Pologne: 411 millions d’euros de fonds européens pour la reconstruction du réseau ferroviaire à Łódź
Le Fonds de Cohésion investit 411 millions d’euros dans la rénovation du nœud ferroviaire de Łódź, troisième plus grande ville du pays et centre économique majeur. Łódź comporte deux gares principales, Łódź Fabryczna et Łódź Kaliska, qui ne sont actuellement pas directement connectées entre elle. C’est un obstacle majeur au développement du transport dans la région et cela rend fastidieux le quotidien des habitants de la ville. Le Fonds de Cohésion finance ici la construction d’une ligne souterraine entre ces deux gares, ainsi que vers la gare de Łódź Żabieniec, à l’ouest de la ville. Le projet comprend également la construction de deux stations, Łódź Zielona and Łódź Ogrodowa. “Les habitants de la ville vont bientôt pouvoir traverser la ville plus rapidement et bénéficier de meilleures connexions interrégionales, avec un système de transport efficace et respectueux de l’environnement”, a commenté la commissaire à la politique régionale Corina Crețu, “Le développement du transport ferroviaire à Łódź va aussi stimuler l’économie locale, les échanges et le tourisme.” Au cours de la période 2007-2013, l’UE a déjà investi 242 millions d’euros dans la reconstruction du nœud ferroviaire de Łódź et la rénovation des gares de Fabryczna and Widzew. Le projet actuel devrait être achevé en janvier 2022. (Pour plus d’informations: Christian Wigand – Tél.: +32 229 62253; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tél.: +32 229 56169)
Seven MEDIA-supported productions will be shown at the Venice Film Festival
The 75th Venice Film Festival will open its doors tomorrow and will feature six films and a TV series supported by the MEDIA programme – the EU’s programme for supporting European audiovisual industry. Three of the MEDIA-supported films have additionally been shortlisted to compete for the Golden Lion: ‘Capri Revolution’ by Mario Martone (Italy/France), ‘Sunset’ (Napszállta) by László Nemes (Hungary/France) and ‘Never Look Away’ (Werk Ohne Autor) by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (Germany). The Orizzonti Competition that is dedicated to latest trends in international cinema will feature MEDIA-supported ‘The day I lost my shadow’ (Yom adaatou zouli) by Soudade Kaadan (Syria/Lebanon/France/Qatar). The new TV series ‘My brilliant friend’ (L’amica geniale) by Saverio Costanzo (Italy/Belgium) that is based on Elena Ferrante’s bestselling books will premiere at the film festival with first two episodes. The European Commission is additionally organising on Saturday on the sidelines of the festival the European Film Forum. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society said: “The 75th edition of the Venice Film Festival is an excellent occasion to put the spotlight on the crucial role played by festivals in promoting European films, TV series and other audiovisual works. The Creative Europe MEDIA programme is helping festivals seize the opportunities the future holds, in the times when audiences and the industry’s business models are changing fast. Our focus in Venice will be to discuss how festivals can collaborate to make better use of resources and exchange best practices. The Commission’s proposal for Creative Europe MEDIA in the long-term EU budget 2021-2027 foresees additionally support for networks of festivals to help them scale up in a global industry.” Following the European Film Forum the first ever Europa Cinemas Innovation Prize will be awarded to outstanding innovative projects by networks of cinemas. The winner will be awarded €10,000. Further details on the MEDIA-supported productions at the Venice Film Festival are available here and on the European Film Forum here. An overview of MEDIA programme can be found in the factsheet. (For more information: Christian Wigand – tel.: +32 229 62253; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)
Commissioner Vella in the Faroe Islands for high-level event on sustainable ocean governance
Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, is in the Faroe Islands for the 23rd North Atlantic Fisheries Ministers Conference (27-28 August). The objective of this annual high-level event is for ministers from northern Atlantic countries to address issues of concern in an informal setting. As part of this year’s topic, “sustainable ocean governance”, Commissioner Vella presented the European Union’s ocean agenda, and in particular the actions undertaken by the EU under the 2016 International ocean governance agenda. Its objective is to reduce pressures on the oceans and to promote sustainable blue economy. The Commissioner also called on all participants to work together to improve international ocean governance. His full remarks are available here. A joint communiqué of the ministers is available here. In the margins of the conference, Commissioner Vella held a number of bilateral meetings with the Fisheries Ministers and other representatives of the Faroe Islands, Canada, Russia, Iceland and Greenland. (Daniel Rosario – Tel.: +32 229 56185; Alexis Perier – Tel.: +32 229 69143)
Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of Merck’s consumer health business by Procter & Gamble
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control over the consumer health business of Merck KGaA of Germany by the Procter & Gamble Company of the US. Merck’s consumer health business is active worldwide in the research, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales of consumer health products, which are mainly available over-the-counter, for various indications. Procter & Gamble is a global manufacturer of consumer goods, including fabric and household care, grooming, health care, baby, feminine and family care products. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns because the activities of the companies are generally complementary. The transaction gives rise to a limited number of horizontal overlaps for which the Commission found, following its market investigation, that sufficient competition will remain after the transaction. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case registerunder the case number M.8974. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100)
Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of the Specialty Chemicals Business of Akzo Nobel N.V. by the Carlyle Group.
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of sole control over the Specialty Chemicals Business of Akzo Nobel (“Akzo Nobel SC”) of the Netherlands by the Carlyle Group of the US. Akzo Nobel SC is the specialty chemicals business of Akzo Nobel, which has been separated from Akzo Nobel’s paint and coating business. Carlyle is a global alternative asset manager. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns given the minor horizontal and vertical overlaps between the Parties’ activities. The transaction 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.8912. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100)
Concentrations: la Commission européenne autorise l’acquisition de contrôle conjoint de Primavia par EIH et Krone-Mur Servifrío
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Primavia Europe S.L., basée en Espagne, par Europe Intermodal Holding (“EIH”), appartenant au groupe SNCF Mobilités, les deux basés en France, et Krone-Mur Servifrío S.L., basée en Espagne. Primavia, actuellement sous le contrôle exclusif de Krone-MurServifrío, fournit des services de transport réfrigéré combinés rail-route à l’international, principalement de marchandises périssables de l’Espagne vers l’Europe du Nord. Krone-Mur fournit des services de transport de fret. EIH fournit des services de transport de fret intermodaux et multimodaux. La Commission a conclu que l’opération envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu du faible impact que l’opération aura sur le marché. L’opération a été examinée dans la cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.8986. (Pour plus d’informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100)
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