Daily News 22 / 06 / 2022

Green Deal : des propositions pionnières pour restaurer la nature en Europe d'ici 2050 et réduire de moitié l'utilisation des pesticides d'ici 2030

Aujourd'hui, la Commission a adopté des propositions pionnières pour restaurer les écosystèmes endommagés et régénérer la nature dans toute l'Europe; des terres agricoles aux mers, en passant par les forêts et les environnements urbains. La Commission propose également de réduire de 50 % l'utilisation et les risques liés aux pesticides chimiques d'ici à 2030. Il s'agit des propositions législatives phares qui découlent de la stratégie en faveur de la biodiversité et de la stratégie de la ferme à la table prévus par le pacte vert européen, et qui contribueront à garantir la résilience et la sécurité de l'approvisionnement alimentaire dans l'UE et dans le monde. La proposition de loi sur la restauration de la nature est une étape essentielle pour éviter l'effondrement des écosystèmes et prévenir les pires conséquences du changement climatique et de la perte de biodiversité. La proposition contient pour la toute première fois des objectifs explicites visant à réparer les 80 % d'habitats européens qui sont en mauvais état, et à ramener la nature dans tous les écosystèmes, des forêts et des terres agricoles aux écosystèmes marins, d'eau douce et urbains. Dans le même ordre d'idées, les nouvelles règles sur les pesticides chimiques permettront de réduire de moitié l'utilisation des pesticides, ce qui contribuera à la mise en place de systèmes alimentaires durables, tout en assurant une sécurité alimentaire durable et en protégeant notre santé. Vous trouverez plus d'informations dans notre communiqué de presse, les questions-réponses sur la restauration de la nature et les questions-réponses sur les pesticides. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 229 53156; Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 229 82504)

Sustainable Finance: Commission welcomes political agreement on company sustainability reporting

The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission's proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The new Directive, which is an integral part of EU's sustainable finance agenda and the European Green Deal, will modernise and strengthen the rules about the type of social and environmental information that companies have to report. A broader set of large companies, as well as listed SMEs, will also now be required to report on sustainability. The new rules will ensure that investors and other stakeholders have access to the information they need to assess investment risks arising from climate change and other sustainability issues. They will also create a culture of transparency about the impact of companies on people and the environment. Finally, reporting costs will be reduced for companies over the medium to long term by harmonising the information to be provided. Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, said: “This is a landmark in the development of company reporting, a significant step forward in the area of disclosures, covering many sectors of the economy. Sustainability reporting will now be on an equal footing with financial reporting. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive will help drive the transition to a sustainable economic system built on innovation and investment opportunities. It will enable companies to communicate and manage their sustainability performance more efficiently. Citizens will be able to measure the success of companies not just in financial terms but also assess how they impact people and the environment.” The centrepiece of the Directive is the introduction of mandatory European sustainability reporting standards, which the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) is currently developing. The CSRD will amend the existing requirements of the non-financial reporting Directive (NFRD). The reporting requirements will be phased in over time for different kinds of companies. Listed SMEs will only be obliged to report as from 2026, with a further possibility of voluntary opt-out until 2028. The first companies will have to apply the new rules for the first time in financial year 2024, for reports published in 2025. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Fonds européen de la défense: la Commission ouvre aujourd'hui huit appels à proposition ciblant un large éventail de technologies et capacités de défense

Conformément aux priorités de l'UE en matière de capacités précisées dans la boussole stratégique, la Commission ouvre aujourd'hui huit appels à propositions portant sur un total de 33 thématiques et ciblant un large éventail de technologies et capacités de défense dans le cadre du Fonds européen de défense. Ces appels vont permettre de lancer un certain nombre de grands projets emblématiques, de la cybersécurité à l'espace en passant par le combat naval. Cette année, plus de 120 millions d'euros seront dédiés au spatial et au combat naval respectivement. Dans le domaine de la recherche, 70 millions d'euros seront alloués à la recherche sur le cyberespace et la supériorité de l'information. Ces appels à propositions vont également soutenir les PME et plus généralement l'innovation et les technologies de rupture. Vous trouverez plus d'informations sur les différentes priorités du programme de travail 2022 ici. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter le portail des appels à proposition ainsi que le site web du fonds européen de la défense (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)

NextGenerationEU : la Commission européenne lève 5 milliards d'euros par l'émission d'obligations vertes

La Commission européenne a émis hier 5 milliards d'euros supplémentaires en obligations vertes dans le cadre de la dixième opération syndiquée menée au titre de l'instrument de relance NextGenerationEU. Les obligations à 25 ans venant à échéance le 4 février 2048 ont été sursouscrites plus de six fois, un résultat très positif compte tenu notamment des turbulences du marché de ces dernières semaines. Cette transaction incluse, la Commission a opéré des émissions pour un montant total de 47,5 milliards d'euros au cours de la première moitié de l'année 2022, ce qui la rapproche encore de son objectif de 50 milliards d'euros pour le financement au titre de NextGenerationEU dans les six premiers mois de l'année. La Commission a, jusqu'à présent, levé 118,5 milliards d'euros par l'émission d'obligations à long terme de l'UE au titre du programme NextGenerationEU depuis le lancement de celui-ci en juin 2021, dont 28 milliards d'euros en obligations vertes NextGenerationEU. Les fonds sont utilisés pour financer la reprise économique et la résilience à long terme de l'Europe par l'intermédiaire de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience et d'autres programmes budgétaires de l'UE. Interrogé sur cette opération, Johannes Hahn, commissaire chargé du budget et de l'administration, s'est exprimé en ces termes : « Cette transaction très réussie démontre que l'UE joue de plus en plus un rôle de chef de file pour la dette libellée en euros, ce qui est particulièrement important dans cette période tourmentée. Nous continuons ainsi d'apporter notre soutien aux économies européenne au moment où elles en ont le plus besoin. » D'ici la fin du mois de juin 2022, la Commission annoncera ses objectifs en matière de financement pour le second semestre de l'année. Plus de détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tél.: +32 229 56859)

Bringing the EU closer to citizens: Commission launches 'Building Europe with Local Councillors' project

The European Commission has today launched the 'Building Europe with Local Councillors (BELC)' project, which aims to equip local councillors and authorities across the EU with the tools they need to communicate about the EU to people in their local constituency or area. This project will set up a network across the EU, providing local authorities with access to up-to-date material about EU policy and rules that might affect their constituency, targeted webinars about key issues, as well as open the possibility to visit the EU institutions. As of today, local councillors and authorities can register to take part in this project. It is a direct response to one of the proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe which called for “a system of local EU Councillors, as a way to reduce the distance between the EU institutions and European citizens”. This is a timely announcement given that on Friday 17 June, the Commission adopted a Communication setting out how it intends to follow up on the 49 proposals made by the Conference. Vice-President Dubravka Šuica, who will meet later today Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the Committee of the Regions, to mark the launching of this project, said: “As a former mayor myself, I understand perfectly well the importance of local government for our citizens. Giving local authorities the tools they need to communicate about the EU will help our citizens learn more about the EU – and therefore feel part of the European project. I encourage as many local councillors as possible to register for this excellent initiative.” The project is implemented in close cooperation with the Committee of the Regions and its 'EU Network of Regional and Local Councillors'. Communicating about the EU is a shared responsibility between EU institutions and all levels of governance in Member States. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500, Tommaso Alberini – Tel.: +32 229 57010)

Digital Assembly 2022: A closer look into the digital future

At the Digital Assembly, held on 21 and 22 June in Toulouse, the European Commission and the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union have organised a session on continued support for Ukraine's digital sector. This session was marked by the launch of a dedicated digital tech donations hub for Ukraine. Additionally, Ministers from Member States have signed a declaration on climate transition to reduce the environmental footprint of the digital sector, and discussed concrete actions to strengthen the EU's leading role in immersive technologies. Member States agreed to act together in these two crucial areas and request the support of the Commission to define specific targets for the ICT sector in the green transition and to develop immersive technologies in line with European fundamental values. This year's edition of the Digital Assembly was also dedicated to the 2030 targets outlined in the Commission's Digital Decade Communication, including on digital skills, digital infrastructures, digital value chain, and digital transformation. Suggestions for actions have for example been taken to reach the target for skills, in particular on how to reach 20 million ICT specialists by 2030, gender convergence, as well as increasing the number of sectoral experts using advanced digital technologies. More information is available in this joint press release by the European Commission and the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke — Tel.: + 32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou — Tel.: + 32 229 83583)

Healthier Together: the Commissions launches €156 million initiative on non-communicable diseases in Europe

Today, the European Commission launches an important initiative to support EU Member States to reduce the burden of EU Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by addressing the leading causes of avoidable premature death in Europe and improving citizens' health and well-being. To do so, the Commission has published a guiding document to the “Healthier Together: EU Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Initiative”. This Initiative identifies effective actions and the available legal and financial supporting tools across five main areas: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health and neurological disorders, as well as their main contributing factors. The Initiative will have a budget of €156 million under the 2022 work programme of the EU4Health programme. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said: “Non-communicable diseases represent 80% of the disease burden in the EU, placing considerable pressure on our healthcare systems. Today's initiative is an important step to continue tackling them in a systematic and comprehensive way. By forging this path to better prevention, detection and treatment together with Member States and stakeholders, we are continuing to build the foundations of our strong European Health Union, whilst delivering on our key initiatives in the area of health, such as Europe's Beating Cancer Plan.” The guiding document can be found here. (More information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978.)

Conférence : contribution de l'intelligence artificielle à des services publics plus simples et accessibles

La Commission organise aujourd'hui une conférence hybride et à Bruxelles sur la contribution de l'intelligence artificielle (IA) à la mise à disposition en ligne de services publics essentiels dans l'UE. Johannes Hahn, commissaire chargé du budget et de l'administration, discutera avec les participants des résultats d'une série de webinaires qui ont eu lieu début juin, ainsi que des principales conclusions de l'étude récemment publiée par le Centre commun de recherche sur le paysage européen sur l'utilisation de l'intelligence artificielle par le secteur public. L'étude met en évidence 700 cas d'utilisation réelle de l'IA dans le secteur public, ainsi que 16 recommandations de développement dans quatre domaines d'intervention: la promotion d'une IA européenne axée sur ces valeurs: inclusive, centrée sur l'humain et digne de confiance; le renforcement de la gouvernance coordonnée, la convergence des réglementations et le renforcement des capacités; la mise en place d'un écosystème numérique d'IA partagé et interactif; et le contrôle de la durabilité au moyen de cadres d'analyse d'impact de l'IA créés conjointement. Les participants aux webinaires du début du mois de juin ont identifié la confiance du public comme l'élément clé de l'adoption et de la diffusion des technologies de l'IA, ainsi que du contrôle humain de ses applications. La boussole numérique 2030 de la Commission propose que, d'ici à 2030, tous les États membres disposent de services publics essentiels accessibles en ligne. L'intelligence artificielle est l'une des technologies qui pourraient permettre aux administrations nationales et locales d'atteindre cet objectif et d'apporter des avantages et une valeur ajoutée considérables aux citoyens de l'UE. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez consulter cette page. (Pour plus d'informations: Johannes Bahrke — Tél.: + 32 229 58615; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)

30e Prix Lorenzo Natali pour les médias : annonce des lauréats

Lors d'une cérémonie organisée pendant les Journées européennes du développement 2022 à Bruxelles, la commissaire chargée des partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a annoncé aujourd'hui les lauréats de cette année du Prix Lorenzo Natali : Ritwika Mitra, pour avoir révélé des activités de trafic d'êtres humains en Inde, Rémi Carton et Paul Boyer, pour avoir mis au jour l'esclavage d'enfants en Haïti, et Vânia Maia, pour avoir dénoncé la situation précaire de travailleurs immigrés au Portugal. Les lauréats ont été sélectionnés par le Grand Jury du Prix Lorenzo Natali parmi plus de 800 candidatures provenant du monde entier. Célébrant son 30e anniversaire, le Prix Lorenzo Natali récompense des reportages captivants et courageux. La commissaire chargée des partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a déclaré : « La guerre sur le sol européen et la prolifération de la désinformation nous rappellent à tous que le journalisme de qualité est nécessaire afin d'ouvrir les yeux du monde sur les questions qui sont importantes. Mettre en lumière les injustices et donner la parole aux personnes vulnérables sont vos puissantes armes. Je félicite les journalistes courageux, tels que les lauréats de cette année du Prix Lorenzo Natali, pour leurs reportages saisissants. » Le prix, qui porte le nom de Lorenzo Natali, ancien commissaire européen au développement, a été décerné dans les catégories suivantes : Grand Prix, Prix Europe, et Prix du meilleur journaliste émergent. Vous pouvez trouver plus d'informations sur le Prix Lorenzo Natali pour les Médias sur le site internet dédié, et dans notre communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations : Ana Pisonero Hernandez – Tél. : +32 229 54320 ; Jennifer Sánchez Da Silva – Tél. : +32 229 58316)

Financial markets: Commission adopts two equivalence decisions for Chinese and Israeli central counterparties

The European Commission has today adopted two equivalence decisions for central counterparties (CCPs) under the supervision of the People's Bank of China and the Israel Securities Authority. These decisions determine that the legal and supervisory frameworks for these CCPs are equivalent to the requirements applicable in the EU under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR). Today's decisions will allow these CCPs to apply for recognition by the European Markets and Securities Authority (ESMA). Once recognised, such CCPs will be able to provide central clearing services in the EU to EU clearing members and trading venues. This follows the recent decisions adopted for CCPs in Malaysia, Chile and Indonesia, amongst others. The Commission adopted these equivalence decisions as they are in the EU's interest. This will facilitate EU clearing members' access to these foreign CCPs and to the clearing of products denominated in local currencies. Once third-country CCPs are recognised, EU bank exposures to those CCPs will be subject to lower capital requirements. The transitional regime of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) – under which EU banks may consider any third-country CCP that has applied for recognition by ESMA as a ‘Qualifying CCP' – expires on 28 June 2022 for those CCPs that have applied before 27 June 2020. After that date, higher capital requirements apply to EU banks for exposures to non-recognised third-country CCPs. However, as ESMA will not have time to recognise the third-country CCPs by then and, as foreseen under the CRR, EU banks will benefit from a three-month grace period before higher capital requirements apply, unless the relevant banking supervisors exercise their discretion to shorten it. CCPs are bodies that operate between the buyer and seller of a derivative contract, becoming the buyer to every seller and the seller to every buyer. Their use was encouraged by the G20 following the financial crisis, to reduce risk in derivatives trading. To ensure that its equivalence decisions remain adequate, the Commission reviews them where necessary. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

State aid: Commission approves €180 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €180 million Italian scheme to support companies active in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022. Under the scheme, the aid will consist in limited amounts of aid in the form of guarantees on loans. The purpose of the scheme is to support the liquidity needs of the beneficiary and to help them overcome their economic and financial difficulties linked to the energy and other input costs increase due to the current geopolitical crisis. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €35,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2022. 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 Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.103166 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €15.6 million Italian scheme to support the tourism sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic

The European Commission has approved a €15.6 million Italian scheme to support the tourism sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme consists of (i) limited amounts of aid and (ii) support for uncovered fixed costs, in both cases in the form of a tax credit to partially compensate companies for the payment of a municipal real estate tax related to tourism activities. In order to be eligible, tourism companies must have suffered a decline in turnover of at least 50% for the period between 1 April and 30 June 2021, compared to the corresponding period in 2019. Around 1000 companies will be eligible for aid under the measure. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, when it comes to limited amounts of aid, the support will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary. When it comes to support for uncovered fixed costs, the aid will not exceed €12 million per company. Furthermore, the public support will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission therefore concluded that the measure 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 Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.102998 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Black Red White par XLCEE et Derot

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement de l'UE sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de Black Red White S.A., basée en Pologne, par XLCEE-Holding GmbH (« XLCEE »), basée en Autriche, et Derot Fund S.À R.L. (« Derot »), basée au Luxembourg. Black Red White est une entreprise active dans la fabrication de meubles ainsi que dans la vente au détail de meubles, d'articles d'ameublement et d'articles ménagers, principalement en Pologne et, dans une moindre mesure, en Slovaquie. XLCEE est une société holding d'investissement du groupe XXXLutz qui distribue des meubles, des articles d'ameublement ainsi que des articles ménagers en Europe. Derot est une société holding d'investissement. La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu des chevauchements limités entre les activités des entreprises, vu qu'elles opèrent principalement sur des marchés géographiques différents. L'opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires de concurrence, sous le numéro M.10664. (Pour plus d'nformations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Jindal's plastic films business by Jindal Group and Brookfield

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Jindal's plastic films business (‘Jindal PF') by B.C. Jindal Group (‘Jindal Group'), both of India and Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (‘Brookfield') of Canada. Jindal PF manufactures and markets flexible plastic films for use in the production of flexible packaging and PET chips. Jindal Group produces packaging films, steel pipes and pipe fittings, power generation, cold rolled steel strips and galvanised sheets. Brookfield is a global asset manager offering a range of public and private investment products and services that focus on real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy and private equity. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that there are no overlaps between the companies' activities, the companies are not active on related markets, and Jindal PF's activities in the European Economic Area are limited. 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.10723. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of Ford Romania by Ford Otosan

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Ford Romania S.A. of Romania by Ford Otomotiv Sanayi A.Ş. ('Ford Otosan') of Turkey. Ford Romania will hold and operate at closing only an assembly plant and car manufacturing facility located in Craiova, Romania. Ford Otosan is a car manufacturer and distributor, owned by Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that there are no overlaps between the companies' activities and the companies are not active on related markets in 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.10739. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Schinas, and Commissioners Reynders and Johansson attend EU-US Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting in Paris

Vice-President Schinas, and Commissioners Reynders and Johansson will participate tomorrow, 23 June 2022, in the joint EU-US ministerial meeting on Justice and Home Affairs, hosted by the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The main topics of the annual ministerial are: responses to the Russian war against Ukraine, and more particularly the freezing and confiscation of frozen assets of the listed individuals as well as the support to investigate war crimes, counterterrorism priorities, fight against radicalisation, hate crime, visa reciprocity, and transatlantic cooperation on environmental crime, cybercrime and judicial cooperation. The United States will be represented by US Attorney General, Merrick B. Garland and US Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas. More information is available here. More details on the last joint EU-US ministerial meeting which took place in Washington D.C. on December 16 2021 are also available. (For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: + 32 229 85691; Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel: +32 229-66925; Cristina Torres Castillo.: +32 229-90679)

Commissioner Mariya Gabriel launches the first European Education and Innovation Summit

Tomorrow, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, will open the first European Education and Innovation Summit with a keynote speech on “The role of education and innovation for transforming the society and the future of Europe”. She will join high-level panelists at a roundtable to exchange on the “Priorities for innovation in Europe: the key role of education and higher education institutions”. Ahead of the summit, Commissioner Gabriel said: “This summit is the result of people coming together, of us talking to partners in higher education and innovative companies. It is the result of a community that wants to do more. I am looking forward to seeing the development of an inclusive space for co-creation. We want to listen to inspiring experiences about how to nurture a culture of innovation and how to promote innovative ways of producing and transmitting knowledge. This is even more important as this year is the European Year of Youth.” The Summit will bring together key actors from the world of Education and Innovation to share knowledge and inspiring experiences on how to enhance innovation in teaching and learning, and to strengthen the role of higher education institutions in their innovation ecosystems. The exchanges will provide input to the implementation and further development of innovation actions under the European strategy for universities and the upcoming New European Innovation Agenda. Participants will include ministers, representatives of regional and national authorities, university rectors and professors, school pupils, entrepreneurs and innovators, representatives of the European Universities alliances, start-ups, the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, other higher education partners and student organisations. Information to follow the event online can be found here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

APPOINTMENT

COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a new Head of Representation in Czechia

Today, Monika Ladmanova has been appointed as Head of the European Commission's Representation in Prague. In this function, she will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Czechia under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. She will take office on 1 July 2022. Monika Ladmanova, a Czech national, has pursued a career of over 25 years in the public, private and non-governmental sectors, including eight years at the European Commission. In her new position, she will benefit from her deep knowledge of a broad array of EU policy areas, together with her excellent communication and representation skills. She currently serves as member of the Cabinet of Vice-President Jourova in charge of Values and Transparency. She is notably responsible for formulation, communication and implementation of policies as well as inter-institutional cooperation in the areas of democracy, citizenship, justice and equality. She coordinates policies developments and manages the Vice-President's regular communication and dialogue with citizens, representative associations and civil society. From 2014 until 2019, she was member of the Cabinet of Commissioner in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender equality. Monika Ladmanova has been particularly dedicated to promoting gender equality for many years as demonstrated by her role in the network of Czech professional women in EU institutions in Brussels, of which she is a founder and leader. Before joining the Commission, Monika Ladmanova worked both in the private and non-governmental sector in Czechia, including as a Manager of corporate social responsibility programs of IBM and an Executive Director of the Open Society, a public benefit association advocating for human rights and democracy development. She holds a Master of Law of the Charles University in Prague. More information is available in this press release. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases