Daily News 15 / 01 / 2021
RÉUNION DU COLLÈGE: Initiative citoyenne européenne - réponse de la Commission européenne à l'initiative « Minority SafePack »
La Commission européenne a répondu à l'initiative citoyenne européenne « Minority SafePack – Nous sommes un million à signer pour la diversité de l'Europe », la cinquième initiative à aboutir, soutenue par plus d'un million de citoyens à travers l'UE. L'initiative vise à améliorer la protection des personnes appartenant à des minorités nationales et linguistiques. Dans sa réponse, la Commission évalue attentivement les propositions présentées par les organisateurs, en expliquant comment la législation de l'UE - celle qui existait déjà et celle qui a été récemment adoptée - s'inscrit en appui des différents aspects de cette initiative. Elle y expose aussi des actions de suivi complémentaires. Věra Jourová, vice-présidente chargée des valeurs et de la transparence, a déclaré à cet égard : « Cette initiative citoyenne européenne, la cinquième à aboutir, démontre que les citoyens européens se sentent fortement investis et souhaitent prendre part au débat public sur l'élaboration des politiques de l'Union. Le respect des droits des personnes appartenant à une minorité est l'une des valeurs fondamentales de l'Union, et la Commission est résolue à faire la promotion de cette question. » Le communiqué de presse et un document questions-réponses sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél.: + 32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: + 32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli — Tél.: + 32 229 92729)
Europe créative: 30 ans de soutien aux films et contenus médiatiques culturels et créatifs européens
Le volet MEDIA du programme « Europe créative » de l'UE, conçu pour soutenir les industries cinématographiques et audiovisuelles européennes, célèbre son 30ème anniversaire en 2021. À cette fin, la Commission européenne lance une campagne pour célébrer les 30 ans de soutien, ainsi que les débuts du nouveau volet MEDIA du programme « Europe créative », pour la période 2021-2027. Depuis 1991, MEDIA Europe créative a investi plus de 2,6 milliards d'euros dans les industries cinématographique et audiovisuelle pour soutenir le développement, la promotion et la distribution d'œuvres européennes en Europe et au-delà. Ce soutien de longue date a renforcé la compétitivité du secteur et contribué à enrichir la diversité culturelle en Europe, tout en favorisant les créations audiovisuelles par-delà les frontières et en permettant aux meilleures d'entre elles d'obtenir la reconnaissance de leur valeur. Pour la période 2021-2027, le budget prévu pour l'ensemble du programme « Europe créative » sera de 2,4 milliards d'euros, soit une augmentation de 80 % par rapport à la période précédente (2014-2020), dont 1,4 milliards d'euros seront consacrés à son sous-programme MEDIA. Ce dernier continuera à soutenir des projets ayant une dimension européenne et internationale dans le secteur des médias, ainsi qu'à cultiver les talents et à promouvoir l'utilisation des nouvelles technologies. La campagne lancée pour célébrer le 30ème anniversaire sera axée sur 10 thèmes différents et sera principalement déployée sur les médias sociaux, dans le but de toucher les jeunes et les professionnels du secteur. Elle disposera d'une page web dédiée et d'une série Instagram: « Dans les coulisses des contenus européens – Comment le soutien de l'UE se transforme en histoires ». Cette série comprendra 12 courts épisodes destinés à mettre en evidence la manière dont l'UE soutient des projets audiovisuels et cinématographiques sur le terrain. Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke — Tél.: + 32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou — Tél.: + 32 229 83583)
Politique de cohésion de l'UE : 222 millions d'euros afin d'améliorer l'approvisionnement en eau potable en Roumanie
La Commission européenne a approuvé un important investissement de plus de 222 millions d'euros du Fonds de cohésion pour moderniser et installer des infrastructures d'eau potable et d'assainissement dans le comté d'Ilfov en Roumanie. Cet investissement permettra de raccorder davantage d'utilisateurs au réseau d'égouts, ce qui garantira une meilleure qualité et une diminution des fuites d'eaux usées. Il rendra possible la fourniture d'eau potable répondant aux normes de qualité de l'UE pour environ 234 000 consommateurs. La commissaire chargée de la cohésion et des réformes, Elisa Ferreira, a déclaré à cet égard : « Cet investissement souligne la volonté de l'UE d'améliorer le niveau de vie des Européens. Bien que notre priorité soit de lutter contre les effets de la pandémie, nous poursuivons la mission de la politique de cohésion qui consiste à réduire les disparités entre les régions afin que personne ne soit laissé pour compte. » Grâce à ce projet, le taux de raccordement au système d'approvisionnement en eau augmentera de 57,1 % à 99,6 % dans 52 communes. Simultanément, le réseau d'égouts sera étendu de 43,29 % à 100 % de la population de cette région. Le projet devrait également contribuer à réduire le gaspillage d'eau, à protéger la biodiversité et à créer 1 500 emplois temporaires lors de la phase de mise en œuvre et 72 emplois permanents pendant la phase opérationnelle. De plus amples informations concernant les investissements financés par l'UE en Roumanie sont disponibles sur la plateforme des données accessibles. (Pour plus d'informations : Vivian Loonela - Tél : +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli - Tél : +32 229 87269).
Investment Plan's Advisory Hub supports green urban development in German cities
The European Investment Advisory Hub will provide a grant of up to €500,000 under an agreement signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Thüringer Aufbaubank (TAB). Thanks to the funding support, TAB will help German municipalities to initiate, plan and implement infrastructure investments in key sectors, such as energy and resource efficiency, the circular economy and green urban development. It will also create an online tool to perform economic efficiency analyses of projects, helping to improve their soundness. The objective of this initiative is to reinforce municipalities' internal capacity to structure and deliver sustainable investment projects for the benefit of local residents. Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, said: “Thanks to a grant by the Investment Plan for Europe's Advisory Hub, Thüringer Aufbaubank in Germany will help municipalities to plan and implement infrastructure investments in key sectors like energy and resource efficiency and the circular economy. The project shows the benefits of tailored advisory support and technical assistance to project promoters in accelerating the green transition to the benefit of cities and their inhabitants.” As part of the Commission's Investment Plan for Europe, the Advisory Hub supports the development and local delivery of advisory services through a call for proposals for national promotional banks and institutions. A press release is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)
EU files WTO panel request against illegal export restrictions by Indonesia on raw materials for stainless steel
Yesterday, the EU has requested the establishment of a panel at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to seek the elimination of unlawful export restrictions imposed by Indonesia on raw materials necessary for the production of stainless steel. The measures the EU is challenging concern an export ban on nickel ore and domestic processing requirements on nickel ore and iron ore. These measures illegally restrict access for EU steel producers to raw materials needed for stainless steel production. Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “Following repeated attempts to resolve this issue directly with Indonesia, the EU is now forced to take action and refer this issue to the WTO. We will always act to protect the rights of our economic operators and safeguard the level playing field for EU producers. The fact is that no WTO member is permitted to restrict exports of raw materials in this way, imposing illegal restrictions to favour domestic producers. We will take the necessary measures to restore fair conditions for the EU steel industry, as is our right, and as we have undertaken to do as part of our implementation and enforcement agenda. These are very challenging times for the EU steel sector, which is faced with global overcapacity, illegal subsidisation and other trade-restrictive measures, as well as the COVID-19 economic crisis. We will take every possible action to support our steel operators in this difficult environment.” The EU will at the next meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on 25 January 2021 request the establishment of a panel to rule on the legality of the Indonesian measures at hand. A press release is available online. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven – Tel.: +32 229 67228)
State aid: Commission approves two Slovenian schemes to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found the modification of a an existing Slovenian scheme to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak, as well as a new measure, to be in line with the State aid Temporary Framework. The original scheme was approved on 26 June 2020 under case number SA.57558. The Commission approved amendments to the scheme on 24 July (SA.58037) and 11 November 2020 (SA.59099). Slovenia notified the modification of one of the four measures included in the original scheme, namely the measure granting wage subsidies to certain companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The amendment includes a few technical clarifications. The Commission found that the scheme, as modified, remains in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. At the same time, Slovenia notified a new measure that will provide grants to employers in order to cover a 100% reimbursement of the wage compensations (including social security contributions), for November, December 2020 and January 2021. The new measure will be funded within the budget of €1,350 million approved by the Commission under the second amendment of the existing scheme (SA.59099). The Commission found that the new measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the grants will not exceed €100,000 per company active in the primary agricultural production, €120,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector and €800,000 per company active in all other sectors; (ii) the aid will be granted no later than 30 June 2021; and (iii) the aid may be granted to micro and small enterprises that were in difficulty on 31 December 2019, if those enterprises, at the moment of granting the aid, were not subject to a collective insolvency procedure under national law and they have not received rescue or restructuring aid. The Commission concluded that both the amended scheme and the new measure are 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 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 case numbers SA.59943 and SA.61019 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)
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of SMARTER AIRPORTS by Netcompany and Copenhagen Airports
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over SMARTER AIRPORTS A/S by Netcompany A/S and Københavns Lufthavne A/S (‘Copenhagen Airports'), all of Denmark. SMARTER AIRPORTS will provide a new airport management system to third party airports. Netcompany provides IT services. Copenhagen Airports owns and operates the airports at Kastrup and Roskilde, Denmark. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that SMARTER AIRPORTS has negligible actual or foreseen activities within the territory of the European Economic Area. The operation was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10021. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Winners of Music Moves Europe Talent Awards to be revealed
This evening, the eight winners of the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards will be revealed in an online awards ceremony hosted by UK artist Melanie C during the digital Eurosonic Noorderslag festival. An international jury of music industry experts selected the winners from a shortlist of 16 nominees. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, will give a welcome address and present the Public Choice Award, selected by the online votes of European music lovers. Ahead of the event, she said: “Congratulations to all 16 nominees for the Music Moves Talent Awards! Like our Creative Europe programme which co-funds them, tonight's awards are a celebration of the richness and diversity of European music. They are also a way to support the music industry by putting the spotlight on young European artists, helping them share their voices with all of us.” This is the third edition of the EU prize for popular and contemporary music, co-funded by the Creative Europe programme. It recognises the success of emerging artists who have reached audiences outside their own countries. Each winner will receive a financial prize package worth €10,000 with the Public Choice winner also receiving €5,000. The Talent Awards are part of the wider Music Moves Europe framework for EU support to the music industry. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan – van Druten - Tel.: +32 229 84094)
CALENDAR – Commissioner's weekly activities
Eurostat: communiqués de presse