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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-08-01
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Agreement reached to liberalise trade in Agricultural and Fishery
Products between the EU and Israel
[02] Commission proposes to revise the regulation on ozone-depleting
substances
[03] Environment: Capsized ferry in Philippines - joint EU and UN
assessment report presented to Philippine authorities
[04] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Angola
[05] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Rwanda
[06] State aid: Commission closes investigation into tax benefits for
Hungarian steel producer Dunaferr
[07] The European Commission adopts its second monitoring and evaluation
report about the operation of Council Common Position 2005/96/JHA on the
exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with Interpol.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of JOST by Cinven
[09] Commission publishes analyses of world agricultural commodity markets
[10] Vacancy for Deputy Director at the International Olive Council
[11] Wine reform enters into force on 1 August 2008
[12] Household saving rate at 13.7% in the euro area and 10.0% in the EU27
[13] Rédiffusion
[14] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands
plant by Ineos
[15] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of joint control
over Siemens Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co by Siemens and
Ortner
[16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Grampian by VION
[17] Statement by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission on the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Italian
Parliament
[18] European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis
Michel, urges all parties in Zimbabwean negotiations to stick to promises
to renounce violence and support humanitarian access.
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2008-08-01
Reference: MEX/08/0801
Date: 01/08/2008
EXME08 / 01.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
01/08/08
[01] Agreement reached to liberalise trade in Agricultural and Fishery
Products between the EU and Israel
Negotiators have reached a preliminary agreement to further liberalise
trade in agricultural and processed agricultural products and fish and
fishery products between the European Union and the State of Israel,
following technical verification of the Common Understanding reached
on 30 April 2008 in Bet-Dagan (Israel) on bilateral tariff concessions.
This will form the basis of a future agreement, subject to completion of
both sides' internal procedures. The new trade concessions represent a
major step forward in the integration of the EU and Israeli markets.
[02] Commission proposes to revise the regulation on ozone-depleting
substances
The European Commission presented today a proposal to revise the current
legislation on the protection of the ozone layer. The revision is intended
to simplify the current legislation and reflect the progress made in
phasing out ozone-depleting substances in the European Union, to allow the
EU to continue leading the global battle to protect and restore the ozone
layer. Despite the good progress made so far, the Commission stresses that
a number of challenges remain – some closely related to climate change
– and that these challenges need to be addressed in the EU and globally.
The ozone layer is expected to recover to pre-1980 levels by 2050-2075.
[03] Environment: Capsized ferry in Philippines - joint EU and UN
assessment report presented to Philippine authorities
The report of the joint EU-UN expert team deployed to assess the situation
of the 'Princess of the Stars' ferry that capsized on 21 June – causing
nearly 800 deaths – and which contained highly toxic chemicals, was
presented to the Philippine authorities today. The report confirms the
presence of large quantities of five pesticides and other toxic substances,
and recommends improvements to water, sediment and air monitoring, and the
establishment of a bio-monitoring programme. The report also stresses the
need for a comprehensive disposal plan to be in place before the start of
any salvage operation.
[04] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Angola
The European Commission will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission
(EOM) for the legislative elections in Angola scheduled to take place on 5
September 2008. The EU EOM, which will deploy over 90 observers, will be
led by Mrs. Luisa Morgantini, Member of the European Parliament and is a
further contribution by the European Commission to supporting democracy in
Angola. The core team arrived in the country on the 29th of July.
[05] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Rwanda
The European Commission will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission
(EOM) for the legislative elections in Rwanda scheduled to take place on 15
– 18 September 2008. The EU EOM has arrived in the country and is a
further contribution by the European Commission to supporting democracy in
Rwanda. It will be led by Mr Michael Cashman, Member of the European
Parliament.
[06] State aid: Commission closes investigation into tax benefits for
Hungarian steel producer Dunaferr
The European Commission has closed its in-depth investigation, initiated in
April 2008 (see IP/08/595) under the EC Treaty state aid rules, into
investment aid in the from of a tax relief for Dunaferr, the largest
Hungarian steel producer, part of the Donbass/Duferco group. Since the
Hungarian authorities informed the Commission that Dunaferr was no longer
eligible for the aid and it had not been paid out yet, the investigation
has become without object.
[07] The European Commission adopts its second monitoring and evaluation
report about the operation of Council Common Position 2005/96/JHA on the
exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with Interpol.
The European Commission has adopted its second monitoring and evaluation
report the operation of a Common Position that obliges Member States to
exchange data about lost and stolen passports with Interpol. The report
shows that all Member States now contribute to and search Interpol's Lost &
Stolen Travel Document database.
[08] Commission clears acquisition of JOST by Cinven
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of JOST Holdings GmbH by
Cintinori, an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of funds under the
management of Cinven Limited. Cinven, a whole-owned subsidiary of Cinven
Group Limited, provides investment management and advisory services to
investment funds. JOST is the ultimate parent company of JOST group and
manufactures components for the truck and trailer industry. The operation
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[09] Commission publishes analyses of world agricultural commodity markets
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture has just
published two analyses of world agricultural commodity markets. One report,
"High prices on agricultural commodity markets: situation and prospects",
reviews the causes of recent high prices and provides a summary of the
outlook for world agricultural markets. The second report, "Agricultural
commodity markets - Outlook 2008-2017", provides a more complete
comparative analysis of the outlook published by OECD-FAO, FAPRI and the
USDA. The reports are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/tradepol/index_en.htm
[10] Vacancy for Deputy Director at the International Olive Council
As the intergovernmental organisation in charge of administering the 2005
International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, the International
Olive Council (IOC) is a unique multilateral organisation working for world
olive farming. The European Community is a member of the IOC, where it
represents 27 Member States and makes a substantial contribution to its
operational budgets. A vacancy has now arisen for the post of Deputy
Director responsible for administration and financial affairs, studies and
evaluations, until November 2010, subsequently to be appointed Executive
Director until 2014. The post is based in Madrid in the IOC Executive
Secretariat, whose job it is to help the Council of Members and its
Committees carry through the duties they are assigned under the
International Agreement. EU citizens are invited to find out more from the
Vacancy Notice and application details published today on the following
website:
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ioc/vacancy_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ioc/vacancy_en.htm
[11] Wine reform enters into force on 1 August 2008
Today marks the entry into force of the wide-ranging reform of the Common
Market Organisation for wine on which agriculture ministers reached
agreement in December 2007. The changes will bring balance to the wine
market, phase out wasteful and expensive market intervention measures and
allow the budget to be used for more positive, proactive measures which
will boost the competitiveness of European wines. The reform provides for a
fast restructuring of the wine sector in that it includes a voluntary,
three-year grubbing-up scheme to provide an alternative for uncompetitive
producers and to remove surplus and uncompetitive wine from the market.
Subsidies for crisis distillation and potable alcohol distillation will be
phased out and the money, allocated in national envelopes, can be used for
measures like wine promotion on third country markets, innovation,
restructuring and modernisation of vineyards and cellars. The reform will
ensure environmental protection in wine-growing regions, safeguard
traditional and well-established quality policies and simplify labelling
rules, for the benefit of producers and consumers alike. The very
restrictive planting rights system will also be abolished at EU level from
1 January 2016 onwards. Most of the measures in the reform package come
into force on 1 August 2008. Those relating to labelling, wine-making
practices and Geographical Indications enter into force on 1 August 2009.
[12] Household saving rate at 13.7% in the euro area and 10.0% in the EU27
Eurostat and the European Central Bank (ECB) release a detailed set of
quarterly European sector accounts. This Eurostat News Release focuses on
three key indicators: the household saving rate, and the investment rate
and profit share of non-financial businesses. Developments in the euro area
are detailed in an annex.
[13] Rédiffusion
[14] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands
plant by Ineos
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands plant, a UK plant active in the
production of intermediate chemicals, by Ineos. 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.
[15] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of joint control
over Siemens Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co by Siemens and
Ortner
The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of joint control of the Austrian undertaking Siemens
Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co (B&I KG) by Ortner Group (also
of Austria) and Siemens AG of Germany. 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.
[16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Grampian by VION
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the
proposed acquisition of Grampian of the United Kingdom, by VION of the
Netherlands. 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.
[17] Statement by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission on the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Italian
Parliament
I would like to congratulate Italy on the successful approval of the Treaty
of Lisbon by the Parliament today. I had the pleasure to attend the recent
debate on the Treaty in the Italian Senate. As a founding country, both the
Italian Government and a broad political spectrum in Parliament have shown
unwavering support for the European project and the successful ratification
of the Treaty of Lisbon. I greatly appreciate the support that they have
shown. I welcome that member states have continued to move the ratification
process forward so that all Member States are heard during the ratification
process.
[18] European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis
Michel, urges all parties in Zimbabwean negotiations to stick to promises
to renounce violence and support humanitarian access.
The Memorandum of Understanding, agreed between Robert Mugabe and Morgan
Tsvangirai more than one week ago (21st July 2008), sets out clear interim
measures to be taken immediately. These measures include the condemnation
and end to all political violence as well as the immediate opening-up of
the humanitarian space across the country. International humanitarian aid,
including substantial assistance from the European Commission, has been
blocked since the run-up to the Presidential run-off more than one month
ago. Commissioner Michel stated, "The signing by Robert Mugabe and the
opposition leaders of the MDC of a Memorandum of Understanding last week is
an important step towards a genuine political solution to the current
crisis in Zimbabwe. We sincerely hope that the ongoing negotiations between
the Zimbabwean parties will succeed. However, this must be translated into
concrete acts on the ground quickly in order to bring back confidence and
establish a genuine climate of reconciliation. I am concerned about the
continued widespread violence and intimidation. I am also deeply worried
about the persistent restrictions imposed to humanitarian activities. This
situation is unacceptable and is putting thousands of innocent civilian
lives, including women and children, at risk. I therefore call upon the
Zimbabwean authorities to denounce and abandon violence and to provide
unfettered humanitarian access across the country in order to deliver much
needed aid to the most vulnerable. The full application of these measures
is essential to create the proper environment for conducive and much needed
negotiations aimed at ending the political crisis in Zimbabwe."
[19] Autre matériel diffusé
Memo: Commissioner Kroes welcomes amendments in EDF/Exeltium announced
framework
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Une notification préalable d'opération de concentration :
- Parcom / Bakkersland
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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