Browse through our Interesting Nodes about Agriculture in Greece Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 05-03-29

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>


CONTENTS / CONTENU

  • [01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition conjointe d'Aldeasa par Autogrill et Altadis
  • [02] Commission clears acquisition of HNS by Apollo and DirecTV
  • [03] Commission clears acquisition of TET by Goldman Sachs and Cerberus
  • [04] Commission clears acquisition of part of AFL by Alcoa
  • [05] Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on political developments in the Kyrgyz Republic
  • [06] EU-Ukraine Ministerial Troika (Kiev, 30 March 2005)
  • [07] Les femmes scientifiques sont plus nombreuses dans les postes à haute responsabilité, mais l'évolution reste lente
  • [08] EU disease control agency launches search for top scientists
  • [09] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2005-03-29 Reference: MEX/05/0329 Date: 29/03/2005 EXME05 / 29.3

    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

    29/03/05


  • [01] La Commission autorise l'acquisition conjointe d'Aldeasa par Autogrill et Altadis

    La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement communautaire sur les concentrations, le projet d'acquisition, par voie d'offre publique d'achat, d'Aldeasa S.A. ("Aldeasa"), un opérateur espagnol du secteur hors taxes, par la société italienne Autogrill S.p.A. ("Autogrill") et le producteur de tabac franco-espagnol Altadis S.A. ("Altadis"). Après avoir procédé à un examen, la Commission est parvenue à la conclusion qu'en cas de succès de l'offre commune, l'opération envisagée n'entraverait pas sensiblement l'exercice d'une concurrence effective dans l'EEE ou dans une partie substantielle de celui-ci, et l'a donc autorisée.

    [02] Commission clears acquisition of HNS by Apollo and DirecTV

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of newly created undertaking Hughes Network Systems LLC (HNS) of the US, by Apollo Group Inc. (Apollo), via the subsidiary Sky Terra and DirecTV Group Inc. (DirecTV), belonging to News Corporation group (NewsCorp), all of the US. The Apollo Group consists of a number of separate limited partnerships, each of which has investments in companies involved in a range of different activities throughout the world. DirecTV is a provider of digital television entertainment, and broadband satellite networks and services. DirecTV provides advanced communications services on a global basis and has developed a wide range of entertainment, information and communication services for home and business use, including video, data, voice, multimedia and Internet services. DirecTV's largest shareholder is NewsCorp. The business activities of the joint venture HNS will consist of the provision of VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) solutions and services to enterprises, consumer VSAT equipment and services, and mobile satellite and carrier network equipment and provision of future communications services in North America via a Ka- band satellite communications system. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [03] Commission clears acquisition of TET by Goldman Sachs and Cerberus

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Transamerica European Trailers (TET) of the UK by Goldman Sachs Mortgage Company (GSMC), controlled by Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) and The Cerberus Group (Cerberus), all of the US. Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking and securities firm. It has three main segments: Investment Banking, Trading and Principal Investments, and Asset Management and Securities Services. Cerberus is a global investment company which invests in personal property including capital stock, depository receipts, investment companies, mutual funds, subscriptions, warrants, bonds, notes, debentures, options and other securities. TET is active in leasing commercial trailers to companies engaged in road haulage in a number of EU countries. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [04] Commission clears acquisition of part of AFL by Alcoa

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of part control of Alcoa Fujikura Ltd (AFL) of the US by Alcoa Inc (Alcoa), also of the US. Alcoa is a primary aluminium and alumina producer and is active in all major aspects of the aluminium industry, including technology, mining, refining, smelting, production and recycling. Alcoa's aluminium products and components are used worldwide in aircraft, cars and in a wide variety of consumer and industrial applications. The part of AFL acquired by Alcoa is active in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic distribution systems and their components for personal and commercial vehicles. AFL is a joint venture created in 1984 by Alcoa and Fujikura. AFL has two divisions: AFL Automotive and AFL Telecommunications. The proposed operation consists of the acquisition of the AFL Automotive by Alcoa and the acquisition of AFL Telecommunications by Fujikura. The operation represents de facto a de- merger. The notification relates exclusively to the proposed transfer of AFL Automotive from joint control by Alcoa and Fujikura to sole control by Alcoa. The acquisition of sole control of AFL Telecommunications does not give rise to a concentration with an EU dimension. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [05] Statement by Benita Ferrero-Waldner on political developments in the Kyrgyz Republic

    European Commissioner for External relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated : "The European Commission is monitoring closely the evolving situation in the Kyrgyz Republic. It recalls the basic objectives of the EU-Kyrgyz Republic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement namely respect for democracy, the rule of law and human rights which are fundamental elements of the partnership, and urges all parties to respect these principles. The Commission stresses the importance of establishing a dialogue between all political forces to bring about a national reconciliation. The Commission takes note of the decision of the new Kyrgyz authorities to organize Presidential elections in three months time and Parliamentary elections within six months. In order to ensure free and fair elections, it stands ready to provide election assistance in close cooperation with the OSCE, if so requested by the Kyrgyz authorities. Following the forthcoming Presidential elections, the Commission looks forward to an early opportunity for discussion with the newly elected leadership on the priorities for assistance, including support for political, economic and social reforms."

    [06] EU-Ukraine Ministerial Troika (Kiev, 30 March 2005)

    On 30 March, an EU Troika will meet Ukrainian Foreign Minister Boris Tarasyuk for discussions on the development of EU-Ukraine relations. Discussions will focus in particular on internal developments in Ukraine, and the implementation of the EU-Ukraine European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan. The meeting will take stock of the efforts made to take forward the Action Plan since its launch on 21 February 2005, and both sides will share views on further steps in its implementation. The meeting will also cover developments in the region including Transnistria, as well as key foreign policy issues. Alongside European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the EU will be represented by Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana.

    [07] Les femmes scientifiques sont plus nombreuses dans les postes à haute responsabilité, mais l'évolution reste lente

    Le nombre de femmes occupant des postes à responsabilité dans le domaine scientifique augmente, mais lentement. Au niveau de l'UE, les femmes ne représentent que 14% des universitaires de haut niveau et 44% des diplômés en science et technologie. Dans un rapport sur l'égalité des sexes dans la recherche scientifique, la Commission européenne expose les actions qui ont été entreprises et qui sont en cours au niveau européen pour renforcer le rôle des femmes dans le secteur scientifique. Il est essentiel d'augmenter le nombre de femmes employées dans le domaine scientifique afin d'atteindre l'objectif de 3% du PIB en recherche et développement.

    [08] EU disease control agency launches search for top scientists

    A Europe wide search for outstanding disease control experts has been launched. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), a new EU agency with the mission to strengthen Europe's defences against epidemics (see IP/04/190) has started its search for world class scientific staff. Job advertisements have been circulated to national public health authorities across Europe and published on the internet. The jobs advertised include top posts in the three key scientific units of the new agency, and candidates will need outstanding scientific credentials. The ECDC's Director Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, who took up her post on 1 March (see MEX/05/02/28), is calling on communicable disease experts from across Europe to apply. Markos Kyprianou, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, has expressed similar sentiment : "The finest scientists Europe has to offer are needed, so that the Centre can carry out its vital mission of enhancing our understanding of infectious diseases, strengthening our defences against them, and tackling whatever epidemics the 21st century may have in store for us." The Centre is due to be operational by 20 May, and will be officially inaugurated by Commissioner Kyprianou at a ceremony in Stockholm, where it is based, on 27 May. For further information about the ECDC, including full details of the jobs it is advertising, see: <a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/ecdc/ecdc_en.htm">http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_overview/strategy/ecdc/ecdc_en.htm

    [09] Autre matériel diffusé

    EU-Ukraine - strengthening the Strategic Partnership 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
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    midex2html v1.04 run on Tuesday, 29 March 2005 - 12:30:04 UTC