European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 22 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 22 June 2021
NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses recovery and resilience plans of
Slovakia and Latvia
The European Commission has adopted positive assessments of the recovery and resilience plans of
Slovakia and Latvia. This is an important step towards disbursing funds under the Recovery and
Resilience Facility (RRF) to these Member States. This financing will support the implementation of
the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in each Member State's recovery and resilience
plan. The RRF will play an important role in enabling them to emerge stronger from the COVID-19
pandemic. The Commission assessed the plans based on the criteria set out in the RRF Regulation.
The Council will now have, as a rule, four weeks to adopt the Commission's proposals. The RRF – at
the heart of NextGenerationEU – will provide up to €672.5 billion (in current prices) to support
investments and reforms across the EU. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229
58197; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Commission supports researchers and organisations with
€822 million in 2021
Today, the Commission announced new calls to support researchers' training, skills and career
development under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU's flagship funding
programme under Horizon Europe for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. Mariya Gabriel,
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: "The COVID-19 crisis
has highlighted once more the importance of Europe's reliance on highly skilled researchers able to
detect and tackle upcoming challenges. It also showed the value of communicating scientific
evidence to policy-makers and the public, and working across disciplines. In this context, the Marie
Skłodowska-Curie Actions are a crucial instrument. Since its launch 25 years ago, the programme
has been encouraging more women and men into research careers, promoting Europe's
attractiveness for top talents from around the world.” The calls follow the adoption of the Horizon
Europe 2021-2022 work programme. With a total budget of €6.6 billion over 2021-2027, Marie
Skłodowska-Curie Actions support researchers from all over the world, at all stages of their careers
and in all disciplines. The actions also benefit institutions by supporting excellent doctoral,
postdoctoral programmes and collaborative research, and innovation projects, boosting their global
attractiveness and visibility and fostering cooperation beyond academia, including with big
companies and SMEs. In 2021, around €822 million are available to support researchers' careers and
foster excellence in research and innovation. More information can be found in our press release and
factsheet. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tel.:
+32 229 88199)

COVID-19 Vaccines: Commission activates the purchase of 150 million optional doses by
Moderna for vaccines in 2022
Today, the European Commission approved the amendment to the second contract with the
pharmaceutical company Moderna for the activation, on behalf of all EU Member States, of 150
million additional doses in 2022. The revised contract provides for the possibility to purchase
vaccines adapted to virus variants as well as vaccines for paediatric use and booster vaccines. Thanks
to the well-established cooperation with the company, the contract also guarantees timely delivery
from the third quarter of 2021 to end 2022 and the possibility to adapt it to the needs of each
Member State depending on their epidemiological situation. Member States have the possibility to
resell or donate doses to countries in need outside the EU or through the COVAX Facility,
contributing to a global and fair access to vaccines across the world. President of the European
Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We are securing 150 million additional doses of vaccines.
And we are securing a contract for the flexibility we need to procure a new generation of adapted
COVID-19 vaccines, that are effective against variants. This will enable us to protect citizens from

new variants of the virus.” Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “As
agreed with all Health Ministers, we are securing a diversified portfolio of future vaccines, with yet
another mRNA vaccine that has already proven its worth. We must be ready for any scenario and
think one step ahead. Our portfolio approach has clearly showed its value and we will continue on
this path, including by looking at other technologies.” Today's contract with Moderna builds upon the
broad portfolio of vaccines that will ensure Europe has access to up to 4.4 billion doses, once all the
vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker
- Tel : +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy - Tel : +32 229 83978)

REACT-EU: Almost €253 million for Estonia, Slovakia and Sweden to improve skills, support
people in need and invest in the green and digital transitions
The Commission will grant a total of almost €253 million to Estonia, Slovakia and Sweden by
modifying three European Social Fund (ESF) and Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD)
operational programmes (OP) under REACT-EU. These OP amendments will help the Member States
and regions concerned to deal with the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and
boost a fair green and digital recovery. In Estonia, the FEAD OP receives a top-up of €4.5 million for
additional food aid for people in need until the end of 2023. This will allow the Estonian food banks
and social workers to deliver food packages to roughly 25,000 people per year, with increased needs
as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Slovakia will receive an additional €19 million to the FEAD OP to
provide food packages to roughly 72,000 people in need per year until the year 2023. In Sweden, an
additional €229.9 million to the ESF OP will mainly go towards investment for growth and
employment to support 53,000 people who lost their jobs in the pandemic with labour market
training, career guidance, matching activities, and preparations for studies or further education.
REACT-EU is part of NextGenerationEU and provides €50.6 billion additional funding (in current
prices) over the course of 2021 and 2022 to Cohesion policy programmes. Measures focus on
supporting labour market resilience, jobs, SMEs and low-income families, as well as setting future-
proof foundations for the green and digital transitions and a sustainable socio-economic recovery.
(For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229
58197; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

2030 Digital Decade: Commission seeks view on toolbox to reach EU digital targets
Today, the Commission launches a consultation, and a discussion forum to gather feedback on the
Commission's Digital Compass. The aim is to collect views on accelerating the digital transformation,
on reaching the 2030 digital targets, on ensuring coordinated actions with Member States, on
identifying the policy options to support the objectives and on implementing multi-country projects.
Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager, said: “Today we
ask Europe's citizens and businesses to share their views and help us prepare the upcoming Digital
Compass policy programme that will guide the digital transition.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for
Internal Market, added: “We outlined the vision of a digitally empowered Europe. We must now
upgrade the EU's toolbox and regulatory framework to make this vision a reality by 2030. In this
context, we turn to citizens, innovators, SMEs, Member States and public authorities, local, economic
and social partners, as well as digital stakeholders from research and civil society to help us define
the tools to reach our collective digital targets.” The consultation, open until 3 August, together with
the discussion forum will be crucial for preparing the Digital Compass policy programme proposal,
which will translate the EU's ambitions into action. The Commission also recently launched a
consultation on the Digital Decade principles, to gather views on the fundamental values to uphold in
the digital space. You will find more information here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke –
Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

Consumer protection: Commission launches public consultation concerning the distance
marketing of consumer financial services
Today, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on the distance marketing of
financial services offered to consumers. The EU has rules in place to protect consumers when they
sign a contract with a retail financial services provider at a distance, for example on the phone or
online. Any service of a banking, credit, mortgage, insurance, personal pension, investment or
payment nature falls under the scope of the Directive on distance marketing of consumer financial
services whenever the financial service is purchased at a distance. Didier Reynders, Commissioner
for Justice, said: “It is time to adapt our EU rules to current times. Consumers purchase financial
services online more and more. This public consultation will help us identify citizens and companies'
needs so we can make the directive future-proof.”a The results of the public consultation will feed

into the Commission's considerations for a possible revision of the directive, expected in 2022. The
public consultation will gather experiences and opinions from consumers, retail financial services
professionals, national authorities and any other interested stakeholders on the directive. The public
consultation is available here and will be open until 28 September 2021. (For more information:
Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli -
Tel.: +32 229 92729)

L'innovation au service des patients : la Commission se réjouit des progrès réalisés en
faveur des technologies de la santé
La Commission salue l'accord politique sur le règlement relatif à l'évaluation des technologies de la
santé (ETS), conclu hier par le Parlement européen et le Conseil. Ce règlement améliorera la
disponibilité des technologies de santé innovantes, garantira une utilisation efficace des ressources
et renforcera la qualité de l'ETS dans toute l'UE. Il offrira plus de prévisibilité aux acteurs du secteur,
réduira la duplication des efforts pour les autorités et entreprises, renforcera la durabilité à long
terme de la coopération européenne. La commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, Stella
Kyriakides, a déclaré : « Je suis très heureuse que le Parlement européen et le Conseil soient
parvenus à cet accord politique tant attendu sur le règlement relatif à l'évaluation des technologies
de la santé. Ce règlement constituera une avancée significative pour permettre des évaluations
scientifiques conjointes de traitements et de dispositifs médicaux prometteurs au niveau de l'UE. Ces
évaluations scientifiques de haute qualité aideront les États membres à prendre des décisions plus
rapides et fondées sur des données probantes concernant l'accès des patients à leurs systèmes de
santé. Le nouveau règlement sera crucial pour la réalisation des objectifs de la stratégie
pharmaceutique de l'UE et du plan européen "vaincre le cancer", notamment lorsqu'il s'agira de
faciliter l'accès aux médicaments innovants et de répondre aux besoins médicaux non satisfaits, avec
des avantages importants pour les patients dans toute l'UE. La mise en place d'un système solide
d'ETS est essentielle pour une Union européenne de la santé forte. Je tiens à remercier les
présidences précédentes et la présidence portugaise pour le travail accompli au cours de l'année
écoulée et pour la participation du Parlement européen à cet important dossier. La Commission a
présenté son initiative législative le 31 janvier 2018 déjà, et si le Parlement européen a clôturé sa
première lecture en février 2019, les discussions au Conseil ont été difficiles. Le résultat d'hier est
une réussite majeure pour la coopération de l'UE et je me réjouis d'une adoption rapide par les deux
institutions dans les mois à venir. » Le règlement remplacera le système actuel de coopération entre
États Membres, basé sur des projets financés par l'UE, par un cadre permanent de travail conjoint. Il
devra maintenant être formellement adopté par le Conseil et le Parlement européen avant de pouvoir
entrer en vigueur. Un communique de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations :
Stefan De Keersmaecker - Tél : +32 229 84680 ; Darragh Cassidy - Tél : +32 229 83978)

EU and Republic of Angola launch negotiations for a first-ever Sustainable Investment
Facilitation Agreement
Today, the European Commission and the Republic of Angola kicked off negotiations for a
Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement. This is the first round of the first-ever bilateral
agreement on investment facilitation that the EU is negotiating. The agreement will be based on
good governance and cooperation, and will focus on achieving a number of goals, including
investment facilitation, encouraging e-government, enhancing public-private dialogue, promoting
sustainable development, or contributing to Angola's economic diversification. Executive Vice-
President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “Launching negotiations with
Angola shows that we are deepening our engagement with African countries – a key pledge of the
new EU trade strategy launched in February 2021. Africa is our nearest neighbour and we should
develop our partnership of equals. This new form of investment agreement will promote sustainable
and responsible investment, which will diversify and improve the resilience of our economies, and
support our climate and energy transformations. I also welcome Angola's interest in joining the
Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Southern African Development
Community. Building closer ties between us will support our mutual stability and prosperity.” The
agreement contributes to the EU's broader strategy to step up its engagement with African partners
to unlock their economic potential, foster economic diversification, and promote inclusive growth.
More information is available in our press release. (For more information: Miriam García Ferrer – Tel.:
+32 229 99075; Álvaro Rangel Hernández – Tel.: +32 229 13665)

Investment Plan for Europe in Bulgaria: supporting students to invest into digital skills
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Telerik Academy have signed a guarantee agreement

covering a portfolio of tuition fee deferrals of up to €2.5 million to help students finance their IT skills
training. The guarantee is backed by the Commission European Fund for Strategic Investments
(EFSI) Skills & Education Guarantee Pilot, a debt financing initiative launched in 2020 for stimulating
investments in education, training and skills. This agreement will benefit students from across
Bulgaria who can also join courses online. In addition to digital skills training, Telerik Academy offers
career soft skills training, coaching and mentoring to support students both during their studies and
after graduation, and ensure a successful start to their career. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for
Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “Digital technology and IT skills are no
longer optional in our societies, instead they have become essential. The COVID-19 crisis has both
accelerated the digital transformation and highlighted a need for deeper cooperation across sectors
and industries. I am therefore delighted to announce the first agreement under the EFSI Skills &
Education Guarantee Pilot in Bulgaria, which will support students throughout Bulgaria in their
education and career development. This important initiative will contribute to turning our vision for
Europe's recovery and digital and green transitions into reality.” The Investment Plan for Europe has
so far mobilised €546.5 billion of investment across the EU, including €4.6 billion in Bulgaria. The
press release is available here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora
Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

Education for Climate Coalition: European Commission organised the first gathering of
young people and education communities
This morning, the Education for Climate Coalition met in an online conference, where students,
teachers, education institutions and stakeholders discussed with policymakers how young people and
the education community in general can be involved in achieving a climate neutral and sustainable
society through concrete actions. Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and
Youth Mariya Gabriel, said: “'To make a difference' – this is what the #EducationForClimate Coalition
is all about. To make a difference in your school, in your neighbourhood, in the very region you live in
and where you contribute actively to the green transition our societies go through.” During the
conference, a community panel with Commissioner Gabriel, Minister Tiago Brandão Rodrigues,
Portugese Minister of Education from the Council Presidency, and Anne Karjalainen, Member of the
Committee of the Regions/FI/ PES, Chair of the SEDEC Commission opened the conference. Pupils,
teachers and education stakeholders then presented the first co-designed community prototype, and
participants learned how they can participate in a series of workshops being organised from July to
November 2021. The Education for Climate Coalition was launched in December 2020 to mobilise the
education and training community to work together towards achieving a climate neutral and
sustainable European Union. Through a new website, students, teachers and other interested parties
in the education system can join the community and engage in climate-related education initiatives.
More information and a recording of the conference are available online. (For more information:
Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

Lancement de la plateforme européenne de lutte contre le sans-abrisme lors d'une
conférence de haut niveau à Lisbonne
Les institutions européennes, les gouvernements de l'UE et la société civile se sont engagés pour la
première fois à œuvrer ensemble à la lutte contre le sans-abrisme dans l'UE. Lors d'une conférence
de haut niveau qui s'est tenue hier, le 21 juin, à Lisbonne, ils ont lancé la plateforme européenne de
lutte contre le sans-abrisme afin de susciter le dialogue, de faciliter l'apprentissage mutuel,
d'améliorer la collecte des données factuelles et le suivi, et de renforcer la coopération entre tous les
acteurs qui tentent de lutter contre le sans-abrisme. La conférence de haut niveau à Lisbonne a été
coorganisée par la présidence portugaise du Conseil de l'UE, la Commission européenne et la
Fédération européenne des associations nationales travaillant avec les sans-abri (FEANTSA). Lors de
cette manifestation, les ministres nationaux ainsi que des représentants des institutions de l'UE, des
organisations de la société civile, des partenaires sociaux et des villes ont signé la « Déclaration de
Lisbonne sur la plateforme européenne de lutte contre le sans-abrisme » lançant la plateforme. Tous
se sont engagés à travailler ensemble sous l'égide de la plateforme et à mener des actions dans le
cadre de leurs compétences respectives. Au cours de la conférence de haut niveau, trois projets des
États membres de l'UE (Tchéquie, Portugal et Italie), soutenus par le Fonds social européen (FSE) et
le Fonds européen d'aide aux plus démunis (FEAD), ont reçu le prix « Ending Homelessness 2021 ».
Le commissaire à l'emploi et aux droits sociaux, Nicolas Schmit, a déclaré à ce sujet: « Le sans-
abrisme est la forme d'exclusion sociale la plus extrême et il est en augmentation dans toute l'Union.
C'est maintenant qu'il nous faut agir. La plateforme européenne de lutte contre le sans-abrisme
aidera les partenaires à partager leurs expériences et les mesures qui ont fonctionné dans leurs
régions et villes, de manière à nous permettre de réduire radicalement le sans-abrisme en Europe. Le

logement et l'aide aux sans-abri constituent le principe n°19 du socle européen des droits sociaux —
il s'agit là d'un impératif moral si nous voulons réellement construire une société juste et solidaire. »
Un communiqué de presse et le discours du commissaire Schmit lors de la session d'ouverture de la
conférence sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229
58197; Flora Matthaes – Tél.: +32 229 83951)

Antitrust: Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct by Google
in the online advertising technology sector
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Google has
violated EU competition rules by favouring its own online display advertising technology services in
the so called 'ad tech' supply chain, to the detriment of competing providers of advertising
technology services, advertisers and online publishers. The formal investigation will notably examine
whether Google is distorting competition by restricting access by third parties to user data for
advertising purposes on websites and apps, while reserving such data for its own use. The
Commission's investigation will focus on display advertising where Google offers a number of
services both to advertisers and publishers. If proven, the practices under investigation may breach
EU competition rules on anticompetitive agreements between companies (Article 101 of the Treaty
on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)) and/or on the abuse of a dominant position
(Articles 102 TFEU). The Commission will now carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of
priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome. Executive Vice-
President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Online advertising services are
at the heart of how Google and publishers monetise their online services. Google collects data to be
used for targeted advertising purposes, it sells advertising space and also acts as an online
advertising intermediary. So Google is present at almost all levels of the supply chain for online
display advertising. We are concerned that Google has made it harder for rival online advertising
services to compete in the so-called ad tech stack. A level playing field is of the essence for everyone
in the supply chain. Fair competition is important - both for advertisers to reach consumers on
publishers' sites and for publishers to sell their space to advertisers, to generate revenues and
funding for content. We will also be looking at Google's policies on user tracking to make sure they
are in line with fair competition.“ A full press release is available online. (For more information:
Daniel Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the manufacturing and
distribution of garments sector
On 22 June 2021, the European Commission has carried out unannounced inspections in Germany at
the premises of a company active in the sector of manufacturing and distribution of garments. The
Commission has concerns that the inspected company may have violated EU antitrust rules that
prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union). The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the German
competition authority. Unannounced inspections are a preliminary investigatory step into suspected
anti-competitive practices. The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean
that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour nor does it prejudge the outcome of the
investigation itself. There is no legal deadline to complete inquiries into anti-competitive conduct. A
full press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves modification of German support scheme for maritime
transport
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the modification of an aid scheme
to support the maritime transport sector in Germany. Under the existing scheme, which was last
approved by the Commission under EU State aid rules in May 2016, shipping companies employing
seafarers on board eligible merchant vessels can benefit from a reduction of wage taxes for their
seafarers. Germany notified to the Commission the following modifications to the existing scheme:
(i) the prolongation of the scheme until 31 May 2027; (ii) an increase of the overall budget of
approximately €70 million per year (previously €25 million per year); and (iii) the extension of the
scheme from only German-flagged vessels to all eligible vessels flying the flag of any European
Economic Area (EEA) country provided that they were registered in a German shipping register. With
respect to the latter, following discussions with the Commission, the German authorities committed
to further open the scheme and to extend it also to eligible vessels registered in other EU/EEA
shipping registers. The Commission found that the scheme, as modified, also in light of the

additional commitment by Germany, is in line with internal market rules as it will ensure that there
is no discrimination between vessels based on the shipping registry in the EU/EEA in which they are
registered. The Commission also found that the scheme, as amended, is line with the Commission's
interpretation of the Guidelines on State aid to maritime transport, as it will contribute to the
competitiveness of the EU maritime transport sector, while boosting employment and ensuring a
level playing field in the EU. More information will be available on the Commission's competition
website, in the public case register under the case number SA.62571. (For more information: Daniel
Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €24 million Danish scheme to support providers of public
passenger transport by rail in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €24 million (approximately DKK 178 million) Danish
scheme to support companies providing public passenger transport services by rail in the context of
the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The
scheme, which aims at helping rail passenger operators address the liquidity shortages they face due
to the large decline in the number of passengers caused by the coronavirus outbreak, consists of two
separate measures. Under both measures, the support will take the form of direct grants. The first
measure consists in limited amounts of aid to the eligible rail operators that face a sudden liquidity
shortage. The second measure provides support for the uncovered fixed costs of public passenger
transport providers that had to reduce their business activity due to the coronavirus outbreak. Under
this measure, the beneficiaries will be eligible to receive the aid provided that they experienced a
decline in turnover of at least 30% in the period between 1 September and 31 December 2020,
compared to the same period in 2019. The Commission found that the Danish scheme is in line with
all the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, with respect to the first
measure, the support will not exceed €1.8 million per beneficiary, as provided by the Temporary
Framework. As regards the second measure, the support will not exceed €10 million per beneficiary,
as provided by the Temporary Framework. Under both measures, the support will be granted no later
than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measures are 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 of the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the
Commission approved the 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.62881 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition
website. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229
55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves amendment to Polish scheme, including budget increase,
to further support companies affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found the modification of a previously approved Polish scheme to
support companies in various sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the
State Aid Temporary Framework. The original scheme was approved by the Commission in March
2021 (SA.61825). Under the scheme, composed of four measures, the aid will take the form of direct
grants and exemption from payment of social security contributions. Poland notified the following
modifications to the existing scheme: (i) an increase in the budget, from approximately €1.1 billion
(PLN 5 billion) to approximately €5.2 billion (PLN 23.9 billion), (ii) a modification of the eligibility
criteria, and (iii) an increase in the number of times that companies can benefit from aid. The
Commission found that the Polish scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary
Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000 per company active in the primary
production sector of agricultural products, €270,000 per company active in the fisheries and
aquaculture sector and €1.8 million per company active in all other sectors; and (ii) will be granted
no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure, as modified, remains
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 aid 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.62885 in the State aid register on the
Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more
information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni –
Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves amendment to Slovak employment aid scheme to preserve
jobs and support the self-employed in context of coronavirus outbreak, including budget
increase
The European Commission has found a modification of an existing Slovak scheme to preserve
employment and support self-employed individuals affected by coronavirus outbreak to be in line
with the State aid Temporary Framework. The original scheme was approved by the Commission in
April 2020 (SA.56986), amended firstly in November 2020 (SA.59280) and secondly in March 2021
(SA.62004). The public support will take the form of direct grants, wage subsidies and wage-
equivalent income support for self-employed individuals. Slovakia notified a 50% increase in the
budget, from €2 billion to €3 billion. The Commission found that the scheme, as modified, is in line
with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the direct grants will not
exceed €1.8 million per company; (ii) the wage subsidies and wage-equivalent income support for
self-employed individuals will not exceed 80% of the monthly gross salary of the benefitting
personnel and 80% of the average nominal monthly salary in 2019, respectively; and (iii) the aid will
be granted no later than on 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the scheme, as
modified, remains 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 Temporary Framework. On
this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under the 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.63294 in the State aid register on the
Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more
information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel: +32 229 86500; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni –
Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NextGenerationEU: la présidente von der Leyen en Belgique et en France pour présenter
l'évaluation de la Commission des plans nationaux pour la reprise et la résilience
La présidente de la Commission Ursula von der Leyen continue son tour de capitales
NextGenerationEU et sera demain, le 23 juin, à Bruxelles et à Paris. Elle présentera personnellement
les résultats de l'évaluation ainsi que la recommandation au Conseil pour l'approbation des plans
nationaux sous NextGenerationEU. Demain matin, la présidente rencontrera le premier ministre de la
Belgique, Alexander De Croo, pour une visite au BeCentral Digital Campus. Dans l'après-midi, elle se
rendra à Paris où elle s'entretiendra avec le président de la République, Emmanuel Macron, à
l'Élysée. Ensuite, la présidente von der Leyen visitera le Cluster d'innovation Paris-Saclay avec
Bruno Le Maire, ministre de l'économie, des finances et de la relance, et Clément Beaune, secrétaire
d'État chargé des affaires européennes en Ile-de-France. (Pour plus d‘informations: Eric Mamer –
Tél.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tél.: +32 229 90150; Marta Wieczorek - Tél.: +32 229 58197)

La Commission accueille un sommet international sur la mise en œuvre des droits de
propriété intellectuelle
Aujourd'hui et demain, les 22 et 23 juin, la Commission accueille le sommet international sur la mise
en œuvre de la propriété intellectuelle en ligne, organisé conjointement avec l'Office de l'Union
européenne pour la propriété intellectuelle (EUIPO) et l'Office suédois de la propriété intellectuelle
(PRV). Cette conférence vise à fournir des orientations stratégiques et pratiques sur la manière dont
la lutte contre la contrefaçon et le piratage devrait contribuer à une société plus saine, à un
environnement plus durable et à une économie plus forte. Thierry Breton, commissaire chargé du
marché intérieur, prononcera un discours aux côtés d'Ibán García del Blanco, député au Parlement
européen, et de Morgan Johansson, ministre suédois de la justice et de l'immigration. Au cours de
plusieurs séances de travail et de discussions en plénière, les plus de 500 participants recenseront et
mettront en avant les bonnes pratiques sur différents sujets: une meilleure protection des actifs
incorporels des entreprises, une coopération plus développée entre les titulaires de droits, les
pouvoirs publics et les intermédiaires, ainsi qu'un partage plus efficace des données et une
utilisation des nouvelles technologies telles que l'intelligence artificielle et la chaîne de blocs. Les

résultats alimenteront la future boîte à outils de l'UE contre la contrefaçon, annoncée dans le plan
d'action sur la propriété intellectuelle. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site web
de l'événement. (Pour plus d‘informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Federica
Miccoli – Tél.: +32 229 58300)

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.

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
                                                                                              MEX/21/3146