Daily News 12 / 03 / 2021

European Battery Alliance: Ministerial Meeting on progress and future actions

Today, the Commission held the 5^th Ministerial Meeting under the European Battery Alliance. Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioners Thierry Breton, Nicolas Schmit and Elisa Ferreira, as well as the European Investment Bank Vice-Presidents Ambroise Fayolle and Thomas Östros attended the event alongside Ministers from 14 EU Member States with significant investments in the battery value chain. The meeting was called to discuss the progress achieved since the last ministerial meeting in 2019 and identify the most pressing priorities, such as the supply of raw and active materials in the EU, and access to skilled workers. Participants reconfirmed their full commitment to the work under the European Battery Alliance and joint efforts in building an innovative, sustainable and globally competitive battery value chain in Europe. They also agreed on a number of actions including, among others: to strive for the adoption of the proposed Batteries Regulation by 2022; to launch a roundtable on sustainable raw materials mining; to publish a set of EU principles guiding industrial action in the raw materials segment; and to create a dedicated collaborative Platform to help EU regions address the battery skills gap through the Just Transition Fund. The Commission also encouraged the Member States to integrate battery projects into their national recovery and resilience plans. Since the launch of the European Battery Alliance in October 2017, the European Union has seen some 70 industrial projects emerging and record-high levels of investment. In particular, the Commission approved two Important Projects of Common European Interest on Batteries, in January this year and in December 2019, involving 59 enterprises from 12 Member States and representing an expected value of around €20 billion in private and public investment combined. In December 2019, the Commission also proposed a new Batteries Regulation centered around sustainability and circularity. The work of the European Battery Alliance is underpinned by the Commission's Strategic Action Plan on Batteries, which contains a wide range of measures to support all aspects of the value chain. For more information, see here. Please find a replay of the press conference here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

Commission welcomes agreement on the Connecting Europe Facility to fund greener, more sustainable transport and energy networks, and digitalisation

The European Commission welcomes the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) proposal, worth €33.7 billion, as part of the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027. The Connecting Europe Facility programme supports investment in Europe's transport, energy and digital infrastructure networks. It will support the twin green and digital transition, by contributing to the ambitious targets for the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade. This provisional agreement now has to be formally approved by both the European Parliament and the Council. A press release is available online. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Commission publishes market access offers of the EU-China investment agreement

The Commission has today published the schedules of commitments agreed under the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), concluded in principle on 30 December 2020. Following the publication of the text of the agreement in January, the publication of market access offers today represents the next steps in the process towards adoption and ratification. They provide the basis for informed political deliberations and public debate. China is a key trading partner for the EU with a fast growing domestic market of 1.4 billion consumers. It is expected to contribute to almost 30% of global growth in the next five years. Over the past 20 years, European companies have invested €146 billion in China. The agreement will provide increased legal certainty, improved market access and fairer rules of engagement in this key global market for European companies, investors and service providers. European Commission Executive Vice-President and Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “The CAI rebalances the EU-China investment relationship. Today's publication of market access offers demonstrates how the CAI will help to level the playing field and provide more market openings for EU companies and investors. The agreement provides a clear and enforceable framework of rules, which will give EU businesses greater access and more certainty when investing in China.” China has made significant commitments to guarantee EU companies access to the Chinese market. The CAI binds the autonomous openings made by China in the last 20 years, and brings additional market openings in a number of services and non-services sectors. With respect to non-services, China has made significant commitments in manufacturing, which makes up more than half of total EU investment in China – including 28% for the automotive sector and 22% for basic materials. In the services sector, China also makes commitments on access for European investors in telecommunications (cloud services), financial services, private healthcare, environmental services and air transport-related services (computer reservation systems).  More information is available here. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven – Tel.: +32 229 67228)

Fight against drugs: Commission initiates ban on two new harmful psychoactive substances

Today, the Commission is proposing to ban two new psychoactive substances across the European Union: MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-MDMB-BICA. The two substances are synthetic cannabinoids showing life-threatening toxicity. They have been available in the EU since at least 2017 and March 2020 respectively. Both substances are being sold online both in small and wholesale amounts, mainly as a finished product ready for consumption, for instance in smoking mixtures, e-liquids or impregnated on paper. 21 deaths associated with 4F-MDMB-BICA were reported in one Member State between May and August 2020. The decision to ban these substances is based on a risk assessment conducted by the EU's drug agency, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The Agency's initial and technical reports are available online. This is the second time the Commission initiates a ban under the revised EU rules on psychoactive substances, after having done so for isotonitazene in September 2020. The European Parliament and the Council will now have two months to scrutinise the delegated act before it enters into force. Once in force, EU Member States will have six months to enact the ban into national law. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721).

La nouvelle enquête de la Commission auprès des consommateurs montre l'impact de la COVID-19 et la popularité des choix « plus verts »

La Commission a publié aujourd'hui des données clés sur le comportement des consommateurs en 2020. Les résultats d'une enquête menée à la fin de 2020 illustrent les effets de la crise de la COVID-19 sur les modes de consommation, les consommateurs effectuant leurs achats plus près de chez eux ou soutenant les commerces locaux. Parallèlement, ils ont fait des choix « plus verts » : les consommateurs se sont montrés disposés à payer plus cher pour un produit plus durable. Les conclusions de l'enquête seront examinées lors du sommet européen des consommateurs qui se tiendra cette année le 15 mars 2021. Cette journée est également la Journée européenne des consommateurs. Didier Reynders, commissaire à la justice, a fait la déclaration suivante: « La pandémie a laissé des traces sur les consommateurs: alors que 38 % d'entre eux craignaient de ne pas pouvoir payer leurs factures, 42 % ont décidé de reporter leurs grandes décisions d'achat. Du côté positif, les résultats montrent également que 56 % des consommateurs sont conscients de l'incidence environnementale de leurs achats. Je discuterai des données clés lors du prochain sommet des consommateurs afin d'associer tous les participants à des actions concrètes visant à accélérer la reprise après la pandémie de COVID-19, ainsi que la transition écologique. » De plus amples informations sont disponibles en ligne dans le communiqué de presse et fiche d'information. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand - Tél.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tél.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tél.: +32 229 92729)

Financial supervision in the EU: Commission launches targeted consultation to assess the functioning of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs)

The European Commission has launched today a targeted consultation on the functioning of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs). The European system of financial supervision consists of the European Systemic Risk Board (ESRB) and three European supervisory authorities (ESAs), namely: the European Banking Authority (EBA), the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). Financial supervision is mainly carried out by the national competent authorities and the role of ESAs is to ensure supervisory convergence. Today's consultation will take stock of supervisory practices among national supervisors, supervisory convergence and how the EU's single rulebook works in practice. It will seek targeted views on certain aspects related to the 2019 ESAs review, such as amendments of existing tools (e.g. peer reviews), conferred new tasks (e.g. establishing common Union strategic supervisory priorities) or governance changes. The results of this consultation will feed into a report reviewing the ESAs, which is required under the ESAs founding Regulations, and was also outlined in the September 2020 Capital Markets Union Action Plan. This report aims to contribute to a wider debate on supervisory convergence and the functioning of the EU single rulebook for financial services. Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union, said: “Developing the supervisory framework for increasingly integrated capital markets requires careful consideration and a broad consultation of stakeholders. Convergent supervision and coordination of national supervisors is necessary if we want to have a genuine level playing field for all market players and ensure financial stability and investor protection. This will be particularly true in a post-Brexit world, with multiple financial centres operating across the EU”. The text is available online here and you can submit feedback for 10 weeks. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Hong Kong: EU report highlights alarming political deterioration

The European Commission and the High Representative have today reported on political and economic developments in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region during the year 2020. The annual report highlights that Hong Kong experienced a further severe erosion of its high degree of autonomy, democratic principles and fundamental freedoms that the Chinese authorities committed to protect until at least 2047. EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said: “Over the course of 2020, we have witnessed an alarming political deterioration in Hong Kong. The National Security Law imposed by Beijing is being used to crack down on pro-democracy forces, stifle dissent and pluralism, and erode fundamental freedoms. The arrest of dozens of pro-democracy activists in January this year confirmed that this trend is accelerating. China is consciously dismantling the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle in violation of its international commitments and the Hong Kong Basic Law. The regressive electoral changes approved yesterday in Beijing are yet another step down this path.” The report covers the consequences of the imposition by Beijing of the National Security Law (NSL), highlighting its chilling effect on rights and freedoms, as well as the concerns about the extra-territorial effects of the NSL and its consequences for EU citizens, companies and interests. The report also covers EU-Hong Kong trade and investment in 2020. A full press release is available online. For more information on EU-Hong Kong relations, consult the website of the EU Office. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

Macao: EU reports on political and economic developments in 2020

The European Commission and the High Representative have adopted their latest annual report to the European Parliament and the Council on political and economic developments in the Macao Special Administrative Region in 2020. The report highlights that the ‘One Country, Two Systems' principle continued to be implemented as foreseen in the Basic Law of Macao and the rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Macao continued to be generally respected, although there still are certain human rights concerns. The report underlines that the EU remained Macao's second largest trading partner in 2020, after mainland China, and was also Macao's third-largest foreign investor after Hong Kong and mainland China. A full press release is available online. For more information on EU-Macao relations, consult the website of the EU Office. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

La Commission européenne autorise un quatrième vaccin sûr et efficace contre la COVID-19

Hier, la Commission européenne a délivré une autorisation de mise sur le marché conditionnelle pour le vaccin contre la COVID-19 mis au point par Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, l'une des sociétés pharmaceutiques Janssen de Johnson & Johnson, faisant de celui-ci le quatrième vaccin contre la COVID-19 autorisé dans l'Union européenne. Cette autorisation fait suite à une recommandation scientifique positive fondée sur une évaluation approfondie de l'innocuité, de l'efficacité et de la qualité du vaccin par l'Agence européenne des médicaments (EMA). Cette autorisation a été approuvée par les États membres. La présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré ce qui suit : « Le vaccin Janssen est le quatrième vaccin autorisé du portefeuille de l'Union européenne. Il nous aidera à renforcer la campagne de vaccination au deuxième trimestre 2021. Il ne nécessite qu'une dose unique, ce qui nous permet de nous rapprocher encore davantage de notre objectif collectif, à savoir la vaccination de 70 % de la population adulte d'ici la fin de l'été. » Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, s'est exprimée en ces termes : « Notre portefeuille comprend désormais quatre vaccins sûrs et efficaces contre la COVID-19, que nous nous efforçons sans relâche de mettre à la disposition des citoyens en Europe et au-delà, le plus vite possible. Un vaccin à dose unique peut avoir une influence sensible sur le rythme de vaccination. L'arrivée sur le marché du vaccin Janssen porte à 1,8 milliard le nombre de doses de vaccins autorisés auxquelles nous avons accès, depuis différentes plateformes technologiques. C'est là un élément important en vue de garantir l'accès à la vaccination pour l'Europe et pour nos partenaires internationaux. Nous continuerons à travailler inlassablement pour soutenir les producteurs de vaccins et veiller à ce qu'ils fournissent les doses comme convenu dans nos contrats. » Le communiqué de presse complet est disponible ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978)

State aid: Commission approves €1.1 billion Polish scheme to further support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion (PLN 5 billion) Polish scheme to support companies in various sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will apply to the whole territory of the Poland and consists of four measures. The Commission found that the Polish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000 per company active in the primary production sector of agricultural products, €270,000 per company active in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and €1.8 million per company active in all other sectors as provided by the Temporary Framework ; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 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 set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €1.1 billion scheme will enable Poland to further support companies in various sectors, such as retail, tourism and entertainment, affected by the coronavirus outbreak, by helping them meet their liquidity needs and continue their activities. We continue working in close cooperation with Member States to find workable solutions to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, in line with EU rules.” A full press release is available online. (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 €10 million Belgian scheme to support organisers of festivals in the Flemish and Brussels Regions in context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €10 million Belgian scheme to support organisers of festivals that are planned to take place in the Flemish and Brussels Regions in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under this scheme, the support will take the form of direct grants. Beneficiaries will receive up to €500,000 to cover the costs incurred for the organisation and production of the festivals as well as for the implementation of measures that the Belgian authorities had to impose to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per company as provided by the Temporary Framework; and (ii) the aid can be granted no later than 31 December 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. 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.62017 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)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition du Groupe Funecap par Latour Capital, Watling Street Capital et Groupe Fondateurs Funecap

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle en commun de l'entreprise Staglieno NewCo et ses filiales (« Groupe Funecap »), par l'entreprise Latour Capital Management SAS (« Latour Capital »), toutes les deux basées en France, et les entreprises Watling Street Capital Partners LLP (« Watling Street »), basée au Royaume-Uni, et Funecap Partenaires III (« Groupe Fondateurs Funecap »), basée en France. Groupe Funecap, déjà contrôlé par Watling Street et Groupe Fondateurs Funecap, est principalement actif en France et marginalement en Belgique dans la fourniture de services funéraires, de gestion de crématoriums, de travaux techniques de cimetière et de courtage d'assurance obsèques. Les fondateurs du Groupe Funecap contrôlent également plusieurs autres sociétés actives en France dans les secteurs de la production d'électricité d'origine photovoltaïque, de la production d'énergie et chaleur ainsi que de l'immobilier et services hôteliers. Latour Capital est une société de gestion prenant des participations essentiellement dans des sociétés françaises, dans les secteurs, parmi autres, du conseil aux entreprises, des services financiers, de la photographie d'art, du génie électrique, et de l'intégration de réseaux de communication en Europe. Watling Street est une société faîtière de droit anglais du groupe Charterhouse qui fournit des services de gestion de fonds d'investissement. Les sociétés de portefeuille du groupe Charterhouse sont des sociétés européennes principalement actives dans le secteur des services, de la santé, de l'industrie et des biens/services de consommation. La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence compte tenu de son impact limité sur la structure du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.10166. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over newly created joint venture by Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over a newly created company constituting a joint venture, Industry One, Inc. by Mitsubishi Corporation (‘MC') and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (‘NTTC'), both of Japan. Industry One will be based in Japan and active in the provision of IT consulting services and platform services to customers in Japan. MC is a global integrated trading company, which develops and operates business across a variety of industries. NTT is a provider of telecommunications services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because of the absence of actual or foreseen activity of the joint venture in the European Economic Area (EEA), and of any horizontal overlaps between the activities of the companies on the relevant markets in the EEA. 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.10160. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis, le vice-président Šuica et les commissaires Schmit et Dalli participent lundi à la vidéoconférence informelle des ministres de l'emploi et de la politique sociale

Valdis Dombrovskis, vice-président exécutif pour une économie au service des personnes, Dubravka Šuica, vice-présidente chargée de la démocratie et de la démographie, Nicolas Schmit, commissaire chargé de l'emploi et des droits sociaux, et Helena Dalli, commissaire chargée de l'égalité, participeront à la vidéoconférence informelle des ministres de l'emploi et de la politique sociale qui aura lieu lundi 15 mars. Au cours de la session plénière du matin, les ministres auront un échange de vues avec le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis et le commissaire Schmit sur les politiques sociales et de l'emploi dans le cadre du Semestre européen, en vue des prochains plans pour la reprise et la résilience. Cette discussion sera suivie d'un débat d'orientation avec le commissaire Schmit sur le plan d'action du socle européen des droits sociaux récemment adopté. Le commissaire Schmit informera également les ministres sur le projet de la plateforme européenne sur la lutte contre le sans-abrisme. La session plénière de l'après-midi sera consacrée à un débat d'orientation sur l'égalité, la non-discrimination et la diversité dans l'UE. La vice-présidente Šuica présentera le livre vert sur le vieillissement, et la commissaire Dalli présentera la stratégie récemment adoptée sur les droits des personnes handicapées pour la période 2021-2030, ainsi que la proposition de directive relative à des mesures contraignantes en matière de transparence des rémunérations. La commissaire Dalli présentera également les mesures prises par l'UE pour mettre en œuvre son plan d'action contre le racisme, notamment le premier sommet contre le racisme qui se tiendra vendredi 19 mars. La commissaire Dalli informera les ministres sur la recommandation du Conseil sur l'égalité, l'inclusion et la participation des Roms, proposée dans le cadre stratégique pour les Roms. La présidence portugaise du Conseil de l'UE et le commissaire Schmit informeront également les ministres du prochain sommet social tripartite, qui aura lieu le 24 mars. L'intégralité de la vidéoconférence peut être suivie publiquement en ligne. Une conférence de presse avec les commissaires Schmit et Dalli sera transmise sur EbS à 18h15. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek — Tél.: +32 229 58197; Christian Wigand — Tél.: +32 229 62253; Daniel Ferrie —Tél.: +32 229 86500)

CALENDRIER – activités hebdomadaires des commissaires

Eurostat: communiqués de presse