Daily News 01 / 10 / 2021

Code of Practice on disinformation: Commission welcomes new prospective signatories and calls for strong and timely revision

The topic of disinformation remains high on the Commission's agenda. Eight new prospective signatories joined the revision process of the Code of Practice on disinformation during the latest signatories Assembly meeting yesterday. They expressed their willingness to take commitments under the strengthened version. The Code is the first such framework worldwide setting out commitments by platforms and industry to fight disinformation. The revision of the Code is based on the Commission's Guidance issued in May, which sets out how the current Code should be strengthened to provide a firm response to disinformation. The list of prospective new signatories includes online video platforms like Vimeo, new types of social networks like Clubhouse, and advertising technology providers like DoubleVerify, as well as organisations that provide specific expertise and technical solutions to fight disinformation, such as Avaaz, Globsec, Logically, NewsGuard, and WhoTargetsMe. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “I am pleased to see new actors from relevant sectors answering our call and engaging in the overhaul of the Code of Practice. I encourage others, including platforms, messaging services and actors in the online advertising ecosystem, to join as soon as possible to co-shape the process. The strengthened Code cannot fall short of the expectations we have set out in our Guidance from May. Online players have a special responsibility regarding spreading and monetising disinformation. They must become more transparent, accountable and safe by design.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “I welcome the fact that more and more online platforms, technology providers, civil society and expert organisations are formally committing to fighting disinformation. The private sector should be ambitious and anticipate the new EU rules on digital services (DSA). Now is the time to show they walk the talk.” Substantial additional efforts are needed to reduce the flow of harmful disinformation, as illustrated by recent electoral campaigns and by the signatories' reports on the COVID-19 disinformation monitoring programme. The Commission also publishes today the latest of these reports, covering the actions taken over the summer against vaccines disinformation by platforms. The current Code was a good first step in this direction, but the Commission's Assessment in 2020 revealed significant shortcomings. You will find more information in this press release. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

Prix Lorenzo Natali pour les médias 2021 : annonce des lauréats

La Commission européenne a annoncé hier les trois lauréats du « prix Lorenzo Natali pour les Médias 2021 » : Pari Saikia, pour son travail sur la détresse des Rohingyas ; Maria Altimira, pour son travail sur l'exploitation par le travail des migrants et Srishti Jaswal pour mettre en lumière la situation de la faim en Inde. La commissaire chargée des partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a remis les prix aux lauréats lors de la cérémonie de remise des prix d'hier : « Ce prix Lorenzo Natali pour les Médias 2021 est décerné cette année aux trois journalistes exceptionnels, dont le travail illustre le courage, l'intégrité et l'engagement en faveur de l'équité mondiale. En tant que journalistes du développement, vous contribuez au changement — qu'il s'agisse de lutter contre les inégalités, de protéger les droits de l'homme universels ou de réagir à la menace existentielle que représente le changement climatique. » De plus amples informations sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero - Tél: +32 229 54320 ; Daniel Puglisi Tél: +32 229 69140) 

Space: New Joint Office to strengthen collaboration and modernise Galileo

Today, the Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) set up a Joint Office in the Commission to help manage and develop Galileo, Europe's global navigation satellite system. In combining forces and talents to enhance Galileo's performance, the Joint Office will support the Commission in the management of the programme and facilitate the coordination with ESA and EUSPA. The Joint Office will help coordinate the Programme-level risks management process and ensure that risks can be treated without delays or cost overruns. The Joint Office will help Galileo develop in a fast-moving and competitive environment, representing a fresh start of collaboration between the Commission, ESA and EUSPA. It will be composed of three staff members of each organisation, working under the leadership of the Commission. Galileo provides accurate and reliable positioning and timing information for autonomous and connected cars, railways, aviation and other sectors. Galileo has been operational since December 2016, when it started offering initial services to public authorities, businesses and citizens. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by T-Mobile CZ, CETIN, and O2 CZ concerning the Czech telecommunications market

The European Commission invites comments on commitments offered by T-Mobile CZ, CETIN, O2 CZ, and their respective parent companies, Deutsche Telekom and PPF, to address competition concerns in relation to the network sharing agreements (‘NSAs') between T-Mobile CZ, O2 CZ, and then Czech telecom infrastructure provider CETIN, as well as the Mobile Network Services Agreement (‘MNSA') between O2 CZ and CETIN. In October 2016, the Commission opened a formal investigation into a network sharing agreement between O2 CZ and CETIN on the one hand and T-Mobile CZ on the other. In August 2019, the Commission sent Statements of Objections to T-Mobile CZ, CETIN and O2 CZ and later on to their parent companies. In August 2021, the Commission adopted a preliminary assessment within the meaning of Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 after carefully analysing all the arguments and evidence gathered. According to the Commission's preliminary assessment, the NSAs and the MNSA may restrict competition in violation of Article 101(1) of the TFEU, which prohibits anti-competitive agreements. T-Mobile CZ, CETIN and O2 CZ and their respective parent companies offered commitments to address the Commission's competition concerns. The Commission invites all interested parties to submit their views on the proposed commitments within one month from their publication in the Official Journal. A press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of ACT by FFL and Bridgepoint

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Sustainable Market Solutions B.V. and ACT FS Holding B.V. (together ‘ACT') by FFL, all of the Netherlands, and Bridgepoint of the UK. ACT provides market-based sustainable energy solutions, relating to environmental compliance services, corporate sustainability, fuels and feedstock, and financial instruments.  FFL is a holding company, controlled by ACT's founders and current majority shareholders. Bridgepoint is an investment group. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that there is no overlap or vertical relationship between ACT and its parent 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. 10441. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of TAIF by SIBUR

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of TAIF by SIBUR Holding, both of Russia. TAIF is active in oil and gas processing, chemicals and petrochemicals and power engineering, as well as investment and other services. TAIF is also active in the production of olefins, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, polymers and synthetic rubbers. SIBUR is an integrated petrochemicals group active in Russia and globally, with a focus on two business segments, namely (i) olefins and polyolefins and (ii) plastics, elastomers and intermediates. The transaction gives rise to horizontal overlaps and vertical relationships between the companies' activities related to the production of butyl rubber and isobutylene. However, the Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that several strong global butyl rubber producers will remain on the market, and SIBUR's share on the isobutylene market is very small. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10371. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of MDVIP by Charlesbank Capital Partners and Goldman Sachs

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of MDVIP, Inc. by Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC (‘Charlesbank') and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (‘Goldman Sachs'), all three of the US. MDVIP operates a network of physicians in the US who provide membership-based primary care services, with a focus on personalised medicine, patient-centered and preventive care. Charlesbank is a private equity firm with portfolio companies active in business services, consumer, healthcare, industrial, technology and technology infrastructure, primarily in North America. Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a range of services worldwide to corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given its limited impact 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.10469. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NextGenerationEU: President von der Leyen in Finland and Estonia to present the Commission's assessment of national recovery and resilience plans

On Monday, 4 October, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will travel to Finland to present the Commission's assessment of the country's recovery and resilience plan. In Helsinki, the President will meet Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Together, the President and the Prime Minister will visit the VTT Technical Research Centre, which hosts a quantum computer and which will receive funding thanks to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The visit will be followed by a press conference which will be live on EbS. The following day, on Tuesday, President von der Leyen will be in Tallinn, to present the Commission's assessment of Estonia's recovery and resilience plan. The President will meet Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and, together, they will visit several projects, including the passenger terminal of Rail Baltic and the e-Estonia Briefing Centre. The former will receive funding from the RRF. At the end of the visit, the President and the Prime Minister will hold a press conference, which will be broadcast on EbS. Before departing, President von der Leyen will open the High-Level Recovery Seminar ‘Recovering Stronger from the Crisis'. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Veerle Nuyts - Tel.: +32 229 96302)

Le vice-président exécutif Timmermans en Égypte pour coprésider la conférence ministérielle de l'Union pour la Méditerranée sur l'environnement et l'action pour le climat

Le lundi, Frans Timmermans, le vice-président exécutif en charge du Pacte vert européen, se rendra en Égypte pour présider la deuxième conférence ministérielle de l'Union pour la Méditerranée (UpM) sur l'environnement et l'action pour le climat. Quelques semaines avant la COP 26, cette conférence intervient à un moment décisif pour l'action pour le climat au niveau régional et mondial. Le Groupe d'experts intergouvernemental sur l'évolution du climat (IPCC) et le réseau d'experts méditerranéens sur le changement climatique (MedECC) ont souligné encore une fois que la Méditerranée est une des zones du monde la plus à risque du changement climatique. Au cours de la journée, le vice-président exécutif Timmermans aura des réunions bilatérales avec Nasser Kamel, Secrétaire général de l'UpM ; et Yasmine Fouad, ministre de l'Environnement de la République arabe d'Égypte. Une déclaration et un communiqué de presse seront publiés à l'issue de la conférence lundi, et seront disponibles ici. Mardi, le vice-président exécutif rencontrera Mustafa Madbouly, Premier ministre de la République arabe d'Égypte; et Hala Al-Said, ministre de la Planification et du Développement économique du pays. (Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie - Tél.: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo - Tél.: +32 229 81325)

CALENDAR - Commissioners' weekly activities

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.