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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-04-16Midday 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 Communicationb16/04/08[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 16 avril 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 16 April 2008[02] State aid: Commission orders recovery of €2.75 million illegal aid from Italian furniture producer New InterlineThe European Commission has ordered Italy to recover aid amounting to €2.75 million from New Interline, an Italian producer of chairs, located in the region of Basilicata. Following a formal investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules, the Commission concluded that the aid, in the form of a guarantee for a bank loan for rescuing the firm from financial difficulties, was incompatible with the Single Market. Italy now has four months to implement the Commission's decision.[03] State aid: Commission opens investigation into misuse of rescue aid to Italian press manufacturer SandrettoThe European Commission has launched under EC Treaty state aid rules an in- depth investigation into the illegal prolongation of a €5 million rescue aid guarantee to Sandretto, an Italian manufacturer of press equipment. The Commission approved the state guarantee in January 2007 on the grounds of serious social difficulties at the company. However, the approval was limited to maximum six months, in conformity with the EU guidelines on rescue aid. The Commission needs to investigate whether the prolongation beyond six months constitutes a misuse of the aid. The opening of a formal investigation will provide interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the measure. It does not prejudge the final outcome of the procedure.[04] State aid: Commission endorses €180 million aid to Digital Display Devices (DDD) for large investment project in Campania, ItalyThe European Commission has authorised, under EC Treaty state aid rules, €180 million of aid granted by the Italian authorities to Digital Display Devices (DDD) for a new plant for the production of Thin Film Transistor- Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels and partial assembly into TFT-LCD modules for flat screens for TV sets and computer monitors. DDD will be the first producer of LCD panels in Europe, as currently all TFT-LCD panels are produced outside the European Economic Area (EEA), mainly in the Far East. The project will create about 1000 new jobs in Campania, one of the poorest regions in Italy. The Commission found the measure to be compatible with the requirements of the applicable Regional Aid Guidelines of 1998 and the rules for regional aid for large investment projects of 2002 (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/02/242&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/02/242) because it respects the relevant thresholds on market share and production capacity.[05] State aid: Commission endorses €11 million (£8.7 million) training aid to Vauxhall Motors on MerseysideThe European Commission has authorised under EC Treaty state aid rules a UK grant of £8.7 million (€11 million) for a staff training programme at the Vauxhall car plant at Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, UK. Following an in- depth investigation, opened in July 2007 (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1057&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/07/1057), the Commission is satisfied that the aid will be used for additional training and will not simply subsidise training that Vauxhall would have provided in any case without any aid.[06] Banking: Commission consults on amendments to the Banking DirectivesThe European Commission has launched a public consultation on possible changes to the Capital Requirements Directive (2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC). The purpose of this consultation is to collect comments of the industry and other stakeholders on these modifications. The Commission is also conducting an impact assessment related to the modification of certain provisions. Stakeholders are invited to give the Commission their views on the issues by 15 June 2008.[07] Aide d'État: la Commission ouvre une procédure formelle d'examen concernant des compensations accordées à des exploitants tchèques de services d'autobus dans la région d'Usti nad LabemSuite à des plaintes, la Commission européenne a décidé aujourd'hui d'ouvrir une procédure formelle d'examen concernant des contrats conclus par les autorités tchèques prévoyant le versement d'une compensation pour des obligations de service public de transport à des exploitants d'autobus de la région d'Usti nad Labem.[08] La Commission approuve une aide publique de la Grèce pour une concession autoroutièreLa Commission européenne a décidé aujourd'hui de ne pas soulever d'objections concernant certaines mesures adoptées par les autorités grecques en faveur d'infrastructures routières. La Commission considère que les aides pour la construction et la rénovation de ces infrastructures en Grèce ne constituent pas des aides d'État.[09] Transports propres: la Commission approuve une aide à l’investissement en faveur des autobus peu polluants utilisés à des fins de service public en République tchèqueLa Commission européenne a approuvé aujourd’hui une aide à l’investissement en faveur des entreprises qui achèteront de nouveaux autobus pour exécuter des contrats de service public en République tchèque.[10] Aides d'État: La Commission ouvre une procédure formelle concernant les aides octroyées aux exploitants de ferrys écossaisLa Commission européenne a décidé aujourd'hui d'ouvrir une procédure formelle d'examen afin d'étudier les plaintes concernant les subventions versées par le gouvernement écossais aux compagnies de ferrys écossaises NorthLink et CalMac.[11] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles[12] Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of OTP Garancia by GroupamaThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the Hungarian insurance company OTP Garancia by the French insurance and banking group Groupama. 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.[13] L’UE et le Brésil engagent un dialogue sur l'amélioration de la cohésion sociale – EMBARGO 15h00 -La Commission européenne a entamé aujourd’hui un nouveau processus structuré de dialogue avec le Brésil, consacré aux politiques sociales. Les deux parties mettront en commun leur savoir dans les domaines de la législation et des politiques et programmes à réaliser afin de parvenir à une meilleure cohésion sociale. Les modalités de ce processus sont inscrites dans un protocole d'accord signé à Bruxelles aujourd'hui par le commissaire européen aux affaires sociales, VladimÃr `pidla, et le ministre brésilien du développement social et de la lutte contre la faim, Patrus Ananias.[14] Fees and charges payable under REACH adoptedThe fees and charges that will be charged for registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals under the new REACH registration procedures have been published today in the Official Journal. The fees and charges will apply with the start of registrations of chemical substances on 1st June 2008 (<a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/564&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/564). The basic registration fee will range from €1600 for substances produced in volumes below ten tonnes, to €31000 for those above 1000 tonnes. There will be up to 90% discounts for smaller firms and 25% reduction for firms that cooperate together on registrations. The fees payable to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Helsinki, which will manage these operational processes, was approved by the Committee of Member State representatives in December.[15] Euro area annual inflation up to 3.6%Euro area annual inflation was 3.6% in March 2008, up from 3.3% in February. A year earlier the rate was 1.9%. Monthly inflation was 1.0% in March 2008. EU annual inflation was 3.8% in March 2008, up from 3.5% in February. A year earlier the rate was 2.3%. Monthly inflation was 0.8% in March 2008. These figures come from Eurostat.[16] Commissioner Dimas attends Paris Major Economies Meeting on climate change 17-18 AprilCommissioner Dimas is attending the third Major Economies Meeting taking place in Paris today and tomorrow 18 April. After Washington DC and Honolulu the aim of this meeting is to explore approaches to achieving the different contributions that major economies can make to tackling climate change and how the leaders of the world's major economies can contribute to achieving a global post-2012 climate agreement in 2009 under the auspices of the United Nations. The Major Economies Meetings bring together 17 parties which represent economies responsible for 80% of worldwide greenhouse gas emission. These include the United States, the European Union (United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and the Commission), Russia, China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Mexico, and Japan. MEM Paris meeting:<a href="http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/article.php3?id_article=3049">http://www.developpement- durable.gouv.fr/article.php3?id_article=3049 [17] Major civil protection exercise in SardiniaSardinia ARsons DIrect NIxing Action (SARDINIA 2008), a large-scale civil protection exercise simulating the conditions of a Mediterranean forest fire, will begin in Olbia, Sardinia, on April 16. The three-day exercise will involve fire-fighting teams from Italy, France, Greece, Portugal and Spain, who will battle blazes as part of a lessons learnt exercise in the wake of last year's unusually fierce forest fire season. The teams will be supported by the EU's Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), located in DG Environment's Civil Protection Unit in Brussels. The exercise, which will be attended by observers from and inside and outside the EU, will end on the 19 April with an aerial display. SARDINIA 2008 is being held within the framework of the EU's "FIRE 5" project.Rediffusion [18] European Commission offers sympathy to victims of Goma airplane crashThe European Commission has expressed its deepest sympathy to the families of the victims from today's airplane crash in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[19] Autre matériel diffusé• Speech by President Barroso on 'Democracy: A European Invention Patented 25 Centuries Ago In Athens', BrusselsA disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Rewe/Fegro-Selgros
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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