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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-10-30Midday 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 Communicationb30/10/08[01] October 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area decreases further in OctoberThe Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area fell to values last observed in 2001. The low level of the indicator suggests that industrial activity remains subdued.All five underlying components of the BCI declined. The decline was fairly sharp for managers' production expectations and assessment of total order books and export order books; while their view of stocks of finished products and production trend observed in recent months worsened less.[02] October 2008: Economic sentiment falls significantly in both the EU and the euro areaIn October, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined sharply in both the EU and the euro area. It fell by 7.4 points in the EU and by 7.1 points in the euro area, to 77.5 and 80.4 respectively. In both regions, the ESI recorded its largest month-on-month decline ever to hit its lowest level since 1993.[03] State aid: Commission approves Swedish support schemes for financial institutionsThe European Commission has approved under EC Treaty state aid rules a Swedish rescue package to stabilise financial markets by providing guarantees to eligible financial institutions. The Commission found the scheme to be in line with its Guidance Communication on state aid to overcome the financial crisis (see IP/08/1495). In particular, the beneficiaries will pay an adequate remuneration for the guarantee, which is available on a non-discriminatory basis, is limited in time and scope and contains behavioural safeguards to avoid abuses. The Commission therefore concluded that the package was an adequate means to remedy a serious disturbance of the Swedish economy and as such is in line with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.[04] State aid: Commission approves Portuguese support scheme for financial institutionsThe European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a Portuguese rescue package aimed at stabilising financial markets by providing guarantees to financing operations of eligible credit institutions. The Commission found the scheme to be in line with its Guidance Communication on state aid to overcome the financial crisis (see IP/08/1495). In particular, the guarantee is limited in time and scope, is available on a non-discriminatory basis and beneficiaries will pay a market oriented premium. The Commission therefore concluded that the package was an adequate means to remedy a serious disturbance of the Portuguese economy and as such in line with Article 87.3.b of the EC Treaty.[05]Price transparency and improved safety: more competition and better quality for the air transport sectorImproved safety and price transparency: these are the key features of the new Regulation on the single market for air transport which enters into force on 1 November 2008. It lays down rules for the granting of licences, control of airlines and market access, thereby ensuring more competition in the air transport field and better quality for the public. The new legislation requires airlines to include all taxes and charges in their published ticket prices. This will enable passengers throughout the European Union to be better informed about prices and to compare offers. Price discrimination based on place of residence is banned. [06] WOMEX: European Commission meets music sector professionalsThe European Commission meets with the music industry at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Sevilla, Spain, on 31 October 2008, to discuss modalities to strengthen the capacities of the music sector in developing countries.[07] EU27 regions under the magnifying glassIn which EU region can you find the highest share of the labour force employed in high-tech sectors? Which region has the highest total number of nights spent in hotels? And which region has the lowest rate of road deaths? The answers to these questions and many more are found in the 2008 edition of the Eurostat regional yearbook which is published by Eurosta. The publication gives an overview of the most recent economic, social and demographic developments in the 271 regions2 of the 27 Member States of the European Union as well as in regions in the three candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey) and the four EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). The Eurostat regional yearbook 2008 includes chapters on population, urban statistics, GDP, household accounts, structural business statistics, labour market, transport, tourism, science, technology & innovation, health and agriculture. The publication also contains two new subjects; labour costs and sectoral productivity. The latter was written by the European Commission Directorate-General for Regional Policy.[08] Commission clears acquisition of KVT by King and CapvisThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Koenig Verbindungstechnik AG (KVT) of Switzerland by King Luxemburg SARL (King) of Luxembourg and Capvis General Partner III Ltd (Capvis III) of the United Kingdom. King is a private equity fund. Capvis III is a private equity fund. KVT produces industrial fasteners and expanders. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] Commissioner Dimas to hold meetings on 2009 EU presidency environmental prioritiesEuropean Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas will hold talks in Prague on 30-31 October as part of preparations for next year's EU presidencies of the Czech Republic and Sweden. Commissioner Dimas will also give the welcome speech at the European regional meeting on sustainable consumption and production, organised by the Czech ministry of environment and the European Commission, on Thursday evening and the keynote speech at a conference on climate change hosted by the future Czech EU presidency on Friday morning. Commissioner Dimas will hold talks with Czech deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Martin Bursik on the Czech Republic's environmental agenda for its EU presidency in the first half of 2009. He will also meet Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren to discuss Sweden's environmental programme for its EU presidency in the second half of next year. The visit to Prague will conclude with a dinner with former Czech President Vaclav Havel on Friday evening. Commissioner Dimas will take part in a press conference at midday on Friday at the Czech University of Life Sciences following the climate change conference.Rediffusion [10] European automotive policy: For job security and green and affordable carsConcerned about the employment situation in the European automotive sector CARS 21 stakeholders have met for a High Level Conference and agreed on conclusions on how to foster a competitive European car industry. All participants shared the need to position European car industry as global leader in clean, safe and affordable vehicles as they way ahead for safeguarding jobs and living up to the climate change challenge. The conference underlined that carmakers in the EU need to be able to compete on fair terms in international markets. A task force to promote "green" cars will be set up, which should bring together all relevant stakeholders to explore technical, regulatory and economic hurdles and suggest ways forward for such vehicles.[11] Le Commissaire européen, Louis Michel, en charge du développement et de l'aide humanitaire se rendra en République Démocratique du Congo le mercredi 29 et le jeudi 30 octobre 2008.Cette visite permettra au Commissaire de s'entretenir avec les autorités congolaises sur la situation dans le Nord Kivu sous les différents aspects, humanitaire, politique, sécuritaire et de développement. Ce sera aussi l'occasion de prendre contact avec le nouveau gouvernement et de faire le point sur la coopération bilatérale entre l'UE et la RDC. Le Commissaire procédera à la signature du PIN (Programme Indicatif National) du 10eme Fonds Européens du Développement pour un montant de 514 millions d'euros. Lors de la mission une réunion est attendue entre le Commissaire Michel et le Président Joseph Kabila ainsi qu'avec d'autres hauts responsables politiques congolais et les représentants de la Communauté Internationale.[12] <!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF -- ><!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF --><!-- PRV_ENDREF -- >• Memo on Antitrust: Commission inspection of incumbent telecom operator in Poland Telekomunikacja Polska S.A.• Memo on A new framework for air services in the European Union • Speech by Commissioner Vassiliou 'Future challenges for EU health policies' • Speech by President Barroso 'From financial crisis to recovery: A European framework for action' • Speech by Commissioner Piebalgs 'Defining Europe's energy strategy' • Speech by Commissioner Potocnik 'The Dutch research challenge is Europe's challenge' - EMBARGO 16h • Speech by Vice President Barrot 'L'Asile, un devoir pour l'Europe'
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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