Daily News 14 / 05 / 2024
L'UE renforce sa préparation à l'approche de la saison des incendies de forêt 2024
Alors que l'Europe se prépare à l'approche de la saison des incendies de forêt, l'UE prend des mesures importantes afin de renforcer les efforts de lutte contre les incendies et protéger les communautés, en prépositionnant les pompiers et en constituant une flotte d'avions de lutte contre les incendies.
Premièrement, 556 pompiers de 12 pays seront prépositionnés cet été de manière stratégique dans des lieux clés en Europe, tels que la France, la Grèce, le Portugal et l'Espagne, afin d'être prêts à aider les sapeurs-pompiers locaux. Cette mesure proactive renforce la volonté de l'Europe de lutter contre les incendies de forêt et d'atténuer leurs effets dévastateurs sur l'existence, les habitations et l'environnement, et témoigne de la solidité de la solidarité de l'UE face à ces crises.
Deuxièmement, l'UE a également constitué une flotte spéciale d'avions de lutte contre les incendies via rescEU pour cet été, composée de 28 avions et de 4 hélicoptères stationnés dans 10 États membres. Plus précisément, la flotte comprendra:
La Commission a également alloué une enveloppe globale de 600 millions d'euros de fonds de l'UE pour faciliter l'acquisition future de 12 nouveaux avions de lutte contre les incendies, qui seront répartis entre six États membres de l'UE. En outre, plusieurs hélicoptères seront également financés à l'avenir par l'UE afin de renforcer sa flotte aérienne de lutte contre les incendies.
Plus de détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse.
(Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi - Tél.: +32 2 296 91 40)
Commission adopts reasoned opinion in case brought by Italy against Austria on road transport
The Commission today adopted a reasoned opinion in a procedure brought by Italy against Austria under Article 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In its complaint, Italy claimed that Austria is in violation of Union law by imposing certain measures restricting road traffic on the Brenner axis. Having carefully assessed the written and oral observations of both Member States, the Commission considers that certain measures in force in Austria restrict the transportation of goods on the A12 and A13 motorways, and consequently the free movement of goods set out in Articles 34 and 35 TFEU: a night driving ban, a sectoral driving ban targeting certain goods with ‘rail affinity', a winter ban on Saturdays and the rationing of heavy-duty vehicles entering the motorway (known as ‘dosing').
While acknowledging certain explanations advanced by Austria in relation to environmental considerations, the Commission finds that the Austrian measures lack consistency and therefore cannot be justified in their entirety on the grounds of achieving their intended objectives (environmental protection, road safety, fluidity of traffic or security of supply). Moreover, some of those measures are more likely to affect foreign undertakings compared to Austrian ones. As regards Italy's plea against Austria concerning an alleged lack of sincere cooperation, the Commission finds that Italy did not provide sufficient evidence to support this claim.
Following the adoption of the reasoned opinion by the Commission, Italy may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU. This does not preclude the parties from finding an amicable settlement to the dispute, and the Commission remains ready to support both parties in such an effort.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
Le programme pour une Europe numérique s'ouvre à la Bosnie-Herzégovine
La Commission européenne a signé aujourd'hui un accord d'association avec la Bosnie-Herzégovine dans le cadre du programme pour une Europe numérique. L'accord sera d'abord signé par Thierry Breton, commissaire chargé du marché intérieur, puis par Edin Forto, ministre de la communication et du trafic de Bosnie-Herzégovine. Une fois les signatures apposées et les processus de ratification achevés, l'accord d'association entrera en vigueur rétroactivement à compter du 1er janvier 2024. Les entreprises, les administrations publiques et les autres organisations éligibles de Bosnie-et-Herzégovine pourront répondre aux appels ouverts du programme pour une Europe numérique, doté d'un budget global de 7,5 milliards d'euros pour la période 2021-2027.
Les participants de Bosnie-Herzégovine pourront prendre part à des projets qui déploient des technologies numériques à travers l'UE dans des domaines spécifiques tels que l'intelligence artificielle et les compétences numériques avancées. Ils pourront également mettre en place des centres d'innovation numérique en Bosnie-Herzégovine.
Cela rapprochera la Bosnie-Herzégovine de l'économie et de la société de l'UE, bénéficiera à ses capacités technologiques et soutiendra la numérisation dans son ensemble, en particulier celle des petites et moyennes entreprises. Son association au programme pour une Europe numérique devrait contribuer de manière significative aux objectifs communs, aux valeurs et aux liens étroits entre la Bosnie-Herzégovine et l'Union européenne dans le domaine des technologies numériques.
Les fonds du programme pour une Europe numérique viendront compléter les fonds mis à la disposition de la Bosnie-Herzégovine dans le cadre d'autres programmes de l'UE, tels que Horizon Europe. Les objectifs et les domaines spécifiques actuellement éligibles à un financement sont détaillés dans les programmes de travail.
Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter le lien sur le programme pour Europe numérique et sur les modalités de demande de financement.
(Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 2 295 86 15; Thomas Regnier – Tél.: +32 2 291 33 91)
16 films soutenus par l'UE nominés pour le Festival de Cannes 2024
La 77ème édition du Festival de Cannes débute aujourd'hui et met à l'honneur le contenu audiovisuel européen. Au total, 16 œuvres financées par l'UE sont nominées dans sept catégories différentes.
Grand Tour de Miguel Gomes (Portugal, Italie, France), All We Imagine as Light de Payal Kapadia (Inde, France, Pays-Bas, Luxembourg, Italie), Limonov - The Ballad de Kirill Serebrennikov (France, Italie, Espagne) et The Girl with the Needle (Pigen med nålen) de Magnus von Horn (Danemark, Pologne, Suède) sont tous en lice pour la Palme d'Or.
Les 16 films ont été soutenus par l'UE dans le cadre du volet MEDIA du programme Europe creative et ont reçu plus de 800 000 euros de financement pour leur développement et coproduction. Ce volet MEDIA soutient les industries cinématographiques et audiovisuelles européennes pour développer, distribuer et promouvoir les œuvres européennes, et s'adapter à l'environnement numérique (par exemple, formation aux outils d'IA et à la production virtuelle, adaptation à de nouveaux modèles commerciaux, introduction d'outils de marketing, etc.)
Les lauréats seront annoncés lors de la cérémonie de remise des prix qui aura lieu samedi 25 mai. De plus amples informations sur les nominations et les projections financées par l'UE sont disponibles ici.
(Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke – Tél. : +32 2 295 86 15 ; Thomas Regnier – Tél. : +32 2 291 33 91)
Commission showcases a pan-European collection of emblematic 3D-digitised cultural heritage assets
Today, the Commission has released a collection of 3D-digitised cultural heritage assets on Europeana, the common European data space for cultural heritage. The collection was showcased during a high-level event in Brussels in the presence of Commissioner Thierry Breton and EU Ministers of Culture.
The collection results from the ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe's culture' campaign and includes a range of historic buildings, sites and objects, such as the statue of a Madonna Lactans located in Leuven, Belgium, the archaeological site of Delphi, Greece, the Freedom Monument in Rīga, Latvia, and the Collegiate Church of St Martin the Bishop in Opatów, Poland. The full collection with 3D assets submitted by the respective Member States is available in the Twin-it! gallery on Europeana.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: “The high-quality 3D models of Europe's cultural assets that we showcase today demonstrate European excellence in 3D digitisation. I encourage all Member States to harness the opportunities brought by digital technology and data to preserve our European cultural heritage for future generations and to foster innovative applications from education to tourism.”
Launched on 21 June 2023, ‘Twin it!' invited the 27 EU Ministries of Culture to select and submit one 3D digitised cultural heritage asset. The campaign aimed to encourage innovation and accelerate the use and reuse of 3D while supporting Member States in their digitisation and preservation efforts.
The European Commission Recommendation of 2021 on a common European data space for cultural heritage invites EU Member States to digitise in 3D all monuments and sites deemed at risk, and half of the most physically visited by 2030. The ‘Twin it! 3D for Europe's culture' initiative contributes to achieving these ambitious objectives.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke - Tel: +32 2 295 86 15; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 291 33 91)
Commission approves €120 million Spanish State aid scheme to support investments in strategic sectors to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
The European Commission has approved a €120 million Spanish scheme to support investments in strategic sectors in the region of Asturias to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. 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 and on 2 May 2024, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
The measure will be open to companies producing relevant equipment, namely batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, heat-pumps, electrolysers, equipment for carbon capture usage and storage, as well as key components designed and primarily used as direct input for the production of such equipment or related critical raw materials necessary for their production.
The Commission found that the Spanish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will incentivise the production of relevant equipment for the transition towards a net-zero economy; (ii) will respect the maximum aid ceilings; and (iii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2025.
The Commission concluded that the Spanish scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to accelerate the green transition and facilitate the development of certain economic activities, which are of importance for the implementation of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, in line with Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.
On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measure 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.113231 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; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by E.ON and OHB
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by E.ON SE and OHB SE, both of Germany.
The transaction relates primarily to liquid hydrogen-powered electrical propulsion systems.
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 and 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.11491.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by Baywa and Nufri
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Baywa Global Produce GmbH (‘Baywa') of Germany and Nufri Sociedad Agraria de Transformación (‘Nufri') of Spain.
The transaction relates primarily to the production, marketing and commercialisation of berries in the European Economic Area.
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 and 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.11492.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commission clears creation of joint venture by BP and Equinor
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture (Net Zero North Sea Storage Limited) by BP CCUS UK NEP Limited (‘BP') and Equinor Low Carbon UK Limited (‘Equinor'), all three from the UK.
The transaction relates primarily to the capture and subsequent storage of liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) originating from emitters in the Teeside and Humber regions of the UK.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on 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.11213.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis takes part in the 2024 Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Armenia
Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis will represent the European Union at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 2024 Annual Meeting & Business Forum in Yerevan, Armenia – taking place tomorrow and Thursday. During his mission, the Executive Vice-President will participate in a panel on Critical Raw Materials (CRM), witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the EBRD and Kazakhstan to develop its mining sector sustainably, which is a key part of the implementation of the EU-Kazakhstan CRM roadmap. He will also take part in the Bank's Board of Governors Plenary session.
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will meet senior Armenian government officials, including the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan; the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan; as well as Deputy Prime Ministers, Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan. He will equally meet Moldova's Deputy Prime Minister, Dumitru Alaiba, and Egypt's Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat.
Under the broad theme of ‘Delivering Impact Together', the EBRD 2024 Annual Meeting & Business Forum serves as a global platform for discussions on how to help economies adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world. This year's programme includes high-level discussions, panels, and speakers addressing pivotal global topics, from fintech and cybersecurity to sustainable infrastructure and economic inclusion. Thursday's panel on critical raw materials, with the participation of the Executive Vice-President, will be livesteamed.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: + 32 229 96302; Quentin Cortès – Tel : +32 2 291 32 83)
La Commission célèbre la Journée internationale contre l'homophobie, la transphobie et la biphobie
Le 17 mai, la Commission européenne célébrera la Journée internationale contre l'homophobie, la transphobie et la biphobie. Cette journée sert à sensibiliser à la discrimination, au harcèlement et à la violence auxquels les personnes LGBTIQ continuent de faire l'objet.
Demain, Helena Dalli, la commissaire chargée de l'égalité, participera au Forum IDAHOT +, organisé cette année par les Pays-Bas, en collaboration avec le Conseil de l'Europe. L'objectif du forum est de commémorer IDAHOT et d'évaluer les progrès collectifs, mais aussi les défis en matière de protection des droits de l'homme des personnes LGBTIQ + en Europe et dans le monde.
Věra Jourová, la vice-présidente chargée des valeurs et de la transparence, a déclaré : « La lutte contre la discrimination et la promotion d'une Union de l'égalité sont un effort permanent. Depuis que l'Organisation mondiale de la santé a retiré l'homosexualité de sa liste de maladies mentales le 17 mai 1990, beaucoup a été fait. Mais nous ne devons pas laisser notre garde et continuer à travailler, de sorte que personne ne se sent menacé pour qui il est ou qui il aime. »
Helena Dalli, la commissaire à l'égalité, a déclaré : « Notre objectif est de faire de l'Union européenne un espace sûr où chacun est libre d'être lui-même et d'aimer ce qu'il souhaite. C'est en veillant à ce que les sociétés soient accueillantes et inclusives que nous puissions garantir une Union de l'égalité. »
Le 17 mai, la commissaire Dalli prononcera le discours d'ouverture de la conférence de haut niveau intitulée ‘Pride Alliances and Policy : Towards a Union of Equality' organisée par la présidence belge du Conseil, en collaboration avec le secrétaire d'État à l'égalité des genres, à l'égalité des chances et à la diversité de la Belgique. À 14h45 HAEC, la commissaire Dalli participera à une conférence de presse organisée par la présidence belge avec Alexander de Croo, Premier ministre belge, et Robbert Dijkgraaf, ministre néerlandais de l'éducation, de la culture et des sciences.
Pour marquer l'engagement de la Commission contre la haine et la discrimination, la Commission mettra le drapeau de progrès devant son siège à Bruxelles, le bâtiment du Berlaymont. Des photos du drapeau seront disponibles sur notre portail audiovisuel.
(Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél.: + 32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli — Tél.: + 32 2 299 27 29)
Executive Vice-President Šefčovič announces €400 million Team Europe contribution at International Energy Agency's Clean Cooking in Africa Summit
Today in Paris, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal Maroš Šefčovič announced that Team Europe is contributing €400 million to support clean cooking in Africa, at a Summit hosted by the International Energy Agency. Speaking this morning, he said, “This is a problem we can fix. The IEA has estimated that 4 billion US dollars of capital investment per year would be enough to ensure that everyone in Africa has access to clean cooking by 2030. Together, we can fix an issue affecting billions of people… with an amount of funding well within our reach.”
2.3 billion people still lack access to clean cooking and people die every day from the use of inefficient cooking solutions, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The lack of clean cooking is affecting people's health, gender equality, the economy, the environment, and the climate. Team Europe – meaning the combined contributions of the EU, Member States, implementing agencies and public development banks – have mobilised €400 million for clean cooking activities under the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative. This includes €150 million from EU funds. The funding is directed notably to Spark+, the first fund dedicated to clean cooking, financing companies that offer next-generation energy solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking Programme, just to name a couple of examples. Team Europe will also soon launch a new Regional Clean Cooking Action for West Africa Initiative, (‘ReCCAWA'), supporting policy-making, private sector development, and an enabling environment for cleaner cooking solutions. As part of the summit, Executive Vice-President Šefčovič will also speak at a high-level roundtable discussion hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The Executive Vice-President's announcement speech can be found online here.
(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