Daily News 06 / 09 / 2021

Politique de cohésion de l'UE: 175 millions d'euros pour une meilleure qualité d'eau potable en Roumanie

La Commission a approuvé un investissement de plus de 175 millions d'euros du Fonds de cohésion afin de moderniser et d'installer une nouvelle infrastructure d'eau potable et d'assainissement dans le comté d'Olt, en Roumanie. Cette nouvelle infrastructure réduira les fuites et les interruptions d'approvisionnement en eau, aidant la Roumanie à répondre aux exigences de la directive de l'UE sur l'eau potable. La commissaire chargée de la cohésion et des réformes, Elisa Ferreira a déclaré: « Le projet est un parfait exemple de la façon dont la politique de cohésion bénéficie directement aux citoyens européens tout en préservant et en protégeant l'environnement et en promouvant l'efficacité des ressources. » Cet investissement de l'UE contribuera au développement socio-économique local en améliorant le niveau de vie des habitants des zones rurales et en créant des emplois dans les phases de construction et de mise en œuvre. Les stations d'épuration et les stations de retraitement des eaux usées feront l'objet d'améliorations. Le réseau d'assainissement sera notamment prolongé de 259,08 km et les travaux réhabiliteront 37,87 km du système existant. Parallèlement, 64,41 km supplémentaires de conduites d'évacuation seront posés et dix stations de pompage des eaux usées seront rénovées tandis que 156 nouvelles seront construites. De plus amples informations concernant les investissements financés par l'UE en Roumanie sont disponibles sur la plate-forme de données ouvertes. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél. : +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229 87269)

Commission publishes study on the impact of Open Source on the European economy

The Commission published today the results of a study analysing the economic impact of Open Source Software and Hardware on the European economy. It is estimated that companies located in the EU invested around €1 billion in Open Source Software in 2018, which brought about a positive impact on the European economy of between €65 and €95 billion. The study predicts that an increase of 10% in contributions to Open Source Software code would annually generate an additional 0.4% to 0.6% GDP, as well as more than 600 additional ICT start-ups in the EU. Case studies reveal that by procuring Open Source Software instead of proprietary software, the public sector could reduce the total cost of ownership, avoid vendor lock-in and thus increase its digital autonomy. The study gives a number of specific public policy recommendations aimed at achieving a digitally autonomous public sector, open research and innovation enabling European growth, and a digitised and internally competitive industry. In the long-term, the findings of the study may be used to reinforce the open source dimension in the development of future software and hardware policies for the EU industry. More information about the study is available here. Moreover, since October 2020 the Commission has its own new Open Source Software Strategy 2020-2023, which further encourages and leverages the transformative, innovative and collaborative potential of open source,  in view of achieving the goals of the overarching Digital Strategy of the Commission and contributing to the Digital Europe programme. The Commission's Strategy puts a special emphasis on the sharing and reuse of software solutions, knowledge and expertise as well as on increasing the use of open source in information technologies and other strategic areas. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Modulaire by Brookfield

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Modulaire Investments 2 S.A. R.L.H (‘Modulaire') of Luxembourg by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (‘Brookfield') of Canada. Modulaire is an infrastructure services company specialising in modular buildings. Brookfield provides asset management services with a focus on real estate, infrastructure, renewable power and private equity. Brookfield will acquire Modulaire via BCP V Modular Services Holdings IV Limited of the UK, an investment entity created for the purpose of the acquisition. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because the companies' activities do not overlap and the transaction has limited impact 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.10393. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of a newly founded joint venture by PORR and Doka

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of a newly founded joint venture by PORR AG and Doka GmbH, all of Austria. The joint venture will provide a construction logistics platform aiming to digitalise and optimise the order, delivery and billing process in the construction industry. PORR provides construction services. Doka produces formworks and scaffoldings used for construction works. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that the joint venture 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 activities of 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.10336.  (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Várhelyi travels on Monday to Ankara to discuss EU-Turkey relations

On 6 and 7 September, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi will travel to Turkey to discuss the state of play of the EU-Turkey relations. During his first mission to Turkey, the Commissioner will meet various counterparts in the Turkish government. Discussions are foreseen to focus on priority areas of EU-Turkey relations as identified by the EU leaders, including the overall relations with Ankara, high-level dialogues, migration, people-to-people contacts, and trade. The Commissioner will hold meetings with business representatives and also visit a migrant health center in Altindag, Ankara, financed under the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey. (For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229 54320; Zoï Muletier – Tel.: +32 229 94306)

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis attends the Tallinn Digital Summit

Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis will be in Tallinn, Estonia today and tomorrow to participate in the Tallinn Digital Summit. He will deliver the keynote speech and participate in a panel discussion on global connectivity. The speech and panel will be broadcast live on EbS tomorrow, Tuesday, 7 September 2021.  The event brings together political leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs to discuss matters relating to the digital transition and tackle questions about its implications on economies, societies and governments. He will also use the opportunity to hold a number of bilateral meetings, including with Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia; Mathias Cormann, Secretary General of the OECD; Gina Raimondo, United States Secretary of Commerce. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Fight against firearms trafficking: Commissioner Johansson hosting meeting of EU and Western Balkans Foreign and Home Affairs Ministers tomorrow

Tomorrow, Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson will host, in cooperation with High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, a videoconference meeting of EU and Western Balkans Foreign and Home Affairs Ministers on countering firearms trafficking. EU agencies as well as regional and international organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will also take part in the meeting. Participants will discuss the implementation of the 2020-2025 EU action plan on firearms trafficking with a focus on the actions concerning South-East Europe, as well as the implementation of the Regional Roadmap for comprehensive Small Arms and Light Weapons control in the Western Balkans. Since the adoption of the Roadmap in 2018, the Commission has noted continuous progress by Western Balkan partners in the harmonisation of legal frameworks with EU and UN firearms rules, as well as an increase in operational cooperation and information exchange with the EU and its law enforcement agencies. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss further actions on the remaining challenges across the region, including gaps in the criminal law frameworks and data exchange among law enforcement, courts and prosecution offices. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Ana Pisonero - Tel : +32 229 54320)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Eurostat press releases

The Spokesperson's Service has re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited number of journalists. For more information, please see here.