Daily News 24 / 11 / 2022

European Solidarity Corps: over €142 million to give a helping hand through volunteering to those most in need

Today, the Commission launched the call for proposals under the European Solidarity Corps for 2023. The European Solidarity Corps is an EU programme for young people who wish to engage in solidarity activities in various areas ranging from helping disadvantaged people to contributing to health and environmental action, across the EU and beyond. The call intends to create more solidarity opportunities for young people, making over €142 million available.

It will fund volunteering, youth-led solidarity projects, volunteering teams in high priority areas focussing on relief for persons fleeing armed conflicts and other victims of natural or non-natural disasters as well as prevention, promotion and support in the field of health. This call also offers participants the possibility to contribute to humanitarian aid operations across the globe.

The programme is open to people aged between 18 and 30 for solidarity activities addressing societal challenges and between 18 and 35 for volunteering in support of international humanitarian aid activities. Young people wishing to engage in European Solidarity Corps activities need to register in the European Solidarity Corps portal, where they can browse and find organisations implementing projects. Groups of young people registered in the European Solidarity Corps Portal may also apply for funding for solidarity projects led by themselves. Any public or private body may apply for funding to carry out activities under the European Solidarity Corps based on a quality label, which certifies that they are able to carry out high quality solidarity activities in compliance with the principles, objectives and requirements of the programme.

Due to its in-built flexibility, the European Solidarity Corps quickly mobilised to support the displaced Ukrainians, in cooperation with National Agencies. In 2022, project applicants were encouraged to include activities linked to the integration of displaced Ukrainians, the promotion of European common values or the fight against disinformation and fake news.

More information in the press release.

(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)

 

Inauguration d'un nouveau supercalculateur européen de classe mondiale en Italie

Aujourd'hui, la Commission, en collaboration avec l'entreprise commune pour le calcul à haute performance européen (EuroHPC JU), le ministère italien des universités et de la recherche et le consortium CINECA, ont inauguré le nouveau supercalculateur européen: LEONARDO, situé au Technopole de Bologne, en Italie.

LEONARDO est un système de supercalcul de classe mondiale, développé et assemblé en Europe. Une fois pleinement opérationnel, il disposera d'une puissance de calcul de près de 250 pétaflops (250 millions de milliards de calculs par seconde). LEONARDO est actuellement le quatrième supercalculateur le plus puissant au monde. Il résulte d'un investissement conjoint de 120 millions d'euros, dont la moitié provient de la Commission et l'autre moitié du ministère italien des universités et de la recherche et du consortium CINECA composé de cinq autres pays participants de l'EuroHPC (Autriche, Grèce, Hongrie, Slovaquie et Slovénie).

LEONARDO est le deuxième des supercalculateurs préexaflopiques européens à entrer en service, après LUMI à Kajaani, en Finlande. Il combine des composants de calcul à haute performance de pointe et l'utilisation de l'intelligence artificielle pour accomplir des tâches très complexes. À ce titre, il permettra de mener des recherches sans précédent sur le cancer et la découverte de médicaments, de comprendre le fonctionnement du cerveau humain, de découvrir des technologies énergétiques propres, de modéliser plus précisément le climat et de contribuer à la prévision et au suivi des catastrophes naturelles et des pandémies.

Le système de supercalculateur LEONARDO met l'accent sur la durabilité environnementale et est équipé d'outils permettant un ajustement dynamique de la consommation électrique, permettant ainsi un équilibre intelligent et optimal entre les économies d'énergie et les performances. En outre, il utilise un système de refroidissement par eau pour accroître l'efficacité énergétique.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles dans ce communiqué de presse.

(Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 2 295 86 15; Marietta Grammenou – Tél.: +32 2 298 35 83)

 

Energy Security: Commission sets storage refilling trajectories for 2023

The Gas Storage Regulation sets an obligation for Member States to fill their gas storage facilities at 90% by 1 November 2023. To be well-prepared for winter next year, the Commission has published today target trajectories for the refilling of gas storage by Member States in 2023. A sufficiently filled EU gas storage contributes to security of supply and market stability, making our energy system more fit to face disruptions in supply and spikes in demand.

In an Implementing Regulation based on the EU Gas Storage Regulation, the Commission has established the trajectories for Member States to be able to reach the 90% gas storage target by 1 November 2023.

Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said: “It is key that we already start preparing for the winter of next year. We have to minimise the impact of Russian manipulations and possible hikes in demand due to weather or global market conditions. Setting a trajectory now for 2023 provides market operators with much-needed certainty and helps the EU go through next year's winter safely.”

The Act defines the intermediate targets for February, May, July and September 2023 for those Member States that have underground storage on their territory. You can find more information here.

(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 2 295 86 61)

 

EU Cohesion Policy: €459 million for a just climate transition in Slovakia

The Commission has adopted the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP) for Slovakia setting the strategy for the investment of €459 million allocated to the country from the Just Transition Fund (JTF). These funds will support a fair transition towards climate neutrality in Slovakia's most vulnerable regions.

The Fund will help Slovakia's phasing out from coal extraction and coal-fired electric power generation by 2023. In particular, it will support a fair transition for the country's metals and chemicals industries in the Upper Nitra, Košice and Banská Bystrica regions.

The TJTPs identify the territories that will receive JTF support following a dialogue with the Commission and local partners in the framework of the negotiations of the 2021-2027 Partnership Agreements. The Commission approved the Partnership Agreement with Slovakia in July 2022.

The TJTPs also allow financing under InvestEU (a just transition scheme) and the Public Sector Loan Facility for Just Transition (combining Commission grants with European Investment bank loans).

More details in the press release. Watch the video.

(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 2 298 72 69)

 

5G on planes, Wi-Fi on the road – Commission decision opens up new opportunities for innovation

Airlines will be able to provide the latest 5G technology on their planes, alongside previous mobile technology generations as the Commission updated the implementing decision on spectrum for mobile communications on-board aircrafts, designating certain frequencies for in-flight 5G technology.

Passengers aboard flights in the EU will be able to use their mobile phones to the maximum of their capacity and features, just like with a ground-based 5G mobile network.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal market, said “5G will enable innovative services for people and growth opportunities for European companies. The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity.”

Since 2008, the Commission's implementing decision has reserved certain frequencies for mobile communications on planes, allowing airlines to provide messaging, phone calls and data services to passengers flying in the EU. This update of the Commission implementing decision on mobile communications on-board aircraft paves the way for the wide-spread deployment of 5G services.

The service is provided within the cabin of an equipped aircraft using special network equipment, the so-called ‘pico-cell', to connect the users and route calls, texts, and data, typically via a satellite network, between the airplane and the ground-based mobile network.

The Commission also amended an implementing decision on 5GHz frequency bands, which makes the bands available for Wi-Fi in road transport, for example in cars and buses. The amending decision lays the foundation for innovations in the automotive industry and potentially for Metaverse applications. According to the amendment of the implementing decision, the Member States shall make the 5GHz frequency bands available for use aboard road vehicles as early as possible and at the latest by 30 June 2023.

More information about 5G in the EU is available here.

(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 15; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 2 298 35 83)

 

Union européenne de la santé : la Commission garantit près de 3.5 millions de traitements contre la COVID-19 au moyen d'un contrat de passation conjointe de marché

L'Autorité de préparation et de réaction en matière de santé (HERA) de la Commission a signé un contrat-cadre de passation conjointe de marché pour la fourniture de Paxlovid, un traitement oral inhibiteur de la protéase SARS-CoV-2 pour les patients atteints de COVID-19 risquant de développer une maladie grave. Le contrat est signé avec l'entreprise pharmaceutique Pfizer pour une durée initiale de 12 mois.

Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, a déclaré : « Outre des vaccins sûrs et efficaces, les traitements constituent un pilier essentiel de nos efforts pour lutter contre la COVID-19. Nous avons travaillé main dans la main avec nos États membres pour garantir un traitement thérapeutique sûr et efficace qui contribuera à protéger et à traiter les citoyens les plus exposés à la COVID-19. Ces efforts resteront cruciaux dans les semaines et les mois à venir, étant donné que la situation épidémiologique continue d'évoluer au cours de l'hiver. »

Treize États membres de l'UE et de l'EEE ainsi que des pays candidats à l'adhésion à l'UE participent à la passation de marchés. Ils pourront acheter jusqu'à 3 427 517 traitements de cinq jours du Paxlovid administré par voie orale.

Paxlovid peut être utilisé pour le traitement de la COVID-19 chez les adultes qui n'ont pas besoin d'oxygène de subsistance et qui courent un risque accru d'aggravation de la maladie. Paxlovid devrait être efficace contre les souches actuellement en circulation et dominantes du virus.

Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter notre communiqué de presse.

(Pour plus d'informations : Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél. : +32 2 298 46 80 ; Célia Dejond – Tél. : +32 2 298 81 99)

 

EU Code of Conduct against online hate speech: latest evaluation shows slowdown in progress

Today, the European Commission released the results of its seventh evaluation of the Code of Conduct on countering illegal hate speech online. This year's results unfortunately show a decrease in companies' notice-and-action results: the number of notifications reviewed by the companies within 24 hours dropped as compared to the last two monitoring exercises, from 90.4% in 2020, to 81% in 2021, and 64.4% in 2022. TikTok is the only company that improved its time of assessment. The removal rate, at 63.6%, is also considerably lower than at its peak in 2020 (71%). Only YouTube performed better on this parameter than in the last two years. There is, however, a positive development on the companies' frequency and quality of feedback to users, something which the Commission had been calling on companies to improve in the 2021 report.

To support the implementation of the Code of Conduct and address the gaps in notice-and-action, the IT companies and the network of trusted flagger organisations involved in the monitoring exercises have agreed on an action framework. It lays down cooperation initiatives between the parties, where they commit to strengthening their dialogue to counter hate speech online. The Commission will continue monitoring the implementation of the Code of Conduct.

A press release and a factsheet with more information on the results of the evaluation are available online.

(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 2 296 34 44; Cristina Torres Castillo - Tel.: +32 2 299 06 79).

 

Common Agricultural Policy 2023-27: strategic plans of Czechia and Slovakia worth €8.9 billion approved

Today, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans of Czechia and Slovakia, respectively worth €5.6 billion and €3.3 billion, were approved by the Commission. They represent a total EU budget of €8.9 billion. Out of the total EU budget of these two countries, €3 billion will be dedicated to environmental and climate objectives and eco-schemes and more than €200 million to young farmers.

A key objective of Czechia's plan is the fairer distribution and more effective targeting of income support. In terms of environmental priorities, focus is on the protection of natural resources and biodiversity. Under the Czech plan, the agricultural area with CAP support for organic farming should increase from the current 16% to 21% by 2027. Finally, the CAP will invest in rural areas to slow down depopulation and strengthen rural employment. It is expected that more than 1,700 jobs will be created thanks to the CAP's funding.

Slovakia's plan aims to increase its agricultural sector's competitiveness and resilience while protecting natural resources. An additional annual support of €370 million will help Slovak farmers in areas facing natural constraints, as 61% of Slovak agricultural land falls into such category. With the help of the CAP's support, the Slovak plan aspires to have 20% of its agricultural land farmed organically by 2030. Rural development is also a big part of Slovakia's plan as it will support the creation of 1,500 jobs and 430 rural businesses.

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)

 

Pollution zéro : L'UE rejoint la coalition pour un accord mondial ambitieux visant à mettre fin à la pollution plastique d'ici 2040

L'UE rejoint aujourd'hui « La coalition de haute ambition pour mettre fin à la pollution plastique », confirmant ainsi son engagement à viser haut dans les négociations mondiales en vue d'un accord ambitieux, mettant fin à la pollution plastique d'ici 2040. L'UE insistera sur l'adoption d'un instrument juridiquement contraignant, sur la nécessité d'une action urgente et sur l'application d'une approche circulaire quant au recyclage des plastiques. Il sera essentiel que le nouvel instrument prévoie l'obligation pour les pays d'intensifier les actions visant à empêcher les plastiques de s'accumuler dans l'environnement. Les négociations débuteront en Uruguay le 28 novembre 2022 et devraient s'achever en 2025.

La coalition est coprésidée par la Norvège et le Rwanda et comprend près d'un tiers des États membres des Nations unies.

Le vice-président exécutif pour le pacte vert pour l'Europe, Frans Timmermans, a déclaré : « Depuis la présentation de la stratégie européenne sur les plastiques en 2018, l'Union européenne a joué un rôle moteur dans la lutte contre la pollution plastique. Nous sommes déterminés à continuer de faire pression pour une action ambitieuse à travers le monde, car la lutte contre les crises du climat et de la biodiversité doit tous nous impliquer. Avec les membres de cette coalition, l'UE s'efforcera d'obtenir un plan mondial solide pour mettre fin à la pollution plastique. »

Le commissaire à l'environnement, aux océans et à la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, a déclaré : « La pollution plastique est un problème mondial qui nécessite des solutions mondiales. Dans l'UE, nous ne cessons de renforcer nos efforts et d'améliorer notre législation pour réduire les déchets plastiques. En rejoignant la coalition pour mettre fin à la pollution plastique, nous signalons non seulement notre engagement, mais aussi notre volonté de montrer l'exemple. »

L'adoption d'un instrument juridiquement contraignant visant à mettre fin à la pollution plastique est une priorité essentielle du plan d'action de l'UE en faveur de l'économie circulaire dans le cadre du pacte vert pour l'Europe. La communauté mondiale a franchi une étape importante lors de la cinquième session de l'Assemblée des Nations unies pour l'environnement en mars 2022, lorsque les pays ont convenu d'entamer des négociations pour un tel instrument.

Vous trouverez de plus amples informations ici.

(Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: +32 229 53156; Anna Wartberger – Tél.: +32 229 82504)

 

Bulgaria and Germany will receive substantial funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for 2021-2027

The Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programs for Bulgaria and Germany. The total amount of the allocated funds for Bulgaria, which cover this six years period, is €121 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €85 million.

The total amount of the allocated funds for Germany is €302.6 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €211.8 million.

All supported activities will contribute to the EU's environmental and climate objectives.

The programme's allocation will be mostly dedicated to sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and processing, and marketing as well as to sustainable blue economy. The programs will support the resilience of the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors by notably stimulating the shift to lower-carbon fuels but also low-impact fishing techniques and gears, as well as innovative solutions for control and collection of fisheries data.

Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “The adopted EMFAF programs will help Bulgaria and Germany build a resilient, innovative, sustainable and low-carbon fishery, aquaculture and processing sectors and boost their green and digital transition. For Bulgaria, it will substantially contribute to the development of fishing and aquaculture communities, support protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems and strengthen sustainable sea and ocean management. For Germany, the program will be crucial to support the protection and restoration of biological diversity of marine and inland ecosystems.”

The programs will also support the green and digital transition of the sector with investments in renewable energy, new IT technologies and waste reduction methods.

More information is available here and here. Links to Germany's and Bulgaria's Partnership Agreements are also available.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 229 53156; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 229 82504)

 

“Get Digital: Go Green & Be Resilient” initiative: Commission boosts businesses through an award and matchmaking series

Earlier today, the Commission awarded the Get Digital initiative “best digital solution” prize to Climate Choice, Dropslab, Eturnity and PoINT. The winning start-ups and SMEs operate in the digital, energy-renewables, energy-intensive, mobility and construction ecosystem.  The solutions they put forward demonstrate high-impact potential to the greening and digitalisation of European industry.

The four companies were selected from a catalogue of 62 identified European and Ukrainian companies across 16 Member States. Along with the top 10 solutions, these companies will get dedicated support services from the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and the membership at the European DIGITAL SME Alliance.

The Commission will launch the Get Digital matchmaking series, starting in 2023. These series will focus on further connecting promising European digital start-ups and SMEs with potential business partners and industrial users. This market facilitation supports business development, competitiveness gains and sustainable transformation. The Get Digital initiative was co-organised with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the European Innovation Council (EIC) and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), alongside the European DIGITAL SME Alliance. One of its objectives is to create a catalogue of leading European businesses with use cases for a more resilient industry.

More updates on the matchmaking will follow. You can follow the Get Digital initiative on the website, the newsletter, or on Twitter.

(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 229 66043)

 

InvestEU: €75 million in support for transition infrastructure fund to invest in a green and digital economy

The European Investment Fund (EIF), backed by the InvestEU programme, has made a cornerstone investment of €75 million in the Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund, which has reached a first close at €210 million. The objective of the Eurazeo Transition Infrastructure Fund is to invest in transition infrastructure, including the energy transition, the digital transition, clean transport, and circular economy. This will help to generate additional funding for the green and digital transition.

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said: “Developing the transition infrastructure needed to decarbonise our economies will require significant and sustained investment. InvestEU is an innovative and powerful tool that is helping to harness this investment. I am delighted that, with this agreement, InvestEU is channelling the finance needed to accelerate the deployment of a new green economy.”

The InvestEU programme provides the EU with long-term funding by leveraging private and public funds in support of EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee and thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

 

InvestEU: €150 million to be raised for innovations in deep technologies sector

Backed by the InvestEU programme, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has committed €45 million to the OTB Fund II by OTB Ventures, a European venture capital firm focused on the deep technologies sector. The fund is expected to raise €150 million to be directly invested in tech companies developing innovative scientific breakthroughs across enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) automation, space technology, fintech and cybersecurity, with special attention to climate tech solutions.

Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said: “The InvestEU programme is playing an important role across Europe in mobilising the finance that businesses need to innovate, expand and create jobs. This agreement demonstrates how InvestEU can help Europe remain at the forefront of research and technology. This is of particular importance as we invest to secure the green and digital transitions.”

The InvestEU programme provides the EU with long-term funding by leveraging private and public funds in support of EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal and the digital transition. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who will invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee and thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.  

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

 

Le plan d'investissement pour l'Europe soutient avec 40 millions d'euros le développement de traitements médicaux innovants en France

La Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI), soutenue par le Fonds européen pour les investissements stratégiques (EFSI), a signé une convention de prêt de 40 millions d'euros avec la société pharmaceutique française MedinCell, destinée à soutenir le développement du portefeuille de traitements innovants de l'entreprise. Grâce à ce nouveau prêt accordé par la BEI, après un prêt précédent de 20 millions d'euros en 2018, également soutenu par le plan d'investissement pour l'Europe, MedinCell poursuivra sa mission de relever les grands défis mondiaux en matière de soins de santé grâce à des traitements innovateurs. La technologie injectable à action longue de MedinCell peut être utilisée pour développer des options thérapeutiques innovantes dans de nombreux domaines thérapeutiques. 

Paolo Gentiloni, commissaire chargé de l'économie, a déclaré: “Nous sommes déterminés à améliorer la qualité de vie des citoyens de l'UE en investissant dans l'innovation en matière de soins de santé. Cet investissement, garanti par le plan d'investissement pour l'Europe, en est la preuve et contribue à renforcer la position de l'Europe à la pointe de la recherche et du développement. ”

L'EFSI est le principal pilier du plan d'investissement pour l'Europe, qui a mobilisé jusqu'à présent 524,3 milliards d'euros d'investissements, bénéficiant à plus de 1,4 millions de petites et moyennes entreprises. 

Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. 

(Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302 ; Flora Matthaes — Tél.: + 32 229 83951)

 

State aid: Commission approves €1.22 billion Irish scheme to support companies in context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €1.22 billion Irish scheme to support companies across sectors 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 direct grants. The measure will be open to companies of all sizes active in all sectors that are affected by the current crisis, with the exception of credit and financial institutions.

In order to be eligible, companies must demonstrate that the average monthly unit price for either electricity or gas has increased by at least 50%, compared to the average unit price for the same month in the previous year. Such businesses are eligible for aid up to 40% of those additional costs.  

The Commission concluded that the Irish 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 €1.22 billion scheme approved today will enable Ireland to support affected sectors and companies, in particular the smaller ones, by ensuring that sufficient liquidity remains available to them."

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 €175 million Portuguese scheme to compensate energy-intensive companies for indirect emission costs

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €175 million Portuguese scheme to partially compensate energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from the impact of carbon prices on electricity generation costs (so-called ‘indirect emission costs'), incurred between 2021-2030, under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS').

The measure will benefit companies active in sectors listed in Annex I to ETS State aid Guidelines, which face significant electricity costs and are particularly exposed to international competition. The compensation will be granted to eligible companies through a partial refund of the indirect emission costs incurred in the previous year, with the final payment to be made in 2031. The maximum aid amount per beneficiary will be equal to 75 % of the indirect emission costs incurred. To encourage energy savings, the aid amount is calculated based on electricity consumption efficiency benchmarks. Eligible beneficiaries have to either (i) implement certain energy audit recommendations, (ii) cover at least 30 % of their electricity consumption with carbon-free sources, or (iii) invest at least 50 % of the aid amount in projects leading to substantial reductions of their installations' greenhouse gas emissions. Beneficiaries will have to comply with one of those obligations within three years from the granting of the aid.

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, and in particular the ETS State aid Guidelines. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support energy-intensive companies to cope with the higher electricity prices and to avoid that companies relocate to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies, resulting in an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the Commission found that the scheme complies with the requirements set out in the ETS State aid Guidelines. Finally, the Commission concluded that the aid granted is limited to the minimum necessary. On this basis, the Commission approved the Portuguese scheme under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.100103 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

 

State aid: Commission approves €34.4 million Italian scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €34.4 million Italian 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 employers active in the iron, steel, wood, ceramics, automotive and agribusiness sectors. In order to be eligible, companies must have suspended their activities during the period between 22 March and 31 May 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of an exemption from the payment of the social security contributions due for each month of the abovementioned period, up to €2 million per company, or up to € 250,000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products

The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €250,000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products and €2 million per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023. The Commission concluded that the Italian 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.

More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.104492 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)

 

State aid: Commission approves €12.6 million Dutch scheme to support zoos in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €12.6 million scheme to support zoos in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. It follows two similar Dutch schemes that the Commission approved respectively on 12 February 2021 (SA.59706) and on 9 December 2021 (SA.100258) for different periods.

The approved scheme covers the period from 19 December 2021 to 25 January 2022, when zoos were closed in the Netherlands due to the restrictive measures imposed by the Dutch authorities to limit the spread of the virus. Under the scheme, the Dutch authorities will compensate zoos for the fixed costs linked to animal care.

The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(2)(b) TFEU,  which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures granted by Member States to compensate specific companies or sectors for the damages directly caused by exceptional occurrences, such as the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Dutch measure will provide compensation for damage that is directly linked to the coronavirus pandemic. It also found that the measure is proportionate, as the compensation does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information on 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.103571 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 PETRONAS and Durio

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by PETRONAS Trading Corporation SDN BHD (‘PETRONAS') of Malaysia and Durio Invest BV (‘Durio') of the Netherlands.

The joint venture, Orim Holding Ltd, will be headquartered in Malta and will take over Durio's activities. PETRONAS is active in the sale and processing of crude oil and petroleum products, as well as the wholesale of marine fuels. Durio is active in the supply of marine fuels and the refuelling of sea-faring vessels in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp region, and in Malta.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the very limited overlaps 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.10918.

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

 

 

STATEMENTS

 

 

Violence à l'égard des femmes: L'Union européenne crée un numéro d'assistance téléphonique à l'échelle de l'UE et appelle à mettre fin à la violence à l'égard des femmes dans le monde entier

À l'occasion de la Journée internationale pour l'élimination de la violence à l'égard des femmes, la Commission annonce le 116 016, le numéro européen harmonisé des lignes d'assistance téléphonique pour les victimes de violence à l'égard des femmes. Les femmes victimes de violence pourront appeler le même numéro dans toute l'UE pour obtenir des conseils et un soutien.

La Commission européenne et le haut représentant/vice-président, Josep Borrell, fournissent de plus amples informations sur les actions de l'UE visant à lutter contre la violence à l'égard des femmes dans la déclaration publiée aujourd'hui:

« La violence contre des femmes se produit dans tous les pays. Les faits sont choquants: dans l'UE et dans le monde, une femme sur trois a subi des violences physiques ou sexuelles. Aujourd'hui, une jeune fille sur cinq est victime d'abus sexuels. La violence en ligne est en augmentation, une jeune femme sur deux étant victime de cyberviolence à caractère sexiste.

L'UE condamne toutes les formes de violence à l'égard des femmes et des filles. Il est inacceptable au 21e siècle que des femmes et des filles continuent d'être victimes d'abus, de harcèlement, de viols, de mutilations ou de mariages forcés.

Nous restons fidèles à notre ambition de mettre fin à la violence à l'égard des femmes à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur de l'UE. L'UE est solidaire des femmes et des filles, des victimes et des survivants de violences. »

La déclaration complète et la fiche d'information mise à jour sur l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes et la lutte contre la violence à l'égard des femmes dans l'UE sont disponibles en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél.: +32 2 296 22 53 ; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: +32 2 296 34 44 ; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tél.: +32 2 299 06 79)

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

Le haut représentant Borrell et le commissaire Várhelyi à Barcelone pour le Forum régional de l'UpM et la réunion ministérielle UE-Voisinage méridional 

Aujourd'hui, le haut représentant/vice-président Josep Borrell et le commissaire chargé de la politique de voisinage et de l'élargissement, Olivér Várhelyi, sont à Barcelone pour participer au 7e Forum régional de l'Union pour la Méditerranée (UpM) et à la 4e réunion ministérielle entre l'Union européenne et son voisinage méridional.   

Dans le contexte actuel marqué par la guerre menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine et son impact mondial sur la sécurité alimentaire et énergétique, qui touche également la région méditerranéenne, ces événements offrent à l'UE une occasion importante d'intensifier la coopération régionale en Méditerranée et de promouvoir l'intégration et les possibilités d'interconnexions pour tous les partenaires participants, dans la région et dans l'UE.  

Le HR/VP Borrell a prononcé son discours d'ouverture à 9h00 ce matin, et il donnera une conférence de presse conjointe à 12h30, à laquelle participera également le commissaire Várhelyi.

Dans l'après-midi, de 14h00 à 17h30, le HR/VP et le commissaire ouvriront tous les deux la réunion ministérielle entre l'Union européenne et les pays du voisinage méridional, qui sera consacrée à la situation socio-économique et aux perspectives d'engagement futur pour l'UE et les pays du voisinage méridional.

En marge de ces réunions, le commissaire Várhelyi signera une contribution de 40 millions d'euros sous forme de subvention pour stimuler la connectivité numérique entre l'UE et les voisins du Sud, avec la Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI). Plus de détails sur la signature de cette contribution seront disponibles ici après la cérémonie de signature.

(Pour plus d'informations: Peter Stano – Tél.: +32 2 295 45 53; Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32 2 295 43 20)  

 

Le commissaire Breton se rend en Suède pour mener des discussions sur le marché intérieur, l'industrie et la défense

Aujourd'hui et demain, le commissaire chargé du marché intérieur, Thierry Breton, se rendra à Stockholm, en Suède, pour rencontrer des membres du gouvernement et des représentants de l'industrie européenne.

Ce soir, il échangera avec des acteurs du secteur de l'industrie à l'occasion d'un dîner organisé par l'association Business Sweden. Vendredi, le commissaire Breton rencontrera le premier ministre Ulf Kristersson et plusieurs ministres suédois, dont la première ministre adjointe et ministre des entreprises et de l'innovation Ebba Busch, et la ministre des affaires européennes Jessika Roswall, pour discuter de sujets liés au marché intérieur, notamment l'industrie, le numérique et les médias. Le commissaire Breton échangera avec le ministre de la défense Pål Jonsson pour discuter des initiatives de la Commission, notamment de l'instrument européen d'acquisition conjointe d'armements et de la politique européenne de cyberdéfense. Il prononcera également un discours d'ouverture à l'occasion de la réunion du Conseil des présidents de BusinessEurope.

(Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 2 296 69 53; Flore Boutier - Tél.: +32 2 296 60 43)

 

Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Johansson participate in the extraordinary Home Affairs Council

Tomorrow, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson will attend the extraordinary Home Affairs Council meeting to discuss common solutions to the most recent migration challenges across different migratory routes.

The Vice-President and the Commissioner will present to the ministers the actions the EU is taking to address migratory challenges along all routes, including the initiatives taken to reduce irregular arrivals.

On Monday, the Commission presented an EU Action Plan for the Central Mediterranean, which can act as a model for action plans on other routes. The measures proposed by the Commission aim to reduce irregular migration, provide solutions to the emerging challenges in the area of search and rescue and reinforce solidarity balanced against responsibility between Member States. 

The meeting will also be an opportunity for ministers to reiterate the collective commitment on the way forward on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is much needed for sustainable and structured European solutions to common challenges.

A press conference with Vice-President Schinas and the Czech Minister of the Interior, Vít Rakušan, will follow the meeting tomorrow at +/- 19:00 CET. You can follow it live on EbS.

(For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: + 32 2 298 56 91; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel.: +32 2 291 31 73)

 

 

 

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