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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-09-15Midday 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 Communicationb15/09/08[01] European Union sends Election Observation Mission to EcuadorFollowing invitations from the Ecuadorian state and electoral authorities, the European Commission has decided to deploy a European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Ecuador to observe the Referendum on a new Constitution, scheduled for 28 September. The EU EOM will be led by José Ribeiro e Castro, Member of the European Parliament.[02] European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) begins its workThe European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the EU's flagship initiative for boosting innovation in Europe, marks the launch of its activities with the first meeting of its recently appointed Governing Board. The meeting, which takes place today in the Institute's host city of Budapest, will be preceded by a ceremonial opening in the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel', among others.[03] La Commissaire Hübner en Champagne-Ardenne (France) : vers une nouvelle gouvernance pour l'EuropeLa Commissaire européenne la politique régionale, Mme Danuta Hübner, est en visite dans la région Champagne-Ardenne, l’invitation du député européen, Jean-Marie Beaupuy et du préfet de la région, M. Gérard Moisselin. A Reims, la Commissaire interviendra dans un colloque du Parlement européen sur la gouvernance des territoires, c'est- -dire la répartition des compétences entre les niveaux européen, national, régional et local au sein d’un même territoire. Les autorités régionales profiteront de la présence de la Commissaire pour l’accompagner sur le site de projets bénéficiant du soutien des fonds européens. D’ici 2013, 185 millions d’euros seront investis dans la région Champagne-Ardenne travers le seul Fonds européen de développement régional (FEDER).[04] Louis Michel calls for respect of international humanitarian law in Sri LankaLouis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, has expressed his grave concern over the escalation of the conflict in Sri Lanka and the effects on innocent civilians.[05] L’UE propose une importante mise jour du pacte commercial sur les produits des technologies de l’informationLa Commission européenne a présenté aujourd’hui l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) sa proposition visant mettre jour et élargir l’Accord sur les technologies de l’information (ATI), accord conclu entre les principales puissances commerciales du monde en vue de réduire le coût des produits des technologies de l’information. La proposition entend tenir compte des nouveaux produits apparus sur le marché depuis la signature de l’accord en 1996, en vue d’éliminer les droits de douane sur ces produits. Il s’agit également de trouver des solutions aux problèmes liés aux barrières non tarifaires «appliquées après la frontière», ainsi qu’ ceux dus au non-fonctionnement de certaines procédures et de certains mécanismes prévus par l’accord actuel. La Commission espère que d’autres membres de l’OMC participeront rapidement aux discussions.[06] Euro area labour costs rose by 2.7%Total hourly labour costs in the euro area (EA15) rose by 2.7% in nominal terms in the year up to the second quarter of 2008, compared with 3.5% for the previous quarter. In the EU27, the annual rise was 3.4% up to the second quarter of 2008, compared with 4.4% for the previous quarter. The two main components of labour costs are wages & salaries and non-wage costs. In the euro area, wages & salaries grew by 2.8% in the year up to the second quarter of 2008, and non-wage costs by 2.2%, compared with 3.7% and 2.7% respectively for the first quarter of 2008. In the EU27, wages & salaries rose by 3.6% and the non-wage component by 2.6%. For the previous quarter the corresponding rates were 4.7% and 3.3%. The breakdown by economic activity shows that in the euro area hourly labour costs rose at an annual rate of 3.0% in industry, 3.8% in construction and 2.3% in services up to the second quarter of 2008. In the EU27, labour costs grew by 3.8% in industry, 4.6% in construction and 3.0% in services. These figures come from Eurostat.[07] The euro seen by those who have grown with itAs part of the celebrations of 10 years of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), euro area schoolchildren between 10 and 14 years are invited to participate in a competition designed to show how they see the euro. Children from the age group in question have had the euro for most of their lives. The Eurocompetition (www.eurocompetition.net) consists in designing a poster on the theme "10 years of EMU and the euro". It is open from 15 September until 31 December 2008. The competition is expected to stimulate debate about the euro, raise awareness of its benefits and of the changes it has triggered in our daily lives. The Eurocompetition website provides material on the euro and EMU to help with the debate. Further information can be obtained from: <a href="mailto:eurocompetition@eun.org">eurocompetition@eun.org[08] Consumers: Commissioner Kuneva launches the Europa School DiaryConsumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva today launched the 2008/09 Europa School Diary, the fifth edition of this highly popular educational tool for young EU consumers. The Diary offers students information on a wide range of topics of specific concern to them, such as travel, nutrition, drugs, money matters, environment and sustainable consumption. It also seeks to address the identified gap in young peoples' knowledge when it comes to consumer rights and information. The Europa Diary is accompanied by a teachers' guide containing background information on different consumer topics, exercises to test students’ understanding, questions for discussion and suggested research projects. Both the Diary and the teacher's guide are available in all EU languages and for all Member states. Almost 3 million orders for the Diary have already been submitted for this year's edition of the Diary, by over 17 600 schools across the EU, highlighting the success of this educational tool. Schools and teachers are invited to order online the number of copies they need each year by the middle of February and they then receive the diaries for free before the start of the school year. For more information see: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/empowerment/cons_education_en.htm#diary">http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/empowerment/cons_education_en.htm#diary[09] Commission clears acquisition of Fording Canadian Coal Trust by Teck ComincoThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Fording Canadian Coal Trust (Fording) of Canada and therefore Fording's interest in the Elk Valley Coal Partnership (EVCP) by Teck Cominco Limited (Teck), also of Canada. Teck is active in the mining, smelting and refining of zinc and the production of other metals and by-products through its mining activities. Fording is a mutual trust fund established in connection with the creation of EVCP, which produces coking coal from its mines in Canada. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[10] Commission clears acquisition of Intergen by GMR Malta and OTPPBThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of InterGen N.V of The Netherlands by GMR Infrastructure Ltd. (GMR Malta), belonging to the GMR group of India, and OTPPB Power controlled by the Ontario Teachers` Pension Plan Board (OTPPB) of Canada. GMR is a corporate group active in four main business areas - airports, energy, roads and urban infrastructure. OTPPB is responsible for investing the pension fund assets of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and administering the pensions of Ontario's active and retired teachers. InterGen develops and operates electricity generation facilities worldwide. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[11] Commission clears acquisition of SAV Germany by Indaver and NEIFThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of SAV Betiligungs GmbH and SAV Verwaltungs GmbH (together SAV Germany) by Indaver NV of Belgium and NEIF Infrastructure Investments Holding I BV (NEIF) of The Netherlands, controlled by JC Flowers (JCF) of the US. Indaver provides waste management solutions and integrated services in Europe. NEIF is an investment fund and subsidiary of NIBC, a merchant bank offering corporate financial services. JCF is a consultancy and private equity fund company. SAV is active in hazardous waste management, mainly in Germany. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[12] Commission clears joint venture between Mitsui and Bamesa CelikThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the joint venture between Mitsui & Co. Europe and Bamesa Celik Service Sanayi ve Ticaret (Bamesa Celik) of Turkey. The newly created joint venture, Bami Celik Service Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (Bami) will process steel in Turkey. Mitsui operates in the worldwide trading of a number of commodities, including steel products. Bamesa Celik processes and distributes steel. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[13] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on State aid: Commission confirms receipt of restructuring plan for Szczecin shipyard and joint restructuring plan for Gdynia and Gdansk shipyards• Memo Accord sur les technologies de l’information (ATI) • Memo France – Programme opérationnel 2007-2013: Champagne-Ardenne • Speech by Commissioner Potočnik ' Innovation and Research: SMEs are the DNA of European economy. How to support them more and better?', Paris A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration : Marfrig/OSI Group Companies
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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