Conferences and Speeches
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Europe – Good for Women and Good for Ireland
"Women for Europe" Event, Dublin, Neelie Kroes
16 July 2009
"I've often been quoted as saying that the collapse of Lehman Brothers would never have happened if there'd been Lehman Sisters there with them! Why?
Because women managers are naturally more risk adverse and they think about the long-term. They balance out the views of their male colleagues, which gives a wider range of perspectives.
In fact, studies show that the more women there were in a company's management, the less the company's share price fell when the downturn came."
Mergers
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Commission approves proposed acquisition of Loos by Bosch Thermotechnik
17 July 2009
The Commission's investigation showed that the horizontal overlaps between the activities of Loos and Bosch Thermotechnik are limited and that the additional market share brought about by Bosch Thermotechnik's acquisition of Loos is insignificant.
In addition, the Commission found that Bosch Thermotechnik and Loos were active in different segments of the boiler market and that the transaction was unlikely to have negative effects.
Antitrust
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Commission confirms sending Statement of Objections to alleged participants in LCD panels cartel
13 July 2009
The Commission can confirm that in May 2009 it sent a Statement of Objections to a number of companies active in the supply of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, concerning their alleged participation in a cartel.
The product under investigation is the main component of thin, flat monitors used for example in mobile phones, televisions, computers, digital watches and pocket calculators.
State aid
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Commission endorses €111.5 million aid for Mercedes-Benz investment in Kecskemét, Hungary
16 July 2009
The Commission authorised a €111.5 million aid, which the Hungarian authorities intend to grant to Mercedes-Benz Hungary for the construction of a new car manufacturing plant in Dél-Alföld.
The project is in line with EU state aid rules because it will significantly contribute to the development of the region's economy, while minimising potential distortions of competition.
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Commission authorises support of up to €170 million for two investment projects in Polish energy sector
16 July 2009
The Commission authorised two support schemes proposed by Poland in the energy sector.
One measure is aimed at modernising electricity distribution networks by diminishing energy losses and the second at extending distribution and transmission networks to connect renewable energy sources.
The measures are in line with EU state aid rules, because their positive effects on the environment clearly outweigh potential distortions of competition.
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Commission endorses exemption from Belgian pharma levy for medicines made from blood
16 July 2009
The Commission authorised an exemption from the Belgian levy on the turnover of pharmaceutical companies for sales of medicines made from blood.
The measure is in line with the logic of the Belgian levy system and therefore does not constitute state aid.
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Commission authorises Greek temporary scheme to grant aid of up to €500 000
16 July 2009
The Commission authorised a Greek measure, that allows to grant aid of up to €500 000 per firm until the end of 2010 to businesses facing funding problems because of the current credit squeeze.
The scheme is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time and scope and applies only to companies that have not been in difficulties before 1 July 2008.
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Commission takes Italy to Court for failure to recover illegal aid from New Interline S.p.A.
15 July 2009
The Commission referred Italy to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) under Article 88.2 of the EC Treaty for failure to comply with a Commission Decision from April 2008 (see
IP/08/578).
The Decision ordered Italy to recover €2.75 million of illegal and incompatible state aid from New Interline S.p.A., an Italian producer of chairs located in the region of Basilicata.
To date, Italy has recovered no aid from the beneficiary.
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Commission opens in-depth investigation into Belgium's La Poste after Court annulment of previous approval
14 July 2009
The Commission opened a formal investigation procedure to examine whether measures in favour of La Poste, the Belgian postal operator, in particular the yearly compensation for public service obligations, are in line with EC Treaty state aid rules.
The Commission's initial approval (see
IP/03/1084) was overturned by the CFI in February 2009.
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Bank Burgenland - Commission refers Austria to Court for failure to recover illegal state aid
14 July 2009
The Commission refered Austria to the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with a Commission decision of 30 April 2008 (see
IP/08/667 and
MEMO/08/282).
The Commission had requested Austria to recover an estimated €41.5 million of illegal aid (plus interest) from the Austrian insurance group Grazer Wechselseitige (GRAWE), in the context of the privatisation of Bank Burgenland.
To date, Austria has not yet recovered the aid from GRAWE.
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Commission endorses UK Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme
14 July 2009
The Commission authorised a UK scheme introducing a trading system for CO2 emissions related to energy consumption.
The national system, called "the Carbon Reduction Commitment" (CRC), applies to non energy intensive sectors not covered by the EU Emission Trading system.
The measures are in line with EU state aid rules, because they pursue an objective of common interest in a necessary and proportionate way.
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Commission approves Hungarian Mortgage Support Scheme to help households affected by financial downturn
13 July 2009
The Commission authorised a Hungarian Mortgage Support Scheme, aimed at helping homeowners affected by the current economic downturn.
The measure is in line with EU state aid rules, because the aid has a social character and is provided on a non-discriminatory basis.
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Commission authorises Estonian temporary scheme to grant aid of up to €500 000 to boost real economy
13 July 2009
The Commission authorised an Estonian measure, that allows to grant aid of up to €500 000 per firm in 2009 and 2010 to businesses facing funding problems because of the current credit squeeze.
The aid is in line with EU state aid rules, because it is limited in time and scope and can be granted only to companies that were not in difficulties before 1 July 2008.
Court
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C-440/07 Commission v Schneider Electric
16 July 2009
The Court of Justice ruled on an appeal by the Commission against a Court of First Instance judgment (case
T-351/03).
The CFI had held the Commission liable to pay Schneider Electric damages in connection with the Commission's decision to prohibit the acquisition of Legrand by Schneider and to order the divestiture of Legrand.
The two Commission decisions were subsequently annulled by the CFI for a procedural error regarding Schneider's rights of defence (cases
T-310/01 and
T-77/02).
The CFI had recognised to of Schneider's claims for damages:
Firstly, for the costs resulting for Schneider from the resumed merger procedure following the CFI's annulment of the Commission's prohibition decision.
Secondly, part of the losses incurrend by Schneider in the context of divesting Legrand following the Commission's divestment decision.
The Court of Justice set aside the CFI ruling on the latter point, deciding that there was no direct causal link between the Commission's wrongful act and that loss.
The Court of Justice confirmed the CFI ruling regarding the Commission's obligation to make good for the losses incurred by Schneider in connection with the resumed merger procedure.
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C-385/07 Der Grüne Punkt - Duales System Deutschland v Commission
16 July 2009
The Court of Justice ruled on an appeal by Der Grüne Punkt - DSD against a Court of First Instance ruling of 24 May 2007 (case
T-151/01).
The CFI ruling had upheld a Commission decision of 20 April 2001 finding that Der Grüne Punkt - DSD had abused its dominant position on the German market for waste management.
The Court of Justice entirely confirmed the Commission's decision and dismissed the appeal.
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C-481/07 SELEX Sistemi Integrati v Commission
16 July 2007
The Court of Justice ruled on an appeal by SELEX against a CFI judgment of 29 August 2007 (case
T-186/05).
The CFI had rejected an action by SELEX asking for damages from the Commission for its decision to reject a complaint by SELEX regarding an alleged violation of the competition rules by Eurocontrol.
The Cour of Justice entirely confirme the CFI ruling and dismissed the appeal.
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Published by the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use which might be made of the above information.
© European Communities, 2009. Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged
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