Daily News 16 / 03 / 2021

La Commission verse 9 milliards d'euros supplémentaires à sept États membres au titre de SURE

La Commission européenne a versé 9 milliards d'euros, correspondant à la cinquième tranche de l'assistance financière apportée à sept États membres au titre de l'instrument SURE. Il s'agit du deuxième versement en 2021. Dans le cadre des transactions réalisées ce jour, la Tchéquie a reçu 1 milliard d'euros, l'Espagne 2,87 milliards d'euros, la Croatie 510 millions d'euros, l'Italie 3,87 milliards d'euros, la Lituanie 302 millions d'euros, Malte 123 millions d'euros et la Slovaquie 330 millions d'euros. C'est la première fois que la Tchéquie reçoit un financement au titre de cet instrument. Les six autres pays de l'UE ont déjà bénéficié de prêts au titre de SURE. Ces prêts aideront les États membres à faire face à l'augmentation soudaine des dépenses publiques afin de préserver l'emploi. En particulier, ils aideront les États membres à couvrir les coûts directement liés au financement de régimes nationaux de chômage partiel et d'autres mesures similaires qu'ils ont mises en place en réaction à la pandémie de coronavirus, y compris pour les travailleurs indépendants. Les versements effectués aujourd'hui font suite à l'émission de la cinquième obligation sociale au titre de l'instrument SURE, qui a suscité un intérêt considérable de la part des investisseurs. À ce jour, 16 États membres ont reçu un total de 62,5 milliards d'euros au titre de l'instrument SURE sous forme de prêts adossés. Tout au long de l'année 2021, la Commission s'efforcera de lever plus de 25 milliards d'euros supplémentaires par l'émission d'obligations SURE de l'UE. Une fois tous les versements SURE terminés, la Tchéquie aura reçu 2 milliards d'euros, l'Espagne 21,3 milliards d'euros, la Croatie 1 milliards d'euros, l'Italie 27,4 milliards d'euros, la Lituanie 602 millions d'euros, Malte 244 millions d'euros et la Slovaquie 631 millions d'euros. A ce jour, la Commission a proposé un soutien financier total de 90,6 milliards d'euros en faveur de 19 États membres, dont 90,3 milliards d'euros pour 18 États membres ont été autorisés. Le Conseil devrait approuver la proposition de 230 millions d'euros en faveur de l'Estonie en temps utile. Plus de détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Miriam Garcia Ferrer — Tél.: +32 229 99075, Claire Joawn — Tél.: + +32 229 56859)

Déclaration de la Commission sur un complément de vaccins BioNTech-Pfizer pour les livraisons du deuxième trimestre

La Commission européenne et BioNTech-Pfizer sont parvenus à un accord sur la livraison accélérée de 10 millions de doses pour le deuxième trimestre. La présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré : « Je sais combien le deuxième trimestre est crucial pour le déploiement de nos stratégies de vaccination dans les États membres. Ces 10 millions de doses anticipées porteront le nombre total de doses fournies par BioNTech-Pfizer au cours du deuxième trimestre à plus de 200 millions. C'est une très bonne nouvelle. Cela donnera une marge de manœuvre aux États membres et permettra éventuellement de combler les insuffisances dans les livraisons. » Ces doses seraient prélevées sur l'option de 100 millions de doses du deuxième contrat BioNTech-Pfizer, prévu pour les troisième et quatrième trimestres 2021. La proposition présentée aujourd'hui par la Commission doit être approuvée par les États membres au sein du comité directeur conjoint. La déclaration est disponible en ligne en français, anglais et allemand. Plus d'informations sur la stratégie des vaccins de la Commission sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations : Eric Mamer – Tél.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tél.: +32 229 90150 ; Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tél.: +32 229 84680)

President von der Leyen at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue: “There can be no back-sliding after the pandemic”

This morning, President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue. During the speech, she pointed out the benefits for the European economy of the clean energy transition, saying: “We want to reconcile the way we produce and do business with the health of our planet. Because what is good for the planet is good for business and good for us all.” Speaking about the European Green Deal, President von der Leyen highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic makes caring for the planet all the more relevant: “The European Green Deal is as important today as it has been before COVID-19. If anything, it has become even more important. There is increasing evidence that the loss of biodiversity is one of the root causes of this global pandemic. And while much of the world's activity froze during lockdowns and shutdowns, our planet continued to get hotter. Climate change is the massive crisis beyond COVID-19.” The President insisted that the Green Deal and the economic recovery must go hand in hand: “Our European Green Deal is our strategy for sustainable growth. Now it is also our roadmap out of the crisis. One third of the investments from our Recovery Plan, NextGenerationEU, will finance the goals set out in the European Green Deal.” In particular, she mentioned: “With NextGenerationEU, we will invest in clean hydrogen as never before. Clean hydrogen is a perfect means towards our goal of climate neutrality. Clean hydrogen can: power heavy industries, propel our cars, trucks and planes, store seasonal energy and heat up our homes. All of this with almost zero emissions. Clean hydrogen is the way to go.” President von der Leyen also elaborated on the steps that the EU will take in the coming months: “This is why, by this summer, we will revise our entire climate and energy legislation to make it ‘fit for 55'. We will enhance the EU Emissions Trading System. We will come forward with proposals to boost renewable energy and improve energy efficiency; and we want to take green financing to the next level. Because to achieve our 2030 goal, we need to boost green investment.” Finally, the President emphasised the fact that this must be a shared effort and that the EU is ready to lead: “We stand ready for global leadership on climate change with our partners. A shared commitment to a net-zero emissions pathway by 2050 would make climate neutrality a new global benchmark. That would be a powerful message in the run-up to the COP26, the next UN Climate Change Conference.” The full speech is available here and it can be watched again here. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150)

Withdrawal Agreement: Commission sends letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breach of its obligations under the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland

The European Commission has sent a letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breaching the substantive provisions of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as the good faith obligation under the Withdrawal Agreement. This marks the beginning of a formal infringement process against the United Kingdom. It is the second time in the space of six months that the UK government is set to breach international law. Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, the EU's co-chair of the Joint Committee, said: “The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is the only way to protect the Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement and to preserve peace and stability, while avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland and maintaining the integrity of the EU single market. The EU and the UK agreed the Protocol together. We are also bound to implement it together. Unilateral decisions and international law violations by the UK defeat its very purpose and undermine trust between us. The UK must properly implement it if we are to achieve our objectives. That is why we are launching legal action today. I do hope that through the collaborative, pragmatic and constructive spirit that has prevailed in our work so far on implementing the Withdrawal Agreement, we can solve these issues in the Joint Committee without recourse to further legal means.” The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, as an integral part of the Withdrawal Agreement, was ratified by both the EU and the UK, has been in force since 1 February 2020 and has legal effects under international law. The UK has been given one month to submit its observations to the letter of formal notice. A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500)

State aid: Commission approves amended €3 billion Dutch scheme to support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has found the modifications to an existing Dutch scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the State aid Temporary Framework. The Commission approved, under the State aid Temporary Framework, the original scheme on 26 June 2020 (SA.57712) and its subsequent modifications on 20 November 2020 (SA.59535) and 9 February 2021 (SA.60166). The Netherlands notified some further modifications to one of the measures included in the scheme, namely the measure originally addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lost at least 30% of their turnover in the period from January to March 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. Following the amendment, the measure will (i) be extended to large enterprises and (ii) its overall budget will increase of around €2 billion (the original budget of that sub-measure was estimated at €970 million). In particular, the beneficiaries will be eligible to receive support ranging from a minimum of €1500 to a maximum of €600,000 for large enterprises and €550,000 for SMEs. The amended scheme also provides that additional aid can be granted to companies active in the non-food retail, travel and agricultural sectors. The Commission found that the Dutch scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €225,000 per company active in the primary production of agriculture products, €270,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector, and €1.8 million per company active in other sectors as provided by the Temporary Framework; and (ii) the aid will be granted before 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measures 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, 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 the case number SA.62241 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 €1 million Italian scheme to support organisers of international sport events in context of coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €1 million Italian scheme to support organisers of international sport events in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants to companies that incurred costs to ensure the safe presence of the public in events that were planned to take place in Italy within ten days of 26 October 2020, date of the entry into force of the Prime Ministerial Decree of 24 October 2020. The decree prohibited the presence of the public at those events and, therefore, the costs incurred to ensure public safety were lost. The scheme aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them to continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) will be granted until 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. 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 numbers SA.61841 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 €63 million Italian aid scheme to support trade fairs sector affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €63 million Italian aid scheme to support the uncovered fixed costs of companies active in the trade fairs sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the support will take the form of direct grants. The aid will be granted to limited liability companies managing trade fairs areas and trade fairs event organisers that continue experiencing a drop in turnover of at least 30% because of the coronavirus outbreak between March 2020 and February 2021, compared to the same reference period in year 2019. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the economic difficulties and the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing as a result of the suspension or reduction of their business activity due to the outbreak and the related measures to limit the spread of the virus. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €10 million per beneficiary; 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. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other action the Commission has taken 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 number SA.61294 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (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 joint control over a joint venture by Linde and Sipchem

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over a newly created company constituting a joint venture by Linde GmbH of Germany and Sahara International Petrochemical Company (‘Sipchem') of Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will be active in the onsite supply of industrial gases in Saudi Arabia. Linde is a multinational group of companies that mainly focuses on gases and engineering services. Sipchem is the parent of a group of companies that is active in the production and marketing of basic and intermediate petrochemical products. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because the joint venture will only have negligible actual or foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. 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.10151.  (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission

Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Eurostat: communiqués de presse