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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-04-15

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] European Commission hosts Public Hearing on Multilingualism
  • [02] EU budget: smallest surplus ever
  • [03] EU and Montenegro sign bilateral WTO accession agreement
  • [04] Commissioner Piebalgs underlines the role of nuclear energy in the transition towards a low carbon economy
  • [05] Customs: Commission launches website to celebrate 40 years of EU Customs Union
  • [06] Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of BarcoVision by Itema
  • [07] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2008-04-15 Reference: MEX/08/0415 Date: 15/04/2008 EXME08 / 15.04

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    15/04/08


  • [01] European Commission hosts Public Hearing on Multilingualism

    Today the European Commission is hosting a public hearing on the place and role of languages within the EU. The event, held in the Borschette Conference Centre, rounds up a wide-ranging public consultation on multilingualism which was launched at the end of last year. It has proved to be one of the most popular public surveys ever carried out on EU policies. The Commission is seeking to adapt its policies and actions in the area of languages in order to reflect the reality of an EU with over 450 million citizens and around 60 different mother tongues.

    [02] EU budget: smallest surplus ever

    In 2007, Member States' contributions to the European Union budget almost exactly matched the agreed spending for the year so that there was the smallest EU budget surplus ever with a 90% drop from 2000 and a steady 17% decrease from 2006. The continued downward trend reflects the European Commission's efforts to ensure Member States' payments to EU coffers are limited to what is strictly necessary. The end-of-year surplus - the difference between all EU budget revenue and spending - amounted to only just over 1% (€1 529 million) of the total €113.846 billion agreed spending for 2007.

    [03] EU and Montenegro sign bilateral WTO accession agreement

    The EU and Montenegro have today signed a bilateral agreement on Montenegro's accession to the WTO. The agreement was signed by Montenegrin Vice Prime Minister Gordana Djurovic and David O'Sullivan, Director General of the Commission's Directorate General for Trade. The agreement completes the process of bilateral negotiations between the EU and Montenegro which were commenced in 2005. The Community is the first WTO member to conclude its bilateral talks with the acceding country.

    [04] Commissioner Piebalgs underlines the role of nuclear energy in the transition towards a low carbon economy

    Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs reiterated today the importance of nuclear energy for the reduction of CO2 emissions in a speech at a European Nuclear Assembly conference in Brussels. The conference was dedicated to the development of Europe's low carbon economy and organised by Foratom.

    [05] Customs: Commission launches website to celebrate 40 years of EU Customs Union

    The 1st July 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the European Customs Union. To celebrate this significant event, the European Commission has launched a website dedicated to this topic. The launch of the website marks the beginning of a communication campaign to highlight the important but often invisible role of the Customs Union in protecting citizens and facilitating trade. The campaign brings information to the public about key customs activities such as protection against counterfeit goods, including dangerous fake medicines, foodstuffs and toys. It shows how customs control the movement of chemicals which can be misused and transformed into harmful drugs, how illegal imports of internationally protected and diseased animals is prevented and how legitimate trade is facilitated by the EU customs union. The website is currently available in English. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Hungarian versions will also be available soon. Check the site for events that will be organised all over Europe to mark the 40th anniversary of the European Customs Union, at: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/40customs/index_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/40customs/index_en.htm

    Rediffusion

    [06] Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of BarcoVision by Itema

    The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of BarcoVision of Belgium by the Italian company Itema. Itema produces textile machinery while BarcoVision manufactures sensors and other inputs for the textiles market. The Commission's initial market investigation indicated that the proposed merger raises serious doubts as to its compatibility with the Single Market as there are potential competition concerns due to the vertical relationship between the parties, in particular on the market for winders for stocking unwoven yarn, which might increase the cost or affect the quality of sensors purchased by other winder producers. A decision to open an in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the final result of the investigation. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 26 August 2008, to take a final decision on whether the concentration would significantly impede effective competition within the European Economic Area (EEA) or a substantial part of it.

    [07] Autre matériel diffusé

    • Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner on 'The 7th Framework Program - opportunities for researchers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia'

    • Speech by Commissioner Almunia on 'Future challenges facing the euro', Brussels - EMBARGO 12H15 -

    • Speech by Commissioner Mandelson on 'Living in China', London

    • Speech by Commissioner Dimas on 'EU activities on Climate Change', Brussels 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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