Daily News 17 / 02 / 2021

REUNION DU COLLEGE: Coronavirus: préparer l'Europe à la menace accrue que font peser les variants

Aujourd'hui, la Commission propose une action immédiate pour préparer l'Europe à la menace accrue que font peser les variants du coronavirus. Le nouveau plan européen de préparation en matière de biodéfense contre les variants du coronavirus, appelé « incubateur HERA », collaborera avec les chercheurs, les entreprises de biotechnologie et les pouvoirs publics dans l'Union et à l'échelle mondiale pour détecter les nouveaux variants, promouvoir la mise au point de nouveaux vaccins adaptés, accélérer le processus d'approbation de ces vaccins et augmenter les capacités de fabrication. Il est important d'agir maintenant, alors que de nouveaux variants continuent d'apparaître et que l'acroissement de la production de vaccins se heurte à des difficultés. L'incubateur HERA aidera également l'Union à se préparer durablement aux situations d'urgence sanitaire. Un communiqué de presse, un document questions-réponses et une fiche d'information sont disponibles en ligne. Vous pouvez suivre la conférence de presse en direct via EbS. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela – Tél.: +32 229 66712; Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978; Federica Miccoli – Tél.: +32 229 58300)

Coronavirus: Commission approves second contract with Moderna to ensure up to additional 300 million doses

Today, the European Commission approved a second contract with the pharmaceutical company Moderna, which provides for an additional purchase of 300 million doses (150 million in 2021 and an option to purchase an additional 150 million in 2022) on behalf of all EU Member States. The new contract also provides for the possibility to donate the vaccine to lower and middle-income countries or to re-direct it to other European countries. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Today, we are securing 300 million additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Moderna, which is already used for vaccination in the European Union. This brings us closer to our major objective: ensure that all Europeans have access to safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible. With a portfolio of up to 2.6 billion doses, we will be able to provide vaccines not just to our citizens, but to our neighbours and partners as well.” Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “With this new contract with Moderna, we are adding another 300 million doses of an authorised safe and effective vaccine. It marks another step towards our objective of providing swift access to safe and effective vaccinations to citizens in Europe and beyond over the course of this year. The contract is important not only for the short term needs of the EU, but also for our future work to limit the rapid spread of new variants.” Today's contract with Moderna builds upon the broad portfolio of vaccines to be produced in Europe, including the already signed contracts with BioNTech/Pfizer,  AstraZeneca, Sanofi-GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Curevac and Moderna. This diversified vaccines portfolio will ensure Europe has access to 2.6 billion doses, once the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. More information is available in a press release. (For more information: Vivian Loonela; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

COLLEGE MEETING: Joint Communication: A renewed multilateralism fit for the 21st century - the EU's agenda

Today, the Commission and the High Representative have put forward a new strategy to strengthen the EU's contribution to rules-based multilateralism. The Joint Communication suggests making use of all tools at the EU's disposal, including its extensive political, diplomatic and financial support to promote global peace and security, defend human rights and international law, and to promote multilateral solutions to global challenges. High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, said: “Multilateralism matters because it works. But we cannot be 'multilateralists' alone. At a time of growing scepticism, we must demonstrate the benefit and relevance of the multilateral system. We will build stronger, more diverse and inclusive partnerships to lead its modernisation and shape global responses to the challenges of the 21^st century, some of which threaten the very existence of humanity.” Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “The EU has been and will continue to be the best ally of multilateralism and its institutions. However, the more complex global environment calls us to be more united, coherent, focused, and better leverage our collective Team Europe strength. This new strategy spells out our ambition on inclusive multilateralism, our strong commitment to renew it and it will be underpinned by specific actions.” The EU will continue to support the UN Secretary-General's reform efforts, promote the modernisation of the WHO and the WTO, spearhead the development of new global norms in areas such as taxation, the digital sphere or Artificial Intelligence, and build new alliances with third countries. More information is available in the press release, in the Joint Communication and in the dedicated factsheets on the new EU agenda and on the global partnership between the EU and the UN. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229 54320; Xavier Cifre Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 7358; Gesine Knolle – Tel.: +32 229 54323)

Programme LIFE: l'UE investit 121 millions d'euros dans des projets en faveur de l'environnement, de la nature et de l'action pour le climat

La Commission européenne a annoncé aujourd'hui un investissement de 121 millions d'euros destiné aux nouveaux projets intégrés relevant du programme LIFE pour l'environnement et l'action pour le climat. Ce financement, en augmentation de 20 % par rapport à l'année dernière, promouvra la relance verte et aidera la Belgique, l'Allemagne, l'Irlande, la France, la Hongrie, l'Italie, la Lettonie, les Pays-Bas, la Pologne, le Portugal et la Slovaquie à atteindre leurs objectifs en matière d'action climatique et d'environnement. Ces projets intégrés devraient mobiliser d'importants fonds supplémentaires et aideront les États membres à recourir à d'autres sources de financement de l'Union, y compris des fonds agricoles, structurels, régionaux et pour la recherche, ainsi qu'à des fonds nationaux et des investissements du secteur privé. Le financement nouveau et accru au titre du programme LIFE soutiendra douze projets à grande échelle dans les domaines de l'environnement et du climat, dans onze États membres. Les projets intégrés améliorent la qualité de vie des citoyens en aidant les États membres à se conformer à la législation de l'Union européenne dans six domaines: la nature, l'eau, l'air, les déchets, l'atténuation du changement climatique et l'adaptation à celui-ci. Ils soutiennent les plans requis pour mettre en œuvre la législation en matière d'environnement et de climat de manière coordonnée et à une grande échelle territoriale. Pour plus de détails, lire le communiqué de presse et l'annexe en ligne. Pour plus de détails, lire le communiqué de presse et l'annexe en ligne. (Plus d'information: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229 66712; Tim McPhie – Tél: +32 229 58602;  Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 229 53664 ; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel: +32 229 74959)

Commission extends post-programme framework for Greece 

The European Commission has today adopted a decision to extend the enhanced surveillance framework for Greece by six months, as provided for under Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 (part of the so-called ‘two-pack'). This extension is a normal and expected procedural step, on which Greece has been consulted, that serves to ensure continued support for the delivery of reform commitments taken by Greece vis-à-vis the Eurogroup in June 2018, following the successful completion of the stability support programme. The implementation of these reforms is crucial to further strengthening Greece's economic recovery. Enhanced Surveillance reports are published regularly and are available here. The next Enhanced Surveillance report will be published later this month. More information on the enhanced surveillance framework for Greece is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

New Action plan of the EUSBSR macro-regional strategy for boosting resilience and recovery in the Baltic Sea Region

The Commission welcomes the adoption of an updated Action Plan of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) that aims to boost the transnational cooperation in the Baltic region towards a more efficient recovery. This new plan will strive for a green and digital transition, making best use of the #NextGenerationEU recovery package and aligning policies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira said: “More than ever before, Europe's recovery and prosperity demand cooperation across policy areas, countries and regions. The coronavirus pandemic shows that international cooperation is an essential approach in solving cross border issues and has proved to be an effective tool to strengthen, share and accelerate resilience, recovery and secure economic and social development. Cooperation is at the essence of the EU Cohesion policy, and the updated Action Plan of the Baltic Sea region strategy comes at the right time.” The new Action Plan will guide investments under the 2021-2027 Cohesion policy-programming period and will involve young people in the governance process. It will also introduce a simplified coordination and management system, the reduction in the number of actions from 73 to 44, structured under 14 policy areas, and a Trio of Presidencies to promote coherence and continuity. Finally, a Baltic Sea Strategy Point is established to coordinate capacity building and knowledge sharing, and improve the communication capacity. The EUSBSR is the first EU macro-regional strategy (MRS). It was established in 2009 to provide a political platform for cooperation between countries in the basin of the Baltic Sea and its hinterlands. It stretches from Lapland to the North of Germany and is home to around 85 million inhabitants. Involving 12 countries, the EUSBSR is the second largest and most diverse macro-regional strategy: eight EU Member States (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden) and four Neighbouring Countries (Belarus, Iceland, Norway, and Russia). (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Lutte contre la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée : la Commission adresse une notification au Cameroun avec un carton jaune

La Commission, qui a fait de la lutte contre la pêche illicite non déclarée et non réglementée (INN) dans le monde, l'une de ses priorités, a adressé aujourd'hui un avertissement (appelé « carton jaune ») au Cameroun afin qu'il renforce ses actions contre la pêche INN. La décision de la Commission s'appuie sur les lacunes identifiées dans la capacité du Cameroun, en tant qu'État du pavillon, du port et du marché, à se conformer aux normes convenues en vertu du droit international maritime. Le pays doit notamment mettre en place une politique d'enregistrement rigoureuse pour les navires de pêche autorisés à opérer sous son pavillon, et doit assurer un contrôle efficace et adéquat des activités de pêche menées par les navires arborant son pavillon. La faiblesse du contrôle exercé par l'État du pavillon est l'une des principales causes de la pêche illégale dans un contexte international. Le commissaire à l'environnement, aux océans et à la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, a déclaré à ce propos : « Je suis partisan de la tolérance zéro en matière de pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée, qui constitue l'une des menaces les plus graves pour l'exploitation durable de la mer. Il est regrettable que le Cameroun n'ait pas été en mesure d'assurer un contrôle adéquat des activités de pêche se déroulant sous son pavillon. La Commission est prête à travailler et à coopérer avec le Cameroun pour mettre en œuvre les réformes nécessaires. » Le Cameroun est encouragé à prendre les mesures nécessaires afin de respecter ses obligations internationales en matière de lutte contre la pêche illicite, non déclarée et non réglementée. Le carton jaune est un avertissement et offre au Cameroun la possibilité de réagir et de rectifier cette situation dans un délai raisonnable. Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse et les questions et réponses publiés ce jour. (Pour plus d'informations : Vivian Loonela - Tél : +32 229 66712 ; Daniela Stoycheva - Tél : +32 229 53664)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of Cytel by Astorg and Nordic Capital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Cytel Inc. of the U.S. by Astorg VII SLP of Luxembourg and Nordic Capital X Limited of Jersey. Cytel is a provider of data-driven software and services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, offering statistical study design software, data science analytics services and consulting to improve clinical trial outcomes. Astorg is a European private equity group. Nordic Capital is a group of private equity funds investing across a broad array of industries. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no competition concerns, given that Cytel has no, or negligible, actual or foreseen activities within the European Economic Area and the transaction does not create any horizontal or vertical overlaps between the companies. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10135. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over Alpha Trains by APG, Arcus and PSP

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over Alpha Trains (Luxembourg) Holdings S.à.r.l. (‘Alpha Trains') of Luxembourg by APG Asset Management N.V. (‘APG') of Netherlands, Arcus European Investment Manager LLP (‘Arcus') of the UK and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (‘PSP') of Canada. Alpha Trains is a specialist train leasing company providing rolling stock to both public and private operators in a number of countries across continental Europe. APG is an asset manager with global investments on behalf of Dutch pension funds. Arcus is an independent fund manager specialising in European infrastructure. PSP is a pension investment manager with a diversified global portfolio. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because of the limited impact it would have on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10130. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Eurostat press releases