Daily News 02 / 10 / 2020

Investing in new energy infrastructure: Green light for EU grants worth nearly €1 billion

Yesterday, EU Member States agreed on a Commission proposal to invest €998 million in key European energy infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Financial aid will be provided for works and studies on ten projects, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal; 84% of the funding goes to electricity or smart grid projects. The largest amount goes to the Baltic Synchronisation Project (€720 million), to better integrate the electricity markets of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Meeting with the Lithuanian President and the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Poland this morning to celebrate the funding to the Baltic Synchronisation Project, President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Today is a very important day for Europe. It is a landmark moment in ending the isolation of the Baltic energy market. This project is good for connecting Europe, good for our energy security, and it is good for the European Green Deal.” Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson said: “These ten projects will contribute to a more modern, secure and smart energy infrastructure system, which is crucial for delivering the European Green Deal and meeting our ambitious 2030 climate targets. Yesterday's decision marks a decisive step in the Baltic Synchronisation process in particular, a project of European strategic interest. These investments will help sustain the EU's economic recovery and create jobs.” Among the ten projects, there are two for electricity transmission, one for smart electricity grids, six for CO2 transport, and one for gas. The President's remarks at this morning's meeting are available here and a press release on the funding for the ten projects is available here. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel: +32 229 81325)

EU provides initial emergency aid to civilians affected by the Nagorno Karabakh conflict

Following an outbreak of fighting in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, the EU is announcing an allocation of emergency humanitarian aid to all the civilian population affected by the conflict, on both sides of the contact line. The funding will deliver health support, medical equipment, food packages, and other urgent help to several thousand people. Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: “The fighting in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone has already claimed civilian lives. International humanitarian law must be respected and the protection of civilian life and infrastructure ensured. The EU stands in solidarity with all the people affected by the violence and is ready to provide further humanitarian support, should human suffering continue. We call for an immediate end to hostilities.” The initial funding of €500,000 will help EU humanitarian partners, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, provide immediate relief to those affected by the fighting. All EU humanitarian funding is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and is channelled through international organisations, UN agencies and NGOs. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

EU Cohesion policy invests in Poland's research and innovation network

Today, the European Commission has approved an investment of over €71 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the establishment of a fibre-optic network and research equipment to improve cooperation among research laboratories in Poland. This project aims to enhance the quality of academic research and to ensure closer cooperation between industry and academia, leading to greater market uptake of research results. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira commented: “With this investment, cohesion policy will support Poland in becoming more innovative in a competitive global market. As the coronavirus crisis is showing us, cooperation among research centres is crucial to offer innovative solutions in a rapidly changing and challenging world”. The project involves 21 research partners. Their laboratories will be provided with the equipment according to eight fields of specialisation, from data transmission and storage, atomic clocks and smart cities to e-learning and multi-scale simulation. The project is expected to include the filing of 21 patents, the publication of 84 scientific papers, 342 PhD candidates using the facilities, and the creation of five spin-off companies. (For more information: Vivian Loonela– Tel.: +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Droits des passagers : la Commission salue l'accord provisoire visant à renforcer la protection des passagers ferroviaires

Hier, le Parlement européen et le Conseil sont parvenus à un accord provisoire sur la modernisation des droits des voyageurs ferroviaires. La commissaire chargée de la mobilité et des transports, Adina Vălean, a déclaré : « Après trois ans de négociations et de coopération avec le Parlement et le Conseil, nous avons enfin un accord sur les droits des voyageurs ferroviaires. Le nouveau règlement signifie une meilleure protection pour nos passagers européens en cas de retard, d'annulation, de correspondance manquée ou de discrimination. Cela signifie également plus de confiance dans les compagnies ferroviaires. Je salue particulièrement les progrès réalisés pour mieux répondre aux besoins des personnes handicapées ou à mobilité réduite et la clarté juridique que nous avons obtenue, tant pour les consommateurs que pour les entreprises. » L'accord garantit une protection renforcée des passagers en cas d'interruption de voyage et clarifie les règles d'application et de traitement des plaintes. Il permet également un meilleur accès à l'information et améliore considérablement les droits des passagers handicapés ou à mobilité réduite. En outre, les nouvelles règles garantiront plus d'espaces pour les vélos. Les nouveaux trains et les trains ayant subi une rénovation majeure devront disposer d'un espace dédié pour transporter un nombre adéquat de vélos. Enfin, l'accord proposé clarifie les circonstances extraordinaires (telles que les conditions météorologiques extrêmes ou la pandémie), dans lesquelles les opérateurs seraient dispensés de payer des compensations car ils ne pourraient ni éviter ces événements ni empêcher leurs conséquences). Cependant, dans de tels cas, les passagers ont toujours droit au remboursement du prix total du billet, au réacheminement et à l'assistance. Ceci est conforme à la législation applicable aux autres modes de transport. L'adoption de la proposition de la Commission augmentera l'attractivité du rail en tant que mode de transport durable, conformément à notre proposition de promouvoir en 2021 l'Année européenne du rail et les objectifs du Pacte vert pour l'Europe. La Commission a proposé en 2017 de mettre à jour les voyageurs ferroviaires de l'UE. Les deux colégislateurs sont tenus d'adopter formellement l'accord avant qu'il ne devienne loi. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tél.: + 32229 84680; Stephan Meder - Tél.: +32 229 13917)

Commissioner Simson and Central and South-Eastern European Ministers discuss renewable energy potential*

Today, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson hosted the 7th Central and South-Eastern European Connectivity (CESEC) Ministerial meeting, together with the Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Tomislav Ćorić. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity to address their energy challenges. Ministers discussed the potential of renewable energy on the basis of a Renewable Energy Roadmap presented at the meeting by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Report finds that renewables could cover more than one-third (34%) of energy demand cost-effectively in Central and South Eastern Europe by 2030. This would save money, enhance energy security and supply affordable energy to citizens in the region. Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “The benefits from investing in renewables at this time of recovery are significant – for the economy, for the consumers and for the environment. As highlighted by the IRENA report, focusing on solar, wind and hydro power would create local green jobs and allow the region to gain from closer energy cooperation.” Among the main findings, the report shows that accelerating the deployment of renewables could save citizens an estimated €3 billion per year in energy costs by 2030. The avoided health, environment and climate damage could push total benefits to €35 billion per year. According to IRENA's energy transition path for the region, greenhouse gas emissions could potentially be reduced by 21% beyond the level expected from currently planned policies. You can find more information online on the CESEC Ministerial meeting (publication via this link at 12h30), the Commissioner's opening remarks and the IRENA report. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel: +32 229 81325)

Commission launches global cooperation platform to fight deforestation 

Today the European Commission is taking a step forward in its work against global deforestation. The new multi-stakeholder platform launched today to help protect and restore world's forests brings together an unprecedented range of stakeholders and expertise - EU Member States, top NGOs in the field of forest protection, industry organisations, international organisations, and non-European countries, including the largest consumer markets outside the EU and some of the countries experiencing significant destruction of their forests. The new platform aims to provide a forum to foster exchanges among stakeholders in order to build alliances, drive and share commitments to significantly reduce deforestation. Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “Forests are indispensable for the wellbeing of all citizens on Earth, and yet we are losing them at an alarming rate. The EU is determined to act to change this course, using all tools at our disposal to help protect the world's forests. But we cannot do it alone. I hope this platform of most relevant stakeholders will be an excellent catalyser for cooperation to halt and reverse deforestation.” In addition, the platform is to serve as a policy-making tool informing the Commission's ongoing work on a legislative proposal to minimise the risk of deforestation associated with products sold on the EU market, planned for the second quarter of 2021. This commitment has been enshrined in the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Communication on stepping up EU action against deforestation and forest degradation. A public consultation was launched earlier in September and will run until 10 December 2020. Deforestation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions causing global warming and a factor for animal and plant extinction. More information is available here. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

Initiative citoyenne européenne: une sixième initiative présentée avec succès à la Commission

Aujourd'hui, la Commission européenne a reçu la confirmation des organisateurs de l'initiative citoyenne européenne (ECI) « End the Cage Age », soulignant que cette ECI avait recueilli le soutien de presque 1.4 millions de citoyens. Cela signifie que la Commission rencontrera les organisateurs pour discuter de l'initiative en détail. Une audition publique sera ensuite organisée par le Parlement européen, après que la Commission décide des prochaines étapes: proposer une législation, prendre d'autres mesures non législatives ou ne pas agir du tout. Cette initiative est la sixième ECI à avoir récolté avec succès le seuil d'un million de signatures d'au moins 7 Etats membres, démontrant que les citoyens européens peuvent contribuer à créer les politiques européennes. Plus d'informations sur les autres ECIs conclues avec succès sont disponibles sur ce site. (Pour plus d'informations : Christian Wigand – Tél.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tél.: +32 229 63444 ; Alice Hobbs – Tél.: +32 229 80829)

State aid: Commission approves extension of Hungarian scheme to support research and development and production of coronavirus-relevant products

The European Commission has approved an extension of a Hungarian aid scheme to support research and development (R&D) and investments into the production of products that are relevant to the coronavirus outbreak, approved on 10 August 2020 under case number SA.58202. This extension makes available an additional budget of around €100 million (HUF 35 billion) that will be co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds, for a total budget of around €243 million (HUF 85 billion) including the initial scheme. The extended measure will be open to all companies, while under the initial scheme only enterprises with more than 9 and less than 5000 workers are eligible. The aim of the extended scheme is to further enhance and accelerate the development and the production of products directly relevant to the coronavirus outbreak, including vaccines, hospital and medical equipment and medicinal products, as well as the development of innovative processes for an efficient production of such products. The public support will take the form of direct grants that may cover a significant share of the necessary R&D and investment costs. The Commission concluded that the extended scheme remains necessary, appropriate and proportionate to fight the health crisis, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and with 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.58718 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)

CALENDAR – Commissioner's weekly activities

Eurostat press releases

*Updated on 02-10-2020, at 12:15