Daily News 14 / 11 / 2023

EU is providing additional €110 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainians affected by the war

As Russia's war against Ukraine continues, the humanitarian situation in the country remains dire. The onset of winter poses further challenges to the already vulnerable communities impacted by the war.

The Commission is therefore allocating €110 million in humanitarian aid of which €100 million will go to operations in Ukraine and €10 million to support Ukrainian refugees and host communities in Moldova. This new funding will help the EU's humanitarian partners to provide essential services like cash assistance, food, water, shelter, healthcare, psychosocial support and protection.

The latest allocation brings the total for EU humanitarian aid in response to Russia's war in Ukraine to €843 million.

In light of last year's deliberate attacks by Russia on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the EU is also prioritising emergency energy support by deploying a further 84 power generators from its rescEU strategic reserves. Overall, more than 5,000 power generators have been sent to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition, the EU is coordinating donations from the private sector to deliver crucial energy equipment to Ukraine.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “As Russia's missiles wreak havoc in Ukraine, the humanitarian community must be ready to assist the most vulnerable people affected during harsh winter months. The EU is reinforcing its humanitarian funding in Ukraine with an additional €100 million, while providing €10 million to support Ukrainian refugees and their host communities in Moldova. Our commitment to the people of Ukraine remains as strong as ever.” 

The press release is available online.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

 

La Commission finance 171 nouveaux projets LIFE pour plus de 396 millions d'euros dans le domaine de l'environnement et du climat partout en Europe

La Commission européenne a approuvé aujourd'hui 171 nouveaux projets partout en Europe dans le cadre du programme LIFE pour l'environnement et l'action pour le climat, pour un montant de plus de 396 millions d'euros. Grâce aux exigences liées au cofinancement de ce programme, il mobilisera un investissement total de plus de 722 millions d'euros, ce qui représente une augmentation de 28,5 % par rapport à l'année dernière. Les projets provenant de presque tous les pays de l'Union bénéficieront d'un soutien de l'UE au titre des sous-programmes suivants: nature et biodiversité; économie circulaire et qualité de vie; atténuation et adaptation au changement climatique; et transition vers une énergie propre. Ces projets s'ajouteront aux plus de 6000 projets en matière d'environnement et d'action pour le climat dans l'ensemble de l'UE et des pays associés cofinancés par le programme LIFE au cours des 31 dernières années.

Virginijus Sinkevičius, commissaire de l'environnement, d'océans et de la pêche, a déclaré: «Les projets LIFE de cette année sont plus ambitieux que jamais. Tandis que nous continuons à faire face aux crises du changement climatique, de la pollution et de la perte de biodiversité, le programme LIFE est la preuve vivante de notre engagement à passer de l'ambition à l'action et à créer une réelle différence pour les citoyens de l'UE grâce à des projets qui accéléreront la transition écologique, amélioreront notre vie quotidienne et préserveront nos écosystèmes naturels.»

Wopke Hoekstra, commissaire chargée de l'action pour le climat, a ajouté: «Le climat et la nature sont étroitement liés. Nos sols, nos océans et nos forêts sont les plus grands puits de carbone dont nous disposons, et une nature saine peut nous permettre de rester au frais sur une planète en réchauffement. Compte tenu des conditions météorologiques extrêmes que connaît notre monde, davantage de projets d'adaptation et d'atténuation au changement climatique sont primordiaux. Lorsque je constate ce que les projets LIFE ont déjà accompli dans l'UE et dans les pays participants et l'impact qu'ils auront à l'avenir, je suis optimiste quant au fait que nous disposons des outils nécessaires pour apporter un réel changement sur le terrain.»

Les projets LIFE contribuent à la réalisation du large éventail d'objectifs du pacte vert pour l'Europe en matière de climat, d'énergie et d'environnement, en soutenant la biodiversité, et la restauration de la nature et en œuvrant à la réalisation de l'objectif de l'UE de parvenir à la neutralité climatique d'ici à 2050.

De plus amples détails sont disponibles dans notre communiqué de presse et dans son annexe.

(Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Tim McPhie – Tél.: +32 2 295 86 02; Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 2 295 36 64; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tél.: +32 2 298 13 25)

 

Fonds du Conseil européen de l'innovation a approuvé 1 milliard d'euros d'investissements en capital-risque dans les technologies de pointe*

La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui que près de 1 milliard d'euros d'investissements dans des entreprises de haute technologie ont été approuvés par le Fonds du Conseil européen de l'innovation (CEI) depuis le début de ses activités en septembre 2022. En un peu plus d'un an, 159 jeunes pousses et PME, toutes sélectionnées dans le cadre du programme d'Accélérateur du CEI, ont vu leurs investissements approuvés. En atteignant ce jalon, d'un milliard d'euros, le CEI consolide sa position d'investisseur de choix pour les entreprises européennes deep tech.

Parmi les entreprises qui ont bénéficié d'investissements du CEI figurent: Quandela (Palaiseau, France), chef de file dans le domaine de la photonique quantique, développe des ordinateurs quantiques optiques entièrement empilés, disponibles à la fois dans le nuage et sur place; Microsure (Eindhoven, Pays-Bas), chef de file de l'innovation dans le domaine de la microchirurgie assistée par robot; MeThinks AI (Barcelone, Espagne) — société spécialisée dans la détection précoce et la gestion des patients atteints d'accidents vasculaires cérébraux aigus utilisant l'intelligence artificielle (IA). En outre, les résultats du dernier appel au titre de l'Accélérateur du CEI ont été publiés avec 47 entreprises supplémentaires sélectionnées pour bénéficier d'un soutien du CEI pour un montant de 349 millions d'euros. 

Vous trouverez de plus amples informations dans notre communiqué de presse.

(Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke - Tél. : +32 2 295 86 15 ; Roberta Verbanac  - Tél. : +32 2 298 24 98)

 

The EU Solidarity Fund grants €94.7 million of advance payment to Italy following the floods in the Emilia-Romagna region

Yesterday, the Commission adopted a decision to provide Italy an advance payment of €94.7 million under the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to ease the financial burden caused by the devastating floods that took place in the Emilia-Romagna region in May 2023.

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said: “Climate change is increasing the frequency and impact of natural disasters. EUSF assistance is needed now more than ever before to alleviate the social, economic and environmental costs caused by these events. We stand by those affected by the floods in Emilia-Romagna and, with the EUSF funds, will help to overcome the material losses caused by the disaster and give its citizens renewed hope for the future.”

The advance payment follows the application for EUSF support submitted by Italy on 24 July 2023, and will help the Italian authorities to restore key infrastructure, fund rescue services, implement measures to protect the cultural heritage of the region, as well as to finance general clean-up operations.

In June, the Commission made a proposal to increase by €2.5 billion the ceiling of the Solidarity Emergency and Aid Reserve (SEAR) in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) mid-term revision. The proposed €2.5 billion is to be shared between the two instruments under the SEAR – the EUSF and the Emergency and Aid Reserve (EAR) - during the remaining four years of the MFF programming period, 2021-2027.

The EUSF helps Member States and candidate countries to handle the financial burden caused by major natural disasters and health emergencies, in solidarity with the disaster-stricken regions. 

(For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680; Laetitia Close Tel.: +32 2 296 70 73)

 

InvestEU soutient un accord de 25 millions d'euros pour financer la recherche et le développement de technologies médicales en France

La Banque européenne d'investissement (BEI) et Germitec ont signé un accord de 25 millions d'euros pour financer le développement et la commercialisation de nouveaux produits médicaux. Les nouveaux produits à financer par cet accord visent à réduire radicalement les risques d'infection croisée pour les patients en fournissant aux professionnels de la santé une technologie et des dispositifs innovants de désinfection de haut niveau basés sur les UV.

Cet accord est soutenu par le programme InvestEU. Il relève de la politique de recherche et de développement d'InvestEU (nouveaux produits de santé efficaces et accessibles, y compris la recherche, le développement, l'innovation et la fabrication de produits pharmaceutiques, de dispositifs médicaux, de diagnostics et de médicaments de thérapie innovante).

Paolo Gentiloni, commissaire européen chargé de l'économie, a déclaré à ce propos: «La recherche et le développement de produits innovants nécessitent des investissements soutenus et importants. Avec l'aide d'InvestEU, l'Europe peut conserver sa position de leader mondial dans le développement de technologies médicales de pointe en soutenant des accords tels que celle-ci.»

Le programme InvestEU fournit à l'UE un financement à long terme en mobilisant les fonds privés et publics à l'appui des priorités stratégiques de l'UE. Dans le cadre du programme, le Fonds InvestEU est mis en œuvre par l'intermédiaire des bénéficiaires financiers qui investissent dans les projets utilisant la garantie du budget de l'UE et mobiliseront ainsi au moins 372 millions d'euros d'investissements complémentaires.

Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations : Veerle Nuyts — Tél. : + 32 2 299 63 02 ; Flora Matthaes — Tél. : + 32 2 298 39 51)

 

The Interoperable Europe Act will improve online public services for people and businesses

The Commission welcomes the agreement reached last evening between the European Parliament and Council on the Interoperable Europe Act. This regulation will strengthen cross-border interoperability and cooperation in the public sector across the EU.

The Commission proposed the Act to help achieve Europe's digital targets for 2030, by making key public services available online. The Act will ensure seamless access to cross-border public services for people in the EU, improving the quality of life for those wishing to work, study or retire in another Member State, including the 150 million EU citizens living in a border region, or two million commuters between Member States.

You will find more information in our press release.

(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel: +32 2 295 86 15; Roberta Verbanac – Tel: +32 2 298 24 98)

 

Skills shortages are a serious problem for majority of EU SMEs, Eurobarometer shows

A new Eurobarometer survey released today finds that skills shortages are one of the most serious problems for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the EU. The challenge of skills shortages has grown over the years and now encompasses all EU Member States and all sectors of the economy.

The survey is a useful tool in understanding the impact of skills shortages on SMEs, and will feed into the Commission's policy making. Among other things, it will inform the implementation of the SME relief package that was adopted in September 2023 and stipulates various actions to improve the skills situation for SMEs in the EU. The survey also complements another recently published Eurobarometer study which, among other things, focuses on the training and skilling activities of businesses.

Today's Eurobarometer 537 study on 'SMEs and skills shortages' was initiated in the context of the European year of skills. It was carried out between September and October 2023 in the 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Turkey, the United States, Canada and Japan. More than 19 350 companies (both SMEs and large companies) were interviewed via telephone.

Following today's publication, the survey will be presented at the EU´s annual SME assembly which takes place from 13 to 15 November in Bilbao, Spain and is the EU´s flagship event for SMEs, bringing together hundreds of policy makers.

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market said: “Skills shortages are a growing problem for the European economy. The Commission is already working on addressing skills shortages in key strategic sectors like batteries or other net zero technologies. This study will contribute to our understanding of how skills shortages affect SMEs, which represent 98% of the European economy, in view of improving their overall competitiveness.”

More information is available in the press release.

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel - Tel.: + 32 2 298 66; Ana Martinez-Sanjurjo - Tel.: +32 2 296 30 66)

 

The Education for Climate Day 2023 will focus on green competences of learners and educators across the EU

Tomorrow, the Education for Climate Day 2023 will take place online from 9.00 to 17.30 CET. The Education for Climate Day event is open to learners of all ages and levels, educators, trainers, education stakeholders, institutions, industry professionals, NGOs, Climate Pact ambassadors and anyone willing to contribute actively to the green transition and act on climate. The event will be the occasion for citizens to engage in interesting discussions, share ideas, challenges, and experiences on how to tackle sustainability in and through education and in everyday life.

Six thematic sessions will cover a broad range of topics, from best practices in innovative green education to recommendations from the Youth Climate LAB on how to make unsustainable fashion trends more sustainable through individual and collective actions or a dedicated session ahead of COP28 UN Climate Change Conference.

Participants will also get an in-depth understanding of European Union's initiatives supporting the development of environmental awareness and competences useful to navigate through the green transition and driving change towards climate neutrality for the benefit of our society.

The Education for Climate Day is the annual flagship event of the Education for Climate Coalition, the Commission's participatory community under the European Education Area to support teaching and learning for the green transition and sustainable development.

Gaining competences and knowledge for the green transition is one of the many initiatives contributing to the European Green Deal that will turn the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels and putting the EU on track to become climate-neutral by mid-century. 

(For more information: Johanna Bernsel — Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier — Tel: +32 2 296 60 43)

 

Commission clears acquisition of Dachser & Fercam Italia by Dachser

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Dachser & Fercam Italia S.r.l. of Italy by Dachser SE of Germany.

The transaction relates primarily to the logistics sector.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on 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.11252.

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

 

Commission clears acquisition of A-Gas by TPG and KKR

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Clean TopCo Limited (‘A-Gas') of the UK by TPG Inc and KKR and Co. Inc, both of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the supply and lifecycle management of specialty gases.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area. 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.11277.

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

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

Executive Vice-President Šefčovič, and Commissioners Hahn and Reynders to participate in the General Affairs Council

Tomorrow, Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn and Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, will participate in the General Affairs Council, taking place in Brussels.

In the morning, Commissioner Reynders will give a state of play on the situation in Poland and Hungary in the context of the ongoing Article 7(1) TEU proceedings. He will update the ministers on recent developments regarding judicial independence in Poland; and will inform them about relevant developments in Hungary, including issues related to judicial independence, corruption, media freedom and rights of LGBTIQ people. He will also take part in the discussion on the European Electoral Law ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections in June 2024.

Over lunch, Executive Vice-President Šefčovič will participate in an exchange of views on the future of Europe. In the afternoon, he will discuss the state of play on relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, and participate in the exchange on the request by Spain to include Catalan, Basque and Galician in the EU's language regime.

Commissioner Hahn will then present the Commission Work Programme for 2024 and will also discuss with ministers the preparations for the European Council of 14-15 December 2023.

Executive Vice-President Šefčovič will participate in a press conference together with the Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union, Pascual Navarro Ríos, at +/- 17:30 CEST. The press conference will be livestreamed on EBS+.

(For more information:  Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel.: +32 2 291 31 73)

 

Commissioner McGuinness in Singapore to discuss digital and sustainable finance

From 14-16 November, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, will be in Singapore to meet with authorities and participate in various events focused on digital and sustainable finance.

Today, 14 November, the Commissioner will meet with Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore. She will also provide opening and closing remarks at a roundtable on ‘Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and tokenised money: Complements or competitors?' at the Elevandi Insights Forum, and will participate in a roundtable on ‘Driving Forward the Global Sustainable Finance Revolution: EU-APAC Cooperation', organised by Bloomberg.

On Wednesday, 15 November, Commissioner McGuinness will meet with Chia Der Jiun, Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and will attend the Singapore FinTech Festival. At the event, she will participate in a fireside chat on the adoption of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and its impact on financial stability and financial inclusion.

Finally, on Thursday, 16 November, the Commissioner will take part in a fireside chat on fintech and innovation with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Irish Minister of State responsible for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, co-organised by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) Singapore and the Irish Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner McGuinness will speak at a working lunch organised by the EU-ASEAN Business Council and EuroCham Singapore, and will meet with EU Heads of Mission based in Singapore.

(For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 2 298 65 00; Marta Pérez-Cejuela – Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)

 

Commissioner Hoekstra visits China for climate discussions ahead of COP28

On 15-17 November, Commissioner Hoekstra will be in Beijing, China, for bilateral climate discussions ahead of the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference, which begins in Dubai in just over two weeks.

The Commissioner will emphasise the EU and China's joint role as key players at COP28 and the need to be ambitious on all areas – mitigation, adaptation and means of implementation. The Commissioner will also highlight the importance of a Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge to triple installed renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency improvement rates by 2030, and call for these targets to be reflected in the negotiated outcomes as well.

Tomorrow, Commissioner Hoekstra will hold a bilateral discussion with civil society, stakeholders and academia. He will meet with representatives of the EU Chamber of Commerce China (EUCCC), and also with Member States' Heads of Mission.

On Thursday, the Commissioner will have bilateral meetings with Huang Runqiu, Minister for Ecology and Environment and with Xie Zhenhua, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change to prepare for COP28. He will give a keynote at the event ‘The EU's Carbon-Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for Climate Policy, and Implications for Chinese Companies,' hosted by the EU-China Partnership Facility (ECPF) in the presence of Chinese industry leaders. His speech will outline the important role carbon pricing has in incentivising and funding transformative emission reductions.

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

 

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

 

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

 

*Updated on 14/11/2023 at 12:40