4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/1

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.7138 — ThyssenKrupp/Acciai Speciali Terni/Outokumpu VDM)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2014/C 62/01

On 12 February 2014, 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 (1). 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32014M7138. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

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

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/2

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.7052 — Lloyds Development Capital/PostNL/TNT Post UK)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2014/C 62/02

On 30 January 2014, 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 (1). 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32014M7052. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

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

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/2

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.7157 — BPCE/GIMV/Veolia Transport Belgium)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2014/C 62/03

On 21 February 2014, 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 (1). 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32014M7157. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

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

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/3

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case COMP/M.7168 — Lukoil/ISAB/ISAB Energy/ISAB Energy Services)

(Text with EEA relevance)

2014/C 62/04

On 27 February 2014, 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 (1). 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:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/index.htm) under document number 32014M7168. EUR-Lex is the online access to the European law.

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

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/4

Council conclusions — Efficient and innovative education and training to invest in skills (1) — Supporting the 2014 European Semester

2014/C 62/05

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

IN THE CONTEXT OF:

—	Articles 165 and 166 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

—	the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy, and

—	the Council conclusions of 12 May 2009 establishing a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’) (2),

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT:

—	the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 on key competences for lifelong learning (3),

—	the Council conclusions of 26 November 2012 on education and training in Europe 2020 — the contribution of education and training to economic recovery, growth and jobs (4),

—	the Council Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning of 20 December 2012 (5),

—	the Council conclusions of 15 February 2013 on investing in education and training — a response to ‘Rethinking Education: Investing in skills for better social-economic outcomes’ and the ‘2013 Annual Growth Survey’ (6),

—	the Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee (7),

—	the Council declaration on a ‘European Alliance for Apprenticeships’ adopted on 15 October 2013 (8),

—	Regulation (EU) No 1288/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing ‘Erasmus+’: the Union programme for education, training youth and sport (9),

AND IN RESPONSE TO:

—	the 2014 Annual Growth Survey (10), and

—	the Commission communication on ‘Opening Up Education: Innovative teaching and learning for all through new technologies and Open Educational Resources’ (11),

CONSIDERS THAT:

education and training have a strategic role to play in supporting the economic recovery in Europe. Although good progress has been made towards the education headline target set under the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy (12), much still remains to be done to reverse the impact of the crisis and to tackle underlying structural problems;

2.	recent data suggest that these structural problems are partly linked to the lack of relevant skills and therefore present challenges to our education and training systems;

3.	one person in five among the EU working-age population has low literacy and numeracy skills, a factor which seriously limits their employability, and despite some progress in basic skills the number of school pupils performing poorly in mathematics is still high (13);

4.	although forecasts suggest that almost all jobs in the future will require at least basic digital skills, many school pupils still lack access to the digital technology and content needed to acquire them. A large number of adults lack digital skills altogether,

STRESSES THAT:

there is an urgent need to address the key challenges of youth unemployment and inadequate skills levels. In addition to the essential contribution they make to fostering social cohesion and active citizenship, education and training contribute significantly to generating smart, inclusive and sustainable growth, to improving competitiveness and employability, as well to enhancing productivity and innovation;

2.	whilst acknowledging the efforts already being made in order to meet these key challenges, the EU and Member States should intensify efforts to improve education and training and continue to invest in efficient, high-quality education and training;

3.	the future review of the ‘Europe 2020’ strategy and the forthcoming stocktaking exercise of the ‘ET 2020’ framework for European cooperation in education and training should enable the strategic role which education and training play in the European Semester to be strengthened,

WITH A VIEW TO INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE 2014 EUROPEAN SEMESTER, AGREES TO FOCUS ON:

1.	facilitating as far as possible long-term investment in the modernisation of education and training and the development of skills at both national and European level, while placing greater emphasis on the efficiency and quality of educational investment;

2.	equipping people in all age groups with better and more relevant skills, notably by strengthening lifelong learning and promoting equal opportunities for access to quality education and training, including for learners with disadvantaged backgrounds;

3.	facilitating the transition from education and training to work, notably by promoting work-based learning schemes and, where appropriate, increasing the availability of good quality traineeships or apprenticeships;

continuing — in cooperation with relevant stakeholders — to modernise and improve educational methods on the basis of the latest research, and making full use of the opportunities offered by digital learning, including — in accordance with national circumstances — by:

(a)	supporting educational institutions in improving their capacity — and, where appropriate, investment in ICT infrastructure — so as to exploit the potential of new technologies and digital content, including massive open online courses;

(b)	promoting more diversified learning experiences which blend face-to-face and digital learning methods;

(c)	encouraging initial teacher education and continuing professional development to explore the use of digitally supported teaching methods,

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES, WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH NATIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, TO:

1.	continue efforts to improve the acquisition of key competences and to decrease the share of low-achievers at school;

2.	promote the acquisition of basic skills, as well as the adoption of re-skilling and up-skilling measures through strengthened lifelong learning, with a focus on the low-skilled;

3.	adopt effective and inclusive education and training policies which take due account of the needs of learners with disadvantaged backgrounds;

4.	encourage an evidence-based debate among a broad range of stakeholders on providing and protecting sustainable and efficient means of funding for education and training;

5.	take appropriate action in response to the key education and training-related messages in the Council declaration on the European Alliance for Apprenticeships and in the Council Recommendation on establishing a Youth Guarantee;

6.	explore how transparency and recognition instruments in formal education could also cater for new forms of learning, including the validation of skills acquired through quality web-based learning;

7.	support education and training institutions in exploiting the potential of new technologies and digital content as a complement to traditional educational approaches and with a view to meeting the needs of different learners, including those with disadvantaged backgrounds;

8.	support teachers and school leaders in acquiring a high level of digital skills and adopting innovative teaching practices, for example through flexible training, incentive schemes, and updated curricula for teacher education;

9.	make full use of the new generation of financial instruments, in particular the ‘Erasmus+’ programme and the European Structural and Investment Funds in order to address the above challenges in education and training;

10.	seek to facilitate investment in education and training as growth-friendly sectors, whilst taking into account the education and training aspects of the Europe 2020 country-specific recommendations,

INVITES MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION TO:

1.	strengthen the contribution of education and training to the EU agenda for growth and jobs by making more efficient and effective use of investments in order to raise skills levels, improve learning outcomes and address skills shortages;

2.	encourage partnerships at national and European level between creators of educational content with a view to increasing the supply of quality Open Educational Resources and other digital educational materials in different languages, whilst paying due regard to copyright and licensing issues;

3.	further exploit the eTwinning platform and make use of the new ‘Open Education Europa’ portal as a reference point for existing Open Educational Resources produced in the EU;

4.	follow up on the November 2013 Council policy debate by organising a summit on the challenges posed by new technologies and Open Educational Resources, particularly as regards quality assurance and the assessment and certification of skills acquired through new modes of learning;

increase the added value and optimise the effectiveness of the ‘ET 2020’ strategic framework and its underlying governance and working arrangements, notably by:

(a)	further developing cooperation between education and employment policy specialists;

(b)	ensuring that the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), including the ‘ET 2020’ working groups (14), effectively serve to assist in following up on identified challenges;

(c)	continuing voluntary high-level peer reviews in the context of existing OMC structures, focusing on the education and training aspects of country-specific recommendations;

(d)	using the mid-term stocktaking exercise to help prepare the next draft joint report, with a more forward-looking focus which identifies key priority areas and concrete issues for future work;

(e)	optimising, reducing and simplifying education and training reporting structures so as to avoid duplication,

INVITES THE COMMISSION TO:

1.	compile evidence and prepare an analysis on the economic and social impact and benefits of education with a view to informing a future debate in the Council;

2.	promote an open public debate in the context of the consultation on the European Area of Skills and Qualifications on the impact of new technologies and digital content in current practices and EU instruments and policies, including issues such as quality assurance, assessment and certification.

(1) For the purposes of these conclusions, the term ‘skills’ is used generically and in accordance with the definition in Annex I to the 2006 Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (OJ C 111, 6.5.2008, p. 4).

(2) OJ C 119, 28.5.2009, p. 2.

(3) OJ L 394, 30.12.2006, p. 10.

(4) OJ C 393, 19.12.2012, p. 5.

(5) OJ C 398, 22.12.2012, p. 1.

(6) OJ C 64, 5.3.2013, p. 5.

(7) OJ C 120, 26.4.2013, p. 1.

(8) 14986/13.

(9) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 50.

(10) 15803/13 + ADD 1.

(11) 14116/13 + ADD 1.

(12) According to the Education and Training Monitor 2013.

(13) Data according to the OECD's 2013 PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills (Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competences) and its 2012 PISA Survey of ability in reading, maths and science among 15-year-olds (Programme for International Student Assessment).

N.B.: The right of participation of all Members States in the work of this organisation should be ensured.

(14) Explanatory note: these working groups — first established by the Commission under the ‘Education and Training 2010’ work programme in order to implement the Open Method of Coordination in education and training — offer a forum for the exchange of best practices in these fields. They bring together — on a voluntary basis — experts from the Member States and, in their current format, cover six key areas: schools, higher education, VET, adult learning, transversal skills and digital learning.

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/7

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations (1):

0,25 % on 1 March 2014

Euro exchange rates (2)

3 March 2014

2014/C 62/06

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,3768
JPY	Japanese yen	139,51
DKK	Danish krone	7,4626
GBP	Pound sterling	0,82305
SEK	Swedish krona	8,8652
CHF	Swiss franc	1,2129
ISK	Iceland króna
NOK	Norwegian krone	8,3175
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	27,354
HUF	Hungarian forint	312,65
LTL	Lithuanian litas	3,4528
PLN	Polish zloty	4,1928
RON	Romanian leu	4,5167
TRY	Turkish lira	3,0576
AUD	Australian dollar	1,5432
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5278
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	10,6823
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,6446
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,7461
KRW	South Korean won	1 473,34
ZAR	South African rand	14,8640
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	8,4589
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,6515
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 969,50
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,5222
PHP	Philippine peso	61,604
RUB	Russian rouble	50,0835
THB	Thai baht	44,818
BRL	Brazilian real	3,2125
MXN	Mexican peso	18,2997
INR	Indian rupee	85,3905

(1) Rate applied to the most recent operation carried out before the indicated day. In the case of a variable rate tender, the interest rate is the marginal rate.

(2) Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/8

New national sides of euro circulation coins

2014/C 62/07

Euro circulation coins have legal tender status throughout the euro area. The Commission publishes all new euro coin designs (1) with a view to informing all parties required to handle coins in the course of their work as well as the public at large.


1 EURO CENT	2 EURO CENT	5 EURO CENT	10 EURO CENT

20 EURO CENT	50 EURO CENT	1 EURO	2 EURO

Issuing country: The Principality of Andorra

Date of issue: January 2014

Description of the designs: The 1-, 2- and 5-euro cent coins show elements of nature, wildlife and flora. At the bottom, obliquely ofriented from left to right, the country of issuance ‘ANDORRA’ and the year of issuance ‘2014’.

The 10-, 20- and 50-euro cent coins depict elements of Roman art. At the right, vertically positioned, the country of issuance ‘ANDORRA’ and the year of issuance ‘2014’.

The 1-euro coin features Casa de la Vall — historical house in Andorra la Vella, part of the Cultural Heritage of Andorra. At the bottom, the country of issuance ‘ANDORRA’ and the year of issuance ‘2014’.

The 2-euro coins features the coat of arms of Andorra and the motto virtus unita fortior. At the right, vertically positioned, the country of issuance ‘ANDORRA’ and the year of issuance ‘2014’.

The coin's outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

The edge-lettering of the 2-euro coin is: 2 **, repeated six times, alternately from the bottom up and top down.

(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, OJ C 254, 20.10.2006, p. 6 and OJ C 248, 23.10.2007, p. 8 for a reference to the other euro coins.

4.3.2014

Official Journal of the European Union

C 62/9

New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2014/C 62/08

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Slovenia

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Slovenia

Subject of commemoration: The 600th anniversary of the crowning of Barbara Celjska

Description of the design: The central image of the coin shows, with lined pattern, the portrait of the Queen Barbara of Celje with her sceptre. On the image are placed three typical six-pointed stars of Celje counts. On the left side of the portrait is the inscription ‘SLOVENIJA’ and on the right side the inscription ‘BARBARA CELJSKA’ and the years ‘1414-2014’.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Number of coins to be issued: 1 million

Date of issue: October 2014

(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2) See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).

		ISSN 1977-091X doi:10.3000/1977091X.C_2014.062.eng
Official Journal of the European Union		C 62

English edition	Information and Notices	Volume 57 4 March 2014

Notice No	Contents	page
	II Information
	INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	European Commission
2014/C 062/01	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.7138 — ThyssenKrupp/Acciai Speciali Terni/Outokumpu VDM) ( 1 )	1

2014/C 062/02	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.7052 — Lloyds Development Capital/PostNL/TNT Post UK) ( 1 )	2

2014/C 062/03	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.7157 — BPCE/GIMV/Veolia Transport Belgium) ( 1 )	2

2014/C 062/04	Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.7168 — Lukoil/ISAB/ISAB Energy/ISAB Energy Services) ( 1 )	3

	IV Notices
	NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES
	Council
2014/C 062/05	Council conclusions — Efficient and innovative education and training to invest in skills — Supporting the 2014 European Semester	4

	European Commission
2014/C 062/06	Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 0,25 % on 1 March 2014 — Euro exchange rates	7

2014/C 062/07	New national sides of euro circulation coins	8

2014/C 062/08	New national side of euro coins intended for circulation	9