Daily News 09 / 03 / 2023

Programme LIFE : l'UE investit plus de 116 millions d'euros dans des projets stratégiques relatifs à la nature, à l'environnement et au climat

La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui un investissement de plus de 116 millions d'euros en faveur des projets stratégiques du nouveau programme LIFE. Ce financement aidera huit grands projets en Belgique, en Estonie, en Espagne, en Italie, en Pologne, en Slovaquie et en Finlande à atteindre leurs objectifs en matière de climat et d'environnement. Les projets devraient mobiliser des fonds supplémentaires importants provenant d'autres sources de financement de l'UE, notamment des fonds agricoles, structurels, régionaux et de recherche, ainsi que des fonds nationaux et des investissements du secteur privé.

Les projets permettront à l'Europe de devenir le premier continent neutre sur le plan climatique d'ici à 2050 et de mettre en œuvre avec succès le Pacte vert pour l'Europe. Ils soutiennent également la stratégie de l'UE pour la biodiversité à l'horizon 2030, le plan d'action pour l'économie circulaire, le plan d'action pour une pollution zéro, la loi sur la restauration de la nature et contribuent à une transition vers une énergie propre.

Les projets couvrent les domaines suivants : la conservation et la restauration de la nature, la qualité de l'eau et la gestion des déchets, l'adaptation au changement climatique et l'atténuation du changement climatique.

De plus amples détails sur les projets sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse.

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

Erasmus+ 2023 Annual Work Programme: Commission increases annual budget to €4.43 billion, with a focus on learners and staff from Ukraine

Today, the Commission has adopted a revision of the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programme for 2023. The overall budget of the programme for this year has been revised upwards to €4.43 billion, the highest annual financial envelope ever reached by the Erasmus+ programme. The increased budget will reinforce the Erasmus+ priorities on inclusion, active citizenship and democratic participation, and on the green and digital transformations in the EU and abroad.

The revised work programme includes a €100 million frontload from the 2027 Erasmus+ budget, to support projects that promote educational activities and facilitate the integration of people fleeing the war in Ukraine into their new learning environments, as well as activities supporting organisations, learners and staff in Ukraine. Funded activities may range from linguistic and cultural integration courses and language learning tools addressed to educators or learners, to scholarships or general financial support in all Erasmus+ sectors for learners and educators.

The international dimension of Erasmus+ is strengthened with a budget increase of €31 million, which will be used to reinforce mobility projects and capacity building in higher education in support of international cooperation projects.

Based on open calls for project applications, any public or private body active in the fields of education, training, youth and sport can apply for funding, with the help of Erasmus+ National Agencies based in all Member States and third countries associated to the programme, and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. The next call for proposals, focussing on cooperation partnerships with an additional priority on learners, educators and staff from Ukraine, will open on 22 March 2023. Created more than 35 years ago, Erasmus+ is one of the most emblematic EU programme and over 13 million people have participated in the programme so far. More information in a press release.

(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)

Des histoires qui comptent : les candidatures au prix Lorenzo Natali pour les médias sont ouvertes jusqu'au 28 avril

Les candidatures au prix Lorenzo Natali pour les médias, le prix phare de l'UE pour le journalisme, ouvrent aujourd'hui. Les journalistes ont jusqu'au28 avril minuit pour poser leur candidature, en soumettant des reportages éligibles. Le prix reconnaît et met à l'honneur le travail de journalistes du monde entier, mettant en lumière les défis mondiaux les plus pressants.

Le prix s'adresse notamment aux journalistes qui travaillent dans les domaines suivants : inégalités, éradication de la pauvreté, développement durable, environnement, biodiversité, action climatique, numérique, emploi et métiers, éducation et développement des compétences, migration, soins de santé, paix, démocratie et droits de l'homme. Ceux qui sont intéressés peuvent présenter leur candidature en ligne.

La commissaire aux partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a déclaré : « Le prix Lorenzo Natali pour les médias est une reconnaissance de la qualité du travail journalistique et du rôle essentiel joué parles journalistes dans nos sociétés. Leurs histoires nous permettent de mieux comprendre le monde complexe qui nous entoure. Ils mettent en lumière les problèmes structurels et leurs comptes rendus constituent souvent un premier pas vers la correction des injustices. J'encourage tous les journalistes qui souscrivent au développement durable à poser leur candidature et à nous rejoindre dans cette mise à l'honneur des histoires qui comptent vraiment. »

Le prix rend hommage à l'ancien vice-président de la Commission européenne, Lorenzo Natali, qui a contribué de manière significative à la promotion et au développement des politiques européennes de développement.

Un communiqué de presse contenant de plus amples informations est disponible en ligne.

(Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero Hernandez – Tél.: +32 2 295 43 20 ; Jennifer Sanchez Da Silva – Tél.: +32 2 295 83 16)

Région de l'Afrique australe et de l'océan Indien: L'UE alloue une aide humanitaire de 50 millions d'euros à l'occasion de la visite du commissaire Lenarčič à Madagascar

La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui l'octroi d'une nouvelle aide humanitaire de 50 millions d'euros en faveur de la région de l'Afrique australe et de l'océan Indien. Ces fonds contribueront à lutter contre l'insécurité alimentaire et la malnutrition, à améliorer l'accès aux services de base, à améliorer la préparation aux catastrophes naturelles et à promouvoir l'éducation dans les situations d'urgence dans l'ensemble de la région. Sur les 50 millions d'euros, 13,3 millions d'euros sont alloués à Madagascar, 25 millions au Mozambique, 7,4 millions au Zimbabwe et 4,3 millions au Lesotho, au Malawi et aux projets régionaux.

Au cours de sa visite, le commissaire devrait rencontrer le président de Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina; les gouverneurs des régions de Vatovavy et Fitovinany, et les directeurs du bureau national de gestion des catastrophes. Le commissaire rencontrera également des partenaires humanitaires et Pedro Pablo Opeka, fondateur de l'association humanitaire d'Akamasoa, tout en se rendant dans les régions touchées récemment par le cyclone tropical Freddy.

Le mois dernier, l'UE a également fourni une aide humanitaire d'urgence de 100 000 euros, pour venir en aide aux personnes les plus touchées par le cyclone tropical Freddy, qui a provoqué un glissement de terrain sur la côte orientale de l'île le 21 février 2023. Cette année, une nouvelle opération de soutien aérien est mise en œuvre afin de renforcer la capacité des acteurs humanitaires à atteindre les communautés touchées par les inondations et les cyclones. Cette opération s'élève à 1,2 millions d'euros.

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)

State aid: Commission approves €200 million Flemish scheme to compensate for reduction or closure of pig production

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €200 million Flemish scheme to compensate pig producers for reducing or entirely closing their production capacity. The aim of the scheme is to reduce nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector that result from pig production.

The scheme is open to micro, small and medium-sized companies operating a pig breeding unit in Flanders. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants amounting to up to 120% of the loss of value of assets, namely of pigs and facilities, related to the closure of capacity. The scheme will run until 30 June 2025.

The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, and in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions, and the Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary and appropriate to support the reduction of nitrogen emissions in the agricultural sector and thereby to contribute to environmental protection, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the scheme is proportionate, as it is limited to the minimum necessary, and that it has a limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the Belgian scheme under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.103681 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 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves €32 million German scheme to support fishery sector in the context of Brexit

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €32 million German scheme to support the fishery sector affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

The aim of the scheme is to support companies in the fishery sector in Germany in reorienting their activities. In particular, the measure will support: (i) marketing activities up to a maximum of €999,900 per beneficiary; (ii) the adaptation of fish processing activities up to a maximum of €7,5 million per beneficiary; (iii) investments in German-flagged fishing vessels up to a maximum of €5 million per beneficiary; and (iv) compensation to laid-off workers (‘severance payment') up to a total of €999,900 per company. The scheme will run until 31 December 2023.

The measure is planned to be funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, established to mitigate the economic and social impact of Brexit, subject to approval under the specific provisions governing funding from that instrument.

The Commission has assessed the scheme under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities or regions under certain conditions, and in particular the Guidelines for the examination of State aid to the fishery and aquaculture sector. The Commission found that the scheme facilitates the economic activity of fishing and fish processing and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.101585 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 22987024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves amendment to 2022-2027 regional aid map for Spain

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment to Spain's map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised regional aid guidelines.

On 17 March 2022, the Commission approved the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Spain. On 20 December 2022, the Commission approved Spain's Territorial Just Transition Plan that identifies the territories eligible for support from the Just Transition Fund. The territories are located in a region eligible for aid under Article 107(3)(a) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (so-called 'a' areas), which allows aid to support the most disadvantaged regions.

In order to further address regional disparities, the amendment to Spain's regional aid map approved today enables higher maximum amounts of aid to investments in those territories. The maximum amounts of aid will increase from 30% to 40% of the eligible investment costs in parts of the region of Andalucía. In order to limit the difference in aid intensity between regions eligible for aid under Article 107(3)(c) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (so-called 'c' areas) and adjacent 'a' areas, the maximum amounts of aid will increase from 20% to 25% of the eligible investment costs in the region of Murcia.

The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.106039 in the State Aid Register on the Commission's competition website. New publications of state aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

State aid: Commission approves €18 million Irish scheme to support road haulage operators in context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The European Commission has approved a €18 million Irish scheme to support road haulage operators in context of Russia's war against Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.

The scheme is a re-introduction of a measure that the Commission approved in April 2022 (SA.102559), which expired on 31 December 2022. The measure aims at mitigating the risk of insolvency for road haulage operators while ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods by road. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will be entitled to receive limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The individual aid amount per company will be calculated based on the number of vehicles it has in operation.

The Commission found that the scheme, as re-introduced, is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed € 2 million per company; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023. The Commission concluded that the scheme, as re-introduced, 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 measure 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 war against Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.106462 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 2 298 70 24; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 9 81 63; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 2 299 05 26)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Komsa by Westcoast

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Komsa AG (‘Komsa') of Germany by Westcoast Holdings Limited (‘Westcoast') of the UK.

Westcoast is an international wholesale distributor of hardware products, telecommunication software and a provider of related services. It supplies personal computing equipment, phones, printing and office supplies to retailers and other organisations. KOMSA is an international distributor of hardware, software as well as a provider of managed logistics and repair services. It distributes smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, phone systems, headsets, smart home systems, gaming and e-mobility products.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the very low increase in market concentration levels resulting from the transaction in any markets where the companies overlap. 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.10990.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 2 299 05 26)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of SCP Real Assets in Cologne, Staßfurt and Waiblingen by Kaufland

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of three real estate properties in Cologne, Staßfurt and Waiblingen, Germany (‘SCP Real Assets'), by Kaufland Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG (‘Kaufland') of Germany.

The SCP Real Assets are real estate properties where supermarkets under the Real brand used to operate and that currently still host other commercial and retail tenants. Kaufland is part of the international Schwarz Group, which is primarily active in the food retail sector and operates grocery shops under the Lidl and Kaufland brands.

The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the limited horizontal overlaps and vertical relationships between the companies' activities. The operation was examined under the normal merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10992.

(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 2 298 70 24; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 2 299 05 26)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sustainable mobility: Executive Vice-President Timmermans announces European Declaration on Cycling to come this summer

This morning, Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans held the opening speech at the 2023 Cycling Industries Europe Summit in Brussels. He announced that to promote cycling in Europe, the Commission will propose this summer a European Declaration on Cycling, inviting Parliament and Council to sign up to this declaration. It will propose easy-to-understand principles to boost biking and explain how the EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and existing EU rules and funding instruments should deliver to put these principles into practice: for example sustainable urban mobility plans, bike parking spaces, or fostering bike and e-bike manufacturing. The declaration could notably help deliver on the political goal to double safe cycling infrastructure across Europe.

Cycling can be a major contributor to sustainable mobility, particularly in cities. It is also a growth industry: for example, e-bikes sales totalled over €10 billion in 2020 alone, with 8 out of 10 e-bikes sold in Europe also built in Europe. EU funds already support cycling infrastructure: for example, in 2020, Cohesion Policy funds provided over €2 billion to build cycling and footpaths across Europe, up from €700 million in the previous funding period. The European Parliament adopted in February a resolution calling for European action to boost cycling.

You can read the full speech here.

(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: +32 2 295 31 56; Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 2 295 36 64; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)

One Year of REPowerEU: Commissioner Simson takes stock of progress on ending Russian fossil fuel imports

One year after the publication of the first REPowerEU Communication (8 March 2022), Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, is today taking stock of the energy situation at a committee meeting and a press conference in the European Parliament. REPowerEU is the Commission's plan to end Europe's dependency on Russian fossil fuels, in light of Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine.

Speaking to the members of the ITRE Committee in the European Parliament, Commissioner Simson, said: “One year ago the Commission presented REPowerEU Plan to end our dependency on Russian fossil fuels and diversify our sources. We have since sanctioned coal and oil and dramatically reduced our gas imports – all the while staying the course regarding our commitments under the European Green Deal. In fact, the carbon emissions dropped in Europe by 2.5% last year. Achieving this has been a joint effort - the European Parliament is an important ally in our work, which is far from done! I also want to acknowledge the millions of Europeans who demonstrated solidarity and unity by adjusting their lifestyles when Europe was hit by the gravest energy crisis in decades.”

The Commissioner's full opening remarks to the committee this morning are available here.

At 12:15 CET, Commissioner Simson will participate in a press conference organised by the European Parliament alongside the chair of the ITRE Committee, Cristian Silviu Bu?oi, and the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol. You can follow the press conference live on EbS+. The Commissioner's opening press remarks at the press conference will be available later here.

(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 2 295 86 61)

Commissioner Johansson co-hosts the meeting of the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova *

Tomorrow, Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson will co-host the meeting of the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova that will take place for the first time in Brussels. The meeting will be co-chaired by Commissioner Johansson and ministers from Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Lithuania, Czechia, Poland, Finland, Germany, France, and the Minister of Interior of Moldova, Ana Revenco. This is the fifth meeting of the hub since it was launched in July 2022, and the first at ministers' level.

Ahead of the meeting, Commissioner Johansson and Minister Revenco will hold a press point at 9:30 CET which will be broadcast live on EbS. During the meeting, ministers will take stock of the achievements of the hub and discuss priorities for future cooperation on internal security.

Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine has a significant impact on the security situation in Europe and beyond. Due to its geographical location, Moldova has a key role to play. As an operational platform, the hub supports cooperation on internal security and border management between the EU, its agencies, the Member States, and the Moldovan authorities.

It operates along six priority areas: firearms trafficking; migrant smuggling; trafficking in human beings; preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism; cybercrime; and drug trafficking. The hub intends to serve as a one-stop shop on existing support measures for Moldovan authorities, as well as to provide a gateway to EU-Moldova cooperation on support mechanisms on internal security and border management, and identify the needs of the Moldovan authorities in terms of capacity-building for law enforcement and border management.

(For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Yuliya Matsyk – Tel.: +32 2 291 31 73)

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

UPDATED on 9 March 2023, at 16:00