Daily News 21 / 11 / 2022

L'UE accepte le compromis de la COP27 afin de maintenir l'accord de Paris en vie et protéger les personnes les plus vulnérables au changement climatique *

Lors de la conférence des Nations unies sur les changements climatiques COP27 qui s'est achevée dimanche matin à Charm el-Cheikh, Égypte, la Commission européenne a fait preuve d'ambition et de flexibilité pour garder à portée de main l'objectif de limiter le réchauffement de la planète à 1,5 degré.

Après une semaine de négociations difficiles, un effort européen fort et uni a permis de conclure un accord pour maintenir en vie les objectifs de l'accord de Paris. Le rôle de médiateur de l'UE a également contribué à la mise en place de nouveaux mécanismes de financement équilibrés, avec une base de donateurs élargie, pour aider les communautés vulnérables à faire face aux pertes et aux dommages causés par le changement climatique.

La présidente Ursula von der Leyen a déclaré à propos des résultats de la COP27 : « La COP27 a confirmé que le monde ne reviendra pas sur l'accord de Paris, et constitue une étape importante vers la justice climatique. Cependant, la science montre clairement qu'il faut aller beaucoup plus loin pour que la planète reste vivable. Il est tout aussi clair que l'UE a joué un rôle clé à Charm el-Cheikh et qu'elle ne relâchera pas son action nationale et internationale en faveur du climat. Je remercie le vice-président exécutif Timmermans et notre équipe de négociation d'avoir travaillé nuit et jour pour débloquer ces discussions difficiles et éviter un effondrement du processus de la CCNUCC qui restera critique. Notre équipe de négociation a su instaurer la confiance avec nos partenaires du monde entier, en restant ferme sur l'atténuation et en faisant preuve de flexibilité sur le financement des pertes et dommages causés par le changement climatique. »

En ce qui concerne l'atténuation, les parties à la conférence des Nations unies sur le changement climatique sont convenues que la limitation du réchauffement de la planète à 1,5 degré nécessite des réductions rapides, profondes et durables des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre, en les réduisant de 43 % d'ici à 2030 par rapport au niveau de 2019.

Elles ont également reconnu que cela nécessite une action accélérée au cours de cette décennie critique et ont réitéré l'appel du Pacte de Glasgow pour le climat afin que les contributions déterminées au niveau national (CDN) soient mises à jour pour s'aligner sur l'objectif de température de l'Accord de Paris, d'ici la fin de 2023.

Elles ont également affirmé que le Pacte climatique de Glasgow guidera un nouveau Programme de travail d'atténuation afin d'encourager les parties à aligner leurs objectifs et leurs actions vers zéro émission nette.

En ce qui concerne les pertes et dommages, les parties ont décidé d'établir de nouvelles modalités de financement pour aider les pays en développement qui sont particulièrement vulnérables aux effets néfastes du changement climatique. Celles-ci incluent un nouveau fonds axé sur les pertes et dommages, qui sera mis en place par un comité transitoire et examinera également l'élargissement des sources de financement.

Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne et les déclarations de la présidente von der Leyen et du vice-président exécutif Timmermans sont disponibles ici et ici.

(Pour plus d'informations : Eric Mamer – Tél. : +32 2 299 40 73 ; Tim McPhie – Tél. : +32 229 58602 ; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tél. : +32 229 81325)

 

New Interoperable Europe Act to deliver more efficient public services through improved cooperation between national administrations on data exchanges and IT solutions

The Commission has adopted the Interoperable Europe Act proposal and its accompanying Communication to strengthen cross-border interoperability and cooperation in the public sector across the EU. The Act will support the creation of a network of sovereign and interconnected digital public administrations and will accelerate the digital transformation of Europe's public sector. It will help the EU and its Member States to deliver better public services to citizens and businesses, and as such, it is an essential step to achieve Europe's digital targets for 2030 and support trusted data flows. It will also help save costs, cross-border interoperability can lead to cost-savings between €5.5 and €6.3 million for citizens, and between €5.7 and €19.2 billion for businesses dealing with public administrations.

The Interoperable Europe Act introduces a cooperation framework for public administrations across the EU that helps build secure cross-border exchange of data and agree on shared digital solutions, such as open source software, guidelines, checklists, frameworks, and IT tools. It will also enable them to cooperate more effectively, exchange information and to ensure the seamless delivery of public services across borders, sectors and organisational boundaries. It stimulates public sector innovation and public-private “GovTech” projects.

Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Budget and Administration: “Improving public sector interoperability is fundamental for building a digital European Union, one that is open, inclusive, fair and trusted. It translates the core European idea of together finding better solutions for the digital age. It allows public administrations to better cooperate, to understand and trust each other, for the benefit of people, businesses, and our communities.”

Essentially, interoperability is about achieving common goals together, despite organisational or geographical distance between actors. Public sector interoperability represents the ability of administrations to cooperate and make public services function across borders, sectors and organisational boundaries. A press release and Q&A are available online.

(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

 

EU Cohesion Policy: €37.3 billion for Spain to support its green transition and a fair and competitive economy

In 2021-2027, Spain will benefit from €37.3 billion in Cohesion Policy funding to accelerate the country's green transition, finance innovation and digitisation, increase the employment rate and improve local social services.

The strategy and details for these investments are set out in the Partnership Agreement between Spain and the Commission. It paves the way for the implementation on the ground of 45 programmes out of which six at national level. Spanish less developed regions (Andalucía, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Ceuta and Melilla) will receive 50% of the funds.

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 the EU priorities, laying down the strategy and investment priorities identified by each Member State. In its Partnership Agreement, Spain reflects also a strong commitment to the coordinated use of the Cohesion Policy funds with the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

The Partnership Agreement with Spain is the 24^th to be adopted.

More details in the press release.

(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker: Tel. +32 229-84680; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229-87269)

 

Common Agricultural Policy 2023-27: Strategic plans of Germany, Greece and Lithuania worth €47.8 billion approved

Today, the CAP strategic plans of Germany, Greece and Lithuania, respectively worth €30.5 billion, €13.4 billion, and €3.9 billion, were approved by the Commission and represent a total EU budget of €47.8 billion. Out of the total EU budget of these three countries, more than €14 billion will be dedicated to environmental and climate objectives and eco-schemes and €1.6 billion for young farmers.

In its plan, Germany focuses on protecting climate and environment while ensuring the competitiveness and resilience of farms and rural areas. Organic farming is specifically supported with nearly €2.4 billion and about 30% of the agricultural land will respectively benefit from practices reducing emissions or maintaining/enhancing carbon storage, improving soil quality or enhancing water quality.

Greece's plan will improve the viability of small- and medium-sized holdings, which represent the backbone of Greek agriculture. This will be done with the help of targeted income support and an additional redistributive payment. The Greek plan also aims to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture and manage natural resources more efficiently.

Lithuania puts a strong emphasis on fair incomes for farmers in its plan. Around €3 billion is allocated for income support with a redistributive payment for small- and medium-sized farms, as well as coupled support for several sectors. More than 4,600 young farmers will be supported to set up and will then receive additional aid. Sustainable farming practices will also be rewarded.

The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), set to start on 1 January 2023, is designed to shape the transition to a sustainable, resilient and modern European agricultural sector. The CAP will benefit from €270 billion in funding for the 2023-2027 period. More information on each plan as well as the breakdown of their CAP budget is available in the “at a glance” documents and more information are available in our news item online.

(For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)

 

Politique de cohésion de l'UE : 148 millions d'euros pour une transition climatique juste dans les Bouches-du-Rhône

À la suite de la décision prise par la Commission, 148 millions d'euros du Fonds pour une transition juste (FTJ) soutiendront la transition juste vers une économie climatiquement neutre du département français des Bouches-du-Rhône en Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Région. Bouches du Rhône représentent 17,18% des émissions de CO2 de la France.

Grâce à des investissements dans la recherche et l'innovation, le FTJ soutiendra la décarbonisation de la région des quatre industries les plus émettrices (cokéfaction et raffinage de combustibles fossiles, métallurgie, production de minéraux et de produits chimiques non métalliques). Cela stimulera l'innovation industrielle dans les énergies renouvelables et le recyclage des ressources.

Le Fonds soutiendra également l'économie circulaire en utilisant davantage de matériaux recyclés et biosourcés. Il favorisera un mix énergétique plus vert via des investissements dans les énergies renouvelables pour les bâtiments, l'éolien et la biomasse.

Les Plans territoriaux de transition juste (TJTP) identifient les territoires qui bénéficieront du soutien du FTJ suite à un dialogue avec la Commission et les partenaires locaux dans le cadre des négociations des accords de partenariat 2021-2027. La Commission a approuvé l'accord de partenariat avec la France en mai 2022. Les TJTP permettent également un financement dans le cadre d'InvestEU (un régime de transition juste) et de la facilité de prêt du secteur public pour une transition juste (combinant des subventions de la Commission avec des prêts de la Banque européenne d'investissement).

(Pour plus d'informations : Stefan de Keersmaecker : Tél. +32 229-84680 ; Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229-87269)

 

EU Cohesion Policy: Journalists, do you want to learn more about Cohesion and other EU policies?

Are you a journalist working in an EU region and wishing to learn more about Cohesion Policy, EU funds and policies? If so, you are invited to apply to the study programme #EUinMyRegion Media Trips launched today. The call is open for all local and regional journalists until 21 December 2022, 17:00 CET.

The programme includes online training sessions and a study visit to Brussels. You will learn about the EU institutions, their structures and procedures, Cohesion Policy, and how the EU handles fraud and mismanagement of funds. You will also have the opportunity to meet Commission country experts, visit EU funded projects and learn how to use the Commission's data tools.

After the programme, you will have a better understanding of EU policies and in particular of Cohesion Policy. You will have established contacts with fellow journalists from other countries and regions, as well as contributed through your reporting to the development of the European project.

The first study trip to Brussels will take place on 2 and 3 February 2023. Two other trips will be organised in March and April. Around 40 journalists are expected to join each study trip.

The Commission will cover the travel and accommodation costs for participation in the programme.

(For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker: Tel. +32 229-84680; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229-87269)

 

Vaccination: Confidence returns to pre-pandemic levels

Today, the Commission published the 2022 State of Vaccine Confidence in the European Union report. The third of its kind, this report shows that, across the EU-27 Member States, 81.5% of respondents agree that vaccines are important, 85.6% agree they are effective and 82.3% agree that they are safe. Following fluctuations during the pandemic, perceptions have generally returned to their 2018 levels. Nevertheless, differences between countries and vaccine types persist. A comparison of the public confidence between over 65-year-olds and 18-34-year-olds shows an increasing “vaccine confidence gap”: The 18-34-year-olds became less confident between 2018 and 2022.

Commissioner for Health and Food safety, Stella Kyriakides, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic showed how important vaccines are, saving an estimated 20 million lives in the first year after their authorisation. This is a testament to our strong cooperation with researchers, scientists, manufacturers, national authorities, and our global partners. At the same time, the report underlines the speed at which confidence can change and the many factors that can influence it. Gains in vaccine confidence prior to the pandemic were the result of a concerted effort in the EU. We must learn lessons from the pandemic and join forces to understand the barriers so that we can close vaccination gaps.”

The Confidence report is part of the follow-up to the 2018 Council recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases. The recommendation presents a list of activities to increase the uptake of vaccination. As part of the EU4Health programme's vaccine misinformation counter initiative, the Commission is launching a communication campaign on the benefits of lifelong, COVID, seasonal influenza and HPV vaccination, under the title United In Protection. For more information, please see the factsheet.

(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 99)

 

Agriculture: La Commission approuve trois nouvelles indications géographiques de Croatie, Grèce et Slovénie

La Commission a approuvé aujourd'hui une nouvelle appellation d'origine protégée (AOP): « Meso istarskog goveda – boškarina / Meso istrskega goveda – boškarina » (viande) de Croatie et Slovénie (péninsule istrienne) et deux nouvelles indications géographiques protégées (IGP): « Samoborska češnjovka / samoborska češnofka » (saucisse) de Croatie et « Κατσικάκι Λήμνου / Katsikaki Limnou » (viande) de Grèce.

La « Meso istarskog goveda – boškarina / Meso istrskega goveda – boškarina » est une viande produite à base de bovins nés sur le territoire de la péninsule istrienne et élevés de façon traditionnelle. Elle est de couleur rose clair à rouge foncé, présente une odeur agréable et la saveur caractéristique du bœuf, et convient pour la préparation de divers plats de viande.

La « Samoborska češnjovka » / « Samoborska češnofka » est une saucisse fumée à cuire confectionnée à partir de viande de porc, de bœuf et/ou de veau, additionnée d'une décoction d'ail frais et de vin blanc sec, produite dans la région de Samobor, au nord de la Croatie. La « Samoborska češnjovka / Samoborska češnofka » est un ingrédient couramment utilisé dans les plats traditionnels.

La viande de « Κατσικάκι Λήμνου / Katsikaki Limnou » est produite à partir de chevreaux nés sur les îles de Limnos et d'Agios Efstratios, au nord-est de la mer Égée. Elle présente des caractéristiques organoleptiques agréables résultant des méthodes traditionnelles d'élevage des chevreaux et des chèvres, ainsi que de leur alimentation, qui repose principalement sur la richesse de la végétation des pâturages des îles.

Ces nouvelles dénominations seront ajoutées à la liste des 1 601 produits agricoles déjà protégés. La liste de toutes les indications géographiques protégées se trouve dans la base de données eAmbrosia. Plus d'informations sont disponibles en ligne sur les systèmes de qualité et sur notre portail GIView.

(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 €1.1 billion Austrian scheme to support companies facing increased energy costs in context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Austrian scheme to support companies facing increased energy costs 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, 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, the aid will take the form of direct grants up to €400,000 per company and up to €2 million for energy intensive businesses. Furthermore, the latter are eligible for increased support under the measure if they have incurred operating losses, up to €25 million (and up to €50 million if they are active in particularly affected sectors).

The Commission concluded that the Austrian 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 €1.1 billion scheme will enable Austria to mitigate the impact of the rising input costs on energy and trade intensive companies and support the continuation of their activities in this difficult context.”

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 amendment to 2022-2027 regional aid map for Austria

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment to Austria's map for granting regional aid until 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised regional aid Guidelines.

On 20 January 2022, the Commission approved the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Austria. On 3 August 2022, the Commission approved Austria's Territorial Just Transition Plan that identifies the territories eligible for support from the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF').

In order to further address regional disparities, the amendment to Austria's regional aid map approved today enlarges the already designated so-called non-predefined ‘c' areas by adding further areas of Steiermark, as well as designates a new non-predefined ‘c' area consisting of parts of Oberösterreich that have been identified as territories eligible for support under the JTF. In all of those areas, the maximum aid intensities for large enterprises vary between 10% and 15%, depending on their GDP per capita or unemployment rate.

The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.104081 (in the State Aid Register) on the Commission's competition website. New publications of state aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.

(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 joint control of Olam Agri by Olam Group and SALIC

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Olam Agri Holdings Pte. Ltd. (‘Olam Agri') by Olam Group Limited (‘Olam Group'), both of Singapore, and Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (‘SALIC') of Saudi Arabia.

Olam Agri is a worldwide merchant and processor of agricultural goods, with activities spanning the entire value chain, from farming to distributing. Olam Group is active worldwide in the food and agri-business sectors through its various subsidiaries. SALIC is an investment company active in the agricultural and food industries mostly in Saudi Arabia.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the absence of horizontal overlaps and vertical links between the companies' 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.10790.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

Commissioner Kyriakides participates in a conference on lessons learned from COVID-19 and on how to ensure a stronger EU Health Security Framework

Commissioner Stella Kyriakides will participate in a two-day conference on COVID-19 lessons learned and looking ahead to ensure a stronger EU Health Security Framework taking place Tuesday and Wednesday. The conference is organised by Commission and the Luxemburgish Health Ministry and looks at the lessons drawn from the pandemic and at the future preparedness to ensure a stronger EU Health Security Framework.

Participants include Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, Paulette Lenert, Minister of Health of Luxembourg, Kathleen Van Brempt, MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic (COVI), Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, Francesca Colombo, Head of Health Division, OECD, Christophe Bayer, Ministry of health, Germany, and Sandra Gallina, Director General of DG SANTE, alongside health experts and practitioners. They will share their pandemic experiences, as well as reflections on the resilience of the EU's health systems, the impact on inequalities, mental health and global collaboration.

The agenda and registration information be found in this link. A press conference will take place on Tuesday at 17:30 CET, at the place of the event.

(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 99)

 

L'Europe a besoin d'une gestion de crise meilleure et plus stratégique, selon des conseillers scientifiques et éthiques indépendants

Informé par les dernières données probantes sur la gestion de crise, le mécanisme de conseil scientifique à la Commission européenne (SAM) présentera demain son avis scientifique sur la politique d'adaptation de l'UE dans la période de crise actuelle. Le rapport d'examen des données soulignera la nature changeante des crises, leurs conséquences et conseillera à l'Union européenne d'adapter ses réponses de gestion de crise en conséquence.

Le rapport d'examen des données, l'avis scientifique et la déclaration sur la gestion stratégique des crises dans l'UE seront remis à Mariya Gabriel, commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse, et à Janez Lenarčič, commissaire à la gestion des crises, demain de 10h00 à 10h30 à Strasbourg.

La cérémonie de remise peut être suivie en direct ici, et plus d'informations seront disponibles après ici.

(Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615 ; Charles Manoury – Tél.: +32 229 13391)

 

 

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

 

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

 

* UPDATED on 21 November 2022, at 15:35