European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 04 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 4 June 2021
EU proposes a strong multilateral trade response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Today, the EU has submitted its proposal seeking the commitment of World Trade Organization
(WTO) members for a multilateral trade action plan to expand the production of COVID-19 vaccines
and treatments, and ensure universal and fair access. The proposal is divided in two communications
where the EU underlines the WTO's central role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and urges
fellow WTO members to agree on a set of commitments on the following: (1) limiting export
restrictions; (2) expanding productions; (3) facilitating the use of compulsory licencing within the
current WTO rules. President von der Leyen said: “The EU has actively shown solidarity with the
world since the beginning of the pandemic. The European Union authorised exports of around half of
the total amount of vaccines produced in Europe. Our immediate, urgent goal is to ensure equitable
access for low – and middle-income countries, to share vaccines wider and faster. And we continue
to help ramping up production. The EU proposes concrete short and medium term solutions to ensure
universal access at affordable prices. I am looking forward to discuss with the G7 leaders next week
how to achieve this goal. Beyond the current crisis, it is important to ensure global preparedness for
future pandemics: diversifying manufacturing so that it is not centralised only in a handful of
countries and strengthening the resilience of the healthcare infrastructure in least developed
countries”. Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said: “We
need to urgently concentrate on proposals that accelerate the equitable distribution of COVID-19
vaccines worldwide. In this respect, a strong multilateral trade response could deliver a huge boost
in the fight against COVID-19. The objective must be to ensure that any available and adequate
manufacturing capacity anywhere in the world is used for the COVID-19 vaccines production.” A
press release, Q&A and factsheet are available online. (For more information: Miriam García Ferrer –
Tel.: +32 229 99075; Álvaro Rangel Hernández – Tel.: +32 460 760854)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE: 336.7 millions d'euros pour la France et le Portugal pour faire
face à l'impact social et économique de la crise du coronavirus
La Commission a approuvé la modification de deux programmes opérationnels (POs) du Fonds
Européen de Développement Régional (FEDER) pour la France et la modification de deux POs du
Fonds Social Européen (FSE) pour le Portugal et la France dans le cadre de REACT-EU, en les
augmentant de 336.7 millions d'euros. Ces amendements aux POs aideront à lutter contre les effets
de la pandémie de coronavirus, à poser les bases d'une relance verte et numérique et à soutenir les
plus vulnérables de notre société. 158,9 millions d'euros de financements supplémentaires pour les
PO ‘Languedoc-Roussillon' et ‘Midi-Pyrénées et Garonne' soutiendront le secteur de la santé,
notamment la modernisation des établissements de santé, ainsi que les entreprises, la réactivation
du secteur touristique, l'accélération d'investissements dans la transition énergétique et
l'accompagnement numérique de l'éducation et de la mobilité durable. À La Réunion, plus de 14 000
personnes, en particulier les plus vulnérables, bénéficieront de 113,8 millions d'euros additionnels du
FSE. Le financement supplémentaire facilitera l'accès à des emplois de qualité, notamment par le
soutien à l'entrepreneuriat et à la création d'entreprises. Il permettra également d'investir dans les
compétences vertes et numériques pour préserver les emplois menacés par la pandémie et
développer des services accessibles afin de réduire l'exclusion sociale. Au Portugal enfin, 64 millions
d'euros supplémentaires soutiendront Madère dans le renforcement du système de santé régional, en
ajoutant notamment un nouvel espace à l'hôpital ‘Nelio Mendonça' pour les patients atteints de
coronavirus et en soutenant l'acquisition d'unités de réfrigération pour stocker médicaments et
vaccins. Un soutien sera également apporté aux petites ou moyennes entreprises (PME) des secteurs
les plus touchés par la pandémie, axé principalement sur les investissements informatiques des
entreprises et la transition numérique, ainsi que sur l'amélioration de l'efficacité énergétique dans les
infrastructures publiques et le maintien des mesures d'inclusion et de soutien à l'emploi, y compris
des formations pour les adaptations des compétences et des qualifications. REACT-EU fait partie de
NextGenerationEU et fournit 50,6 milliards d'euros de financement supplémentaire (en prix courants)

au cours de 2021 et 2022 aux programmes de la politique de cohésion. Les mesures concernent le
soutien à la résilience du marché du travail, à l'emploi, aux PME et aux familles à faible revenu, ainsi
que la mise en place de bases pérennes pour les transitions verte et numérique et une reprise socio-
économique durable. (Pour plus d'informations : Vivian Loonela - Tél. : +32 229 66712 ; Marta
Wieczorek - Tél. : +32 229 58197 ; Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229 87269 ; Flora Matthaes - Tél. :
+32 229 83951)

New EU copyright rules that will benefit creators, businesses and consumers start to apply
This Monday 7 June marks the deadline for Member States to transpose the new EU copyright
rules into national law. The new Copyright Directive protects creativity in the digital age, bringing
concrete benefits to citizens, the creative sectors, the press, researchers, educators and cultural
heritage institutions across the EU. At the same time, the new Directive on television and radio
programmes will make it easier for European broadcasters to make certain programmes on their
online services available across borders. Furthermore, today, the Commission has published its
guidance on Article 17 of the new Copyright Directive, which provides for new rules on content-
sharing platforms. The two Directives, which entered into force in June 2019, aim to modernise EU
copyright rules and to enable consumers and creators to make the most of the digital world, where
music streaming services, video-on-demand platforms, satellite and IPTV, news aggregators and
user-uploaded-content platforms have become the main gateways to access creative works and press
articles. The new rules will stimulate the creation and dissemination of more high-value content and
allow for more digital uses in core areas of society, while safeguarding freedom of expression and
other fundamental rights. With their transposition at national level, EU citizens and businesses can
start benefitting from them. A press release, a Q&A on the new EU Copyright rules, and a Q&A on the
Directive on television and radio programmes are available online. (For more information: Johannes
Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

European Commission adopts new tools for safe exchanges of personal data
Today, the European Commission adopted two sets of standard contractual clauses, one for use
between controllers and processors and one for the transfer of personal data to third countries. They
reflect new requirements under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and take into account
the Schrems II judgement of the Court of Justice, ensuring a high level of data protection for
citizens. These new tools will offer more legal predictability to European businesses and help, in
particular, SMEs to ensure compliance with requirements for safe data transfers, while allowing data
to move freely across borders, without legal barriers. Vice-President for Values and Transparency,
Vera Jourová said: “In Europe, we want to remain open and allow data to flow, provided that the
protection flows with it. The modernised Standard Contractual Clauses will help to achieve this
objective: they offer businesses a useful tool to ensure they comply with data protection laws, both
for their activities within the EU and for international transfers. This is a needed solution in the
interconnected digital world where transferring data takes a click or two.” Commissioner for Justice,
Didier Reynders, said: “In our modern digital world, it is important that data can be shared with the
necessary protection - inside and outside the EU. With these reinforced clauses, we are giving more
safety and legal certainty to companies for data transfers. After the Schrems II ruling, it was our
duty and priority to come up with user-friendly tools, which companies can fully rely on. This
package will significantly help companies to comply with the GDPR.” More information is available
here. (For more information: Christian Wigand — Tel. + 32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tel.: +
32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli — Tel.: + 32 229 92729)

Aviation: EU and ASEAN conclude the world's first bloc-to-bloc Air Transport Agreement
The European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have concluded
negotiations on the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA). This is the
world's first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement, which will bolster connectivity and economic
development among the 37 Member States of ASEAN and the EU. Under the agreement, EU airlines
will be able to fly up to 14 weekly passenger services, and any number of cargo services, via and
beyond any ASEAN country, and vice versa. Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “The
conclusion of this first-ever ‘bloc-to-bloc' air transport agreement marks an important milestone in
the EU's external aviation policy. It provides essential guarantees of fair competition for our European
airlines and industry, while strengthening reciprocal prospects for trade and investment in some of
the world's most dynamic markets. Importantly, this new agreement also provides us with a solid
platform to continue promoting the high standards on safety, security, air traffic management,
environment and social matters going forward. I am grateful for the constructive approach of all

parties involved, which made this historic deal possible.” The Agreement will help rebuild air
connectivity between ASEAN countries and Europe, which has decreased sharply due to the COVID-
19 pandemic, and open up new growth opportunities for the aviation industry in both regions. Both
parties expressed intent to maintain regular discussions and close coordination to minimise
disruptions to air services caused by the pandemic. ASEAN and the EU will now submit the AE CATA
for legal scrubbing in preparation for signature at a later date. A joint statement on the Conclusion of
the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA) has been published here. (For
more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 2
291 39 17)

RÉUNION DU COLLÈGE: La Commission propose une identité numérique fiable et sécurisée
pour tous les Européens
La Commission a proposé un cadre européen relatif à une identité numérique qui sera accessible à
tous les citoyens, résidents et entreprises de l'UE. Les citoyens pourront, prouver leur identité et
partager des documents électroniques à partir de leur portefeuille européen d'identité numérique en
cliquant sur un bouton sur leur smartphone. Ils pourront accéder à des services en ligne grâce à leur
identification numérique nationale, qui sera reconnue dans toute l'Europe. Les très grandes
plateformes seront tenues d'accepter l'utilisation de portefeuilles européens d'identité numérique sur
demande de l'utilisateur, par exemple pour lui permettre de prouver son âge. L'utilisation du
portefeuille d'identités numériques européennes sera toujours laissée à l'appréciation de l'utilisateur.
Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive pour une Europe adaptée à l'ère du numérique, a
déclaré: « L'identité numérique européenne nous permettra d'agir dans n'importe quel État membre
comme nous le ferions chez nous, sans frais supplémentaires et plus facilement, que ce soit pour
louer un appartement ou pour ouvrir un compte bancaire en dehors de notre pays d'origine. Et ce, en
toute sécurité et transparence. Ce sera donc à nous de décider quelles informations personnelles
nous souhaitons partager, avec qui et à quelle fin. Nous aurons ainsi une occasion unique
d'approfondir ce que cela signifie de vivre en Europe et d'être européen. » Thierry Breton,
commissaire au marché intérieur, s'est exprimé en ces termes: « Lorsqu'ils ont besoin de s'identifier
officiellement, les citoyens de l'UE comptent non seulement sur un niveau élevé de sécurité, mais
aussi sur la simplicité des procédures, que ce soit dans leurs relations avec une administration
nationale, par exemple pour déposer une déclaration fiscale, ou pour s'inscrire dans une université
européenne. Les portefeuilles européens d'identité numérique leur offrent une nouvelle possibilité de
stocker et d'utiliser des données pour des services très variés, depuis l'enregistrement à l'aéroport
jusqu'à la location d'une voiture. Il s'agit d'offrir aux consommateurs un choix européen. Nos
entreprises européennes, grandes ou petites, bénéficieront aussi de cette identité numérique. Elles
seront en mesure d'offrir un large éventail de nouveaux services; la proposition apporte en effet une
solution pour un service d'identification sécurisé et fiable. » Les nouveaux portefeuilles européens
d'identité numérique permettront à tous les Européens d'accéder à des services en ligne sans devoir
recourir à des méthodes d'identification privées ni à partager inutilement des données à caractère
personnel. Grâce à cette solution, ils auront la pleine maîtrise des données qu'ils partagent. Plus
d'informations sont disponibles dans un communiqué de presse, un document de questions réponses
et sur une page d'information dédiée. (Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke - Tél : +32 229
58615 ; Charles Manoury - Tél : +32 229 13391)

Agriculture : la Commission approuve une nouvelle indication géographique de Roumanie
La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d'inscription du « Salată cu icre de știucă de
Tulcea » de Roumanie dans le registre des indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Le « Salată cu
icre de știucă de Tulcea » est une crème à base d'huile de tournesol de couleur blanche composée
d'œufs de poisson mélangés à de l'eau gazéifiée et du jus de citron. Il est produit dans la région de
Tulcea, qui comprend la réserve de biosphère du delta du Danube, à l'extrémité sud-est de la
Roumanie. Le « Salată cu icre de știucă de Tulcea » présente la saveur spécifique des œufs de
brochet, complétée et soulignée par celle des œufs de poisson du delta du Danube, résultat du
processus de salage et d'affinage. La « Salată cu icre de știucă de Tulcea » est un produit qui utilise
principalement des matières premières provenant de la région, ce qui crée un lien fort avec
l'environnement naturel du delta du Danube. Le « Salată cu icre de știucă de Tulcea » est
emblématique de la tradition locale de transformation du poisson, qui est passée de la récolte et de
la consommation des œufs à l'état brut (au XIXe siècle) à la transformation de ceux-ci en vue de leur
utilisation dans la cuisine moderne (au XXe siècle). Cette nouvelle appellation va rejoindre 1 760
produits alimentaires déjà protégés. La liste est disponible dans la base de données eAmbrosia. Pour
plus d'informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité. (Pour plus d'informations: Miriam
Garcia Ferrer – Tél.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours – Tél.: +32 229 63303)

Antitrust: Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive conduct of
Facebook
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Facebook
violated EU competition rules by using advertising data gathered in particular from advertisers in
order to compete with them in markets where Facebook is active such as classified ads. The formal
investigation will also assess whether Facebook ties its online classified ads service “Facebook
Marketplace” to its social network, in breach of EU competition rules. Following a preliminary
investigation, the Commission has concerns that Facebook might make use of the data obtained from
competing providers in the context of their advertising on Facebook's social network, to help
Facebook Marketplace outcompete them. Facebook could, for instance, receive precise information on
users' preferences from its competitors' advertisement activities and use such data in order to adapt
Facebook Marketplace. The Commission will also examine whether the way Facebook Marketplace is
embedded in the social network constitutes a form of tying which gives it an advantage in reaching
customers and forecloses competing online classified ads services. 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: “Facebook is
used by almost 3 billion people on a monthly basis and almost 7 million firms advertise on Facebook
in total. Facebook collects vast troves of data on the activities of users of its social network and
beyond, enabling it to target specific customer groups. We will look in detail at whether this data
gives Facebook an undue competitive advantage in particular on the online classified ads sector,
where people buy and sell goods every day, and where Facebook also competes with companies from
which it collects data. In today's digital economy, data should not be used in ways that distort
competition.” A 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 German support for cogenerated electricity
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation and modification
of an existing German scheme to support the production of electricity from new, modernised and
retrofitted highly efficient cogeneration (‘CHP') plants (except coal and lignite-fired CHP). The
scheme (‘Kraft-Wärme-Kopplungsgesetz' – ‘KWKG 2020'), which is approved until 2026, will further
promote energy efficiency, lead to a better integration of cogenerated power into the German
electricity market and lower CO2 emissions, without unduly distorting competition. Germany notified
the Commission of its intention to prolong and modify an existing aid scheme to support new and
modernised highly efficient CHP plants, as well as the construction and expansion of energy-efficient
district heating/cooling networks and the construction and retrofitting of heating/cooling storage
facilities. The Commission had approved the original scheme under State aid rules as part of its 2016
decision on the KWKG 2016 (SA.42393).The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid
rules, in particular the 2014 Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy. The
Commission found that: (i) the support is necessary to help Germany meet its targets for energy
efficiency and for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, (ii) that the aid is proportionate and
limited to the minimum necessary, in particular since the level of the aid will mostly be set through
competitive tenders; and (iii) that the positive effects of the measure, in particular its positive
environmental effects, outweigh its negative effects in terms of possible distortions of competition.
On this basis, the Commission concluded that the scheme is in line with EU State aid rules, as it
supports projects promoting the energy efficiency and reducing 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 German scheme will promote energy
efficiency and contribute to further reductions in CO2 emissions, in line with the objectives of the
European Green Deal. Compared to the existing German scheme to support cogenerated electricity,
the new scheme introduces new features which aim at further ensuring the competitiveness of the
tenders through which the support will be granted, as well as at keeping electricity prices low for
consumers and incentivising cogeneration plants to operate at times of higher electricity demand,
that is when it's needed the most.” A full press release is available online. (For more information:
Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €4 million Estonian scheme to support commercial regular
bus services companies in context of coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved a €4 million Estonian scheme to support commercial regular
bus services companies in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under
the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants to
compensate part of the ticket revenue losses that companies incurred due to the significant
reduction of the number of passengers since the start of the pandemic. The aim of the measure is to
mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that the affected companies are facing due to the restrictive
measures that the Estonian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The
Commission found that the Estonian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary
Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) it will be
granted no later than 31 December 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) of the TFEU and the conditions of the Temporary Framework. On this
basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the
Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of
the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be
made available under the case number SA.62921 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)

State aid: Commission approves €500,000 Portuguese scheme to support passenger
transport sector in Azores in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €500,000 Portuguese scheme to support the passenger
transport sector in the Region of the Azores in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure
was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The aid will take the form of direct grants
and the measure will be open to collective passenger transport companies of all sizes active in the
Azores. The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these
companies are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the
government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The Commission found that the
Portuguese scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular,
(i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) the aid will be granted no later
than 31 December 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 of the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission
approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and
other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic
can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case
number SA.63010 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)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of EPS by Entega and of EMS by Entega and
Viessmann
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control over Energy Project Solutions GmbH (‘EPS') by Entega, and the acquisition of joint control
over Energy Market Solutions GmbH (‘EMS') by Entega and Viessmann, all of Germany. EPS analyses
and optimises the energy potential for companies and businesses. EMS provides household and
commercial customised electricity products as well as smart service solutions for new energy market
participants. Entega is active in energy production, trading, supply and networks, as well as in public
operational management and shared services. Viessmann is a manufacturer of heating, industrial,
and refrigeration systems. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns, because the companies do not compete closely and the increments in
combined market shares are very small, while a number of strong players would remain in all
relevant markets after the merger. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review
procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case
register under the case number M.10181. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229
87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Le commissaire Reynders participe au Conseil « Justice et affaires intérieures » du 8 juin
Didier Reynders, commissaire chargé de la justice, participera à la réunion des ministres de la
justice de l'UE qui se tiendra à Luxembourg le lundi 7 juin, au cours de laquelle il rendra compte aux
ministres du lancement du Parquet européen. Outre de nombreux points de discussion, notamment
sur les contenus illicites en ligne, les ministres devraient convenir d'une orientation générale pour
trois dossiers importants dans le domaine de la justice: le règlement proposé par la Commission
pour aider à déterminer la propriété des créances transfrontières, «e-CODEX», un outil important
dans la numérisation de la justice dans l'UE et une modification du règlement portant création de
l'Agence des droits fondamentaux de l'Union européenne. Une discussion sur l'efficacité et
l'indépendance des systèmes judiciaires aura également lieu dans le cadre d'un échange de vues sur
des éléments clés pour les services du ministère public, y compris en ce qui concerne la coopération
judiciaire en matière pénale. Dans l'après-midi, à la suite d'un déjeuner de travail au cours duquel le
commissaire Reynders rendra compte aux ministres des travaux en cours avec les États-Unis à la
suite de l'arrêt Schrems II, les ministres procéderont à un échange de vues sur les éléments
essentiels pour le ministère public et la vice-présidente Šuica interviendra sur la stratégie de l'UE
relative aux droits de l'enfant. Le commissaire Reynders participera à la conférence de presse qui se
tiendra vers 18h00, en direct sur EbS. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand — Tél. + 32 229
62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: + 32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli — Tél.: + 32 229 92729)

CALENDRIER - activités hebdomadaires des commissaires
Eurostat: communiqués de presse
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