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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-04-10Midday 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 Communicationb10/04/08[01] Telecoms: Commission supports move to lower termination rates in Italy, highlights inconsistency across EUThe European Commission has welcomed efforts by the Italian telecoms regulator (AGCOM) to lower termination rates of alternative fixed network operators. In a letter sent to AGCOM today, the Commission agrees with the regulator's proposal for a cost-oriented approach leading to a symmetric termination rate of 0.57 euro cent/min for all fixed network operators by 1 July 2010. At the same time, however, the Commission remains concerned about inconsistent levels of termination rates across the EU.[02] Operation facelift begins : launch of an urban design competition on a European and international scale, relating to the rue de la Loi and its surroundingsThe authorities of Brussels-Capital Region, in close partnership with the European Commission and the City of Brussels, are launching a major competition aimed at defining a new urban design for the European Quarter. The area devoted to the competition includes the zone around the rue de la Loi, between the circular ring and the chaussée d’Etterbeek.[03] Helping protect the Mediterranean Sea from pollutionThe European Commission and the European Investment Bank today are presenting the results of a study on potential investments addressing pollution hotspots in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries. The study, undertaken as part of the Commission's Horizon 2020 Initiative designed to tackle the major sources of Mediterranean pollution by the year 2020, recognises the need for a programme to help the countries of the southern and eastern Mediterranean reduce the pollution they release into the sea. The decline of the Mediterranean threatens the health of the 143 million people living on its shore and jeopardises the long-term development of key economic sectors such as fishing and tourism. The proposed Mediterranean Hot Spot Investment Programme (MeHSIP) and the Horizon 2020 initiative are part of the European Union's cooperation with the southern and eastern Mediterranean countries involved in the Barcelona Process and covered by the EU's Neighbourhood Policy.[04] Commission proposes amendments to the "Green Line Regulation" concerning further trade facilitation on the island of CyprusThe Commission adopted today a proposal for a Council Regulation amending the "Green Line Regulation" to further facilitate trade on the island of Cyprus.[05] Commission urges Member States and public research organisations to better convert knowledge into socio-economic benefitsThe European Commission today adopted a Recommendation on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities of universities and other public research organisations. The Recommendation provides public research organisations (PROs) with operational principles to more effectively manage and exploit intellectual property.[06] Conference on Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe marks launch of new financing facilityOn 17 and 18 April, the Commission's Directorate-General for Enlargement will host the conference "Civil Society Development in Southeast Europe: Building Europe Together". The conference's main objectives are to offer civil society organisations from the EU and the candidate and potential candidate countries a platform for networking, exchanging best practices and building partnerships, and to disseminate information about financial support to civil-society development under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) and other EU programmes.[07] Bangladesh: la Commission accroît son aide humanitaire aux victimes du cyclone Sidr, grâce à une nouvelle enveloppe de 12 millions d'eurosLa Commission européenne a alloué une nouvelle enveloppe de 12 millions d'euros pour un ensemble d'actions d'aide humanitaire en faveur des populations frappées par le cyclone Sidr en novembre 2007. Elle servira principalement à fournir aux populations une aide alimentaire et à garantir la sécurité alimentaire, mais aussi à leur procurer une aide d'urgence sous la forme d'abris et d'un accès à l'eau et aux systèmes d'assainissement, tout en les aidant d'urgence à reconstituer leurs moyens de subsistance. Les fonds seront acheminés par l'intermédiaire du service d’aide humanitaire de la Commission (ECHO), placé sous la responsabilité du commissaire Louis Michel.[08] Commission launches initiative to facilitate mobility in vocational education and trainingThe European Commission has presented plans for a Europe-wide credit system in vocational education and training. This system, called ECVET, would make it easier for citizens to get formal recognition of knowledge, skills and competences they have gained in another country. Member States are encouraged to sign up to this voluntary scheme that does not seek to replace national systems but to facilitate the transfer between them.[09] Inland freight transport up by 5% in 2006 - Road accounts for almost three quarters of total freight transportTotal freight transport by inland modes (rail, road, inland waterways and oil pipelines) in the EU27 increased by 5% in 2006 compared with 2005, reaching 2 595 billion tkm. Among the Member States, the highest increases were recorded in Greece (+42%), Hungary (+16%) and the Czech Republic (+13%), and the largest declines were observed in Cyprus (-16%), Denmark (- 8%), Estonia and Ireland (both -3%). Six Member States accounted for two thirds of total EU27 freight in 2006: Germany (517 bn tkm, +6% between 2005 and 2006), France (283 bn tkm, +3%), Spain (264 bn tkm, +3%), Italy (256 bn tkm, +4%), Poland (208 bn tkm, +11%) and the United Kingdom (206 bn tkm, +3%). These figures come from a report2 by Eurostat on the modal split in the inland transport of the EU27.Rediffusion [10] Danuta Hübner takes part in Commission on Growth and Development meeting in Washington, 9-10 AprilDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, takes part in a meeting of the Commission on Growth and Development in Washington, 9-10 April under the chairmanship of Nobel Laureate Michael Spence. The meeting is to finalise a report on driving economic growth and poverty reduction in developing countries.[11] Irene Souka appointed Deputy Director-General for Personnel and AdministrationToday the European Commission appointed Ms Irene Souka as Deputy Director- General for Personnel and Administration (DG ADMIN). Under the leadership of the Director-General, she will be responsible for developing and implementing the Commission's strategy for managing its human resources, from recruitment to retirement and beyond.[12] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Follow-up to the EU strategy on the rights of the child• Memo on Competition: Commission welcomes Court judgment wholly upholding margin squeeze decision against Deutsche Telecom • Speech by Commissioner Olli Rehn '2008 a year of benchmarks for Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia', Brussels • Speech by Commissioner Kallas 'Designing for the future — The market and the quality of life', Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : ArcelorMittal/Gonvarri/SSC Brazil
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 |