Daily News 09 / 10 / 2020

EU foreign investment screening mechanism becomes fully operational*

The EU framework for screening of foreign direct investment (FDI) will become fully operational as of next Sunday, 11 October 2020. Following the formal entry into force of the FDI Screening Regulation in April 2019, the Commission and Member States have worked on putting in place the necessary operational requirements for the full application of the regulation. This process is now concluded and results in an effective coordination framework instrumental in preserving Europe's strategic interests while keeping the EU market open to investment. Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said: “The EU is and will remain open to foreign investment. But this openness is not unconditional. To respond to today's economic challenges, safeguard key European assets and protect collective security, EU Member States and the Commission need to be working closely together. If we want to achieve an open strategic autonomy, having an efficient EU-wide investment screening cooperation is essential. We are now well equipped for that.” For more information, see a full press release and FAQs. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Kinga Malinowska – Tel: +32 229 51383)

EU Solidarity Fund: Commission puts forward financial assistance worth €823 million for the Croatia earthquake, floods in Poland and the coronavirus crisis

Today, the European Commission is proposing a package of €823 million in financial support under the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to help rebuilding efforts after the earthquake in Croatia and the floods in Poland. The package will also foresee advance payments to Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Hungary and Portugal to support those countries in tackling with the coronavirus health emergency. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, commented: “Thanks to the EU Solidarity Fund, Member States and citizens can receive the support they really need, either in the wake of a natural disaster or during a health emergency. Today we have yet another important proof of what EU solidarity actually means, as the beating heart of the European project.” The European Parliament and the Council will now need to approve today's Commission proposal. Once the Commission's proposal is adopted, the financial aid can be disbursed. The EUSF, since 2015, supports EU Member States and Accession Countries by offering financial support after severe natural disasters. As part of the exceptional EU response to the coronavirus outbreak, the scope of the EUSF has been extended to cover major public health emergencies and the maximum level of advance payments was raised to €100 million. A press release is available here. (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Grenoble, Gabrovo et Lappeenranta gagnent les prestigieux prix européens de la ville vert*

La ville française de Grenoble est la gagnante du prix de la Capitale verte européenne 2022 décerné par la Commission européenne. Quant au « Prix de la Feuille verte européenne 2021 », il sera partagé entre les villes de Gabrovo (Bulgarie) et Lappeenranta (Finlande). À l'annonce des lauréates, lors de la cérémonie officielle de remise des prix diffusée en direct de Lisbonne hier soir, le commissaire à l'environnement, aux océans et à la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, a déclaré : « Les lauréates et les finalistes des prix de la ville verte se sont montrés endurants et ont prouvé que, même dans les circonstances les plus difficiles comme celles de cette année, des changements rapides sont possibles. Ces réussites montrent également que la durabilité et la transition verte fournissent des solutions pour faire face à des crises soudaines et créer des zones urbaines meilleures et plus saines pour les citoyens de l'UE. Alors que nous continuons à nous adapter à une nouvelle normalité, nos villes lauréates continueront à jouer un rôle de leadership dans la mise en œuvre de solutions vertes et la création de villes adaptées à la vie. » Le jury a été très impressionné par la gagnante du Prix de la capitale verte européenne 2022, Grenoble, pour son approche pionnière de la gestion du climat. Cette dernière comprend en effet un très fort engagement en faveur d'un changement systémique et une approche innovante de démocratie participative dans la gouvernance de la ville. Outre les responsabilités liées à l'obtention du prix, Grenoble recevra de la Commission européenne une prime de 350 000 d'euros pour lancer son année « Capitale verte européenne ». Suite au succès du « Prix de la Capitale verte européenne », le « Prix de la feuille verte européenne » a été créé en 2015 pour reconnaître les efforts et les réalisations environnementaux des petites villes de 20 000 à 99 999 habitants. L'une des deux lauréates de ce prix, Gabrovo, a été félicitée pour son engagement en faveur de l'efficacité énergétique et de la mise en œuvre de technologies propres au cours de la dernière décennie. La second lauréate, Lappeenranta, a été reconnue pour son engagement à devenir une ville verte modèle et a obtenu de très bons résultats dans tous les indicateurs du prix. Les lauréates du titre européen « Feuille Verte 2021 » recevront chacune une prime de 75 000 d'euros. Au total, 36 villes ont concouru pour ces prestigieux prix - le nombre le plus élevé jamais enregistré en 13 ans d'histoire de la compétition. Plus d'informations sont disponibles ici.  (Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie – Tél: +32 229 58602; Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 229 53664)

State aid: Commission approves €15.8 million Belgian scheme to support hotels and aparthotels in Brussels in context of coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission approved a €15.8 million Belgian scheme to support hotels and aparthotels in the Brussels-Capital Region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants of €20,000 minimum or €200,000 maximum per hotel or aparthotel. The grants aim to provide support to affected hotels and aparthotels for lost income and ongoing operating costs, such as costs for insurance, maintenance and security. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these companies are facing because of the restrictive measures imposed by the government to limit the spread of the virus and to ensure continuity of their economic activity. The Commission found that the Belgian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €800,000 per company; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2020. 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.58763 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)

STATEMENTS

Statement by Commissioner Kyriakides ahead of World Mental Health Day

Ahead of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, made the following statement: “COVID-19 has had an impact on our collective mental health which is hard to quantify. But we know that it is widespread, it is significant and it is increasing. Even before the pandemic, one in every six Europeans were already facing mental health challenges. This comes at a high price not only for those affected, but also for our societies. Mental health affects how we think, feel and act – at every stage of our lives. The pandemic is an invaluable reminder of the importance of looking after our mental health. We are facing daily and unprecedented challenges. It is understandable that we are all worried and stressed, anxious about the present and the future. It is essential that we work together to tackle the mental as well as the physical consequences of this pandemic. We should not shy away from asking for help – be it for ourselves, for a family member, a friend or colleague. Taking mindful care of mental health will be crucial to move out of this crisis stronger and together.” The full statement is available online. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

CALENDRIER – activités hebdomadaires des commissaires

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

*Updated on 9/10/2020 at 15:51