Daily News 20 / 09 / 2022

Les mesures de défense commerciale de l'UE protègent plus de 460,000 emplois en Europe

La Commission européenne a publié son rapport annuel sur les activités de défense commerciale de l'UE en 2021. Le rapport conclut que 462,000 emplois dans l'UE ont été directement protégés par les mesures commerciales de l'UE en 2021 dans les principaux secteurs manufacturiers de l'UE tels que l'aluminium, l'acier, la céramique et les technologies vertes. Cela montre que ces mesures sont efficaces pour défendre les producteurs de l'UE contre les pratiques commerciales déloyales au niveau international. Valdis Dombrovskis, vice-président exécutif et commissaire au commerce, a déclaré: « Il est essentiel de défendre les producteurs et les travailleurs européens contre les dommages causés par ceux qui ne respectent pas les règles commerciales. Il est plus important que jamais de garantir un commerce équitable dans le contexte mondial difficile d'aujourd'hui et lorsque la sécurité de l'approvisionnement est menacée. Nous ne pouvons pas autoriser les importations faisant l'objet d'un dumping ou de subventions à porter préjudice à l'industrie de l'UE. C'est pourquoi l'application et la mise en œuvre effectives de nos mesures de défense commerciale restent une priorité absolue pour la Commission européenne. » En luttant contre les importations déloyales de produits essentiels pour les énergies renouvelables ou les chaînes de valeur numériques, tels que les composants d'éoliennes ou les fibres optiques, les mesures commerciales de l'UE encouragent les investissements dans la fabrication moderne et le développement de la recherche, autant d'éléments essentiels au maintien de l'approvisionnement, de la croissance, de la stabilité de l'emploi et des revenus dans ces industries en Europe. Ils soutiennent également le pacte vert pour l'Europe et la stratégie numérique pour l'Europe. Plus d'informations en ligne dans notre communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations : Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél. : +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél. : +32 229 63303)

NextGenerationEU: Commission receives payment request from Croatia for EUR 700 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Yesterday, the Commission received the second payment request from Croatia under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for a disbursement of EUR 700 million in financial support (net of pre-financing). Croatia's overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by EUR 5.51 billion in grants. Payments under the RRF are performance-based and contingent on Croatia implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan. The second payment request relates to 25 milestones and targets, and include the new Social Welfare Act and training of social professionals, as well as the establishment of funding instruments to strengthen access to funding for businesses and a Decision on incentives for the voluntary functional and actual mergers of the local government units (LGUs). It also covers important energy measures such as the assessment of the barriers to higher uptake of renewable energy sources (RES) and the adoption of the Hydrogen Development Strategy. The Commission now has two months to assess the request. It will then send its preliminary assessment of Croatia's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee. More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on the Croatia recovery and resilience plan is available here. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 91519)

Commission proposes to provide additional €550 million to Croatia and €142 to Lithuania under SURE 

The European Commission has today presented two proposals to the Council for a decision to grant an additional €550 million in financial support to Croatia under the SURE instrument, bringing the total support to the country to €1.6 billion, and an additional €142 million to Lithuania, bringing the total support to €1.1 billion. Once the Council approves the proposals, the financial support will be provided in the form of loans granted on favourable terms. The loan to Croatia will help cover costs, primarily incurred in 2021, related to the continuation of a short-time work scheme and a wage subsidy scheme, introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan to Lithuania will also help fund the expenditure incurred in 2021 for the continuation of two wage subsidy schemes, including one that functions like a short-time work scheme, introduced in response to the pandemic. The measures thereby tackled the severe socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. There are now nine Member States who have requested additional SURE support on top of the support that the Council had already approved in 2020: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Croatia. SURE is a crucial element of the EU's comprehensive strategy to protect jobs and workers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Today's proposal, if adopted, would bring the overall financial support granted under SURE to a total of €94.5 billion. The Commission has already disbursed €91.8 billion to 19 Member States under SURE, and it expects to undertake the remaining borrowing operations in the coming months. €5.5 billion is still available under SURE for possible future requests. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini - Tel.: +32 229 91519)

REACT-EU : près de 100 millions d'euros pour trois régions espagnoles pour soutenir la relance postpandémique, l'emploi et la santé

Trois régions espagnoles recevront 96,3 millions d'euros supplémentaires dans le cadre de REACT-EU au titre du Fonds social européen (FSE) pour aider les travailleurs et les demandeurs d'emploi et améliorer les services sociaux, l'éducation et les soins. Dans la région de Madrid, 77,7 millions d'euros aideront les demandeurs d'emploi, en mettant l'accent sur les jeunes, à trouver un emploi, notamment grâce à des possibilités supplémentaires d'enseignement et de formation professionnels (EFP). 14,9 millions d'euros seront alloués à la région des Asturies pour l'embauche de formateurs d'EFP, de professionnels pour les écoles primaires spécialisés dans le soutien à la pédagogie thérapeutique pour les problèmes d'audition et de langage. Les fonds de l'UE seront également utilisés pour recruter davantage de spécialistes des soins infirmiers et des soins. La région d'Aragon recevra 3,7 millions d'euros pour aider les personnes moins qualifiées à accéder aux opportunités de formation et à obtenir des certifications professionnelles dans les secteurs à forte demande de main-d'œuvre, ainsi qu'à améliorer l'accès aux services sociaux pour les personnes vulnérables, y compris les personnes handicapées. La tranche 2021 de REACT-EU avait alloué 40 milliards d'euros pour aider les États membres à se remettre de la pandémie, à investir dans la transition numérique et verte et à accueillir et intégrer désormais les personnes fuyant la guerre en Ukraine. En outre, la Commission a versé 3,5 milliards d'euros de paiements de préfinancement aux États membres dans le cadre de REACT-EU depuis mars 2022. Le paquet global le plus récent « Assistance flexible aux territoires (FAST-CARE) », proposé par la Commission, étend encore le soutien aux États membres en offrant une flexibilité supplémentaire dans le financement de la politique de cohésion tout en augmentant les paiements de préfinancement de 3,5 milliards d'euros supplémentaires à verser en 2022 et 2023. La date finale d'éligibilité aux dépenses REACT-UE est le 31 décembre 2023. (Plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél. : +32 229 84680 ; Veerle Nuyts – Tél. : +32 229 96302)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Fedrigoni by BC Partners and Bain Capital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Fedrigoni S.p.A. of Italy by BC Partners LLP of the US and Bain Capital Investors L.L.C. (‘Bain Capital') of the UK. Fedrigoni is a global manufacturer and supplier of specialty paper products and self-adhesive materials for creative and luxury packaging applications, as well as stationery products. BC Partners is an international private equity firm whose portfolio companies are active in financial services, healthcare, education, consumer and retail in Europe and North America. Bain Capital is a global private equity investment firm active across a number of countries and industries, including information technology, healthcare, retail and consumer products, communications, financial services and manufacturing. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the absence of overlaps between the companies' activities. 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.10894. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of HIPP by NIS

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of HIP-Petrohemija LLC Pancevo (‘HIPP') by Naftna Industrija Srbije a.d. Novi Sad (‘NIS'), both of Serbia. HIPP is a petrochemical company active in the production and distribution of products such as ethylene, polyethylene and synthetic rubber. NIS is a vertically integrated energy company. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the companies' moderate combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10612. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

UNGA77: turning challenges into opportunities

Today, President von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell, together with President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will join other world leaders for the opening session of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. They will jointly meet the UN Secretary General António Guterres in the evening. President von der Leyen will participate in the Christchurch Call Leaders' summit convened by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. In the evening, the President will deliver a video message during the pledging event "Countdown to COP15: Landmark Leaders Event for a Nature Positive World", which will be available on EbS (20:40 EST). Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will deliver a speech at the same event at +/- 19:15 EST. Concluding an ambitious global deal to stop and reverse biodiversity loss at the COP15 Biodiversity Conference in Montréal later this year is a key priority for the EU. President von der Leyen will participate in the 2022 Goalkeepers Global Goal Awards ceremony, organised by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Executive Vice-President Timmermans will co-host, together with Chile and Germany, a Ministerial Meeting on Finding Common Ground for Ambitious COP27 Outcomes. He will deliver closing remarks at the UN ministerial meeting on Shaping an Africa-led Just and Equitable Energy Transition, and participate in a ministerial meeting on Climate and Development, organised by the UK and Rwanda. He will also hold a speech at Columbia University's World Leaders Forum, and participate in the event ‘From Billions to Trillions – mobilizing financing for the green transition towards 2030'. High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will convene the leaders from the Western Balkans for the traditional informal meeting organised in the margins of the UN General Assembly. He will then represent the EU at the Pledging Conference of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will participate in the Global Food Security summit, co-organised by the EU and other partners, as well as in the High-Level event on 'Transformation of Education in Africa', co-organised by the EU, the African Union, UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Food Programme. Throughout the day, EU representatives will hold several bilateral meetings. More details on their individual agendas can be found on their websites. Yesterday, High Representative Borrell chaired the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, which focussed on the global consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and recent global developments. You can read the full press remarks of the High Representative's press conference here. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, represented the European Commission at the Transforming Education Summit, calling on the international community to increase their investments in education and address the deep inequalities in access to education. You can read more here. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Xavier Cifre-Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 73582)

European year of Youth: Commissioner Breton takes part in a debate with young entrepreneurs

This afternoon, Commissioner Thierry Breton will engage with young European entrepreneurs during an event organised under the European Year of Youth. The event will focus on the topics of sustainability, digitalisation and increasing resilience, and will also address issues of current concern such as energy prices. The dialogue will be an occasion for young entrepreneurs to share fresh ideas, experiences of challenges encountered and how they have overcome them, as well as their thoughts on EU support and instruments. This will feed into a reflexion on how to get more young people to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice and on how to create the conditions at EU-level that are conducive to their success, including support networks and access to finance. The participants will include young entrepreneurs coming from all sectors, as well as representatives from youth entrepreneurs associations. The event will be also attended by Kristina Dimova, the winner of the SME Week Youth Essay Competition 2021. Many of the participants will have previously participated in EU-related initiatives such as Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, giving new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other participating countries, or the European Innovation Council, Europe's flagship innovation programme to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations. To help entrepreneurs achieve the twin transition, the Commission has adopted several measures: some examples include the Digital Innovation Hubs, financed through the Digital Europe Programme, to support SME digitalisation throughout every region of Europe; and the Enterprise Europe Network Sustainability Advisors, which aims to foster the sustainability transition of SMEs in particular. The dialogue will start at 14h30 and can be followed live via web streaming. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel. : +32 229 58300)

La commissaire Dalli en Slovaquie pour discuter de l'égalité des Roms

Helena Dalli, commissaire chargée de l'égalité, se rendra dans plusieurs régions de Slovaquie les 21 et 22 septembre pour discuter de questions liées à l'égalité, en particulier en ce qui concerne les Roms. La commissaire rencontrera le maire de Sečovce et des habitants du quartier ségrégué rom de Hábeš, qui bénéficie de plusieurs projets nationaux financés par l'UE. Elle visitera ensuite une école de Kecerovce qui a bénéficié d'un financement de l'UE, où les enfants de l'école primaire et de la crèche sont des Roms. La commissaire Dalli rencontrera ensuite des ONG actives dans le domaine de l'intégration des Roms, visitera la Whirlpool Corporation, qui dispose d'un programme pour l'emploi afin de préparer et qualifier les salariés ayant un faible niveau d'éducation et n'ayant pas de compétences professionnelles bien établies. Jeudi, la commissaire visitera l'entreprise sociale Wasco, qui emploie des personnes issues de milieux défavorisés, en particulier des femmes roms. Elle se rendra ensuite à Bratislava pour une réunion avec le Premier ministre Eduard Heger pour discuter de questions d'égalité, principalement l'égalité des Roms, l'inclusion et la participation des Roms, ainsi que la violence à l'égard des femmes, y compris la convention d'Istanbul et la proposition de directive de la Commission relative à la lutte contre la violence à l'égard des femmes. La commissaire Dalli rencontrera également les présidents des commissions parlementaires des affaires sociales, des affaires européennes, et des droits de l'homme et des minorités. (Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke — Tél.: + 32 229 58615 ; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: + 32 229 63444 ; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tél.: + 32 229 90679)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases