Daily News 17 / 09 / 2020

European Green Deal Call: €1 billion investment to boost the green and digital transition

The European Commission has decided today to launch a €1 billion call for research and innovation projects that respond to the climate crisis and help protect Europe's unique ecosystems and biodiversity. The Horizon 2020-funded European Green Deal Call, which will open tomorrow for registration, will spur Europe's recovery from the coronavirus crisis by turning green challenges into innovation opportunities. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The €1 billion European Green Deal call is the last and biggest call under Horizon 2020. With innovation at its heart, this investment will accelerate a just and sustainable transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. As we do not want anyone left behind in this systemic transformation, we call for specific actions to engage with citizens in novel ways and improve societal relevance and impact.” This Green Deal Call differs in important aspects from previous Horizon 2020 calls. Given the urgency of the challenges it addresses, it aims for clear, discernible results in the short to medium-term, but with a perspective of long-term change. There are fewer, but more targeted, larger and visible actions, with a focus on rapid scalability, dissemination and uptake. The projects funded under this call are expected to deliver results with tangible benefits in ten areas: eight thematic areas reflecting the key work streams of the European Green Deal and two horizontal areas - strengthening knowledge and empowering citizens - which offer a longer-term perspective in achieving the transformations set out in the European Green Deal. More information is available in this press release and in this factsheet. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

NextGenerationEU: la Commission présente les prochaines étapes de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience, dotée de 672,5 milliards d'euros, dans la Stratégie annuelle 2021 pour une croissance durable

La Commission européenne a défini des orientations stratégiques pour la mise en œuvre de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience dans la Stratégie annuelle 2021 pour une croissance durable. La facilité est le principal instrument pour la relance au cœur de NextGenerationEU, qui aidera l'Union à sortir plus forte et plus résiliente de la crise actuelle. Elle apportera un soutien financier sans précédent de 672,5 milliards d'euros sous la forme de prêts et de subventions, qui seront concentrés sur les premières années, cruciales pour la reprise. Afin de bénéficier de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience, les États membres devront présenter leur projet de plan en décrivant leur programme national de réformes et d'investissements dans le respect des critères de l'UE. La Commission présente aujourd'hui également des orientations supplémentaires à l'intention des États membres sur la meilleure manière de présenter leur plan pour la reprise et la résilience, ainsi qu'un modèle standard à cet effet. La présidente Ursula von der Leyen a dit: « La Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience est au cœur même de NextGenerationEU. C'est notre principal outil pour transformer les défis immédiats posés par la pandémie de coronavirus en opportunités à long terme. Les États membres ont besoin d'orientations claires pour faire en sorte que les 672 milliards d'euros de la facilité soient investis pour la relance économique immédiate de l'Europe mais aussi pour une croissance durable et inclusive à long terme. Aujourd'hui, nous présentons ces orientations et nous sommes prêts à aider les États membres à élaborer leur stratégie nationale. » Un communiqué de presse et un mémo sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976)

European Green Deal: New financing mechanism to boost renewable energy

The European Commission has published today the rules for a new EU Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism, to apply from the start of 2021. This Mechanism will make it easier for Member States to work together to finance and deploy renewable energy projects – either as a host or as a contributing country. The energy generated will count towards the renewable energy targets of all participating countries and feed into the European Green Deal ambition of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “To reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions by at least by 55% by 2030, we need to significantly increase the share of renewable energy. This mechanism provides an additional tool to facilitate investment in clean energy projects. It will encourage cooperation between Member States and give a practical boost to our green recovery efforts in the coming years. It can help stimulate Europe's economies by getting large-scale projects off the ground and by supporting local SMEs and creating jobs.” As foreseen under the Energy Union Governance Regulation, this Mechanism will be managed by the Commission, bringing together investors and project developers through regular public tenders. It enables ‘contributing Member States' to pay voluntary financial contributions into the scheme, which will be used for renewable energy projects in interested Member States (‘hosting Member States'). More information is available here (including a link to the implementing regulation), in this factsheet and on the Renewable Energy Financing Mechanism webpage. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

EU's Cohesion Policy to finance the enlargement of Poland's Port of Szczecin

Today, the European Commission has approved an investment of over €52.5 million from the Cohesion Fund to widen and deepen the Dębicki Canal in the Port of Szczecin, in the north of Poland. This is part of a series of major works to enable the port to accommodate larger vessels and handle more cargo to make it more competitive and a leading freight destination in the South Baltic Sea, in line with EU Maritime Transport goals. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, commented: “The project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the region by increasing the amount of cargo that the port can handle. Thanks to this project, transport will become more efficient while operating costs for shipping companies as well as the time the cargo spends at sea and the distances needed to transport it will be reduced”. Szczecin is one of the four main Polish ports of national importance. It is part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor. The project will start to be operational as of end 2023. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Opening of the EU-funded cross-border bridge connecting Hungary and Slovakia

The new Monoštor bridge connecting Komárom (Hungary) and Komárno (Slovakia) was officially opened for traffic today. The new road connection, which improves both road transport and inland navigation on the Danube, was supported with €100 million of EU funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (85% of the total costs).  Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, said: “Transport is about connecting people. This bridge not only better connects the two cities, but it also has a strong European dimension as it will remove a crucial transport bottleneck on the trans-European Rhine Danube Corridor. It benefits both heavy goods vehicles needing to cross the river and vessels circulating on the Danube.” The new two-lane, 600-metre bridge links the ports of the two Danube cities and removes a crucial bottleneck - the existing Erzsébet Bridge is not suitable for vehicles heavier than 20 tonnes. The bridge alleviates congestion, improves safety, increases capacity and includes two bicycle lanes. More information. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 229 13917)

Le discours sur l'état de l'Union de la Présidente von der Leyen : tracer la voie pour sortir de la crise du coronavirus et choisir notre avenir

La Présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a esquissé hier, dans son premier discours annuel sur l'état de l'Union devant le Parlement européen, la voie à suivre pour que l'Union européenne puisse surmonter la fragilité mise à nu par la crise du coronavirus et construire une union de vitalité. La Présidente a souligné qu'avec NextGenerationEU, l'Europe a une occasion unique de susciter le changement par ses propres choix, et non par catastrophe ou par diktat d'autrui. Elle a ajouté que l'Europe a tout ce qui est nécessaire pour y parvenir : elle a la vision, le plan, et l'investissement. Le discours est disponible en ligne dans toutes les langues officielles de l'Union européenne. Vous trouverez plus d'informations sur le page web dédiée, dans un communiqué de presse et une fiche d'information qui donnent un aperçu des principales initiatives avancées dans le discours sur l'état de l'Union 2020, ainsi que dans la lettre d'intention. Pour en savoir plus sur le bilan de la première année de la Commission von der Leyen et comment elle a délivré sur ses engagements, cliquez ici. (Pour plus d'informations : Eric Mamer - Tél.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant - Tél.: +32 2 29 90150)

Aides d'État: la Commission autorise un régime italien de recapitalisation, d'un montant de 44 milliards d'euros, destiné à soutenir les grandes entreprises touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus

La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime italien doté d'un budget global de 44 milliards d'euros, destiné à soutenir les grandes entreprises touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus, au moyen d'instruments de recapitalisation, et notamment d'instruments de fonds propres et d'instruments hybrides (obligations convertibles et dette subordonnée). Le régime consiste en quatre mesures qui ont été autorisées en vertu de l'encadrement temporaire des aides d'État. En combinaison avec le régime italien en faveur des petites et moyennes entreprises, autorisé par la Commission le 31 juillet 2020, les mesures italiennes visent à soutenir la solvabilité d'un large éventail d'entreprises qui ont souffert de la pandémie de coronavirus, ce qui les aidera à poursuivre leurs activités tout en favorisant l'emploi. Le régime s'adresse aux grandes entreprises confrontées à une forte diminution de leur chiffre d'affaires en 2020. Pour être éligibles, il faut, entre autres critères, que les entreprises soient considérées comme stratégiques pour l'économie et pour les marchés du travail. Les mesures prévues dans le cadre du régime sont les suivantes: (1) dotations en capital, (2) obligations convertibles obligatoires, (3) obligations convertibles à la demande de leur bénéficiaire ou de leur détenteur, (4) dette subordonnée. Les quatre mesures sont gérées par une entité ad hoc baptisée « Patrimonio Rilancio ». La Commission a conclu que le régime notifié par l'Italie était conforme aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire. La Commission a conclu que le régime était nécessaire, approprié et proportionné 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 énoncées dans 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. Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a déclaré : « Ce régime de recapitalisation italien soutiendra les grandes entreprises touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus en renforçant leur assise financière et en facilitant leur accès au financement en ces temps difficiles. Conjointement à d'autres mesures approuvées précédemment, le régime contribuera, en fin de compte, à soutenir l'économie et le marché du travail italiens. Nous continuons à travailler en étroite coopération avec les États membres afin de trouver des solutions pratiques permettant d'atténuer les répercussions économiques de la pandémie de coronavirus dans le respect de la réglementation de l'UE. » Le communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €1.46 billion UK scheme to distribute free medical grade personal protective equipment in the context of coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a GBP 1,3 billion (approximately €1,46 billion) UK scheme to distribute free medical grade personal protective equipment (PPE) to health and social care services, community pharmacies and public sector organisations in the context of coronavirus outbreak. The public support will take the form of free medical grade PPE and will be accessible to eligible health and social care providers, community pharmacies and public sector organisations. The purpose of the measure is to ensure that beneficiaries continue to provide their services, while limiting the spread of the coronavirus through preventing cross-infection and other forms of contamination. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c), which enables Member States to facilitate the development of certain economic activities, subject to certain conditions. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to fight the health crisis, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58477 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Competition: Commission publishes call for proposals for training national judges in EU competition law

The European Commission has published a call for proposals for training national judges in EU competition law. The purpose of this call is to offer EU co-financing for projects aimed at improving the knowledge, application and interpretation of EU competition law at national level. The Commission can co-finance up to 90% of the eligible costs. Priority topics for the training projects include the application of Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU), the antitrust damages actions Directive (Directive 2014/104), economic principles of competition law, competition law in regulated industries, competition law applied to digital markets and State aid. Proposals outside of the priority topics may be awarded a grant if the need for such training is justified in order to ensure the proper application of EU competition law. The full text of the call for proposals and related documents are available online. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2021. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of joint control over WellSky by LGP and TPG

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over WellSky Corporation (‘WellSky') by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (‘LGP') and TPG Capital (‘TPG'), all three of the U.S. WellSky supplies specialty healthcare software as a service (SaaS) and other software platforms for managing clinical, financial and administrative work flows. In the European Economic Area, WellSky only markets software solutions which address medication management and chemotherapy management software. LGP is a private equity investment firm, primarily investing in companies providing services. TPG is a private investment firm that manages a family of funds. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that WellSky has negligible actual or foreseen activities within the territory of the European Economic Area. 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.9930. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of certain Coty hair and nail businesses by KKR

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Waves UK Divestco Limited (‘Waves') of the UK, currently held by Coty International Holding, B.V., an entity ultimately controlled by Coty Inc. (together with Coty International Holding, B.V., ‘Coty'), by KKR & Co Inc. (‘KKR') of the U.S. Waves owns certain Coty businesses active in the development, manufacture and supply of professional and retail hair and nail products. KKR is a global investment firm, which offers a broad range of alternative asset funds and other investment products to investors and provides capital markets solutions for the firm, its portfolio companies and other clients. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the absence of horizontal overlaps and vertical or other relationships between the companies' activities. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9895. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Gentiloni and Commissioner Kyriakides participate in G20 joint Finance and Health Ministerial Meeting

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, and Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will participate in today's G20 joint Finance and Health Ministerial Meeting. In March, G20 Leaders tasked the World Health Organization (WHO) to assess gaps in pandemic preparedness and report the findings to the joint meeting of Finance and Health Ministers. The virtual meeting will discuss these gaps and seek to agree on the way forward to strengthen collective efforts to address them. Finance Ministers will participate to discuss the links between the health measures needed to address the coronavirus pandemic and the support measures to address its economic impact. Commissioner Gentiloni said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on Europe's economy. Even though there have been some encouraging signs, the long road to recovery is still paved with a high degree of uncertainty. We must work together to share information on scenarios for the possible economic impact of health crises in future to strengthen our resilience and ensure we are prepared.” Commissioner Kyriakides said: “More funding is needed to speed up the development, manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines. As G20, we should work on creative solutions to keep the momentum and bring an end to COVID-19, looking at how we can attract new funding by thinking outside the box, for example through private funding or crowd funding initiatives. This is the best investment in the future we can make.” The remarks by Commissioner Kyriakides at the meeting will be available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 229 13917)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse