European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 14 / 09 / 2020
Brussels, 14 September 2020
EU-China Leaders' videoconference preceded by signature of agreement on geographical
indications
This afternoon, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with European Council
President Charles Michel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will hold a videoconference with the
President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. EU High Representative/Vice-
President Josep Borrell will also participate. The videoconference follows the 22nd EU-China
Summit that took place on 22 June, and will be an opportunity to discuss and make progress on key
aspects of EU-China relations, including climate action, economic and trade issues, as well as the
coronavirus response, international and regional issues, and human rights. President von der Leyen,
President Michel and Chancellor Merkel will participate in a press conference at the end of the
meeting, which will be broadcast live at 16:00 on EbS. Ahead of the leaders' meeting, the EU and
China have signed a bilateral agreement to protect 100 European Geographical Indications (GIs) in
China and 100 Chinese GIs in the European Union against usurpation and imitation. This agreement,
first concluded in November 2019, should bring reciprocal trade benefits as well as introducing
consumers to guaranteed, quality products on both sides. A press release and a factsheet are
available online. For more information on EU-China relations, visit the website of the EU Delegation in
Beijing, and consult the dedicated factsheet. (For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229
94073; Nabila Massrali - Tel.: +32 229 88093; Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075;
Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 229 13963)

Coronavirus: Commission starts testing interoperability gateway service for national
contact tracing and warning apps
To exploit fully the potential of mobile proximity contact tracing and warning apps to break the chain
of coronavirus infections and save lives, the Commission is setting up an interoperability
gateway service to ensure that apps will work seamlessly also cross-borders. Thus, users will only
need to install one app and will still be able to report a positive infection test or receive an alert,
even if they travel abroad. Today, an important milestone has been reached as a group of Member
States starts testing the infrastructure: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and
Latvia participate in the pilot. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Single Market, said: “Many Member
States have implemented national contact tracing and warning applications. It is now time to make
them interact with each other. Travel and personal exchange are the core of the European project
and the Single Market. The gateway will facilitate this in these times of pandemic and will save
lives.” Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, added: “Coronavirus tracing and
warning apps working across borders can be powerful tools in our efforts to contain the spread of
COVID-19. With cases on the rise again, apps can complement other measures like increased testing
and manual contact tracing. If used widely enough, they can help us break the chains of
transmission. We will not stop fighting on all fronts against the pandemic.” In the fight against
coronavirus, most Member States have launched a national contact tracing and warning app, or plan
to do so. The setup of the interoperability gateway service by the Commission follows the agreement
by Member States on technical specifications to deliver a European solution to ensure a safe
exchange of information between the backend servers of national contact tracing and warning apps
based on a decentralised architecture. This covers almost all such apps launched in the EU. The
gateway is developed and set up by T-Systems and SAP and will be operated by the Commission. A
press release is available here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615;
Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

EU Cohesion policy: Funding available for cultural projects in the Outermost Regions and
Overseas Countries and Territories
Today, the European Commission is launching a new call for proposals worth €1 million to support

artists, cultural organisations and institutions in the EU Outermost Regions as well as in the Overseas
Countries and Territories. The grant will support a minimum of 45 projects with a maximum amount
of €20,000 each. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “The most remote
parts of the European Union, our Outermost Regions, have a unique and rich culture which we must
preserve. The support that we launch today will make a difference in promoting and in sustaining the
culture sector of these territories, which was badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.” Selected
projects will aim at safeguarding, supporting and fostering local and indigenous culture, popular arts
and practices as well as the ancestral culture of the Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and
Territories, improving cultural dialogue and promoting the dissemination of cultural and creative
works, especially through digital technologies. More details about this call for proposals are
available here. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli – Tel.:
+32 229 87269)

EU channels further aid for refugees on Lesbos
Following a large fire that destroyed the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos, Greece
has now requested further assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In an immediate
response, Denmark, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Germany have offered hundreds of tents, blankets,
winterisation kits and sleeping bags. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said:
"The EU will do all it can to assist Greece and the refugees affected. I thank all countries sending
help and putting EU solidarity into action.” The new support comes on top of assistance sent by
Poland, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Netherlands, and France since April which includes housing units,
sleeping bags, mattresses, blankets, sheets, toiletries items, four medical containers, and one
medical station. Moreover, responding to a previous request for EU assistance in the beginning of
March, 17 Member and participating states offered over 90,000 items to Greece through the
Mechanism. The European Union's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in regular
contact with the Greek authorities to closely monitor the situation and facilitate delivery of the EU
assistance. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32
229 69140)

L'UE renforce l'aide apportée au Liban – Le commissaire européen chargé de la gestion des
crises se rend à Beyrouth
Arrivé le samedi à Beyrouth à bord d'un vol humanitaire organisé dans le cadre du pont aérien de
l'UE, Janez Lenarčič, commissaire européen chargé de la gestion des crises, a commencé une visite
officielle au Liban où il a rencontré le Premier ministre désigné Mustapha Adib et a supervisé les
efforts en matière d'aide de l'UE à la suite des explosions dévastatrices survenues dans la ville. Le vol
(le troisième vol de ce type à destination du Liban dans le cadre du pont aérien humanitaire de l'UE)
fournit 30 tonnes d'aide essentielle, notamment des ambulances, des équipements de protection
individuelle, des médicaments et des équipements de télécommunication.
Janez Lenarčič, commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, a fait la déclaration suivante : « La
population libanaise bénéficie du soutien plein et entier de l'UE. De nombreuses personnes
continuent de souffrir à la suite des explosions et en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus. Nous
envisageons certes la relance, mais nous devons également apporter une aide essentielle à ceux qui
ont perdu leur logement et qui ont besoin de soins de santé d'urgence. Il faudra consentir un effort
concerté de reconstruction, reposant sur des réformes décisives – mais, pour l'heure, nous
fournissons une aide d'urgence aux personnes dont les moyens de subsistance ont été détruits par
les explosions. » Le fret de ce dernier vol a été offert par l'agence portugaise de coopération
(Camões) et l'ONG allemande Orienthelfer. Au total, 54 tonnes de biens humanitaires, de
médicaments et d'équipements médicaux ont été livrées au Liban par trois vols humanitaires. Les
vols sont organisés et financés par l'UE. Le communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus
d'informations : Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tél.: +32 229 69140)

Digitalisation of justice: Two new studies on digital criminal justice and the use of
innovative technology
In the context of ongoing work on the digitalisation of justice in the EU, today the European
Commission has published two studies on digital criminal justice and the use of innovative
technologies in the justice field. The study on digital criminal justice suggests concrete actions to
address current deficiencies in this area. These include creating a new Case Management System for
Eurojust, a specific IT-platform that enables large files to be shared in cross-border investigations,
and updates for communication tools. The study on the use of innovative technologies focuses on the
use of Artificial Intelligence and innovative technologies in accessing justice, and concludes that

better coordination of efforts and activities are needed at EU-level, as research has shown that there
are numerous projects in the Member States with similar objectives, problems and technologies. The
findings of both studies will feed into the upcoming Communication on digitalisation of justice,
alongside the results of an ongoing consultation on the roadmap for the Communication, open to the
public until 24 September 2020. More information can be found on the pages on digitalisation of
justice. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko -
Tel.:+32 229 63444; Alice Hobbs – Tel: +32 229 80829)

State aid: Commission approves €1 million Lithuanian scheme to support tour operators
repatriating travellers in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission approved a €1 million Lithuanian scheme to support tour operators that
had to repatriate travellers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved
under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants and
will amount to 75% of the expenses incurred by the operator to repatriate travellers from abroad
between 26 February and 31 March 2020. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden
liquidity shortages that the affected tour operators are facing because of the repatriation costs. The
Commission found that the Lithuanian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the
Temporary Framework. In particular, the support per company will not exceed €800,000 and will be
granted no later than 31 December 2020. 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.58476 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 €6.37 million aid for Debrecen airport in Hungary
The European Commission has found that operating aid of approximately €6.37 million (almost HUF
2.2 billion) to secure the functioning of the Debrecen airport in Hungary is in line with EU State aid
rules. Debrecen airport is a small regional airport located in Hungary's Northern Great Plain region. It
is operated by Debrecen International Airport Kft., which is majority owned by Debrecen
Municipality. Following the recent difficulties experienced, the operating aid, which covers the period
2019-2024, aims to keep the airport running until it gradually becomes profitable again. The
Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the rules on operating aid
for small airports under the Aviation Guidelines. It found that, while in the past three years the
airport had experienced a significant growth in passengers, the coronavirus outbreak severely
impacted its operations and future growth prospects. When assessing the appropriateness and
proportionality of the measure under the Guidelines, the Commission took these exceptional
circumstances into account. In particular, the Commission concluded that the measure will
contribute to improving the region's connectivity and development, as well as alleviating air traffic
congestion, without unduly distorting competition in the Single market. On this basis, the
Commission concluded that the operating aid is in line with EU State aid rules. More information will
be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case
number SA.57109 once 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 de Végéhub et Yumi par
Bonduelle, Unibel et Sparkling Partners
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition de Végéhub et Yumi par Bonduelle, Unibel et Sparkling Partners, toutes basées en
France. Végéhub et Yumi sont actives dans la fabrication et la commercialisation de jus de fruits et
de légumes. Bonduelle est active dans la production et la commercialisation de légumes transformés
(légumes en boîte, frais et surgelés). Unibel est active dans la production et la commercialisation de
fromages industriels et de fruits transformés (compotes et confitures). Sparkling Partners investit
dans des sociétés « start-up » actives dans divers secteurs, dont le secteur de l'agroalimentaire. La
Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence
compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure des marchés en cause. La transaction 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.9908. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna

Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

International Day of Democracy: redoubling efforts to defend democracy inside our Union
and across the world
Ahead of the International Day of Democracy, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and
Vice-President Dubravka Šuica issued the following joint statement: “Across the world, people
continue to demonstrate, often at great personal risk, their desire for democracy. From Hong Kong to
Lebanon, Belarus to Sudan, behind the headlines and numbers are brave and courageous people
from all backgrounds. We pay tribute to them and share their commitment to democracy.” The joint
statement underlines that the European Union is redoubling its efforts and leading role in promoting
and protecting democracy - supporting its partners worldwide, as well as taking steps to safeguard
and strengthen democracy inside our Union. “We understand that our European citizens' belief in
democracy cannot and should not ever be taken for granted. Our citizens have been asking for
greater participation in policy-making, and have been asking for transparency. We must listen and
we must build trust”, said High Representative/Vice-President Borrell and Vice-President Šuica.
“The European Union is founded on a strong engagement to promote and protect democracy,
alongside human rights and the rule of law. Without democracy, peace and stability, long-term
development and prosperity cannot exist. We must continue to be its trailblazers.” The full statement
is available online. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Susanne Conze –
Tel.: +32 229 80236; Adam Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359)

70th WHO Regional Committee for Europe: the Commission and WHO Europe strengthen
partnership and health cooperation
Today, in the context of the 70th session of its Regional Committee for Europe, WHO Europe and the
Commission will publish this afternoon a joint statement titled ‘A deeper and result-oriented
partnership for health in Europe'. The statement focuses on cooperation in five priority areas: health
security, health systems, non-communicable diseases with a focus on cancer, sustainable food
systems and health as well as health cooperation with non-EU countries. Commissioner for Health
and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, stressed that: “Only multilateralism can bring us global solutions
to crises such as the one we have been facing since the beginning of 2020. On behalf of the
Commission, I would like to recognise and support the leadership role that the WHO has played at
both global and European level. I welcome WHO's European Work programme for 2020-2025 which
complements the work of the Commission. Most urgently, we need to join forces to develop safe and
effective vaccines and therapeutics to fight coronavirus. Because no one is safe until everyone is
safe.” A keynote address by Commissioner Kyriakides this afternoon will be available here. (For
more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 229
13917)

Aviation: Statement by Commissioner Vălean on the Commission's intention to extend the
slot waiver
Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, has issued a statement following today's adoption of the
Commission report on the potential extension of the Slot Regulation
amendment. Commissioner Vălean said: “Today's report shows that air traffic levels remain low, and
more importantly, they are not likely to recover in the near future. In this context, the lack of
certainty over slots makes it difficult for airlines to plan their schedules, making planning difficult for
airports and passengers. To address the need for certainty and responding to traffic data, I intend to
extend the slot waiver for the 2020/2021 winter season, until 27 March 2021.” The full statement is
available online. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680;
Stephan Meder– Tel.: +32 229 13917)

Eurostat press releases
                          MEX/20/1642