knowledge-based Economy Multi-regional Operational Programme • Memo on Spain - Operational Programme 2007-2013: Ceuta Regional Operational Programme • Memo on Spain - Multi-regional Operational Programme 2007-2013: Research, Development and Innovation for and by Enterprises - Technology Fund • Speech by Commissioner Kroes on 'Competition policy objectives' to the
Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee of the European Parliament
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 |