Daily News 1 / 12 / 2022
2 250 000 d'euros d'aide d'urgence à la suite d'inondations meurtrières au Nigeria, au Tchad et au Cameroun
La Commission a alloué l'aide humanitaire d'urgence au Nigeria, au Tchad et au Cameroun, afin d'aider ces pays à faire face aux conséquences des grandes inondations qui ont touché la région cette année. Les zones les plus touchées sont le nord-est du Nigeria, le sud du Nigeria, la capitale du Tchad N'Djamena et la région du Lac, ainsi que l'extrême nord du Cameroun. Les projets qui seront soutenus dans le cadre de ce financement d'urgence se concentrera sur l'attribution d'abris, l'aide financière en espèces, l'approvisionnement en eau, l'assainissement et l'hygiène, ainsi que la gestion des camps de réfugiés.
Les besoins humanitaires au Sahel sont en augmentation en raison de l'effet combiné de conflits de plus en plus violents, de la pauvreté profonde, du changement climatique et d'une insécurité alimentaire et d'une malnutrition sans précédent. L'UE contribue à fournir des abris, une aide alimentaire et nutritionnelle d'urgence, un accès aux soins de santé et à l'eau potable, un traitement pour les enfants souffrant de malnutrition et une protection pour les plus vulnérables. En outre, notre financement garantit un accès sûr à l'éducation pour les enfants touchés par les conflits armés et inclut des initiatives portant sur la réduction des risques de catastrophe.
Le commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarčič, a déclaré : "L'allongement de la saison des pluies, conjugué au fait que les rivières ont débordé, a intensifié les effets de la vague d'inondations actuelle. Plus de 1,6 million de personnes ont été déplacées en raison des inondations dans les trois pays. Ces personnes ont un besoin urgent d'aide humanitaire, en particulier d'abris, d'accès à l'eau potable, d'assainissement et d'hygiène."
(Pour plus d'informations : Balazs Ujvari - Tél : +32 229 54578 ; Daniel Puglisi - Tél : +32 229 69140)
Greece and Romania will receive substantial funds under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund for 2021-2027
The Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programmes for Greece and Romania.
The total amount of the allocated funds for Greece, which cover this six-year period, is €519.6 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €363.7 million. The total amount of the allocated funds for Romania is €232 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €162.4 million.
The programmes' allocations will be mostly dedicated to sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and processing as well as to sustainable blue economy in coastal regions and the strengthening of the international ocean governance.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “I am delighted to announce the adoption of the EMFAF programmes for Greece and Romania that will support sustainable investments in aquaculture and fisheries, accelerating the green and digital transition of the sector. The programmes will also contribute to the protection and restoration of the marine environment in Greece and stronger conservation policy in the Black Sea respectively.”
More than half of the programme's allocation in Greece will be dedicated to sustainable fisheries and a big part will also be invested in sustainable aquaculture. The digital transition of the Greek fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors is another key area of the programme. Financial support will also go to management plans for marine protected areas and the fight against marine litter.
The programme in Romania will support, among others: investments to comply with the landing obligation and upgrading the fishing infrastructure; energy efficiency and decarbonisation in fisheries and aquaculture; support for Small Scale Coastal Fisheries; investments in sustainable aquaculture projects; as well as various actions contributing to conservation objectives.
More information is available here and here.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 229 53156; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)
NextGenerationEU: Commission receives payment request from Lithuania for over €565 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
This is Lithuania's first payment request and relates to 33 milestones covering reforms and investments in the areas of education and social policy, innovation, taxation and sustainable mobility. The milestones also cover sustainable sources of energy, public data management and open data, as well as broadband infrastructure.
Lithuania's overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by €2.22 billion in grants. Payments under the RRF are performance-based and are contingent on Lithuania implementing the investments and reforms outlined in its recovery and resilience plan.
The Commission will now assess the request. It will then send its preliminary assessment of Lithuania's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC).
More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on the Lithuanian recovery and resilience plan is available here: Recovery and resilience plan for Lithuania.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel.: +32 2 291 31 73)
EU Cohesion Policy: €192 million for Latvia's just climate transition
Following the approval of Latvia's single Cohesion Policy programme for the period 2021-2027, €192 million under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) will be invested in the country to support a fair transition to a climate neutral economy.
These investments will support the phasing out of peat for energy generation by 2030 and peatland restoration, reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and improving the local environment.
In particular, the JTF will help the phasing out of peat for energy use in the regions of Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale and Kurzeme. The EU will also invest in the restoration of historic peat fields to both reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and protect the local environment and biodiversity.
Moreover, the JTF will enhance the economic diversification of the regions by investing in innovative business infrastructures for small and medium-sized businesses and in renewable energy, notably solar energy and biomass.
Finally, workers of the peat and other affected sectors will be supported with specific trainings. In particular, around 1,600 workers will benefit from reskilling and upskilling.
The Territorial Just Transition Plans (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 Partnership Agreement with Latvia was adopted in October 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).
(For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker +32 229-84680; Veronica Favalli +32 229-87269)
Santé mondiale : l'UE investit 125 millions d'euros dans la couverture sanitaire universelle en partenariat avec l'OMS
L'UE va investir 125 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour renforcer les systèmes de santé, en particulier pour contribuer à l'extension de la couverture sanitaire universelle, dans le cadre d'un programme de partenariat avec l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), signé hier par la commissaire Jutta Urpilainen et le directeur général de l'OMS, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Ce partenariat est un élément essentiel de la nouvelle stratégie de l'UE en matière de santé mondiale adoptée hier par la Commission européenne. En effet, le renforcement des systèmes de santé et la progression de la couverture sanitaire universelle dans le monde constituent l'une des trois grandes priorités de la stratégie.
Les épidémies et les pandémies relevant de la santé publique, avec leurs conséquences sociales et économiques dévastatrices, démontrent l'importance d'investir dans une couverture sanitaire universelle afin que tous aient accès à des services de santé de qualité, où et quand ils en ont besoin, sans rencontrer de difficultés financières.
La Commission a lancé le partenariat pour la couverture sanitaire universelle en 2011 afin de permettre à l'OMS de promouvoir une telle couverture au niveau national par le renforcement des systèmes de santé. Alors que la pandémie de COVID-19 a mis un coup d'arrêt aux progrès, la couverture sanitaire universelle s'est améliorée dans tous les pays qui bénéficient du partenariat. À ce jour, la Commission a déjà investi quelque 200 millions d'euros dans le partenariat. Un communiqué de presse avec plus d'informations est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'informations : Ana Pisonero – Tél. +32 2 295 43 20; Jennifer Sánchez da Silva – Tél. +32 2 295 83 16)
Laptops for Ukraine: new initiative to collect tech devices for Ukrainian schools, hospitals and public services
The Commission, together with the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation and DIGITALEUROPE, a European organisation that represents the digital technology industry, is organising a new initiative: Laptops for Ukraine. The aim is to collect and deliver laptops, smart-phones and tablets and respond to the fundamental needs of schools, hospitals and public administrations in Ukraine's most affected war regions.
The Ukrainian authorities have identified laptops as one of the most pressing needs at the moment. About 70,000 teachers are in need of laptops to continue teaching, and 5,000 schools in the war-hit regions require digital devices to ensure that 200,000 schoolchildren can continue learning. Many more devices are needed in other sectors and, in particular, for nurses, doctors and public administration.
Companies can make larger donations directly through the EU civil protection mechanism. For smaller donations, organisations, companies and citizens based in Belgium can donate devices via DIGITALEUROPE. Donations can include new or used and functioning spare laptops, smartphones or tablets lying around in homes or in offices. The organisers are looking to expand the initiative to include other collection hubs across Europe.
The Commission is working with industry partners to receive donations as part of the new initiative, as well as to collect and deliver other tech equipment as part of EUTech4Ukraine. At the same time, the Commission will facilitate the collection of equipment within the EU institutions.
Through the EU civil protection mechanism, the devices will be collected and shipped to Ukraine, in places where equipment is needed the most. With this mechanism, donations by private companies can also be channelled.
More information on continued EU support to Ukraine is available here.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)
EU- Korea Free Trade Agreement: 85 new geographical indications added and Digital Trade Principles signed
At the 10th meeting of the Trade Committee under the EU- Korea trade agreement that took place yesterday in Brussels, Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Korea's Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun signed the decision to protect an additional 44 EU geographical indications in Korea and 41 Korean geographical indications in the EU.
The new protected geographical indications lists include among others from the EU side “Lübecker Marzipan” (confectionary) from Germany, “Prosecco” (wine) from Italy, “Estepa” (olive oil) from Spain, “Gouda Holland” (cheese) from the Netherlands and “Irish Cream” (spirit) from Ireland. From Korea, products include “Jindo Geomjeong Ssal” (Jindo Black rice), “Muju Sagwa” (Muju Apple), “Chungju Bam” (Chestnut), “Yeosu Gul” (Yeosu Oyster) and Muju Meoru Wine. All these products will be protected in the EU and Korea respectively against imitations and usurpation.
At the meeting, Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Minister Ahn signed a set of Digital Trade Principles, reflecting the international standards that both partners consider should apply in the digital economy. A key deliverable of the Digital Partnership signed between the EU and Korea earlier this week, the principles demonstrate the EU and Korea's shared vision of an open digital economy. As such, the principles are an excellent basis for further engagement on digital trade rules.
The EU-Republic of Korea trade agreement has been provisionally applied as of July 2011 and it formally entered into force in December 2015, following its ratification by EU countries.
More information is available in the news items here and here.
(For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Roberta Verbanac – Tel.: +32 2 298 24 98; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
EU anti-disinformation Hubs now extends to all EU countries
The Commission announced today the creation of six new anti-disinformation hubs that will become part of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), the independent platform for fact-checkers, academic researchers and other relevant stakeholders contributing to addressing disinformation in Europe. Now covering all EU countries, the new hubs will be operational from early next year and complement the current eight hubs already in place since 2021. They will contribute to the creation of a multidisciplinary community to create a network capable of detecting and analysing disinformation campaigns, organising media literacy activities at national or multinational level and other activities supporting the fight against disinformation.
Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová said: “Ensuring transparency, raising awareness and fact-checking are amongst the most important tools we have in dispelling online disinformation. We are making sure this is done efficiently and that the results are available to every single European. We will continue to build on the expertise of the European Digital Media Observatory in the context of the Code of Practice on Disinformation. This will also strengthen the efforts to counter Russia war propaganda in every EU country and in all languages.”
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: "In the EU, we are reinforcing our actions against disinformation and EDMOs contribution in this regard is important. The new Digital Services Act – the EU centre piece in making the online space safer that has just entered into force –will put our fight against disinformation on a new level.”
The six proposals selected by a panel of independent experts will benefit from EU funding (about €8 million overall) from the Digital Europe Programme. The new national and regional hubs will each cover one or more countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Slovenia.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)
Conference on the Future of Europe: feedback event to take place in Brussels
The European Parliament, Council and Commission will tomorrow organise a feedback event as a follow-up to the Conference on the Future of Europe.
The event will be an opportunity for the three institutions to explain how they are following up on the proposals stemming from the Conference and to exchange with those citizens who participated in the European Citizens' Panels, as well as representatives of National Citizens' Panels and events.
Since the closing of the Conference, the three institutions have worked to fulfil their commitment to act on the Conference's proposals. They have started the implementation and follow-up process in accordance with their respective competences under the Treaties of the EU. The Conference's 49 proposals include more than 300 measures on how to achieve them, across nine themes, based on the recommendations from the European and National Citizens' Panels, as well as input from national events, the Multilingual Digital Platform and discussions within nine thematic working groups and the Plenary.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Tommaso Alberini – Tel.: +32 2 295 70 10)
Investment Plan for Europe: €35 million EIB loan for Spanish company GAM to support electric rental fleets and sustainable last-mile delivery
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend €35 million to the Spanish multinational GAM, which specialises in turnkey machinery solutions for industry, to make its rental fleet electric and develop more sustainable last-mile solutions for its subsidiary Inquieto. The loan will also be used to digitalise and develop Kirleo, the company's vocational training school, therefore supporting digital skills development and training at the company. The EIB loan is backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).
Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for the Economy, said: “This EIB loan backed by the Investment Plan for Europe for GAM, active in the industrial machinery sector, is great news for advancing sustainability and innovation in Spain and across the EU. Not only will this support allow the company to electrify its existing fleet of rental vehicles, thereby improving their sustainability. It will also further boost the development of rental solutions, to promote a circular economy approach in this sector. Finally, the funding will also go towards advancing digital training at the company, allowing workers to acquire the skills needed for the industrial transformation.”
EFSI is the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, which has so far mobilised €524.3 billion of investment, benefitting over 1.4 million small and medium-sized businesses. A press release is available online.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts - Tel.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes - Tel.: +32 229 83951)
Commission welcomes political agreement on new internal rules for the enforcement of the EU's agreements with the UK
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement last night by the European Parliament and Council on a set of internal EU rules and procedures to enforce the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
This agreement establishes a procedure to consult EU Member States prior to the adoption of any measure that may be needed to protect the EU's interests under its agreements with the UK. It also includes a set of criteria that will govern the adoption of possible EU measures if they ever had to be adopted.
(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Tommaso Alberini – Tel.: +32 229 57010)
State aid: Commission publishes results of evaluation of State aid rules on services of general economic interest applicable to health and social services and to small aid amounts
The European Commission has published a Staff Working Document summarising the results of the evaluation of the EU State aid rules for services of general economic interest (‘SGEI') applicable to health and social services, and to small amounts of aid. The evaluation concludes that, overall, the existing rules are fit for purpose. However, some adjustments may be needed to clarify and further simplify the existing rules to reduce red tape.
the evaluation revealed that certain adjustments may be needed to even further (i) simplify and clarify the existing rules, and (ii) reduce the administrative burden for Member States when compensating companies discharging SGEIs.
In relation to the rules on SGEI de minimis aid, the evaluation concludes that there may be a need to increase the ceiling under which small aid amounts to companies entrusted with SGEIs are deemed not to constitute State aid, and to align the SGEI de minimis Regulation with the general de minimis Regulation.
The Commission will now reflect on how to address the issues identified in the context of the evaluation, starting in particular with the opportunity to review the SGEI de minimis Regulation. A call for evidence will be launched shortly to gather the views of stakeholders.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Lithuanian measure to compensate Litgas for operation of LNG terminal
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the compensation granted by Lithuania to Litgas UAB (‘Litgas') for supplying a mandatory quantity of liquefied natural gas (‘LNG') to the LNG terminal in Klaipėda between 2016 and 2018 is in line with EU State aid rules. The in-depth investigation follows the General Court's partial annulment of a previous Commission decision approving the compensation to Litgas for the period in question.
In November 2013, the Commission approved a Lithuanian measure to support the construction and operation of an LNG terminal in the Klaipėda Seaport. In October 2018, the Commission approved two amendments to the measure notified by the Lithuanian authorities: (i) the 2016 amendments covering the period from 2016 to 2018 and (ii) the 2019 amendments covering the period from 2019 to 2024
On September 2021, the General Court partially annulled on procedural grounds the 2018 Commission decision as regards the 2016 amendments but uphold it as regards the 2019 amendments.
Following the judgment, the Commission has re-examined the compatibility of the 2016 amendments and has decided to open an in-depth investigation under EU State aid rules. The Commission will now investigate further to determine whether the amount of compensation received by Litgas for the period 2016-2018, in particular regarding the boil-off and balancing costs, is in line with the SGEI Framework.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Aides d'État: la Commission autorise un régime français d'un montant de 13,5 milliards d'euros visant à compenser les coûts des émissions indirectes supportés par les entreprises grandes consommatrices d'énergie
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, un régime français doté d'un budget total estimé à 13,5 milliards d'euros visant à accorder une compensation partielle aux entreprises grandes consommatrices d'énergie confrontées à une hausse des prix de l'électricité résultant des coûts des émissions indirectes dans le cadre du système d'échange de quotas d'émission (le «SEQE») de l'UE.
Le régime couvrira une partie de la hausse des prix de l'électricité résultant de l'incidence des prix du carbone sur les coûts de production d'électricité («coûts des émissions indirectes») supportés entre 2021 et 2030.
La mesure de soutien vise à réduire le risque de «fuite de carbone», lorsque des entreprises délocalisent leur production vers des pays tiers aux politiques moins ambitieuses en matière de climat, ce qui se traduit par une augmentation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre à l'échelle mondiale.
La Commission a apprécié et autorisé la mesure au regard des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, et notamment des lignes directrices concernant les aides d'État dans le contexte du SEQE.
Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a déclaré: « Ce régime d'un montant de 13,5 milliards d'euros permettra à la France de réduire le risque de fuite de carbone pour ses industries grandes consommatrices d'énergie. Dans le même temps, le régime maintient les incitations en faveur d'une décarbonation rentable de l'économie française, conformément aux objectifs du pacte vert, tout en limitant les distorsions de concurrence indues. »
Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)
Aides d'État: la Commission autorise un régime d'aides français d'un montant de 1 milliard d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises dans le contexte de la guerre menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine
La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aides français d'un montant de 1 milliard d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises dans le contexte de la guerre menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine. Le régime a été autorisé en vertu de l'encadrement temporaire de crise en matière d'aides d'État adopté par la Commission le 23 mars 2022 et modifié le 20 juillet 2022 et le 28 octobre 2022.
Dans le cadre de cette mesure, l'aide prendra la forme (i) d'aides de montants limités ; et (ii) de prêts bonifiés. La mesure sera ouverte aux entreprises non financières, quelle que soit leur taille.
La Commission a conclu que le régime d'aides français est nécessaire, approprié et proportionné pour remédier à une perturbation grave de l'économie d'un État membre, conformément à l'article 107, paragraphe 3, point b), du TFUE et aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire de crise. Sur cette base, la Commission a autorisé la mesure d'aide en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État.
Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a déclaré: « Ce régime d'un montant de 1 milliard d'euros permettra à la France de soutenir les secteurs et les entreprises particulièrement touchés par la crise, tout en respectant les contraintes imposées par l'encadrement temporaire de crise pour atténuer les distorsions de concurrence. »
Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)
Mergers: Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager on the decision by Kronospan and Pfleiderer to abandon their deal
The European Commission takes note of Kronospan's and Pfleiderer's decision to terminate their agreement according to which Kronospan intended to acquire sole control over Pfleiderer Polska, the Polish subsidiary of the Pfleiderer Group.
The abandonment follows the findings of the Commission's in-depth investigation and the failure of Kronospan to submit suitable remedies.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "The proposed acquisition would have brought together two leading suppliers and created a dominant player in the markets for the supply of raw and melamine-coated particleboards around the parties' plants in Poland and the Baltics. Our in-depth investigation showed that the proposed transaction would negatively affect competition in these markets, leading to higher prices, reduced quality or less choice for customers. As the remedies offered by Kronospan did not address our competition concerns, we could not clear the transaction. We take note of Kronospan's decision to abandon their deal.”
A full statement is available online.
(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)
Concentrations: la Commission ouvre une enquête approfondie sur le projet d'acquisition de Lagardère par Vivendi
La Commission européenne a ouvert une enquête approfondie afin d'apprécier, au regard du règlement de l'UE sur les concentrations, le projet d'acquisition de Lagardère par Vivendi.
À ce stade, la Commission craint que (i) en acquérant Lagardère, Vivendi devienne le premier acteur du secteur de l'édition de livres en langue française, ainsi que le principal groupe intégré présent sur ce marché et que l'opération ne réduise la diversité, l'accessibilité et le caractère abordable des livres en langue française; et (ii) l'opération, en combinant trois magazines «people» (Paris Match de Lagardère et Gala et Voici de Vivendi), puisse donner naissance à un leader puissant sur le marché.
La Commission va à présent procéder à une enquête approfondie portant sur les effets potentiels de l'opération, afin de déterminer si ses craintes initiales en matière de concurrence sont confirmées.
Mme Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a déclaré: «Des marchés concurrentiels dans le secteur de l'édition de livres favorisent la diversité des idées. Ils permettent à chaque partie de la chaîne de valeur de prospérer, depuis la création de contenus jusqu'à la distribution. L'acquisition de Lagardère par Vivendi réunit deux éditeurs de premier plan de livres en langue française et de magazines grand public. L'opération doit donc faire l'objet d'un examen minutieux car elle pourrait réduire le choix et entraîner une hausse des prix, une accessibilité et une qualité réduites pour les lecteurs de livres en langue française et de certains magazines français. »
Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tél.: +32 229 98163)
Concentrations : la Commission autorise la création d'une entreprise commune par In'li, AGLM Immo et Pierre Impact
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, la création d'une entreprise commune par In'li, AGLM Immo et Pierre Impact, toutes basées en France.
L'entreprise commune, la Foncière, aura une activité de foncière immobilière en France dans le secteur de l'immobilier résidentiel. In'li est une société immobilière, filiale du groupe Action Logement, actif en France dans le secteur du logement social et intermédiaire. AGLM Immo est une filiale du groupe AG2R La Mondiale, constituée afin de faciliter la détention d'actifs immobiliers. Pierre Impact est une société de gestion qui offre une gamme multidisciplinaire de services immobiliers en France et dans de nombreux États membres de l'Espace Économique Européen.
La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations.
De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.10927.
(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis visits Canada to deepen EU-Canada relation and develop potential of CETA
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, is travelling to Canada today to meet his counterparts and discuss the transatlantic relations, support for Ukraine and the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
Today, the Executive-Vice President will meet the Canadian trade minister Mary Ng at Nano One, a tech company. Later, the EVP will meet Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. On Friday, Executive-Vice President Dombrovskis will participate in the CETA Joint Committee together with Minister Ng. The ministers will discuss ways to deepen future cooperation under CETA, notably exploring how to cooperate even more in areas like energy security, green technologies, and raw materials. The Executive-Vice President will also meet Canadian and EU business associations. Executive-Vice President Dombrovskis and Minister Ng will have bilateral meeting followed by a press conference at 14:30ET (20:30 CET).
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the provisional application of CETA, the backbone of the EU-Canada political, trade and economic partnership. Under CETA, bilateral trade has increased by more than one third.
(For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Roberta Verbanac – Tel.: +32 2 298 24 98)
Commission brings together representatives of philosophical and non-confessional organisations to discuss the war in Ukraine
On 2 December, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas will host a high-level meeting with representatives of philosophical and non-confessional organisations from across Europe to discuss the war in Ukraine and its impact on the life of European citizens. The first-Vice President of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas, will join the discussions, which are taking place as part of the regular Article 17 dialogue with religious and non-confessional organisations.
Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life Schinas said: "The Russian aggression against Ukraine is an attack on the model of society we stand for, our fundamental European values and puts into question the very basis of our European way of life. The European Union has reacted swiftly and decisively. We have seen Europe at its best, backing the Ukrainian people and their government, welcoming Ukrainian refugees in large numbers, standing fully by Ukraine in its fight for independence. This meeting will be an occasion to address the challenges raised by the war, present the EU's response and discuss future options for reconstruction.”
Participants are expected to discuss the EU migration and asylum policy, the energy crisis and its social consequences as well as the impact of those issues on the European architecture. More information on high-level meetings and conclusions here.
(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Cristina Torres Castillo - Tel.: +32 2 299 06 79)
Commissioner Simson in Japan to strengthen energy cooperation
The EU and Japan have a well-developed energy dialogue in which topics like renewables and in particular offshore wind, gas and energy security, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and electricity market design are regularly discussed. Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will be in Japan this Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 December, to strengthen energy cooperation and discuss energy matters with local authorities and stakeholders.
Following a meeting in Brussels in March, Commissioner Simson will sign on Friday a Memorandum of Cooperation on Hydrogen on behalf of the Commission with the Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura. Hydrogen is a key area of mutual interest between the EU and Japan, as highlighted in the Green Alliance established at the EU-Japan Summit in May 2021. The Commissioner and the Minister will also hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the current energy crisis, the green transition and help to Ukraine's energy sector.
On Friday, the Commissioner will give the opening speech at a seminar on the EU's response to the energy crisis, and hold meetings with stakeholders and industry representatives on renewable energy and hydrogen. On Saturday, she will visit the disabled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was damaged by a tsunami in 2011, and the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum.
(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 229 58661; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
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