Daily News 25 / 03 / 2022

The European Commission and the United States open new chapter in their energy cooperation

President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Joe Biden met this morning in Brussels. They committed to working together to support Europe's energy security for the coming winters and to sustainably reduce Europe's energy dependency on Russia by investing in the clean energy transition. The United States will strive to ensure additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) volumes for the EU market of at least 15 bcm in 2022 with expected increases going forward. In parallel, the Commission will work with the governments of EU Member States to accelerate review and permit procedures for LNG infrastructure. The Commission will also work with EU Member States and market operators to pool demand through a newly established EU Energy platform to ensure a large, stable market for additional US LNG in until at least 2030. Together the EU and US will make available stable, affordable, reliable and clean energy supplies to citizens and businesses in the EU and its neighbouring partner nations.The full statement is available in English, French and German. The two Presidents also delivered press statements, which can be watched again here. President von der Leyen's remarks can be read here. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150)

Ukraine : L'UE achemine une aide supplémentaire, des véhicules de secours et du matériel d'urgence 

L'UE continue d'acheminer une aide d'urgence à l'Ukraine et aux pays voisins en offrant des millions d'articles de première nécessité tels que des médicaments, des équipements pour abris et de la nourriture. Une nouvelle livraison à grande échelle a lieu cette semaine. Elle comprend un convoi de véhicules, dont 21 ambulances, 11 camions de pompiers, 16 véhicules de secours et 23 camions transportant 49 tonnes d'équipements de santé et d'urgence. Le convoi d'aide est offert par la France via le mécanisme de protection civile de l'UE et arrivera au centre de protection civile de l'UE en Roumanie, d'où il sera envoyé en Ukraine. Outre la France, tous les pays de l'UE, ainsi que la Norvège et la Turquie, ont offert une aide d'urgence à l'Ukraine par l'intermédiaire du mécanisme de protection civile de l'UE, ce qui en fait la plus grande opération jamais réalisée dans le cadre de ce mécanisme. Le Commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarčič, a déclaré : « Chaque jour, nous sommes témoins de l'extraordinaire solidarité des pays européens dans leur soutien à l'Ukraine. Aujourd'hui, une autre livraison importante d'ambulances, de véhicules de pompiers et d'autres équipements d'urgence est en route depuis la France vers notre plateforme logistique en Roumanie. L'Union européenne travaille 24 heures sur 24 et 7 jours sur 7 pour coordonner ces livraisons d'aide d'urgence en provenance de toute l'Europe à destination de l'Ukraine et de ses pays voisins soumis à la pression de l'afflux de réfugiés. » Les plus vulnérables parmi les millions de personnes qui fuient la guerre en Ukraine sont les malades chroniques qui ont désespérément besoin de soins médicaux spécialisés. L'UE coordonne également des opérations d'évacuation médicale via le mécanisme de protection civile de l'UE afin de transférer les patients vers des hôpitaux où ils pourront recevoir les soins appropriés à leur état. Huit patients ont déjà été transportés de Pologne en Allemagne, en Irlande, en Italie et en Norvège, et de nombreuses autres évacuations médicales sont en cours. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tél.: +32 229 69140).

Loi sur les marchés numériques: La Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur les règles visant à garantir des marchés numériques équitables et ouverts

La Commission se félicite de l'accord politique rapide conclu hier entre le Parlement européen et les États membres de l'UE concernant la loi sur les marchés numériques. Ce règlement, adopté un peu plus d'un an après avoir été proposé, est l'une des premières initiatives de ce type à réglementer de manière exhaustive le pouvoir de contrôle des plus grandes entreprises numériques. Ce texte s'appliquera aux « gatekeepers », des entreprises qui créent des goulots d'étranglement entre les entreprises et les consommateurs, et qui contrôlent parfois même des écosystèmes entiers, composés de différentes plateformes de services telles que les marchés en ligne, les systèmes d'exploitation, les services en nuage ou les moteurs de recherche en ligne. Ces gatekeepers seront soumis à un certain nombre d'obligations et d'interdictions clairement définies. Celles-ci sont établies par référence aux pratiques de marché les plus déloyales, ou aux pratiques qui créent ou renforcent les barrières pour les autres entreprises, dans le but général de garantir la contestabilité des services numériques des gatekeepers. Cette loi sur les marchés numériques fait partie de la réforme ambitieuse de l'espace numérique, avec la loi sur les services numériques, qui vise à garantir un environnement en ligne sûr et responsable. L'accord politique obtenu par le Parlement européen et le Conseil est maintenant soumis à l'approbation formelle des deux co-législateurs. Une fois adopté, ce règlement sera directement applicable dans toute l'UE et s'appliquera six mois après son entrée en vigueur. Vous trouvez plus d'information dans ce communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615; Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Charles Manoury – Tél.: +32 229 13391; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Commissioner Wojciechowski and European partner organisations launch the applications for the first EU organic awards

Today, Commissioner for agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski launched the applications for the first ever EU organic awards alongside representatives of the awards' co-organisers, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, Copa-Cogeca and IFOAM Organics Europe. These awards, a first at EU level, will raise awareness amongst the wider public about organic production and its benefit by putting in the spotlight innovative and sustainable projects. Opening the launch event this morning, Commissioner Wojciechowski said: “Last year, in our Action Plan for the development of organic production, we announced the creation of these awards. Today, they are a reality. Together with co-organisers of the EU organic awards, I look forward to seeing the wide range of projects, which will display the leadership of the EU in organic production. We are on the right path but we can do better, both in terms of production and consumption. Organic has the potential to make our food systems more resilient and sustainable.” Eight awards within seven categories will be given out, including best organic farmer (female and male), best organic region, best organic city, best organic bio-district, best organic SME, best organic food retailer and best organic restaurant. The European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, Copa-Cogeca and IFOAM Organics Europe will manage the individual categories, and the Council and the Parliament will be fully involved in the evaluation process, making it a true EU cooperative project. The application period for the awards opens on 25 March and runs until 8 June. An award ceremony will be held on EU Organic Day, 23 September 2022. More information is available on the dedicated EU Organic Awards page. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer - Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel.: +32 229 63303)

State aid: Commission approves €200 million Italian scheme to support the retail trade sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €200 million Italian scheme to support  the retail trade sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to companies carrying out retail trade as main activity, whose revenues did not exceed €2 million in 2019 and that suffered a decline in turnover of at least 30% in 2021, compared to 2019. The aid amount per beneficiary will be calculated based on the difference between its average monthly revenues in 2021 and those recorded in 2019. The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. 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.102012 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €50 million Irish scheme to support the beef sector affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €50 million Irish scheme to support the beef sector affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to farmers and companies active in the beef sector in Ireland. The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Irish scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid will not exceed €270,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission therefore 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 scheme 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.102196 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €13.9 million Croatian scheme to support fishery and aquaculture sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has found a €13.9 million (HRK 105 million) scheme to support Croatian fishery and aquaculture sector affected by the coronavirus pandemic to be in line with the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme is a re-introduction of a measure initially approved by the Commission in April 2020 (SA. 56998) and subsequently amended. The original scheme, as amended, expired on 31 December 2021. Croatia notified the re-introduction of the scheme until 30 June 2022. In addition, it notified the following amendments, namely: (i) an overall budget increase by €9.9 million (HRK 75 million); and (ii) a change in the calculation method of the aid amount per beneficiary, based on vessel lengths and fishing techniques. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The aim of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Croatian scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €345,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission therefore 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 scheme 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.102126 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gulf: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell travels to Qatar and Kuwait to discuss bilateral ties and global security

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell is travelling to Qatar and Kuwait over the weekend to participate in the Doha Forum 2022, as well as to exchange with Qatari and Kuwaiti counterparts on bilateral relations, international cooperation and threats to global security after Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. With this visit, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell continues the EU's diplomatic outreach to the Gulf region, which he toured last October, and with which the EU is working on a strengthened partnership. On Saturday, he will participate in the Doha Forum, a key platform to discuss global challenges and for engagement with partners from around the world on issues dominating the international agenda. He will speak in the opening session and address the changing geopolitical landscape and wider global challenges, in particular the damaging consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine for global security and the world economy. High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will also have bilateral meetings in the margins, with Qatari and other international partners. On Sunday, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will travel to Kuwait for a first formal bilateral visit. Audio-visual coverage of the visit will be available on EbS. To watch live the sessions of the Doha Forum, register here. More information on the visit will be shared via EEAS channels. (For more information: Peter Stano - Tel.: +32 229-54553; Lauranne Devillé - Tel: +32 229 80833)

Accueillir ceux qui fuient la guerre en Ukraine: Le vice-président Schinas et la commissaire Johansson à la réunion extraordinaire des ministres de l'intérieur lundi

Margaritis Schinas, vice-président chargé de la promotion de notre mode de vie européen, et Ylva Johansson, commissaire aux affaires intérieures, assisteront à une réunion extraordinaire des ministres de l'intérieur lundi après-midi à Bruxelles. Les ministres échangeront par vidéoconférence avec Denys Monastyrsky, ministre ukrainien de l'intérieur. Les discussions porteront ensuite sur le soutien de l'UE à l'accueil des personnes fuyant la guerre contre l'Ukraine, à la suite de la communication de la Commission du 23 mars sur comment préparer l'Europe à répondre aux besoins. Les participants échangeront sur la mise en œuvre du soutien opérationnel et financier aux États membres de l'UE, ainsi que sur le suivi et la coordination des mouvements de personnes au sein de l'UE. Ils discuteront également des engagements et des transferts depuis la Moldavie vers l'UE dans le cadre de la plateforme de solidarité, les premiers transferts depuis la Moldavie ayant débuté le 19 mars. Les ministres échangeront également sur la gestion des frontières extérieures de l'UE et les questions de sécurité. Une conférence de presse avec la participation de la commissaire Johansson aura lieu après la réunion et sera diffusée en direct sur EbS +. (Pour plus d'informations: Anitta Hipper — Tél.: +32 229 85691; Laura Bérard — Tél.: +32 229 55721)

Commissioner Kyriakides in Berlin to discuss support to Ukraine and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic

On Monday 28 March, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will be in Berlin, Germany, primarily as part of the Commission's commitment to support Ukrainian refugees in the area of health, as well as to discuss the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Commissioner will meet with Karl Lauterbach, Federal Minister of Germany for Health to discuss these important issues. Alongside Minister Lauterbach, she will also visit a refugee arrival centre at Berlin Tegel airport. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Kyriakides said: “Our Member States have shown tremendous solidarity in welcoming Ukrainian refugees with empathy and kindness, and providing them with all the support they may need. I look forward to seeing this first-hand in Berlin. We are faced with this humanitarian tragedy, at a time when COVID cases are starting to rise in Europe again and vaccination campaigns are stalling. I will have the opportunity to discuss with Minister Lauterbach the importance of united EU action to face these difficult situations”. (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Commissioner Gentiloni in Romania next week

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for the Economy, will be in Bucharest at the start of next week to discuss the economic outlook, as well as the situation in Romania one month after the start of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. On Monday, the Commissioner will be meeting with Adrian Câciu, Minister of Public Finance – followed by a short press statement – and Raed Arafat, Secretary of State and Head of the Emergency Situation Directorate, with whom the Commissioner will visit the humanitarian assistance site for refugees at Gara de Nord. In the afternoon, he will meet with Marcel Ciolacu, President of the Chamber of Deputies, followed by a meeting with Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania. On Tuesday, he will deliver an opening speech at The Economist conference: ‘Romanian Business & Investment roundtable', followed by a meeting with Mugur Isărescu, the Governor of the National Bank of Romania. Finally, later in the morning, Commissioner Gentiloni will meet with Nicolae Ciucă, Prime Minister of Romania. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini - Tel.: +32 229 91519)

Commissioner McGuinness in Dublin to discuss EU response to Ukraine, digital finance, capital markets union, sustainable finance, and financial literacy

On Monday 28 March, Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, will be in Dublin. She will meet with Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Finance and President of the Eurogroup. Commissioner McGuinness will attend a meeting of the Industry Advisory Committee, convened by Sean Fleming, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, to discuss the response to Ukraine, capital markets union, and sustainable finance. She will meet with the Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor, and senior management. Commissioner McGuinness will hold and exchange of views with fintech representatives at Dogpatch Labs, a startup hub, to discuss industry perspectives on digital finance. Later in the day, Commissioner McGuinness will hold a meeting on sustainable finance, and participates in a roundtable discussion on how to improve financial literacy and inclusion. The Commissioner will also meet with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, a sovereign development fund and a long-term investor in fintechs, to discuss digital finance and the Capital Markets Union. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

CALENDAR – Commissioners' Weekly Activities

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

The Berlaymont press room is open to a limited number of journalists. More information here.