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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-10-14
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Développement d'une nouvelle énergie pour l'avenir: l’Europe lance
un projet d’un milliard d’euros pour s'assurer une position de tête
dans la course aux piles à combustible et à l’hydrogène
[02] "European citizenship: not just words, but also concrete rights!":
European Union information campaign moving to Germany
[03] Réseau transeuropéen de transport : les Coordonnateurs ont remis au
Vice-président Tajani leurs rapports annuels 2007-2008
[04] Journées RTE-T 2008: le temps du changement?
[05] Industrial production up by 1.1% in euro area
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Befraco by Goldman Sachs and Deutsche
Bank
[07] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of BAS by Capgemini
[08] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of certain OSI Group
Companies by Marfrig
[09] State aid: Commission approves UK support scheme for financial
institutions
[10] State aid: Commission approves revised Irish support scheme for
financial institutions
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2008-10-14
Reference: MEX/08/1014
Date: 14/10/2008
EXME08 / 14.10
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
14/10/08
[01] Développement d'une nouvelle énergie pour l'avenir: l’Europe lance
un projet d’un milliard d’euros pour s'assurer une position de tête
dans la course aux piles à combustible et à l’hydrogène
Aujourd'hui, l’Union européenne et les industriels européens ont
annoncé leurs projets visant à faire des piles à combustible et de
l’hydrogène une des nouvelles technologies de pointe stratégiques dans
le domaine énergétique. La technologie de conversion efficace que
représentent les piles à combustible et le vecteur énergétique propre
que constitue l’hydrogène peuvent aider grandement l’Europe à relever
les défis énergétiques auxquels elle est confrontée. La Commission
européenne, les industriels et les milieux de la recherche européens, qui
constituent ce partenariat public-privé qu'est l’initiative
technologique commune (ITC), investiront ensemble, sur une période de six
ans, près d’un milliard d’euros dans la recherche, le développement
technologique et la démonstration concernant les piles à combustible et
l'hydrogène. L’objectif est de développer avant 2020 un marché de
masse pour ces technologies prometteuses.
[02] "European citizenship: not just words, but also concrete rights!":
European Union information campaign moving to Germany
Today the European Commission launches in Germany the second part of an
information campaign focused on the citizens of the European Union. Under
the slogan "European citizenship is not just words, but also concrete
rights", the campaign, which has taken the shape of a road-show, will visit
59 German cities from 15 to 25 October 2008. Through this campaign, people
will be given information about their rights as citizens of the European
Union, as defined in the Charter of Fundamental rights of the European
Union.
[03] Réseau transeuropéen de transport : les Coordonnateurs ont remis au
Vice-président Tajani leurs rapports annuels 2007-2008
Les huit coordonnateurs européens ont remis leur troisième rapport annuel
au Vice-président Tajani, présentant un état des lieux
détaillé sur les projets prioritaires dont ils ont la charge. Le Vice-
président s'est réjoui de recevoir ces états des lieux: "Les rapports
mettent à disposition de la Commission et des autres Institutions
européennes une analyse détaillée de neufs grands projets européens. Je
constate avec satisfaction les progrès enregistrés depuis un an. Ces
rapports constituent aussi un apport important pour ancrer dans la
réalité la réflexion qui s'engage sur la revue de la politique des
Réseaux Transeuropéens de transport."
[04] Journées RTE-T 2008: le temps du changement?
La Commission européenne lance aujourd'hui une conférence de deux
journées destinée aux parties prenantes pour inaugurer le réexamen de la
politique des réseaux transeuropéens de transport. Le processus de
réexamen portera sur les grands défis que devra relever l'Union
européenne dans les prochaines décennies – changement climatique,
compétitivité, cohésion économique et sociale. L'événement
d'ouverture des journées RTE-T 2008 réunira 500 experts représentant
tous les secteurs des transports, les États membres, les pays candidats et
voisins, les chercheurs et les utilisateurs, les constructeurs et les
investisseurs.
[05] Industrial production up by 1.1% in euro area
In August 2008 compared with July 2008, seasonally adjusted industrial
production grew by 1.1% in the euro area (EA15) and by 0.5% in the EU27. In
July production fell by 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. In August 2008 compared
with August 2007, industrial production decreased by 0.7% in the euro area
and by 1.1% in the EU27. These estimates are released by Eurostat.
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Befraco by Goldman Sachs and Deutsche
Bank
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Beheer- en
Beleggingsmaatschappii Befraco BV (Befraco) of The Netherlands by Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc of the US and Deutsche Bank AG of Germany. Deutsche Bank
is a commercial bank operating worldwide. It offers a wide range of
investment, financial and related products and services to private
individuals, corporate entities and institutional clients. Goldman Sachs is
active worldwide in investment banking, securities and investment services.
Befraco is active in finance leasing. The operation was examined under the
simplified merger review procedure.
Rediffusion
[07] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of BAS by Capgemini
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of Dutch information technology (IT) service provider
Getronics PinkRoccade Business Application Services B.V. (BAS) by Capgemini
S.A of France. 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.
[08] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of certain OSI Group
Companies by Marfrig
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of certain OSI Group Companies located in Europe,
Brazil and Bermuda by Brazilian meat supplier - Marfrig. The Commission
concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective
competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part
of it.
[09] State aid: Commission approves UK support scheme for financial
institutions
The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules a UK
package intended to stabilise the financial markets. The package would
provide new capital to eligible banks and building societies, guarantee
short and medium term debt to encourage inter-bank lending and offer
liquidity to banks under strict conditions. The measures were notified and
assessed over the weekend and approved today under a new accelerated
procedure for emergency rescue measures. The Commission found the measures
to be compatible with EU state aid rules, because they were an appropriate
means to remedy a serious disturbance in the UK economy (Article 87.3.b of
the EC Treaty), while avoiding unnecessary distortions of competition. In
particular, the package provides for non-discriminatory access, is limited
in time and scope and contains safeguards to avoid the abuse of the scheme.
The UK measures are therefore in line with the guidance just issued by the
Commission (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1495&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1495).
[10] State aid: Commission approves revised Irish support scheme for
financial institutions
The European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules an
Irish scheme intended to stabilise the financial markets by providing
guarantees on deposits and debt to eligible banks active on the Irish
market. After intensive contacts with the Commission, the Irish authorities
submitted the finalised scheme on 12th October, addressing issues raised in
the discussions (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/615&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/08/615).
The Commission found the revised scheme to be compatible with EU state aid
rules, because it was an appropriate means to remedy a serious disturbance
in the Irish economy (Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty), while avoiding
unnecessary distortions of competition. In particular, it now provides for
non-discriminatory access to banks with systemic relevance for the Irish
economy, regardless of their origin, fair remuneration of the guarantee, is
limited in time and contains appropriate safeguards to avoid abuses. The
Irish measures are therefore now in line with the guidance just issued by
the Commission (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/1495&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/08/1495).
[11] Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative
• Memo on FAQs on Europe's response to the Financial Crisis
• Memo on State aid: Overview of national rescue measures and deposit
guarantee schemes
• Speech by President Barroso at the 9th Summit of Chairmen of EPP-ED
parliamentary groups in the national parliaments in the EU, Brussels
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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