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I Information

Council

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 7 November 2006

regarding the position to be taken by the Community within the International Tropical Timber Council on the extension of the International Agreement on Tropical Timber, 1994

(2006/C 298/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),

Whereas:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The European Community's position within the International Tropical Timber Council shall be to vote in favour of extending of the International Agreement on Tropical Timber, 1994, until the provisional or definitive entry into force of the successor Agreement of 2006.

Article 2

The European Community will seek for an International Tropical Timber Council decision aiming at limiting the duration of the extension of the International Agreement on Tropical Timber, 1994 or establishing a review clause.

Done at Brussels, 7 November 2006.

For the Council

The President

E. HEINÄLUOMA

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(1)  Doc. 12953/06 — COM(2006)469 final

(2)OJ L 208, 17.8.1996, p. 1.

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 28 November 2006

replacing a an alternate member of the Governing Board of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

(2006/C 298/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 of 18 July 1994 establishing a European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (1), and in particular Article 8 thereof,

Whereas:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Ms Anna-Lena HULTGÅRD SANCINI is hereby appointed an alternate member of the Governing Board of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in place of Mr Bo BARREFELT for the remainder of the current term of office, which ends upon inauguration of a new Governing Board in accordance with Article 1(5) of Regulation No 1112/2005.

Done at Brussels, 28 November 2006.

For the Council

The President

E. HEINÄLUOMA

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(1)OJ L 216, 20.8.1994, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1643/95 (OJ L 156, 7.7.1995, p. 1) and Regulation (EC) No 1112/2005 (OJ L 184, 15.7.2005, p. 5).

(2)OJ C 161, 5.7.2002, p. 5.

(3)OJ C 116, 30.4.2004, p. 16.

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Draft Conclusions of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on efficiency and equity in education and training

(2006/C 298/03)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

HAVING REGARD to:

NOTE that

education and training are fields for the relevant authorities in individual Member States to organise and resource in accordance with national legislation, policies and practices. At the same time, however, there is a need for European cooperation in order to learn from one another's experiences and good practices, and for indicators and benchmarks in order to follow progress. Successful education and training policies in a lifelong learning context require a cross-sectoral approach in conjunction with other relevant policies, especially those in the fields of research and innovation, employment, economic affairs, social and health care, youth and culture.

STATE that

INVITE THE MEMBER STATES to

INVITE THE COMMISSION AND THE MEMBER STATES to

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(1)  Presidency conclusions, Lisbon European Council, 23-24 March 2000 (doc. SN 100/1/00 REV 1).

(2)  ‘The concrete future objectives of education and training systems’ — Report from the Education Council to the European Council (doc. 5980/01).

(3)  Detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe (OJ C 142, 14.6.2002).

(4)  ‘Investing efficiently in education and training: an imperative for Europe’ — Commission Communication (doc. 5269/03).

(5)OJ C 134, 7.6.2003, p. 3.

(6)‘“Education & Training 2010”: the success of the Lisbon strategy hinges on urgent reforms’ — Joint interim report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the detailedwork programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems inEurope (doc. 6905/04).

(7)  ‘Modernising education and training: a vital contribution to prosperity and social cohesion in Europe’ — 2006 joint interim report of the Council and of the Commission on progressunder the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme (OJ C 79, 1.4.2006, p. 1).

(8)  Presidency conclusions, Brussels European Council, 23/24 March 2006 (doc. 7775/06).

(9)  ‘Efficiency and equity in European education and training systems’ — Communication from the Commission to the Council and to the European Parliament (doc. 12677/06).

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 28 November 2006

replacing a member and an alternate member of the Governing Board of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

(2006/C 298/04)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 of 26 May 1975 on the creation of a European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (1), and in particular Article 6 thereof,

Whereas:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

1.   Ms Mireille JARRY is hereby appointed as a member of the Governing Board of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in place of Mr Marc BOISNEL for the remainder of the term of office, which ends on 18 October 2007.

2.   Mr Robert PICCOLI is hereby appointed as an alternate member of the Governing Board of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions in place of Mr Emmanuel GERAT for the remainder of the term of office, which ends on 18 October 2007.

Done at Brussels, 28 November 2006.

For the Council

The President

E. HEINÄLUOMA

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(1)OJ L 139, 30.5.1975, p. 1, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1111/2005, OJ L 184, 15.7.2005, p. 1.

(2)OJ C 317, 22.12.2004, p. 4.

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Conclusions of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the future priorities for enhanced European cooperation on Vocational Education and Training (VET)

(Review of the Council conclusions of 15 November 2004)

(2006/C 298/05)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

AWARE that

EMPHASISE that

RECOGNISE that

the Copenhagen process has played an essential role in emphasising the importance of VET to political decision makers. It has contributed to raising the profile of VET as part of the Lisbon strategy. The process facilitates agreeing common European goals and objectives, discussing national models and initiatives, and exchanging good examples of practice at the European level. At national level, the process has contributed to strengthening the focus on VET and has inspired national reforms.

STRESS that

AGREE that

The Copenhagen and Maastricht priorities remain valid and should be reinforced in the next phase as follows:

1.   Policy focused on improving the attractiveness and quality of VET

More attention should be paid by Member States to the image, status and attractiveness of VET. This calls for:

In improving the attractiveness and quality of VET, more emphasis should be placed on good governance of VET systems and providers in delivering the VET agenda (9). This means:

2.   Development and implementation of common tools for VET

The development of common European tools should be continued in order to pave the way towards a European area of VET and to support the competitiveness of the European labour market. The aim should be for the agreed tools to be in place by 2010.

Further development of:

Implementation of:

3.   Strengthening mutual learning

A more systematic approach is needed to strengthen mutual learning, cooperative work and the sharing of experience and know-how. This should be facilitated by:

Adequate and consistent data and indicators are the key to understanding what is happening in VET, to strengthening mutual learning and to laying the foundations for evidence-based training policy.

By the time of the next Ministerial follow-up Conference in 2008 the Commission should have:

This would best be achieved by using and combining existing data to the best advantage, while ensuring adequate national/regional data on VET and consistency and comparability with other data on education and training.

4.   Taking all stakeholders on board

The success of the Copenhagen process relies on the active involvement of all stakeholders in the field of VET, including in particular the social partners at European and national level, sectoral organisations and VET providers. This calls for:

INVITE THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES,

to implement the Copenhagen process through:

The right of participation of all Member States in this work should be ensured.

In the annual reporting on the national Lisbon reform programmes special attention should be paid to progress in VET.

The integrated biennial report on the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme should include a specific part addressing VET, enabling monitoring of the progress and identifying key outcomes to be reported to the European Council.

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(1)OJ C 13, 18.1.2003, p. 2.

(2)  Doc. 13832/04.

(3)  Resolution on guidance throughout life (doc. 9286/04);

Conclusions on identification and validation of non-formal and informal learning (doc. 9600/04);

Conclusions on quality assurance in VET (doc. 9599/04).

(4)  Europass (OJ L 390, 31.12.2004, p. 6);

Conclusions on skills and competences (OJ C 292, 24.11.2005, p. 3).

(5)  Doc. 9341/2/05.

(6)‘Modernising education and training: a vital contribution to prosperity and social cohesion in Europe’ — 2006 joint interim report of the Council and of the Commission on progressunder the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme, (OJ C 79, 1.4.2006, p. 1).

(7)  Presidency conclusions, Brussels European Council, 23/24 March 2006 (doc. 7775/06).

(8)  Such as the European Skills Competition to be organised in the Netherlands in 2008 and the biannual World Skills Competitions.

(9)  Key messages to the Spring European Council (doc. 7620/06).

(10)  Conclusions on quality assurance in VET (doc. 9599/04).

(11)  Council conclusions of 24 May 2005 on new indicators in education and training (OJ C 141, 10.6.2005, p. 7).

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Commission

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Euro exchange rates (1)

6 December 2006

(2006/C 298/06)

1 euro= 

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(1)

Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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Notification of a request under Article 30 of Directive 2004/17/EC

(2006/C 298/07)

Request from a Member State

On 20 November 2006 the Commission received a request under Article 30(4) of Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (1). The first working day following receipt of the request was 21 November 2006.

The request, from Denmark, concerns mail services relating to parcels in Denmark. Article 30 of Directive 2004/17/EC stipulates that the Directive shall not apply if the activity in question is directly exposed to competition on markets to which access is not restricted. Assessment of these conditions shall be made exclusively under Directive 2004/17/EC and without prejudice to application of the rules on competition.

The Commission has a three-month period from 21 November 2006, i.e. until 21 February 2007, within which to take a decision on this request.

The third subparagraph of Article 30(4) of Directive 2004/17/EC applies. Consequently, the period within which the Commission must take a decision may be extended by one month. Such an extension would be subject to publication.

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(1)OJ L 134, 30.4.2004, p. 1. Directive as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1874/2004 (OJ L 326, 29.10.2004, p. 17).

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Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 70/2001 of 12 January 2001 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/C 298/08)

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Commission notice on current State aid recovery interest rates and reference/discount rates for 25 Member States applicable as from 1 September 2006

Published in accordance with Article 10 of Commission Regulation (EC) 794/2004 of 21 April 2004 (OJ L 140, 30.4.2004, p. 1) and the Commission notice on the method for setting the reference and discount rates (OJ C 273, 9.9.1997, p. 3)

(2006/C 298/09)

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4461 — Accor Services France/Groupe Caisse d'Épargne/Accor Emploi Services Universel JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/C 298/10)

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(1)OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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Commission Notice on Immunity from fines and reduction of fines in cartel cases

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/C 298/11)

I.   INTRODUCTION

II.   IMMUNITY FROM FINES

A.   Requirements to qualify for immunity from fines

B.   Procedure

III.   REDUCTION OF A FINE

A.   Requirements to qualify for reduction of a fine

B.   Procedure

IV.   CORPORATE STATEMENTS MADE TO QUALIFY UNDER THIS NOTICE

V.   GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

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(1)  Reference in this text to Article 81 EC also covers Article 53 EEA when applied by the Commission according to the rules laid down in Article 56 of the EEA Agreement.

(2)OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

(3)  The assessment of the threshold will have to be carried out ex ante, i.e. without taking into account whether a given inspection has or has not been successful or whether or not an inspection has or has not been carried out. The assessment will be made exclusively on the basis of the type and the quality of the information submitted by the applicant.

(4)  Corporate statements may take the form of written documents signed by or on behalf of the undertaking or be made orally.

(5)  This requires in particular that the applicant provides accurate, not misleading, and complete information. Cfr judgement of the European Court of Justice of 29 June 2006 in case C-301/04 P, Commission v SGL Carbon AG a.o., at paragraphs 68-70, and judgement of the European Court of Justice of 28 June 2005 in cases C-189/02 P, C-202/02 P, C-205/02 P, C-208/02 P and C-213/02 P, Dansk Rørindustri A/S a.o. v. Commission, at paragraphs 395-399.

(6)OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1.

(7)OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 18.

(8)OJ C 325, 22.12.2005, p. 7.

(9)  Commission Notice on cooperation within the Network of Competition Authorities, OJ C 101, 27.4.2004, p. 43.

(10)OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43.

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.4390 — PHL/IBFF)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2006/C 298/12)

On 20 October 2006, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

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