Daily News 10 / 06 / 2022

Eurobaromètre Flash : Large soutien en faveur de l'introduction de l'euro dans les États membres qui ne l'ont pas encore adopté

Aujourd'hui la Commission a publié son Eurobaromètre Flash annuel sur l'introduction de l'euro dans les États membres qui n'ont pas encore adopté la monnaie commune. L'étude a été réalisée entre le 20 et le 29 avril 2022 en Bulgarie, en Croatie, en Tchéquie, en Hongrie, en Pologne, en Roumanie et en Suède. La nouvelle enquête montre un large soutien en faveur de l'euro: en moyenne, 60 % des personnes interrogées se sont dites favorables à l'introduction de la monnaie unique. Les avis les plus favorables sur l'adoption proviennent de la Roumanie (77% en faveur) et de la Hongrie (69 %), tandis que les moins favorables sont ceux de la Bulgarie, de la Tchéquie (44 % dans les deux cas) et de la Suède (45 %). Plus de la moitié des personnes interrogées estiment que l'introduction de  la devise commune aurait des conséquences positives pour leur pays (55 %). Toutefois, 56 % des gens ayant participé à l'enquête pensent aussi que l'introduction de l'euro causera une augmentation des prix. Par ailleurs, les résultats du sondage montrent que les citoyens des États membres n'appartenant pas encore à la zone euro,  sont plus sensibilisés à ce sujet qu'auparavant: 53 % des personnes interrogées se considèrent informées sur l'euro, contre 51% l'année dernière et 44% en 2015. L'Eurobaromètre Flash complet est disponible ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Andrea Masini — Tél.: + 32 229 91519).

Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen over alleged collective boycott

The European Commission has informed České dráhy (‘ČD') and Österreichische Bundesbahnen (‘ÖBB'), the Czech and Austrian rail incumbents, of its preliminary view that they have breached EU antitrust rules by colluding in the market for used passenger railway wagons with the aim to distort competition in the rail passenger transport market. The Commission preliminarily finds that, between 2012 and 2016, ČD and ÖBB engaged in a collective boycott aimed at maintaining their market position and impeding the expansion of RegioJet both in Czechia and on the international rail route between Prague and Vienna. If the Commission's preliminary view were confirmed, ČD's and ÖBB's conduct would infringe Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU') that prohibits anti-competitive business practices such as collusion. Sending a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “With healthy competition, European citizens benefit from good quality and affordable rail passenger services. Attractive rail passenger services also encourage travellers to shift from road to rail transport, which is essential for achieving the EU Green Deal's objectives. In today's Statement of Objections, we preliminarily found that ÖBB and ČD breached EU competition rules by colluding to hinder access to used wagons to a new entrant, RegioJet, restricting competition on the rail passenger transport market." A press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €400 million Portuguese recapitalisation scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €400 million Portuguese scheme to support strategic companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework and is included in the national Recovery and Resilience Plan. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of (i) equity instruments (including ordinary and preferred shares), (ii) hybrid instruments (convertible bonds), and (iii) a combination of equity and hybrid instruments. The investment amount per company is in principle limited to €10 million. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity and solvency needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. 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 aid measure under EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "Companies active in various sectors have seen their revenues significantly decline because of the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures in place. This €400 million Portuguese scheme will enable Portugal to support these companies by helping them meet their liquidity and solvency needs and ensuring the continuity of their activities. We continue to work in close cooperation with Member States to find workable solutions to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, in line with EU rules”. A press release is available online. (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 €24 million Italian scheme to support workers' cooperatives affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €24 million Italian scheme to support workers' cooperatives in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The measure will be open to workers' cooperatives established, as of 1 January 2022, under the form of small enterprises, in order to take over previous businesses heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme aims at reducing the labour costs borne by the eligible workers' cooperatives and ultimately at preserving and encouraging employment levels. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of an exemption from the payment of compulsory social security contributions (with the exception of those referred to insurance for accident at work) of the workers who set up the cooperative, for a maximum period of twenty-four months running  from the date of establishment of the workers' cooperative. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the aid 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.102967 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)

Mergers: Commission clears creation of joint venture by Repsol and Telefónica

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Repsol Customer Centric, S.L. (‘Repsol') and Telefónica de España, S.A.U., (‘Telefónica'), both of Spain. The joint venture will be active in the implementation of photovoltaic projects in Spain, mainly consisting in the acquisition, installation and maintenance of ground-level or rooftop solar panels for households' and businesses' self-consumption. Repsol is active, among other, in the commercialisation and transportation of oil and gas, the production and commercialisation of fuels, lubricants, and chemicals, as well as the development and management of service stations and the generation and commercialisation of electricity and gas. Telefónica is a global telecommunications and mobile network operator, operating under a number of brands, including Movistar, Virgin Media O2 and Vivo, representing mobile, landline, internet and television services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the limited overlaps and the fact that a number of strong players would remain in the market after the merger. 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.10623. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President von der Leyen visits Israel to deepen bilateral partnership

Monday 13 June and Tuesday 14, President von der Leyen will be in Israel, to take EU-Israeli relations forward, in particular on energy cooperation. With representatives of the Israeli government, the President will also discuss the global response to the food crisis and the situation in the Middle-East. On Monday afternoon, the President will meet Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Yair Lapid. On Tuesday, the President will receive an honorary doctorate degree from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where she will deliver a speech at 9:45 CEST. You can follow it live on EbS. Then, the President will travel to Ramallah, where she will meet the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammad Shtayyeh. In the afternoon, the President will be in Jerusalem for a meeting with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog. She will then visit Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem. In the evening, the President will meet Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett, with whom she will deliver a press statement. You can also watch the press statement it live on EbS. (For more information: Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150)

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis at the 12^th WTO Ministerial Conference

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will travel to Geneva to attend the World Trade Organization's (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) taking place on 12-15 June 2022 at the WTO headquarters. Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and Commissioner for Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius will also participate. Following many months of preparations, the EU will be working towards clinching key ministerial commitments related to WTO reform, food security, trade and health, sustainable fisheries and e-commerce moratorium, among others. During his mission to Geneva, Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will participate in two scheduled Foreign Affairs Councils on Trade. He will also attend, among others, WTO sessions relating to the challenges facing the multilateral trading system, sessions on the WTO response to the pandemic and the TRIPs waiver, on the global food security crisis, on fisheries subsidies negotiations and on agriculture and finally a thematic session on WTO reform. These will be followed by the formal closing session, scheduled for Wednesday. On Monday Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis is co-leading a breakfast on ‘Trade Ministers for Climate' together with New-Zealand, Ecuador and Kenya. In addition, numerous bilateral meetings between Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and his trade counterparts are foreseen, including with South-Africa, China, the Czech Republic, India, New Zealand, Kenya and Australia. There is also a solidarity event for Ukraine on the agenda. You will find more information on MC12 and the full programme here. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer - Tel.: +32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven - Tel.: +32 229 67228)

La vice-présidente Jourová en Espagne pour discuter de la liberté des médias, de la justice et de l'égalité

La vice-présidente Jourová se rendra en visite officielle à Madrid, en Espagne, du lundi au mercredi. Lundi, la vice-présidente rencontrera José Manuel Albares, ministre des affaires étrangères, de l'Union européenne et de la coopération, pour discuter de la future présidence espagnole du Conseil de l'UE en 2023 ainsi que du conflit en cours en Ukraine. Elle rencontrera ensuite Teresa Jiménez Becerril, première Médiatrice adjointe pour discuter des droits fondamentaux et de l'état de droit. Mardi, la vice-présidente participera à une manifestation sur la liberté des médias organisée par le Forum Nueva Economía. Elle s'exprimera ensuite devant la commission de la justice du Parlement espagnol et participera à un débat avec les membres de la commission sur les questions liées à l'état de droit, à la justice, aux médias et à la désinformation. Dans l'après-midi, la vice-président rencontrera Félix Bolaños, ministre de la présidence, des relations avec le Parlement et de la mémoire démocratique, pour discuter des questions liées à l'état de droit. Elle rencontrera également Nadia Calviño, première vice-présidente du gouvernement espagnol et ministre de l'économie et du numérique, afin de discuter de la déclaration sur les droits numériques et du cadre numérique de l'UE en général, ainsi que de la mise en œuvre des sanctions à l'encontre de la Russie. La conférence de presse conjointe à l'issue de la réunion avec la ministre Calviño est prévue à 15h45. Plus tard mardi, la vice-présidente Jourová rencontrera Pilar Llop Cuenca, ministre de la justice, pour discuter de questions liées à l'état de droit, à la justice et à la protection des données. Elle discutera ensuite de la violence à caractère sexiste avec un groupe d'organisations de la société civile. Mercredi, la vice-président rencontrera Pedro González-Trevijano, président de la Cour constitutionnelle, et Carlos Lesmes, président du Conseil général de la magistrature, sur l'état de droit, la primauté et les relations entre les cours suprêmes et constitutionnelles. Elle devrait ensuite rencontrer Irene Montero, ministre de l'égalité, pour parler de l'égalité dans l'UE, y compris les initiatives de la Commission sur la violence à l'égard des femmes, la transparence salariale et les organismes de promotion de l'égalité, ainsi que les priorités de la future présidence espagnole du Conseil de l'UE en 2023 dans ce domaine. La vice-président procédera également à un débat sur la future loi européenne sur la liberté des médias avec les principaux groupes de médias espagnols. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: +32 229 63444)

Commissioner Simson in Lithuania next week to participate in the 6^th Baltic Gas Conference, discuss the REPowerEU plan

On Monday, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, will be in Lithuania to discuss the current energy situation with the President of the Republic, Gitanas Nausėda, and the Minister for Energy, Dainius Kreivys. The visit follows her participation in the celebration ceremony for the commissioning of the Poland-Lithuania Gas Interconnection last month, at a time when the EU is accelerating the phase out of its dependence on Russian fossil fuels. The main topics of exchange with the Lithuanian authorities will be the REPowerEU plan, energy prices, the security of gas supply, preparedness for next winter and the synchronisation of the Baltic energy grid with the continental European network. In the afternoon, Commissioner Simson will participate in the 6^th Baltic Gas Conference in Vilnius to deliver a keynote speech. The event brings together policymakers, regulators, industry and customers to discuss the most recent developments in the Baltic gas market and its future perspectives. Later in the day, the Commissioner will visit the solar panel company Solitek (BOD Group), and hold discussions with representatives of the Lithuanian renewable energy sector. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 229 58661)

Executive Vice-President Timmermans in Vienna for the Austrian World Summit and climate discussions and visits

Next Monday and Tuesday, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will be in Vienna to take part in the Austrian World Summit, organised by the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, and to meet with federal and local government representatives on climate action and nature protection. On the first day, the Executive Vice-President will hold bilateral meetings with the Austrian Federal President, Alexander Van der Bellen; the Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig; the President of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), Pamela Rendi-Wagner; and the Executive City Councillor of Finance, Business, Labour, International Affairs and Vienna Public Utilities, Peter Hanke. Together with Mr Hanke, he will visit the U2xU5 project, which is the largest metro project in the EU and the largest climate protection project in the Austrian capital. In the afternoon, he be at the Universität für Bodenkultur for a citizens dialogue on the European Green Deal with students of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. On Tuesday, Mr Timmermans will participate in the Austrian World Summit, which this year takes place on 14 June to mark the 30th anniversary of the Rio de Janeiro “Earth Summit”. The Executive Vice-President will discuss climate action in the past, present and future in a session on crises, conflicts, and climate change. During the summit, he will meet with former Governor of California and organiser of the event, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and hold a press point for local press at the end of the summit. A visit to Brauwärme – an innovative waste heat project – together with Leonore Gewessler, Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, will conclude his country visit (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

CALENDRIER – Activités hebdomadaires des commissaires

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases