European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 14 / 12 / 2020
Brussels, 14 December 2020
Commission launches Re-open EU mobile app giving regular updates on coronavirus health,
safety and travel measures across Europe
The Commission has launched a Re-open EU mobile app, available free for Android and iOS phones.
The launch follows the success of the Re-open EU web platform, which has been visited nearly 8
million times since its launch in mid-June. Re-open EU is a one-stop shop providing comprehensive,
up-to-date information on the health situation, safety and travel measures in all EU Member States,
as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Users can get the latest information on
national quarantine measures, testing requirements and mobile coronavirus contact tracing and
warning apps. The information is available in the 24 official EU languages, using verified data from
the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the Member States. Re-open EU was one
of the measures announced by the Commission in its May 2020 Tourism and Transport package to
help citizens travel safely, in full respect of health guidance. Also in its October 2020 Communication
on additional COVID-19 response measures, the Commission has committed to making information
available to all citizens via a free app. Re-open EU information remains easily accessible through the
web platform: https://reopen.europa.eu/. More information is available here. (For more information:
Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Baltic States and Poland sign €720 million grant agreement for the Baltic Synchronisation
project
Today, INEA (the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency) has signed a €720 million grant
agreement with the electricity transmission system operators of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland
for the Baltic Synchronisation Project. This represents the largest amount of funding ever attributed
from the Connecting Europe Facility Energy (CEF-E). The project aims to better integrate electricity
grids of the Baltic States with the ones of the rest of continental Europe and ensure their energy
independence from third countries. Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, said: “Today's
agreement marks a decisive step in the Baltic Synchronisation process, a project of strategic
European interest that needs to be completed by the end of 2025. This will ensure not only the full
integration of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the internal energy market, but also facilitate the
take-up of renewable energy in the Baltic States and Poland, helping them achieve the European
Green Deal objectives.” Following previous funding awarded in 2019 for the reinforcement of the
internal grids of the Baltic States, the grant signed today will be mainly dedicated for the
construction of Harmony Link – an electricity cable connecting Poland and Lithuania through the
Baltic Sea. More information is available here. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229
58602; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel: +32 229 81325)

European Film Awards: 4 EU-supported films won 7 awards
The 33 rd edition of the European Film Awards concluded on Saturday 12 December with the
livestreamed ceremony of the event's 2020 Grand Finale. The big winner of the night was a film
supported by the EU's MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe, Druk – Another Round, by Thomas
Vinterberg, which received a total of 4 awards: European Film, European Director, European
Screenwriter and European Actor. Other main awards such as European Actress, European Comedy
and European Original Score went to Paula Beer for her roles in Undine by Christian Petzold, The Big
Hit by Emmanuel Courcol and to Berlin AlexanderPlatz by Burhan Qurbani, respectively. Overall, out
of the 18 EU-supported films holding a total of 30 nominations, 4 titles: Druk – Another Round,
Undine, The Big Hit and Berlin AlexanderPlatz, won 7 awards: European Film, European Director,
European Screenwriter, European Actor, European Actress, European Comedy and European Original
Score. The EU supported the development, promotion and distribution of these 18 titles with an
investment of €3 million, awarded through the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. The Grand Finale
also included the announcement of the three finalists of the LUX European Audience Film Award:

Druk – Another Round, Corpus Christi and Collective. For the first time, this initiative, led by the
European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission
and Europa Cinemas, will include a public vote, to bring more European films to a larger European
audience. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou –
Tel.: +32 229 83583).

EU invests further in European world-class supercomputing in Bulgaria
Today the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking, which pools European resources
to buy and deploy world-class supercomputers and technologies, announces the signature for a
contract worth €11.5 million for a new supercomputing system in Bulgaria. The new system will be
capable of more than 4.4 petaflops, and will be hosted by Sofiatech. Examples of applications for its
use may include accurate assessment of seismic sustainability of buildings, weather forecasting, and
medical applications to support low invasive diagnostics and the discovery of innovative treatments.
Executive Vice-President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “With the
acquisition of this supercomputer in Bulgaria, as well as others around Europe, we are staying ahead
in our efforts to address industrial, technological and scientific challenges. Investing in
supercomputing infrastructure is crucial to improve the quality of life of EU citizens, boost
competitiveness, and advance research and innovation”. Commissioner for Innovation, Research,
Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, added: “I am very happy to see the efforts begun last
year come to fruition with the acquisition of this new supercomputing system in my native Bulgaria.
This new supercomputer will aid European research in driving innovation and fostering better science
by providing access to leading edge HPC infrastructures and services – regardless where they are in
Europe.” Europe is at the forefront of investment in next-generation supercomputing infrastructure,
having enormous positive effects on society. An example of this is also the EU's Destination Earth
initiative , which aims to develop a very high precision digital model of the Earth, which could
improve weather forecasting, water management, and environmental modelling. Following the
announcement of the LUMI supercomputer in Finland and the LEONARDO supercomputer in Italy in
October, as well as three other supercomputers in Czechia, Luxembourg, and Slovenia, the
supercomputer in Bulgaria marks the latest addition to the supercomputer family by the Joint
Undertaking, since September. The Joint Undertaking plans to acquire another petascale and a pre-
exascale supercomputer in Portugal and Spain. A Commission proposal announced in September will
enable a further investment of €8 billion in the next generation of supercomputers. More information
is available here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta
Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Farm to Fork: Commission takes action to further reduce the use of dangerous pesticides
As part of the EU's commitment to make food systems more sustainable and to protect citizens from
harmful substances, the European Commission has today decided to withdraw Mancozeb from the EU
market. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “The protection of
citizens and the environment from dangerous chemicals is a priority for the European
Commission. Reducing the dependency on chemical pesticides is a key pillar of the Farm to Fork
strategy we presented last spring. We cannot accept that pesticides harmful to our health are used in
the EU. Member States should now urgently withdraw all authorisations for plant protection products
containing Mancozeb”. Mancozeb is an active substance which is used in a number of pesticides in
the EU. The proposal was supported by Member States in the Standing Committee on Plants,
Animals, Food and Feed in October. It follows the scientific assessment by EFSA (European Food
Safety Authority) which confirmed health concerns, in particular having a toxic effect on
reproduction, and the protection of the environment. Mancozeb also has endocrine disrupting
properties for humans and for animals. Member States will now have to withdraw authorisations for
all plant protection products containing Mancozeb by June 2021. (For more information: Stefan De
Keersmaecker +32 229 84680, Darragh Cassidy +32 229 83978)

Chemicals: EU takes action for safer tattooing inks and permanent make-up
The Commission is taking an important step to protect EU citizens' health from hazardous chemicals
contained in mixtures for tattoo inks and permanent make-up. With a new restriction adopted today
under the EU chemical legislation, we aim to ensure that EU citizens are equally protected,
irrespective of the country where they get tattooed and whether the ink is manufactured in the EU
or not. Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “The Commission works hard on
ensuring the safety of chemicals used in everyday products and is today restricting the use of
dangerous substances in inks used for tattooing. Some EU Member States have already done that,

but with this restriction we aim to harmonise these measures at EU level and to improve citizens'
protection. This restriction is the result of a good cooperation between the Commission, the European
Chemicals Agency and the Member States with the involvement of the industry and NGOs.”
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “The health and
well-being of our citizens is our priority. In addition to allergies and skin problems, toxic chemicals
found in tattoo inks can cause other adverse health effects, such as cancer. Tattooing is increasingly
popular in Europe. This is why it is urgent that we regulate those chemicals now.” The new rules
include maximum concentration limits established either for groups of substances or for individual
substances such as certain azodyes and carcinogenic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals and methanol. So far, EU Member States have different national rules
on restriction of chemicals in tattoo inks. With the restriction adopted today, there will be
harmonised rules across the EU. The new rules will become applicable after a transition phase of 12
months. From that point in time, tattoo inks and permanent make-up that contain the substances
listed in quantities exceeding the specified limits may no longer be placed on the market and used in
the EU. More information: here and here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229
66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Investment Plan for Europe supports Spanish pharmaceutical company developing cutting-
edge treatments
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will support Ferrer, a Spanish pharmaceutical company that
works to improve the health and wellbeing of people through innovative treatments, with a loan of
up to €50 million. The project is backed by a guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic
Investments (EFSI), the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. The financing will support
Ferrer's research, development and innovation activities until 2024, and will strengthen the
company's portfolio of pioneering products and services in treatments related to the cardiovascular
system, the central nervous system, and pain relief. The agreement is in line with the Commission's
priority of boosting innovation as key factor for sustainable growth and job creation in Europe.
Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, said: “The EU continues to support research,
development and innovation projects that push scientific boundaries. Thanks to the guarantee from
the Investment Plan for Europe, the EIB will help Spanish pharmaceutical company Ferrer to finance
its research activities and to develop more cutting-edge treatments related to the cardiovascular and
central nervous system, as well as pain relief.” The Investment Plan for Europe has so far mobilised
€535 billion of investment across the EU, of which €58 billion in Spain. The press release is available
here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32
229 83951)

Employment and social innovation: access to new financing for over 300 small businesses
in Lithuania
More than 300 Lithuanian micro-enterprises are set to get access to finance through a guarantee deal
of up to €6 million between the European Investment Fund (EIF) and fintech company Faktoro,
concluded with support by the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI). The EU
backing will allow Faktoro to launch a new working capital lending product and start awarding
working capital loans of up to €25,000 to micro-enterprises in Lithuania, thus immediately
benefitting their everyday operations and providing much needed liquidity during the pandemic. The
new lending product developed by Faktoro will support in particular micro-enterprises which are still
in their start-up or development phase. Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit,
said: “Thanks to EU-backing by the EaSI Guarantee, this agreement between European Investment
Fund and Faktoro will unlock access to finance for more than 300 small businesses in Lithuania. The
ongoing COVID-19 crisis continues to hit hard many micro-enterprises across Europe. The
Commission will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to protect workers and preserve jobs.”
The press release is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197;
Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

La Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le Fonds pour une transition juste
La Commission se félicite de l'accord politique auquel sont parvenus le Parlement européen et le
Conseil sur la proposition de la Commission relative à un Fonds pour une transition juste (FTJ). Un
accord est donc intervenu sur tous les instruments relatifs à la politique de cohésion, dont les textes
juridiques sont dans l'attente d'une approbation finale par le Parlement européen réuni en séance
plénière et par le Conseil. Elisa Ferreira, membre de la Commission chargé de la cohésion et des
réformes, a déclaré à ce propos: « La transition écologique ne sera couronnée de succès que si

chacun en bénéficie. Le Fonds pour une transition juste soutiendra activement les changements
conduisant à une économie prospère et socialement équitable, neutre pour le climat. Le Fonds pour
une transition juste est un instrument essentiel pour la mise en œuvre du pacte vert pour l'Europe. Il
est aussi au cœur de la mission de la politique de cohésion qui consiste à veiller à ce que personne
ne soit laissé pour compte, tandis que nous progressons vers une Europe plus verte et plus
compétitive. » Le Fonds pour une transition juste est un nouvel instrument doté d'un budget global
de 17,5 milliards d'euros, dont 7,5 milliards d'euros proviennent du cadre financier pluriannuel (CFP)
et 10 milliards d'euros de NextGenerationEU. Le FTJ est un élément clé du pacte vert pour l'Europe et
constitue le premier pilier du mécanisme pour une transition juste. Il vise à alléger les coûts socio-
économiques résultant de la transition vers une économie neutre pour le climat, grâce à un large
éventail d'activités visant principalement à diversifier l'activité économique et à aider les personnes à
s'adapter dans un marché du travail en mutation. À la suite des trilogues politiques, afin de
débloquer le financement du FTJ, les pays de l'UE devront élaborer leurs plans territoriaux pour une
transition juste, qui recenseront les territoires éligibles susceptibles d'être les plus durement touchés
par la transition écologique. Un communiqué de presse détaillé est disponible ici. (Pour plus
d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker - Tél +32 2 298 46 80; Veronica Favalli – Tél.: +32 229
87269)

Commission welcomes political agreement on the Cybersecurity Competence Centre and
Network
On Friday, 11 December, the EU institutions reached a political agreement, subject to formal
approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, on the Cybersecurity Competence
Centre and Network, an initiative that aims to improve and strengthen technology and industrial
cybersecurity capacities of the EU and help create a safe online environment. The Cybersecurity
Competence Centre, which will be located in Bucharest, and the Network of National Coordination
Centres aim at strengthening European cybersecurity capacities, shielding our economy and society
from cyber attacks, maintaining and promoting research excellence and reinforcing the
competitiveness of the Union's industry in this field. The Centre and the Network will pool resources
from the EU, its Member States and the industry to improve and strengthen technology and
industrial cybersecurity capacities, enhancing the EU's open strategic autonomy. By managing the
cybersecurity funds under the next long-term EU budget, the Centre will source funding from
the Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe, as well as contributions from Member States.
Following last Friday's political agreement, Member States will confirm the agreement on 18
December during the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the
Member States to the European Union (‘Coreper'). The formal adoption from the European Parliament
and the Council is expected to take place in January 2021. The European Commission will then start
setting up the Cybersecurity Competence Centre. More information is available in this press release.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32
229 83583)

Commission welcomes political agreement on Erasmus+
The Commission has welcomed the political agreement reached between the European Parliament
and EU Member States on the new Erasmus+ Programme (2021 2027). Trilogue negotiations have
now concluded, pending the final approval of the legal texts by the European Parliament and the
Council. Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, responsible for Promoting our European Way of Life,
commented: “Erasmus is Europe's most emblematic programme, the jewel in our crown. The
Erasmus generations represent the essence of our European way of Life. Unity in diversity, solidarity,
mobility, support for Europe as an area of peace, freedom and opportunities. With today's
agreement, we are ready for the next and bigger Erasmus generations.” Commissioner for
Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel said: “I welcome the political
agreement on the new Erasmus+ programme. Erasmus+ is one of our flagship programmes. Over
the last three decades, participation in Erasmus+ has boosted the personal, social and professional
development of over 10 million people, almost half of them between 2014 and 2020. With almost
double the budget for the next programming period, we will now work to reach 10 million more over
the next seven years.” Erasmus+ is one of the most successful initiatives of the EU to date. Since its
inception in 1987, the programme has expanded to cover all education and training sectors ranging
from early childhood education and care, and school education, to vocational education and training,
higher education and adult learning. It has benefitted more than 10 million people. With a dedicated
budget of €24.5 billion in current prices and an additional top-up of €1.7 billion in 2018 prices, the
new programme will not only be more inclusive and innovative but also more digital and greener.
You can find the press release here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229

66953; Sinéad Meehan - van Druten - Tel.: +32 229 84094)

La Commission se félicite de l'accord politique sur le corps européen de solidarité
La Commission s'est félicitée de l'accord politique auquel sont parvenus le Parlement européen et les
États membres de l'UE sur le nouveau corps européen de solidarité (2021-2027). Les négociations en
trilogue sont à présent achevées et les textes juridiques doivent encore faire l'objet d'une
approbation définitive par le Parlement européen et le Conseil. Margaritis Schinas, vice-président de
la Commission chargé de la promotion de notre mode de vie européen, a déclaré à ce sujet: «
L'accord d'aujourd'hui sur le corps européen de solidarité constitue un message fort à l'intention de
notre jeunesse, en appelant à son esprit de solidarité, de responsabilité et de citoyenneté. Les jeunes
Européens sont les meilleurs ambassadeurs de notre mode de vie européen, de nos valeurs et de nos
réalisations; s'attachant sans relâche à rendre le monde plus généreux. » Mariya Gabriel,
commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse, s'est exprimée
en ces termes: « Je salue l'accord politique sur le nouveau corps européen de solidarité. Nous serons
désormais en mesure d'offrir à des milliers de jeunes la possibilité d'aider les communautés dans le
besoin, d'exprimer leur solidarité et de contribuer au redressement de nos sociétés, tout en
acquérant des compétences précieuses et en améliorant leur développement personnel. » Le corps
européen de solidarité offre aux jeunes âgés de 18 à 30 ans (35 ans pour le volet aide humanitaire)
la possibilité d'exprimer leur solidarité en participant à des activités allant de l'aide aux personnes
défavorisées à la contribution à des actions dans les domaines de la santé et de l'environnement,
dans l'ensemble de l'UE et au-delà. À ce jour, 275 000 jeunes ont rejoint le corps européen de
solidarité et quelque 50 000 participants ont commencé leurs activités. De plus amples informations
sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations : Sonya Gospodinova –
Tél.: +32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan - van Druten - Tél.: +32 229 84094)

Antitrust: Commission publishes report on implementation of Damages Directive
The European Commission has published a report on the implementation of the Antitrust Damages
Directive which helps citizens and companies claim damages if they are victims of infringements of
EU antitrust rules, such as cartels or abuses of dominant market positions. Based on the findings of
the report, the Commission has drawn positive conclusions as regards the consistent implementation
of its rules. In line with the requirements in the Directive, the report has been sent to the European
Parliament and the Council. By 2018, all Member States had implemented the Directive. The
Commission assessed whether the national implementing rules are conform with the Directive. This
assessment has not revealed any systemic issues. The report notes that since the adoption of the
Damages Directive in 2014, the number of damages actions before national courts has significantly
increased and damages actions have become much more widespread in the EU. The Commission
intends to continue to monitor the developments in the Member States with a view to reviewing the
Directive, once sufficient experience from the application of its rules is available. The full press
release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission gives green light to the Pan-European Guarantee Fund to enable up
to €200 billion financing for companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak in 21 Member
States
The European Commission found the creation of a €25 billion Pan-European Guarantee Fund
managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support companies affected by the coronavirus
outbreak to be in line with EU State aid rules. The Fund is expected to mobilise up to €200 billion of
additional financing to support mainly small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) affected by the
outbreak in the 21 participating Member States. In April 2020, the European Council endorsed the
establishment of a Pan-European Guarantee Fund under the management of the European
Investment Bank Group, as part of the overall EU response to the coronavirus outbreak. It is one of
the three safety nets agreed by the European Council to mitigate the economic impact on workers,
businesses and countries. The Fund aims at addressing in a coordinated manner the financing needs
of European companies (mainly SMEs) that are expected to be viable in the long-term, but are facing
difficulties in the current crisis across Europe. The EIB and the European Investment Fund (‘EIF')
expect up to €200 billion of additional financing to be mobilised thanks to the Fund. All Member
States have the option to participate in the Fund. So far, 21 Member States decided to participate.
The Fund's operations will be jointly guaranteed by the participating Member States from their
national budgets. The participating Member States notified their respective contributions to the Fund
to the Commission under EU State aid rules. The Commission concluded that the support measures

that will be provided by the Fund will contribute to managing the economic impact of the coronavirus
in the 21 participating Members States. They are necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy
a serious disturbance in the economy, in line with Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning
of the European Union (TFEU) and the general principles set out in the State aid Temporary
Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the aid measures under EU State aid rules. The
full press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024;
Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €30 billion Dutch scheme to support projects reducing
greenhouse gas emissions
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €30 billion Dutch scheme to
support projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands. The scheme (Stimulering
Duurzame Energieproductie, “SDE++”) will contribute to the EU environmental objectives without
unduly distorting competition. The SDE++, with an estimated total budget of around €30 billion, will
run until 2025. The scheme will be open to projects based on renewable electricity, gas and heat, the
use of industrial waste heat and heat pumps, the electrification of industrial heat processes and
electrification of hydrogen production, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) for industrial processes,
including hydrogen production and waste incineration. Beneficiaries will be selected, the support
level set, and the aid allocated, through competitive bidding processes. The beneficiaries will receive
support via a variable premium contract of the duration of up to 15 years. The Commission assessed
the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for
environmental protection and energy. The Commission found that the aid is necessary and has an
incentive effect, as carbon prices do not fully internalise the costs of pollution and therefore the
projects would not take place in the absence of the public support. Furthermore, the aid is
proportionate and limited to the minimum necessary, as the level of aid will be set through
competitive auctions. Finally, the Commission found that the positive effects of the measure, in
particular the positive environmental effects, outweigh the negative effects of the measure in terms
of distortions to competition. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the SDE++ is in line with
EU State aid rules, as it supports projects which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in line with
the European Green Deal, without unduly distorting competition. Executive Vice-President Margrethe
Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The €30 billion Dutch SDE++ scheme will support
projects that will lead to substantial reductions in greenhouse emissions, in line with the objectives
of the Green Deal. It will provide important support to environmentally-friendly projects, including
renewable energy, use of waste heat, hydrogen production and carbon capture and storage, in line
with EU rules. Importantly, the wide eligibility criteria and the selection of the beneficiaries through a
competitive bidding process will enable the most cost effective projects to be supported, reducing
costs for taxpayers and minimising possible distortions of competition.” The full press release is
available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.:
+32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Aides d'État: la Commission autorise l'octroi à la compagnie aérienne française Corsair
d'une aide à la restructuration de 106,7 millions d'euros et d'une indemnisation de 30,2
millions d'euros pour le préjudice subi en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, deux
mesures françaises en faveur de Corsair, compagnie aérienne exerçant ses activités dans le secteur
du transport de passagers et de marchandises principalement à destination de territoires français
d'outre-mer. La première mesure consiste en une aide à la restructuration de 106,7 millions d'euros.
La seconde mesure, prendra la forme d'un crédit d'impôt de 30,2 millions d'euros, vise à compenser
le préjudice subi par l'entreprise en raison des mesures d'urgence prises par certains gouvernements
dans le contexte de la pandémie de coronavirus. La Commission a apprécié l'aide à la restructuration
au regard de ses lignes directrices de 2014 concernant les aides d'État au sauvetage et à la
restructuration, qui permettent aux États membres de soutenir les entreprises en difficulté, à
condition, notamment, que les mesures de soutien public soient limitées dans le temps et dans leur
portée et qu'elles contribuent à un objectif d'intérêt commun. La Commission a constaté que la
mesure contribuera à garantir la bonne continuité des services aériens, dans l'intérêt des passagers,
et à maintenir la connectivité avec les territoires français d'outre-mer, sans fausser indûment la
concurrence au sein du marché unique. Compte tenu de ce qui précède, la Commission est donc
parvenue à la conclusion que l'aide à la restructuration prévue est compatible avec les règles de l'UE
en matière d'aides d'État. En plus de l'aide à la restructuration, la France a notifié à la Commission
une mesure visant à compenser le préjudice subi par Corsair entre le 17 mars et le 30 juin 2020 en
raison des mesures de confinement et des restrictions de déplacement introduites par la France et

d'autres pays de destination pour limiter la propagation du coronavirus. La Commission a apprécié la
mesure au regard de l'article 107, paragraphe 2, point b), du traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union
européenne (TFUE), qui permet à la Commission d'autoriser les aides d'État accordées par les États
membres afin d'indemniser certaines sociétés ou certains secteurs pour des dommages causés
directement par des événements extraordinaires, tels que la pandémie de coronavirus. La
Commission a estimé en particulier que l'aide accordée par la France permettra de compenser un
préjudice directement lié aux restrictions de déplacement instaurées dans le contexte de la
pandémie de coronavirus. Elle a également constaté que la mesure était proportionnée, la
compensation n'allant pas au-delà du montant nécessaire pour remédier au préjudice. Sur cette
base, la Commission a conclu que la mesure d'indemnisation française est conforme aux règles de
l'UE en matière d'aides d'État. Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la
politique de concurrence, s'est exprimée en ces termes: « Corsair connaissait des difficultés
financières, qui se sont trouvées aggravées par la pandémie de coronavirus. Les décisions de ce jour
permettent à la France de soutenir la compagnie aérienne au moyen de deux mesures distinctes.
L'aide à la restructuration permettra à Corsair de financer en partie le plan de restructuration censé
rétablir sa viabilité et contribuera à éviter des perturbations pour les passagers dans les territoires
ultrapériphériques de l'Union européenne. La seconde mesure compensera le préjudice subi par
Corsair en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus, qui a frappé particulièrement durement le secteur
de l'aviation. » Le communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna
Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229
90526)

State aid: Commission approves modification of Spanish ‘umbrella' scheme to further
support economy in coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found the modification of a Spanish ‘umbrella' scheme to support
economy in coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the Temporary Framework. The existing scheme,
providing guarantees on loans to companies and the self-employed affected by the coronavirus
outbreak, was approved by the Commission on 2 April 2020 under case number SA.56851. Following
the approval of the first amendment to the scheme on 24 April 2020 and the second amendment on
22 October 2020, Spain notified further modifications which allow final beneficiaries to request some
changes to the terms of existing guaranteed loans granted under already authorised schemes or as
de minimis aid. The changes to the terms of the guaranteed loans that can be requested are: (i) an
extension of the initial period, during which no instalments of principal repayments have to be paid,
for an additional 12 months, not exceeding an overall period of 24 months and/or (ii) an extension of
maturity by a maximum of three years, up to a total of eight years. Spain foresees safeguards to
ensure that the additional advantage drawn from these modifications is passed on to the final
beneficiaries. Moreover, the amendments include the possibility to guarantee new refinancing
operations for up to eight years. The Commission found that the amendments are in line with the
conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the extension of maturity to up to
eight years implies the application of higher guarantee premiums in order to account for the
additional years. The aim of the further amendment is to ease financing conditions for the final
beneficiaries to better address the protracted duration of the crisis, in line with the fourth
amendment to the Temporary Framework, which clarified the possibility to modify existing
guaranteed loans. The measures can be implemented until 30 June 2021. The Commission concluded
that the scheme, as modified, is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious
disturbance in the economy of 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 amended scheme
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.59196 in
the State aid register on the Commission's competition website. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229
90526)

State aid: Commission approves Danish scheme to support organisers of events affected by
coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Danish scheme to support
event organisers affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid
Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the support will take the form of direct grants. The
scheme will be open to organisers of events with 350 or more participants, especially in the field of
culture, sport and business which, though not prohibited, are subject to various restrictions, such as

imposing mandatory protective gear, additional sanitary requirements, safe distancing and a
requirement that participants must be seated on fixed seats facing the same direction. These general
compulsory governmental restrictions may lead to the cancellation, deferral or substantial
modification of the events. The aim of the scheme is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that
the beneficiaries are facing due to these restrictive measures, and to ensure continuity of their
economic activity. The scheme will be applicable between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021,
provided that the governmental restrictions remain in force. The estimated budget is DKK 15 million
(around €2 million) per month. The Commission found that this scheme is in line with the conditions
set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €800,000 per
beneficiary; and (ii) aid will be granted before 30 June 2021. The Commission 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 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.59960 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; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229
90526)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition de Questel par Eurazeo et IK
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle en commun de Questel International SAS (« Questel ») par la société
Eurazeo SE, toutes les deux basées en France, et la société IK Investment Partners (« IK ») basée au
Luxembourg. Questel est un fournisseur international de logiciels et services dédiés à la propriété
intellectuelle principalement actif aux États-Unis, en Europe (essentiellement en Allemagne, France,
et Suède) et en Asie. Eurazeo est une société d'investissement présente dans de nombreux secteurs
tels que notamment la gestion d'établissements d'hébergement de personnes âgées dépendantes et
de centres de soins de suite et de réadaptation. IK, qui détient actuellement le contrôle exclusif de
Questel, est active dans un large éventail de secteurs, tels que les services aux entreprises,
l'alimentation et les biens de consommation. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée
ne soulèverait pas de problèmes de concurrence, en raison de son impact limité sur le marché.
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 sous le numéro d'affaire M.10045. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna
Podesta – Tél. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tél.: +32 229 55344)

Mergers: Commission clears the creation of a joint venture by Sumitomo and Tech Mahindra
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over the newly created joint venture SCTM Engineering Corporation of Japan, by Sumitomo
Corporation (‘Sumitomo') of Japan and Tech Mahindra Limited (‘Tech Mahindra') of India. The newly
created joint venture will provide engineering services to the automotive sector. Sumitomo is a
trading and investment company which provides services and products in several sectors. Tech
Mahindra provides information technology and business process outsourcing services. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns as the
joint venture will have limited activities 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.9998. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico by Mazda
Motor Corporation
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Mazda
Motor Manufacturing de Mexico (‘MMMdM') of Mexico by Mazda Motor Corporation (‘Mazda') of Japan.
MMMdM primarily manufactures and sells Mazda-branded vehicles in Central and South America.
Before the transaction, MMMdM was jointly controlled by Mazda and Sumitomo Corporation of Japan.
Mazda manufactures and sells passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The Commission concluded
that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because Mazda already had joint
control of MMMdM and the change to sole control does not give rise to significant changes in
MMMdM's strategic market positioning. 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.10048. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.
+32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of Clara-Pensions by CPPIB and
Sixth Street
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of Clara-Pensions Group Limited (‘Clara-Pensions') of the UK, by Canada Pension Plan
Investment Board (‘CPPIB') of Canada and Sixth Street Partners (‘Sixth Street') of the US. Clara-
Pensions is a commercial consolidator of defined benefit pension schemes. It will operate as a
defined benefit occupational pension scheme that accepts bulk transfers of assets and liabilities from
employers' defined benefit pension schemes. It will manage the pension scheme and in the long
term it will arrange for an insurer to buy out the remaining assets and liabilities under the scheme.
CPPIB is a professional investment management organisation. Sixth Street is a global investment
firm with offices in the US, UK, Luxembourg, China and Australia. The Commission concluded that
the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the very limited horizontal
overlaps and vertical relationships between the companies' activities. The transaction was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's on
the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.10005.
(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of UGG by Allianz and TEF Infra
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Unsere Grüne Glasfaser GmbH & Co. KG (‘UGG') of Germany by Allianz SE (‘Allianz') of
Germany and Telefónica Infra, S.L.U. (‘TEF Infra') of Spain. UGG's business consists of the design,
roll-out, operation and marketing of fibre optic networks in defined rural and semi-rural areas within
Germany. Allianz is the ultimate parent company of the Allianz group, which offers a comprehensive
range of insurance and asset management products and services to both private and corporate
customers in more than 70 countries. TEF Infra is active in the management and monetisation of a
portfolio of assets, focusing on the development and monetisation of towers, distributed antenna
systems, data centres and greenfield fibre and subsea cable projects, among others. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the companies'
moderate combined market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. 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.10051. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

High Representative Borrell chairs the EU-Latin America and Caribbean informal Ministerial
meeting in Berlin
Today, High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, is in Berlin to chair the EU-Latin America
and Caribbean (LAC) informal Ministerial meeting, hosted by the German Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Heiko Maas. Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People and Commissioner for
Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, and Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will
also participate virtually, together with Foreign Affairs Ministers from the EU and LAC. The meeting
aims to re-launch high-level political engagement with Latin America and Caribbean, ahead of the
formal conclusion of the Post-Cotonou Agreement. More concretely, it will focus on three main issues:
how to step up cooperation to address the immediate effects of COVID-19 and ensure universal and
fair access to vaccines, treatments and testing; how to build back better while promoting a green
partnership; and finally, how to reap the potential of new digital technologies for sustainable and
inclusive growth. The EU-Mercosur Association agreement will also be discussed. A joint press
conference with High Representative Borrell and German Foreign Affairs Minister Maas will take
place at 13:00 CET, which you can follow live on EbS. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.:
+32 229 88093; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Digitalisation of EU justice: Commissioner Reynders hosts an online roundtable discussion
with legal professionals
Today, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, is hosting an online roundtable to discuss how to
boost the level of digitalisation of EU justice systems. The roundtable brings together legal
practitioners such as judges and prosecutors as well as representatives of legal professions
associations. This event follows the Communication on digitalisation of justice in the EU, adopted on
2 December. Ahead of the meeting, Commissioner Reynders said: “Access to justice is crucial for
European citizens and businesses – not just offline, but also online. The COVID-19 crises is a strong
reminder of this fact. I am looking forward to the exchange with our panelists. With Member States
we need to ensure they have digital tools they need to carry out their jobs efficiently in a fast-
evolving technological environment.” The event will be broadcast live by EbS. (For more information:
Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli –
Tel.: +32 229 92729)

Commissioner Dalli participates in the 8th meeting of the High Level Group on racism and
xenophobia
Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, will participate today in the 8 th meeting of the High Level
Group on combating racism and xenophobia, where she will present the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan
adopted in September 2020. Commissioner Dalli said: “The meeting of the High Level Group is an
important tool towards the building of an anti-racist EU. I am grateful for the invaluable work of
those on the front line, experts and activists, who on a daily basis are fighting against racist and
xenophobic hate crime and hate speech as well as discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic
origin in our society. Our new anti-racism action plan strengthens the European response and
supports action at national level, in particular the development of national action plans against
racism.” The session this morning focused on support to hate crime victims, the hate crime training
for law enforcement, collection of data and hate crime recording as well as illegal hate speech online.
The afternoon session will provide an opportunity to national authorities and civil society
organisations to exchange good practice and for the Commission coordinators on combating
antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred to update the participants on their work. Launched in 2016, the
High Level Group provides a platform to support EU and national efforts in fighting racism,
xenophobia and other forms of intolerance. Led by the Commission, it regularly brings together
experts from national authorities responsible for countering hate crime and hate speech, civil society
organisations, international organisations, and IT companies. More information is available online.
(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.:+32 229
63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel: +32 229 92729)

EU International Ocean Governance Forum 2020
From today until 16 December, the EU International Ocean Governance Forum 2020 - ‘Setting the
Course for a Sustainable Blue Planet' will take place, co-hosted by the European Commission and the
European External Action Service (EEAS). The Forum's high-level opening on December 14 will
feature Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for
Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The International Ocean Governance (IOG) Forum is part of the
follow-up to the International Ocean Governance Agenda adopted by the Commission in 2016. The
event will take stock and further develop the contributions and proposals made during the first round
of International Ocean Governance Forum webinars and workshops organised from April to July 2020,
and be complemented by an online consultation running until October 2021. Participants will discuss
how the International Ocean Governance Forum can best support the post-2020 International Ocean
Governance Agenda in its ambitions for a clean, safe and sustainably managed ocean. Workshops on
15-16 December will translate initial ideas into concrete recommendations for priority actions that
the forum will provide to the European Commission and the EEAS in 2021. (For more information:
Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229 58602; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Eurostat press releases

Europe Direct Contact Centre: Brexit helpline for citizens
As we are approaching the end of the transition period on 1 January 2021, the Europe Direct Contact
Centre (EDCC) – the EU's single phone number for citizens – will remain at the disposal of citizens,
businesses and stakeholders to answer Brexit-related questions in all 24 official languages. Questions
related to the UK will be treated as a matter of priority. This is part and parcel of the EU's overall
readiness for the end of the transition period. The Contact Centre is available via free phone from all
Member States and the United Kingdom (00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11) and by webform. For more
information about the EDCC, see facts and figures, 2019 Annual Activity Report and audiovisual
material).
                                                                                            MEX/20/2414