The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, speaking following the EU-US Summit in Göteborg said that "although there are differences on a number of issues, one should not lose sight that when the EU and the US work together they set the agenda for change". President Prodi stated that the Summit has confirmed a new approach to trade issues; that it is better to talk rather than to litigate. Regarding the common challenge of climate change, President Prodi stated that the EU "remains deeply concerned about the US position on the Kyoto protocol. We simply cannot go back on the ten years of international efforts". Other issues raised during the Summit included the need to halt the spread of disease in Africa, discussions on the fragile situation in Macedonia and efforts for peace in the Middle East.

La Commission européenne a autorisé le projet de rachat de la banque belge Artesia Banking Corp SA/NV par Dexia SA/NV, autre groupe financier belge actif principalement dans les pays du Benelux. Artesia est surtout présente en Belgique, le seul pays où l'opération donne lieu à des chevauchements importants. La Commission a conclu que la concentration ne créerait pas une position dominante de Dexia/Artesia, qui aura à soutenir la concurrence d'autres banques et assureurs importants, tels que Fortis, KBC et BBL.

La Commission européenne a autorisé la création d'une entreprise commune italienne offrant des services de portail internet entre Speedy Tomato AB, filiale du groupe de télécommunications Telia AB, et Olivetti SpA. L'entreprise commune n'affectera pas la concurrence en Italie, étant donné qu'il existe plusieurs acteurs dans le secteur en cause.

The European Commission has granted clearance under the European Union's merger control rules to the proposed merger between BHP Ltd and Billiton Plc, two of the world's biggest mining companies. Although both companies have significant copper mining activities, the transaction does not give rise to any competition concerns in Europe.

La Commission européenne a approuvé les contrats conclus par la société française Eco-Emballages SA en vue du fonctionnement de son système de collecte sélective et de valorisation des déchets d'emballages ménagers. Ce faisant, la Commission définit pour la première fois les principes de la concurrence que de tels dispositifs collectifs doivent respecter. Cette décision ne contredit en rien la position prise par la Commission par rapport à Duales System Deutschland AG(DSD) qui concernait uniquement un aspect du contrat d'utilisation du logo "point vert" en Allemagne.

The European Commission has taken a decision to restrict exports of live pigs and porcine semen, ova and embryos from Catalonia (Spain), in response to an outbreak of classical swine fever (CSF). CSF is a highly infectious viral disease of swine but poses no risk to humans. Similar restrictions have been adopted in the past in relation to outbreaks in several other Member States. The Commission decision will apply from now till 30 June. A special meeting of the Standing Veterinary Committee will review the situation next Friday, 22 June.

The European Commission proposes to extend the current restrictions on fishing (the so-called "multi-annual guidance programme" MAGP IV) by one year, until 31 December 2002. This will allow time for reflection on how to incorporate future fleet policy into the ongoing review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). "It is imperative for the future of the sector that the fishing fleet be reduced. We must put in place fleet reduction programmes that are simpler, more transparent and more effective. Extending these restrictions for a year will allow us to maintain essential limits on the EU fishing fleet until we can take more substantial decisions as part of the review of the CFP". The Commission is also proposes to amend certain provisions of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). "These measures would tighten up the conditions for public aid for new fishing vessels and also strengthen our efforts to combat illegal fishing which is the scourge of international fisheries", said Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries.

European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti and high level participants from the 13 candidate countries will meet in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on 18-19 June for their Seventh Annual Competition Conference, at a key moment in the accession negotiations.

L'UE et la Chine doivent coopérer davantage pour répondre aux défis énergétiques. Tel est le message que transmettra Loyola de Palacio, vice-présidente de la Commission européenne en charge des Transports et de l'Energie, lors de son voyage officiel à Pékin du 16 au 19 juin 2001. A l'ouverture de la IVème Conférence UE-Chine sur la coopération énergétique, elle plaidera en faveur d'actions communes, notamment en faveur du dialogue producteurs-consommateurs, la promotion de nouvelles sources d'énergie, la contribution des différentes sources d'énergie au développement durable et la sécurité d'approvisionnement, et les transferts de technologies. "Deuxième investisseur en Chine, l'Union européenne a un grand intérêt à renforcer cette coopération qui permettra aux industries européennes de développer leurs échanges dans ce grand pays", a déclaré Loyola de Palacio. "Mais les bénéfices devraient également être nombreux pour la Chine elle-même, notamment en matière d'innovation technologique, en faveur du charbon propre par exemple", a-t-elle aussi souligné.

European Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy will meet his Chinese counterpart Shi Guangsheng in Brussels on 19 June in order to address the remaining bilateral differences between the EU and China and to pave the way for China's accession to the WTO. Looking forward to the meeting, Mr Lamy said : "I trust that the excellent working relationship established last year to seal an agreement on most bilateral aspects of China's accession, will permit both sides to reach agreement on what remains, as soon as possible. The EU wishes to see China enter the WTO at the earliest available opportunity". The next meeting of the WTO Working Group on China's accession to the WTO will take place in Geneva on 28 June.

Ciaoweb SpA (I) / We-cube SpA (I)