Daily News 08 / 01 / 2021

Commission proposes to purchase up to 300 million additional doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine

The European Commission today proposed to the EU Member States to purchase an additional 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by BioNTech and Pfizer, with the option to acquire another 100 million doses. This would enable the EU to purchase up to 600 million doses of this vaccine, which is already being used across the EU. The additional doses will be delivered starting in the second quarter of 2021. The EU has acquired a broad portfolio of vaccines with different technologies. It has secured up to 2.3 billion doses from the most promising vaccine candidates for Europe and its neighbourhood. In addition to the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, was authorised on 6 January 2021. Other vaccines are expected to be approved soon. This vaccine portfolio would enable the EU not only to cover the needs of its whole population, but also to supply vaccines to neighbouring countries. More information is available in the press release and on the dedicated website. Watch the press conference with President von der Leyen here, and read her remarks here. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Stefan de Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680)

Rapport sur les perspectives de la qualité de l'air: la mise en œuvre intégrale des mesures pourrait réduire de 55 % les décès prématurés dus à la pollution atmosphérique en 2030

La Commission publie aujourd'hui son deuxième rapport sur les perspectives de la qualité de l'air, qui présente les perspectives de réduction de la pollution atmosphérique dans l'Union européenne jusqu'en 2030 et au-delà. Selon le rapport, le nombre de décès prématurés dus à la pollution atmosphérique pourrait être réduit d'environ 55 % en 2030 par rapport à 2005, si les États membres mettaient en œuvre toutes les mesures convenues et annoncées au titre de la législation de l'UE en vigueur sur la pollution atmosphérique. Le rapport souligne également qu'il est possible d'en faire davantage ; il existe en effet de nombreuses mesures de réduction de la pollution atmosphérique dont les avantages seraient supérieurs aux coûts, si elles étaient correctement mises en œuvre. Virginijus Sinkevičius, commissaire chargé de l'environnement, de la pêche et des océans, a déclaré : « Ce rapport envoie un message clair. Une réduction plus poussée de la pollution atmosphérique permettrait de sauver davantage de vies, de réduire la pression sur les écosystèmes et d'être économiquement fondé. C'est l'approche que nous adoptons avec le Pacte Vert Européen et notre ambition Zéro Pollution. Il est essentiel que tous les États Membres mettent pleinement en œuvre les mesures convenues et prévues, et intensifient leurs efforts pour lutter contre les émissions. » Le rapport montre qu'avec la mise en œuvre intégrale de l'ensemble de la législation existante, la majorité des États Membres seraient alors à même de respecter les engagements de réduction à l'horizon 2030 pour quatre des cinq polluants atmosphériques réglementés par la directive sur les engagements nationaux de réduction des émissions (NEC). Les mesures supplémentaires d'assainissement de l'air annoncées dans les programmes nationaux de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique accéléreraient encore les améliorations planifiées. Ces mesures ne suffiraient toutefois pas à ramener les émissions d'ammoniac (qui proviennent à 90% du secteur agricole) aux niveaux maximaux autorisés. Enfin, ce deuxième rapport sur les perspectives de la qualité de l'air montre que les mesures d'assainissement de l'air qui ont fait l'objet d'un examen apportent des avantages évidents à la société, les avantages de ces mesures l'emporteront toujours sur leurs coûts et contribueront à stimuler le PIB à long terme. Ces bénéfices s'accroissent avec des actions plus ambitieuses en matière d'air pur et de climat, mettant en évidence les synergies entre ces deux politiques. Vous trouverez de plus amples renseignements dans la communication. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 229 53664)

European Innovation Council and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology to work closer together for Europe's innovators

Today, during a high-level online event opened by Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce their cooperation to support Europe's best entrepreneurs. The agreement aims to support innovators, innovative SMEs and start-ups, as well as higher education institutions and research organisations, to receive quality services and deploy and scale up their innovations faster, enabling greater impact. It will strengthen the support that the EIC and EIT are already providing to thousands of innovative start-ups and SMEs and will ensure mutual access to advisory services and networks, as well as sharing of data and intelligence, including measurements of impacts achieved. The two initiatives will also join forces to improve diversity in science and research, supporting women innovators and innovators from less represented regions. Commissioner Gabriel said: “Europe needs to work together to compete globally on innovation. Today's signature shows that we are ready to do this. I am proud that Europe's new innovation initiative – the European Innovation Council – is joining forces with our existing body – the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Both of them will contribute to accelerating the twin transition to a green and digital economy as well as to create jobs and opportunities for all the talented innovators across Europe.” To reach the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding, the EIC Advisory Board and the EIT Governing Board will set up a permanent structured collaboration through a joint working group, regular reviews and joint communication efforts. This will be supported by the respective implementing agencies and Commission services. Today's signature follows the signature in September 2020 of a letter of intent between the EIC and three of the EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), as well as a set of pilot actions between the EIC and four of the EIT KICs. More information is available here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Annual Intra-EU Labour Mobility Report shows that mobility within the EU increased in 2019, though at a slower pace

The Commission published today the Annual Report on Intra-EU Labour Mobility - 2020. It identifies trends in free movement of workers and their family members, based on the latest available data (2019/2018). The report shows that mobility in the EU continued to grow in 2019, but at a slower pace compared to previous years. In 2019, 17.9 million Europeans lived in another EU country compared to 17.6 million in the previous year. The countries of destination for about half of working-age EU-movers (46%) were Germany and the UK, with a further 28% residing in France, Italy and Spain. Romania, Poland, Italy, Portugal and Bulgaria remained the top five countries of origin. The main sectors of activity of EU-movers in 2019 were manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade. The share of highly-skilled persons who move to another EU country increased over time: in 2019, one in three (34%) EU-28 movers was highly-skilled, compared to one in four in 2008. Looking at the age groups of EU-movers, the report shows that they are most likely to move at the beginning of their careers. Among those who strongly intend to move, 75% are below 35 years old. Return mobility is also very significant: for every three persons who leave, two return to their country of origin. Since this report refers to data from the reference period 2018-2019, mobility to and from the UK is included. Please consult the Annual Report on Intra-EU Labour Mobility – 2020 for more details. The main findings of the report as well as an overview infographic can be found in the accompanying Labour mobility at a glance paper. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

Fighting antisemitism: Commission and International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance publish handbook for the practical use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism

Today, the handbook for the practical use of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism was published. This document was commissioned by the European Commission and published jointly with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, with support from the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The IHRA working definition for antisemitism, while not legally binding, has become a widely used tool around the world to educate people about antisemitism, as well as recognise and counter its manifestations. Based on the comprehensive research carried out by the Federal Association of Departments for Research and Information on Antisemitism (Bundesverband RIAS), the handbook provides an overview of good practices by international organisations, national administrations, civil society and Jewish communities from across Europe. The 35 good practices are ranging from training for law enforcement to incident recording and reporting. Furthermore, the handbook includes 22 sourced incidents of antisemitism in Europe that highlight the relevance of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism when assessing manifestations of antisemitism. Vice-President Schinas said: “We need to fight antisemitism whenever we encounter it. Jewish life is part of our societies and we are determined to protect it. This new handbook makes it easier for all to fulfil this commitment. It responds to our Member States' requests for better knowledge-sharing on the use of the IHRA definition. The handbook will become another valuable tool for Member States to effectively implement the landmark Council Declaration on combating antisemitism.” The Commission plans to adopt a comprehensive EU Strategy against antisemitism this year. More information on the Commission's work to tackle antisemitism can be found here. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

CALENDAR – Commissioner's weekly activities

Eurostat press releases