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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 98-04-29

Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>

MIDDAY EXPRESS

News from the Spokesman's midday briefing

Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Porte-Paroleb

29/04/98


CONTENTS / CONTENU

[I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

  • [01] Preliminary draft budget 1999 : political priorities achieved in a rigorous framework
  • [02] La Commission adopte un nouveau programme d'action sociale 1998-2000
  • [03] La Commission propose d'éliminer les risques de dumping social dans les transports de passagers par ferry
  • [04] Increased focus on energy efficiency following Kyoto
  • [05] La Commission propose des mesures de lutte contre la fraude dans le domaine des accises
  • [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

  • [06] Commission approves the GE Seaco joint venture between GE Capital Services and Sea Containers Ltd
  • [07] Commission approves the leveraged management buy-out of BTR's Formica business by three investment banks
  • [08] Fonds structurels en Italie : Mme Wulf-Mathies se félicite de la révision à mi-parcours
  • [09] EU calls for WTO debate on electronic commerce
  • [10] Vincent Cochetel abducted three months ago

  • [I] Résultats de la Commission de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting

    [01] Preliminary draft budget 1999 : political priorities achieved in a rigorous framework

    The European Commission has adopted preliminary draft budget for the year 1999, in line with the Commission's political orientations in January 1999. The expenditure proposals total EUR 96,902 in commitment appropriations and EUR 86,350 million in payment appropriations. The budget for 1999 covers the last year of the present financial perspective. It winds up the Delors II package and, at the same time, builds a bridge to the political priorities set in Agenda 2000. The main increase in the budget is for structural operations, where the Commission proposal meets the requirements of the European Council of Edinburgh in 1992. That leads to an increase of 16.6% in commitments and 9% in payments for structural operations. Spending in agriculture, internal and external policies as well as in administration increases no more than 0.6% in commitment appropriations and 0.5% in payment appropriations. Resources are concentrated to priority areas, particularly to the employment initiative, trans-European networks, research and technological development and, in external policy, to the Phare and Meda programmes. The budgetary orientation of the Commission is fully in line with the Member States. The level of expenditure will be 1.11% of the GNP of 15 Member States, which means a saving of some EUR 13, 000 million compared to the ceiling of the financial perspective. The overall growth proposed for the 1999 exercise is 3.4% in payment and 6.5% in commitment appropriations, including a rebudgeting of unused spending in structural operations. The budget for 1999 will be expressed in euro (EUR).

    [02] La Commission adopte un nouveau programme d'action sociale 1998-2000

    Dans une communication adoptée aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne définit le cadre du développement de la politique sociale européenne de 1998 à l'an 2000. Le nouveau programme d'action sociale (1998-2000) met à profit les résultats du précédent programme d'action sociale à moyen terme (1995-1997) et exploite la dynamique nouvelle suscitée dans le domaine social par la nouvelle stratégie européenne de l'emploi ainsi que par le traité d'Amsterdam. En énumérant les principales priorités de la période à venir, il distingue trois grandes rubriques : emplois, qualifications et mobilité; les mutations du travail; une société fondée sur l'intégration. Il affirme que la politique sociale devrait promouvoir une qualité et un niveau de vie corrects pour tous dans une société privilégiant l'activité, l'intégration et la santé. A cet égard, il met particulièrement l'accent sur l'accès à l'emploi, de bonnes conditions de travail et l'égalité des chances.

    [03] La Commission propose d'éliminer les risques de dumping social dans les transports de passagers par ferry

    Soucieuse de prévenir tout risque de dumping social et de concurrence déloyale dans les transports de passagers par ferry, la Commission européenne a présenté une proposition de Directive visant à assurer aux membres d'équipage ressortissants des pays tiers les conditions d'emploi applicables dans l'Etat membre où est immatriculé le navire. Le projet de directive, soumis à l'approbation du Conseil des Ministres et du Parlement européen, couvre uniquement les services réguliers de transports de passagers par ferry entre les ports de l'Union européenne (UE). Par ailleurs, la Commission a proposé un règlement au Conseil et au Parlement stipulant que, pour les services de cabotage (c'est-à-dire les services de transports reliant deux ports d'un même pays), les règles sur la proportion de ressortissants de l'UE au sein de l'équipage seront celles du pays d'accueil.

    [04] Increased focus on energy efficiency following Kyoto

    As a follow-up to the Kyoto Conference on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the European Commission adopted a Communication on Energy Efficiency in the European Union (EU), outlining elements of a strategy for improving energy efficiency. The Communication is a step in the process of developing a comprehensive action plan to remove barriers to the penetration of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technologies in the European market in order to promote the rational use of energy. The Communication sets out some of the main actions and policies at the EU and Member State level which can ensure that the multiple benefits of higher energy efficiency are exploited in a cost-effective manner. Energy efficiency is judged to be a major potential contributor towards meeting the EU's commitments undertaken in Kyoto for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions between now and the year 2010.

    [05] La Commission propose des mesures de lutte contre la fraude dans le domaine des accises

    La Commission européenne propose au Conseil des Ministres d'approuver des mesures de lutte contre la fraude dans le domaine des accises et notamment de s'engager à l'introduction rapide d'un Système d'Information Préalable visant à faciliter la réalisation de contrôles sélectifs. L'instauration de ce système imposera à tout opérateur qui expédie des marchandises soumises à accises vers d'autres Etats membres de notifier au préalable ces envois de manière à ce que les administrations fiscales puissent les collecter, les évaluer, et les échanger avec les autres Etats membres et la Commission. A plus long terme, de l'avis de la Commission, un système de contrôle informatique s'impose, permettant une vérification en temps réel et une analyse du risque avant chaque transport des marchandises concernées.

    [II] Other news - Autres nouvelles

    [06] Commission approves the GE Seaco joint venture between GE Capital Services and Sea Containers Ltd

    The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint venture in the sector of marine container operating leasing between GE Capital Services (US) and Sea Containers Ltd (UK). The operation will result in the infrastructures of the two companies being merged into the new company, GE Seaco. The market affected by the operation is the global market for marine container operating leases. The Commission found that the operation will only lead to modest market share additions even on the narrowest possible market definitions, and has therefore approved it.

    [07] Commission approves the leveraged management buy-out of BTR's Formica business by three investment banks

    The European Commission has authorised, under the Merger Regulation, the leveraged management buy-out of BTR's Formica Group, active in the sector of high pressure laminates. The buy-out was effected through financial leverage provided by the US investment banks Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Inc., CVC Capital Partners and Citicorp. The transaction is neutral from the point of view of competition, as it does not result in any market overlap between the business activities of the acquirer and the target company. Therefore the Commission considered it compatible with the common market.

    [08] Fonds structurels en Italie : Mme Wulf-Mathies se félicite de la révision à mi-parcours

    Monika Wulf-Mathies, commissaire européen responsable pour la politique régionale et de cohésion, s'est félicitée aujourd'hui de la décision du Comité de suivi du cadre communautaire d'appui (CCA) de l'Italie de reprogrammer 700 millions d'Ecus d'aide de l'Union européenne (UE). Cette reprogrammation s'est faite à l'occasion de la révision à mi-parcours des différents programmes structurels objectif 1. Mme Wulf-Mathies a déclaré : "Ceci est une preuve supplémentaire de la récente amélioration de la gestion des fonds structurels en Italie. Les programmes les moins avancés seront privés de ressources additionnelles alors que ceux qui se développent bien seront favorisés. Je suis particulièrement heureuse que les pactes territoriaux pour l'emploi soutenus par la Commission bénéficieront d'une aide de 140 millions d'Ecus et que les régions Basilicata et Molise, qui ont montré leurs capacités de gestion, bénéficieront de ressources supplémentaires de l'UE d'un montant de 100 millions d'Ecus."

    [09] EU calls for WTO debate on electronic commerce

    The European Union (EU) has unveiled a proposal for a World Trade Organisation (WTO) debate on removing the obstacles to electronic commerce, and establishing a basic set of principles to add transparency and legal certainty for on-line trade. The EU communication to the WTO suggests that international trade rules relating to electronic transactions should be clarified, and in some cases revised, by December 1998. This is an area of increasing importance to world trade, with economic predictions suggesting that on-line and especially internet trade will continue to grow rapidly, to the benefit of both developed and developing countries.

    [10] Vincent Cochetel abducted three months ago

    European Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, Hans van den Broek, expressed his deep concern about the whereabouts of Vincent Cochetel, representative of UNHCR in North Ossetia. It is three months ago today that Mr Cochetel was abducted. Mr van den Broek urged the government of the Russian Federation and the leaders in the Northern Caucasian region to step up efforts in the search for Mr Cochetel. A silent march is being organised in Geneva today to draw public attention to Mr Cochetels fate and to that of other humanitarian workers held hostage around the world. "It is vital to raise the awareness of the international community about the deteriorating safety of humanitarian aid personnel working in the field", commented the Commissioner.

    MIDDAY EXPRESS


    From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
    © ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996


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