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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-08-01

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] Agreement reached to liberalise trade in Agricultural and Fishery Products between the EU and Israel
  • [02] Commission proposes to revise the regulation on ozone-depleting substances
  • [03] Environment: Capsized ferry in Philippines - joint EU and UN assessment report presented to Philippine authorities
  • [04] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Angola
  • [05] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Rwanda
  • [06] State aid: Commission closes investigation into tax benefits for Hungarian steel producer Dunaferr
  • [07] The European Commission adopts its second monitoring and evaluation report about the operation of Council Common Position 2005/96/JHA on the exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with Interpol.
  • [08] Commission clears acquisition of JOST by Cinven
  • [09] Commission publishes analyses of world agricultural commodity markets
  • [10] Vacancy for Deputy Director at the International Olive Council
  • [11] Wine reform enters into force on 1 August 2008
  • [12] Household saving rate at 13.7% in the euro area and 10.0% in the EU27
  • [13] Rédiffusion
  • [14] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands plant by Ineos
  • [15] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of joint control over Siemens Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co by Siemens and Ortner
  • [16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Grampian by VION
  • [17] Statement by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission on the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Italian Parliament
  • [18] European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, urges all parties in Zimbabwean negotiations to stick to promises to renounce violence and support humanitarian access.
  • [19] Autre matériel diffusé Midday Express of 2008-08-01 Reference: MEX/08/0801 Date: 01/08/2008 EXME08 / 01.8

    MIDDAY EXPRESS

    News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing

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

    01/08/08


  • [01] Agreement reached to liberalise trade in Agricultural and Fishery Products between the EU and Israel

    Negotiators have reached a preliminary agreement to further liberalise trade in agricultural and processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products between the European Union and the State of Israel, following technical verification of the Common Understanding reached

    on 30 April 2008 in Bet-Dagan (Israel) on bilateral tariff concessions. This will form the basis of a future agreement, subject to completion of both sides' internal procedures. The new trade concessions represent a major step forward in the integration of the EU and Israeli markets.

    [02] Commission proposes to revise the regulation on ozone-depleting substances

    The European Commission presented today a proposal to revise the current legislation on the protection of the ozone layer. The revision is intended to simplify the current legislation and reflect the progress made in phasing out ozone-depleting substances in the European Union, to allow the EU to continue leading the global battle to protect and restore the ozone layer. Despite the good progress made so far, the Commission stresses that a number of challenges remain – some closely related to climate change – and that these challenges need to be addressed in the EU and globally. The ozone layer is expected to recover to pre-1980 levels by 2050-2075.

    [03] Environment: Capsized ferry in Philippines - joint EU and UN assessment report presented to Philippine authorities

    The report of the joint EU-UN expert team deployed to assess the situation of the 'Princess of the Stars' ferry that capsized on 21 June – causing nearly 800 deaths – and which contained highly toxic chemicals, was presented to the Philippine authorities today. The report confirms the presence of large quantities of five pesticides and other toxic substances, and recommends improvements to water, sediment and air monitoring, and the establishment of a bio-monitoring programme. The report also stresses the need for a comprehensive disposal plan to be in place before the start of any salvage operation.

    [04] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Angola

    The European Commission will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the legislative elections in Angola scheduled to take place on 5 September 2008. The EU EOM, which will deploy over 90 observers, will be led by Mrs. Luisa Morgantini, Member of the European Parliament and is a further contribution by the European Commission to supporting democracy in Angola. The core team arrived in the country on the 29th of July.

    [05] European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Rwanda

    The European Commission will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the legislative elections in Rwanda scheduled to take place on 15 – 18 September 2008. The EU EOM has arrived in the country and is a further contribution by the European Commission to supporting democracy in Rwanda. It will be led by Mr Michael Cashman, Member of the European Parliament.

    [06] State aid: Commission closes investigation into tax benefits for Hungarian steel producer Dunaferr

    The European Commission has closed its in-depth investigation, initiated in April 2008 (see IP/08/595) under the EC Treaty state aid rules, into investment aid in the from of a tax relief for Dunaferr, the largest Hungarian steel producer, part of the Donbass/Duferco group. Since the Hungarian authorities informed the Commission that Dunaferr was no longer eligible for the aid and it had not been paid out yet, the investigation has become without object.

    [07] The European Commission adopts its second monitoring and evaluation report about the operation of Council Common Position 2005/96/JHA on the exchange of data on lost and stolen passports with Interpol.

    The European Commission has adopted its second monitoring and evaluation report the operation of a Common Position that obliges Member States to exchange data about lost and stolen passports with Interpol. The report shows that all Member States now contribute to and search Interpol's Lost & Stolen Travel Document database.

    [08] Commission clears acquisition of JOST by Cinven

    The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of JOST Holdings GmbH by Cintinori, an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of funds under the management of Cinven Limited. Cinven, a whole-owned subsidiary of Cinven Group Limited, provides investment management and advisory services to investment funds. JOST is the ultimate parent company of JOST group and manufactures components for the truck and trailer industry. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

    [09] Commission publishes analyses of world agricultural commodity markets

    The European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture has just published two analyses of world agricultural commodity markets. One report, "High prices on agricultural commodity markets: situation and prospects", reviews the causes of recent high prices and provides a summary of the outlook for world agricultural markets. The second report, "Agricultural commodity markets - Outlook 2008-2017", provides a more complete comparative analysis of the outlook published by OECD-FAO, FAPRI and the USDA. The reports are available at: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/tradepol/index_en.htm

    [10] Vacancy for Deputy Director at the International Olive Council

    As the intergovernmental organisation in charge of administering the 2005 International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, the International Olive Council (IOC) is a unique multilateral organisation working for world olive farming. The European Community is a member of the IOC, where it represents 27 Member States and makes a substantial contribution to its operational budgets. A vacancy has now arisen for the post of Deputy Director responsible for administration and financial affairs, studies and evaluations, until November 2010, subsequently to be appointed Executive Director until 2014. The post is based in Madrid in the IOC Executive Secretariat, whose job it is to help the Council of Members and its Committees carry through the duties they are assigned under the International Agreement. EU citizens are invited to find out more from the Vacancy Notice and application details published today on the following website:

    <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ioc/vacancy_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/ioc/vacancy_en.htm

    [11] Wine reform enters into force on 1 August 2008

    Today marks the entry into force of the wide-ranging reform of the Common Market Organisation for wine on which agriculture ministers reached agreement in December 2007. The changes will bring balance to the wine market, phase out wasteful and expensive market intervention measures and allow the budget to be used for more positive, proactive measures which will boost the competitiveness of European wines. The reform provides for a fast restructuring of the wine sector in that it includes a voluntary, three-year grubbing-up scheme to provide an alternative for uncompetitive producers and to remove surplus and uncompetitive wine from the market. Subsidies for crisis distillation and potable alcohol distillation will be phased out and the money, allocated in national envelopes, can be used for measures like wine promotion on third country markets, innovation, restructuring and modernisation of vineyards and cellars. The reform will ensure environmental protection in wine-growing regions, safeguard traditional and well-established quality policies and simplify labelling rules, for the benefit of producers and consumers alike. The very restrictive planting rights system will also be abolished at EU level from 1 January 2016 onwards. Most of the measures in the reform package come into force on 1 August 2008. Those relating to labelling, wine-making practices and Geographical Indications enter into force on 1 August 2009.

    [12] Household saving rate at 13.7% in the euro area and 10.0% in the EU27

    Eurostat and the European Central Bank (ECB) release a detailed set of quarterly European sector accounts. This Eurostat News Release focuses on three key indicators: the household saving rate, and the investment rate and profit share of non-financial businesses. Developments in the euro area are detailed in an annex.

    [13] Rédiffusion

    [14] Mergers: Commission clears proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands plant by Ineos

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of BASF's Seal Sands plant, a UK plant active in the production of intermediate chemicals, by Ineos. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.

    [15] Mergers: Commission approves proposed acquisition of joint control over Siemens Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co by Siemens and Ortner

    The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of joint control of the Austrian undertaking Siemens Elin Buildings and Infrastructure GmbH & Co (B&I KG) by Ortner Group (also of Austria) and Siemens AG of Germany. The Commission concluded that the operation would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in any substantial part of it.

    [16] Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Grampian by VION

    The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Grampian of the United Kingdom, by VION of the Netherlands. After examining the operation, the Commission concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

    [17] Statement by José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission on the approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Italian Parliament

    I would like to congratulate Italy on the successful approval of the Treaty of Lisbon by the Parliament today. I had the pleasure to attend the recent debate on the Treaty in the Italian Senate. As a founding country, both the Italian Government and a broad political spectrum in Parliament have shown unwavering support for the European project and the successful ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon. I greatly appreciate the support that they have shown. I welcome that member states have continued to move the ratification process forward so that all Member States are heard during the ratification process.

    [18] European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, urges all parties in Zimbabwean negotiations to stick to promises to renounce violence and support humanitarian access.

    The Memorandum of Understanding, agreed between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai more than one week ago (21st July 2008), sets out clear interim measures to be taken immediately. These measures include the condemnation and end to all political violence as well as the immediate opening-up of the humanitarian space across the country. International humanitarian aid, including substantial assistance from the European Commission, has been blocked since the run-up to the Presidential run-off more than one month ago. Commissioner Michel stated, "The signing by Robert Mugabe and the opposition leaders of the MDC of a Memorandum of Understanding last week is an important step towards a genuine political solution to the current crisis in Zimbabwe. We sincerely hope that the ongoing negotiations between the Zimbabwean parties will succeed. However, this must be translated into concrete acts on the ground quickly in order to bring back confidence and establish a genuine climate of reconciliation. I am concerned about the continued widespread violence and intimidation. I am also deeply worried about the persistent restrictions imposed to humanitarian activities. This situation is unacceptable and is putting thousands of innocent civilian lives, including women and children, at risk. I therefore call upon the Zimbabwean authorities to denounce and abandon violence and to provide unfettered humanitarian access across the country in order to deliver much needed aid to the most vulnerable. The full application of these measures is essential to create the proper environment for conducive and much needed negotiations aimed at ending the political crisis in Zimbabwe."

    [19] Autre matériel diffusé

    Memo: Commissioner Kroes welcomes amendments in EDF/Exeltium announced framework

    A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315): Une notification préalable d'opération de concentration : - Parcom / Bakkersland From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/


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