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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-12-07

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] Erasmus @ 20 : la Commission s'apprĂŞte Ă cĂ©lĂ©brer l'anniversaire de son programme Ă©ducatif phare
  • [02] Public procurement : new Commission guidelines on defence contracts
  • [03] Concurrence : adoption par la Commission d'une version modifiĂ©e de la communication sur la clĂ©mence rĂ©compensant les entreprises qui dĂ©noncent des ententes
  • [04] Commission authorises German regional investment aid scheme 'Investitionszulagengesetz 2007'
  • [05] Commission opens investigation into restructuring aid to Polish company Odlewnia Zeliwa ĹšREM
  • [06] La Commission autorise l'aide de l’Agence française de l'innovation industrielle en faveur du programme de R&D BioHub
  • [07] Commission clears acquisition of GE Life by Swiss Re
  • [08] Commission authorises aid for anti-pollution filters on Italian buses
  • [09] Un projet europĂ©en de recherche amĂ©liore la sĂ©curitĂ© des grands Ă©vĂ©nements mondiaux
  • [10] New European Laboratory for Food Contact Materials will help keep Europe's food safe
  • [11] Autre matĂ©riel diffusĂ© Midday Express of 2006-12-07 Reference: MEX/06/1207 Date: 07/12/2006 EXME06 / 7.12

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

    Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb

    07/12/06


  • [01] Erasmus @ 20 : la Commission s'apprĂŞte Ă cĂ©lĂ©brer l'anniversaire de son programme Ă©ducatif phare

    José Manuel Barroso, Président de la Commission européenne, et Ján Figel', Commissaire chargé de l'éducation et de la formation, ont souligné aujourd'hui le rôle éminent que joue le programme Erasmus en tant que moteur de la modernisation des systèmes européens d'enseignement supérieur. Ils ont appelé à un renforcement de ce rôle au moment où ils donnaient le feu vert aux célébrations du 20e anniversaire de ce programme aujourd'hui à Bruxelles. Le programme Erasmus encourage la mobilité des étudiants et des enseignants et assure la promotion des projets de coopération transnationale entre universités européennes. Actuellement, neuf établissements d'enseignement supérieur européens sur dix peuvent bénéficier de ce programme.

    [02] Public procurement : new Commission guidelines on defence contracts

    The European Commission has provided Member States with guidelines on when defence contracts can be exempt from EU rules requiring competitive bidding. The Commission sees these guidelines, which are set out in an 'Interpretative Communication', as a necessary first step towards greater competitiveness, openness and efficiency in EU defence markets. In addition, the Commission is currently assessing the impact of a possible new Directive that would offer new, more flexible rules addressing the specific features of defence procurement. These initiatives were first outlined in December 2005 and are based on responses to a Green Paper on how to open defence procurement to greater transparency and efficiency (see IP/05/1534).

    [03] Concurrence : adoption par la Commission d'une version modifiée de la communication sur la clémence récompensant les entreprises qui dénoncent des ententes

    La Commission européenne a pris une nouvelle initiative importante afin de découvrir et de mettre fin aux ententes caractérisées en adoptant une version modifiée de la communication concernant l'immunité d'amendes et la réduction de leur montant dans les affaires portant sur des ententes (la "communication sur la clémence"). La nouvelle communication sur la clémence précise les renseignements que le demandeur doit fournir à la Commission pour pouvoir bénéficier de l'immunité et prévoit un système d'ordre d'arrivée des demandes. Elle précise également les conditions de l’immunité et de la réduction des amendes et introduit une procédure protégeant les déclarations faites par les entreprises au titre de la communication de clémence contre leur divulgation auprès de requérants dans des actions civiles en dommages et intérêts. Les modifications tiennent compte des consultations publiques menées en février et en octobre 2006.

    [04] Commission authorises German regional investment aid scheme 'Investitionszulagengesetz 2007'

    The European Commission has decided that one of the largest German regional aid schemes, the 2007 investment premium law ('Investitionszulagengesetz'), is in line with EC Treaty state aid rules (Article 87), as far as investment projects initiated in 2006 are concerned. The remainder of the scheme, concerning projects started after 2006, will be covered by the new block exemption Regulation for regional investment aid (see IP/06/1453) and so will be exempt from notification and will not need to be approved by the Commission.

    [05] Commission opens investigation into restructuring aid to Polish company Odlewnia Zeliwa ĹšREM

    The European Commission has opened a formal investigation under EC Treaty state aid rules into aid that Poland has granted or intends to grant to Odlewnia Zeliwa ĹšREM S.A. ("OZS"), a company producing cast iron. The Commission will assess whether the aid complies with the EU rules governing state aid for the restructuring of firms in difficulty. In particular, the Commission will verify whether OZS fulfils the criteria for receiving restructuring aid, whether the restructuring plan is capable of restoring its long-term viability, and whether OZS' contribution to its restructuring is adequate. The opening of a formal investigation gives interested parties an opportunity to comment on the measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

    [06] La Commission autorise l'aide de l’Agence française de l'innovation industrielle en faveur du programme de R&D BioHub

    La Commission européenne a autoriséé, sur base des règles CE sur les aides d'Etat, le soutien financier de la France au programme de recherche-développement (R&D) BioHub. Ce programme fait l'objet d'une importante collaboration entre entreprises et laboratoires de recherche de plusieurs Etats membres, coordonnée par l'amidonnier français Roquette. Il vise le développement de nouveaux produits et procédés chimiques respectueux de l'environnement. L'aide est accordée dans le cadre du régime d'aides de l'Agence de l'innovation industrielle, déjà approuvé par la Commission (voir IP/06/1020), et s'élève à €41,8 millions. La Commission a estimé qu'elle remplit les conditions définies dans l'encadrement des aides d'Etat à la R&D actuellement en vigueur, notamment en termes d'intensité et d'effet incitatif de l'aide.

    [07] Commission clears acquisition of GE Life by Swiss Re

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of GE Live Group Limited, GE Life Services Limited and GE Insurance Holdings Limited (together GE Life) of the UK by Swiss Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) of Switzerland. Swiss Re provides reinsurance services and GE Life provides life insurance services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [08] Commission authorises aid for anti-pollution filters on Italian buses

    The European Commission has approved aid to alleviate the cost of retrofitting Italian passenger buses with particulate filters. Such filters will reduce the pollution level of elderly as well as of new buses and thus contribute to the protection of human health and the environment, in particular in bigger cities.

    [09] Un projet européen de recherche améliore la sécurité des grands événements mondiaux

    La Commission européenne présentera aujourd'hui au siège des Nations unies à New-York les résultats d'un projet de recherche, EU-SEC, qui vise à améliorer la sécurité lors des grandes manifestations telles que les Jeux olympiques, la Coupe du monde de football ou les sommets internationaux. Ce projet est coordonné par les Nations unies et rassemble les ministères de l'intérieur et les services de police de 10 Etats membres ainsi que l'Office européen de police. Les partenaires ont rédigé un guide de bonnes pratiques pour la sécurité dans les grandes manifestations et mettront en commun leurs programmes nationaux de recherche afin de soutenir des recherches ciblées concernant la détection des explosifs, l'utilisation et le contrôle de la sécurité privée et l'information du public. Le projet sera présenté lors d'une conférence des Nations unies sur l'amélioration de la sécurité lors des grands événements mondiaux. Il bénéficie d'un financement de €1,8 million au titre du programme cadre de recherche de l'UE.

    [10] New European Laboratory for Food Contact Materials will help keep Europe's food safe

    European consumers want to know that the food they buy is safe and, where packaged, that the materials in that packaging keep it fresh and do not compromise the quality of the food inside. Today the European Commission inaugurates the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for Food Contact Materials. EU legislation ensures that all materials that come into contact with food comply with standards so that safe food remains safe. The CRL will establish an equivalent level of laboratory practice across the EU. It will serve as a point of reference for issues relating to the enforcement of legislation on food contact materials, through a network of National Reference Laboratories and will develop methods, reference substances, training and so on to ensure the best possible implementation of EU legislation in this field. Food contact materials are essential in processing, transporting and storing food. Food packaging is a particularly important material, as it must prevent deterioration of, and at the same time avoid interacting with the food concerned. The CRL will be based at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy.

    [11] Autre matériel diffusé

    Frequently asked questions : Erasmus Programme, how does it work ?

    Frequently asked questions : ERASMUS Programme, facts and figures

    Frequently asked questions on Interpretative Communication on defence procurement

    Competition : revised Leniency Notice – frequently asked questions

    Competition : Commission Leniency Notice – frequently asked questions

    Speech by Joe Borg : "Update on the situation in Fisheries and Aquaculture" at the plenary meeting of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs

    Speech by Siim Kallas : "The e-Commission initiative within the context of EU ; e-governments: which legal framework, which technical and political challenges" at Colloque International 'Droit de l'Administration Ă©lectronique' (Paris)

    Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner : "Indonesia and the European Union: building on common ground" at 'Pluralism and Democracy: Indonesian Perspectives' EU-Indonesia Day

    Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Financial reporting in the EU: striking the right regulatory balance" à la Fédération des Experts Comptables Européens (FEE) Conference

    Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "EU Patent Strategy" at the PanEuropean Intellectual Property Summit

    Speech by President Barroso : "An innovation-friendly, modern Europe" au séminaire European Technology Platforms (06/12)

    Speech by Joe Borg : "Looking for answers on a Maritime Policy for the Union" at Conference organised by Les Echos 'Les assises de l'Ă©conomie maritime' (06/12, Paris) 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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