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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 03-11-11
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] European Growth Initiative : Commission tables final proposal to EU
leaders
[02] Création d'une agence européenne de gestion de la coopération
opérationnelle aux frontières extérieures
[03] EU space policy ready for lift-off : Commission adopts Space Action
Plan
[04] Education et formation : l'urgence des réformes pour réussir Lisbonne
[05] La Commission approuve sans conditions la concentration SEB/Moulinex
en Espagne, Finlande, Irlande, Italie et Royaume-uni
[06] Drought : Commission proposes lower set-aside to stabilise EU grain
market
[07] Commission probes measures for professional sports clubs in Italy
('Salva calcio')
[08] Commission approves aid to the Greek Post
[09] La Commission autorise des "mesures de défense temporaires" en faveur
de la construction navale espagnole
[10] Commission approves UK Waste and Resource Action Programme
[11] Commission invites interested parties to submit comments on Rotterdam-
Ruhr propylene pipeline project
[12] Commission authorises aid for large-scale investment project in the
milk sector in Germany
[13] Commission authorises drought aid for agriculture and fish farms in
Germany
[14] Adoption d'un régime des contrats de filière en Italie
[15] Italie : la Commission approuve une aide régionale à la
restructuration du transport routier de marchandises et au développement du
transport combiné
[16] Discriminatory charges on vessels : Commission presses ahead with
proceedings against Finland
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[17] La Commission approuve l'acquisition de Sema par Atos
[18] Commission clears acquisition of MBL by ThyssenKrupp
[19] US-Steel : the inconsistency of the US steel safeguards with WTO rules
is confirmed in appeal (Joint Press statement by the EU, Japan, Korea,
China, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand and Brazil 10 November 2003)
[20] Romano Prodi to visit West Africa (12-15 November)
[21] EU support for a Small Projects Facility in Malaysia
[22] Improving governance in the Philippines
[23] Annuaire statistique des régions 2003 : un coup de projecteur sur les
disparités régionales ; des données sur 266 régions de l'UE et des pays
candidats
[24] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express 11/11/2003
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 11/11/2003[I] Résultats de la Commission
de ce jour - Outcome of today's Commission meeting
[01] European Growth Initiative : Commission tables final proposal to EU
leaders
A comprehensive action plan spelling out what needs to be done to kick-
start investment in networks and knowledge across the European Union has
been set out today by the European Commission. The European Growth
Initiative final report has been prepared in close cooperation with the
European Investment Bank and is addressed to the December meeting of the
European Council. It confirms the Commission's initial proposals aiming to
speed up investment in the 29 priority Trans-European transport networks
with their 140 subsections proposed by the Commission last October
(IP/03/1322). It equally aims to put the EU at the cutting edge of
innovation and technology through the launch of pan-European projects in
these areas as spelled out in the Commission's interim report (IP/03/1321).
In this way, it reinforces the Union's wider structural reform agenda
launched at the Lisbon European Council in March 2000. The Commission
proposal includes a Quick-start programme of 56 projects, which are ready
to start immediately, have a strong cross-border impact and will yield
positive results in terms of growth, jobs and protection of the
environment. The Quick-start programme indicates the projects that satisfy
the criteria and on which work should be underway within the next three
years at the latest. The overall level of investment cost from now up to
2010 amounts to some €38 billion in key cross-border sections of the TENs-
transport network, €10 billion in key TEN-energy projects and around €14
billion for projects linked to highspeed communications networks and to
research, development and innovation. This indicates a very down-to-earth
annual investment of around €10 billion per annum to be covered by public
and private sources.
[02] Création d'une agence européenne de gestion de la coopération
opérationnelle aux frontières extérieures
La Commission européenne a adopté une proposition de règlement portant
création d'une agence européenne de gestion de la coopération
opérationnelle aux frontières extérieures (frontières terrestres, maritimes
et aéroports internationaux) de l'UE. L'Agence assistera les Etats membres
dans la mise en œuvre de la législation communautaire en matière de
contrôle et de surveillance des frontières extérieures et de retour de
ressortissants de pays tiers. Elle ne jouera aucun rôle dans l'élaboration
des politiques, ne fera pas de propositions législatives et n'exercera pas
de compétences d'exécution.
[03] EU space policy ready for lift-off : Commission adopts Space Action
Plan
A policy paper on "Space: A New European Frontier for an Expanding Union"
has been presented by the European Commission in Brussels today. Space
technologies are set to play a key role in helping the Union achieve its
main objectives : faster economic growth, job creation and industrial
competitiveness, enlargement and cohesion, sustainable development and
security and defence. The policy paper was developed in close cooperation
with the European Space Agency (ESA) and calls for substantial additional
spending on space. It also recommends action to ensure Europe's independent
access to space, to enhance space technology, promote space exploration,
attract more young people into careers in science and strengthen European
excellence in space science. European Space Policy will be implemented
through a new multi-annual European Space Programme. It will identify
priorities, on a five-year basis, for research, infrastructure development,
services and technology. Applications might include satellite broadband
telecommunications to tackle the "digital divide", and earth observation,
communication and positioning systems.
[04] Education et formation : l'urgence des réformes pour réussir Lisbonne
Avec la stratégie de Lisbonne (mars 2000), l'Union européenne s'est fixé
l'objectif de faire de ses systèmes d'éducation et de formation une
"référence de qualité au niveau mondial d'ici à 2010" et de l'Europe "la
destination préférée des étudiants et chercheurs du reste du monde". Dans
cette perspective, le Conseil européen a entériné en 2001 trois buts
stratégiques à atteindre à l'horizon 2010 : les systèmes d'éducation et de
formation devront allier qualité, accès et ouverture sur le monde. Les
ministres de l'Education et la Commission européenne ont aussi adopté en
2002 un programme de travail complété par des critères de références
européens (cf IP/02/1710) pour mettre en œuvre ces buts ambitieux mais
réalistes, dans le plein respect de la subsidiarité qui caractérise
l'action communautaire par rapport à l'action des Etats membres dans les
domaines en question. Il s'agit donc d'un processus essentiellement
politique qui vise - loin de toute harmonisation à rallier les systèmes
nationaux d'éducation et de formation autour d'objectifs de modernisation
fixés d'un commun accord. Où est-on de leur réalisation ? L'Union sera-t-
elle en mesure de les atteindre d'ici à 2010 et de rattraper son retard par
rapport à ses principaux concurrents ? La Commission a adopté aujourd'hui
une communication dans laquelle les retards encore subsistants sont
soulignés et qui propose les mesures urgentes qu'il est dorénavant
indispensable de prendre. Cette communication servira de base au rapport
conjoint sur la mise en œuvre de "Education & Formation 2010" que le
Conseil (Education) et la Commission transmettront au Conseil européen de
printemps de mars 2004.
[05] La Commission approuve sans conditions la concentration SEB/Moulinex
en Espagne, Finlande, Irlande, Italie et Royaume-uni
La Commission européenne a confirmé que le rachat de Moulinex par SEB, deux
fabricants de petits électroménagers, ne présente pas de problèmes de
concurrence en Espagne, Finlande, Irlande, Italie et Royaume-Uni. Ce
réexamen fait suite à la décision du Tribunal de Première Instance en avril
de cette année qui avait confirmé la décision de la Commission pour ce qui
concerne le renvoi en France des aspects français et les conditions
imposées dans un certain nombre de pays européens, mais avait annulé le feu
vert inconditionnel dans les cinq autres Etats Membres. La nouvelle analyse
approfondie a confirmé que les consommateurs britanniques, italiens,
finlandais, espagnols et irlandais bénéficiaient de suffisamment de
concurrence même après la fusion.
[06] Drought : Commission proposes lower set-aside to stabilise EU grain
market
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to reduce the compulsory set-
aside rate for the cereals harvest 2004 (marketing year 2004/05) from 10%
to 5%. Consequently, farmers can make use of this reduced rate from 15
January to 31 August 2004. This measure is justified by a very low cereals
production this year due to the severe drought in main EU production
regions during the summer. To help the affected farmers, the Commission has
already made use of other market management tools, including the sale of
stocks from public storage to ensure that the EU market obtains supplies
(see IP/03/1164). As a consequence of the severe drought this year, a
normal harvest in 2004 (with a 10% set-aside rate) would not lead to a
significant revival of stocks in EU-25 unless exports or internal
consumption were significantly lower than normal. On the other hand, a poor
harvest in 2004 would expose the internal market to potentially serious
risks. According to Commission estimates, the reduction of the set-aside
rate to 5% could be expected to boost EU grain production by around seven
million tonnes. Today's proposal has to be adopted by the Council of
Ministers, following an opinion of the European Parliament.
[07] Commission probes measures for professional sports clubs in Italy
('Salva calcio')
The European Commission has decided to ask Italy for information on two
aspects of a recent national law on financial reporting by professional
sports clubs - including Serie A football clubs - in Italy. Firstly, the
Commission is concerned that the legislation may breach European Union laws
on accounting. Secondly, it may involve the granting of state aid. Both
investigations are the first step in the relevant formal procedures and are
without prejudice to a final decision on whether the measures under review
do indeed breach EU law. If certain sports clubs are in effect being
granted financial advantages over others in Europe, this distorts
competition both in business terms - the area covered by EU Internal Market
and competition law - and, by extension, on the field of play. The Italian
authorities have two months to respond to the Commission's request : unless
a satisfactory response is received within that time, the Commission may
continue its infringement procedure, and ultimately refer the matter to the
European Court of Justice.
[08] Commission approves aid to the Greek Post
The European Commission has authorised under EU state aid rules grants and
capital injections to the Greek post office amounting to a total sum of
€415 million. These different financing measures were destined to foster
the modernisation of the Greek post office. In particular, the aid has
allowed the post office to purchase automation equipment, upgrade its fleet
of delivery vehicles and equip its offices with information technology.
These improvements were necessary as the quality of the universal postal
service in Greek was below EU standards. As the aid is limited to meeting
costs of modernisation and does not lead to an undue distortion of
competition, the Commission decided to approve the aid.
[09] La Commission autorise des "mesures de défense temporaires" en faveur
de la construction navale espagnole
La Commission européenne a autorisé l'Espagne, en application des règles
communautaires applicables aux aides d'Etat, à accorder des aides à la
construction navale afin de compenser les effets de la concurrence déloyale
exercée par la République de Corée. Les aides espagnoles autoriseront des
subventions pouvant aller jusqu'à 6% de la valeur contractuelle du navire
pour la construction de navires porte-conteneurs, de transporteurs de
produits pétroliers et de produits chimiques et de transporteurs de gaz
naturel liquéfié (GNL) en cas de concurrence déloyale en provenance des
chantiers coréens.
[10] Commission approves UK Waste and Resource Action Programme
The European Commission has decided to approve under EU state aid rules the
UK waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) which aims at developing
waste recycling and a market for recycled goods. The Commission considers
that the programme is in line with the EU's environmental objectives. In
particular, State support according to the WRAP scheme is proportionate to
the environmental objectives pursued and causes no undue distortion of
competition.
[11] Commission invites interested parties to submit comments on Rotterdam-
Ruhr propylene pipeline project
As part of an inquiry under EU State aid rules, the European Commission has
decided to invite the Member States concerned and interested third parties
to submit their comments on a propylene pipeline project from Rotterdam,
via Antwerp to Cologne and the German Ruhr Area. The full text of this
invitation will be published in the EU's Official Journal shortly. The
German, Dutch and Belgian authorities plan to subsidise the project with
public resources amounting to a total of €27 million. The beneficiary of
the planned subsidies would be the European Pipeline Company ("EPC"), a
consortium of chemicals producers. The Commission's inquiry aims to
establish whether the amount of the subsidy is limited to the minimum
necessary (for the project to be realised) and whether the subsidy
generates undue distortions of competition, particularly to the detriment
of the chemicals industry in other EU regions.
[12] Commission authorises aid for large-scale investment project in the
milk sector in Germany
The European Commission has authorised Germany under EU State aid rules to
pay national aid worth a total of €40 million to the dairy group Alois
Müller GmbH&Co KG. The aid will finance investment in processing and
marketing of milk and milk products in Leppersdorf (Saxony). The main
objectives of this large-scale investment project are the support of
innovative processing methods and technologies, the promotion and
development of new and improved products and the reduction of environmental
pollution. The project will be implemented until December 2004.
[13] Commission authorises drought aid for agriculture and fish farms in
Germany
The European Commission has authorised Germany under EU State aid rules to
pay national aid of €90 million to agricultural holdings and fish farms in
several German Länder. The aid will compensate the farmers for losses
incurred as a result of the extremely dry weather in 2003. The aid will be
financed through funds from the Federal Government and the Länder of Baden-
Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower
Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, and will be carried out in the
years 2003 and 2004.
[14] Adoption d'un régime des contrats de filière en Italie
La Commission européenne a approuvé un régime d'aides que l'Italie envisage
d'appliquer pour favoriser la constitution de filières dans le secteur
agricole. Ce régime, qui sera financé par une enveloppe de 300 millions d'€
au cours de ses trois premières années d'application, couvre des mesures
intéressant la production primaire, la transformation et la commercialisation
de produits agricoles, la constitution ou l'extension d'activités de
groupements de producteurs, l'assistance technique aux agriculteurs, la
promotion des produits agricoles et la recherche. M. Fischler, membre de la
Commission chargé de l'griculture, du développement rural et de la pêche, a
accueilli avec satisfaction cette initiative de l'Italie, estimant que la
structuration des activités en filières est un gage de qualité pour la
production et pour le consommateur.
[15] Italie : la Commission approuve une aide régionale à la
restructuration du transport routier de marchandises et au développement du
transport combiné
La Commission européenne a approuvé une partie du paquet de mesures d'aide
en faveur de la restructuration du transport routier de marchandises et du
développement du transport combiné, notifié par la région italienne de
Frioul-Vénétie Julienne. L'objectif de ce régime d'aide est de fournir et
de moderniser l'infrastructure et les services régionaux, d'améliorer
l'efficacité des activités de transport de marchandises et de développer le
transport combiné. Il s'agit également de réduire la pollution de
l'environnement et d'accroître la sécurité routière. Le programme a une
durée de trois ans et dispose d'un budget de 1,5 million d'€ environ. La
Commission a toutefois décidé de procéder à une enquête en ce qui concerne
l'aide au démarrage notifiée pour le développement de nouveaux services
ferroviaires et maritimes à destination ou en provenance de la région de
Frioul-Vénétie Julienne.
[16] Discriminatory charges on vessels : Commission presses ahead with
proceedings against Finland
The European Commission has decided to issue a reasoned opinion to Finland
on the grounds that its legislation on fairway dues fails to comply with
the European rules on the freedom to provide maritime transport services.
[II] Other news - Autres nouvelles
[17] La Commission approuve l'acquisition de Sema par Atos
La Commission européenne a donné son feu vert à un projet de concentration
par lequel l'entreprise française Atos Origin S.A. acquiert le contrôle de
l'ensemble de Sema Group, appartenant à Schlumberger Group (US). Les deux
compagnies sont des prestataires de services de technologies de
l'information. (L'opération, qui avait été notifiée le 7 octobre 2003, a
été examinée sous une procédure simplifiée)
[18] Commission clears acquisition of MBL by ThyssenKrupp
The European Commission has granted clearance under the Merger Regulation
to the acquisition of full control of Mercedes-Benz Lenkungen (MBL), which
produces steering gear products for the car sector, by ThyssenKrupp AG
through its affiliate ThyssenKrupp Automotive AG. (The operation, notified
on 09 October 2003, was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure)
[19] US-Steel : the inconsistency of the US steel safeguards with WTO rules
is confirmed in appeal (Joint Press statement by the EU, Japan, Korea,
China, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand and Brazil 10 November 2003)
The EU, Japan, Korea, China, Switzerland, Norway, New-Zealand and Brazil
welcome the confirmation by the Appellate Body that each of the US
safeguard measures imposed on 10 steel product groupings was in violation
of WTO rules. The Co-complainants welcome the Appellate Body Report
released on 10 November which upheld the Panel's findings and leaves the
United States with no other choice but to terminate its WTO incompatible
safeguard measures without delay. It should be noted that Members affected
by the US measures will be entitled to apply re-balancing measures and take
any other appropriate action in accordance with WTO rules, following the
adoption of the Appellate Body report by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body,
unless the safeguard measures are withdrawn.
[20] Romano Prodi to visit West Africa (12-15 November)
European Commission President Romano Prodi will visit three West African
countries, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, between 12 and 15
November. The visit confirms the importance the Commission attaches to its
partnership with Africa.
[21] EU support for a Small Projects Facility in Malaysia
The European Commission has approved €3.5 million for a Small Projects
Facility (SPF) in Malaysia to foster the bilateral trade and investment
between the EU and Malaysia, as well as supporting structural and economic
reforms in Malaysia through a stronger involvement of civil society. The
SPF aims, in particular at, supporting projects in the following areas (i)
issues related to the WTO multilateral trade negotiations, (ii) assisting
the Malaysian private sector in complying with the trade and investment
related legislation within the EU, (iii) bringing together EU and Malaysian
business men for active promotion of trade and investment and (iv)
strengthening higher education and research and development links through
the relevant institutions/organisations with a view to increasing the
transfer of know how and technologies. The beneficiaries will be non-profit
making organisations such as governmental, non-governmental organisations,
local authorities business associations, universities, etc.
[22] Improving governance in the Philippines
The European Commission has approved €5.5 million for a Governance
Programme for the Philippines, which focuses on access to justice for the
poor and the prevention of corruption, areas crucial to the development of
the Philippines. The main objectives of this programme are covered by two
separate but complementary projects. The first, for which the Supreme Court
will be responsible, is to enable the poor, especially poor women and
children, improved access to justice through increased knowledge about
their basic rights and the judicial system. The second project concerns the
prevention of corruption in the Philippines by reinforcing the management
capacity and technical expertise of the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as
strengthening cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman, other
government agencies, civil society organisations and the wider public.
[23] Annuaire statistique des régions 2003 : un coup de projecteur sur les
disparités régionales ; des données sur 266 régions de l'UE et des pays
candidats
Eurostat publie aujourd'hui l'édition 2003 de l'annuaire statistique des
régions de l'UE. Cette publication illustre à la fois la diversité
régionale de l'UE et les liens qui se sont tissés au cours des dernières
années entre les régions, y compris par-delà les frontières nationales.
Elle fournit un certain nombre de données socio-économiques générales
(population, PIB, forces de travail et chômage) et étudie plus en détail
certains secteurs économiques (l'agriculture et les transports) et certains
thèmes économiques transversaux (le développement scientifique et
technologique et la structure des entreprises). La publication couvre
également les indicateurs disponibles pour 55 régions dans 12 des pays
candidats.
[24] Autre matériel diffusé
White Paper on European Space Policy - examples of how space can help the
EU meet its objectives
Présentation par M. Busquin du Livre Blanc sur la Politique Spatiale
européenne
Questions and answers on US Steel Safeguard Measures
Speech by Franz Fischler : "Reform of cotton sector" at Seminar on Cotton
Note sur les résultats du Conseil Compétitivité
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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