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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-07-03Midday 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 Communicationb03/07/08[01] Migrant children and education: a challenge for EU education systemsA Green Paper adopted by the Commission today opens the debate on how education policies may better address the challenges posed by immigration and internal EU mobility flows. The presence of significant numbers of migrant children has substantial implications for European education systems. Key issues are how to prevent the creation of segregated school settings, so as to improve equity in education; how to accommodate the increased diversity of mother tongues and cultural perspectives and build intercultural skills; how to adapt teaching skills and build bridges with migrant families and communities.[02] What should our schools be like in the 21st Century?The European Commission wants Member States to cooperate better in order to make school systems more relevant to pupils' and employers’ needs in the knowledge-based Europe of the future. The Commission Communication "Improving Competences for the 21st Century: An Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools", presented today, says that change, sometimes radical, will be needed if Europe’s schools are to equip young people fully for life in this century.[03] Volunteering: Commission proposes a boost for the mobility of young peopleThe European Commission today proposed the launch of an initiative to create more opportunities for young people to volunteer across Europe. Young people who wish to volunteer in another Member State currently do not have enough opportunities to do so. With this proposal, the Commission is putting forward a solution that respects Europe's diversity of volunteering schemes and allows them to better inter-operate and open up to volunteers from other EU countries.[04] State aid: Commission prolongs existing state aid rules for shipbuildingThe European Commission has prolonged the Framework on state aid rules for shipbuilding for three more years, until 31 December 2011. This extension follows an earlier extension in 2006 (see IP/06/1452). The Commission has concluded that the Framework, which came into effect on 1 January 2004 (see IP/03/1607) has been applied without any problems and does not need to be revised at this stage. The Framework's main principle is that horizontal state aid rules apply to shipbuilding except where specific provisions apply that reflect the specific characteristics of the shipbuilding industry and market. The specific provisions contained in the Framework concern regional aid, closure aid, export credits, development aid, employment aid and aid for research, development and innovation. The Framework's rules on innovation aid are specific to the shipbuilding industry and have had as yet limited application. The Commission wishes to continue applying these rules and assess their impact on fostering innovation in the sector.[05] State aid: Commission approves €141 million aid scheme to increase broadband availability in rural GermanyThe European Commission has approved under the EC Treaty state aid rules a €141 million scheme to help bring broadband to rural areas of Germany that currently do not have access. The scheme is aimed at closing the gap in access to affordable broadband services between rural and urban areas. The Commission found that the scheme provides the right incentives to achieve its objectives and that the competition between broadband service providers will be further strengthened.[06] State aid: Commission approves €7 million grant to increase broadband availability in mountainous and isolated areas of Alto Adige in ItalyThe European Commission has approved under the EC Treaty state aid rules a €7 million grant to help bring broadband to areas of Italy in Alto Adige that currently do not have access. The support is aimed at narrowing the gap of access to affordable broadband services between mountainous and urban areas. The Commission found that the public support is justified by the benefits it brings to consumers and by the existence ofe safeguards put in place to preserve competition. This measure complements previous support to broadband in Alto Adige worth €6.9 million which the Commission approved on 10 October 2007.[07] Commissioner Hübner to see impact of Cohesion Policy in Northern Italian regions of Liguria and Emilia-RomagnaDanuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will visit the northern Italian regions of Liguria and Emilia-Romagna on 3-4 July. The visit will provide the Commissioner with a first-hand opportunity to see impacts of EU investment, and to get an understanding of challenges facing these regions in the current programming period. The Commissioner will congratulate both regions on re-directing their programmes for 2007-2013 to new priorities such as innovation and energy efficiency.[08] EU-Russia: first round of negotiations for the new AgreementOn 4 July, the negotiators of the European Commission and the Russian Federation will meet for a first round of talks on the new Agreement in Brussels. During this first meeting negotiators will focus on defining the overall scope of the negotiations, the agenda for the different areas to be covered, and establishing a calendar for the negotiations. The EU delegation is led by the head of the Directorate General for External Relations, Director General Eneko Landaburu. The Russian delegation is headed by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov.[09] Eurobarometer survey on Radioactive Waste: Europeans ask for the implementation of nuclear waste disposal facilities and for the development of a more common European approachAn overwhelming majority of EU citizens call for the concrete implementation of nuclear waste disposal facilities and for the development of a more common European approach in this field. These are some of the key messages expressed in the 2008 Eurobarometer on Radioactive Waste.[10] Social partners' agreement to improve standards for 300,000 maritime workers across EuropeThe European Commission has put forward a proposal to improve working conditions for the estimated 300,000 maritime workers across the EU. The new legislation is based on an EU-level agreement by employers and trade unions in the sector and would incorporate internationally-agreed standards. To mark the agreement, the Social Partners, Commissioner pidla and Vice-President Tajani are meeting today for a public event in the Port of Brussels.[11] Nine editors-in-chief mull future of written press and media pluralism with CommissionEU Media Commissioner Viviane Reding will meet today nine editors-in-chief of European newspapers such as Le Monde (France) and Lidové Noviny (Czech Republic) in what is becoming a staple high-level dialogue on the health of print media. On the agenda: Is the press maintaining high editorial standards online or is there a rush to be first with the news at all costs? Are print journalists being forced to take on too many roles in the multi- platform world of print, web, podcast and video clip and if so, is quality suffering? Do editors-in-chief from old and new Member States have any common views on media pluralism that could help the Commission in its quest to devise indicators for measuring media pluralism? How could public funding of online activities of broadcasters come into conflict with freedom of the press?[12] Consumers: Misleading airline websites named by Danish Consumer OmbudsmanEuropean Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva has welcomed today's decision by the Danish Consumer Ombudsman to publish the names of airline websites which were found to be in breach of EU consumer law during the EU wide 'Airline Sweep' last September (see IP/08/722). The Sweep investigation focused on misleading pricing, availability of offers and unfair contract terms, (such as pre-checked boxes or lack of clear contract terms in the language of the consumer). One in three websites required follow-up action for non-compliance with consumer law. Of the 13 airline carriers and ticket selling websites followed-up on by the Danes, 5 have corrected their sites and one carrier no longer operates air services to Denmark. The websites where problems persist are: Ryanair, Air Berlin, Air Baltic, SkyEurope, Aer Lingus, Brussels Airlines and Seat24. Commissioner Kuneva said: "Europe's consumers are being let down by the airline industry. There are serious and persistent problems with ticket sales throughout the airline industry as a whole. It is completely unacceptable I hope operators have now realised the determination of the European Commission and national authorities to act on behalf of consumers where it is necessary." The Danish Consumer Ombudsman has decided to go public with the names of these websites in the interest of consumers, stating: "Consumers have the right to know where to keep a close watch. I have contacted the carriers in question and made sure that they are aware of the problems that I encountered in the sweep.’ Most of the cases are still pending and are being followed up by the enforcement authorities in the home country of the companies concerned. Work by the national enforcement authorities is being intensified and from May 2009 they will report back on the status of this exercise. The Commission will monitor developments in the airline sector over the coming year and assess the need for further action on that basis.See the Danish press release naming the companies concerned:http://www.forbrug.dk/english/dco/dcopressreleases/news/airsweep08 For background information on the EU airline ticket investigations: IP/08/722; MEMO/08/287 [13] Science and research Commissioner Janez Potočnik visits Montenegro on 3 and 4 July.Commissioner Potočnik's visit to Montenegro follows the official association of Montenegro to the 7th European Research and Development Framework Programme (FP7) which was signed on 25 January 2008 in Brussels. This association allows scientists from Montenegro to collaborate with EU and associated countries scientists on an equal footing. On the 3rd July, Commissioner Potočnik will participate to the closing session of UNESCO conference on Science, Education and innovation dedicated to Western Balkans.On 4 July, Commissioner Potočnik will be in Podgorica, where he will meet the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education and Science, other ministers that are responsible for EU integration and economic policy. He will also meet the Academy of Sciences to promote research cooperation under FP7. [14] Volume of retail trade up by 1.2% in euro areaIn May 2008, compared with April 2008, the volume of retail trade grew by 1.2% in the euro area (EA15) and by 1.3% in the EU27. In April retail trade fell by 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. In May 2008, compared with May 2007, the retail sales index rose by 0.2% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU27.These first estimates come from Eurostat.[15] Rédiffusion[16] Réaction du Président de la Commission européenne, José Manuel Barroso la libération d'Ingrid Betancourt et des autres otages.C’est avec soulagement et joie que je viens d’apprendre la nouvelle de la libération des otages pris par les FARC, parmi lesquelles Ingrid Betancourt. Au nom de la Commission européenne, et en mon nom personnel, je tiens exprimer ma solidarité avec les otages libérés et avec leurs familles. Je leur souhaite un rétablissement rapide. En même temps, je félicite tous celles et ceux qui ont œuvré pour leur libération. En particulier, je veux transmettre au Président de la France, M. Sarkozy, nos sentiments les meilleurs. Nous partageons avec la France la joie de cette libération. Je tiens le féliciter pour tout son engagement qui a rendu possible ce moment. Et je félicite également le Président de la Colombie, M. Uribe, en le remerciant de son action et celle de la Colombie.[17] Commission recommends deadline for correction of excessive deficit in the United KingdomThe European Commission today recommended that EU finance ministers set a deadline of the 2009/10 financial year for the United Kingdom to correct its budget deficit, which is expected to exceed 3% of GDP in the present financial year. This follows the report adopted in June under Article 104(3) of the Treaty and the opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee on that report. The issue is expected to be decided upon by the ECOFIN Council of 8 July.[18] Autre matériel diffuséMEMO on FAQ on Migration and Mobility: Challenges and opportunities for EU education systemsMEMO on FAQ: Improving competences for the 21st Century: an agenda for European Cooperation on Schools Speech by Mr. Leonard Orban "The Latvian Language in the European Union – Multilingualism in Practice" at the Translators' Conference in Riga Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel "The CAP Health Check explained" at the PES Seminar on the Health Check and Legislative Package at the European Parliament Speech by Charlie McCreevy " The Financial Turmoil – the role of the EU- Commission" at the CEPS Breakfast meeting in Brussels Speech by Mariann Fischer Boel "Who will feed the World? The answers from the EU" at the Conference "Who will feed the World?" in Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Trois notifications préalables d'opérations de concentration :
- Berkshire Hathaway/Munich Re/GAUM- Siemens/Orner/JV
- CapMan/Litorina/Cederroth
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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