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Friday, 22 November 2024
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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-07-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/07/08[01] Environment: Commission requests information from Member States on PM10 pollutionThe European Commission has written to 23 Member States to request information on what action they are taking to comply with the EU's air quality standard for dangerous airborne particles known as PM10. These coarse particles, emitted by industry and traffic, can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death. The Commission's action follows the entry into force on 11 June of the major new EU air quality directive, which allows Member States to request limited extra time to meet the PM10 standard under certain conditions.[02] Commission welcomes Council approval of Slovakia's euro adoptionThe European Commission welcomes today's final and formal decision by the ECOFIN Council allowing Slovakia to adopt the euro as from 1 January 2009. On a proposal by the Commission, the Council also decided that the Slovak koruna will be converted into euro at the rate of 30.1260 SKK/EUR. In the coming 5½ months, it will be vital for Slovakia to advance with and complete its technical and practical preparations to ensure that the changeover to the euro takes place smoothly, as it did in Cyprus and Malta at the beginning of this year.[03] Member States endorse Commission proposal to reduce standby electricity consumptionDuring yesterday's meeting of the Ecodesign Regulatory Committee, EU Member States endorsed the Commission's proposal for a regulation reducing standby energy consumption of household and office products. The regulation lays down energy efficiency requirements for all products sold in Europe, thus cutting the EU's standby electricity consumption by almost 75% by 2020.[04] Commissioner Piebalgs welcomes the agreement on the Szeged (HU) – Arad (RO) gas pipelineHungary and Romania have agreed to connect their gas systems for security of supply reasons. The completion of the interconnection between the two transmission systems will strengthen regional security of supply, creating a link that is not dependent on a third country. It will spread confidence throughout Central and Eastern Europe and demonstrates that EU states can make practical improvements to their domestic energy security. The line will follow the Arad - Szeged route.[05] Festivities to celebrate Council decision on euro adoption by SlovakiaToday's ECOFIN Council has taken the formal decision which will pave the way for the introduction of the euro in Slovakia on 1 January 2009. To mark this important decision, festivities will take place in the Rond Point Schuman after the ECOFIN has ended, i.e. around 2.30 p.m., in the presence, among others, of Commissioner Joaquín Almunia and Ján Po iatek, Finance Minister of Slovakia. You are welcome to attend ! (see also IP/08/1113)Rediffusion [06] The Netherlands issues its second annual assurance on spending EU fundsThe European Commission welcomes the Dutch statement of assurance and urges other Member States to follow suit.[07] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Commission's proposals to reduce standby electric power consumption• Memo on Antitrust: Commission welcomes Court of First Instance judgments in plasterboard cartel case • Memo on Antitrust: Commission welcomes the Court of First Instance judgment in organic peroxide cartel case • Memo on Commission welcomes European Parliament vote to strengthen the EU's Single Market for Telecoms but important questions remain open • Speech by Commissioner Kroes on General Block Exemption Regulation for State Aid, Brussels A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Thomas Cook France / Jet Tours
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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