Daily News 06 / 12 / 2022

EU to invest €13.5 billion in research and innovation for 2023-2024

The Commission has adopted today the main Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24, with around €13.5 billion to support researchers and innovators in Europe to pursue breakthrough solutions for environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical challenges.

As part of the broader EU €95.5 billion research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, this funding will contribute to the EU reaching its climate goals, increasing energy resilience, and developing core digital technologies. It will also address targeted actions to support Ukraine, boost economic resilience and contribute to a sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will help to achieve a stronger European research and innovation ecosystem, including through wider participation of researchers and innovators across Europe, greater mobility and funding for world class research infrastructures. 

The first calls for proposals will open on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal on 7 December 2022. Horizon Europe Information Days targeting potential applicants are taking place between 6 December 2022 and 16 February 2023.

More information is available in this press release.

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

 

EU Cohesion Policy: €179 million for a just climate transition in Croatia

An amount of €179 million from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) will be invested in Croatia thanks to the approval of a multi-fund programme under Cohesion Policy. The Fund will support the counties of Istria and Sisak-Moslavina in delivering a just climate transition based on the Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP) developed by the national authorities, in cooperation with local stakeholders and the Commission.

The Istria county is the only territory with a still operating coal-fired power plant in Croatia to be phased-out at the latest by 2033 and it has a carbon-intensive cement industry. The Fund will support the switch towards renewable energy. In addition, investments will help diversify the economy thanks to reskilling and upskilling activities, the creation of hubs for sustainable technological innovation and new circular business models in the manufacturing sector. The EU-supported investments in Istria are estimated to create 300 direct and 300 indirect jobs, and to reskill 200 people, adapting the local workforce to new green jobs and providing local firms with the skills they need for economic transformation.

Sisak-Moslavina has highly polluting industries which account for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions. The Fund will support economic diversification by investing in the uptake of innovations by small and medium-sized businesses, including through collaborations with universities, and incentivising new business models, with a particular focus on the Information and Communications Technologies industry. Finally, it will also support the reskilling and upskilling of workers in the local chemical and refining industries, thus helping to retain talents in the region.

The TJTPs identify the territories that will receive JTF support following a dialogue between the Commission and local partners in the framework of the negotiations of the 2021-2027 Partnership Agreements. The Commission approved the Partnership Agreement with Croatia in August 2022. The TJTPs also allow for financing under InvestEU (a just transition scheme) and the Public Sector Loan Facility for Just Transition (a new tool combining Commission grants with European Investment bank loans for transition regions).

(For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker +32 2 298 46 80; Veronica Favalli +32 2 298 72 69)

 

Denmark and Latvia 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 Denmark and Latvia.

The total amount of the allocated funds for Denmark, which cover this six-year period, is €287 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €201.  The total amount of the allocated funds for Latvia is €192.7 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for almost €135 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: “Today, I would like to announce the adoption of the EMFAF programmes for Denmark and Latvia. The programmes have a strong focus on innovation with the aim to achieve green transition and increase the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. They will also contribute to protecting and preserving biodiversity in the regions.”

Denmark aims at maximising the impact of the programme and has chosen to dedicate 86% of the programme allocation to sustainable fisheries and the conservation of aquatic biological resources. Actions such as improving energy efficiency of fishing vessels through research, innovation and funding; investing in better compliance with the landing obligation; and improving data collection, control and enforcement will be financed, among others.

The programme in Latvia will support all three key segments – sustainable fisheries, sustainable aquaculture and sustainable blue economy, putting an emphasis, among others, on innovation, energy efficiency and decarbonisation, digitalization, and improving safety and working conditions on board fishing vessels.

More information is available here and here.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 2 295 31 56; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 2 295 36 64)

 

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights: Annual report looks at role of civil society and underlines need to increase support

The Commission has today published its annual report on the application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. The report specifically looks at what Member States and the EU are doing to support civil society organisations and rights defenders such as national human rights institutions, equality bodies and ombuds-institutions. Overall the report shows that while the work of civil society organisations and defenders of fundamental rights is essential for the practical application of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, further effort needs to be made across the EU to support them, including by improving the environment in which they operate. The detailed press release on the report is available online.

(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Cristina Torres Castillo - Tel.: +32 2 299 06 79)

 

Nouveau Bauhaus européen : candidatures ouvertes pour les prix 2023

Nous ouvrons aujourd'hui les candidatures aux prix 2023 du nouveau Bauhaus européen. Après le succès des deux premières éditions pour lesquelles plus de 3 000 candidatures ont été reçues de tous les États membres, l'édition 2023 célébrera quinze nouvelles initiatives inspirantes liant la durabilité, l'esthétique et l'inclusion, les trois valeurs fondamentales du nouveau Bauhaus européen.

Dans le contexte de l'Année européenne des compétences, cette édition aura une catégorie dédiée à l'éducation et à l'apprentissage. Pour la première fois cette année, nous acceptons également des projets et des concepts développés dans les Balkans occidentaux.  Tout comme l'année dernière, il y aura également des prix spécifiques pour des jeunes de moins de 30 ans.

L'appel à candidature est ouvert jusqu'au 31 janvier 2023 à 19:00 CET. Les prix 2023 vont récompenser des projets existants ainsi que des concepts développés par des jeunes talents dans quatre catégories.

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

(Pour plus d'informations : Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: +32 2 295 31 56; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 2 298 81 99)

 

Global Health: HERA and WHO Hub strengthen cooperation on pandemic and epidemic countermeasures

The Commission's Health Emergency and Preparedness Response Authority (HERA) and the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence agreed to strengthen cooperation on countermeasures to prevent, prepare, detect, and rapidly respond to serious cross-border threats to health. This follows the presentation of the EU's Global Health Strategy and the agreement between the Commission and the WHO to reinforce cooperation to tackle global health threats.

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, said: “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned how important it is for all key players to work together to be better prepared and ready to respond fast to health emergencies. Under the new Global Health Strategy, the EU will be working to support a new global health order to better tackle health threat heads on. The cooperation between HERA and WHO Hub will contribute to reinforcing global health security through a stronger EU and international engagement on medical countermeasures.”

HERA and the WHO Hub will work together under the umbrella of reinforced cooperation under the European Health Union, such as the implementation of the regulation on serious cross-border health threats and the extended ECDC mandate. They will involve each other when developing work plans and research roadmaps, to better consider the respective agendas and overall research and development of advanced medical countermeasures and related technologies.

The agreement between HERA and the WHO Hub is laid down in an Administrative Arrangement that is operational for five years from the date of its signature. It will be inserted in the broader cooperation to combat health threats that the Commission and the WHO agreed to reinforce.

See the Administrative Agreement here. 

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

 

Commission high-level expert group adopts opinions on simplifying EU rules

Yesterday, the Fit for Future Platform, the high-level expert group assisting the Commission in its regulatory work, adopted new opinions for burden reduction and regulatory simplification, delivering on its 2022 work programme. The opinions cover a wide range of policy fields such as finance and taxation, chemicals, energy, the green and digital transitions, and food waste. They point for example to facilitating VAT registration rules, easing access to capital for SMEs and reducing liability burdens on food donors, with attention to food safety. The Commission will take these opinions into account when reviewing EU legislation. Citizens' panels, which are being involved in our policy-making process in certain key policy areas, will also take into account these opinions, for instance when working on the Commission initiative on food waste reduction targets announced for 2023.

Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight and chair of the Platform, said: “By following up on the opinions on the Fit for Future high-level expert group we will make EU laws more efficient, cut unnecessary costs and simplify EU legislation, benefiting citizens and businesses alike. I congratulate the Platform on delivering smoothly and timely on their 2022 agenda.''

The Platform's opinions are a joint effort of its members – stakeholders from the business, consumers, environmental and social organisations, representatives of Member States, the Committee of the Region and the European Economic and Social Committee. They aim at proposing solutions to the Commission as a means to simplify, modernise and reduce unnecessary costs in EU legislation. The opinions also took into account input from the public received through the EU Have Your Say: Simplify! Portal.

More information on the Fit for Future Platform is available here. More information on the Commission's Better Regulation agenda is available here.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Tommaso Alberini – Tel.: +32 2 295 70 10)

 

Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Deutsche Bank and Rabobank over Euro-denominated bonds trading cartel case

The European Commission has informed Deutsche Bank and Rabobank of its preliminary view that they breached EU antitrust rules by colluding to distort competition when trading Euro-denominated Sovereign, SSA (Supra-Sovereign, Foreign Sovereign, Sub-Sovereign/Agency), Covered and Government Guaranteed bonds.

The Commission has concerns that between 2005 and 2016 the two banks, through some of their traders, exchanged commercially sensitive information and coordinated their pricing and trading strategies when trading these bonds in the secondary market in the European Economic Area (‘EEA'). These exchanges would have taken place mainly through emails and online chatroom communications.

If the Commission's preliminary view was confirmed, such behaviour would violate EU rules that prohibit anticompetitive business practices. The Commission initially agreed to explore the possibility of a settlement with the companies involved but later discontinued the talks due to lack of progress and decided to quickly revert to the normal antitrust procedure.

Executive-Vice President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "For effective competition to function, it is fundamental that economic operators determine their prices independently. Citizens need to be able to trust that financial institutions do not implement practices that restrict competition in bonds trading markets. It is now up to Deutsche Bank and Rabobank to respond to our concerns”.

A press release is available online.

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

 

State aid: Commission approves €75 million Romanian scheme to compensate agricultural producers affected by severe drought  

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Romanian scheme to compensate agricultural producers for damages suffered due to the severe drought in 2021 and2022. 

The measure, with a budget of around €75 million (approximately RON 365.6 million), is open to agricultural producers of wheat, rye, triticale, barley, oats and rapeseed directly affected by the severe drought. In order to qualify for the aid, the agricultural producers must have lost more than 30% of their crops as result of the drought. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants proportional to the damage suffered, based on crop damage reports. In the case of a complete loss of their crops, beneficiaries are entitled to an aid amount of approximately €305/ha (1,500 RON/ha), not exceeding 40% of the eligible costs. The scheme will run until 31 December 2022. 

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the 2014 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to compensate Romanian agricultural producers for the losses incurred due to this extreme climatic event. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and will not have undue negative effects on competition and trade in the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.104579 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

Aides d'État: la Commission autorise la compensation accordée par la France à La Poste pour le transport et la distribution de la presse

La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, la compensation accordée par la France à La Poste pour la fourniture de services d'intérêt économique général comprenant le transport et la distribution de la presse en France pour la période 2023-2026.

La France a notifié à la Commission son intention d'octroyer à La Poste une compensation d'un montant maximal de 153.5 millions d'euros pour le transport et la distribution de la presse sur la période 2023-2026. Dans le cadre de la mesure, La Poste devrait distribuer la presse, 6 jours sur 7, sur l'ensemble du territoire national (y compris dans les zones rurales et peu denses), et à des tarifs préférentiels pour les éditeurs. La mission de transport et de distribution de la presse imposé à La Poste vise à promouvoir le pluralisme de la presse écrite.

La Commission a évalué la mesure française au regard des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, et notamment de l'article 106, paragraphe 2, du traité sur le fonctionnement de l'UE et au regard de l'encadrement des services d'intérêt économique général (SIEG). La Commission a constaté que le montant de la compensation octroyée à La Poste n'excède pas les coûts encourus pour la réalisation de sa mission de service public. La Commission a donc conclu à l'absence de risque de surcompensation. Enfin, la Commission a constaté que la mesure est conforme aux dispositions de l'encadrement SIEG. Sur cette base, la Commission a autorisé la mesure française en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État.

La version non-confidentielle de la décision sera publiée sous le numéro SA.102817 dans le registre des aides d'État sur le site web de la DG Concurrence, dès que les éventuels problèmes de confidentialité auront été résolus.

(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

 

State aid: Commission approves amendments to Italian scheme, including €5.7 billion budget increase, to further support companies in Southern Italy in context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has found the amendments to an existing Italian scheme, including a €5.7 billion budget increase, to support companies in Southern Italy in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine to be in line with the State Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.

The Commission approved the original scheme on 24 June 2022 (SA.103289). The measure is open to companies of all sectors active in Southern Italy with the exception of the financial, primary agricultural and the domestic work ones. Italy notified the following modifications to the existing scheme: (i) a budget increase by €5.7 billion; (ii) an extension of the period, in relation to which aid may be granted, until 31 December 2023; and (iii) an increase of the maximum aid ceilings, in line with the Temporary Crisis Framework as amended on 28 October 2022.

The Commission found that the Italian scheme, as amended, continues to be in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €300,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sectors and €2 million per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) will be granted by 31 December 2023 at the latest.

The Commission found that the Italian scheme, as modified, remains 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 amended scheme under EU State aid rules.

More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine can be found here. The non‑confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.104962 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

Mergers: The Commission adopts a Statement of Objections outlining measures to unwind Illumina's blocked acquisition of GRAIL

The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to Illumina and GRAIL informing them of the restorative measures it intends to adopt under the EU Merger Regulation, following the Commission's decision to prohibit the implemented acquisition of GRAIL by Illumina.

In today's Statement of Objections, the Commission sets out the intended restorative measures which include: (a) the divestment measures that the Commission considers Illumina must implement to unwind the transaction with GRAIL and (b) the transitional measures that Illumina and GRAIL need to comply with until Illumina has dissolved the transaction.

GRAIL and Illumina now have the opportunity to respond to the Commission's Statement of Objections both orally and in writing. After hearing the parties, the Commission may make the divestment and transitional measures binding and Illumina and GRAIL would be legally obliged to comply with them.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "Following our decision to prohibit Illumina's acquisition of GRAIL, we are sending today a Statement of Objections which sets out the measures that Illumina must take when unwinding the already implemented acquisition. GRAIL must swiftly regain its independence from Illumina so that patients benefit from effective competition in the development of innovative cancer detection tests."

A press release is available online.

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

 

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of joint control of Ferrosan by Kirk, Lundbeckfonden and ATP

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Ferrosan Medical Devices Group A/S (‘Ferrosan') by Kirk Kapital Strategic Investments A/S (‘Kirk'), Lundbeckfond Invest A/S (‘Lundbeckfond'), and Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension ('ATP'), all of Denmark.

Ferrosan produces biomaterial haemostatic medical devices to control critical bleedings in surgery and breast biopsy systems. Kirk invests in Scandinavian medium and larger-sized companies in long-term growth industries. Lundbeckfond funds biomedical sciences research. ATP manages the mandatory Danish collective pension scheme, ATP Livslang Pension.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns since there are no horizontal or vertical overlaps between the parties' activities. 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.10955.

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

 

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de i-Hub par POST, BGL, BCEE, BIL et BDL

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de i-Hub S.A. par POST Luxembourg (« POST »), BGL BNP Paribas (« BGL »), Banque et Caisse d'Epargne de l'Etat (« BCEE »), Banque Internationale à Luxembourg S.A. (« BIL ») et Banque de Luxembourg (« BDL ») toutes les six basées au Luxembourg.

i-Hub est un fournisseur de services de soutien à la conformité, qui consistent à aider, par l'intermédiaire de sa plateforme de stockage des données, les entreprises qui effectuent des contrôles afin de se conformer à leurs enquêtes en matière de lutte contre le blanchiment de capitaux. POST est un prestataire de services postaux, des technologies de l'information et de la communication et de services bancaires au Luxembourg. BGL, BCE et BDL sont des établissements de crédit fournissant au Luxembourg. BIL est un groupe bancaire privé qui exerce ses activités au Luxembourg.

La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition 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 du 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.10930.

(Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

 

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Saxon Land by Generali Real Estate and Munich Re

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Saxon Land B.V.) of the Netherlands by Generali Real Estate S.P.A. (‘GRE') of Italy and Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft (‘Munich Re') of Germany.

Saxon Land is a real estate investment company, holding a single real estate property in London, UK. GRE provides real estate asset management services, including property management services in Europe. The ultimate parent company of GRE, Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A., of Italy, is active worldwide in the insurance and financial sector. Munich Re is a globally active international insurance company, which also offers asset management services.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the absence of current or expected activity 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.10929.

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

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

European Institute of Innovation and Technology: new investments for €890 million

Today, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) announced its largest funding allocation to date to drive innovation in Europe and deliver solutions to the most pressing global challenges. The funding of €890 million in grants will support EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) activities in the key strategic areas of climate, digitalisation, food, health, sustainable energy, advanced and sustainable materials, manufacturing and urban mobility. In addition, the EIT awarded a start-up grant of €6 million to its new Knowledge and Innovation Community, the EIT Culture and Creativity, to kick off its activities in 2023 to unlock the innovation potential of culture and creative sectors and industries.

Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth said: “The EIT's record-breaking investment will help to turn urging global challenges into innovation-led opportunities. And I am glad to see that the EIT Community, the Europe's largest innovation ecosystem, is delivering on the New European Innovation Agenda by strengthening innovation networks, and driving Europe towards excellence and impact for the green and digital transitions.”

The grant will cover the next three years (2023-25) for EIT Food, EIT Health, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility and two years (2023-2024) for EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital and EIT InnoEnergy, whose partnership agreements will come to an end in 2024 after a funding period by the EIT of 15 years. The multi-annual funding allocation is a novelty under the Horizon Europe programme, providing a more flexible approach for financing large-scale innovation projects. These multi-annual grants will be invested to deliver on the three pillars of the EIT's activity, namely entrepreneurial education, innovation-driven research projects as well as business creation and acceleration services for promising start-ups. More information is available in the EIT press release.

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

 

Vice-President Schinas in The Hague to focus on combating antisemitism, Security Union and Migration and Asylum Pact

Today, Vice-President Schinas is in The Hague to open the 3rd meeting of the Working Group on the Implementation of the EU Strategy on combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish life, bringing together representatives of Member States and Jewish organisations from across the EU.  This is the first time ever that the Working Group, initially established in 2019, is taking place under the aegis of an EU Member State, organised by the Dutch National Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and hosted by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security. The initiative signals a step change in the cooperation between the Commission and Member States in the fight against antisemitism and comes at an important moment, as all EU Member States have committed to develop national action plans and/or strategies. The agenda will focus on the updates on national strategies, countering online antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. Vice-President Schinas will meet with the Minister of Justice and Security of the Netherlands, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, to discuss ways to tackle antisemitism at the European and global level, including online, and actions under the EU Security Union. Vice-President Schinas will also meet with members of the Jewish community in The Hague on the margins of the working group. In the afternoon, the Vice-President will participate in a roundtable discussion on the Pact on Migration and Asylum with academics, Members of Parliament and journalists organised by the Clingendael Institute.

(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)

 

Prix ​​de littérature de l'Union européenne 2022: les lauréats partagent leurs récits auprès des lecteurs

Aujourd'hui, les lauréats du Prix européen de littérature 2022 participeront à des lectures sur scène à la maison de la culture Flagey à Bruxelles. Sous le thème « Voyage avec des auteurs européens », les auteurs et autrices partageront leurs expériences à travers l'Europe et leurs carrières d'écrivains.

La commissaire chargée de l'éducation, la culture, la jeunesse et des sports, Mariya Gabriel, participera à l'événement avec la présidente de la commission de la culture et de l'éducation du Parlement européen, Sabine Verheyen. Les organisateurs du Prix seront représentés par la vice-présidente de la Fédération des Editeurs Européens, Sonia Draga et le co-président de la Fédération Européenne & Internationale des Libraires, Jean-Luc Treutenaere.

La commissaire Gabriel a déclaré: « J'attends avec impatience ce voyage exceptionnel accompagné de la voix des auteurs. Et je suis fière qu'avec le Prix européen de littérature, nous ayons pu contribuer à la promotion de la littérature européenne contemporaine et soutenir le secteur du livre depuis 2009. Cette année encore, le travail des lauréats reflète l'incroyable variété des traditions littéraires et la créativité que l'Europe a à offrir ».

Le Grand Prix 2022 a été remporté par Iva Pezuashvili de Géorgie, auteur de "Le Bunker". Cinq écrivains de Belgique (langue néerlandaise), de Bosnie-Herzégovine, d'Irlande (langue gaélique), d'Espagne et d'Ukraine ont reçu une mention spéciale.

Le Prix de littérature de l'Union européenne est l'une des nombreuses actions mises en œuvre par le programme Creative Europe pour promouvoir la diversité culturelle et linguistique européenne auprès des publics transfrontaliers, en Europe et au-delà. Le concours est ouvert à 41 pays impliqués dans le programme Creative Europe. Plus d'informations sur l'événement sont disponibles ici.

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

 

 

 

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