European Commission - Daily News - EUROPA

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 17 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 17 June 2021
NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses recovery and resilience plans of Greece,
Spain and Portugal
The European Commission has adopted positive assessments of the recovery and resilience plans of
Greece, Spain and Portugal. 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)

Enquête Eurobaromètre : un large soutien à la vaccination contre la COVID-19, mais des
réticences dans certaines catégories de la population
La dernière enquête Eurobaromètre Flash conduite à la fin du mois de mai montre que les trois
quarts de la population de l'UE (75 %) considèrent que les vaccins contre la COVID-19 sont le seul
moyen de mettre fin à la pandémie. Près de sept personnes interrogées sur dix (69 %) sont déjà
vaccinées ou désireuses de l'être dès que possible, et 79 % ont l'intention d'être vaccinées d'ici la fin
de l'année. On observe toutefois des variations importantes selon les États membres et en fonction
de l'âge des répondants, les moins de 45 ans se montrant plus hésitants. En moyenne, 70% pensent
que l'UE joue un rôle clé pour garantir l'accès aux vaccins COVID-19 dans leur pays. Une majorité
relative se dit satisfaite de la manière dont l'UE a géré la stratégie de vaccination (47% de satisfaits,
45% de mécontents). Les opinions sur la façon dont les gouvernements nationaux ont géré cette
stratégie sont légèrement plus critiques (46 % de satisfaits, 49 % de mécontents). Les résultats
complets de l'enquête Flash Eurobaromètre, menée auprès de 26 106 personnes entre le 21 et le 26
mai 2021, sont disponibles ici . (Pour plus d'informations : Dana Spinant - Tél. : +32 229 90150)

EASA and ECDC update air travel guidelines to complement EU Digital COVID Certificates
Today, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a new version of the Aviation Health Safety Protocol. It offers
clear operational guidance and risk-based recommendations for health-safe air travel,
complementing other European Union initiatives, such as the EU Digital COVID Certificates. The
Protocol takes into account new evidence and recent developments such as the circulation of variants
of concern and the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination programmes. In this context, the Protocol
stresses the need to maintain certain measures currently in place, such as the wearing of medical
face masks, good hygiene and physical distancing. Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean,
declared: “As passengers prepare for summer travels and the industry faces a high influx of traffic,
safe and secure conditions must remain the norm. With the new EASA/ECDC guidelines, checking for
proof of vaccination and verification of the Digital COVID Certificates by Member States must not
result in overcrowded airports. The health and safety of passengers and crew remains our ultimate
priority, and our recommendations are fully in line with the latest scientific evidence and
epidemiological information.” The Protocol, with its non-binding recommendations, will help Member
States ensure a harmonised approach across Europe. This will not only benefit travellers but also
help the air transport and tourism sectors to recover safely. You can find the press release by EASA
and ECDC as well as the full text of the protocol here. (For more information: Stefan de
Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 229 13917)

COLLEGE MEETING: EU-Russia relations: Commission and High Representative propose the
way forward
Yesterday, the European Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy presented a Joint Communication on the EU's relations with Russia. The
Joint Communication presents recommendations ahead of the European Council meeting of 24-25
June on how to strengthen the implementation of the EU's Russia policy. The President of the
European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “History, geography and people bind the EU and
Russia. The state of our relationship is complex. We have to identify the challenges and seize the
opportunities. The deliberate choices and aggressive actions of the Russian government over the last
years have created a negative spiral. Managing the EU-Russia relationship continues to represent a
key strategic challenge for the EU. In response, the EU needs to continue to act in unity and with
consistency, defending our fundamental values and interests.” High Representative/Vice-President
Josep Borrell, said: “Under present circumstances, a renewed partnership between the European
Union and Russia, allowing for closer cooperation, seems a distant prospect. Our ambition should be
to explore paths that could help change the current dynamics gradually into a more predictable and
stable relationship. The EU will simultaneously push back, constrain and engage with Russia, based
on a strong common understanding of Russia's aims and an approach of principled pragmatism.”
Provided the political conditions allow for it, the potential for EU-Russia cooperation is considerable.
However, the Russian government is actively pursuing objectives that go in the opposite direction. To
meet the strategic challenge posed by the Russian leadership, the Commission and the High
Representative propose that the EU simultaneously pushes back, constrains and engages Russia,
with the aim of moving towards a more constructive engagement and political commitment by the
Russian leadership. The Joint Communication, a full press release and a factsheet on EU-Russia
relations are online, along with the remarks of the High Representative/Vice-President at the press
conference. (For more information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 229 88093; Adam Kaznowski - Tel.:
+32 229 89359)

Hydrogen: Commission presents a guide on public funding opportunities for hydrogen
projects at the third edition of the European Hydrogen Forum
Today and tomorrow, 17 and 18 June, the European Hydrogen Forum 2021 takes place bringing
together over 1400 members of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, coming from public
authorities, industry and civil society. Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and
Commissioner Thierry Breton attended the opening of the Forum. The Hydrogen Forum is launching
a matchmaking process providing members with a platform to exchange, discuss projects and
explore joining forces. With this, the Commission aims to bring together various actors in the EU
hydrogen value chain ranging from hydrogen production to hydrogen application notably in industry,
transport and energy sectors. At the Forum, the Commission presented the Hydrogen Public Funding
Compass, an online guide on public funding instruments at EU and national level, supporting
renewable and low-carbon hydrogen projects. The guide helps stakeholders identify relevant
programmes and funds and find out which projects they can finance, what type of funding is
available and which conditions apply. Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said:
“Following many years of successful EU-funded research, hydrogen technologies are now being rolled
out on a larger scale. The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance has collected hundreds of projects to
deploy renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in Europe. We now need to work fast, with conviction,
and at continental stage to roll out these investments and transform technology leadership into
market leadership.” Today, the Alliance members discussed how to use hydrogen technologies to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions in industry, transport, energy and buildings sectors and help the
EU meet its climate neutrality objectives. The EU has secured a lead in many hydrogen technologies,
which now need to be rapidly and decisively rolled out and applied. In May, the European Clean
Hydrogen Alliance collected almost 1000 renewable and low-carbon projects that Alliance members
are planning to implement by 2030 to produce almost 9 m tonnes of mostly renewable hydrogen per
year. The projects collected moreover confirm that clean hydrogen consumption is set to take off on a
large scale in the next three to four years, helping the EU meet its climate change objectives. More
information on the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance is available here. The speeches of Executive
Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Breton are available online, here and here. (For
more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229
58300)

Commission makes more spectrum available for better and faster Wi-Fi
Today, the Commission adopted a Decision harmonising the use of the 6 GHz band for wireless
networks across the EU, which will support a growing number of devices, online applications and

innovative services that require larger bandwidth and faster speeds. Thanks to this, citizens and
businesses will be able to enjoy better, faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections across the EU,
including for video conferencing, streaming and sharing content, telemedicine or when using
augmented reality technologies. The harmonisation decision will make 480 MHz of additional
spectrum available in the 6 GHz band. It will almost double the amount of available spectrum,
adding to the 538.5 MHz available in the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands. The enhanced spectrum will
reduce network congestion and thus increase network speed. Countries around the world, including
the US and the UK, are progressively making spectrum available in the 6 GHz band, so adapted
devices can easily tap into the new benefits. Making more bandwidth available for Wi-Fi services is
fundamental for facilitating innovation and for reaching the proposed Digital Decade targets for 2030,
according to which all European households should have gigabit connectivity. Member States shall
make this frequency band available for the implementation of Wi-Fi by 1 December 2021. The 6 GHz
harmonisation decision falls within the Radio Spectrum Decision framework, which allows the
Commission to harmonise radio spectrum bands in timely support of innovative market and
technological developments. More information is available here. (For more information: Johannes
Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Celebrating Europe's best young translators
It's time again to celebrate the winners of Juvenes Translatores, the Commission's annual translation
contest for schools. An online award ceremony to honour the 27 winners will take place on 18 June at
15:00 CET. The ceremony will be live streamed on YouTube live and Facebook live. Commission
President Ursula von der Leyen will congratulate the winners via video message. Students, teachers
and translators will speak about how important languages and translation are in understanding and
interacting with each other. This year, the one-page texts to translate were titled 'Navigating in
challenging times – together we are stronger.' The winners were selected by the Commission's
translators from among 2,800 participants from schools across Europe. In addition, 248 students
received special mentions for their outstanding translations. The participants could choose to
translate between any two of the EU's official languages. Of the 552 language combinations
available, 150 were used by the entrants. Under the umbrella of the Erasmus+ programme, the
Commission has been organising the Juvenes Translatores (Latin for ‘young translators') contest
every year since 2007 to promote language learning in schools and give young people a taste of what
it is like to be a translator. Looking ahead, President von der Leyen will also invite our young people
to participate in the ‘Conference on the future of Europe' debate and share their views and dreams
on shaping Europe's future. (For more information: Balasz Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire
Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

L'UE renforce l'accès à l'électricité dans la région du parc des Virunga en République
démocratique du Congo
La Commission a annoncé hier une enveloppe supplémentaire de 20 millions d'euros pour accroître
l'accès des populations à l'électricité dans la région du parc des Virunga en République démocratique
du Congo. Cette enveloppe servira à financer une nouvelle centrale hydroélectrique à Rwanguba, qui
fournira 15 mégawatts d'électricité supplémentaires. Suite à l'éruption du volcan Nyiragongo le 22
mai dernier, de nombreuses lignes électriques et canalisations d'eau ont été endommagées à Goma.
La réaction rapide de l'Union européenne à cette crise environnementale a permis de rétablir jusqu'à
96 % des lignes électriques et 35 % des canalisations d'eau endommagées. Cela a assuré à un demi-
million de personnes un accès à l'eau potable, et a permis à deux hôpitaux de disposer d'électricité.
S'exprimant à l'occasion d'un panel sur la protection des populations et de la nature dans le parc
national des Virunga dans le cadre des Journées européennes du développement, Jutta Urpilainen,
commissaire chargée des partenariats internationaux, a déclaré : « L'accès à l'électricité permet de
sauver des vies et est crucial pour le développement économique et humain dans cette région
vulnérable. C'est la raison pour laquelle l'Union européenne a réagi rapidement pour soutenir les
populations touchées par la récente éruption du volcan Nyiragongo. Ces 20 millions d'euros
supplémentaires permettront d'accroître l'approvisionnement en faveur d'un plus grand nombre de
ménages et d'écoles et offriront des possibilités de croissance durable. » Un communiqué de presse
est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Ana Pisonero - Tél : +32 229 54320 ; - Tél :
Gesine Knolle +32 229 54323)

State aid: Commission approves €166.7 million Greek public support for construction of
LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €166.7 million Greek support

measure for the construction of a new liquid natural gas (‘LNG') terminal in Alexandroupolis, Greece.
The project will contribute to the security and diversification of energy supplies in Greece and, more
generally, in the region of South East Europe, without unduly distorting competition. Given its
strategic importance for the diversification of natural gas supplies into the South-Eastern European
region, the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis has been included in the lists of European Project of
Common Interest in the energy sector, based on the EU TEN-E (‘Trans-European Network for
Energy') rules since 2013. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in
particular under the 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection and Energy. The
Commission found that the aid is appropriate and necessary, as the project would not be carried out
without the public support. In this context, the Commission took into account the inclusion of the
project in the list of Projects of Common Interest in the energy sector. Furthermore, in order to
ensure that there is no overcompensation, the project promoter will be obliged to give back to the
State part of the revenues generated from the terminal, should they go beyond a set capped level
over the project lifetime. In addition, the National Energy Regulator has put in place certain
safeguards to prevent an increase in the market position of the largest gas operators involved in the
project, such as a limitation of the share of LNG that can be booked in the terminal by such players.
On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measure is in line with EU State aid rules, as it will
further security and diversification of energy supply, notably in the South-Eastern European region,
without unduly distorting competition. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of
competition policy, said: "The new LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis will improve gas supply and
infrastructure not only in Greece, but in the whole South Eastern European region. This will
contribute to achievement of the EU's goals in terms of security and diversification of energy supply.
The Greek support measure limits the aid to what is necessary to make the project happen and
sufficient safeguards will be in place to ensure that potential competition distortions are minimised."
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 clears public support for several ferry services in Italy; finds other
measures to Siremar and SNS to be incompatible aid
The European Commission has concluded that the public service compensation granted since 2009 to
Sicilia Regionale Marittima S.p.A. (‘Siremar') and Toscana Regionale Marittima S.p.A. (‘Toremar') for
the operation of ferry services in Italy is in line with EU State aid rules. The same applies to the
compensation granted to their acquirers, respectively Società Navigazione Siciliana (‘SNS') since
2016 and Moby S.p.A (‘Moby'), since 2012. However, the Commission found that certain other
measures in favour of Siremar, currently in liquidation, and SNS are incompatible with EU State aid
rules. Italy must now recover approximately €1.9 million of illegal aid, including interest. In
particular, the amount to be recovered is approximately €1.7 million from SNS and €0.2 million from
Siremar (in both cases, the estimate includes the applicable recovery interest). The Commission also
found that there is no economic continuity between Siremar and SNS, meaning that the obligation to
repay the €0.2 million will not be transferred to SNS. These decisions follow the launch by
Commission in October 2011 of an in-depth investigation into several public support measures in
favour of companies of the former Tirrenia Group and their respective acquirers. The Commission had
concerns that these measures may have given the companies an unfair competitive advantage over
their competitors, in breach of EU State aid rules. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in
charge of competition policy, said: “Regular and reliable maritime transport services contribute to
the economic and social development of islands and are crucial to meet the mobility needs of the
residents, particularly those who live and work in the smaller islands. These decisions enable Italy to
continue to provide these services in Sicily and Tuscany on a regular basis throughout the year, and
not only during the peak tourist season in the summer”. 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 further modification of Swedish rent rebate scheme to
support sectors affected by coronavirus outbreak, including budget increase
The European Commission has found the modification of an existing Swedish scheme to support
tenants operating in several sectors that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line
with the State aid Temporary Framework. The existing scheme was approved by the Commission on
15 April 2020 (SA.56972) and last amended in March 2021 (SA.62272). Sweden notified the
following modifications to the scheme: (i) an increase in the budget, from approximately €795
million (SEK 8 billion) to approximately €1.38 billion (SEK 14 billion); and (ii) the extension of the
measure to cover rent reductions costs negotiated between landlords and tenants until 30

September 2021, for the rental period between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021. The
Commission found that the amended 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 beneficiary; and (ii) the aid
will be granted no later than 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 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.63162 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 joint control of Aggreko by I Squared Capital and
TDR Capital
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Aggreko plc of the UK by I Squared Capital Advisors LLC (‘I Squared Capital') of the U.S.
and TDR Capital LLP of the UK. Aggreko provides rental of generators and related power equipment
as well as temperature control equipment on a temporary basis. It also provides associated services
to customers around the world across a range of sectors, including oil and gas, events,
manufacturing and mining, building services and construction. I Squared Capital is a global
infrastructure investment manager focusing on sectors such as energy, utilities, telecom, healthcare
and transport in North America, Europe and other economies around the world. TDR Capital is a
private equity firm investing in various sectors such as motor fuels retail, gyms and health clubs,
vacant property services, pubs and restaurants and social housing refurbishment services, in
particular in the UK. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns given its limited impact on the market. 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.10256. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of newly-created joint-venture by
EQT and Investindustrial
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of a newly created joint-venture by EQT AB of Sweden, through Igenomix, S.L.U. (‘Igenomix')
of Spain, and Investindustrial S.A. of Luxembourg, through Universal Clinics, S.L. of Spain. The joint
venture will develop and market a non-invasive embryo culture medical device to be used by in-vitro
fertilisation laboratories. EQT is active in the management of investment funds and controls notably
Igenomix, a company dedicated to the business of genetic and molecular diagnostics.
Investindustrial is active in the management of investment funds and controls notably Universal
Clinics, a company owning and operating health clinics. The Commission concluded that the
proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the absence of horizontal overlaps
and the limited vertical relationships between the activities of the companies. 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.10202. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Réunions de l'Eurogroupe et du Conseil Affaires économiques et financières (ECOFIN), 17-
18 juin 2021
Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis et le commissaire Gentiloni représenteront la Commission
lors de la réunion de l'Eurogroupe qui se tient aujourd'hui à Luxembourg.La Commission européenne

et la Banque centrale européenne informeront les membres de l'Eurogroupe des principales
conclusions des rapports de surveillance post-programme pour l'Irlande, l'Espagne, Chypre et le
Portugal. L'Eurogroupe discutera également du dixième rapport de surveillance renforcée sur la Grèce
et des mesures conditionnelles relatives à la dette. Le Fonds monétaire international présentera les
résultats de sa mission intérimaire dans le cadre de la surveillance de la zone euro au titre de l'article
IV. L'Eurogroupe discutera également du fonctionnement du mécanisme de taux de change (MCE
II), suite à l'inclusion du lev bulgare et de la kuna croate dans le MCE II le 10 juillet 2020. Lors de la
réunion de l'Eurogroupe en configuration ouverte (à 27), les ministres prépareront le sommet de la
zone euro qui aura lieu le 25 juin. Ils feront le point sur l'état d'avancement d'un plan de travail en
vue d'achever l'union bancaire. Le commissaire Gentiloni représentera la Commission lors de la
conférence de presse qui suivra la réunion. Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis, le commissaire
Gentiloni, le commissaire Hahn, et la commissaire McGuinness représenteront la Commission lors
de la réunion des ministres de l'économie et des finances qui se tiendra demain à Luxembourg.
L'ECOFIN débutera avec un échange de vues sur la mise en œuvre de la facilité pour la reprise et la
résilience (FRR). Ensuite les ministres tiendront un débat d'orientation sur les taux de TVA. Ils
discuteront également de l'exonération de la TVA afin de faciliter les mesures prises au niveau de
l'Union dans l'intérêt général. Les ministres prendront aussi note du rapport concernant l'état
d'avancement des travaux sur le renforcement de l'union bancaire. Les ministres auront pour objectif
d'adopter une recommandation sur la mise en œuvre du pacte de stabilité et de croissance. Ils
devraient également adopter des recommandations concernant les programmes de stabilité ou de
convergence actualisés des États membres dans le cadre du Semestre européen 2021. Finalement,
les ministres approuveront le mandat en vue de la réunion des ministres des finances et des
gouverneurs des banques centrales du G20 qui se tiendra du 7 au 10 juillet 2021. Le vice-président
exécutif Dombrovskis représentera la Commission lors de la conférence de presse qui suivra la
réunion. (Pour plus d'informations : Marta Wieczorek - Tél.: +32 229 58197 ; Daniel Ferrie - Tél:
+32 229 86500 ; Enda McNamara - Tél.: +32 229 64976 ; Aikaterini Apostola - Tél.: +32 229
87624)

Conference on the Future of Europe: European Citizens' Event taking place in Lisbon today,
ahead of inaugural Plenary meeting
Today, a 'European Citizens' Event' is taking place in Lisbon in the context of the Conference on the
Future of Europe. This hybrid event will bring together 27 representatives from national Citizens'
Panels or national events (one per Member State), the President of the European Youth Forum and a
number of citizens already selected for the European-level European Citizens' Panels. The aim of this
event is to give these citizens an opportunity to discuss what they expect from the Conference on the
Future of Europe. The three Co-Chairs of the Conference's Executive Board –Guy Verhofstadt MEP,
Portugal's Secretary of State for EU Affairs Ana Paula Zacarias, and Commission Vice-President for
Democracy and Demography Dubravka Šuica – will also take part in the discussion. In particular,
participants will have the opportunity to share their views on the European Citizens Panels, the
Multilingual Digital Platform and the Conference Plenary. Commission Vice-President for Democracy
and Demography, and Co-Chair, Dubravka Šuica, said: “The Conference on the Future of Europe is
now in full swing. I'm delighted to be attending today's event in Lisbon because it focuses on the
most important part of this project: our citizens. Their contributions, ideas, hopes and dreams will be
essential to Europe's future. These events will give them an opportunity to discuss – on a par with
elected representatives – the issues that are important to them.” Some of today's participants will
also attend the inaugural Plenary event, which will take place in Strasbourg on 19 June. Today's
event can be followed live on https://futureu.europa.eu. For more information, see our factsheets on
the European citizens' panels and the Conference roll-out. (For more information : Dan Ferrie-
Tel:+32 229 86500 ; Aikaterini Apostola- Tel:+32 229 87624 ; Nerea Artemendi Erro- Tel:+32 229
90964)

Coup de projecteur sur l'éducation et la culture au Portugal
Aujourd'hui et demain, Margaritis Schinas, vice-président chargé de la promotion de notre mode de
vie européen, et Mariya Gabriel, commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à
l'éducation et à la jeunesse, se rendent à Lisbonne pour célébrer et lancer officiellement les trois
programmes phares de l'action de la Commission en faveur de l'éducation, de la jeunesse et de la
culture pour la période 2021-2027, à savoir Erasmus +, le corps européen de solidarité et Europe
créative. Ce matin à Lisbonne, le vice-président Schinas, la commissaire Gabriel et le commissaire
chargé du marché intérieur, Thierry Breton (connecté virtuellement), participent au lancement
officiel du programme Europe créative, avec Graça Maria da Fonseca Caetano Gonçalves, ministre
portugaise de la culture, et Sabine Verheyen, députée européenne. Le programme de travail Europe

créative pour 2021, adopté le mois dernier, allouera cette année un budget sans précédent d'environ
300 millions d'euros pour aider les professionnels et les artistes de tous les secteurs culturels à
collaborer par-delà les disciplines et les frontières. Il soutiendra également les secteurs de la culture
et de la création pour qu'ils se remettent durablement de la pandémie. Le matériel audiovisuel de cet
événement est disponible sur EbS. Demain à Viana do Castelo, le vice-président Schinas et la
commissaire Gabriel assisteront au lancement officiel du corps européen de solidarité, en présence
du ministre portugais de l'éducation, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, et du député européen, Tomas Tobé.
Le corps européen de solidarité soutient les jeunes désireux de participer à des activités de
volontariat dans divers domaines allant de l'aide aux personnes dans le besoin à soutenir l'action
dans les domaines de la santé et de l'environnement, dans l'ensemble de l'UE et au-delà. La
Commission a lancé les premiers appels à propositions dans le cadre du nouveau corps européen de
solidarité 2021-2027 en avril dernier. Enfin, l'après-midi, les deux membres du collège lanceront
officiellement le programme Erasmus + 2021-2027, avec le ministre portugais de l'éducation, Tiago
Brandão Rodrigues, et le ministre portugais des sciences, de la technologie et de l'enseignement
supérieur, Manuel Heitor. Erasmus + 2021-2027 dispose d'un budget accru de plus de 28 milliards
d'euros sur sept ans pour soutenir la mobilité et l'apprentissage dans l'ensemble de l'UE et au-delà.
Ce programme phare de l'UE s'efforcera d'être encore plus inclusif et de soutenir les transitions
écologique et numérique, comme le prévoit l'espace européen de l'éducation. Ces deux événements
peuvent également être suivis sur EbS. (Pour plus d'informations : Sonya Gospodinova — Tél. + 32
229 66953; Célia Dejond — Tél.: + 32 229 88199)

Commissioner Johansson travels to Serbia to discuss migration management and security
and launch of Joint Operation by Frontex and Serbian Border Guards
Today, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is travelling to Serbia for a 2-day visit to
promote closer cooperation between the EU and Serbia in the field of migration management and
security, in the context of accession negotiations. In the afternoon, the Commissioner will meet
President Aleksandar Vučić and the Minister for European Integration, Jadranka Joksimović, in
Belgrade. The Commissioner will also meet with a number of civil society organisations. On Friday,
the Commissioner will meet with the Minister of Interior, Aleksandar Vulin, and will participate in the
opening ceremony of the EU-funded reception centre in Obrenovac. The Commissioner will also
launch the first Joint Operation between Frontex and Serbian border guards under the EU-Serbia
Frontex Status Agreement, at the border with Bulgaria. A press statement will follow, which will be
available on EbS+ (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley -
Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

Eurostat press releases

                                                                                              MEX/21/3046