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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 09-02-13Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb13/02/09[01] Regions must 'network for results' to tackle financial crisis, climate change and energy fears, says Danuta HübnerOn Monday 16 February, Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner will open the annual "Regions for Economic Change" conference, launched by the Commission in 2006. The two-day event will provide an opportunity for more than 700 representatives from Europe's regions to share ideas and showcase their contribution to competitiveness, growth and jobs, One of the highlights of the event will be the announcement on Monday evening of the winners of the 2009 'RegioStars' Awards, celebrating the most inspiring and innovative projects funded by the EU's Cohesion Policy.[02] State aid: Commission approves German real economy crisis measureThe European Commission has approved, under EC Treaty state aid rules, a German aid measure that addresses mid-sized enterprises' increased demand for funding for research and development (R&D)- in the current financial and economic crisis. The aid measure temporarily amends the existing aid scheme 'Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand' (ZIM), initially targeted at funding R&D activities of SMEs only. Now, R&D projects of mid- sized enterprises of up to 1,000 employees will also be eligible for funding until 31.12.2010. Germany will commit an extra budget of €900 million for that purpose. The Commission concluded that the proposed aid is in line with the EU rules on state aid for research, development and innovation (see <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/1600&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/06/1600 and <a href="http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/441&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/06/441) because it will not exceed the prescribed limits and will provide an incentive to increase the level of R&D&I activity.[03] Visite de la Commissaire Ferrero-Waldner au Liban du 16 au 17 février 2009Lors de sa troisième visite au Liban en tant que membre de la Commission européenne responsable des relations extérieures et de la politique européenne de voisinage, Mme Benita Ferrero-Waldner rencontrera le président libanais, M. Michel Sleiman, le président du Parlement, M. Nabih Berri, le Premier ministre, M. Fouad Siniora, le ministre des affaires étrangères, M. Faouzi Salloukh, le ministre de l'intérieur et des collectivités locales, M. Ziad Baroud, ainsi que d'autres membres du gouvernement libanais. Leurs discussions porteront sur différentes questions telles que l’évolution de la situation dans la région et les défis importants auxquels le Liban sera très prochainement confronté. La commissaire européenne insistera particulièrement sur la poursuite de la mise en œuvre de tous les aspects de l'accord de Doha, principalement le dialogue national, le renforcement de l'autorité de l'État et les prochaines élections législatives prévues pour juin. L’ordre du jour portera également sur la politique européenne de voisinage et sur la façon d’en tirer le meilleur parti pour faire progresser le programme de réformes du gouvernement.[04] Euro area and EU27 GDP down by 1.5%GDP declined by 1.5% in both the euro area (EA15) and the EU27 during the fourth quarter of 2008, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat. In the third quarter of 2008, growth rates were -0.2% in both zones.[05] Vice President Verheugen meets President and Prime Minister in UkraineCommission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, responsible for Enterprise and Industry, will pay a visit to Ukraine on 16 February, which is a key country in the context of the European neighborhood policy. The Vice President will meet with President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Tymoschenko in Kiev to discuss the state of play and prospects of EU- Ukraine economic relations, including responses to the current economic crisis. It is also foreseen to launch a close cooperation on SME policies. Furthermore he will have talks with members of the Ukrainian Parliament, Vice Prime Minister Hryhoriy Nemyria and Economy Minister Bohdan Danylyshyn as well as with representatives from the business community.Rediffusion [06] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Syria, 15-16 February 2009On her first visit to Syria as European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner will meet with Syrian President, Bashar Al Assad, Vice President, Farouk Al Sharaa, Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdullah Al Dardari, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Walid Al Moallem. During the visit, she will discuss the EU-Syria bilateral relations including the process for concluding the Association Agreement that the EU and Syria have negotiated. She will also discuss recent regional developments and seek Syria’s contribution to solving the regional crisis.[07] Autre matériel diffusé• Memo on Education, Youth Affairs and Culture Council, 16 February 2009• Remarques du Président Barroso l'issue de sa rencontre avec le Premier ministre de la République française François Fillon, Bruxelles • Speech by Commissioner Borg 'New momentum for the Integrated Maritime Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy', Caen • Speech by Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner “The Mediterranean Solar Plan – a necessity, not an option”, Brussels • Calendrier hebdomadaire du 16 au 22 février • Top News from the European Commission
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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