Daily News 01 / 07 / 2024

L'UE étend de nouveau le champ d'application des sanctions contre la Biélorussie pour lutter contre le contournement

La Commission salue l'adoption par le Conseil  d'une nouvelle série de sanctions à l'encontre de la Biélorussie, compte tenu de son implication dans la guerre d'agression illégale russe contre l'Ukraine.

L'intégration étroite des économies russe et biélorusse a considérablement facilité le contournement des sanctions existantes à l'encontre de la Russie. Cette nouvelle série de sanctions à l'encontre de la Biélorussie reflète plusieurs des mesures déjà imposées à la Russie, ce qui rend les sanctions de l'UE à l'encontre de la Russie plus efficaces.

Les nouvelles mesures sont adaptées aux caractéristiques spécifiques du commerce entre l'UE et la Biélorussie et affectent divers secteurs de l'économie biélorusse, y compris le commerce, les services et les transports. Cela permet d'élaborer une stratégie efficace de lutte contre le contournement, tout en veillant à ce que les mesures soient proportionnées au niveau d'implication de la Biélorussie dans la guerre d'agression menée par la Russie contre l'Ukraine.

Les restrictions à l'exportation de biens à double usage et de technologies avancées ont été étendues et de nouvelles restrictions ont été introduites sur les biens susceptibles de contribuer au renforcement des capacités industrielles biélorusses, ainsi que des équipements de navigation maritime, des technologies de raffinage pétrolier et de certains produits de luxe. Les importations de biens permettant à la Biélorussie de diversifier ses sources de revenus ainsi que l'or et les diamants ont été interdites.

En outre, les exportateurs de l'UE doivent inclure une clause «no-Belarus» dans les nouveaux contrats et les opérateurs de l'UE qui négocient des biens sur les champs de bataille doivent mettre en œuvre des mécanismes de diligence raisonnable. La prestation de services à la Biélorussie, à son gouvernement et à ses entités connexes est désormais limitée, y compris les services de comptabilité, d'audit, d'ingénierie et de publicité. 

La Commission continuera de surveiller l'éventuel contournement des sanctions à l'encontre de la Russie via la Biélorussie et se tient prête à soutenir la poursuite de l'alignement entre les deux régimes de sanctions.

Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne.

(For more information: Francesca Dalboni – Tel.: +32 229 88170, Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)

 

Commission sends preliminary findings to Meta over its “Pay or Consent” model for breach of the Digital Markets Act

Today, the Commission has informed Meta of its preliminary findings that its “pay or consent” advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In the Commission's preliminary view, this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta's social networks.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, said: “Our investigation aims to ensure contestability in markets where gatekeepers like Meta have been accumulating personal data of millions of EU citizens over many years. Our preliminary view is that Meta's advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act. And we want to empower citizens to be able to take control over their own data and choose a less personalised ads experience.”

Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, said: “Today we make another important step to ensure full compliance with the DMA by Meta. Our preliminary view is that Meta's “Pay or Consent” business model is in breach of the DMA. The DMA is there to give back to the users the power to decide how their data is used and ensure innovative companies can compete on equal footing with tech giants on data access.”

By sending preliminary findings, the Commission informs Meta of its preliminary view that the company is in breach of the DMA. This is without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation. Meta now has the possibility to exercise its rights of defence by examining the documents in the Commission's investigation file and replying in writing to the Commission's preliminary findings. The Commission will conclude its investigation within 12 months from the opening of proceedings on 25 March 2024.

You will find more information in our press release.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: + 32 2 299 10 99; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

 

Un accord de partenariat économique ambitieux entre l'UE et le Kenya entre en vigueur

Aujourd'hui, l'accord de partenariat économique (APE) UE-Kenya est entré en vigueur, ce qui constitue une étape essentielle du partenariat stratégique UE-Kenya. L'accord stimulera les échanges bilatéraux de marchandises, augmentera les flux d'investissements, et facilitera des relations économiques mutuellement avantageuses de manière durable, en stimulant la création d'emplois et la croissance économique.

Le Kenya est le principal pôle économique de l'Afrique de l'Est et les relations commerciales entre l'UE et le Kenya présentent un potentiel de croissance considérable. L'accord ouvrira de nouvelles perspectives économiques, étant donné que l'UE est la première destination d'exportation du Kenya et son deuxième partenaire commercial. Le total des échanges entre l'UE et le Kenya a atteint 3 milliards d'euros en 2023, soit une augmentation de 16 % par rapport à 2018.

L'APE créera également davantage d'opportunités pour les entreprises et les exportateurs kényanes, car il ouvrira totalement le marché de l'UE aux produits kényanes et encouragera l'UE à investir au Kenya grâce à une sécurité juridique accrue.

Vous trouverez plus d'informations disponibles dans le communiqué de presse, les questions-réponses et le mémo en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations : Balazs Ujvari - Tél. : +32 2 295 45 78 ; Ana Apse-Paese – Tél. : +32 2 298 73 48)

 

EU-Japan deal on data flows enters into force

Today, the landmark deal on cross border data flows between the EU and Japan entered into force. It is a milestone in our joint efforts to advance the digitalisation of both European and Japanese societies and economies. Its provisions will facilitate business on both sides, sending a strong signal against digital protectionism.

With its inclusion in the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the agreement will deliver real benefits to companies active across most sectors, such as financial services, transport, machinery, and e-commerce. Businesses can now handle data more efficiently, without cumbersome administrative or storage requirements, in a predictable legal environment. 

This entry into force of this agreements also promotes the concept of ‘Data Free Flow with Trust', a guiding principle for international cooperation on data flows, based on our shared values. It allows us to lay the foundation for a common approach on digital trade, acting against arbitrary unjustified restrictions to data flows, while promoting shared prosperity.

More information is available online.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)

 

Commission receives Slovenia's third payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Today, the Commission has received Slovenia's third payment request for €257.6 million.

The fourth grant instalment and second loan instalment, which have been combined into one payment request, relate to eight milestones. 

They cover reforms of the pension system, deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure, energy renovation of buildings in the public sector and public procurement. They also cover investments in greening the educational infrastructure, ensuring a safe living environment for dependent persons and supporting decarbonisation, productivity and competitiveness of companies.

The Commission will now assess the request. It will then send its preliminary assessment of Slovenia's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee.

Slovenia's overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by €2.68 billion in grants and loans. More information on the process of the payment requests under the RRF is available in this Q&A. More information on Slovenia's recovery and resilience plan is available here. 

(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Quentin Cortès — Tel.: + 32 229 32 83)

 

Commission approves new geographical indication ‘Lofotlam' from Norway

The Commission has approved the addition of the product ‘Lofotlam' from Norway to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI).

‘Lofotlam' is meat from lambs born, raised and grazed in the Lofoten archipelago in the north of Norway. It has a reputation in the market as very tasty meat.

Sheep farming has a long historical and traditional association with Lofoten, probably as far back as the Viking era. This long and continuous sheep farming tradition has led to high levels of professional expertise in Lofoten on how to raise lambs with the desired quality. The knowledge on breeding, feeding, operation, supervision and moving animals during the pasture season are important factors for the final quality.

This new denomination will be added to the list of 3,605 agricultural products already protected. The list of all protected geographical indications can be found in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available online at Quality Schemes and on our GIView portal.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)

 

Commission approves €1.3 billion restructuring State aid for airline SAS

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Denmark and Sweden's plans to grant Scandinavian Airlines System AB (‘SAS') restructuring aid for up to €1.3 billion (SEK 15 billion). The measure will enable the company to restore its long-term viability while minimising competition distortions.

In October 2020, the Commission approved under the COVID-19 Temporary framework a recapitalisation of SAS amounting to approximately €833 million (SEK 9.5 billion) by Denmark and Sweden. Following the annulment by the General Court, the Commission approved the recapitalisation again in November 2023. Despite the support, SAS did not manage to turn operations around and had to file for collective insolvency proceedings in the second half of 2022. As a result, SAS had to reorganise its business and Sweden and Denmark submitted to the Commission a restructuring plan supported with State aid.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:” The restructuring aid to SAS approved today will contribute to ensure air connectivity to and from Scandinavia to the benefit of European citizens. Our assessment showed that SAS' restructuring plan will ensure its viability in the long term. To limit any possible distortions triggered by the public support, SAS will reduce its presence on the overall air transport activities through, among others, a reduced fleet, limited ground handling and maintenance business as well as the release of several slots.”

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 launches targeted consultation on new procedure for access to justice in environmental matters in relation to State aid decisions 

Today, the European Commission launched a targeted consultation to seek feedback from the business community and public authorities on a proposed new procedure aimed at enabling public access to justice for specific Commission decisions on State aid measures, for challenges based on grounds related to alleged breaches of EU environmental law.

In particular, the Commission is seeking feedback on the impact of the proposed procedure on investment decisions and project implementation by the business community, and more generally on the roll-out of EU policies. The targeted consultation will also gather information on the cost implications and administrative burden of the new procedure for businesses and Member States.

Under the envisaged new procedure, eligible members of the public, such as environmental non-governmental organisations, would be able to ask the Commission for an internal review of a State aid decision for alleged violations of EU environmental law. The eligible applicants would have a right of redress before the EU Courts. The new procedure will give due consideration to the special characteristics of State aid control and its effectiveness, including in terms of duration. It will consider notably the role State aid plays for the European Green Deal, as well as for ensuring economic and financial stability for the internal market in times of crisis.

The targeted consultation is addressed to the business community and the relevant public authorities dealing with State aid and environmental matters. They can submit their comments on the proposed new procedure by 6 September 2024.

This consultation follows up on the 2021 findings of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee concluding that the EU is in breach of the Aarhus Convention, because the public cannot challenge State aid decisions adopted under Article 108(2) TFEU where these decisions allegedly breach EU environmental law. On 17 May 2023, the Commission adopted a Communication identifying options to follow up on these  findings, with a view to creating a new procedure. A call for evidence was launched by the Commission on 30 May 2024.

The Commission intends to publish a Staff Working Document assessing the scope, content and likely impacts of the initiative in the second quarter of 2025, which will summarize the information received in the targeted consultation.

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

 

Commission clears acquisition of Encavis by KKR

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Encavis AG of Germany by KKR & Co. Inc. of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the operation of renewable energy assets.

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.11542.

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

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

 

Commissioner Dalli in Mexico to attend third Feminist Foreign Policy Conference

As of today, Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, will be in Mexico to participate in the third Feminist Foreign Policy Summit, taking place in Mexico City. The Commissioner will deliver a speech alongside representatives from national governments.

In the margins of the summit, Commissioner Dalli will also meet with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, Alicia Bárcena, as well as President of the National Women's Institute of Mexico. On Tuesday, Commissioner Dalli will engage with women entrepreneurs on opportunities and challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Mexico, as well as with Mexican civil society organisations to discuss equality-related topics, such as combatting violence against women, sexual and reproductive health as well as the rights of LGBTIQ people and persons with disabilities.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Dalli will visit a shelter for female victims of violence supported with EU financing, including via the Spotlight Initiative.

(For more information:  Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 2 299 27 29)

 

La commissaire Johansson se rend à Lisbonne pour le lancement de la nouvelle Agence européenne des drogues*

La commissaire aux affaires intérieures, Ylva Johansson, se rend aujourd'hui à Lisbonne pour le lancement de la nouvelle Agence européenne des drogues (EUDA), actuellement connue sous le nom d'Observatoire européen des drogues et des toxicomanies (OEDT).

Demain, la commissaire rencontrera Margarida Blasco, ministre portugaise de l'intérieur, et visitera le laboratoire médico-légal du siège de la police judiciaire portugaise testant les drogues saisies. Après cette visite, elle assistera à la cérémonie d'adhésion de la Belgique et de l'Allemagne au Centre d'analyse et d'opérations maritimes — Narcotics (MAOC — N), aux côtés de la ministre portugaise de la justice, Rita Júdice, de la directrice générale de la sécurité publique au ministère fédéral allemand de l'intérieur et de la communauté, et du directeur exécutif du MAOC-N. Le MAOC-N, financé par le Fonds pour la sécurité intérieure (FSI), est une initiative visant à échanger des renseignements et à lutter contre le trafic de drogue. Avec l'adhésion de la Belgique et de l'Allemagne, le Centre est considérablement renforcé, permettant une meilleure coordination des interventions en haute mer. Une conférence de presse suivra en direct sur EbS à 17h00 HAEC.

Mercredi 3 juillet, la commissaire Johansson participera au lancement de l'EUDA. Le nouveau mandat débutant le 2 juillet, l'EUDA jouera un rôle plus important pour garantir la préparation de l'UE à la lutte contre les drogues illicites. L'agence exécutera sa mission en recherchant et en soutenant les aspects liés à la santé et à l'offre de la situation en matière de drogue et en élaborant des évaluations de la menace. Après le lancement, la commissaire Johansson organisera une conférence de presse avec le directeur exécutif de l'EUDA et le président de son conseil d'administration, qui sera disponible sur EbS.

Mercredi également, la commissaire assistera à la signature de l'arrangement de travail entre l'EUDA et l'Équateur. Il s'agit d'un résultat concret à la suite de la réunion de haut niveau du mécanisme de coordination et de coopération UE-CELAC en matière de drogues qui s'est tenue en février 2024. L'accord renforcera la coopération en matière de collecte et d'échange de données, de surveillance du marché de la cocaïne, de fonctionnement des observatoires nationaux des drogues et de systèmes d'alerte pour les nouvelles substances psychoactives.

Toutes ces mesures opportunes  mettent en œuvre la stratégie de l'UE visant à lutter contre la criminalité organisée 2021-2025 ainsi que la stratégie et le plan d'action antidrogue de l'UE pour la période 2021-2025. La Commission reste déterminée à renforcer les capacités opérationnelles de l'union de la sécurité, comme en témoignent les 17 actions de la feuille de route de l'UE sur la lutte contre le trafic de drogue et la criminalité organisée.

(Pour plus d'informations : Anitta Hipper — Tél. : + 32 2 298 56 91, Fiorella Boigner — Tél. : + 32 2 299 37 34)

 

Commissioner Simson in Chile and Argentina to deepen energy cooperation

This week, Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, will be in Chile and Argentina to step up cooperation with these two countries in the energy field, with a specific focus on renewables and hydrogen.  

Today and tomorrow, the Commissioner will be in Santiago de Chile for a series of bilateral meetings, notably with the Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow Lorenzo; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren; as well as the Executive Vice-President of the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) José Miguel Benavente, and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), José Manuel Salázar-Xirinachs. She will also meet with business representatives of the renewable energy sector.  

Today, Commissioner Simson will also deliver remarks at the event ‘Global Gateway Investment Agenda – Team Europe Initiative RH2 Development Chile' and participate in a panel discussion on a just energy transition and green hydrogen. During her stay in Chile, the Commissioner will also visit local energy projects, notably the Smart Energy Monitoring Initiative for public buildings - which is funded through the Euroclima program, as well as an EU-funded project involving the use of solar panels for the energy self-consumption of Winery Santa Ema.

The Commissioner will spend the rest of the week in Buenos Aires where she will co-chair the EU-Argentina High-Level Energy Dialogue alongside Secretary of Energy Eduardo Rodríguez Chirillo on Wednesday and participate with him in a dialogue on the energy transition and green hydrogen at the German-Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

During her stay in Argentina, Commissioner Simson will meet bilaterally with the Minister for Finance, Luis Caputo, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Diana Mondino. She will also exchange with several operators of the energy sector. A visit to the Sustenta-Vitis sustainability project supported by AL INVEST Verde is also foreseen.

(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 2 295 86 61; 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 1 July at 13:35 CEST.