Daily News 21 / 09 / 2022

Le CETA a cinq ans : un partenariat privilégié pour une croissance durable et des approvisionnements sécurisés

Aujourd'hui marque le cinquième anniversaire de l'application provisoire de l'accord économique et commercial global entre l'UE et le Canada (CETA). L'accord a contribué à stimuler le commerce de l'UE avec le Canada et a fourni à l'UE une source d'approvisionnement solide et fiable pour des ressources clés telles que l'énergie et les matières premières. S'appuyant sur cette relation plus étroite, le partenariat stratégique UE-Canada sur les matières premières, signé en juin 2021, s'est avéré particulièrement important dans le contexte géopolitique actuel. Le vice-président exécutif et commissaire chargé du commerce, Valdis Dombrovskis, a déclaré: « Nous avons maintenant cinq ans de preuves solides que le CETA contribue à soutenir l'emploi et la croissance dans l'UE, sans aucun inconvénient. Grâce au CETA, les échanges commerciaux entre l'UE et le Canada ont augmenté. Il a soutenu un nombre impressionnant de 700 000 emplois dans l'UE. Tous les secteurs économiques en profitent. Le CETA a cimenté notre solide relation avec le Canada, un partenaire de confiance aux vues similaires. Le CETA a fait progresser le commerce des produits verts et nous a donné un accès privilégié à l'énergie et aux matières premières, comme en témoigne la croissance fulgurante des importations de l'UE dans ces ressources clés. C'est le type de partenariat dynamique dont nous avons besoin dans le climat géopolitique turbulent d'aujourd'hui. » Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans notre communiqué de presse en ligne. À l'occasion du cinquième anniversaire de l'application provisoire du CETA, la Direction générale du commerce et la Délégation de l'Union européenne au Canada, en collaboration avec le Service des instruments de politique étrangère (FPI) de la Commission européenne, organisent aujourd'hui un événement intitulé « Cinq ans de CETA : un commerce durable et fiable en des temps incertains ». L'événement montrera comment le CETA est efficace à la fois sur le plan économique et en tant qu'accord global englobant un large éventail de relations entre l'UE et le Canada et facilitant les transitions numérique et verte dans les deux économies. Plus d'informations ici. ( Pour plus d'informations : Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél. : +32 2 299 90 75 ; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél. : +32 2 296 33 03)

European Aviation Environmental Report 2022: Ramping up sustainability is crucial for sector's long-term viability

The newly published European Aviation Environmental Report reviews the aviation sector's environmental performance and progress made since the 2019 edition, and offers recommendations on reducing aviation's impact on climate change, noise and air quality. Even if the sector has taken steps to address its impact on the environment and climate, projected growth in demand calls further decisive action. Aviation, like all other transport modes, must play its part in delivering a climate-neutral future by 2050. While the pandemic caused the number of flights calling at EU+EFTA airports to drop from 9.3 million in 2019 to 4.12 million and 5.07 million in 2020 and 2021 respectively, long-term trends suggest that the region may record some 12.2 million annual flights by 2050. In this scenario, aircraft CO2 emissions could rise to 188 million tons unless environmental protection measures are further prioritised in the sector. In this context, the report includes recommendations such as incentivising airspace users to fly trajectories with less environmental impact, in line with the Single European Sky, and focusing on in-sector measures such as the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels. Welcoming the report as a key instrument to support evidence-based policy-making, Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “Europe has taken considerable actions since the last edition of this report. This is reflected, for instance, in lower CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometre and reduced noise from aircrafts. But the report also shows there is scope and need to go further – with sustainable aviation fuels showing particular potential, in line with our EU policy approach.” The report summarises current scientific understanding of historic and future scenarios for air traffic and associated noise and emissions, and explores five key impact mitigation areas (technology and design; sustainable aviation fuels; air traffic management operations; and airports and market-based measures). The report is produced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, with support from the European Environment Agency and Eurocontrol. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 229 53156; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 229 82504)

Non-transposition de la législation de l'UE: la Commission prend des mesures pour assurer la transposition des directives de l'UE

La Commission a adopté un ensemble de décisions en matière d'infractions en raison de la non-communication par certains États membres des mesures prises pour transposer des directives de l'UE en droit national, connues sous le nom de « procédures d'infraction pour non-communication ». Elle adresse des lettres de mise en demeure aux États membres qui n'ont pas communiqué les mesures nationales de transposition de ces directives.  Dans le cas présent, 24 États membres n'ont pas encore notifié de mesures de transposition complète pour 10 directives de l'UE dont le délai de transposition a expiré entre le 1^er juillet et le 31 août 2022. Les États membres concernés disposent à présent d'un délai de deux mois pour répondre aux lettres de mise en demeure et mener la transposition à bien. À défaut, la Commission peut décider d'émettre des avis motivés. Plus d'information est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Eric Mamer – Tél.:  +32 229 94073; Kristyna Eeckels – Tél. : +32 229 51065)

EU Cohesion Policy: €1.4 billion for Ireland's economic and social development and green transition in 2021-2027

Ireland will benefit from €1.4 billion in Cohesion Policy funding between 2021-2027 to support the sustainable development of its economy. The details and strategy for these investments are set out in the Partnership Agreement between Ireland and the Commission. These EU funds will help Ireland address regional disparities by boosting innovation and competitiveness, enabling the economy's digital transformation, investing in social inclusion, skills training and employment, and in the green transition. Under Cohesion Policy, and in cooperation with the Commission, each Member State prepares a Partnership Agreement, a strategic document for programming investments from the Cohesion Policy funds, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund during the Multiannual Financial Framework. The Partnership Agreements focus on EU priorities, laying down the strategy and investment priorities identified by each Member State. They present a list of National and Regional Programmes adapted to the needs of the country for implementation of the investments on the ground, including the indicative annual financial allocation for each programme. The Partnership Agreement with Ireland is the 22^nd to be adopted. More details are available in the press release. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: 32 229 87269)

State Aid: Commission approves up to €5.2 billion of public support by thirteen Member States for the second Important Project of Common European Interest in the hydrogen value chain

The Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a second Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research and innovation, first industrial deployment and construction of relevant infrastructure in the hydrogen value chain. The project, called 'IPCEI Hy2Use' was jointly prepared and notified by thirteen Member States: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. The Member States will provide up to €5.2 billion in public funding, which is expected to unlock additional €7 billion in private investments. As part of this IPCEI, 29 companies with activities in one or more Member States, including small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') and start-ups, will participate in 35 projects. IPCEI Hy2Use will cover a wide part of the hydrogen value chain by supporting (i) the construction of hydrogen-related infrastructure, notably large-scale electrolysers and transport infrastructure, for the production, storage and transport of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen; and (ii) the development of innovative and more sustainable technologies for the integration of hydrogen into the industrial processes of multiple sectors, especially those that are more challenging to decarbonise, such as steel, cement and glass. The IPCEI is expected to boost the supply of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, thereby reducing dependency on the supply of natural gas. Several projects are expected to be implemented in the near future, with various large-scale electrolysers expected to be operational by 2024-2026 and many of the innovative technologies deployed by 2026-2027. IPCEI Hy2Use follows and complements the first IPCEI on the hydrogen value chain, the IPCEI 'Hy2Tech', which the Commission approved on 15 July 2022. The Commission assessed the proposed project under EU State aid rules, more specifically its Communication on Important Projects of Common European Interest. Where private initiatives supporting breakthrough innovation fail to materialise because of the significant risks such projects entail, IPCEI enable Member States to jointly fill the gap to overcome these market failures. At the same time, they ensure that the EU economy at large benefits from the investments and limit potential distortions to competition. The Commission has found that the IPCEI Hy2Use fulfils the required conditions set out in its Communication. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the project is in line with EU State aid rules. For more information, you can find a press release and a statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager 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 €50 million Lithuanian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €50 million Lithuanian scheme to support small, medium and large companies 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 and amended on 20 July 2022. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of subsidised loans. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity shortage faced by those companies directly or indirectly affected by the the current geopolitical crisis and the subsequent sanctions and countersanctions. The Commission found that the Lithuanian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, (i) the duration of the loans will be limited to a maximum of six years; (ii) the interest rates will not be lower than 5% and therefore respect the minimum levels set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework; and (iii) the subsidised loans will be granted no later than 31 December 2022. The Commission concluded that the 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 scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.104109 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 acquisition of Natra by CapVest

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Natra S.A.U. (‘Natra') of Spain by CapVest Partners LLP (‘CapVest') of the UK. Natra is a company producing and distributing chocolate and cocoa ingredients globally. CapVest is a middle market private equity firm active in identifying and managing investments in a variety of industries such as healthcare, consumer non-durable goods, information technology and manufacturing, mostly in Europe and North America. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the absence of overlaps between the companies' activities and the fact that they are not active on related markets. 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.10870. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNGA77: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges

Today, President von der Leyen will announce new EU support to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the Global Fund Pledging Conference, chaired by US President Joe Biden. Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans will participate in the Leaders' Roundtable on Climate Action convened by UN Secretary-General Guterres and the Egyptian COP27 presidency. He will also attend the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership's event on investing in the clean energy transition, the UN Global Early Warning Initiative to Implement Climate Adaptation organised by the World Meteorological Organisation, and will speak at the Bloomberg Climate Champions Forum in the afternoon, emphasising that the forthcoming COP27 in Egypt must deliver concrete steps to implement the commitments made in the Glasgow Climate Pact last year. High Representative/Vice-President Borrell will officially take over the co-chairmanship of the Global Counterterrorism Forum on behalf of the EU at the 12^th Ministerial plenary. He will then participate in a Ministerial side event on safety and security of civilian nuclear facilities in armed conflict, organised by France. He will also represent the EU at the Ministerial meeting on ‘International Mobilization for Development and Security in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea countries', organised by France and Guinea Bissau. In the evening, he will attend a G7 Foreign Ministers dinner meeting. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, will co-host, together with Belgium and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a High-Level Side Event on ‘Ensuring accountability for sexual violence and other violations of International Humanitarian Law', focusing on strengthening action to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, and ensure protection for survivors and accountability for perpetrators. More information can be found here. He will then represent the EU at the Niger-hosted roundtable on ensuring the success of girls schooling. Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will participate in a side-event on access to fertilisers in Africa, organised by France. Throughout the day, EU representatives will hold several bilateral meetings. More details on their individual agendas can be found on their websites. Yesterday, President von der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Borrell, together with President of the European Council, met the UN Secretary General António Guterres. During the pledging event ‘Countdown to COP15: Landmark Leaders Event for a Nature Positive World', President von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans reiterated the EU's commitment to double funding for biodiversity and the ambition to stop and reverse biodiversity loss at the COP15 Biodiversity Conference in Montréal later this year. Their remarks are available here and here. In the evening, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded President von der Leyen with the 2022 Goalkeepers Global Goal Award. Read the President's speech here. High Representative/Vice-President Borrell convened the leaders from the Western Balkans for a discussion on global and regional challenges. You can read more here. In the afternoon, High Representative/Vice-President Borrell announced a new EU financial contribution of €18 million to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, making the EU its biggest donor. Read the full speech here. Then, the High Representative co-chaired with HRH Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia a ministerial roundtable to discuss peace and security in the Middle East, 20 years after the Arab Peace Initiative. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Xavier Cifre-Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 73582)

Industrial Forum's 5^th meeting addresses energy preparedness

Today, the Commission is hosting the 5^th meeting of the Industrial Forum, which gathers experts who help the Commission implement the EU's Updated Industrial Strategy.  The Forum will be attended by the Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager. The event will focus on energy preparedness. Members of the Forum will discuss the emergency energy measures proposed by the Commission on 14 September and their impact on industry and relevant parties. They will reflect on how potential issues can be mitigated. Today's meeting will take stock of the progress made in three of the Forum's five work streams, namely: strategic dependencies, investment needs and cooperation opportunities and advanced manufacturing. Next steps for these work streams will also be outlined. The event will also address synergies between Europe's defence industrial policy agenda and the work of the forum and will begin preparations for the next meeting, which will feature stakeholder representatives linked to the European Year of Youth. The Industrial Forum gathers a wide array of stakeholders, including industry, NGOs, research institutions and social partners from different industrial ecosystems identified in the EU's updated industrial strategy with the aim of facilitating dialogue and coordinating advice to the Commission. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel. : +32 229 58300)

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