Daily News 15 / 09 / 2021

STATE OF THE UNION: Strengthening Europe's soul

This morning, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered her second State of the Union address in the European Parliament. The President put the focus of her speech on Europe's recovery from the coronavirus crisis and on what the European Union needs to do for a lasting recovery delivering benefits to all - from health preparedness, the social dimension, technological leadership, to a defence union. President von der Leyen described how Europe can secure a lasting recovery by preparing itself to deal with future health crises, thanks to the HERA authority, by helping the world get vaccinated, and by making sure that the economic recovery is sustained and benefits everyone. The President also underlined the importance of staying true to our values and made a point of Europe's duty to care for the most vulnerable, standing up for media freedom, reinforcing the rule of law in our Union and empowering our youth. That is why she proposed making 2022 the Year of European Youth. Europe will continue acting in the world with the common good in mind. That is why President von der Leyen committed to continue working to encourage global partners to act on climate change. Furthermore, in the face of the recent developments in Afghanistan, the President announced increased humanitarian aid to Afghans and laid out the importance for Europe to build its own defence capabilities. The speech is available online here in all EU languages. Learn more about the main achievements of the von der Leyen Commission in the past year and visit the dedicated website. (For more information: Eric Mamer — Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant — Tel.: + 32 229 90150)

STATE OF THE UNION: Commission proposes a Path to the Digital Decade to deliver the EU's digital transformation by 2030

Today, the Commission proposed a Path to the Digital Decade, a concrete plan to achieve the digital transformation of our society and economy by 2030. The proposed Path to the Digital Decade will translate the EUʼs digital ambitions for 2030 into a concrete delivery mechanism. It will set up a governance framework based on an annual cooperation mechanism with Member States to reach the 2030 Digital Decade targets at Union level in the areas of digital skills, digital infrastructures, digitalisation of businesses and public services. It also aims to identify and implement large-scale digital projects involving the Commission and the Member States. The pandemic highlighted the central role that digital technology plays in building a sustainable and prosperous future. In particular, the crisis exposed a divide between digitally apt businesses and those yet to adopt digital solutions, and highlighted the gap between well-connected urban, rural and remote areas. Digitalisation offers many new opportunities on the European marketplace, where more than 500,000 vacancies for cybersecurity and data experts remained unfilled in 2020. In line with European values, the Path to the Digital Decade should reinforce our digital leadership and promote human centred and sustainable digital policies empowering citizens and businesses. More information is available in this press release, Q&A and factsheet. President von der Leyen's State of the Union Address is also available online. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

ETAT DE L'UNION: Nouveau Bauhaus européen - de nouvelles actions et de nouveaux financements pour associer la durabilité au style et à l'inclusion

La Commission adopte aujourd'hui une communication exposant le concept de nouveau Bauhaus européen. Il s'agit notamment d'un certain nombre d'actions stratégiques et de possibilités de financement. Ce projet vise à accélérer la transformation de divers secteurs économiques, tels que la construction et le textile, afin de fournir à tous les citoyens un accès à des biens circulaires et à moindre intensité de carbone. La présidente de la Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré: « Le nouveau Bauhaus européen associe la grande vision du pacte vert pour l'Europe à des changements concrets sur le terrain. Des changements qui améliorent notre vie quotidienne et que tout un chacun peut percevoir non seulement dans les bâtiments et les espaces publics, mais aussi dans la mode ou l'ameublement. Le nouveau Bauhaus européen vise à créer un nouvel art de vivre qui allie durabilité et bonne conception, qui nécessite moins de carbone et qui soit inclusif et abordable pour tous. » Quelque 85 millions d'euros seront consacrés à des projets de nouveau Bauhaus européen dans le cadre des programmes de l'UE pour la période 2021-2022. De nombreux autres programmes de l'UE intégreront le nouveau Bauhaus européen en tant qu'élément contextuel ou priorité, sans budget spécifique prédéfini. Le financement proviendra de différents programmes de l'UE tels que le programme Horizon Europe pour la recherche et l'innovation (notamment les missions d'Horizon Europe), le programme LIFE en faveur de l'environnement et de l'action pour le climat et le Fonds européen de développement régional. En outre, la Commission invitera les États membres à appliquer les valeurs fondamentales du nouveau Bauhaus européen dans leurs stratégies de développement territorial et socio-économique et à mobiliser les volets concernés de leurs plans pour la reprise et la résilience, ainsi que les programmes relevant de la politique de cohésion, afin de bâtir un avenir meilleur pour tous. La communication s'inspire des contributions reçues dans le cadre de la phase de co-conception qui s'est déroulée de janvier à juillet et au cours de laquelle la Commission a reçu plus de 2 000 contributions de toute l'Europe et au-delà. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter le communiqué de presse, le document questions-réponses, le site du Nouveau Bauhaus européen, ainsi que le discours de la présidente sur l'État de l'Union. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela – Tél.: +32 229 66712, Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)

EU Digital COVID Certificate: Commission adopts equivalence decisions for Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Israel, Monaco, Morocco and Panama

Today, seven new decisions certifying that COVID-19 certificates issued by Albania, Andorra, Faroe Islands, Israel, Monaco, Morocco and Panama are equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate enter into force. As a result, the seven countries and territories will be connected to the EU's system and the COVID certificates they issue will be accepted in the EU under the same conditions as EU Digital COVID Certificates. At the same time, the countries and territories agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel from the EU to their countries. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “During this summer we have seen that citizens are able to travel safely thanks to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. This is a win-win situation: citizens can enjoy their right to free movement and businesses as well as the transport sector can start making up for the losses of past months. Since June, more than 420 million EU certificates have been issued. I therefore welcome that more and more countries outside the EU are joining our successful system. A total number of 42 countries – 27 EU Member States and 15 non-EU countries - are now taking part in the EU Digital COVID Certificate system, confirming the EU certificate as an international standard.” The Commission adopted the seven new decisions yesterday. Cooperation with other third countries to connect them to the EU system continues. More information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate can be found on the dedicated website. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Johannes Bahrke - Tel.: +32 229 58615)

NextGenerationEU: European Commission successfully raises €5 billion in first EU-Bills auction

The European Commission has issued €5 billion in short-term securities through its first auction of EU-Bills today. As announced on 10 September 2021, the Commission issued €3 billion of 3-month securities due on 3 December 2021 and €2 billion of 6-month securities due on 4 March 2022. Commissioner in charge of the Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, said: “The first EU-Bill auction represents another landmark moment for the NGEU funding programme. With the possibility to issue EU-Bills each month, the Commission now has a cheap and efficient bridge financing solution at its disposal. The success of today's issuance confirms market interest in this brand-new short-term paper. The EU-Bill programme will attract yet more investors to EU capital markets and boost the international role of the euro.” The EU-Bills were placed with members of the EU Primary Dealer Network. The auction has taken place via the TELSAT auction platform of Banque de France, which the Commission decided to use for its auctions in May 2021. Following the auction, the EU-Bills will be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange for secondary trading. This is the first time the Commission issues short-term securities, to complement its bond issuances. EU-Bills are one of the key pillars of the European Commission's diversified funding strategy. They provide additional flexibility, which will be very valuable in raising NextGenerationEU funding quickly and on advantageous terms. This is also the first auction that the European Commission is conducting on behalf of the EU as part of its new auction calendar. More information and the auction calendar are available here. The detailed results from today's auction are here. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

NextGenerationEU: la quatrième émission obligataire maintient une dynamique forte pour les emprunts de l'UE en faveur de la relance  

La Commission européenne a levé hier 9 milliards d'euros supplémentaires pour soutenir la relance de l'Europe après la crise du coronavirus et ses conséquences, grâce à la quatrième émission obligataire réalisée depuis le début du programme NextGenerationEU à la mi-juin. La Commission européenne a émis une obligation à 7 ans arrivant à échéance le 4 octobre 2028. L'obligation a été largement sursouscrite plus de 11 fois, avec un carnet d'ordres d'un montant de plus de 103 milliards d'euros. Cette forte demande confirme le vif intérêt que continuent de démontrer les investisseurs pour les titres de l'UE, ce qui a permis à la Commission de placer les obligations à des conditions tarifaires très favorables et tout à fait conformes aux excellents résultats obtenus jusqu'à présent dans le cadre du programme NextGenerationEU. Johannes Hahn, commissaire européen chargé du budget et de l'administration, a déclaré: « Pour cette quatrième opération au titre de NextGenerationEU, nous nous sommes inspirés du succès des transactions initiales. Cette opération permet à la Commission de maintenir un flux de financements régulier vers nos États membres, de soutenir la relance et de contribuer à la reconstruction d'une Europe plus verte, plus numérique et plus résiliente. » Il s'agit de la quatrième opération réalisée au titre du programme NextGenerationEU, après l'obligation de 20 milliards d'euros à 10 ans que la Commission a émise le 15 juin 2021; l'opération en deux tranches de 15 milliards d'euros, lancée le 29 juin 2021, qui a consisté en une obligation de 9 milliards d'euros à 5 ans et en une obligation de 6 milliards d'euros à 30 ans, et l'obligation de 10 milliards d'euros à 20 ans émise le 13 juillet 2021. Plus de détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tél.: +32 229 56859)

Investment Plan for Europe supports new loans for green SMEs in Sweden and Finland

The EIB Group has signed a guarantee agreement with universal bank Nordea. The EIB Group, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), will guarantee a portfolio of Nordea lending up to €1.8 billion, freeing up capital for new loans for sustainable initiatives of Swedish and Finnish companies. This gives Nordea the opportunity to provide SME customers in Finland and Sweden lower than usual rates to fund investments that meet well-defined sustainability criteria. During the third quarter of 2021, Nordea will be ready to offer its customers advice about the new lending offering and will start issuing the new sustainable, guaranteed loans. Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “Today's agreement between the EIB Group and Nordea will make available new and attractive loans to Finnish and Swedish SMEs looking to finance sustainable projects. I welcome this significant support for green investments, which at the same time boost our recovery and contribute to reaching our climate goals. The Investment Plan for Europe continues to deliver.” The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, which has so far mobilised €546.5 billion of investment, benefitting over 1.4 million SMEs. The press release is available here. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts - Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes - Tel.: +32 229 83951)

State aid: Commission approves €200 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the tourist-accommodation sector in the context of the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €200 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the tourist-accommodation sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The aid amount per beneficiary will be calculated based on its turnover in 2019 and on a flat-rate basis. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these companies are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Italian government had to implement 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 €1.8 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 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.64446 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 €10 million Slovenian scheme to support companies active in certain tourism sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €10 million Slovenian scheme to support companies active in certain tourism sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of loans with subsidised interest rates. The measure will be open to companies active in certain tourism sectors, such as tour operators, travel agencies and companies providing transport services. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries refunding travellers for travel packages cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the virus. The aid will be provided directly through the ‘Public Fund of Republic of Slovenia for Entrepreneurship'. The Commission found that the Slovenian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the maturity of the loans is limited to six years, (ii) the annual interest rates on the loans respect the minimum levels set out in the Temporary Framework; (iii) the loan amount per beneficiary is in line with what is foreseen by the Temporary Framework; (iv) the loans relate to working capital needs; and (v) the loan contracts will be signed by 31 December 2021 at the latest. 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 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.64421 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 joint control over Global Partnership for Ethiopia by the Vodafone Group, Safaricom and Sumitomo

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over Global Partnership for Ethiopia B.V. (together with its subsidiaries, the ‘Ethiopia JV') of Ethiopia by the Vodafone Group Plc of the UK, Safaricom Plc of Kenya and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan. The Ethiopia JV is a newly created full-function joint venture that will provide telecommunication services in Ethiopia. The Vodafone Group is a telecommunications group active in Europe and Africa. Safaricom is a telecommunications operator in Kenya. Sumitomo is a global trading and investment company, conducting business activities across a wide range of industries. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because the Ethiopia JV does not have any 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.10244. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

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.