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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-09-10Midday 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[I] Résultats de la Commission du 10 septembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 10 September 2008
[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb10/09/08[I] Résultats de la Commission du 10 septembre 2008 – Outcome of Commission meeting of 10 September 2008[01] EU interim forecasts: sharper-than-expected slowdownEconomic growth is expected to post 1.4% this year in the European Union (1.3% in the euro area) - around ½ percentage point less than forecast in April. The main downside risks identified in the spring forecast have materialised, with the financial turmoil deepening, commodity prices soaring and the shocks to several housing markets spreading more widely. Inflation is expected to average 3.8% in the EU and 3.6% in the euro area this year following the continued strong rise in commodity prices. This represents an upward revision, although inflation could be at a turning point as the impact of past increases in energy and food prices gradually fades in the coming months.[02] State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into €57 million aid to Ford for training project in Craiova, RomaniaThe European Commission has launched a formal investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into Romania's plans to grant public funding worth €57 million (approx. RON 2 billion) for a staff training programme at the Ford Motors car plant in Craiova, in the South West of Romania. The Commission has doubts whether the aid would give rise to additional training over and above what Ford would be likely to carry out in the absence of the aid. The opening of an inquiry gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.[03] State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into proposed €37.5 million restructuring aid to PZL Hydral in PolandThe European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation to establish whether €37.5 million aid (PLN 130.5 million), which Poland intends to grant for the restructuring of PZL Hydral, is in line with the EU Guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (see MEMO/04/172). The Commission has doubts whether the company is eligible for new restructuring aid, as it seems that it has already received state support in the past. The Commission also needs to verify that the notified restructuring plan is sufficient to restore the company's long term viability and whether the envisaged aid is limited to the minimum necessary to enable the restructuring to be undertaken. The Commission has to also verify if the compensatory measures proposed are sufficient and ensure that the aid would not create an undue distortion of competition within the EU. The opening of an in-depth investigation allows interested parties to comment on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.[04] La Commission autorise les aides française et italienne l’autoroute ferroviaire expérimentale entre Lyon et TurinLa Commission européenne a donné aujourd’hui son accord la prolongation des aides française et italienne au projet expérimental d’autoroute ferroviaire entre Aiton et Orbassano sur l’axe Lyon-Turin. Le service est exploité par la société AFA - Autoroute Ferroviaire Alpine - pendant la période 2007-2009.[05] Aide d'Etat: La Commission enquête sur le financement de l'entreprise ferroviaire Danske StatsbanerLa Commission européenne a décidé aujourd'hui d'ouvrir la procédure d'enquête sur deux contrats de service public conclus entre le Ministère danois des transports et l'entreprise ferroviaire Danske Statsbaner afin de déterminer si ces contrats ont conduit des aides d'Etat. Les deux contrats de service public concernent le transport ferroviaire de passagers et portent respectivement sur les périodes 2000-2004 et 2005-2014. La Commission doit veiller ce que les contrats de service public ne conduisent pas surcompenser l'entreprise ferroviaire, ce qui revient lui octroyer des aides d'Etat.[II] Other news - Autres Nouvelles[06] Bruxelles: Débat public sur le rôle du multilinguisme en EuropeLe multilinguisme et le dialogue interculturel seront l’honneur mercredi 10 septembre lors du cinquième débat de Bruxelles organisé dans le contexte de l’Année européenne du dialogue interculturel 2008. Le débat, intitulé Multilingualism – a bridge or a barrier for intercultural dialogue ? (Le multilinguisme – un pont vers le dialogue interculturel ou un obstacle ?), est organisé par la Commission européenne en coopération avec EUNIC (European Union National Institutes for Culture). Il sera ouvert au Residence Palace, 18h30, par le commissaire européen au multilinguisme, M. Leonard Orban.[07] EU Solidarity Fund, Hurricane Dean: Commission proposes aid worth €12.8 million for Martinique, GuadeloupeThe European Commission today proposed to grant aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) amounting to EUR 12.78 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean, which caused severe damage in the French Antilles islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe in August 2007. The aid will contribute to the costs of emergency measures such as rescue services, the clean-up of disaster-stricken areas, and the restoration of basic infrastructure.[08] La Commission Européenne et le groupe BEI lancent l’initiative JASMINE pour développer les institutions de micro-crédits en Europe en faveur de la croissance et de l'emploiDanuta Hübner, la Commissaire en charge de la politique régionale participe la session de clôture de la conférence annuelle du Réseau Européen de la Microfinance (REM) Nice en France, organisé sous l’égide de la Présidence française de l’Union européenne. Les institutions de micro-finance ont choisi cette année de faire le point sur l’initiative lancée par la Commission Européenne en novembre 2007 « pour le développement du microcrédit en faveur de la croissance et de l’emploi ». A cette occasion, Danuta Hübner a annoncé le lancement d’un nouvel instrument qui vise accroître l’offre de micro-crédit en Europe.[09] Commission adopts action plan to facilitate better implementation of animal health strategyThe European Commission, based on a proposal by European Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, adopted today a Communication laying down the Action Plan for the implementation of the EU's animal health strategy. The Action Plan contains the key actions and their indicative timetable. These actions are structured around four pillars. Within the pillar "Prioritisation of EU intervention" the Commission will develop profiling and categorisation of animal disease risks by 2010 which will provide the basis to prioritise actions in order to ensure that interventions and resources can be focused on diseases of high relevance. The pillar "EU Animal Health framework" provides for a proposal for an EU Animal Health Law by 2010 to replace the current series of policy areas with a single regulatory framework. A legislative proposal concerning a harmonised EU framework for responsibility and cost-sharing in detecting and eradicating diseases is planned by 2011. In terms of "Prevention, surveillance and preparedness" the Action Plan focuses on an overall reinforcement of biosecurity measures. It explores the scope to make the fullest use possible of Community funds when addressing actions which will have a positive impact on animal health. Disease surveillance will be stepped up and traceability will be strengthened by 2011. A legislative proposal for better border biosecurity will be adopted by 2010. Finally, the pillar "Science, innovation and research" will provide for enhanced cooperation between key players such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and Joint Research Centre (JRC). Stakeholders can follow the progress of these different actions through the following dedicated website: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/strategy/actionplan_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/strategy/actionplan_en.htm[10] EP, Commission to hold press conference on Eurobarometer survey on climate changeAt a press conference tomorrow (Thursday) the European Parliament and European Commission will announce the results of a special Eurobarometer survey they have commissioned on public attitudes to climate change. The press conference will take place at 10.30 at the European Parliament press room and will be hosted by Guido Sacconi MEP, chairman of the Parliament's Temporary Committee on Climate Change. Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will represent the Commission.Rediffusion [11] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of Agip España by GalpThe European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Agip España, controlled by the ENI Group, by Galp of Portugal. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.[12] Košice sera la Capitale européenne de la culture pour la Slovaquie en 2013.Le jury chargé d’évaluer les villes candidates au titre de “Capitale européenne de la culture 2013” réuni aujourd'hui Bratislava recommande que le titre soit attribué la ville de Košice pour la Slovaquie. Quatre villes restaient en lice après la réunion de présélection en décembre dernier : Košice, Presov, Martin et Nitra. La désignation formelle de Košice par le Conseil des Ministres de l’UE devrait intervenir en Mai 2009.[13] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Questions and Answers on the Action Plan for the implementation of the EU's animal health strategy• Speech by Commissioner Orban 'Brussels debate on "Multilingualism – a bridge or a barrier for intercultural dialogue?', Brussels – EMBARGO 18h30 - • Speech by Commissioner Borg 'The Arctic: a matter of concern to us all', Ilulissat, Greenland A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Haniel/Schmidt-Ruthenbeck/Metro
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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