Daily News 19 / 11 / 2020

Pacte vert pour l'Europe : développer les énergies renouvelables en mer pour une Europe climatiquement neutre

Pour contribuer à atteindre l'objectif de neutralité climatique de l'UE à l'horizon 2050, la Commission européenne présente aujourd'hui la stratégie de l'UE sur les énergies renouvelables en mer. Celle-ci propose de porter la capacité de production éolienne en mer de l'Europe de 12 GW actuellement à au moins 60 GW d'ici à 2030 et à 300 GW d'ici à 2050. Sur la même période, la Commission entend compléter cette augmentation de capacité par 40 GW provenant de l'énergie océanique et d'autres technologies émergentes telles que l'énergie éolienne flottante et l'énergie solaire flottante. Cette croissance ambitieuse s'appuiera sur le vaste potentiel que recèlent les bassins maritimes européens, ainsi que sur la position de premier plan qu'occupent certaines entreprises européennes dans ce secteur au niveau mondial. La mise en œuvre de la stratégie ouvrira de nouvelles possibilités à l'industrie, créera des emplois verts sur l'ensemble du continent et renforcera le rôle moteur que joue l'UE à l'échelle mondiale dans le domaine des technologies énergétiques offshore. Elle assurera également la protection de notre environnement, de notre biodiversité et de nos ressources halieutiques. La Commission estime que des investissements de près de 800 milliards d'euros seront nécessaires d'ici à 2050 pour atteindre les objectifs proposés. Un communiqué de presse, un mémo, deux fiches d'information sur la stratégie de l'UE sur les énergies renouvelables en mer et les technologies clés des énergies renouvelables en mer, et une vidéo sont disponibles en ligne. Frans Timmermans, vice-président exécutif de la Commission chargé du Pacte vert pour l'Europe, et Kadri Simson, commissaire à l'énergie, tiennent en ce moment une conférence de presse sur ce sujet, que vous pouvez suivre en direct sur EbS. (Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie - Tél.: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo - Tél.: +32 229 81325; Lynn Rietdorf – Tél.: +32 229 74959)

Migration: President von der Leyen calls for a system that manages migration in the long term, fully grounded in European values

This morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, gave a keynote speech at the Interparliamentary Conference on Migration and Asylum, hosted by the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and the President of the Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble, via videoconference. Speaking at the conference today, President von der Leyen recalled that “migration has always been a fact for Europe – and it always will be”, and that it “enriches our societies, it brings new talent to our countries, when well managed”. However, the European Union still faces many challenges: “The current system no longer works. Our New Pact on Migration and Asylum offers a fresh start.” The President underlined the importance “for the EU to build a system that manages migration in the long term and which is fully grounded in European values”, set out in the new Pact on Migration and Asylum the Commission put forward in September this year. To find a “sustainable solution”, President von der Leyen urged all parties involved - national Parliaments, the European Parliament and national governments - to work together to acknowledge and overcome existing differences. She also reiterated the need to show solidarity to the Member States on the EU's external borders whose concerns need to be heard and discussed. You can watch the President's speech back here, and read the full keynote speech online. Find more information on EU migration policy here. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 4073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: +32 229 53156)

Équipe Europe : L'UE et la France soutiennent l'énergie verte au Bénin en finançant une centrale solaire

Aujourd'hui, les travaux pour la construction de la centrale solaire DEFISSOL au Bénin, financés avec le soutien de l'Union européenne et la France, ont été officiellement lancés. La construction de la centrale solaire s'élève à 60,85 millions d'euros, dont 10,35 millions d'euros font partie de la contribution de l'UE. Il s'agit d'une étape importante pour faciliter l'accès de la population béninoise à l'énergie renouvelable à un prix abordable. Cette ambition est d'autant plus stratégique dans la perspective de la relance post-pandémie coronavirus, pour favoriser la préservation de l'environnement et créer des emplois au niveau local. La commissaire aux partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a déclaré : « La centrale solaire DEFISSOL est un projet illustrant très bien l'engagement européen pour lutter contre le changement climatique en Afrique en ligne avec le Pacte vert, et de la relance post-COVID-19. Nous sommes aux côtés du Benin pour l'accompagner dans ses efforts de préserver l'environnement et créer des emplois au niveau local. » DEFISSOL permettra de couvrir la consommation d'environ 180 000 personnes et de réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre à hauteur de 23 000 tonnes de CO2 par an. Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse complet. Pour plus de détails, consultez les sites web consacrés à la Coopération au développement avec le Bénin et à L'UE et la coopération internationale et le développement. (Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32 229 54320; Gesine Knolle – Tél.: +32 229 54323)

Coronavirus response: €32 million to help SMEs and the health sector in the Lubuskie Province in Poland

The European Commission is redirecting €32 million of Cohesion policy funds to help Poland address the effects of the coronavirus crisis, through a modification of the Lubuskie Regional Operational Programme. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, commented: “I am glad that the Lubusz Province is making available much needed resources to fight the crisis with the help of the EU. While we are waiting for the deployment of a vaccine we must do our best to support the ones most affected by the coronavirus and facilitate the recovery of the economy.” €10 million will be dedicated to the implementation of the Lubuskie Support Voucher project targeting small and medium-sized companies particularly affected by the negative consequences of the coronavirus. Another €10 million will be used to purchase ventilators and medical equipment. The rest will be dedicated to hospitals, entities operating in the social care area and subsidies to employees' salaries and social contributions. The modifications are possible thanks to the exceptional flexibility under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (CRII+) which allow Member States to use Cohesion policy funding to support the most affected sectors by the pandemic, such as healthcare, SMEs and labour markets. More details on the CRII packages on the dedicated Coronavirus Dashboard. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Nagorno Karabakh: EU allocates additional €3 million in emergency aid for civilians affected by the hostilities

The Commission has announced an additional €3 million in humanitarian support to ensure critical assistance to the civilians most affected by the conflict in and around Nagorno Karabakh. This funding comes on top of €900,000 allocated since early October when the hostilities started. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "The EU continues to stand by all the civilian population affected by the conflict. We are sending additional humanitarian assistance. I welcome the cessation of hostilities, which should prevent further human suffering. Nevertheless, I am extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation of the vulnerable people who are displaced and will have to face harsh winter conditions coupled with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.” This emergency support will help EU humanitarian partners to deliver basic assistance including food, and winter items, health support, medical equipment, and other essentials to those affected by the fighting. All EU humanitarian funding is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The full press release is available online. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Tigray conflict: EU humanitarian support to Ethiopian refugees reaching Sudan

As more and more Ethiopian refugees fleeing conflict continue to reach the Sudanese borders, the European Commission is mobilising an initial €4 million in emergency assistance to help support the displaced people arriving in Sudan. Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said: “There is a real humanitarian crisis being created by the unfolding conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. With this initial funding, we will help Ethiopian refugees who have had to leave their homes. The solution, however, lies in the cessation of hostilities. We urge parties to the conflict in Ethiopia to allow full and unrestricted access for humanitarian workers to all areas affected by fighting. Civilians are paying the price for this conflict – they must be protected and International Humanitarian Law observed. I praise Sudan's readiness to offer refuge to Ethiopians fleeing the conflict.” The funding announced today will support non-governmental organisations and United Nations agencies in Kassala and Gedarif states in eastern Sudan, both of which have seen a sudden influx of refugee arrivals that compound existing humanitarian needs on the ground. Refugees will receive basic essentials such as shelter, access to food and health care, sanitation and hygiene, and protection. The full press release is available online. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

La Commission européenne se félicite de l'accord politique sur REACT-EU

La Commission a salué hier l'accord politique entre le Parlement européen et les États membres de l'UE lors du Conseil sur le paquet « Soutien à la reprise en faveur de la cohésion et les territoires d'Europe » (REACT-EU). Il s'agit du premier dossier relatif à la politique de cohésion dont les négociations menées en trilogue se sont achevées dans l'attente de l'approbation finale des textes juridiques par le Parlement européen réuni en séance plénière et le Conseil. La commissaire en charge de la cohésion et des réformes, Elisa Ferreira, a déclaré à ce propos : « Je salue l'accord politique conclu aujourd'hui sur REACT-EU. La politique de cohésion a été dès le début au cœur de la lutte contre la pandémie, grâce aux initiatives d'investissement en réaction au coronavirus. Cette nouvelle initiative est un pas de plus en avant si on veut soutenir la relance dans les États membres, en fournissant des fonds supplémentaires pour combler l'écart entre la première réaction d'urgence face à la crise et la reprise à long terme de l'économie, couverts par la période de programmation 2021-2027. Nous mettons tout en œuvre pour assurer une reprise équitable et fondée sur la cohésion. » Avec un montant spécifique de 47,5 milliards d'euros, REACT-EU poursuivra et étendra les mesures de réaction à la crise et les celles visant à remédier aux conséquences de la crise mises en œuvre dans le cadre des initiatives d'investissement en réaction au coronavirus (CRII et CRII+), garantissant ainsi la poursuite harmonieuse et ininterrompue de la relance économique et sociale dans le contexte de la pandémie de coronavirus. REACT-EU entrera en vigueur en janvier 2021. Un communiqué de presse détaillé est disponible ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél: +32 229 66712 ; Veronica Favalli - Tél: +32 229 87269)

Mergers: Commission refers acquisition of newly created joint venture by Telefónica and Liberty Global to the UK competition authority

The European Commission has referred the proposed acquisition by Telefónica S.A. and Liberty Global PLC of a newly created joint venture to the Consumers and Market Authority (‘CMA') of the UK, at its request. The proposed joint venture will combine Telefónica's UK Limited business (‘O2') and Liberty Global's Virgin Media business (‘Virgin Media'). Both companies are active in the telecommunications sector in the UK. On 30 September 2020, Telefónica and Liberty Global notified the proposed transaction to the Commission. On 8 October 2020, the CMA requested that the Commission refer to it the assessment of the proposed transaction. The CMA put forward competition concerns in a number of telecommunications markets in the UK, namely the markets for retail and wholesale mobile services, and the market for leased lines. In addition, the CMA claimed that it would be well placed to review the transaction in view of the upcoming expiry of the transition period. The evidence gathered by the Commission confirmed that the proposed transaction threatens to affect competition in the telecommunications sector in the UK, where Telefonica and Liberty Global are currently two large market players. Based on an overall assessment, the Commission decided to refer the proposed transaction to the CMA which will deal with the case under UK national law. As a result of the close cooperation between the CMA and the Commission during the procedure, the CMA is already well informed on the elements of this case and the investigation will continue uninterrupted. The full press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €10 million Irish scheme to support companies operating in coach tourism sector affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €10 million Irish scheme to support companies operating in the coach tourism sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants. The amount of aid per beneficiary will be based on the value, age and capacity of the total number of eligible vehicles and shall not exceed the revenue lost due to the coronavirus outbreak between 13 March 2020 and 31 December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. 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. The Commission found that the Irish scheme 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 30 June 2021. 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 of the Temporary Framework. 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.58995 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)

State aid: Commission approves €7 million Irish scheme to support commercial venues, promoters, and producers of live performances in the context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €7 million Irish scheme to support commercial venues, promoters, and producers of live performances 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 €10,000 minimum or €800,000 maximum per beneficiary. The grants aim to support employment opportunities in the culture sector. In particular, they will allow commercial organisers of live performances to start preparing productions and for productions to go ahead in the near future while complying with public health protection measures. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these companies are facing due to the restrictive measures that the Irish government had to impose to limit the spread of the virus and to ensure continuity of their economic activity. The Commission found that the Irish 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 30 June 2021. 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.58562 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

Universal Children's Day: Joint Statement by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

On the occasion of Universal Children's Day tomorrow, on 20 November, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy stated the following: “This year has shown more than ever how crises disrupt children's lives, no matter which country they live in. The pandemic has shone a light on the deep inequalities that persist and exposed serious gaps in child protection systems all over the world. Over 1.5 billion students across the world have been affected by school closures and at least 1 in 3 – more than 460 million – cannot access remote learning. In September the EU together with UNICEF sent out an S.O.S message to the world to promote actions to maintain access to education for every child. The pandemic has also increased the reports of child sexual abuses online. In July, the EU adopted the EU Strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse and in September a legislative proposal to ensure that companies can continue detecting, reporting and removing child sexual abuse online. The EU also continues to implement the CLEAR Cotton project, that monitors children's situation to ensure they do not fall back into child labour and drop out of school completely. The newly adopted EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 sets out actions to promote, protect and fulfil all rights of all children. Its implementation will be supported by the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, which reaffirms the importance of the rights of the child through geographic programmes and thematic initiatives. Our next step is to adopt the EU Strategy on the rights of the child in 2021, to address the challenges that have emerged from the pandemic, propose actions to strengthen child participation, protection and promotion of the rights of the child at all levels, in the EU and globally. Children have the unmatched opportunity to be the greatest agents of change. It is our collective responsibility to give them the means to reach their full potential; this is how we build free, inclusive, prosperous, peaceful and democratic societies.” The full statement is available online. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Xavier Cifre Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 73582)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Afghanistan: l'UE co-organise une réunion de haut niveau sur le droit humanitaire international et la protection des civils

Aujourd'hui, le commissaire européen chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarčič, co-organisera, en collaboration avec le ministère suédois des Affaires étrangères et l'Agence suisse pour le développement et la coopération, une réunion de haut niveau consacrée à l'aide humanitaire, au droit humanitaire international (DHI) et à la protection des civils dans le cadre du processus de paix. La réunion se tiendra en marge de la prochaine conférence 2020 sur l'Afghanistan les 23 et 24 novembre. Parmi les participants figurent des intervenants de haut niveau du conseil supérieur pour la réconciliation nationale et du gouvernement afghan, de la commission indépendante des droits de l'homme en Afghanistan, des pays coorganisateurs, d'organisations internationales et d'organisations non gouvernementales. Le commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarčič, a déclaré : « Aujourd'hui, l'UE est prête à apporter son aide humanitaire à toutes les populations les plus vulnérables d'Afghanistan, où qu'elles se trouvent, dont les besoins ont été encore exacerbés par la pandémie de coronavirus. Il est essentiel que le droit humanitaire international soit respecté en Afghanistan afin de protéger tous les civils et tous les travailleurs humanitaires. Cela est essentiel pour sauver des vies et pour parvenir à une éventuelle paix durable à l'avenir. » Pour suivre la réunion, cliquez ici. Un briefing technique off-the-record pour les journalistes accrédités au sujet de la conférence sur l'Afghanistan 2020 aura lieu demain, le 20 novembre. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tél.: +32 229 69140)

Commissioner Breton attends the informal videoconferences of Ministers for Competitiveness and Space

Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, is today attending the informal videoconference of Internal Market and Industry Ministers, and will also take part in the videoconference of EU Space Ministers tomorrow, 20 November. Ministers of Internal Market and Industry will today discuss recovery plans and how to make EU industry more dynamic, resilient and competitive. The Commission will also present the 2020 report of the SME Envoys Network. Tomorrow, EU Space Ministers will discuss Europe's role in the global space economy, the preparation of the 10th Space Council, as well as the work programme under the Portuguese Presidency. On the same day, two other events are taking place, namely the 293rd European Space Agency Council at ministerial level and the video conference of the 10th EU-ESA Space Council. Commissioner Breton will take part in the press conferences following both meetings, which you call follow live on EbS. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond - Tel.: +32229 88199, Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32229 58300)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse