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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-05-19Midday 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 Communicationb19/05/08[01] Customs: Commission publishes 2007 Customs seizures of counterfeit goods at the EU's external border (see also MEMO/08/310)Statistics just published by the European Commission relating to counterfeit and piracy show a significant increase in customs activity last year. In 2007, customs registered over 43,000 cases of fake goods seized at the EU's external border, compared to 37,000 in 2006. This results notably from improved cooperation between customs and industry, enabling customs to better target suspected shipments and to recognize counterfeit goods. Despite this, the number of articles seized decreased from last year's peak of 128 million articles to around 79 million. This is due to a growing number of seizures involving smaller quantities of counterfeit and pirated articles. However, cigarettes and clothing continue to be faked in large quantities and there has been a worrying increase in sectors that are potentially dangerous to consumers (medicines, electrical equipment, personal care products).[02] EU reaches out to promote flexicurity approach in the Member StatesThe European Commission today launched an initiative to help put the EU's flexicurity approach – balancing flexibility in the job market with employment security for workers – into practice at national level. This 'Mission for Flexicurity' aims to reach out to workers, employers and others through a series of country visits over the next two months. The initiative follows a decision by Member States at the Informal Employment Council in Brdo in January 2008. It will kick off in France today, followed by events in Sweden, Finland, Poland and Spain. Results will be presented in December 2008.[03] Solid employment growth for the second year, but early signs of a cooling off in labour marketsAn analysis of recent data released by the European Commission today shows a still solid overall performance in the EU labour market, although the pace of improvement appears to be slowing. By the fourth quarter of 2007, total employment had increased by 3.3 million from a year earlier to reach 224.5 million, while unemployment had dropped to 16.1 million by the first quarter of 2008. However, quarterly employment growth halved in the last quarter of 2007 after the strong performance at the beginning of the year, and recent forecasts suggest that the unemployment rate may well bottom out in 2008.[04] Maritime Transport: blue horizons of commitment. The European Commission is preparing a strategic reflection on the future of EU Maritime Transport in the horizon 2008-2018On the eve of the first European Maritime Day, the European Commission has invited a number of senior shipping professionals to discuss the strategic challenges and opportunities for European shipping and the maritime transport system over the next decade.[05] Commission clears joint venture between Solvay and SiburThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of OOO RusVinyl, a newly created company constituting a joint venture, by SolVin GmbH & Co. KG (SolVin) of Germany, belonging to the Solvay group, and OJSC Sibur Holding (Sibur) of Russia. SolVin produces vinyls. Sibur produces petrochemical products. The joint venture will product and market caustic soda and polyvinyl chloride. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[06] Commission clears acquisition of Fegro/Selgros by ReweThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Fegro/Selgros Gesellschaft für Großhandel mbH & Co. (Fegro/Selgros) of Germany by Rewe Großflächengesellschaft mbH (Rewe) of Germany. Rewe is active in the retail and wholesale of daily consumer goods and also tourism, mainly in Germany. Fegro/Selgros operates cash & carry markets, mainly in Germany, Poland and Romania. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[07] COP9 Biodiversity Conference opens in BonnThe Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will open in Bonn, Germany on 19 May, and run until 30 May. The conference is the world's premier forum for discussing international biodiversity matters. The globally agreed deadline for significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss is now only two years away, and COP9 should prove to be an important milestone triggering enhanced global, regional and national action. The issues to be discussed include agriculture and forest biodiversity, deforestation, protected areas (including the need for increased funding and protected ocean areas), the biodiversity impacts of the increasing demand for biofuels, the harmonisation of biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, and progress towards completing the negotiations of an international regime on access and benefit sharing for genetic materials. Commissioner Dimas and President Barroso will attend the high-level segment of the conference which runs from 28 to 30 May. During the high-level segment Commissioner Dimas and Minister Gabriel will present the first instalment of the review on The Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity, a study led by Pavan Sukhdev of Deutsche Bank. Other side events will include a celebration of the achievements of Natura 2000, a Business and Biodiversity event, and a session dedicated to the EU-China biodiversity programme. For more information see <a href="http://www.cbd.int/cop9/">http://www.cbd.int/cop9/Rediffusion [08] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of World Duty Free by AutogrillThe European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of World Duty Free Limited (WDF), a UK-based airport shop operator, by the Italian-based travel service provider Autogrill S.p.A. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[09] Louis Michel calls on Myanmar authorities to open-up humanitarian gatewayEuropean Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, has made a strong appeal to the Myanmar authorities to immediately allow more international humanitarian aid workers access to the country.[10] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on 2007 customs seizures of counterfeit goods – Frequently Asked Questions (see also IP/08/757)• Memo sur Questions et réponses concernant la journée européenne de la mer • Speech by President Barroso 'Cinéma: Construire un monde d'échanges', Cannes A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Carlyle/Neochimiki Staples/Corporate Express Hexion / Huntsman Goldman Sachs/ Candover/ Expro
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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