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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 07-12-12
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 11 décembre 2007 – Outcome of
Commission meeting of 11 December 2007
[02] Aides au transport maritime: la Commission souhaite examiner en
détail certains aspects des modifications que le Danemark envisage
d'apporter son régime d'imposition forfaitaire sur la base du tonnage
[03] State aid: Commission approves Italian aid scheme for scrapping
maritime and inland waterway vessels
[04] State aid: Commission concludes its investigation into aid to
Tieliikelaitos (now Destia), clears transitional aid, puts end to unlimited
State guarantee
[05] Commission approves changes to social aid for air travel between
mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira
[06] Une nouvelle étude se penche sur les règles et les normes
d’éthique s’appliquant aux hauts fonctionnaires
[07] Commission warns Italy about breaking EU TV advertising rules
[08] Aides d'Etat: la Commission autorise un régime d'aides français pour
la création de jeux vidéo
[09] State aid: Commission prohibits tax exemption to Slovak subsidiary of
Glunz&Jensen
[10] State aid: Commission finds misuse of €2 million of restructuring
aid by Arcelor Huta Warszawa
[11] State aid: Commission improves procedural rules
[12] State aid: Commission adopts new method for setting reference and
discount rates
[13] Commission clears acquisition of UI Holdings by Sony Ericsson and
Motorola
[14] Commission clears acquisition of AITS by Avnet
[15] Commission clears acquisition of Forgings International by Oak Hill
[16] Agriculture: Commission increases ceiling for 'de minimis' aid to €7,
500
[17] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles
[18] Cohesion Policy set to give major boost to Lisbon strategy for 2007-
2013
[19] 2010 to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social
Exclusion
[20] Capitales européennes de la culture 2013 : réunions de
présélection en Slovaquie et en France
[21] Le marché laitier: la Commission propose une augmentation de 2 % des
quotas laitiers compter d'avril 2008
[22] Payment Services Directive: Commission encourages swift and coherent
implementation at national level
[23] Consumers: New EU rules crackdown on misleading advertising and
aggressive sales practices
[24] Charte des droits fondamentaux: les Présidents du Parlement européen,
du Conseil et de la Commission signent et proclament solennellement la
Charte Strasbourg
[25] Public Hearing Solvency II
[26] Industrial production up by 0.4% in euro area
[27] Hausse de 0,3% de l'emploi dans la zone euro et dans l'UE27
[28] Rediffusion
[29] Commission welcomes European Parliament's support for new EU public-
private research initiatives
Midday Express of 2007-12-12
Reference: MEX/07/1212
Date: 12/12/2007
EXME07 / 12.12
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
12/12/07
[01] I. Résultats de la Commission du 11 décembre 2007 – Outcome of
Commission meeting of 11 December 2007
[02] Aides au transport maritime: la Commission souhaite examiner en
détail certains aspects des modifications que le Danemark envisage
d'apporter son régime d'imposition forfaitaire sur la base du tonnage
Suite une notification par les autorités danoises, la Commission
européenne a décidé aujourd’hui d’ouvrir une procédure formelle
d'examen sur certaines des modifications que le Danemark envisage
d'apporter son régime d’imposition forfaitaire sur la base du tonnage
(tonnage tax). Ce régime d'imposition permet aux entreprises de transport
maritime qui le souhaitent de ne pas payer l'impôt sur les sociétés mais
un impôt forfaitaire, qui dépend seulement du tonnage de la flotte
qu'elles opèrent. L'examen engagé porte sur certains aspects seulement
des modifications envisagées, la Commission considérant que les autres
modifications sont compatibles avec les règles communautaires.
[03] State aid: Commission approves Italian aid scheme for scrapping
maritime and inland waterway vessels
The European Commission has decided today not to raise objections to an aid
notified by Italy that aims to encourage the scrapping of old vessels. The
vessels eligible to the scheme are used exclusively for local maritime and
inland navigation public transport.
[04] State aid: Commission concludes its investigation into aid to
Tieliikelaitos (now Destia), clears transitional aid, puts end to unlimited
State guarantee
The European Commission has concluded today its investigation into aid
given to Tieliikelaitos (now Destia), the successor to the national road
service that was set up as a State Enterprise when Finland opened its road
service market to competition. The Commission has decided not to raise
objections to the aid provided on a transitional basis by the Finnish
government to facilitate Tieliikelaitos' adaptation to its new competitive
environment, in a context of overstaffing and of strict limitations on
staff downsizing. At the same time, the Commission requested the Finnish
government to put an end to a number of privileges that Tieliikelaitos
enjoyed, namely the non-application of normal bankruptcy and corporate
income tax legislation.
[05] Commission approves changes to social aid for air travel between
mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira
The European Commission has today approved changes to a social State aid
scheme proposed by the Portuguese authorities for air transport services
to/from mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The scheme,
approved by the Commission in 1998, is available to residents of the
Autonomous Region of Madeira and students meeting certain criteria.
[06] Une nouvelle étude se penche sur les règles et les normes
d’éthique s’appliquant aux hauts fonctionnaires
La Commission publie aujourd’hui une étude comparative indépendante sur
les règles et les normes en matière d’éthique professionnelle
s’appliquant aux titulaires de mandats publics. Cette étude, effectuée
par l’Institut européen d'administration publique, a conclu que la
plupart des institutions européennes obéissent des règles plus
strictes que les institutions nationales. La Commission européenne et la
Banque européenne d’investissement sont les institutions européennes
disposant des règles éthiques les plus étendues. L’étude constate que
la Commission européenne possède un système relativement bien
développé de notification des conflits d’intérêts.
[07] Commission warns Italy about breaking EU TV advertising rules
The Commission sent Italy today a letter of formal notice for violating EU
advertising rules under the Television without Frontiers Directive. This is
the first stage of the EU's infringements proceedings in this case.
[08] Aides d'Etat: la Commission autorise un régime d'aides français pour
la création de jeux vidéo
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles du Traité CE
sur les aides d'Etat, un crédit d'impôt français visant
encourager la production de jeux vidéo. Cette aide fiscale ne peut
s'appliquer qu'aux jeux vidéo répondant des critères de qualité,
d'originalité et de contribution la diversité culturelle. A ce titre,
la Commission a pu conclure, après une enquête approfondie ouverte en
2006 (voir IP/06/1602), qu'elle pouvait bénéficier de l'exception prévue
par le Traité CE pour les aides en faveur de la culture.
[09] State aid: Commission prohibits tax exemption to Slovak subsidiary of
Glunz&Jensen
The European Commission has decided that a Slovak regional investment aid
worth SKK 42 million (some €1.15 million) in the form of a tax exemption
in favour of Glunz&Jensen is incompatible with the EU state aid rules (and
in particular the Regional Aid Guidelines) and could not be granted. After
a formal investigation launched in April 2007 (see IP/07/558), the
Commission found that the proposed aid did not contribute to regional
development and would have created significant distortions of competition
in a specific market in which Glunz&Jensen has an important share (graphic
arts pre-press processing equipment). As the aid has not yet been granted,
the aid does not have to be recovered.
[10] State aid: Commission finds misuse of €2 million of restructuring
aid by Arcelor Huta Warszawa
The European Commission has decided under EC Treaty state aid rules that
the Polish steel producer Arcelor Huta Warszawa (AHW), before becoming part
of the Arcelor group, has misused restructuring aid it received in 2003
under special provisions for steel restructuring in Poland laid down in the
Polish Accession Treaty. AHW has voluntarily repaid the €2 million of
unlawful aid. It was therefore not necessary to order Poland to recover the
aid.
[11] State aid: Commission improves procedural rules
The European Commission has acted to clarify its rules on the notification
of state aids and ensure faster procedures by amending the Regulation which
establishes complementary procedural provisions for the application of the
EC Treaty state aid rules (the so-called "Implementing Regulation"). The
modifications will inter alia introduce additional notification forms and
require the compulsory use of an electronic notification system and a
secured e-mail system by 1 July 2008. Moreover, the new general
notification form will provide additional information to the Commission
allowing quicker decision-making procedures. The new Regulation takes
account of comments received from a public consultation in the course of
2007. This proposal is adopted within the context of the State Aid Action
Plan (see IP/05/680 and MEMO/05/195), designed to simplify the state aid
rules, to refine the economic analysis of subsidies and to allow the
Commission to concentrate its enforcement on the most distortive cases.
[12] State aid: Commission adopts new method for setting reference and
discount rates
The European Commission has adopted a new method for setting reference and
discount rates used in the analysis of state aid cases for calculating the
grant equivalent of aid and the aid element resulting from interest subsidy
schemes. The new method is more in conformity with market principles as it
contains a system to take account of the specific situation of the company
or project and will thus contribute to a better economic approach to state
aid analysis, as announced in the State Aid Action Plan (see IP/05/680 and
MEMO/05/195). It will enter into force on 1 July 2008.
[13] Commission clears acquisition of UI Holdings by Sony Ericsson and
Motorola
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of UI Holdings B.V. (UI
Holdings) of The Netherlands by Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
(Sony Ericsson) of Sweden and Motorola Inc. of the US. Sony Ericsson
develops, produces and markets mobile telephones, data devices and related
accessories. Motorola is active in wireless and broadband communications
technologies, including the development, production and marketing of speech-
based mobile devices. UI Holdings develops mobile phone user interfaces and
application frameworks through its subsidiary UIQ Technology. The operation
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[14] Commission clears acquisition of AITS by Avnet
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Acal IT Solutions (AITS),
a division of Acal IT Limited of the UK by Avnet Inc. of the US. Avnet
distributes electronic components, computer products and technology
services. AITS is active in the wholesale distribution of IT products and
services. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review
procedure.
[15] Commission clears acquisition of Forgings International by Oak Hill
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Forgings International
L.P., which wholly controls Firth Rixson Limited of the UK, by Oak Hill
Capital Management, LLC (Oak Hill) of the Cayman Islands. Oak Hill manages
private equity capital. Firth Rixson produces and supplies forged products
and specialist alloys. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure.
[16] Agriculture: Commission increases ceiling for 'de minimis' aid to €7,
500
The European Commission today adopted a regulation increasing the ceiling
for small amounts of aid ('de minimis) in the agriculture sector. The limit
will rise to €7,500 per beneficiary over any period of three years and
the maximum total per Member State to 0.75 percent of the value of
agricultural output. Until now, under the regulation adopted in October
2004, these limits were €3,000 per beneficiary or 0.3 percent of the
value of agricultural output for each Member State. The new regulation also
sets out a clearer definition of the scope of such aid and gives the Member
States greater room for manoeuvre in granting aid without distorting
competition. Under the de minimis system, Member States may pay these sums
to farmers without seeking prior clearance from the Commission because it
is deemed not to distort competition. The changes follow a wide-ranging
consultation with interested parties and two rounds of discussions with
Member States. The changes come into effect from 1 January 2008, but can
also be applied retroactively.
[17] II. Other news - Autres Nouvelles
[18] Cohesion Policy set to give major boost to Lisbon strategy for 2007-
2013
The reform of the cohesion policy is starting to bring tangible results and
is reaffirming its role as one of the main Community policies delivering
the Lisbon strategy for 2007-2013. This is the main message in a
Communication the Commission published today. The document, entitled
"Member States and regions delivering the Lisbon strategy for growth and
jobs through EU Cohesion Policy, 2007- 2013" gives an overview of national
strategies and programmes prepared by the 27 Member States. It shows that
most of the Cohesion Policy budget totalling € 347 billion will be
invested in key Lisbon-related priorities, such as the knowledge economy,
research, development and innovation, human capital and business
development. Today's Communication is part of the package which sets out
key Community actions for implementation of the Lisbon strategy for 2008-
2011 and gives an assessment of progress in achieving Lisbon objectives for
2005-2007.
[19] 2010 to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social
Exclusion
The European Commission has today designated 2010 as the European Year for
Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. The € 17 million campaign aims to
reaffirm the EU's commitment to making a decisive impact on the eradication
of poverty by 2010.
[20] Capitales européennes de la culture 2013 : réunions de
présélection en Slovaquie et en France
Les jurys chargés d’évaluer les villes candidates au titre de
“Capitale européenne de la culture 2013” vont se réunir mi-décembre
en Slovaquie puis en France pour une présélection dans chacun de ces deux
Etats Membre. Les villes présélectionnées par le jury devront compléter
leur candidature d'ici la fin de l'été 2008. Les deux villes qui
porteront finalement le titre pour 2013 — une en France et une en
Slovaquie — seront sélectionnées l'automne de l'année prochaine.
[21] Le marché laitier: la Commission propose une augmentation de 2 % des
quotas laitiers compter d'avril 2008
La Commission européenne a proposé aujourd'hui une augmentation de 2 %
des quotas laitiers compter du 1er avril 2008 pour répondre la
croissance de la demande tant dans l'Union européenne que sur les marchés
mondiaux. Cette augmentation, soit 2,84 millions de tonnes, sera répartie
équitablement entre les vingt-sept États membres. Elle ne préjuge pas
des résultats du réexamen du marché laitier actuellement en cours dans
le cadre du bilan de santé de la politique agricole commune, étant
entendu que la Commission a suggéré dans ce contexte une augmentation
progressive des quotas avant leur expiration le 31 mars 2015.
[22] Payment Services Directive: Commission encourages swift and coherent
implementation at national level
The European Commission is to assist Member States in their implementation
of the Payment Services Directive (PSD), which following its recent
publication in the EU Official Journal has now to be written into national
law as soon as possible, and by 1 November 2009 at the latest. In
particular, the Commission will set up best-practice workshops and an
interactive question-and-answer website. The aim of the PSD is to ensure
that electronic payments within the EU – in particular credit transfer,
direct debit and card payments – become as easy, efficient, and secure as
domestic payments within a Member State, by providing the legal foundation
to make the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) possible. The PSD will
reinforce the rights and protection of all users of payment services
(consumers, retailers, large and small companies and public authorities).
[23] Consumers: New EU rules crackdown on misleading advertising and
aggressive sales practices
Just two weeks before Christmas, sweeping new EU rules to crackdown on
misleading advertising and aggressive selling practices - including a ban
on fake "free" offers and a ban on "pester power" advertising (direct
exhortation) to children on the Internet - will come into force across the
EU (December 12 2007). These restrictions are part of an extensive black
list of schemes which are banned by the new Unfair Commercial Practices
(UCP) Directive – targeting in particular a "dirty dozen" of the some of
the most abusive practices, from bait advertising, to pyramid schemes,
advertorials and false curative health claims which are used against
consumers.
[24] Charte des droits fondamentaux: les Présidents du Parlement européen,
du Conseil et de la Commission signent et proclament solennellement la
Charte Strasbourg
Aujourd'hui, Strasbourg, les Présidents des Parlement européen, du
Conseil et de la Commission ont signé et proclamé solennellement la
Charte des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne. Ceci ouvre la voie
la signature, demain, du traité de Lisbonne. Les citoyens européens
disposeront avec la Charte d'un véritable catalogue de droits
juridiquement contraignants pour les institutions, les organes et les
organismes de l'Union ainsi que pour les Etats membres lorsqu'ils mettent
en œuvre le droit de l'Union. C'est un pas important dans la construction
européenne.
[25] Public Hearing Solvency II
In the context of the Solvency II project, the "Internal Market and
Services" Directorate General of the European Commission will organise a
Public Hearing on Solvency II and the fourth Quantitative Impact Study
(QIS4) on Monday 28th January 2008 in Brussels. The aim of the Public
Hearing is to ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity to comment
on the specifications of QIS4 before the exercise is launched in April
2008. The results of the hearing will be taken into account in the final
QIS4 specification as well as in the development work on level 2
implementing measures. We expect the Hearing to be attended by a large
number of key stakeholders representing all sections of the insurance
community. Panel sessions at the Public Hearing will cover the following
topics: Groups, SMEs, and the use of internal models under Solvency II. The
Public Hearing forms part of a formal consultation process on the draft QIS
4 specifications running from 21 December 2007 to 15 February 2008, during
which time stakeholders can provide written comments on the specification."
<a href="http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/solvency/index_en.htm#qis4">http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/solvency/index_en.htm#qis4
[26] Industrial production up by 0.4% in euro area
In October 2007 compared with September 2007, seasonally adjusted
industrial production grew by 0.4% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.5% in
the EU27. In September production fell by 0.8% and 0.6% respectively. In
October 2007 compared with October 2006, industrial production rose by 3.8%
in the euro area and by 3.6% in the EU27. These estimates are released by
Eurostat.
[27] Hausse de 0,3% de l'emploi dans la zone euro et dans l'UE27
Le nombre de personnes ayant un emploi dans la zone euro (ZE13) a
progressé, après correction des variations saisonnières, de 0,3% (407
000 personnes) au troisième trimestre 2007, selon des estimations
provisoires, basées sur les comptes nationaux, publiées par Eurostat. Au
cours de la même période, le nombre de personnes ayant un emploi dans
l'UE27 a aussi augmenté de 0,3% (668 000 personnes). Au deuxième
trimestre 2007, les taux de croissance avaient été de +0,6% dans la zone
euro et de +0,5% dans l'UE27.
[28] Rediffusion
[29] Commission welcomes European Parliament's support for new EU public-
private research initiatives
Today the European Parliament gave its strong support to Commission
proposals to launch the first ever Europe-wide public-private research
partnerships. These Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs) will pool industry,
Member States and Commission resources into targeted research programmes.
They will create critical mass for European research and innovation,
consolidate the European research community in key strategic areas and
streamline project funding to bring research results on-stream quicker. The
first four, approved by today's parliamentary vote, will be in the areas of
miniaturisation technologies, invisible computers, innovative medicines and
greener aviation. Following the green light from Member States on 23
November, it will now be possible to go ahead with the ambitious plans to
establish these JTIs in 2008.
Autre matériel diffusé
• Memo on Joint Technology Initiatives, a new EU research initiative:
Frequently asked questions
• Memo on the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive: Questions and
Answers
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Notification préalable d'une opération de concentration :
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