Daily News 28 / 08 / 2020

Réponse mondiale au coronavirus : l'Union européenne organise un vol du pont aérien humanitaire vers la Côte d'Ivoire

Un vol du pont aérien humanitaire de l'Union européenne atterrira aujourd'hui à Abidjan, transportant du matériel médical et des équipements de protection pour le personnel sanitaire ivoirien. La cargaison comprend des tenues, des masques et des réfrigérateurs médicaux, afin de protéger et d'assurer l'accès aux soins de santé de la population ivoirienne, alors que la pandémie de coronavirus continue. Janez Lenarčič, commissaire européen à la gestion des crises, a indiqué : « L'Union européenne, dans le cadre de sa réponse à l'échelle mondiale, mène une assistance médicale vers les régions et les communautés les plus vulnérables au coronavirus. Nous vaincrons à terme le coronavirus grâce à une assistance mutuelle, en particulier avec les pays africains qui sont nos principaux partenaires. En Côte d'Ivoire, l'aide que nous apportons va notamment permettre de répondre à des besoins clés en matière de disponibilité des tests sérologiques et de gestion des déchets médicaux, mais elle renforce aussi la protection des intervenants, comme les pompiers et le personnel médical. » Ce vol affrété par l'UE a décollé de Lyon, en France, pour transporter 7,5 tonnes de matériel essentiel. Les principaux bénéficiaires seront l'Institut Pasteur, l'Office national de la Protection civile et les établissements de santé accueillant des malades. La pandémie de coronavirus a entraîné d'énormes défis logistiques pour acheminer une assistance vitale, qu'il s'agisse d'aide humanitaire ou d'équipements médicaux. Depuis début mai, 66 vols de pont aérien humanitaire de l'UE ont transporté plus de 1,200 tonnes de fret vers des régions avec des besoins sanitaires. Les vols du pont aérien humanitaire de l'UE sont entièrement financés par l'UE. Ils sont gérés en coordination avec les États membres et les organisations humanitaires envoyant du matériel et en coopération avec le pays d'accueil. Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Pour plus d'informations : Balazs Ujvari – Tél.: +32 229 54578; Gesine Knolle – Tél.: +32 229 54323)

Cohesion Policy invests in sustainable transport in Poland

The European Commission has approved an investment of over €234 million from the Cohesion Fund to upgrade almost 117km of the Skawina-Zakopane railway line in Southern Poland. The project will improve the quality, efficiency and safety of railway transport between the towns of Skawina and Zakopane, and more generally on the Kraków-Zakopane corridor. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Thanks to this EU investment, we want to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home and use safe, reliable and comfortable trains instead. With fewer cars on the road, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced. Moreover, the new railway infrastructure will provide easier access for people with reduced mobility, in line with Cohesion Policy's motto not to leave anyone behind.” The project will ensure better integration of Southern Poland's railway network with the transport system of the rest of the country and with the EU's TEN-T network. The project will start to be operational as of 2024. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2021:  improving long-term sustainability of stocks

The Commission today adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2021 for the Baltic Sea. Based on the latest available scientific advice and in order to improve long-term sustainability of fish stocks, the Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for herring in the Gulf of Riga and main basin salmon, whilst maintaining the current levels for herring in the Gulf of Bothnia, sprat and plaice. The Commission proposes to decrease fishing opportunities for the remaining stocks covered by the proposal. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said: “Multiple factors influence the state of fish stocks in the Baltic sea. Fisheries is one, but factors like marine pollution or climate change are seriously affecting the health of the stocks. The long-term sustainability of the Baltic is not a choice but an imperative. We are adopting today a realistic proposal, which I am convinced will work for both fishers and fish. I look forward to working with the Member States and other stakeholders in the Baltic. As the pressures on Baltic fish stocks cannot be addressed through fisheries policy alone, I have taken the initiative to convene a Ministerial Conference of all EU Baltic states to address all factors comprehensively to ensure a long term future for the Baltic." A full press release is available online. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel.: +32 229-74959)

State aid: Commission approves €3.5 million Italian rescue aid to Blutec and its subsidiary Ingegneria Italia 

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Italian plans to grant a €3.5 million public guarantee on a temporary loan to Blutec and its subsidiary, Ingegneria Italia, both active in the manufacturing of component for motor vehicles. The companies are experiencing financial difficulties and are in so-called ‘amministrazione straordinaria', a form of bankruptcy administration in Italy. The rescue aid will provide the companies with sufficient resources to address their immediate liquidity needs. More specifically, it will help the beneficiaries access the necessary financing to decontaminate certain industrial units from toxic substances, in particular asbestos, to improve working conditions and safety and put in place other improvements, which the beneficiaries would not be able to finance at market conditions. EU State aid rules, more specifically, the Commission's Guidelines on rescue and restructuring aid allow Member States to support companies in difficulty, provided, in particular, that the public support measures are properly remunerated, limited in time and scope and that they contribute to an objective of common interest. In the present case, the Commission considered that the loan guarantee is limited to meeting the company's well identified liquidity needs. Furthermore, Italy committed to ensure that, after six months, the loan will either be fully repaid or the guarantee terminated, or the beneficiaries will undertake a comprehensive restructuring or be liquidated. The Commission also found that the aid contributes to an objective of common interest. In this respect, the loan will mitigate the risk of immediate loss of over 1,100 jobs in regions (Sicily, Abruzzo, Basilicata) already characterised by relatively high unemployment levels. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the rescue loan is limited in time and that its positive effects outweigh the distortions of competition brought about by the public intervention, in line with the applicable Guidelines. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.57755. . (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Aides d'État: la Commission autorise un régime d'aides tchèque de 126,7 millions d'euros visant à soutenir les opérateurs proposant des services d'hébergement qui ont été touchés par la pandémie de coronavirus

La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aides tchèque de 126,7 millions d'euros (3,31 milliards de CZK) visant à soutenir les opérateurs proposant des services d'hébergement, contraints de fermer leurs portes en raison des mesures restrictives qu'ont dû prendre les autorités tchèques pour limiter la propagation du coronavirus Cette mesure a été autorisée en vertu de l'encadrement temporaire des aides d'État. Le soutien public sera accordé à travers des subventions directes prenant la forme d'un montant fixe par chambre et par jour, pour toute la période durant laquelle les lieux d'hébergement étaient fermés, soit du 14 mars au 24 mai 2020. La mesure a pour objectif d'atténuer les soudaines pénuries de liquidités auxquelles les bénéficiaires doivent faire face en raison de la pandémie. La Commission a estimé que la mesure tchèque était conforme aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire. Plus particulièrement, i) le soutien n'excédera pas 800 000 euros par entreprise et ii) les aides peuvent uniquement être accordées jusqu'au 31 décembre 2020. La Commission a conclu que la mesure était nécessaire, appropriée et proportionnée pour remédier à une perturbation grave de l'économie d'un État membre, conformément à l'article 107, paragraphe 3, point b), du TFUE et aux conditions de l'encadrement temporaire. Sur cette base, la Commission a autorisé la mesure en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État. De plus amples informations sur l'encadrement temporaire et les autres mesures prises par la Commission pour faire face à l'incidence économique de la pandémie de coronavirus sont disponibles ici. La version non confidentielle de la décision sera publiée sous le numéro SA.58398 dans le registre des aides d'État figurant sur le site web de la Commission consacré à la concurrence, dès que les éventuels problèmes de confidentialité auront été résolus. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €29 million Bulgarian scheme to support farmers breeding large and small ruminants and potato growers affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a BGN 56.6 million (approximately €29 million) Bulgarian scheme to support farmers breeding large and small ruminants and potato growers affected by coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants covering part of the principal amount and interest due on loans previously provided to the beneficiaries by the State Fund for Agriculture. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and help them to continue their activities during and after the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Bulgarian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid will not exceed €100,000 per beneficiary as provided by the Temporary Framework for undertakings active in the primary agricultural sector; and (ii) the scheme will run until 31 December 2020. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other 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.58328 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)

State aid: Commission approves €150 million Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises in the region of Central Macedonia affected by the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €150 million Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises active in the region of Central Macedonia affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support, which will take the form of direct grants, will cover working capital amounting to up to 50% of the expenses borne by the beneficiaries in 2019. The purpose of the scheme is to support micro and small enterprises that are facing a sudden liquidity shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Greek scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid per company will not exceed €800,000, as provided by the Temporary Framework. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other 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.58367 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)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over DISCARE by Pro Diagnostic Group and FutureLife  

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over DISCARE a.s. of Czechia by the Pro Diagnostic Group, a.s (“PDG”) of Slovakia and FutureLife a.s. (“FutureLife”) of Czechia. DISCARE will operate a diagnostic imaging centre offering magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) and X-ray services in Prague. PDG operates 12 diagnostic imaging centres in private health facilities in Slovakia offering MRI, X-ray, computed tomography/positron emission tomography and ultrasonography services. FutureLife provides healthcare and laboratories services and operates, among others, healthcare clinics providing assisted reproduction services in central Europe. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because of its limited impact on the market. 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.9877. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise l'acquisition de EDP Comercializadora par Total

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition de EDP Comercializadora (« EDP-C »), société basée en Espagne, par Total SE, basé en France. EDP-C est active dans la production d'actifs thermiques ainsi que la fourniture de gaz et d'électricité et d'autres services connexes, notamment fourniture d'électricité aux i) petits clients industriels et commerciaux, ii) petits clients professionnels et iii) clients résidentiels éligibles, ainsi que fourniture au détail de gaz aux i) petits clients industriels et commerciaux et aux ii) clients résidentiels éligibles. Total est un producteur et fournisseur d'énergie international intégré, qui exerce des activités dans tous les secteurs de l'industrie pétrolière et gazière, ainsi que dans les secteurs des énergies renouvelables et de la production d'électricité. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problèmes de concurrence, car les chevauchements entre les activités des entreprises sont très limités. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée 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.9878. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

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