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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-06-07
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 16 mai 2006 - Outcome of Commission
meeting of 16 May 2006
[01] Aides d’Etat et liberté d’établissement : La Commission
réexamine la compensation financière pour la distribution du livret bleu
; ouvre une procédure d’infraction sur les droits spéciaux de
distribution des livrets A et bleu
[02] Oceans and seas: Commission sets a new vision for Integrated Maritime
Policy
[03] European Commission authorises Dutch aid to promote the European Train
Control System
[04] Transport aérien / Régions ultrapériphériques: la Commission
européenne autorise l’extension d’une aide française caractère
social pour les passagers aériens de la Réunion
[05] The European Commission authorizes a State guarantee for the financing
of new rail infrastructure in Ireland
[06] GALILEO: la Commission dresse l’état des lieux
[07] The Commission fully assumes political responsibility for management
in 2005
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[08] Commission clears acquisition of Moto UK by Macquarie, Westscheme,
Statewide, MTAA and ARF
[09] Commission clears acquisition of SSP by EQT
[10] April 2006 compared to April 2005 - Volume of retail trade up by 2.8%
in euro area - up by 3.8% in EU25
[11] EU-Iraq: a new chapter
[12] EU and US continue to work jointly on biotechnology research
[13] Crisis distillation of wine to be opened in France and Italy
[14] Vice-President Margot Wallström to visit Poland, 8-9 June 2006
[15] Rédiffusion
[16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Tele Pizza by CVC
[17] Mergers: Commission approves takeover of BOC by Linde, subject to
conditions
[18] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Carmen by Boeing
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-06-07
Reference: MEX/06/0607
Date: 07/06/2006
EXME06 / 7.6
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
07/06/06
[I] Résultats de la Commission du 16 mai 2006 - Outcome of Commission
meeting of 16 May 2006
[01] Aides d’Etat et liberté d’établissement : La Commission
réexamine la compensation financière pour la distribution du livret bleu
; ouvre une procédure d’infraction sur les droits spéciaux de
distribution des livrets A et bleu
La Commission européenne a adressé aujourd’hui la France deux
décisions concernant les livrets A et bleu, distinctes mais
complémentaires: une enquête aide d’Etat limitée au livret bleu, et
une procédure d’infraction relative aux droits spéciaux accordés pour
les livrets A et bleu. En matière d’aide d’Etat, la Commission
poursuit une enquête concernant la compensation octroyée par l’Etat au
Crédit Mutuel pour distribuer le livret bleu pour établir s’il y aurait
une surcompensation. En ce qui concerne les droits spéciaux octroyés La
Poste, aux Caisses d’Epargne et au Crédit Mutuel pour distribuer les
livrets A et bleu, la Commission a décidé d’envoyer une lettre de mise
en demeure invitant la France lui communiquer ses observations sur leur
justification. La Commission craint en effet que ces droits spéciaux ne
soient contraires aux dispositions du traité en imposant des obstacles
la liberté d’établissement et la libre prestation de services (les
articles 43 et 49). Ces décisions n’impliquent aucun changement dans le
fonctionnement de ces livrets pour les particuliers.
[02] Oceans and seas: Commission sets a new vision for Integrated Maritime
Policy
The European Commission is today publishing a Green Paper entitled,
“Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for
the oceans and seas” asking citizens how they want to deal with oceans
and seas and launching one of the largest consultation exercise in the
EU’s history. The audition responds to a growing awareness both of the
vital role which the sea already plays as a driver of Europe’s prosperity,
and of its potential for providing more jobs and greater well-being. The
results of this exercise will help the Commission define a new vision for
an Integrated Maritime Policy.
[03] European Commission authorises Dutch aid to promote the European Train
Control System
The Dutch aid measure approved today by the European Commission will
promote railway freight transport by supporting the installation of the new
European standard for train control. The Commission considers this measure
compatible with the proper functioning of the common market.
[04] Transport aérien / Régions ultrapériphériques: la Commission
européenne autorise l’extension d’une aide française caractère
social pour les passagers aériens de la Réunion
La Commission a décidé aujourd’hui d’autoriser la modification d’un
régime d’aide d’Etat caractère social, couvrant la même période
de ceci au bénéfice de certaines catégories de passagers qui
souhaitent rejoindre la France métropolitaine partir de l’île de la
Réunion. Cette modification doit permettre de répondre de manière plus
efficace au désavantage permanent dont souffrent les habitants de cette
île, en ce qu’ils sont confrontés des coûts de transport bien plus
élevés que les habitants de France métropolitaine.
[05] The European Commission authorizes a State guarantee for the financing
of new rail infrastructure in Ireland
The Commission has today decided that the State guarantee which Ireland
grants to Cor s Iompair Eirann, the Irish transportation board, for the
financing of new rail infrastructure, does not constitute State aid.
Accordingly, it has not raised any objections to this measure, which
Ireland had notified in 2004.
[06] GALILEO: la Commission dresse l’état des lieux
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd’hui une communication sur
l’état des lieux du programme GALILEO de radionavigation par satellite.
Le document décrit les principaux éléments de cet ambitieux projet
européen et comprend un calendrier consolidé de mise en oeuvre. Il sera
transmis au Parlement européen, au Conseil, au Comité économique et
social européen ainsi qu’au Comité des régions.
[07] The Commission fully assumes political responsibility for management
in 2005
Following the European Parliament and the European Court of Auditors
encouragement, the Commission has further formalised the expression of its
political responsibility for management of the EU budget, in accordance
with article 274 of the Treaty. Today, with the adoption of its Synthesis
report for 2005, the Commission has made it clear beyond any doubt that it
fully assumes its duties and obligations in this regard. Overall, the
Commission considers that the internal control systems in place provide
reasonable assurance on the legality and regularity of operations, with the
limitations expressed in the reservations made by the Commission’s
Directors-General in their annual activity reports.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[08] Commission clears acquisition of Moto UK by Macquarie, Westscheme,
Statewide, MTAA and ARF
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Moto Hospitality Limited
and Pavilion Services Group Limited (together Moto UK) of the UK by
Macquarie Bank Limited (Macquarie) of the UK and Australian enterprises
Westscheme Proprietary Limited (Westscheme), Statewide Superannuation
Proprietary Limited (Statewide), Motor Trades Association of Australia
Superannuation Fund Proprietary Limited (MTAA), and Australian Retirement
Fund Proprietary Limited (ARF). The Moto UK companies are active in
motorway service areas and trunk road service areas, (including restaurants
and fuel and forecourt retailing) in Great Britain under the brand name
Moto and are currently part of Select Service Partner, the concession
catering business of Compass Group PLC. Macquarie is a diversified provider
of specialist financial and investment banking services. Each of the other
investors is an Australia-based superannuation/retirement fund. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[09] Commission clears acquisition of SSP by EQT
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of part of Select Service
Partner and the whole of Create Host Services, known together as SSP of the
UK and both belonging to the Compass Group PLC, by EQT IV Ltd (EQT) of the
Channel Islands. EQT is a private equity fund, investing mainly in Northern
Europe. SSP is active in the operation of catering and retail units in over
550 sites, primarily airports and railway stations, across 26 countries.
The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[10] April 2006 compared to April 2005 - Volume of retail trade up by 2.8%
in euro area - up by 3.8% in EU25
In April 2006, compared to April 2005, the volume of retail tradegrew by
2.8% in the euro area and by 3.8% in the EU25. Compared to March 2006, the
retail sales index rose by 1.4% in the euro area and by 1.1% in the EU25.
In April 2006, compared to April 2005, retail trade of “food, drinks and
tobacco” gained 1.9% in the euro area and 2.6% in the EU25. The non food
sector increased by 3.2% and by 4.6% respectively. Among the Member States
for which data are available, total retail trade rose in Estonia (+17.0%),
Latvia (+16.6%), Sweden (+12.5%), Luxembourg (+9.7%), Slovakia (+9.1%),
Poland (+7.8%), Finland (+7.6%), Slovenia (+5.5%), Lithuania (+5.0%), the
United Kingdom (+4.8%), Austria (+4.3%), Denmark (+4.0%), Portugal (+3.1%),
Germany (+2.8%), France (+2.4%) and Belgium (+1.9%), while it remained
stable in Spain. In April 2006, compared with March 2006, “food, drinks
and tobacco” gained 1.1% in the euro area and 0.7% in the EU25. The non
food sector increased by 1.5% in the euro area and by 0.9% in the EU25.
Among the Member States for which data are available, total retail trade
increased in Slovenia (+4.4%), Luxembourg (+2.9%), Germany (+2.8%), Estonia
and Poland (both +2.5%), Belgium (+2.1%), Sweden (+1.8%), Austria (+1.6%),
Finland (+1.5%), Latvia and Portugal (both +1.0%), France (+0.9%), the
United Kingdom (+0.4%) and Slovakia (+0.2%), remained stable in Denmark,
while falls were recorded only in Lithuania (-1.4%) and Spain (-0.6%).
These first estimates come from Eurostat.
[11] EU-Iraq: a new chapter
The formation of Iraq’s new government gives the EU an opportunity to
open a new chapter in its relations with Iraq. The European Commission has
examined how the EU can step up its engagement with the country and is
today presenting a number of recommendations with a special focus on
consolidating democracy and building Iraq’s economy. The aim is to
strengthen the EU’s partnership with the Iraqi leadership, focussing on
areas where the EU has a particular value added to offer. A critical factor
for EU engagement will be an improvement in security conditions. Once the
plan set out in today’s Communication, has been discussed with the
Council and the European Parliament, it is intended to provide the basis
for an EU-wide strategy.
[12] EU and US continue to work jointly on biotechnology research
On the occasion of a visit on 8 June to the United States of America, Janez
Potočnik European Science and Research Commissioner, will sign the renewal
of an administrative arrangement for the EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology
Research. Since 1990 this task force has fostered the transatlantic
dialogue of the European Commission with the US government to underline
Europe’s role as an important global player in life sciences and
biotechnology research. Within the new ERA-LINK scheme the Commissioner
will also meet European scientists working in the US to inform them about
latest developments in the European Research Area (ERA).
[13] Crisis distillation of wine to be opened in France and Italy
The Wine Management Committee voted today on proposals from the European
Commission to open crisis distillation of wine in France and Italy. For
France a maximum of 1.5 million hectolitres of table wine and of 1.5
million hectolitres of quality wine can be offered for crisis distillation.
For Italy crisis distillation has been opened for a maximum quantity of 2.5
million hectolitres of table wine and 100,000 hectolitres of quality wine.
Further demands from Spain and Greece are still under examination.
[14] Vice-President Margot Wallström to visit Poland, 8-9 June 2006
On 8 and 9 June Margot Wallström will visit Poland in the framework of the
European Commission's Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate. During
these 2 days she will meet with political leaders: President Lech Kaczynski,
Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga and
Marshal of the Sejm Marek Jurek, and opposition leaders - Jan Rokita and
Wojciech Olejniczak. She will also use the visit to meet Polish NGO's,
students and citizens to discuss Poland´s place in the EU during several
events: Café babel debate in Warsaw, meeting with students of the College
of Europe, and a meeting with NGOs in Krakow.
[15] Rédiffusion
[16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Tele Pizza by CVC
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of sole control of Tele Pizza, a Spanish company
active in the fast food sector, by CVC, which is specialised in managing
investment funds. CVC will acquire sole control by way of a public bid. The
Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede
effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any
substantial part of it.
[17] Mergers: Commission approves takeover of BOC by Linde, subject to
conditions
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed takeover of the UK-based BOC by the German company Linde. Both
companies are active in industrial and specialty gases. The initial market
investigation found that the proposed acquisition could have created
significant competition problems by removing an important competitor of
Linde on a number of gas markets. These competition concerns are removed by
the remedy package offered by the parties which includes the divestiture of
Linde’s industrial gases business in the UK and BOC’s industrial and
specialty gases business in Poland. The approval is further conditional on
divesting several helium wholesale supply contracts of both Linde and BOC.
Linde will also break its structural link with Air Liquide in a number of
Asian Joint Ventures. In the light of these commitments, the Commission has
concluded that the proposed operation would not significantly impede
effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any
substantial part of it.
[18] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Carmen by Boeing
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of Carmen Systems AB, of Sweden by The Boeing Company
of the US. Both Carmen and Boeing are active in the provision of software-
based logistical services to airlines. The Commission concluded that the
transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the
European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on «The European Neighbourhood Policy:
bringing our neighbours closer” at the 10th Euro-Mediterranean Economic
Transition Conference in Brussels
Discours de Olli Rehn “Elaborer un nouveau consensus sur l’élargissement”
la Délégation de l’Assemblée nationale de l’Union européenne
Paris
Questions and answers on Maritime Policy in the EU
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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