Daily News 30 / 07 / 2020

Investment Plan's Advisory Hub provides technical assistance to Municipality of Madrid on improving services for vulnerable people

The European Investment Advisory Hub, funded by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB), will advise the Municipality of Madrid on a project aiming to improve assistance for vulnerable people residing in temporary accommodation. EIB experts will provide the Municipality of Madrid with a feasibility study on the launch of a social impact bond, an innovative financing solution aimed at enabling vulnerable groups to become independent. Executive Vice-President, Valdis Dombrovskis, said:“The Investment Plan's Advisory Hub has proven to be a key tool in getting investment projects off the ground. Thanks to the technical assistance it provides, the Municipality of Madrid will be able to give homeless people the helping hand they need to access new opportunities and change their situation. The European Commission is proud to support this social project which has the potential to make an enormous difference to the lives of many.” More information can be found in the press release.(For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Siobhán Millbright – Tel.: +32 229 57361)

Skills: Five new cross-border collaboration projects selected for Erasmus+ funding to develop excellence in vocational training in Europe

The Commission has proposed today Erasmus+ funding for five new Platforms of Centres of Vocational Excellence, to meet the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy. Funded through Erasmus+ for a maximum budget of €4 million each, the platforms will be active in sectors such as green innovation and urban greening, microelectronics, and the furniture and wood sector. They will also support major European priorities such as the digital and green transitions, sustainable growth, and the social inclusion of individuals belonging to disadvantaged groups. Selected from among 55 applications, the five newly-selected Platforms of Vocational Excellence involve 167 partner organisations from 17 Member States and 4 other countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme. The chosen projects respond to a changing labour market and are aligned with the priorities of the European Skills Agenda and the Commission proposal for a Council recommendation on Vocational Education and Training for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience presented on 1 July. The press release is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Siobhán Millbright – Tel.: +32 229 57361)

Cohesion policy: Commission launches public consultation on Interregional Innovation Investment initiative

Today, the European Commission is opening a public consultation to hear the views of citizens and stakeholders on the Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) initiative that the Commission has proposed to set up in the next programming period. The objective is to collect ideas for further developments of this new instrument, especially on specific aspects such as priority areas for investment, links with EU priorities, implementation mechanisms, type of support, investment needs, market failure, investment readiness, and more. Commissioner for Cohesion & Reforms, Elisa Ferreira said: “I strongly encourage stakeholders at national, regional and local level to participate to the public consultation on the future Interregional Innovation Investment initiative. We want to know, among others, how this instrument can best support them at the various governance level, by involving different categories of regions and activating synergies with other EU funding opportunities.” The 2021-2027 period will seek to reinforce interregional cooperation for innovation via the European Regional Development Fund with an approximate budget of €500 million. In this context, the Commission proposed to set up a new Interregional Innovation Investment initiative aimed at helping actors involved in smart specialisation strategies (S3) to cluster together, scale up and bring innovation to the European market. The ambition is to mobilise public-private investment, leveraging the impact of the available budget. The consultation will close on 30 September 2020. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Sara Soumillion - Tel.: +32 229 67094)

Coronavirus response: Commission encourages Member States to use REACT-EU resources

In letters to EU Ministers responsible for Cohesion policy, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, clarified how Member States can make use of the REACT-EU fund. The fund is part of NextGenerationEU and will focus on supporting labour market resilience, jobs, SME's and low-income families, as well as laying down future-proof foundations for the digital and green transitions and a sustainable socio-economic recovery. EU Heads of State or Government agreed on allocating it a budget of €47.5 billion at the European Council Summit of 17-21 July. This agreement is not the end of legislative process, but in order to ensure a speedy recovery in light of the coronavirus crisis, it is important Member States proceed with a swift programming of resources. Commissioner Ferreira said: “The resources under REACT-EU will be of crucial importance over the coming 3 years for the recovery of the economy hit by the effects of the coronavirus crisis. Our advice to Member States is to use this opportunity most effectively and efficiently to build a solid, green, digital and cohesive recovery.”  Commissioner Schmit added: “REACT-EU will be a major resource in tackling challenges related to jobs and social inclusion following this unprecedented time of upheaval. The Commission stands ready to support Member States in maximising its added value.” For a rapid deployment of REACT-EU, Member States should follow the Commission's recommendations provided in the letters: target the geographic areas whose economy has been hit the hardest by the pandemic and that are the least resilient; take into account European Semester country-specific recommendations; and respect the partnership principle. REACT-EU resources should also be mobilised towards projects that support EU's climate ambition. Projects should also both address the consequences of the pandemic and facilitate the transition towards a green and digital economy and societies that are more resilient. The letters are available here. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094; Siobhan Millbright - Tel.: +32 229 57361)

Compte-rendu de la réunion entre la présidente de la Commission européenne von der Leyen, le président du Parlement européen Sassoli, et la chancelière allemande Merkel (présidence tournante du Conseil de l'UE)

Hier, la présidente Ursula von der Leyen et le président du Parlement européen David Sassoli ont discuté au téléphone avec la chancelière allemande Angela Merkel, qui assure la présidence tournante du Conseil de l'UE, des prochaines étapes de l'adoption des mesures de relance de l'Union européenne – NextGenerationEU – et du prochain cadre financier pluriannuel. L'objectif de la discussion, convoquée par la présidente von der Leyen en vertu de l'article 324 du Traité, était de préparer les négociations interinstitutionnelles à venir et permettre une adoption rapide de ces mesures, sur la base de l'accord conclu la semaine dernière par le Conseil européen et de la résolution adoptée par le Parlement européen le 23 juillet. Les participants ont réaffirmé que la conclusion rapide d'un bon accord était leur priorité absolue pour les semaines à venir et qu'il n'y avait pas de temps à perdre. Ils ont convenu d'une méthode et d'un calendrier pour faire en sorte que les mesures de relance soient en place d'ici le 1^er janvier 2021. Pour permettre à NextGenerationEU de devenir opérationnel, le Parlement européen est prêt à rendre le plus rapidement possible son avis sur la décision relative aux ressources propres. Après l'adoption formelle de cette décision par le Conseil, les États membres devraient alors la ratifier conformément à leurs procédures constitutionnelles. Les négociations sur les programmes sectoriels du prochain cadre financier pluriannuel doivent également être achevées avant la fin de l'année. Afin d'assurer une coordination solide et de faciliter des progrès rapides, la présidente von der Leyen a proposé que se tienne régulièrement une réunion sous cette forme à partir de mi-septembre. Le compte-rendu est disponible en ligne en français, anglais et allemand. (Pour plus d'informations : Dana Spinant – Tél.: +32 229 90150)

Excise duties: Commission welcomes agreement on rules governing alcohol

The Commission welcomes today's agreement reached in the Council on the new rules governing excise duties on alcohol within the EU. This agreement paves the way for a better business environment and reduced costs for small alcohol-producing businesses. The agreed new rules will ensure that small and artisan alcohol producers have access to a new EU-wide certification system confirming their access to lower excise duty rates across the Union. This will have a positive impact on consumers, which will benefit from a crackdown on the illegal use of tax-free denatured alcohol to make counterfeit drinks. There will also be an increase in the threshold for lower strength beer to which reduced rates may apply to encourage brewers to produce beverages with a lower alcohol content. Following the agreement, Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said: "Today's agreement is a welcome move towards a more modern and fairer tax regime for alcohol which also supports our fight against fraud.” New rules will be applicable from 1 January 2022. The Commission will monitor the introduction of an excise duty or reduced excise rates for private production of ethyl alcohol and will report to the Council on this measure. A full press release is available here. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

La Commission approuve une nouvelle appellation d'origine protégée de Roumanie

La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d'inscription du vin « Adamclisi » de Roumanie dans le registre des appellations d'origine protégée (AOP). Le « Adamclisi » est une appellation recouvrant des vins blancs, rosés et rouges produits dans une zone viticole très ancienne située dans la région de Dobrogea, à l'Est de la Roumanie, entre la mer Noire et le Danube. Les caractéristiques du sol et du climat produisent des vins aux arômes généralement fruités et moyennement corsés. Cette nouvelle appellation va rejoindre les 1170 appellations d'origine protégées vinicoles déjà enregistrées dont la liste est disponible dans la base de données eAmbrosia. Pour plus d'informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Rosario - Tél: +32 2 29 56185; Thérèse Lerebours - Tél: +32 229 13963)

Concentrations: la Commission approuve le projet d'acquisition des activités d'AXA en Pologne, Tchéquie et Slovaquie par Uniqa

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition des activités d'AXA en Pologne, Tchéquie et Slovaquie (la « Cible », constitué d'entités juridiques basées en Pologne et Tchéquie) par l'entreprise UNIQA Österreich Versicherungen AG (« Uniqa »), basée en Autriche. La Cible est active dans la fourniture de produits d'assurance vie et non-vie, de retraite, ainsi que d'investissement, en Tchéquie, Slovaquie et Pologne. Uniqa est active dans le secteur de l'assurance en Europe centrale et orientale. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence en raison de la présence limitée des entreprises concernées, du nombre important de concurrents, et/ou du cadre réglementaire strict applicable aux activités des entreprises. La transaction a été examinée en vertu de la procédure normale de 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.9796.(Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million Lithuanian scheme to compensate companies active in the processing of agricultural products in the poultry and eggs sectors for damages caused by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved under State aid rules a €20 million Lithuanian scheme to compensate Lithuanian companies active in the processing of agricultural products in the poultry and eggs sectors for the loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It is estimated that, under the scheme, approximately 25 enterprises will be entitled to compensation for the damages suffered. The support, in the form of grants, will be financed by the general budget of Lithuania. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures granted by Member States to compensate specific companies or specific sectors for the damages directly caused by exceptional occurrences, in conjunction with the EU Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020. The Commission found that the Lithuanian scheme will compensate damages that are directly linked to the coronavirus outbreak. It also found that the measure is proportionate, as the envisaged compensation does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage. The Commission therefore concluded that the scheme is in line with EU State aid rules. More information on actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.57508 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Eurostat press releases