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Daily News 08 / 04 / 2024
La Commission propose une aide macrofinancière supplémentaire de 500 millions d'euros à la Jordanie
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition relative à une nouvelle opération d'assistance macrofinancière (AMF) en faveur de la Jordanie, d'un montant maximal de 500 millions d'euros. Ce soutien financier est une preuve importante du partenariat et de la solidarité de l'UE avec la Jordanie. L'assistance financière proposée vise à aider la Jordanie à couvrir une partie de ses besoins de financement extérieur, à soutenir l'effort d'assainissement budgétaire et à soutenir les efforts de réforme structurelle, afin que l'ambitieux programme de réformes de la Jordanie puisse se poursuivre, en promouvant l'emploi, la croissance et l'investissement.
Ursula von der Leyen, présidente de la Commission, a déclaré: «La proposition présentée aujourd'hui témoigne clairement de la solidarité constante de l'UE avec la Jordanie. Avec un montant maximal de 500 millions d'euros, nous soutiendrons la Jordanie en cette période difficile d'instabilité géopolitique. Et nous contribuerons à faire en sorte que les réformes porteuses de changement en faveur de l'emploi, de la croissance et de l'investissement puissent se poursuivre.»
La nouvelle opération s'appuie sur les trois programmes d'AMF précédents par lesquels l'UE a versé un montant total de 1,08 milliards d'euros à la Jordanie depuis 2013.
Le décaissement au titre de cette nouvelle opération devrait se faire en trois tranches. Les décaissements au titre de l'AMF proposée seraient strictement subordonnés à la mise en œuvre de mesures spécifiques à convenir entre l'UE et la Jordanie, et définies dans un protocole d'accord, ainsi qu'à des examens fructueux des programmes dans le cadre du programme du FMI. La proposition de la Commission relative à une quatrième AMF avec la Jordanie est soumise à l'approbation du Parlement européen et du Conseil.
Pour de plus amples informations, un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 2 299 63 02; Marajke Slomka — Tél.: + 32 229-82613)
Vice-President Jourová to host signing ceremony of the Code of Conduct for the 2024 European Parliament Elections
Tomorrow, Vice-President Jourová will host a signing ceremony of the Code of Conduct for the 2024 European Parliament Elections. With their signature, European political parties will commit to upholding ethical and fair campaign practices. Against the backdrop of growing concerns about protecting the integrity of elections in Europe from internal and external threats this commitment by political parties carris great importance.
Vice-President Jourová, who promoted the initiative, said: “This agreement will help to build trust with voters and increase their confidence in the electoral process. Elections should set the stage for the competition of ideas, not dirty manipulative methods such as AI deepfakes. I congratulate the parties on their decision to go an extra-mile in their commitment to fair campaigning.”
The Code of Conduct will serve as a comprehensive checklist for political parties, candidates, media, and citizens to monitor ethical behaviour throughout the election campaign. A recording of the signing ceremony will be available here and there will be an opportunity to take photographs. A press release will be published with further information following the ceremony.
(For more information : Christian Wigand - Tel : +32 2 296 22 53 ; Jördis Ferroli - Tel : +32 2 299 27 29)
La Commission lance son programme de formation destiné aux étudiants en journalisme et aux jeunes journalistes pour s'informer sur tous les aspects de la politique de cohésion
La Commission a lancé aujourd'hui la période de candidature pour la 8e édition de Youth4Regions, un programme ciblant les candidats journalistes. Le programme offre aux étudiants en journalisme et aux jeunes journalistes une semaine d'apprentissage à Bruxelles en octobre 2024, au cours de laquelle les candidats retenus suivront des sessions de formation, recevront un mentorat de journalistes plus expérimentés et travailleront avec eux dans la salle de presse, et visiteront les différentes institutions et organisations de médias de l'UE.
Les candidatures sont acceptées dans trois catégories (journalisme général, photojournalisme et journalisme vidéo) et doivent être présentées par des étudiants en journalisme et de jeunes journalistes des États membres de l'UE, des pays voisins et des pays en voie d'adhésion.
Les lauréats retenus seront également pris en considération pour le prestigieux prix Megalizzi — Niedzielski, décerné le 9 octobre 2024 et consacré à la reconnaissance du travail remarquable de jeunes journalistes.
Youth4Regions est l'initiative phare de la Commission visant à favoriser la croissance des étudiants en journalisme et des jeunes journalistes en offrant une exposition directe à l'UE. Depuis sa création en 2017, plus de 210 personnes de toute l'Europe ont mené à bien le programme, profitant de ses expériences enrichissantes et de ses précieuses connaissances.
Le formulaire de candidature et les conditions de participation sont disponibles sur la page web du programme. La période de dépôt des candidatures reste ouverte jusqu'au 8 juillet 2024. La Commission prendra en charge tous les coûts du programme pour les participants.
(Pour plus d'informations : Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél. : +32 2 298 46 80 ; Laetitia Close – Tél. : +32 2 296 70 73)
Commission approves €267 million Slovak State aid measure to support Volvo Cars' new electric vehicle plant
The European Commission has found that Slovakia's €267 million measure in favour of Volvo Cars is in line with EU State aid rules. The investment aid will support the establishment of a new electric passenger vehicles production plant in Valaliky near Košice in Eastern Slovakia. The measure will contribute to the EU's strategic objectives relating to job creation, regional development and the European Green Deal.
Under the measure, the aid will take the form of direct grants totalling approximately €267 million. Volvo Cars will invest €1.2 billion in the project. The plant is expected to have an initial capacity of approximately 250,000 electric vehicles per year. The project will create at least 3,300 direct jobs, as well as further indirect jobs. The project is also expected to bring sustainability benefits by aiming to be climate neutral from start of production and by offering only electric vehicles.
The production plant will be located in Valaliky, an area eligible for regional aid under Article 107(3)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (‘TFEU').
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 approves amendments to Dutch State aid schemes to reduce nitrogen deposition on nature conservation areas
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, amendments to two existing Dutch schemes to compensate livestock farmers for the voluntary definitive closure of livestock husbandry
sites, aimed at reducing nitrogen deposition in overburdened Natura 2000 protected areas.
The Commission approved the original schemes, called LBV and LBV plus, on 2 May 2023 (SA.106555 and SA.106559). The schemes are open to small and medium-sized livestock farmers in the
Netherlands that voluntarily and irrevocably close their breeding sites, where these sites' nitrogen deposition load exceeds certain minimum levels.
The Netherlands notified to the Commission amendments to the schemes, consisting mainly of a budget increase of €602 million for LBV (from €500 million to €1.10 billion) and of €845 million for LVB
plus (from € 975 million to €1.82 billion). This will allow more farmers eligible under to schemes to be compensated, and the closure of more breeding sites.
The Commission assessed the amended schemes under EU State aid rules, in particular under Art 107(1) and 107(3)(c) TFEU and the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the amended schemes remain necessary and appropriate to achieve the objective pursued, namely the sustainable and environmentally friendly
development of livestock farming, while also supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal. Moreover, the schemes continue to be proportionate, as they are limited to the minimum necessary,
and the positive effects continue to outweigh any potential negative effects on competition and trade in the EU. Finally, due to the significant increase of the budget, the schemes are subject to an ex
post evaluation. On this basis, the Commission approved the amendments under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decisions will be made available under the case numbers SA.112538 and SA.112540 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission approves re-introduction of €2.5 billion Romanian State aid scheme to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine
The European Commission has approved the re-introduction of a Romanian scheme of approximately €2.5 billion (RON 12.5 billion) to support companies in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The re-introduced scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and as amended on 20 November 2023.
The Commission approved the initial scheme on 9 September 2022 (SA.103626) and its first re-introduction on 26 January 2023 (SA.105503), which expired on 31 December 2023. Under the reintroduced scheme, the aid will take the form of guarantees and direct grants. The re-introduced scheme aims at ensuring that sufficient liquidity remains available to companies affected by the economic disturbance provoked by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Commission found that the Romanian scheme, as re-introduced, continues to be in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €280,000 per company active in the agricultural sector; €335,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sectors; and €2.25 million per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2024. The Commission concluded that the re-introduced Romanian scheme 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 and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine and foster the transition towards a net-zero economy can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.113044 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission approves €35 million Italian State aid scheme to support telecommunication operators in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine
The European Commission has approved a €35 million Italian scheme to support telecommunication operators in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
Under the scheme, the aid will take form of direct grants. The purpose of the scheme is to provide financial support to telecommunication operators in Italy to compensate the exceptional increase in electricity prices.
The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed 50% of eligible costs and €4 million per company; (ii) will be granted on the basis of a scheme with an estimated budget; and (iii) will be granted until no later than 31 December 2024. 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 and Transition Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.
More information on the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine and foster the transition towards a net-zero economy can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.11374 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)
Commission clears acquisition of Smart Clinic by Generali, GSD and GK Holding
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Smart Clinic S.r.l. by Generali Italia S.p.A. (‘Generali'), Gruppo San Donato S.p.A. (‘GSD') and GK Holding Italia S.r.l. (‘GK Holding'), all of Italy.
The transaction relates primarily to the provision of outpatient healthcare and diagnostic examinations.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that Smart Clinic has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies' limited market positions 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.11417.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears acquisition of Truist Insurance Holdings by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and Stone Point Capital
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Truist Insurance Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Truist Financial Corporation, by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, and Stone Point Capital LLC, all of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to insurance brokerage.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the acquired company has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and considering that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. 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.11501.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears merger between SKG and WestRock
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the merger between Smurfit Kappa Group plc (‘SKG') of Ireland and WestRock Company of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the paper and packaging sector.
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.11323.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases