Daily News 06 / 10 / 2020

RÉUNION DU COLLÈGE : Paquet Elargissement - priorités de réformes pour les partenaires souhaitant rejoindre l'UE et plan économique et d'investissement pour les Balkans occidentaux

La Commission européenne a adopté ce jour un plan économique et d'investissement global pour les Balkans occidentaux qui vise à stimuler la reprise économique à long terme de la région, à soutenir une transition verte et numérique, à encourager la coopération économique régionale, stimuler la croissance économique et soutenir les réformes requises pour avancer sur le chemin vers l'UE. Le plan identifie dix initiatives phares pour soutenir les principales liaisons routières et ferroviaires dans la région, l'énergie renouvelable et l'abandon du charbon, la rénovation des bâtiments publics et privés pour accroître l'efficacité énergétique et réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre, les infrastructures de gestion des déchets et des eaux usées ainsi que le déploiement des infrastructures à haut débit. Parmi d'autres initiatives phares figurent des investissements accrus dans le secteur privé pour stimuler la compétitivité et l'innovation, en particulier des petites et moyennes entreprises et une garantie pour la jeunesse. L'investissement et la croissance économique ne pourront être stimulés que si les Balkans occidentaux s'engagent résolument à, et mettent effectivement en œuvre, des réformes fondamentales conformes aux valeurs européennes et respectent cet engagement. L'adoption vient de pair avec la présentation du paquet « élargissement » 2020, qui évalue la mise en œuvre de réformes fondamentales dans les Balkans occidentaux et en Turquie. Les sept rapports individuels sont présentés conjointement à des recommandations et des orientations sur les prochaines étapes à suivre pour les partenaires qui souhaitent rejoindre l'UE, conformément à la méthodologie d'élargissement renforcée. L'approche renforcée souligne l'importance d'un processus d'adhésion fondé sur le mérite et basé sur la confiance, le respect mutuel et des engagements clairs de la part tant de l'Union européenne que des Balkans occidentaux, mettant encore plus l'accent sur les réformes fondamentales. Une politique d'élargissement crédible constitue un investissement géostratégique en faveur de la paix, de la sécurité et de la croissance économique dans toute l'Europe, a fortiori en période de divisions et de défis mondiaux croissants. Pour plus de détails sur le paquet « élargissement », consultez le communiqué de presse complet comprenant les liens vers les rapports et différentes fiches d'information. Consultez également le communiqué de presse et les questions-réponses sur le plan économique et d'investissement. Une conférence de presse du commissaire Várhelyi est actuellement en cours, suivez en direct sur EbS. (Pour plus d'informations : Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32 229 54320; Zoï Muletier – Tél.: +32 229 94306)

EU disburses €160 million in macro-financial assistance to three Western Balkans partners

The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has today disbursed the first instalments of the macro-financial assistance programmes to Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Today's disbursement of €50 million to Kosovo, €30 million to Montenegro and €80 million to North Macedonia follows the agreement and ratification of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) over the past months. The disbursement of the second tranche will be conditional on fulfilling the policy conditions laid down in the MoUs. The MoUs with the three Western Balkans partners are part of the €3 billion emergency MFA package for ten enlargement and neighbourhood partners, aimed to help them limit the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The ongoing and swift implementation of these programmes is an important demonstration of the EU's solidarity with these countries at a time of unprecedented crisis. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Le plan d'investissement apporte un soutien de 150 millions d'euros au programme « Venture Centre of Excellence » pour accélérer les innovations médicales

Lors de l'événement HealthTech Innovation Days qui se déroule du 5 au 6 octobre à Paris, le Fonds européen d'investissement (FEI) et l'EIT Health ont annoncé un financement de 150 millions d'euros en faveur du « Venture Centre of Excellence » (VCoE). Cette contribution financière est soutenue par le Fonds européen pour les investissements stratégiques (EFSI), principal pilier du Plan d'investissement pour l'Europe. La VCoE est une plateforme collaborative qui réunit des entreprises pharmaceutiques et de technologie médicale, et des fonds de capital de risque. Son objectif est d'orienter les investissements nécessaires vers la promotion d'innovations importantes dans le secteur de la santé en Europe. Le commissaire chargé du marché intérieur, Thierry Breton, a déclaré : « La crise a accéléré la transformation numérique des soins de santé en Europe. Nous devons saisir cette opportunité. Nous devons agir de manière stratégique et créer les conditions permettant aux start-ups, à l'industrie, aux systèmes de santé et aux patients de profiter pleinement du potentiel de la santé numérique en Europe. Dans le cadre de nos efforts, nous offrons aujourd'hui un soutien concret au Venture Centre of Excellence, une plate-forme innovante favorisant la collaboration et les investissements indispensables à l'écosystème de la santé en Europe. » Le communiqué de presse est disponible ici. Jusqu'à présent, le Plan d'investissement pour l'Europe a mobilisé 535 milliards d'euros d'investissements dans l'ensemble de l'UE, dont un quart soutient des projets de recherche, de développement et d'innovation. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229 58197; Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: + 32 229 58615; Flora Matthaes – Tél.: +32 229 83951; Marietta Grammenou – Tél.: + 32 229 83583) 

EU/Iran: Commission launches two online platforms to support SMEs

The European Commission has launched the Due Diligence Helpdesk and the ‘Sanctions Tool', aiming to support economic operators, and in particular small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), interested in doing legitimate trade with Iran. Both online platforms are free-of-charge. The Due Diligence Helpdesk provides concrete, tailor-made support to EU SMEs by carrying out due diligence and thereby checking if specific business projects comply with EU sanctions. In doing so, the platform aims to encourage EU SMEs to engage in legitimate business involving Iran and provide reassurance to other stakeholders, such as European banks. The Helpdesk will also publish guides, organise trainings and webinars and support business matchmaking events. The Sanctions Tool is based on an easy-to-use interactive questionnaire. It provides EU SMEs with a general, non-binding guidance on whether their business projects could fall under EU sanctions concerning Iran. In line with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), the EU lifted all its economic and financial sanctions imposed in connection with the Iranian nuclear programme. However, as a number of EU restrictions concerning Iran remain in place, the two online platforms aim at assisting economic operators when engaging with Iran. These platforms thus underscore the continued EU commitment to the full and effective implementation of the JCPoA. A press release is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: 32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Investment Plan in Bulgaria: €10 million for SMEs in cultural and creative sector affected by pandemic

With support from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria have joined forces to unlock €10 million of additional financing for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Bulgaria's cultural and creative sector. This funding comes at a crucial time for cultural and creative enterprises, which have been hard-hit by the economic consequences of the pandemic and are struggling to uphold their operations. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for the People, said: “People working in cultural and creative SMEs have been especially affected by the lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am glad that this funding agreement with Raiffeisenbank Bulgaria, supported by EFSI, will make additional resources available to sustain jobs in the cultural and creative sector, which is so vital for maintaining Europe's cultural diversity and quality of life.” The press release is available here. The Investment Plan for Europe has so far mobilised €535 billion of investment across the EU, including €4.2 billion in Bulgaria. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)   

Fair taxation: Member States update EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions

EU Member States today added two countries – Barbados and Anguilla – to the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions. Both jurisdictions were added to the list due to tax transparency concerns. At the same time, the EU has now completely delisted the Cayman Islands and Oman, since they have now delivered on their pending commitments to remove a harmful tax regime and increase tax transparency respectively. Today's update keeps the number of constituents of the EU list at 12: American Samoa, Anguilla, Barbados, Fiji, Guam, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Seychelles, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu and U.S. Virgin Islands. Under the EU listing process, jurisdictions are assessed against three main criteria – tax transparency, fair taxation and real economic activity. Those that fall short on any of these criteria are asked for a commitment to address the deficiencies within a set deadline, and run the risk of being added to the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions if these commitments are not met. That said, because of the coronavirus pandemic, Member States again decided to grant certain extensions to some countries on the current ‘grey list' to fulfil the commitments they have taken. This is the first update of the list since the Commission announced plans in July to review the geographic scope and criteria of the listing process, and to evaluate the defensive measures currently being applied by the EU and individual Member States against listed countries and territories. More information is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nerea Artamendi Erro – Tel.: +32 229 90964)

Les commissaires Lenarčič et Urpilainen ont rencontré le président centrafricain Touadéra à un moment critique du processus de réconciliation dans le pays

Hier, Janez Lenarčič, commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, et la commissaire pour les partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, ont reçu le président de la République centrafricaine (RCA), Faustin-Archange Touadéra, à Bruxelles pour discuter de la situation humanitaire en RCA ainsi que de l'impact de la COVID-19, de la stratégie Afrique et des divers partenariats qui en font partie, et de l'importance de l'inclusion des jeunes et des femmes afin de renforcer le développement durable en Afrique. Les commissaires ont noté que la République centrafricaine se trouve à un tournant décisif en ce qui concerne la paix dans le pays. Par le biais de son aide humanitaire, l'UE s'engage à continuer de soutenir les organisations qui viennent en aide aux personnes touchées par les multiples crises humanitaires en RCA. Ils ont également discuté du soutien à long terme à apporter au pays. L'UE est le principal partenaire du pays, mobilisant via « Team Europe » l'ensemble de ses politiques et instruments d'action extérieure pour soutenir les réformes, le redressement et la stabilisation du pays. Les commissaires restent engagés à soutenir le redressement socio-économique à long terme dans le cadre d'un programme global de consolidation de l'État et de la paix. Dans le contexte du prochain cadre financier pluriannuel 2021-2027, l'UE attache une grande importance aux consultations en cours. Depuis 2014, l'UE a soutenu l'action humanitaire en RCA avec plus de 215 millions d'euros. La RCA est également le premier pays vers lequel l'UE a opéré des vols du Pont aérien humanitaire en mai 2020 dans le cadre de sa réponse mondiale à la pandémie de coronavirus. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32 229 54320; Daniel Puglisi – Tél.: +32 229 69140; Gesine Knolle – Tél.: +32 229 54323)

Agriculture : la Commission approuve deux nouvelles indications géographiques d'Espagne et de Croatie

La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d'inscription du « Pebre bord de Mallorca »/« Pimentón de Mallorca » d'Espagne dans le registre des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP) et le « Varaždinski klipič » de Croatie dans le registre des indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Le « Pebre bord de Mallorca »/« Pimentón de Mallorca », entièrement produit sur l'île de Majorque, est obtenu par mouture de piments séchés. Son goût est doux, onctueux, sans amertume et dénué de piquant, avec une note claire de poivron rouge. Sa qualité distinctive peut être attribuée à l'utilisation exclusive de la variété autochtone « tap de cortí », aux conditions climatiques particulières de l'île et aux pratiques culturales traditionnelles. Le « Varaždinski klipič » est un petit pain en forme de baguette, de couleur jaune foncé ou doré, parsemé de graines de cumin. Il est produit sur le territoire de Varaždin, grâce à un savoir-faire qui s'est transmis de génération en génération et qui en fait un produit de boulangerie unique. Ces nouvelles appellations vont rejoindre plus de 1490 produits alimentaires déjà protégés 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: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél.: +32 229 13963)

State aid: Commission approves €61 million Lithuanian scheme to support research, development and production of coronavirus-relevant products

The European Commission has approved a €61 million Lithuanian scheme to support research and development (R&D) and production of products relevant to the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will be open to enterprises of all sizes that are capable to conduct coronavirus related R&D or production, except companies active in the primary agriculture, fishery and aquaculture, and financial sectors. The public support will take the form of direct grants. The aim of the scheme is to enhance and accelerate the development and the production of coronavirus relevant products, such as medicinal products including vaccines, hospital and medical equipment including ventilators, protective clothing and equipment, diagnostic tools, disinfectants and data collection/processing tools. The Commission found that the Lithuanian scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid will cover 80% of the eligible investment costs that companies have to bear to create production capacities to manufacture coronavirus relevant products; (ii) there will be a “bonus” (in terms of additional share of the costs that can be covered by the State aid) for R&D projects or investments that are supported by more than one Member State, as well as for R&D projects that are carried out in cross-border collaboration with research organizations or other companies; (iii) any result of the R&D activities will be made available to interested third parties in the European Economic Area at non-discriminatory market conditions through non-exclusive licences; and (iv) companies may also benefit from a “bonus” if their investment is concluded within two months after the granting of the aid, whereas the aid will be progressively reduced if the investment is not completed within six months. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to fight the public health crisis, in line with Article 107(3)(c) 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.58645 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission takes note of General Court judgment in HeidelbergCement/Schwenk/Cemex Hungary/Cemex Croatia merger case

The European Commission takes note of the judgment of the General Court, which confirms the Commission's decision prohibiting the acquisition by HeidelbergCement and Schwenk Zement, through their 50/50 full-function joint venture Duna-Dráva Cement (‘DDC'), of two Cemex subsidiaries in Hungary and Croatia. The General Court (T-380/17) fully upholds the Commission's 2017 prohibition decision under the EU Merger Regulation (case M.7878). The General Court confirms the Commission's analysis of cement markets as geographically differentiated markets, in view in particular of transport costs and security of supply concerns. The judgment also confirms that the Commission was correct in finding that the takeover of Cemex Croatia by its close competitor DDC, would have significantly reduced competition and likely have led to higher prices for grey cement in Croatia. The General Court further confirmed that the remedies offered by HeidelbergCement and Schwenk – which consisted of granting access to a cement terminal in southern Croatia – were insufficient as they would not have allowed a supplier to compete effectively and on a lasting basis with the merged company. The press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €57 million prolongation of Swedish scheme to compensate damages caused by cancelled or postponed cultural events due to coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules an approximately €57 million (SEK 600 million) prolongation of a Swedish scheme that compensates companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak for the loss of revenue or additional costs related to the cancellation or postponement of cultural events. On 22 April 2020, the Commission approved an approximately €38 million (SEK 420 million) aid scheme to compensate operators active in the organisation of cultural events that were negatively affected by the coronavirus outbreak (SA.57051). Under the scheme, Sweden can compensate with direct grants 75% of the loss of revenue or additional costs up to approximately €90,600 (SEK 1 million) and 50% of loss of revenue or additional costs over €90,600, up to a maximum of approximately €906,000 (SEK 10 million) per beneficiary. The original scheme provided compensation for events scheduled between 12 March and 31 May 2020 that had to be cancelled or postponed. The prolongation will cover the period 1 June to 30 September 2020. In this regard, the Swedish authorities confirmed that the measures imposed since March to limit the spread of the coronavirus continued to apply until the end of September 2020 and that all other elements of the original scheme will remain unchanged. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, 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, such as the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Swedish scheme will continue to compensate damages that are directly linked to restrictive measures taken to contain 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 damages. On this basis, the Commission approved the prolongation under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58690 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations:  la Commission autorise l'acquisition d'un bien immobilier commercial, « Espace Lumière » par Tishman Speyer et PSPIB

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition de la société SCI Espace Lumière basée en France par la société Tishman Speyer Crown Equities 2007 L.L.C. (« Tishman Speyer »), basée aux Etats-Unis et le Public Sector Pension Investment Board (« PSPIB »), basé au Canada. La SCI Espace Lumière est propriétaire d'un bien immobilier commercial appelé « Espace Lumière », situé à Paris, France. Tishman Speyer acquiert, gère et exploite des biens immobiliers commerciaux, à usage mixte et résidentiel pour le compte de ses clients et agit en tant que gestionnaire de fonds d'un portefeuille mondial d'actifs immobiliers en Amérique latine, en Asie, aux États-Unis et en Europe. PSPIB gère un portefeuille mondial diversifié comprenant des actions, des obligations, des biens immobiliers, des ressources naturelles et des infrastructures pour le compte des fonds de pension de la fonction publique fédérale, des Forces canadiennes, de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada et de la Force de réserve. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problèmes de concurrence, en raison de son impact limité sur le marché. L'opération 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.9951. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

EU-Ukraine Summit takes place in Brussels

This afternoon, European Council President Charles Michel and High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, on behalf of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will host the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for the 22nd EU-Ukraine Summit. The Summit will provide an opportunity for the leaders to review and give additional momentum to the comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Ukraine. The leaders will review implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, as well as the state of play of Ukraine's ambitious reform agenda. They are expected to address the socio-economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, whereby the EU immediately mobilised over €190 million to support the country's immediate- and short-term needs, and also stands ready to provide €1.2 billion in macro financial assistance once Ukraine meets the required conditions. The European Commission has allocated today an additional €10 million in humanitarian aid to support the most vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine ahead of the upcoming winter and in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Upon conclusion of the summit, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi will participate in a signing ceremony for programmes in support of Ukraine's socio-economic resilience. A press release will be available here. This signing ceremony will be followed, at 17:45 CET, by a joint press conference with President Michel, President Zelenskyy, and High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, and will be broadcast live on EbS. For more information on EU-Ukraine relations, consult the dedicated factsheet and visit the website of the EU Delegation in Kyiv. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 299 94073; Peter Stano - Tel.: +32 229 54553; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

EU Code Week 2020 kicks off to promote skills for the digital future

The 8th edition of the European Code Week, a grass-roots initiative supported by the European Commission, which aims to make everyone familiar with coding and digital technologies in an entertaining and engaging way, will open on Thursday 8 October with an online event. From 10 to 25 October Code Week will feature lots of online activities and an original #CodeWeekDance challenge in which schools, teachers, libraries, businesses and many more, will have the opportunity to participate. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: “I am delighted to be working again with EU Code Week, which inspires people of all ages to learn about programming, computers and many technology activities. Although this year we had to move all events online due to the circumstances, our ambition is not lessened: we aim to reach millions of people across Europe to help them get acquainted with technology, acquire the right skills and be empowered through digital learning.” Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “EU Code Week has given millions of people a brilliant opportunity to learn or teach others how to code by creating their own game or application, digging into robotics or learning how algorithms shape the world around us. It is a great initiative that helps everybody to enhance their digital skills, thrive at school and work and change their lives towards a better digital decade.” Last year, 4.2 million people in over 80 countries worldwide participated in EU Code Week (see here). More information about this year's Code Week is available here. The online kick-off event will be live-streamed on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Eurostat press releases