Daily News 03 / 01 / 2022

NextGenerationEU: la Commission verse un premier paiement de 10 milliards d'euros à l'Espagne au titre de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience

Le 27 décembre, la Commission a versé à l'Espagne le premier paiement de 10 milliards d'euros de soutien financier non remboursable (hors préfinancement) au titre de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience (FRR). Les paiements effectués par l'Espagne au titre de la FRR sont fondés sur les performances et dépendent de la mise en œuvre par l'Espagne des investissements et des réformes décrits dans son plan pour la reprise et la résilience. Le 11 novembre 2021, l'Espagne a présenté à la Commission une première demande de paiement de 10 milliards d'euros au titre de la FRR portant sur 52 étapes couvrant plusieurs réformes dans les domaines de la mobilité durable, de l'efficacité énergétique, de la décarbonisation, de la connectivité, de l'administration publique, des compétences, de l'éducation et de la politique sociale, du travail et de la politique budgétaire. Le 3 décembre 2021, la Commission a adopté une évaluation préliminaire positive de la demande de paiement de l'Espagne. L'avis favorable du Comité économique et financier du Conseil sur la demande de paiement a ouvert la voie à l'adoption par la Commission d'une décision finale de décaissement des fonds. Le plan global pour la reprise et la résilience de l'Espagne sera financé par 69,5 milliards d'euros sous forme de subventions. Les montants des paiements versés aux États membres sont publiés sur le tableau de bord pour la reprise et la résilience, qui montre les progrès réalisés dans la mise en œuvre de la FRR dans son ensemble et des plans individuels pour la reprise et la résilience. Plus d'informations sur le processus de demande de paiement dans le cadre de la FRR sont disponibles dans ce document questions-réponses. Plus d'informations sur le plan espagnol pour la reprise et la résilience sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500; Andrea Masini – Tél.: +32 229 91519)

Commission supports Croatia with €319 million for the series of earthquakes in Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac and Zagreb Counties

The Commission has adopted the financing decision awarding €319 million of EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) support to Croatia following the devastating series of earthquakes that hit Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac and Zagreb Counties in December 2020 and January 2021. €41 million were already paid to Croatia as an advance in August 2021. The balance payment of around €277.8 million was executed on 30 December 2021. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira said: “Croatia has gone through two terrible earthquakes in March 2020 and again a series of earthquakes in December 2020 and January 2021. The financial support from the EU Solidarity Fund to Croatia will contribute to the essential recovery efforts after the devastation brought by the earthquakes and it is a visible sign of EU solidarity.” This catastrophe came only a few months after the devastating earthquake that hit Zagreb and its surroundings in March 2020, for which the Commission granted EUSF support for about €684 million to Croatia in 2020. This financial support will help finance the restoration of key infrastructure in the field of energy, water and wastewater, telecommunications, transport, health and education. The press release is available online. (For more information: McPhie Tim – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

NextGenerationEU: Commission receives payment request from Greece for €3.6 billion payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

The Commission has on 29 December 2021 received the first payment request from Greece under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Greece has sent a request to the Commission for a disbursement of €3.6 billion in financial support (net of pre-financing). Greece's overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by €17.77 billion in grants and €12.73 billion in loans. Greece's payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Greece implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan. Greece's first payment request relates to 15 milestones covering several reforms and investments in the areas of energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, waste management and civil protection, active labour market policies, healthcare, tax administration, justice, business extroversion, and the audit and control system linked to the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Two of the milestones and targets concern the first steps of the implementation of the loan part of the Facility. The Commission now has two months to assess the request. It will then send its preliminary assessment of Greece's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee (EFC). More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on the Greek recovery and resilience plan is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 1519)

NextGenerationEU: Commission receives payment request from Italy for €21 billion payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

The Commission has on 30 December 2021 received the first payment request from Italy under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Italy has sent a request to the Commission for a disbursement of €21 billion in financial support (net of pre-financing). Italy's overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by €68.9 billion in grants and € 122.6 billion in loans. Italy's payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Italy implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan. Italy's first payment request relates to 51 milestones covering several reforms in the areas of areas of justice, public administration, audit and control, education, active labour market policies, digital and tourist sectors as well as simplification of legislation in sectors like waste, water and rail transport. The Commission now has two months to assess the request. It will then send its preliminary assessment of Italy's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee (EFC). More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on the Italian recovery and resilience plan is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 1519)

Three new European Capitals of Culture in 2022

Since 1 January 2022, three cities in Europe hold the title of European Capital of Culture for one year: Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Novi Sad (Serbia). Holding the title of European Capital of Culture gives cities the chance to boost their image, put themselves on the world map, promote sustainable tourism and rethink their development through culture. Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said: “During the pandemic, culture was vital in our societies. It enabled the circulation of ideas and brought our communities closer together, beyond borders. This is exactly the ambition of the European Capitals of Culture initiative, which comes back in force in 2022 with three dynamic title-holders. I hope that Esch-sur-Alzette, Kaunas and Novi Sad will harness the full potential of culture to enrich our life experience and showcase their many positive impacts in terms of social integration, territorial cohesion and economic growth.” Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: “The European Capital of Culture initiative illustrates the importance of culture in promoting the values on which our European Union is built: diversity, solidarity, respect, tolerance and openness. A successful Capital of Culture is a capital that is open to the world, illustrating our Union's willingness to promote culture as a driver for peace and mutual understanding worldwide. It is also inclusive and a tool to reach out, in particular the younger generation with the view to empowering it to become an actor of positive changes in the further development of our cities. This is also the ambition of the Union's European Year of Youth 2022. I wish Novi Sad, Kaunas and Esch every success all along the year and beyond.” After Luxembourg city in 1995 and 2007, this is now the turn of Esch-sur-Alzette, the second largest city in the country, to be crowned European Capital of Culture. Kaunas is the second city in Lithuania to hold the European Capital of Culture title after Vilnius in 2009. Kaunas' modernist architecture, which received the European Heritage Label, will get renewed attention and host many cultural events. Novi Sad is the first European Capital of Culture in Serbia. The yearlong cultural programme of Novi Sad aims to further connect the city's and region's cultural community and inhabitants with the EU and reinforce their links with the rest of the Western Balkans area. More information is available online. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

Digital contracts: EU rules on digital content and sale of goods enter into application

On 1 January, new EU rules on digital content and on the sale of goods entered into application. From now on, it will be easier for consumers and businesses to buy and sell digital content, digital services and goods and 'smart goods' across the EU. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, said: “2022 is starting off on a very positive note for EU consumers and businesses. EU consumers will now have the same rights in case of problems or defects with digital content, digital services, or smart products as they have with any other goods, wherever they bought those goods and services from in the EU. Our harmonised rules do not only strengthen consumers' rights, they will also encourage businesses to sell their goods and services across the EU by providing legal certainty. This will help consumers in millions of everyday transactions. I call on those Member States that have not yet transposed the new rules to do so without delay.” With the new rules on digital contracts, consumers will be protected when digital content (e.g. downloaded music or software) and digital services are faulty. They will have a legal right to a solution for example a price reduction or terminate the contract and get a refund. The sale of goods directive will ensure the same level of protection for consumers when shopping online from across the EU or in a store, and cover all goods including goods with digital components (e.g. a smart fridge). The new rules maintain the two years minimum guarantee period from the time the consumer receives the good and provide for a one-year period for the reversed burden of proof in favour of the consumer. In practice, it means that during the first year, it will be up to the seller to prove that the good was not faulty from the start. The majority of Member States have fully transposed both the Directive on digital content and the Directive on the sale of goods. The Commission will closely monitor the transposition for the remaining Member States. In fact, several Infringement procedures against Member States that have not yet notified their transposition measures are already ongoing. More information can be found on the pages on digital contract rules and in the factsheet. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: +32 229 63444)

Taxinomie de l'UE: la Commission entame des consultations auprès d'experts sur un acte délégué complémentaire couvrant certaines activités dans les secteurs du nucléaire et du gaz

La Commission européenne a entamé des consultations avec le groupe d'experts des États membres sur la finance durable et avec la plateforme sur la finance durable concernant un projet d'acte délégué complémentaire sur la taxinomie couvrant certaines activités dans les secteurs du gaz et du nucléaire. La taxinomie de l'UE permet de guider et de mobiliser les investissements privés en faveur des activités nécessaires pour parvenir à la neutralité climatique dans les 30 prochaines années. Sur la base d'avis scientifiques et compte tenu des progrès technologiques actuels, ainsi que des difficultés variables auxquelles les États membres sont confrontés dans cette transition, la Commission considère que le gaz naturel et le nucléaire ont un rôle à jouer pour faciliter le passage vers un avenir s'appuyant majoritairement sur les énergies renouvelables. Dans le cadre de la taxinomie, il s'agirait donc de classer ces sources d'énergie en fonction de critères clairs et rigoureux (par exemple, le gaz doit provenir de sources renouvelables ou produire peu d'émissions d'ici à 2035), en particulier au regard de leur contribution à la transition vers la neutralité climatique. Le règlement sur la taxinomie prévoit que la plateforme sur la finance durable et le groupe d'experts des États membres sur la finance durable doivent être consultés, en leur qualité d'experts, sur tous les actes délégués au titre dudit règlement. Ils auront jusqu'au 12 janvier pour apporter leurs contributions. La Commission analysera leurs contributions et adoptera formellement l'acte délégué complémentaire en janvier 2022. Celui-ci sera ensuite transmis aux colégislateurs pour examen. Un communiqué de presse et une fiche d'information sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Daniel Ferrie - Tél.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tél.: +32 229 87624)

Vingt ans avec l'euro en poche

Il y a vingt ans, le 1er janvier 2002, douze pays de l'UE renonçaient à leurs billets et pièces nationaux pour passer à l'euro, lors de ce qui a constitué le plus grand changement de monnaie de l'histoire. Au cours de ces deux décennies, l'euro a contribué à la stabilité, à la compétitivité et à la prospérité des économies européennes. Surtout, il a amélioré la vie des citoyens et permis de faire plus facilement des affaires dans toute l'Europe et au-delà. Grâce à l'euro, il est devenu bien plus simple d'épargner, d'investir, de voyager et de faire des affaires. Ursula von der Leyen, présidente de la Commission européenne, a déclaré à cette occasion: « Cela fait à présent vingt ans que nous, Européens, pouvons porter l'Europe en poche. L'euro n'est pas que l'une des monnaies les plus puissantes au monde. Il est avant tout un symbole de l'unité européenne. Sur les billets en euros sont représentés, d'un côté, des ponts, de l'autre, une porte parce que c'est ce que l'euro symbolise. Monnaie de l'avenir, l'euro deviendra également, dans les prochaines années, une monnaie numérique. L'euro reflète aussi nos valeurs; le monde dans lequel nous voulons vivre. C'est la monnaie mondiale des investissements durables. Nous pouvons tous en être fiers. » Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500; Andrea Masini – Tél.: +32 229 91519)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of WarnerMedia by Discovery

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of WarnerMedia by Discovery Inc., both of the US. WarnerMedia is a global media and entertainment company, active in the development, production, licensing and distribution of feature films, television, gaming and other content. Discovery is a global media company that licences and provides audio-visual content to viewers through multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay television, free-to-air (‘FTA'), and direct-to-consumers subscription services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given that, following the transaction, the combined entity would continue to face sufficient competition from other players. In addition, the Commission found no competition concerns stemming from the vertical and conglomerate links between the activities of the companies, since the latter would not have the ability nor the incentive to engage in foreclosure practices. More information will be available on the competition website, in the Commission's public case register under the case number M.10343. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

High Representative/Vice-President Borrell in Ukraine tomorrow

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will be travelling to Ukraine on 4-6 January. His first foreign trip this year underscores EU's strong support to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity at a time when the country is confronted with Russian military build-up and hybrid actions. The HRVP, accompanied by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, will first visit the east of Ukraine and the line of contact. He will then travel to Kyiv where he will meet with Ukrainian authorities. The High Representative will address the press on Wednesday at 12.00. Video recordings will be available on EbS. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Zoï Muletier - Tel: +32 229 94306)

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.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

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