Monthly Archives: December 2012

Commission authorises €2.66 billion state aid to Italian agricultural sector after May earthquakes

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission authorised today an Italian state aid scheme of €2.66 billion to support the recovery of the Italian agricultural sector from the damage caused by the earthquakes of 20 and 29 May 2012, which hit … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Italy, Society

Extended release regarding Yara acquisition of Bunge’s fertilizer business in Brazil

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Oslo, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — On 6 December 2012 Yara International ASA entered into an agreement to acquire Bunge’s fertilizer business in Brazil, significantly strengthening its fertilizer position in the country. Yara and Bunge have also agreed to enter into a long-term … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Chemicals, Environment, Financial, Industrial, Norway

State aid: Commission approves German scheme supporting noise reduction in rail freight transport

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found a €152 million German scheme to support the reduction of noise generated by rail freight traffic to be in line with EU state aid rules. The measure will reimburse up to 50% … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Germany, Government, Law, Transportation & Logistics

Forse subsidie nieuw datacentrum Euclid Satelliet

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen wordt een nieuw wetenschappelijk dataverwerkingscentrum voor sterrenkundig onderzoek opgericht. Het datacentrum zal de Euclid-missie van de European Space Agency ondersteunen. De Euclid Satelliet wordt gelanceerd in 2020 en zal een groot deel van … Read the full press release →

Posted in Education, Netherlands, Science, Technology, Telecom

State aid: Commission orders recovery of €360 million unlawful aid from Italian ground handling operator SEA Handling

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that around €360 million of state aid granted between 2002 and 2010 by SEA, the state-owned operator of the Milan Malpensa and Milan Linate airports, to its subsidiary SEA Handling, ground handling … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Italy, Transportation & Logistics

Petrol d.d.signs agreements to sell the shares of Istrabenz d.d.

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Ljubljana, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Petrol d.d., Ljubljana signed two agreements today to sell the shares of Istrabenz d.d. The agreements were entered into based on bids resulting from a public invitation to tender (published on 12 October 2012) for the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Energy, Gas & Oil, Financial, Investment, Slovenia

State aid: Commission clears support for urban regeneration projects in Greece and Bulgaria

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Greek and a Bulgarian scheme aimed at supporting urban regeneration projects through the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) initiative. The Commission … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Bulgaria, European Union, Financial, Government, Greece, Investment, Society

«Ростелеком – Северо-Запад» завершил строительство телекоммуникационной сети в жилом комплексе «Аврора» в Санкт-Петербурге

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Петербургский филиал ОАО «Ростелеком» завершил строительство магистральной и распределительной сетей связи для 4 корпусов первой очереди строительства в новом жилом комплексе «Аврора» в Невском районе Санкт-Петербурга. Для обеспечения новоселов жилого комплекса телекоммуникационными услугами Компания «Ростелеком» построила сегмент … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Russia, Technology, Telecom

State aid: Commission finds Italian ICI real estate tax exemptions for non-commercial entities incompatible and clears amended exemptions under new IMU law

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has found that the former Italian system of municipal real estate tax exemptions granted to non-commercial entities for specific purposes (ICI) between 2006 and 2011 was incompatible with EU state aid rules. After the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Italy, Law, Real Estate

200 mln zł na badania i rozwój w przemyśle metali nieżelaznych

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — 200 mln złotych zostanie przeznaczone na badania nad opracowaniem i wdrożeniem innowacyjnych technologii w szeroko rozumianej branży metali nieżelaznych. Porozumienie w tej sprawie, pod auspicjami Minister Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego prof. Barbary Kudryckiej, podpisali przedstawiciele Narodowego Centrum … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Financial, Industrial, Investment, Metals and Minerals, Poland

State Aid: Commission authorises transitional free allocation of greenhouse gas emission allowances for modernisation of Czech and Hungarian electricity sector

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that provisions of Hungary’s and the Czech Republic’s plans for the modernisation of their electricity sector, which involve the allocation of carbon emission trading allowances free of charge, are in line with … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Czech Republic, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, European Union, Government, Hungary

Yara to acquire Bunge’s fertilizer business in Brazil

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Oslo, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Yara International ASA has entered into an agreement to acquire Bunge’s fertilizer business in Brazil, significantly strengthening its fertilizer position in the country. The proposed transaction is valued at USD 750 million, and will be subject … Read the full press release →

Posted in Agriculture, Business, Chemicals, Financial, Industrial, Investment, Norway

State aid: Commission approves capital injection to finalise construction of Berlin Brandenburg airport

Posted on 26, December 2012 by

Brussels, 26-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that a €1.2 billion capital injection planned by the public owners of the new Berlin Brandenburg (BER) airport in order to finalise its construction is in line with EU rules on state … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, Construction, European Union, Financial, Germany, Government, Infrastructure & Utilities, Investment

State aid: Commission adopts new Broadband Guidelines

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has adopted revised guidelines for the application of EU state aid rules to the broadband sector. These guidelines will help Member States achieve the objectives of the EU Digital Agenda. Taking into account the extensive … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, Internet & Online, Law, Technology, Telecom

EUR 300 million in new EIB finance for climate action and smart growth in Turkey

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Investment Bank (EIB) is renewing its support for Turkey with a EUR 300 million total finance package for climate action, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-sized companies (mid-caps). EIB Vice-President Pim van Ballekom commented on … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, Environment, Financial, Investment, Luxembourg, Switzerland

Environment: Funding to boost INTERPOL fight against wildlife crime

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission is to contribute nearly two million euros to INTERPOL in support of its efforts to combat wildlife crime and protect the world’s natural resources from the illegal international trade in wild flora and fauna. … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Environment, European Union, Financial, Government, Security & Safety, Society

State aid: Commission approves € 100 million aid for infrastructure at Port of Augusta, Sicily

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules aid totalling €100 million granted by Italy for an infrastructure investment project of €145,33 million at the Port of Augusta, in Sicily. The investment project will allow … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Financial, Government, Infrastructure & Utilities, Investment, Italy, Transportation & Logistics

Kathrin Amacker leaving Swisscom

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Berne, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Kathrin Amacker-Amann, Head of Corporate Communications since autumn 2010 and Member of the Group Executive Board at Swisscom, will be leaving the company in 2013 at her own request. The exact date of when she will leave … Read the full press release →

Posted in Management, Marketing, Switzerland, Telecom

Aviation: Commission proposes new rules to prevent aircraft accidents

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission proposed today new rules for the better protection of air passengers, aiming to achieve a decreased number of aircraft accidents and fatalities through better use of data on occurrences. An occurrence is any type … Read the full press release →

Posted in Aviation & Aerospace, Belgium, European Union, Government, Security & Safety, Transportation & Logistics

Tobacco products: towards bigger health warnings and ban of strong flavourings

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Today, after years in the making, the European Commission has adopted its proposal to revise the Tobacco Products Directive. The proposed legislation consists of new and strengthened rules on how tobacco products can be manufactured, presented, and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Law, Society

University of Leeds leads pain management study for patients with dementia

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The University of Leeds is to take the lead on improving the care that patients with dementia receive when they are admitted to hospital. The new study, which will examine how best to detect and manage pain … Read the full press release →

Posted in Education, Healthcare, Science, United Kingdom

Search starts for next President of European Research Council

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has today appointed seven experts to conduct the search for the next president of the European Research Council (ERC), the European Union’s frontier science funding agency. The committee will be led by Lord Sainsbury … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Management, Science

Digital Agenda: European innovation lighting the way

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — On 19th December, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, and Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič inaugurate “Shapes of Light”, a 12-month long lighting installation that relies on advanced LED technology, which will be displayed in the entrance … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, European Union, Government, Science, Technology

Fibre-optic expansion in Lucerne on target

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Berne, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The expansion of the fibre-optic network in Lucerne is making good progress. With more than 25,000 households and commercial properties currently connected, ewl energie wasser luzern (ewl) and Swisscom will have already reached 60 per cent of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Internet & Online, Switzerland, Technology, Telecom

European Globalisation Fund pays €25.3 million to help redundant workers in France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has just made payments to France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden from the European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF). The total amount of €25.3 million will help 4722 workers in those countries back into … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Financial, France, Government, Ireland, Netherlands, Society, Spain, Sweden

EU approves New Zealand’s data protection standards in step to boost trade

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has today formally recognised the adequacy of personal data protection in New Zealand, opening the way for increased trade with the European Union. The decision by the Commission recognises that New Zealand’s data protection … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Government, International Trade, Internet & Online, Law, Technology

Volvo Truck deliveries in November 2012

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Total deliveries from the Volvo Group’s truck operations in November 2012 amounted to 19,104 vehicles. This was a decrease of 15% compared with the year-earlier month. Volvo Group Total deliveries by market for all brands (Volvo, Mack, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Business, Sweden, Transportation & Logistics

EU announces major support to pioneering renewable energy and water plant in Djibouti

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Union will support a project to build a desalination plant which will use renewable energy to provide water to 200,000 inhabitants, one-fourth of the country’s population, in some of Djibouti’s poorest areas. The announcement was … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Energy, Gas & Oil, Environment, European Union, Financial, Government

El Grupo Liberbank apuesta por los jóvenes y lanza al mercado su programa “Max Joven”

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

• La iniciativa aglutina las mejores prácticas y experiencias de entidades líderes en sus territorios naturales, en cuanto a productos, servicios y medios de pago adaptados especialmente al segmento de jóvenes • Sus usuarios podrán acceder a planes de ahorro, … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Business, Financial, Spain

Commonly prescribed antibiotics ineffective for treating uncomplicated chest infections

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The antibiotic amoxicillin, that doctors typically prescribe for common lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) such as bronchitis, is no more effective at relieving symptoms than the use of no medication, even in older patients. The findings are … Read the full press release →

Posted in Education, Healthcare, Science, United Kingdom

State aid: Commission approves restructuring plans of Spanish banks Liberbank, Caja3, Banco Mare Nostrum and Banco CEISS

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has concluded that the restructuring plans of four Spanish banks, Liberbank, Caja3, Banco Mare Nostrum (BMN) and Banco CEISS, are in line with EU state aid rules. The in-depth restructuring undergone by the four banks will … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Law, Spain

Antitrust: Commission renders legally binding commitments from Thomson Reuters

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The European Commission has adopted a decision that renders legally binding the commitments offered by Thomson Reuters to create a new licence (“ERL”) allowing customers, for a monthly fee, to use Reuters Instrument Codes (RICs) for data … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Internet & Online, Investment, Law, Media

GA Weissenstein and Swisscom embark on joint venture to connect Solothurn to the fibre-optic network

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Berne/Solothurn, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — GA Weissenstein GmbH and Swisscom have reached an agreement for the joint expansion of the fibre-optic network to the homes and businesses of their customers. In a declaration of intent, the two partners resolved to connect the … Read the full press release →

Posted in Business, Internet & Online, Switzerland, Technology, Telecom

State aid: Commission’s contribution to Spanish financial assistance programme focusing on banking sector

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — As a consequence of the deterioration of the financial conditions for the Spanish banking sector during the first half of 2012, the Eurogroup agreed to a financial assistance programme. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Financial Sector Policy … Read the full press release →

Posted in Banks, Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Investment, Law, Spain

Europe for patients: Common rules on medical prescriptions when travelling to another EU country

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Today the Commission adopted pan-EU rules on a minimum list of elements to be included in a medical prescription taken by a patient travelling from one EU country to another. The provisions for a common way to … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, European Union, Government, Healthcare, Society

AB Volvo partners centre for research into traffic safety in China

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

AB Volvo is one of five partners behind a new centre for research into traffic safety in China that was inaugurated today, December 18, in Beijing. The China Sweden Research Centre for Traffic Safety signals closer cooperation between Sweden and … Read the full press release →

Posted in Automotive, Business, Science, Security & Safety, Sweden, Technology, Transportation & Logistics

Commission report finds one million hours of European film locked away in cans & cupboards

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

Brussels, 24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — A new European Commission report has found most European film heritage institutions have not yet adapted to the digital revolution and are not yet able to preserve film digitally. Some of our current films are being lost … Read the full press release →

Posted in Art & Culture, Belgium, Entertainment, European Union, Society, Technology

Occasional family meals boost kids’ fruit and veg intake

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Eating meals together as a family, even if only twice a week, boosts children’s daily fruit and vegetable intake to near the recommended 5 A Day, according to researchers at the University of Leeds. The study of … Read the full press release →

Posted in Education, Healthcare, Science, Society, United Kingdom

Senior Appointment at Louis Vuitton

Posted on 24, December 2012 by

24-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — LVMH announces the appointment of Michael Burke as Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. He joins the Executive Committee of the LVMH group. Michael Burke, a dual French-U.S. citizen, joined the Group in 1986. He was CEO … Read the full press release →

Posted in Apparel, Fashion & Beauty, Business, France, Management

EU rules on gender-neutral pricing in insurance industry enter into force

Posted on 22, December 2012 by

Brussels, 22-12-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Under new rules which enter force tomorrow, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex. This means that insurance … Read the full press release →

Posted in Belgium, Business, European Union, Financial, Government, Insurance, Law, Society