Daily News 07 / 11 / 2023

EU releases €61 million in humanitarian aid for people in Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Pakistan

As the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continues to be of serious concern, the EU has released €61 million in humanitarian aid to address the needs of vulnerable people in the country, as well as refugees in neighbouring Pakistan. A total of €60 million are allocated for humanitarian organisations working in Afghanistan and another €1 million, for those in Pakistan.

The new funding will help address the food crisis in Afghanistan, where nearly half of the population is acutely food insecure. It will also serve to cover other needs such as shelter, protection, healthcare, nutrition and water and sanitation, notably for the population affected by the string of earthquakes that hit the west of the country in October.

Part of the funding will also support Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan, prioritising protection monitoring, and immediate support in host communities.

This new assistance comes in addition to the nearly €94 million in humanitarian aid already allocated this year for Afghanistan, including the €4.5 million package approved following the recent earthquakes. EU humanitarian aid in Afghanistan is solely channelled through humanitarian partners on the ground.

A full press release is available here.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 2 296 91 40)

L'UE organise de nouveaux vols en aide à Gaza

Aujourd'hui, deux nouveaux vols du pont aérien humanitaire de l'UE en faveur de la population de Gaza ont décollé d'Ostende (Belgique) et de Dubaï (Émirats arabes unis), transportant près de 115 tonnes de fournitures d'aide à Al-Arish (Égypte), près du point de passage frontalier de Rafah.

Aujourd'hui, le commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarcic, s'est rendu sur place pour voir la cargaison délivrée par les partenaires humanitaires Médecins du Monde (MdM), le Fonds des Nations Unies pour la Population (FNUAP) et des représentants de la France, qui font don de fournitures médicales humanitaires essentielles qui seront acheminées depuis Ostende sur un vol organisé par la plateforme de coordination UE-Fédération internationale des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge (FICR).  

La cargaison en provenance de Dubaï transportera des articles logistiques tels que des réfrigérateurs et des conteneurs, un élément crucial pour le traitement de l'aide arrivant en Égypte et à Gaza. Ces articles ont été achetés par l'UE et donnés au Programme Alimentaire Mondial (PAM) afin de renforcer la capacité logistique du Croissant-Rouge égyptien et de faciliter les opérations de secours dans la région.

Cela porte le nombre de vols d'aide de l'UE à Gaza à 8 au cours des dernières semaines, ce qui a permis de transporter plus de 320 tonnes de fournitures humanitaires.

En outre, compte tenu des énormes besoins humanitaires dans la bande de Gaza, des vols supplémentaires sont en préparation en étroite collaboration avec le Dépôt de Réponse Humanitaire des Nations unies (UNHRD) et d'autres partenaires humanitaires afin de transporter une aide supplémentaire, y compris des articles d'urgence provenant des stocks de réserve d'urgence de l'UE à Dubaï et à Brindisi. 

La conférence de presse est accessible sur EBS.

(Pour plus d' informations: Balazs Ujvari – Tél.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi – Tél.: +32 2 296 91 40)

La Commission adopte une nouvelle proposition sur la combinaison des modes de transport en faveur d'un fret plus durable

La Commission a présenté aujourd'hui sa proposition sur le transport combiné, qui vise à rendre le transport de marchandises plus durable en améliorant la compétitivité du fret intermodal par comparaison avec le transport s'effectuant uniquement par route. Cette proposition actualise la directive sur le transport combiné et complète le paquet sur l'écologisation du fret, dont la majeure partie a été adoptée en juillet 2023. Ce paquet soutiendra le secteur du fret dans sa contribution à la réalisation des objectifs de l'UE fixés par le Pacte vert.

La commissaire aux transports, Adina Vălean, a déclaré : « En 2022, 13,6 milliards de tonnes de marchandises ont été transportées sur les routes de l'UE. Ce fret est essentiel à l'économie de l'UE et, à mesure que la demande augmente, nous devons en maîtriser les coûts et les émissions. Grâce à notre proposition, les camions maintiendront leur rôle dans le secteur du fret, mais leur combinaison à d'autres modes de transport plus durables, tels que les barges, le transport maritime à courte distance ou les trains, permettra de réduire les coûts externes du transport et d'optimiser l'utilisation de notre réseau de transport dans l'intérêt des citoyens et de notre économie ».

La révision d'aujourd'hui rendra le transport intermodal plus efficace et plus compétitif. Elle renforce le soutien aux opérations réduisant d'au moins 40 % les externalités négatives, par comparaison avec les acheminements effectués exclusivement par voie routière entre les mêmes points de départ et d'arrivée. 

En plus des mesures réglementaires existantes, la proposition introduit une exemption des interdictions temporaires de circuler, telles que les interdictions de circuler le week-end pour le transport combiné. Elle fixe également aux États membres un objectif de compétitivité visant à réduire d'au moins 10 % le coût moyen porte-à-porte des opérations de transport combiné dans un délai de sept ans, et leur demande de mettre en place les politiques nécessaires pour y parvenir. Par ailleurs, les exploitants de terminaux seront tenus de fournir, via leur site web, un minimum d'informations sur les services et les installations de leurs terminaux de transbordement dans l'UE. 

La proposition va maintenant être examinée par le Parlement européen et le Conseil dans le cadre de la procédure législative ordinaire. 

De plus amples détails dans notre communiqué de presse et nos questions-réponses.

(Pour plus d'informations : Adalbert Jahnz - Tél : +32 2 295 31 56 ; Deborah Almerge-Ruckert - Tél : +32 2 298 79 86)

The Commission launches a targeted consultation for the 2024 Rule of Law Report

The European Commission has today launched a targeted consultation to collect information about developments related to the rule of law in all Member States, in preparation of the 2024 Rule of Law Report. The consultation is addressed to judicial associations, civil society, NGOs, international organisations and EU agencies, as well as other interested parties. The information received will help the Commission assess how the rule of law situation has evolved in Member States since the last publication of the report in July 2023. The Rule of Law Report is at the heart of an annual monitoring cycle, aiming to prevent problems before they emerge or deepen, and to promote dialogue on the rule of law at European and national level. For the previous editions of the Rule of Law Report, the annual targeted stakeholder consultations provided valuable horizontal and country-specific information*. 

The consultation is available online until 15 January 2024.  

(For more information:  Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53; Marajke Slomka - Tel.:  +32 2 298 26 13)

Commission consults Member States on a proposal for a partial adjustment of the phase-out schedule of the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework

The European Commission has sent to Member States for consultation a draft proposal to partially adjust the phase-out schedule of the provisions of the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework aimed at providing a crisis response following Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the unprecedented increase in energy prices.

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues and wider geopolitical tensions, in particular in the Middle East, continue to pose risks and remain a source of uncertainty. Against this background, the Commission is proposing a limited prolongation of 3 months of the provisions enabling Member States to continue to grant limited amounts of aid (section 2.1 of the Framework) and aid to compensate for high energy prices (section 2.4 of the Framework), until 31 March 2024. This will allow Member States, where needed, to extend their support schemes and ensure that companies still affected by the crisis will not be cut off from necessary support in the upcoming winter heating period. The Commission's draft proposal sent to Member States today does not affect the remaining provisions of the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.

Member States now have the possibility to comment on the Commission's draft proposal. The Commission intends to adopt the limited amendment to the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework in the coming weeks, taking into account the feedback received from the Member States.

Commissioner Didier Reynders in charge of competition policy, said: "Despite the stabilisation of the economic situation and the remarkable resilience of the Union's economy overall, substantial uncertainty remains as regards the energy prices in the coming winter. This situation is still a source of strong concerns for consumers and companies in the EU. The proposal sent to Member States today would allow them to be prepared and provide further limited support during that period when necessary, while making sure that extraordinary rules remain temporary. In addition, the Commission is constantly monitoring economic developments and stands ready to swiftly respond to any unexpected events. The proposal does not affect the provisions of the Framework that allow for Member States to provide additional support to accelerate investments required to reach the net-zero targets, which remain available until end of 2025."

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Lea Zuber– Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of SOFIMA by BDT and SOFIMA Holdings

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of SOFIMA of Italy by BDT Capital Partners (‘BDT') of the US and SOFIMA Holdings of Italy.

The transaction relates primarily to the manufacturing of packaging machinery solutions.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified 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.11258.

(For more information: Lea Zuber– Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini- Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President von der Leyen welcomes H.M. King Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, announces significant support package

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed H.M. King Abdullah II from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Brussels today. Discussions focused on recent developments and the need to avoid a negative spill-over in the region, where Jordan plays a key stabilising role. During the visit, the Commission also announced a substantial EU support package for Jordan worth €902 million (€402 million in grants and €500 million in loans by the European Investment Bank).

President von der Leyen said: “I thank King Abdullah II for his critical stabilising role in the region. The EU is a strong friend and partner of Jordan and our cooperation spans many areas, from culture to water management, from refugee support to education and training. This is why I am happy to announce today that we will continue our strong support to Jordan's reform process and modernisation of its economy.”

The EU and Jordan confirmed their strong and lasting partnership at the 14th meeting of the Association Council of the EU and Jordan on 2 June 2022, with the adoption of the new Partnership Priorities guiding their cooperation until 2027, in line with the new EU Agenda for the Mediterranean and its Economic and Investment plan.

A press release with more information is available online.

(For more information: Arianna Podestà – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Ana Pisonero – Tel. +32 2 295 43 20; Zoï Muletier – Tel. +32 2 299 43 06)

Commissioner Hoekstra visits Zambia for COP28 preparations

Tomorrow, Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra will make an official visit to Zambia in preparation of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference. Zambia will be a key interlocutor in Dubai, due to the country's current role as Chair of the African Group of Negotiators.

The Commissioner will meet bilaterally with President Hakainde Hichilema, and with the Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu. Commissioner Hoekstra will also participate with President Hichilema in a signing ceremony for the EU-Zambia Forest Partnership Roadmap, which aims to ensure the sustainable and healthy use of Zambia's national forests and natural resources and avoid forest degradation. He will also meet with EU Member State Heads of Mission, representatives from the business community, and youth activists.

(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)

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

*Updated on 7 November 2023 at 12:30