Midday Express of 2013-03-18
| Reference: MEX/13/0318 Event Date: 18/03/2013 |
EXME 13 / 18.03
Midday Express of 2013-03-18
News from the European Commission's Midday Briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Commission européenne
Digital Agenda: global tech sector measures its carbon footprint
The European Commission is working with 27 of the world's leading tech companies and associations to measure their carbon footprint arising from the production, transport and sales of ICT goods, networks and services. According to a study published today, 10 measurement tools and standards pilot-tested by the organisations are comparable. The aim is to have a common measurement framework in order to get a clearer picture, and eventually a reduction, of CO2 emissions.
Making citizens' rights a tangible reality: 500 Information Centres inform citizens across Europe
Today, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission and Othmar Karas, Vice-President of the European Parliament launched a new generation of "Europe Direct Information Centres". The new network will extend possibilities for citizens to get practical information and advice on exercising rights in the European Union. There are now 500 centres in Europe, for the 500 million people in the European Union. Croatia will join the network later in 2013. The announcement comes as representatives from the centres are gathering in Brussels for the Annual General Meeting of the Europe Direct Network.
2013 budget adjusted for Croatia's entry to the EU
The European Commission proposes today to amend this year's EU budget to take into account the impact of Croatia's accession to the EU. The proposed increase amounts to EUR 655.1 million in commitments (0.4% of the 2013 budget) and EUR 374.0 million (0.3%) in payments. These amounts reflect the provisions of the accession treaty signed between the EU and Croatia.
The EU steps up its response to fight money laundering and drug trafficking in West Africa
The European Union has launched a new project which will contribute to the fight against money laundering in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Cape Verde. The project will help law enforcement agencies to better investigate money laundering, and thereby fight organized crime. At the same time, it will increase regional cooperation among these countries which are part of the "Cocaine route", i.e. the route used by South American drug cartels to ship drugs into Europe.
The first estimate for the euro area (EA17) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in January 2013 gave a 3.9 billion euro deficit, compared with -9.1 bn in January 2012. The December 2012 balance was +10.8 bn, compared with +8.0 bn in December 2011. In January 2013 compared with December 2012, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.0% and imports by 3.1%. The first estimate for the January 2013 extra-EU27 trade balance was a 16.5 bn euro deficit, compared with -24.9 bn in January 2012. In December 2012 the balance was -1.1 bn, compared with -0.2 bn in December 2011. In January 2013 compared with December 2012, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 2.9% and imports by 1.3%.
Mergers: Commission clears joint acquisition of PT Oiltanking Karimun by Oiltanking and Gunvor
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of PT Oiltanking Karimun of Indonesia by Oiltanking of Germany, ultimately controlled by Marquard & Bahls AG, and Coral Cay Pte of Singapour, which is a wholly owned affiliate of Gunvor Group Ltd. Oiltanking is active in storage services for petroleum products, vegetables oils, chemicals and other liquids and gases on a worldwide basis. Gunvor is active in the trade, transport, storage and optimization of crude oil, refined mineral oil products and other energy products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website in the public case register under the case number M.6877 .
Rediffusion
Tunisia: New EU aid to support democratic transition
The European Union continues to support the reform process in Tunisia with new projects announced in Tunis today. Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle who visits Tunisia as the first EU representative after the swearing-in of the new government, signed two contracts to finance actions on preventing gender violence and improving the performance of the justice sector in the area of juvenile delinquency.
Autre matériel diffusé :
Statement by President Barroso following the final session of the European Council - rediffusion
Memo "Statement by Vice Presidents Rehn and Tajani on commercial debt of public administrations"
Memo "Statement by Vice President Rehn on the seventh review mission to Portugal" - rediffusion
Memo "Statement by the EC, ECB and IMF on the Seventh Review Mission to Portugal" - rediffusion
