Daily News 09 / 12 / 2022

L'UE investit plus de 600 millions d'euros dans les infrastructures énergétiques en soutien au plan REPowerEU et au Pacte vert européen

L'Union européenne investira 602 millions d'euros provenant du mécanisme pour l'interconnexion en Europe dans huit projets transfrontaliers d'infrastructure énergétique afin d'atteindre les objectifs fixés par le plan REPowerEU et par le Pacte vert européen. Cet investissement est le résultat d'un appel à projets qui a été lancé le 18 mai, parallèlement au plan REPowerEU. 

La commissaire à l'énergie, Kadri Simson, a déclaré : « De meilleures interconnexions transfrontalières sont une condition préalable à une transition énergétique propre, car elles renforcent notre marché commun de l'énergie et facilitent l'intégration des énergies renouvelables dans le réseau. Des infrastructures énergétiques résilientes sont également cruciales pour la sécurité d'approvisionnement de l'UE et pour honorer notre engagement à mettre fin à nos importations de gaz russe dès que possible. » 

Ces fonds financeront des projets dans le domaine de l'électricité, dont un concernant les réseaux électriques intelligents, des réseaux de CO2, du stockage souterrain du gaz et un terminal GNL en mer. Ils se répartissent entre neuf États membres (la Belgique, la Croatie, la France, l'Irlande, l'Italie, l'Autriche, la Pologne, la Roumanie et la Slovénie), et la Tunisie. De plus amples détails sur les projets sont disponibles ici.

(Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie – Tél.: +32 2 295 86 02; Giulia Bedini – Tél: +32 2 295 86 61; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tél.: +32 2 298 13 25)

 

REPowerEU: New industrial Alliance to boost the EU's solar power and energy security

Today, the Commission together with industrial actors, research institutes, associations and other relevant parties launched the European Solar PV Industry Alliance.

The alliance will help mitigating supply risk by securing diversification of supplies through more diverse imports and scaled up solar PV manufacturing of innovative and sustainable solar PVs in the EU. In a joint statement, the Commission and signatories of the Alliance set out the immediate priorities for 2023.

Boosting domestic manufacturing capacity will be key for the EU to reach the REPowerEU objectives of over 320 GW of newly installed solar photovoltaic capacity by 2025, and almost 600 GW by 2030.

The new Alliance has endorsed the objective of reaching 30 GW of European manufacturing capacity by 2025, across the entire value chain. Reaching this objective would deliver €60 billion of new GDP per year in Europe and the creation of more than 400,000 new jobs.

The Alliance will also offer policy inputs to reduce Europe's risk of supply and support domestic industry. A press release is available here.

(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 2 295 83 00)

 

EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes: Commission and EBRD join forces to step up transport connectivity between the EU, Ukraine, and Moldova

At a conference with key partners yesterday, the Commission and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) defined infrastructure needs and funding resources to step up transport connectivity between the EU, Ukraine and Moldova as part of the Solidarity Lanes initiative. Improvements can be made with relatively low costs by implementing smart solutions, as well as improving cooperation and coordination between administrations and partners. Participants in the conference also agreed on specific short-term actions and potential financing to support the flow of goods to and from Ukraine, and to reconvene regularly to monitor and follow through on the financial and administrative steps.

While the Solidarity Lanes have opened much-needed alternative corridors for Ukrainian exports and imports, they are reaching their capacity limits; bottlenecks persist and logistics costs remain high. To address these problems and further improve these new logistics corridors, the Commission, the EBRD, the EIB and the World Bank have mobilised €1 billion of financial support.

Participants in yesterday's conference included: Commissioner Vălean, EBRD President Renaud-Basso, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Yuri Vaskov, Romanian and Moldovan Deputy Prime Ministers Grindeanu and Spinu, as well as other high-level representatives from Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, the EU and its Member States, the EBRD, EIB and the World Bank, the Danube Commission and key transport and logistics partners in the region.

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “Our Solidarity Lanes have become a lifeline for Ukraine, but we must go further than what we have already put in place.  We need more investment to purchase scanners and transhipment equipment, and to upgrade transport infrastructure. This is why today, we are mobilising the EU's financial resources, in particular the Connecting Europe Facility, for cross-border infrastructure, and why we are working closely with international financial institutions, such as the EBRD.  We want to find joint solutions to the challenges ahead, to support our Ukrainian and Moldovan colleagues in their every-day transport operations, and to remove remaining bottlenecks at the EU-Ukraine border.”

For further details, please see the press remarks by Commissioner Vălean.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 2 295 31 56; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 2 298 81 99)

 

Estonia, Ireland and Poland 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 Estonia, Ireland and Poland.

The total amount of the allocated funds for Estonia, which cover this six-year period, is €139.1 million, of which the EU contribution accounts for €97.4 million. The total amount of the allocated funds for Ireland is €258.4 million over the next six years, of which the EU contribution accounts for €142.4 million. Poland will receive €732 million for the six-year period, of which the EU will contribute with € 512.4 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: “The EMFAF programmes that we just adopted for Estonia, Ireland and Poland are good news for the sector and its sustainability. The programmes aim to boost the resilience of the entire seafood sector, to accelerate its green and digital transition, as well as to support the coastal communities. The programmes will further stimulate research and innovation.”

The EMFAF Programme in Estonia will spread its resources almost equally between sustainable fisheries and conservation of aquatic biological resources, investment in sustainable aquaculture and sustainable blue economy in coastal areas, all contributing to the EU's environmental and climate objectives.

In Ireland, 50% of the programme allocation will be dedicated to sustainable fisheries and conservation of aquatic biological resources to build resilience of the fishery sector to the current challenges and increase energy efficiency. The rest of the programme will stimulate sustainable aquaculture and blue economy activities.

In Poland, funds will be almost equally shared between spread sustainable fisheries and sustainable aquaculture. Investments will be done in human capital, reduction of the over-capacity of the Baltic fleet, improving safety, health and working conditions, and improving energy efficiency and decarbonisation of fishing activities, among others.

More information is available here, here and here.

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

 

EU Cohesion Policy: €2.14 billion for a just climate transition in Romania

Thanks to the adoption of its Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP), Romania will receive €2.14 billion from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to support a just climate transition to a more attractive and greener economy. The Fund will target the most affected regions, thus helping Romania to follow up on its commitment to phase out coal by 2032.

It will support workers being affected by the ongoing energy transition to find new qualifications and new jobs, leaving no one behind. It will also support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and, in specific cases, large companies to create jobs and diversify the economy in the fossil fuel production and carbon-intensive regions.

The funds will be allocated to six counties: Dolj, Galaţi, Gorj, Hunedoara, Mureş and Prahova. Gorj and Hunedoara still host active coal mining, notably in the Jiu Valley. Dolj, Galați, Prahova and Mureş have carbon-intensive industries, such as steel, cement and fertilisers and coal power is used for heating.

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 Partnership Agreement with Romania was approved in July 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).

More details in the press release.

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

 

Lutte contre le terrorisme: la Commission signe de nouveaux accords avec l'Albanie et la Macédoine du Nord

La Commission signera aujourd'hui une révision des accords bilatéraux avec l'Albanie et la Macédoine du Nord sur la mise en œuvre du plan d'action conjoint de lutte contre le terrorisme pour les Balkans occidentaux. L'accord renouvelé vise à renforcer la coopération dans le domaine de la lutte contre le terrorisme, la prévention et la lutte contre l'extrémisme violent. Les accords seront signés par la commissaire aux affaires intérieures Ylva Johansson, le ministre de l'intérieur de l'Albanie Bledar Çuçi et le ministre de l'intérieur de la Macédoine du Nord, Oliver Spasovski. Cet engagement renforcé en matière de sécurité est l'une des six initiatives phares énumérées dans la stratégie de la Commission pour les Balkans occidentaux et répond à l'appel de la déclaration de Sofia de mai 2018 en faveur d'une coopération accrue dans la lutte contre le terrorisme et l'extrémisme. Des accords antérieurs avec les deux pays ont été signés en octobre 2019. La cérémonie de signature sera enregistrée et diffusée sur EbS à 13h00 CET.

(Pour plus d'informations : Anitta Hipper – Tél. : +32 22985691 ; Andrea Masini – Tél. : +32 22991519)

 

Sixteen EU-supported films compete at the 2022 European Film Awards

Sixteen EU-supported films will be nominated for awards at the 35^th edition of the European Film Awards that will take place on 10 December in Reykjavík, Iceland. Out of these sixteen EU-supported works holding a total of 30 nominations, four of them will be competing for the Best European Film award: ‘Alcarràs', by Carla Simón; ‘Close', by Lukas Dhont; ‘Corsage', by Marie Kreutzer; and ‘Triangle of Sadness', by Ruben Östlund.

The EU has supported their development, production and distribution through the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. The winners will be announced during the Award Ceremony.

During this ceremony, President Ursula von der Leyen will accept on behalf of the Commission, by video message, the newly introduced European Sustainability Award, which will reward the European Green Deal launched in December 2019 to make Europe the first climate neutral and nature-positive continent in the world.

(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 se félicite de l'adoption de nouvelles recommandations de l'UE en matière de dépistage du cancer

À la suite de la proposition de la Commission visant à renforcer la prévention du cancer par la détection précoce, le Conseil de l'Union européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une nouvelle approche en matière de dépistage du cancer. Il s'agit d'une étape importante pour améliorer la détection des cancers à un stade précoce dans l'ensemble de l'UE, un objectif important du plan européen pour vaincre le cancer.

Comme annoncé en septembre, cette nouvelle approche de l'UE, fondée sur les dernières évolutions et données scientifiques disponibles, contribuera à ce que 90 % de la population de l'UE qui remplit les conditions requises pour le dépistage du cancer du sein, du cancer du col de l'utérus et du cancer colorectal se voient proposer un tel dépistage d'ici à 2025. La nouvelle approche préconise également d'étendre les programmes de dépistage au cancer de la prostate, du poumon et, dans certaines circonstances, au cancer gastrique, selon une approche progressive.

Pour plus de détails, veuillez consulter le discours de la commissaire Kyriakides et 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)

 

State aid: Commission approves €35 million German scheme to support sustainable forest management

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €35 million German scheme to support sustainable forest management. The aim of the scheme is to help small or privately owned forests associations implement sustainable forest management techniques to adapt forests to climate change, preserve and expand their CO₂ absorption potential, or protect biodiversity and soil conservation.

Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants to forest management communities or forest associations within the meaning of the German Federal Forest Act (Bundeswaldgesetz). The aid will support: (i) forest management contracts, (ii) member information and mobilisation, (iii) wood sales bundling, (iv) professionalisation of associations, (v) training of staff and (vi) project management. The scheme will run until 31 December 2028.

The Commission has assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities or regions under certain conditions, and the 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 facilitate forestry activities and to ensure that associations owning smaller forests develop sustainable forest management techniques. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.100048 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

 

State aid: Commission approves €16.2 million Estonian scheme to support forest owners affected by nature conservation restrictions

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a € 16.2 million Estonian scheme to support the forestry sector affected by nature conservation restrictions. The aim of the scheme is to support owners of forests in areas which contribute to the ecological coherence of the Natura 2000 network. Natura 2000 is a network of core breeding and resting sites for rare and threatened species. It aims to ensure the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats. 

Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants to forest owners to compensate them for income foregone based on the value of lost timber production per hectare due to nature conservation restrictions. The scheme will run until 31 December 2027. 

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities or regions under certain conditions, and the 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 support the sustainable management of natural resources. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Estonian measure under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.103786 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

 

State aid: Commission approves prolongation of Swedish scheme to refund taxes and social security contributions to employers of seafarers

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of a Swedish scheme to refund taxes and social security contributions of employers of certain seafarers.

The scheme is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of Swedish shipping companies operating internationally and stimulating the employment of seafarers who are liable to taxes and social security contributions in Sweden. The measure was originally approved by the Commission in February 2000 (N 819/99), prolonged in 2001 (SA.16069), 2007 (SA.21952), 2008 (SA.26478), 2012 (SA.33609) and 2019 (SA.46740), and is set to expire on 31 December 2022. Sweden notified the Commission of its intention to prolong the scheme until 31 December 2025, with a budget of approximately €452 million (SEK 4,950 million) for that period.

Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of a reimbursement to the employers of the tax levied on seafarers' income, as well as on social security contributions and general fees imposed on their wages. In order for the employers to be eligible, the seafarers need to be either a citizen of the European Economic Area, or be liable for taxation and/or social security contributions in an EU Member State.

The Commission assessed the scheme under the EU State aid rules, and in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Guidelines on State aid to maritime transport. The Commission found that the scheme continues to be necessary and appropriate to promote the attractiveness of the employment of seafarers in Sweden and enhancing the competitiveness of Swedish ship operators. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the measure continues to be proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and to have a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission found that the prolongation of the scheme is in line EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.104878 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

 

State aid: Commission approves a Belgian scheme to support protection against travel operators' insolvency

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Belgian scheme to support insurers that cover travel operators' insolvency. The aim of the scheme is to preserve the protection of consumers in the event of insolvency of a travel operator.

Under the Package Travel Directive, package travel organisers are required to ensure that travelers will be reimbursed any payment for services that were not provided, either fully or in part, because of the organiser's insolvency. For this purpose, Belgium has decided to set up the Travel Insolvency Fund (‘the Fund'), financed notably by contributions from insurers and aimed at covering the risks related to a large-scale insolvency of package travel operators.

Under the scheme, the Belgian authorities will only intervene in extreme cases, where the losses stemming from the travel operators' insolvency exceed the resources of the Fund and provided that the insurers covered a share of those losses. In such case, the Belgian authorities would make exceptional contribution to the Fund, up to a maximum amount of €70 million per year. The scheme will run until 31 December 2028.

The Commission assessed the scheme under the EU State aid rules, and 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 subject to certain conditions. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to ensure consumers are reimbursed in the event of insolvency of package travel operators. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. 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.103238 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

  

State aid: Commission approves amendments to Hungarian schemes, including €3 billion budget increase, to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has found the amendments to existing Hungarian schemes, including €3 billion (HUF 1.23 trillion) budget increase, to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine to be in line with  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 Commission approved the original schemes on 17 June 2022 (SA.102986), 20 June 2022 (SA.103089), 11 July 2022 (SA.103315) and on 26 October 2022 (SA.104515). Hungary notified the following modifications to the existing schemes: (i) an overall budget increase by €3 billion (HUF 1.23 trillion); (ii) a modification of the duration and interest rates of the loans; (iii) an increase of the maximum aid ceilings, in line with the Temporary Crisis Framework as amended on 28 October 2022; and (iv) an extension of the period, in relation to which aid may be granted, until 31 December 2023.

The Commission found that the Hungarian schemes, as modified, continue to be in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, when it comes to limited amounts of aid, the support will not exceed €250,000 per company active in the primary production of agricultural products, €300,000 per company active in fishery and aquaculture sectors and €2 million per company in all other sectors. When it comes to liquidity support, the maximum amount per beneficiary will be 15% of its average total annual turnover over the last three closed accounting periods, and the annual interest rates on the loans respect the minimum levels set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. Finally, the support will be granted no later than 31 December 2023.

The Commission concluded that the amended schemes remain 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 amendments to the existing schemes 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.104850 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

State aid: Commission approves €45 million Portuguese scheme to support gas-intensive businesses in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €45 million Portuguese scheme to support gas-intensive businesses in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) TFEU, recognising that the EU economy is experiencing a serious disturbance.

Under the scheme, the aid will take form of direct grants up to a maximum of €2 million. Energy-intensive users that incur operating losses may receive further aid up to €5 million. The purpose of the scheme is to support gas-intensive businesses in the context of increased gas prices, which are affecting their profitability. The aid amount per eligible beneficiary will not exceed 50% of the eligible costs, calculated based on the increase of gas costs.

The Commission found that the Portuguese scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, (i) the individual aid amount will not exceed 65% of the eligible costs for the maximum aid ceiling of €50 million; and (ii) will be granted before 31 December 2023. The Commission concluded that the 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 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.104549 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

State aid: Commission approves €1.26 billion Croatian wage subsidy scheme to support employers and self-employed persons affected by the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €1.26 billion (HRK 9.5 billion) Croatian wage subsidy scheme to support employers and self-employed persons affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid COVID Temporary Framework.

Under the scheme, which goes under the name “job preservation aid scheme”, the aid takes the form of wage subsidies. The measure is open to employers and self-employed persons active in a number of sectors particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, such as tourism and passenger transport. The purpose of the measure is (i) to reduce the wage costs of the eligible employers during the period between June 2020 and June 2022; and (ii) to support low earning self-employed individuals whose income had been negatively affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme therefore aims at preserving the employment levels and at avoiding layoffs.

The Commission found that the Croatian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the COVID Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the measure assists businesses particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and is aimed at avoiding layoffs; (ii) the monthly wage subsidies do not exceed 80% of the monthly gross salary of the benefitting personnel; and (iii) the aid has been granted before 30 June 2022. The Commission concluded that the measure 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 COVID Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.

More information on the COVID Temporary Framework and other 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.103801 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

 

 

STATEMENT

 

 

Statement by Commissioner Johansson on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day

 Today, on the occasion of the International Anti-Corruption Day, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson said:

“Fighting corruption takes commitment, endurance and determination. The EU has all it takes and is delivering. To be credible we need to start at home. The EU has put in place a strong rule of law mechanism, where anti-corruption is highly prominent and soundly monitored in all Member States. We have set up a new rule of law conditionality mechanism, where there are no EU funds given to those that are corrupt and breach the rules.” The full statement is available online.

(For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 2 299 15 19)

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

European Green Deal: new rules agreed on applying the EU emissions trading system in the aviation sector

The Commission welcomes the deal reached this week between the European Parliament and the Council to help make the aviation sector ‘Fit for 55', setting in law its contribution to our target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The political agreement was reached late on 6 December on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) rules on aviation.

The updated rules on emissions trading will accelerate the implementation of the polluter pays principle by phasing out free allowances for the aviation sector by 2026. This agreement increases the stringency of the existing system, which has covered aviation since 2012. This means the industry will have a greater responsibility to pay for its carbon footprint, and that there will be more economic incentives to reduce emissions due to a robust price signal.

Until the start of 2027, EU carbon pricing will apply to flights within the EU/EEA and departing flights to Switzerland and the United Kingdom, maintaining the current ‘stop the clock' mechanism on the international application of the rules.

Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “The EU is fully committed to its 2030 and 2050 climate targets, and we are determined to set all sectors on a pathway to climate neutrality. With this agreement, we will make the ETS system more rigorous to create a stronger economic incentive to reduce emissions and in parallel, we will help fuel suppliers and flight operators make the move towards sustainable aviation fuels. Ensuring that emissions in the aviation sector are significantly reduced is a crucial part of the ‘Fit for 55' equation.”

This week's agreement is another important step in the adoption of the Commission's 'Fit for 55' legislative package to deliver the European Green Deal. The political agreement must now be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.

More information is available in the press release.

(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

  

 

 

 

CALENDAR - Commissioners' weekly activities

 

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

 

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases