Daily News 02 / 06 / 2022

Commission proposes to increase EU aid under the EU school scheme to the countries catering for displaced Ukrainian children

Today, the European Commission published a regulation allowing for an internal redistribution of the EU aid under the EU school scheme to cater for displaced Ukrainian children enrolled in EU schools. The EU school scheme aims at promoting healthy eating and balanced diets through the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk products to schoolchildren, while also proposing educational programmes on agriculture and good nutrition. For 2020-2021, around 15 million schoolchildren benefited from it in the EU.  The total EU budget for the scheme amounts to €220.8 million per school year, consisting of up to €130.6 million for fruit and vegetables and up to €90.1 million for milk. This budget is broken down into national allocations fixed by the Commission based on the Member States' requests. Today's regulation invites Member States to review their requests for EU aid for the next school year, running from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023, in the light of the unprecedented situation calling for solidarity to ease the burden on those in the frontline for action to cater for the displaced Ukrainian children. Member States can submit by 15 June the additional amount requested or the amount of their allocation not requested. The Commission will decide by 15 July 2022 on the new allocations for the next school year in light of the notifications received, by redirecting the unused amounts to the countries welcoming the highest number of Ukrainian children. More information about the EU school scheme is available online. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer - Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel.: +32 229 63303)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE : la Commission adopte un accord de partenariat de 18,4 milliards d'euros avec la France pour la période 2021-2027

La Commission a adopté aujourd'hui son accord de partenariat avec la France, établissant une stratégie d'investissement d'un montant de 18,4 milliards d'euros au titre du financement de la politique de cohésion pour la période 2021-2027. Les fonds permettront à la France de promouvoir la cohésion économique, sociale et territoriale, tout en faisant évoluer les priorités clés de l'UE telles que la transition écologique et numérique. Les fonds contribueront également à la compétitivité des régions françaises, tout en remédiant aux disparités territoriales entre zones rurales et urbaines, notamment en matière d'accès aux soins de santé et aux services sociaux. L'accord de partenariat définit les priorités des fonds de la politique de cohésion et en prépare la mise en œuvre sur le terrain. L'accord de partenariat avec la France couvre 23 programmes : 4 programmes nationaux, 19 programmes régionaux et 18 programmes INTERREG. De plus, il établit l'éligibilité et la mise en œuvre du Fonds pour une transition juste dans les régions dont les installations industrielles à forte intensité en carbone sont les plus touchées par la transition climatique. En outre, l'accord de partenariat reflète l'engagement fort de la France en faveur d'une utilisation coordonnée des fonds de la politique de cohésion et ceux en faveur de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience. Dans le cadre de la politique de cohésion, et en coopération avec la Commission, chaque État membre prépare un accord de partenariat, un document stratégique de programmation des investissements des fonds de la politique de cohésion et du Fonds européen pour les affaires maritimes, la pêche et l'aquaculture dans le cadre financier pluriannuel. Il se concentre sur les priorités de l'UE, définit la stratégie et les priorités d'investissement identifiées par l'État membre, et présente une liste de programmes nationaux et régionaux à mettre en œuvre sur le terrain, y compris l'allocation financière annuelle indicative pour chaque programme. L'accord de partenariat avec la France fait suite à ceux de la Grèce, de l'Allemagne, de la Lituanie, de l'Autriche, de la Finlande, de la Tchéquie et du Danemark. Plus de détails dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations : Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tél. : +32 229 84680 ; Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229 87269)

Coronavirus: Commission secures an agreement with Moderna to adapt delivery schedules to Member States' needs

The Commission and the vaccine developer Moderna have reached an agreement to ensure that the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is adapted to the needs of Member States. On the basis of this agreement, the company will postpone the delivery of some doses initially planned for the second quarter of 2022, to later in the year. In addition, should an adapted vaccine receive an EU marketing authorisation following the assessment of the European Medicines Agency, a part of the doses scheduled for April, May and June may be delivered as booster vaccines adapted to the current COVID-19 variants from September and during the autumn and winter months of 2022. The agreement will also allow the delivery of vaccines adapted to future variants, after approval by the European Medicines Agency, so that Member States can respond to any epidemiological developments later this year and continue to support partner countries globally. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “This is the second agreement with vaccine manufacturers to optimise supply arrangements and align them with current demand levels in our Member States. I very much welcome today's agreement on more flexible delivery arrangements for the Moderna vaccine to respond to our Member States' needs. We continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to provide further support to Member States national vaccination campaigns.” This amendment is part of an ongoing process whereby the Commission and Member States are working closely with the EU's vaccine suppliers to address the evolving pandemic needs. The Commission intends to finalise further such agreements in the near future. In 2020, the European Union invested heavily in the global production of a number of COVID-19 vaccines. It was crucial to have vaccines as early as possible and at the scale needed, requiring important investments before knowing whether any of these vaccines would prove successful. In cooperation with the manufacturers, the Commission continues to facilitate further exchanges of doses between Member States to better address their needs, especially for the autumn and winter season. More details in the press release. (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Incendies de forêt: L'UE assure la présence de pompiers européens en Grèce tout au long de la saison des incendies de 2022

Financés et coordonnés dans le cadre du mécanisme de protection civile de l'UE, plus de 200 pompiers et équipements techniques venant de Bulgarie, de Finlande, de France, d'Allemagne, de Roumanie et de Norvège seront placés dans le pays afin de permettre un soutien immédiat aux premiers intervenants grecs en cas d'incendies de forêt de grande ampleur. « Il est clair que nous sommes confrontés à un changement climatique global et que cela exige de nous, Européens, une réponse commune. En août 2021, la Grèce a connu environ des chiffres de 65 incendies de forêt simultanés par jour, les températures moyennes étant souvent supérieures à 40 °C. Avec les autorités grecques, nous avons donc convenu de la présence en stand-by de plus de 200 pompiers hautement qualifiés provenant de l'ensemble de notre continent pour soutenir les premiers intervenants nationaux lorsque les incendies se déclarent. Cela permettra non seulement une réponse rapide, mais aussi d'assurer un important échange de pratiques pour tous les pompiers impliqués et je remercie tous les pays participant à cette opération », a déclaré Janez Lenarčič, commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises. Cette coopération renforcée des services d'incendie européens avec la Grèce fait suite à la saison des incendies de forêt particulièrement féroce de 2021. Elle vient s'ajouter aux mesures prises par l'UE en matière de préparation aux incendies de forêt, qui comprennent également la flotte d'avions bombardier d'eau rescEU mise à la disposition des États membres et des États participants au mécanisme de protection civile de l'UE. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: + 32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tél.: + 32 229 69140)

State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Finland

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Finland's map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid Guidelines ('RAG'). The revised RAG, adopted by the Commission on 19 April 2021 and in force since 1 January 2022, enable Member States to support the least favoured European regions in catching up and to reduce disparities in terms of economic well-being, income and unemployment – cohesion objectives that are at the heart of the Union. They also provide increased possibilities for Member States to support regions facing transition or structural challenges such as depopulation, to contribute fully to the green and digital transitions. At the same time, the revised RAG maintain strong safeguards to prevent Member States from using public money to trigger the relocation of jobs from one EU Member State to another, which is essential for fair competition in the Single Market. Finland's regional aid map defines the Finnish regions eligible for regional investment aid. The map also establishes the maximum aid intensities in the eligible regions. The aid intensity is the maximum amount of State aid that can be granted per beneficiary, expressed as a percentage of eligible investment costs. Under the revised RAG, regions covering 26.86% of the population of Finland will be eligible for regional investment aid under the derogation of Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU'). A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €10 billion Spanish scheme to support companies in context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved an up to €10 billion Spanish scheme ('National Guarantee Scheme') to support self-employed and companies across sectors in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU'), recognising that the EU economy is experiencing a serious disturbance. The measure will be open to companies active in all sectors affected by the crisis, except credit and financial institutions. The eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to receive limited amounts of aid and liquidity support in the form of guarantees on loans. The Commission concluded that the Spanish scheme 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 Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €10 billion scheme will enable Spain to mitigate the economic impact of Putin's war in Ukraine and to further support companies across sectors affected by the current geopolitical crisis. We continue to stand with Ukraine and its people. At the same time, we continue working closely with Member States to ensure that national support measures can be put in place in a timely, coordinated and effective way, while protecting the level playing field in the Single Market.” A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million Lithuanian scheme to support companies in context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €20 million Lithuanian scheme to support companies across sectors in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU'), recognising that the EU economy is experiencing a serious disturbance. Under this measure, which will be administered by the State guarantee institution INVEGA, the aid will take the form of guarantees on new loans and financial leases. The measure will be open to companies across sectors, with the exception of credit and financial institutions. The eligible beneficiaries will be entitled to receive new loans and engage in financial leases that will be covered by a State guarantee not exceeding 90% of the loan or lease amount. Losses will be sustained proportionally by credit institutions and the State. The Commission concluded that the Lithuanian scheme 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 Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure under EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This €20 million scheme will enable Lithuania to mitigate the economic impact of Putin's war in Ukraine and to further support companies across sectors affected by the current crisis and the related sanctions. We continue to stand with Ukraine and its people. At the same time, we continue working closely with Member States to ensure that national support measures can be put in place in a timely, coordinated and effective way, while protecting the level playing field in the Single Market.” A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €8 million Slovenian scheme under Recovery and Resilience Facility to support rail freight transport

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €8 million Slovenian scheme to encourage freight transport to shift from road to rail and to remove barriers to interoperability. The scheme will be funded through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF'), following the Commission's positive assessment of the Slovenian Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by Council. The aim of the scheme is to remove technical barriers to rail interoperability, and to promote the modal shift of freight transport from road to rail, which is a greener mode of transport. Under the scheme, the support will take the form of direct grants to rail freight companies to finance the integration of the European Train Control System (‘ETCS') Level 2 into the existing rolling stock. The ETCS is the signalling and control component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The scheme will therefore support the implementation of the ERTMS, which enhances cross-border rail interoperability and improves the competitiveness of rail transport. The scheme will run until 30 June 2026. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on transport coordination, and the 2008 Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and proportionate to support interoperability and promote the use of rail transport, which is less polluting than road transport and reduces road congestion. The measure will be beneficial both for the environment and for mobility. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid will have an 'incentive effect' as the beneficiaries would not carry out the investments in the absence of the public support. The Commission therefore concluded that the measure will contribute to transport coordination and facilitate the shift of freight transport from road to rail, in line with the objectives of the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the European Green Deal, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. The Commission assesses measures entailing State aid contained in the national recovery plans presented in the context of the RRF as a matter of priority and has provided guidance and support to Member States in the preparatory phases of the national plans, to facilitate the rapid deployment of the RRF. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.100432 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission approves €4.3 million Romanian scheme to support airport operators in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €4.3 million (RON 21.37 million) Romanian scheme to support airport operators in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to the airport operators managing the airports Bacău, Craiova, Iași, Sibiu, Suceava and the Timisoara International Airport. The scheme aims at covering the losses they incurred between January  and June 2022 and at helping them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The Commission found that the Romanian 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) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 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.102939 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Cerner by Oracle

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Cerner Corporation (‘Cerner') by Oracle Corporation (‘Oracle'), both of the US.  Cerner supplies enterprise applications software and services specifically designed for healthcare providers, as well as clinical research solutions supporting life sciences companies. Oracle develops, produces, markets and distributes information technology solutions, including infrastructure software and services, enterprise hardware and enterprise applications software. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that there are no overlaps between the companies' activities and the merged entity would not have the ability to engage in foreclosure practices. 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.10643. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of UMAX and ILS by Isuzu and Itochu

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of UMAX and ILS by Isuzu and Itochu, all of Japan. UMAX is active in the truck auction business, the purchase, sale and online trade of used trucks in Japan. ILS is active in commercial vehicle leasing and maintenance contract services in Japan. Isuzu is active in the manufacture and supply of motor vehicles and engine components. Itochu is active in the import, export and overseas trading in a wide range of industries. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given it would have limited impact in the market of commercial automotive leasing and truck auctioning 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.10736. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Announcements

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis in Zagreb to discuss the economic outlook and Croatia's readiness to join the euro area

Today, the Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will be in Zagreb, Croatia. He met this morning with Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of Croatia, and Zdravko Marić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. The meeting was followed by a press point where the Executive Vice-President took the occasion to congratulate Croatia, its people and its leaders on meeting the accession criteria to join the euro area. He said: “The Convergence Report that the European Commission and the European Central Bank published yesterday paves the way for Croatia's entry in the euro area as of 1 January 2023, and it completes Croatia's integration in the European Union less than a decade after its accession.”  He then met with Gordan Jandroković, Speaker of the Parliament of Croatia, as well as the chairpersons of the different parliamentary committees. He will continue by visiting the Croatian National Bank, where he will meet with Boris Vujčić, Governor of the Croatian National Bank, and Zdravko Marić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. A press statement will follow at +/- 13:15 CEST. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 91519; Tommaso Alberini – Tel.: +32 229 57010)

Executive Vice-President Timmermans in Wrocław for site visits and meetings related to climate, research and innovation*

On Friday and Saturday, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will be in Wrocław, Poland to discuss climate, research and innovation with local representatives, stakeholders and citizens. Tomorrow morning, he will visit the Saule Technologies factory and laboratory, which makes perovskite solar cells for solar energy generation. Later, the Executive Vice-President will participate in a roundtable focused on innovation with clean tech stakeholders. He will then visit a secondary school and meet young students from Wrocław and visiting students from the Dutch city of Breda to discuss peace, education, multiculturalism and climate change. A working dinner with the Mayor of Wrocław, Jacek Sutryk, and Mayor of Breda, Paul Depla, is scheduled that evening. On Saturday, he will participate together with Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, in the event ‘A Europe of Equal Opportunities' at the Wrocław Congress Center. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 229 58661)

Commissioner Schmit in Italy to speak at Festival dell'Economia in Trento and visit EU funded projects

Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, is in Italy on Friday and Saturday (3-4 June) for a series of events, meetings and project visits. On Friday, the Commissioner will be in Venice, Italy where he will participate at the Geneva Association General Assembly 2022, intervening in the panel discussion entitled ‘The Social Dimension of Sustainability'. He will also meet with the Minister for Economic Development, Giancarlo Giorgetti, and then visit restoration fieldwork at Palazzo Corner Mocenigo managed by the Istituto Veneto per i Beni Culturali which is supported by the European Social Fund. Commissioner Schmit will then travel to Verona where he will visit the site of the ‘Brescia - Verona - Padova High-Speed / High-Capacity Railway' which is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. On Saturday, he will travel to Trento where he will participate at the Festival dell'Economia, intervening in the panel entitled ‘How the labour market and trade unions are changing'. Commissioner Schmit will also have meetings with the Minister of Public Administration, Renato Brunetta, and the Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Mobility, Enrico Giovannini. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts - Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes - Tel.: +32 229 83951)

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

*UPDATED on 2 June 2022, at 14:20