Daily News 07 / 11 / 2022

La Commission prend des mesures pour promouvoir la transparence dans le secteur de la location à court terme au profit de tous les acteurs

La Commission a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition de règlement visant à renforcer la transparence dans le domaine de la location de logements de courte durée et à aider les pouvoirs publics à assurer leur développement équilibré dans le cadre d'un secteur du tourisme durable. Si les réservations de logements de courte durée offrent des avantages aux hôtes et aux touristes, celles-ci peuvent susciter des inquiétudes pour certaines communautés locales qui sont confrontées, par exemple, à un manque de logements abordables. Les nouvelles règles amélioreront la collecte et le partage des données provenant des hébergeurs et des plateformes en ligne. Cela alimentera, à son tour, des politiques locales efficaces et proportionnées visant à relever les défis et à saisir les opportunités liées au secteur de la location à court terme. Les nouvelles règles proposées contribueront à améliorer la transparence en ce qui concerne l'identification et l'activité des propriétaires de locations de courte durée, ainsi que les règles auxquelles ils doivent se conformer, et faciliteront l'enregistrement des hôtes. Ils s'attaqueront également à la fragmentation actuelle de la manière dont les plateformes en ligne partagent les données et, en fin de compte, contribueront à prévenir les inscriptions illégales. Dans l'ensemble, cela contribuera à un écosystème touristique plus durable et soutiendra sa transition numérique. Un communiqué de presse, un Q&A et une fiche d'information sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tél.: +32 229 58300)

NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of Bulgaria's request for €1.37 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Today, the European Commission has endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Bulgaria's payment request for €1.37 billion of grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. On 31 August 2022, Bulgaria submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the achievement of the 22 milestones and targets selected in the Council Implementing Decision. They cover reforms and investments in the areas of education, smart industry, climate neutrality, digital connectivity, sustainable transport and road safety, justice, anti-money laundering, social inclusion, healthcare, and audit and control. With their request, the Bulgarian authorities provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the fulfilment of the 22 milestones and targets. The Commission has now sent its positive preliminary assessment of Bulgaria's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC's opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, after which the disbursement to Bulgaria will take place. More information is available in a press release and Q&A online. You can find the video message by President von der Leyen here . (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Laura Berard - Tel : +32 229 55721)

REACT-EU : 15,8 millions d'euros pour l'Espagne afin d'investir dans les compétences et de stimuler l'emploi

L'Espagne recevra 15,8 millions d'euros supplémentaires dans le cadre de REACT-EU. La région de Navarre recevra 4,8 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour promouvoir la formation professionnelle des chômeurs qui peinent à trouver un emploi. Des fonds seront également alloués à des incitations à l'embauche pour ces personnes et les personnes handicapées. Les entrepreneurs et les jeunes entreprises, en particulier celles lancées par des jeunes, seront également soutenus, par exemple au moyen d'ateliers et de conseils de carrière. En outre, la région d'Estrémadure recevra 11 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour aider à maintenir l'emploi indépendant dans la région ainsi que pour soutenir les incitations à l'embauche de jeunes. Les fonds contribueront à des projets dans les écoles de double emploi professionnel d'Estrémadure, qui combinent l'enseignement et l'expérience professionnelle dans le secteur social. De nouvelles possibilités de formation professionnelle seront également développées dans l'enseignement secondaire et supérieur. La Commission a déjà versé 2,5 milliards d'euros à l'Espagne au titre de REACT-EU. En 2021, REACT-EU avait déjà alloué 40 milliards d'euros pour aider les États membres à se remettre de la pandémie, investir dans la transition numérique et verte, et à partir de 2022, pour accueillir et intégrer les personnes fuyant la guerre en Ukraine. La Commission a également versé 3,5 milliards d'euros de préfinancements aux États membres au titre de REACT-EU depuis mars 2022. Le paquet global le plus récent  « Assistance flexible aux territoires (FAST-CARE) »  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 qui seront versés en 2022 et 2023. La date finale d'éligibilité des dépenses REACT-EU est fixée au 31 décembre 2023. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél.: +32 229 84680 ; Veerle Nuyts – Tél.: +32 2 299 63 02 ; Veronica Favalli – Tél.:  +32 2 298 72 69 ; Flora Matthaes – Tél.: +32 229 83951) 

Energy crisis: The Commission hosts a roundtable to discuss measures on consumer protection

Today, the Commission is organising a roundtable to consult key stakeholders on the protection of EU consumers in the context of the energy crisis.  In light of high energy prices and the overall impact of the crisis on the cost of living, both the EU and Member States have been taking measures to support consumers, especially vulnerable ones, in their ability to pay their energy bills and to ensure access to energy supplies. Today's meeting will gather energy regulators, energy providers, consumers associations and representatives of the EU and Member States. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “Most European consumers have adapted their consumption patterns to save on energy. Nonetheless, many of them are worried about their capacity to pay their bills. In light of these challenging times, the Commission remains determined to find alternative options to help consumers alleviate the situation. This is precisely why we have decided to convene this roundtable for energy providers and authorities to learn from best practices.” Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “EU consumers have been at the heart of our action to tackle high energy prices for the past year. It is our top priority to protect them from the impact of this energy crisis, making sure everyone gets the necessary support and no one is cut off from energy supply. With our recent proposals, the Commission has made additional funding available for the Member States to help vulnerable consumers, households and businesses.” With its Energy Prices Toolbox and further communications, the Commission has provided Member States with guidance on immediate measures to protect consumers such emergency income support, temporary deferrals of bill payments, temporary and targeted tax reductions and safeguards to avoid disconnections from the grid. Recently, it also came forward with an emergency market intervention to collect surplus revenues from the energy sector and redistribute them to consumers. Following up on the conclusions of the European Council of October, today's meeting is aimed at fostering an exchange between key stakeholders at EU level on further potential measures to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on households. Indeed, results of a survey published today by the Commission confirm that almost half of European consumers (48%) are concerned about paying their bills in the next six months. It also shows that a large majority of them have changed habits to save energy at home (71%). The results of the survey can be found here. (For more information: Christian Wigand — Tel.: + 32 229 62253 ; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tel.: + 32 229 63444 ; Giulia Bedini — Tel.: + 32 229 58661)

Commission and EU countries simulate large-scale cyber-attacks to foster preparedness

Senior cybersecurity representatives of EU Member States, the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and the Commission are taking part in a two-day ‘Blueprint Operational Level Exercise', or Blue OLEx 2022, to test crisis management procedures. In light of the upcoming implementation of the Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS2), the large-scale cybersecurity exercise serves to improve common coordination, situation awareness and decision-making process, while fostering trust-building and information sharing, including between Member States and the Commission. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal market, said: “More than ever, we have seen malicious actors developing new strategies to target our digital infrastructure and services, putting citizens and companies at risk. Cyberattacks are everywhere and it is our shared responsibility to work collectively in preparing and implementing rapid emergency response plans, in particular in the event of a large-scale cyber incident or crisis.” Following Blue OLEx 2021, this year, the exercise has been organised by the Lithuanian Authorities with the support of ENISA within the framework of the European Cyber Crisis Liaison Organisation Network, or ‘EU-CyCLONe'.  EU-CyCLONe supports the coordinated management of large-scale cybersecurity incidents and crises and ensures the regular exchange of information among Member States and Union institutions, bodies and agencies. It contributes to the implementation of the European Commission's Blueprint for a rapid emergency response in case of a large-scale, cross-border cyber incident by enabling cooperation between the technical (e.g. Computer Security Incident Response Team - CSIRTs) and political levels (e.g. Integrated Political Crisis Response - IPCR) when a large-scale cross-border cyber crisis takes place. More information about the exercise is available in this ENISA press release and on the EU cybersecurity strategy here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Marie Skłodowska-Curie's birthday kick-starts a year of science activities in schools

Today marks the 155^th anniversary of the birth of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the first person, and sole woman, to have received a Nobel Prize twice. The Commission takes the opportunity to celebrate her scientific curiosity and achievements by launching several initiatives to strengthen the bonds between the worlds of science and education. Through Science is Wonderful! and the recently launched ‘Researchers at Schools' initiative, both funded by the Commission's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), teachers and pupils from all over Europe are able to discover the wonders and value of science by interacting with leading researchers and innovators. The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: “By celebrating Marie Skłodowska-Curie birthday, we pay tribute to a remarkable scientist who took part of the 20^th century scientific revolution on new branches of physics and chemistry. Her excellence is an inspiration to all of us and in particular to young female researchers. It shows the importance of our policies to attract more women to science and for them to play leading roles in the European research landscape.” This year, Science is Wonderful! will also give teachers a unique opportunity to team up with leading MSCA researchers across the EU to create new learning resources together. Registrations are now open for schools and MSCA researchers until 1 December 2022. In March 2023, Science is Wonderful! will host a science fair in Brussels, Belgium, inviting 100 researchers from across Europe to showcase their research through presentations, hands-on experiments, games and quizzes, offering pupils the chance to learn and ask questions. In the next two years, the ‘Researchers at Schools' initiative will allow 2,400 primary and secondary schools and 225,000 pupils in many countries to discover researchers' work through practical and entertaining activities, such as visits to labs, and more. These chances to work hand in hand with researchers convey the practical importance of research to students and give them various opportunities to experience the wonders of science. More information on Science is Wonderful! and Researchers at Schools is available here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 229 66043)

Politique agricole commune 2023-2027 : le plan stratégique de la Hongrie d'une valeur de 8,4 milliards d'euros approuvé

Le plan stratégique de la PAC de la Hongrie approuvé aujourd'hui recevra 8,4 milliards d'euros du budget de l'UE, dont 2 milliards d'euros consacrés aux objectifs environnementaux et climatiques et aux programmes écologiques, et 186 millions d'euros aux jeunes agriculteurs. Le plan PAC de la Hongrie offre un large éventail d'interventions visant à garantir un revenu équitable aux agriculteurs, ainsi qu'à parvenir à une répartition plus équitable de l'aide financière entre eux. Les mesures du plan faciliteront également l'installation de 8 800 jeunes agriculteurs. Une priorité du plan est la modernisation de 7 700 exploitations. La Hongrie alloue également, entre autres, 38 % du budget du développement rural aux interventions agroenvironnementales, 8 % au développement de l'agriculture biologique et environ 5 % à la protection des sites Natura 2000, qui couvrent environ 162 631 hectares. Ces programmes combinés contribueront à la gestion durable des éléments nutritifs et à la réduction de l'application d'engrais et des émissions d'ammoniac. En outre, la Hongrie a pour ambition de doubler la superficie consacrée à l'agriculture biologique d'ici 2027. La nouvelle politique agricole commune (PAC), qui doit démarrer le 1er janvier 2023, est conçue pour façonner la transition vers un secteur agricole européen durable, résilient et moderne. Dans le cadre de la politique réformée, le financement sera réparti plus équitablement entre les exploitations, en mettant l'accent sur les petites et moyennes exploitations familiales, ainsi que sur les jeunes agriculteurs. La PAC bénéficiera d'un financement de 270 milliards d'euros pour la période 2023-2027. Plus d'informations sur le plan hongrois sont disponibles dans les documents « at a glance » et plus d'informations sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tél.: +32 2 299 90 75; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél.: +32 2 296 33 03)

State aid: Commission approves €16.8 billion Danish guarantee scheme to support energy companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €16.8 billion (DKK 125 billion) Danish guarantee scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's war against 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 and on 28 October 2022. The measure will be open to electricity producers and gas shippers active in the Danish electricity and gas markets. Under the scheme, the guarantees relate to new loans and guarantees to cover the energy companies' liquidity needs for posting collateral to central clearing houses (CCPs) and their maximum duration is 5 years. The maximum guarantee amount per company will cover the liquidity needs stemming from its activity on the energy markets for the 12 months following the granting of the aid. The Commission concluded that the Danish guarantee 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 €16.8 billion guarantee scheme will enable Denmark to provide liquidity support to energy companies for their collaterals with central clearing houses, allowing them to continue their activities.” 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 €1.34 billion Danish scheme to support energy intensive companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €1.34 billion (DKK 10 billion) Danish scheme to support energy intensive companies in the context of Russia's war against 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 and on 28 October 2022. Under this measure, the aid will take the form of loans with subsidised interest rates. The measure will be open to energy intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') and large companies across sectors. Credit and financial institutions will be excluded from the measure. The Commission concluded that the Danish 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 €1.34 billion scheme will enable Denmark to mitigate the economic impact of the war in Ukraine and the liquidity shortages that energy intensive companies are facing.” 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)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Onecall by Partners Group and Kohlberg

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Onecall Holding, Inc. (‘Onecall') of the US by Partners Group AG of Switzerland and Kohlberg & Co., L.L.C. of the US. Onecall indirectly owns USIC Holdings Inc., a provider of underground utility damage prevention and utility locating services in the US and Canada. Partners Group is a global private markets investment management company. Kohlberg is a private equity management company specialised in investments in middle market companies. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given its limited impact on the market. 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.10911. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of MSPL by OTPP and Mahindra

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Mahindra Susten Private Limited (‘MSPL') of India by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (‘OTPP') of Canada and Mahindra Holdings Limited (‘Mahindra') of India. MSPL owns, operates and develops solar power generation projects and assets primarily in India. OTPP administers the pension benefits and the investment of pension plan assets of teachers in the province of Ontario, in Canada. Mahindra is active in various sectors, including infrastructure and power generation. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that MSPL has no actual or foreseen activities 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.10950. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS 

Joint Statement following the latest meeting of the EU-US Task Force on Energy Security

On Thursday (3 November), the EU-US Task Force on Energy Security met in Washington to discuss implementation of the 25 March Joint Statement by Presidents von der Leyen and Biden, which aims to help diversify the EU's natural gas supplies and reduce natural gas demand and consumption. The meeting was co-chaired by Björn Seibert, Head of Cabinet of the President, and Amos Hochstein, US Special Presidential Coordinator; under the leadership of Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director General for Energy of the Commission; and Stephanie Epner, Special Advisor and Acting Senior Director for Climate and Energy at the White House National Security Council. As the world gathers for COP27 this week, both sides reaffirmed the commitment to an accelerated and responsible clean energy transition. They also reiterated their condemnation of Russia's unprovoked aggression on Ukraine and said they will continue to partner on providing emergency energy assistance to Ukraine and to other affected countries such as Moldova. At the meeting in Washington, the participants also welcomed surpassing the commitment made in the Joint Statement by Presidents von der Leyen and Biden, to increase LNG supplies to Europe by 15 bcm in 2022 as compared to 2021. This year alone, between January through October, approximately 48 bcm of LNG was exported from the US to the EU, which is 26 bcm more than for the full year of 2021. Building on this trend, the participants committed to work on keeping a high level of LNG supplies to Europe in 2023 of an additional approximately 50 bcm as compared to 2021. The parties also discussed how the Task Force will contribute to ensuring security of supply and storage filling in 2023 at prices reflecting economic fundamentals and our shared push for energy market stability. Mindful of the environmental impact of LNG production and consumption, they also committed to step up their efforts to reduce methane emissions both in bilateral trade and at the global level, by supporting domestic and international measures for reinforced monitoring, reporting and verification, as well as transparency, for methane emissions data in the fossil energy sector. The participants further discussed energy efficiency measures to ensure the EU's energy security throughout the winter 2022-23. The full Statement is available here. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 229 58661; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Réunions de l'Eurogroupe et des ministres des affaires économiques et financières, les 7-8 novembre

Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis et le commissaire Gentiloni représentent la Commission lors de la réunion de l'Eurogroupe qui aura lieu aujourd'hui à Bruxelles, à 15h00. Les participants procèderont à un échange de vues sur les dernières évolutions économiques et les perspectives de la zone euro, à la suite des présentations de la Commission européenne et de la Banque centrale européenne (BCE). Ensuite, après une présentation de la Commission, les ministres procéderont à un échange de vues sur le tableau général qui se dégage des projets de plans budgétaires soumis par les États membres. Les ministres partageront leurs expériences et les défis auxquels ils sont confrontés en ce qui concerne les mesures prises au niveau national pour atténuer l'incidence des prix élevés de l'énergie sur les ménages et les entreprises vulnérables. Le commissaire Gentiloni participera à la conférence de presse qui suivra la réunion, vers 19h30 ; en direct sur EbS+. Demain, le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis, le commissaire Gentiloni, la commissaire McGuinness et le commissaire Hahn représenteront la Commission lors de la réunion de ministres de l'économie et des finances qui aura lieu également à Bruxelles, à 10h30. Les ministres débattront de la mise en œuvre de la réglementation Bâle III, qui vise à renforcer la résilience du secteur bancaire de l'UE, sa surveillance et sa gestion des risques. Le Conseil s'efforcera d'arrêter sa position sur la proposition. Par ailleurs, le Conseil tiendra un débat sur les parties de la directive Eurovignette concernant la taxation des poids lourds pour l'utilisation d'infrastructures routières, en vue de parvenir à un accord politique sur la proposition. Les participants débattront des conséquences économiques et financières de l'agression russe contre l'Ukraine. Les ministres pourraient donner des orientations politiques en ce qui concerne la mise en œuvre d'une aide financière régulière à l'Ukraine. Les ministres feront le point sur la mise en œuvre de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience (FRR). La présidence informera les ministres de l'état d'avancement des propositions législatives en cours dans le domaine des services financiers. La Commission communiquera aux ministres des informations concernant la loi américaine sur la réduction de l'inflation et les conséquences de cette nouvelle législation des États-Unis sur l'UE. Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis participera à la conférence de presse qui suivra la réunion ; et que vous pouvez suivre en direct sur EbS+.  (Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts - Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases