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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-11-22

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>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] Commission clears acquisition of Borealis Polimeros by Repsol
  • [02] Commission clears acquisition of Skanska Facilities Management AB by 3i Group plc
  • [03] Commission clears joint control of BGZ by Rabobank and Polish State Treasury
  • [04] Commission approves planned acquisition of Roche Consumer Health by Bayer subject to conditions
  • [05] September 2004 : euro-zone external trade surplus €3.1 billion ; €7.6 billion deficit for EU25
  • [06] Commission to send EU Election Observation Mission to Palestinian Elections
  • [07] Sharm el Sheikh : the EU offers Iraq support and partnership
  • [08] Peter Mandelson begins his mandate as Trade Commissioner with visit to WTO in Geneva
  • [09] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2004-11-22 Reference: MEX/04/1122 Date: 22/11/2004 EXME04 / 22.11

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Général Presse etb

    Communication

    22/11/04


  • [01] Commission clears acquisition of Borealis Polimeros by Repsol

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of the Portuguese company Borealis Polimeros, a subsidiary of Danish company Borealis A/S, by Repsol Quimica S.A., belonging to the Repsol YPF group, based in Spain. Repsol YPF group is an integrated oil and gas international group engaged in all aspects of the petroleum business. Borealis Polimeros owns a catalytic cracker in Sines, Portugal, as well as a low density polyethylene plant and a high-density polyethylene plant in the same location. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [02] Commission clears acquisition of Skanska Facilities Management AB by 3i Group plc

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Skanska FM of Sweden by 3i of the UK. 3i is an international venture capital company that provides management advice to and manages investments on behalf of investment funds, active in various sectors of industry and services (communication, engineering, food, healthcare, IT services, leisure, media, oil and gas, software and internet, support services and transport and logistics). Skansa FM is a company providing facilities management services to the public and private sectors and it is active in five countries : Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Belgium. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [03] Commission clears joint control of BGZ by Rabobank and Polish State Treasury

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to a proposed concentration by which Rabobank International Holding BV and the State Treasury of Poland acquire joint control over Polish-based Bank Gospodarki Żywno[ciowej S.A. ("BGZ"). Rabobank is a company belonging to the Rabobank Group. The Rabobank Group is a Dutch cooperative bank and credit institution, active in the financial services sector. Its core activities are financial, insurance, and asset management. More specifically, it is active in retail and corporate banking, financial services and the provision of mortgages. BGZ is a Polish commercial bank active only in Poland, mainly in small towns and villages in the countryside specialising in the financing of agriculture, regional infrastructure, small and medium enterprises and individuals. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [04] Commission approves planned acquisition of Roche Consumer Health by Bayer subject to conditions

    The European Commission has authorised, under the Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of the worldwide Roche non-prescription pharmaceuticals business by Bayer in a deal which creates the largest European OTC consumer health company. Bayer's and Roche's product portfolios are largely complementary and overlap significantly only in a small number of product markets, particularly non-narcotic analgesics (such as Aspirin) and certain antifungal treatments. The clearance is subject to a number of conditions intended to safeguard competition and hence the interests of European consumers on a few markets where the transaction raised competition concerns. The conditions consist in the sale or licence of three pharmaceutical products.

    [05] September 2004 : euro-zone external trade surplus €3.1 billion ; €7.6 billion deficit for EU25

    According to Eurostat, the first estimate for euro-zone trade with the rest of the world in September 2004 was a €3.1 billion surplus, compared with +8.6 billion in September 2003. The August 2004 balance was +3.0 billion, compared with +7.1 billion in August 2003. In September 2004, exports, seasonally adjusted, remained nearly stable (+0.1%) compared to August 2004, while imports fell by 1.8%. The first estimate for September 2004 extra- EU25 trade was a €7.6 billion deficit, compared with -3.9 billion in September 2003. In August 20042 the balance was -7.5 billion, compared with -2.7 billion in August 2003. In September 2004, exports, seasonally adjusted, remained nearly stable (-0.2%) compared to August 2004, while imports fell by 1.3%.

    [06] Commission to send EU Election Observation Mission to Palestinian Elections

    As one of the first acts of the European Commission, the Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero- Waldner has decided to deploy an EU Election Observer Mission (EOM) to observe the Presidential Elections in the West Bank and Gaza scheduled for 9th January 2005. The decision is a concrete expression of the EU's effort to support the development of democratic institutions and stability in the Palestinian Territories. The presence of the EOM and the reporting of its observers will help to increase transparency and build confidence in the election process.

    [07] Sharm el Sheikh : the EU offers Iraq support and partnership

    At the Sharm el Sheikh international conference on Iraq (22nd and 23rd November), the EU will be reaffirming its support for Iraq's transition to a stable, democratic future, and holding out the prospect of a deepening partnership. The European Commission will be represented at the Conference by Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner. The EU will also be represented by High Representative Javier Solana, Foreign Minister Bernard Bot of the current Dutch Presidency, and the foreign ministers of numerous Member States. The Commission's key objectives for the Conference are to underline the importance of inclusive and participatory elections in January, and to express readiness to support Iraq and its neighbours in developing a closer cooperation between themselves, if they so wish.

    [08] Peter Mandelson begins his mandate as Trade Commissioner with visit to WTO in Geneva

    New European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson will start his mandate today with meetings at the Geneva Headquarters of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In meetings tonight and tomorrow Mr Mandelson will meet with WTO Director General Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi and his deputies, chairpersons of negotiating groups and a number of ambassadors to the WTO. He will also meet with agency heads for International Labour Organisation (ILO), World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Mr Mandelson chose to make the WTO his first destination as Trade Commissioner in recognition of the central role of the multilateral trading system, and the importance of making rapid progress on the Doha Development Agenda. Mr Mandelson said : "A successful Doha Round is my top priority. I have a strong commitment to Trade and Development policies point hand in hand. I would be happy if my period as Trade Comissioner came to be remembered for that. But we have much hard work ahead."

    [09] Autre matériel diffusé

    Speech by Joaquín Almunia : "EMU: past experience and prospects" at HEC Conference (Paris, ! embargo 5.30 pm !) 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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