European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 19 / 11 / 2021
Brussels, 19 November 2021
La Commission propose une nouvelle liste de projets d'intérêt commun pour un marché de
l'énergie plus intégré et résilient
La Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui la cinquième liste de projets d'intérêt commun
(PIC) pour le secteur de l'énergie. Il s'agit de projets d'infrastructures énergétiques transfrontalières
essentiels à la création d'un marché intérieur de l'énergie plus intégré et plus résilient ainsi qu'à la
réalisation de nos objectifs en matière d'énergie et de climat. Cette cinquième liste de PIC comprend
98 projets : 67 projets dans le domaine du transport et du stockage d'électricité, 20 dans le domaine
du gaz, six projets de réseaux de CO2 et cinq projets de réseaux intelligents. Tous les projets PIC
sont soumis à des procédures d'autorisation et de réglementation simplifiées et sont admissible pour
un soutien financier du Mécanisme de l'UE pour une Europe Connectée (CEF). Cette liste de PCI est
établie dans le cadre du règlement existant sur les réseaux transeuropéens d'énergie (RTE-E) qui est
actuellement en révision. Après l'adoption d'aujourd'hui par la Commission, l'acte délégué contenant
la cinquième liste de PCI sera soumis au Parlement européen et au Conseil. Les deux co-législateurs
ont deux mois pour accepter ou rejeter la liste. Un communiqué de presse et des questions et
réponses sont disponibles en ligne. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712;
Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 229 81325)

Commission welcomes approval of 10 European Partnerships to accelerate the green and
digital transition
The Council of the European Union gave today its green light to the Single Basic Act, a regulation
aimed at facilitating the launch of nine new European Partnerships, namely ‘Joint Undertakings',
between the European Union, Member States and / or the industry, to deliver innovative solutions in
Europe for global health, technology and climate challenges. Also, yesterday, the Council adopted a
decision on the involvement of the EU in a 10 th partnership, the European Partnership on metrology,
to increase investments in metrology research and capabilities, and to enable in this way relevant
innovative products. This follows the Commission's proposal from February aimed at speeding up the
transition towards a green, climate neutral and digital Europe, as well as strengthening the resilience
and competitiveness of the European industry. The EU will provide nearly €10 billion of funding from
Horizon Europe that the partners will match with at least an equivalent amount of investment. This
combined contribution is expected to mobilise additional investments in the areas of health,
transport, energy, digital technology and metrology, create jobs and growth, and generate long-term
positive impact on the environment and the society. The 10 new European Partnerships will now
enter into their set-up and implementation phase, which will include recruitment of staff,
appointment of advisory bodies and the preparation of work programmes. Once set up, new calls for
proposals will be launched, to select and finance research and innovation projects according to their
respective objectives. More information is available here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke –
Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Fonds européen d'ajustement à la mondialisation: 3.7 millions d'euros pour soutenir près
de 300 travailleurs licenciés d'Airbus en France*
La Commission européenne a proposé aujourd'hui que 297 travailleurs d'Airbus licenciés en France
par suite de la pandémie bénéficient de l'aide du Fonds européen d'ajustement à la mondialisation
pour les travailleurs licenciés (FEM) à hauteur de 3,7 millions d'euros. Les fonds les aideront à
trouver un nouvel emploi grâce à des conseils sur la manière de créer leur propre entreprise et à des
aides au démarrage. Les 3,7 millions d'euros du FEM contribueront à financer la formation à la
création d'entreprises et les subventions de démarrage de 15,000 euros par participant. Les
bénéficiaires recevront également une contribution aux frais d'hébergement, de nourriture et de
transport liés à leur participation à la formation. Les anciens travailleurs qui acceptent un nouvel
emploi pourront aussi bénéficier d'un complément de salaire si leur nouveau salaire est inférieur à

celui de leur ancien emploi. Le coût total des mesures de soutien est estimé à 4,4 millions d'euros,
dont 85 % (3,7 millions) seront couverts par le FEM. Airbus couvrira les frais restants (0,7 millions
d'euros). L'aide du FEM s'inscrit dans le paquet de mesures d'aide proposées par Airbus aux salariés
licenciés. Toutefois, l'aide du FEM va au-delà de ce qu'Airbus, en tant que société qu'entreprise
licenciant, est légalement tenue de fournir. La proposition de la Commission doit être approuvée par
le Parlement européen et le Conseil. Un communiqué de presse peut être consulté ici. (Pour plus
d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Flore Matthaes — Tél.: + 32 229 83951)

Antitrust: Commission fines Conserve Italia €20 million for participating in canned
vegetables cartel
The European Commission has fined Conserve Italia Soc. coop. agricola and its subsidiary Conserves
France S.A. (together ‘Conserve Italia') a total of €20 000 000 million for breaching EU antitrust
rules. The Commission has found that, for more than 13 years, Conserve Italia participated with
other market participants in a cartel for the supply of certain types of canned vegetables to retailers
and/or food service companies in the European Economic Area (EEA). In September 2019, the
Commission adopted a settlement decision against Bonduelle, Coroos and Groupe CECAB for
participating in the same cartel. Conserve Italia decided not to settle this case with the Commission,
unlike the three other participants. As a result, the Commission's investigation against Conserve
Italia continued under the standard cartel procedure. Conserve Italia benefitted from 50 % reduction
of its fine for its cooperation with the Commission investigation under the Commission's 2006
Leniency Notice. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said:
“With our decision today, we can put a lid on our case on the canned vegetables cartel. Conserve
Italia, the only producer who chose not to settle, agreed with the others in this cartel to divide the
market and to fix the prices for certain canned vegetables across Europe. So for more than 13 years
consumers suffered from less competition and higher prices. The fine we impose today on Conserve
Italia, reflects the gravity of their anticompetitive behaviour and the importance of competition law”.
A press release is available online. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Aides d'État: la Commission invite à présenter des observations sur la proposition de
révision des règles relatives aux aides d'État dans le cadre du déploiement des réseaux de
communication à haut débit
La Commission européenne a lancé aujourd'hui une consultation publique ciblée invitant toutes les
parties intéressées à formuler des observations sur une proposition de révision des lignes directrices
concernant les règles relatives aux aides d'État applicables aux réseaux à haut débit (ci-après les «
lignes directrices sur le haut débit »). La Commission a procédé à une évaluation des lignes
directrices actuelles sur le haut débit. Celle-ci a révélé que les lignes directrices actuelles
fonctionnent bien, sont globalement adaptées à leur finalité et apportent une contribution importante
au déploiement des réseaux à haut débit. En même temps, l'évaluation a montré que certains
ajustements ciblés des règles existantes étaient nécessaires pour tenir compte des dernières
évolutions du marché et des technologies et de l'évolution rapide des besoins de connectivité. Dans
ce contexte, la Commission propose un certain nombre de changements ciblés. Les parties
intéressées peuvent répondre à la consultation jusqu'au 11 février 2022. L'adoption des nouvelles
lignes directrices sur le haut débit est prévue pour la mi-2022. Un communiqué de presse est
disponible en ligne. Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de
concurrence, a déclaré ce qui suit: « Nous invitons à présent toutes les parties intéressées à partager
leurs points de vue concernant nos propositions de modifications ciblées des lignes directrices sur le
haut débit. Nous voulons permettre aux États membres de favoriser plus facilement le déploiement
des réseaux à haut débit, y compris des réseaux gigabit et 5G, tout en limitant les distorsions de
concurrence lorsque le marché ne donne pas les résultats escomptés. » Un communiqué de presse
peut être consulté ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Giulia Astuti
– Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Estonia
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Estonia's map for granting regional
aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework of the revised Regional aid
Guidelines (RAG). The revised RAG, adopted by the Commission on 19 April 2021 and entering into
force on 1 January 2022, enable Member States to support the least favoured European regions in
catching up and to reduce disparities in terms of economic well-being, income and unemployment –
cohesion objectives that are at the heart of the Union. They also provide increased possibilities for

Member States to support regions facing transition or structural challenges such as depopulation, to
contribute fully to the green and digital transitions. At the same time, the revised RAG maintain
strong safeguards to prevent Member States from using public money to trigger the relocation of
jobs from one EU Member State to another, which is essential for fair competition in the Single
Market. Estonia's regional aid map defines the Estonian regions eligible for regional investment aid.
The map also establishes the maximum aid intensities in the eligible regions. The aid intensity is the
maximum amount of State aid that can be granted per beneficiary, expressed as a percentage of
eligible investment costs. Under the revised RAG, regions covering 100% of the population of Estonia
will be eligible for regional investment aid. A press release is available online. (For more information:
Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: + 32 229 96302; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €140 million Italian scheme to support companies
particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €140 million Italian scheme to support companies active
in sectors particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the
Italian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The measure was approved
under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public support will take the form
of direct grants. In order to be eligible, a company must have remained closed for at least 100 days
between 1 January and 25 July 2021. A €20 million share of the relevant budget is intended to be
distributed equally among beneficiaries whose main activity was closed during the entire relevant
period (namely discotheques, dance floors, nightclubs and similar), up to a maximum amount of
€25,000 per company. Under the remaining part of the budget, the aid amount per beneficiary will
range from €3,000 to €12,000, depending on its level of revenues in 2019. The Commission found
that the Italian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In
particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per company; and (ii) 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 set out in 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.100304 in the State aid register on the Commission's
competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information:
Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: + 32 229 96302; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the creation of a joint venture by Cummins and China
Petrochemical Corporation
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint
venture by Cummins of the US and China Petrochemical Corporation of China. The joint venture will
develop and sell hydrogen generation electrolyser systems. Cummins is active in the manufacturing
of diesel and alternative fuel engines and power supply systems. China Petrochemical Corporation is
active in the petroleum and petrochemical sectors. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because the joint venture has no actual or foreseen
activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger
review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the
public case register under the case number M.10520. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: +
32 229 96302; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

World Children's Day: Joint Statement by the European Commission and the High
Representative
Ahead of World Children's Day on 20 November, the European Commission and the High

Representative made the following statement: “Today, the world is home to the largest generation of
young people in history. Sadly, millions of children in the world, including 18 million in the EU, still
live in poverty or social exclusion. Many more are at risk, as children continue to be the first to suffer
from the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Every child should enjoy the same
rights and live free from discrimination and intimidation of any kind. European Commission
President, Ursula von der Leyen, has called for 2022 to be designated European Year of Youth, to
support and engage with children and young people, and ensure that their concerns and needs are at
the heart of EU policymaking. We must invest in the present and future of all children. It is our
responsibility and we will leave no child behind.” See the full joint statement here. (For more
information: Nabila Massrali – Tel.: +32 2 298 80 93; Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Sinéad
Meehan - van Druten – Tel.: +32 229 84094; Xavier Cifre Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 73582)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Le commissaire Thierry Breton en Bulgarie et en Slovaquie pour une visite officielle
Aujourd'hui, le commissaire Breton se rend à Sofia et Bratislava pour une visite officielle. En
Bulgarie, le commissaire Breton rencontre le premier ministre, Stefan Yanev, et échange avec les
dirigeants politiques nationaux. En outre, le commissaire participe à une séance de travail sur les
stratégies de vaccination et l'acceptation des vaccins avec les autorités nationales, la société civile et
le monde universitaire. Un point presse est prévu à la fin de la séance de travail. Avant de quitter
Sofia, le commissaire Breton participera à une réunion de travail sur « les start-ups, les entreprises
en expansion et l'entrepreneuriat en Bulgarie » avec des représentants des principales associations
de jeunes entreprises et de PME en Bulgarie. Dans l'après-midi, le commissaire se rendra en
Slovaquie pour rencontrer le premier ministre Eduard Heger, le ministre de la santé Vladimír
Lengvarský et le secrétaire d'État à l'économie, Ján Oravec. (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya
Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tél.: +32 229 58300)

Central Asia: High Representative Borrell and Commissioner Urpilainen travel to Dushanbe
for EU-Central Asia Ministerial
High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell and Commissioner for International Partnerships
Jutta Urpilainen will travel from 21 to 24 November to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. They will attend the
17 th EU-Central Asia Ministerial meeting, which will be chaired by HRVP Borrell and hosted by the
Foreign Minister of Tajikstan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The meeting will provide an opportunity to step
up cooperation with the countries of the region and to support a green and sustainable post-COVID-
19 recovery. Ministers will also discuss ways to manage jointly some of the challenges emerging from
developments in Afghanistan. During their time in Dushanbe, HRVP Borrell and Commissioner
Urpilainen will meet with the Foreign Ministers of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan
and the deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan to discuss bilateral relations and regional
cooperation. They will also meet with civil society representatives, human rights defenders and
young people in EU-funded projects. They will also attend the EU Innovation Prize Ceremony, which
will award young Tajik talents working in the area of for sustainable development and innovation in
cooperation with EU-supported projects and business incubators. (For more information: Peter Stano
- Tel.: +32 229-54553; Ana Pisonero - Tel.: +32 229 54320 ; Paloma Hall Caballero – Tel.: +32 2
296 85 60; Gesine Knolle - Tél: +32 229 54323)

Commissioner Sinkevičius on official visit to Spain, addressing the Clean Air Forum and
visiting La Palma island
Commissioner Sinkevičius is on official visit to Spain today where he will meet Prime Minister Pedro
Sánchez and visit together the island of La Palma. The Commissioner will also meet Teresa Ribera,
Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecologic Transition and the Demographic Challenge,
and Alicia Vanoostend, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Government
of the Canary Islands. They will discuss together in a meeting with representatives of the fishing
sector of La Palma. He will further exchange with Alicia Villauriz Iglesias, Secretary-General for
Fisheries and Mariano Hernández, President of the Cabildo de La Palma. Tomorrow, the Commissioner
will visit together with representatives of Spain the volcano which erupted last September and which
has affected the natural environment and polluted the air on the island. Earlier today, Commissioner

Sinkevičius participated in the EU Clean Air Forum taking place in Madrid and delivered a speech.
He also met José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Madrid and together with Hugo Morán Fernández,
Secretary of State for the Environment, he visited the plant of Humana – an example of a circularity-
related initiative in the textile sector. This comes ahead of the Textile Strategy that the Commission
is currently preparing as one of the actions under the Circular Economy Action Plan. (For more
information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

Conference on the Future of Europe: European Citizens' Panel focus on climate,
environment and health
The themes of climate change, environment and health are not only at the core of the EU agenda,
but also take centre stage in the Conference on the Future of Europe this weekend, as the third
thematic European Citizens' Panel gathers online (19-21 November). Up to 200 citizens from all
ages, backgrounds and various EU Member States will meet for the second time, this time online, to
deepen their discussions on the topics they identified in the first session, and work towards drafting
recommendations. The key areas being focussed on are better ways of living, protecting our
environment and health, redirecting economy and consumption, moving towards a sustainable
society and caring for all. This Panel's recommendations will be finalised and endorsed in the third
and final round of their meetings in January, in Natolin (Poland). The European Citizens' Panels are a
people-led process and a cornerstone of the Conference on the Future of Europe. All four Panels are
holding their second sessions online this month. Then, 80 representatives of the Panels – of which at
least one-third are under 25 years old – will take their place the Conference Plenary, to present the
outcomes of their respective Panel discussions, and debate them with MEPs, national politicians,
European Commissioners, and other Plenary members from EU bodies and civil society. This
weekend's meetings of all panellists of the third European Citizens' Panel - on Friday and Sunday
afternoon - will be livestreamed here. All Europeans can share their ideas on how to shape our
shared future on the Multilingual Digital Platform. The Platform has so far has collected almost
10,000 ideas from more than 35,000 participants. Climate change and the environment are among
the most debated topics so far. Find out more about the process and the timeline of the Conference.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: + 32 229 96302; Sinead Meehan-van Druten – Tel.:
+32 229 84094)

Commissioner Várhelyi at the International conference on Belarus in Vienna
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, will participate on 22 November
in Vienna at the International conference on Belarus, hosted by the Austrian Government and
attended by the representatives of the Belarusian opposition. The conference will focus on
international support for a future democratic Belarus. Following the fraudulent presidential elections
in August 2020, the EU quickly redirected a €33 million package to support the population of
Belarus. And in May, the Commission outlined a Comprehensive Plan of economic support to a
democratic Belarus of up to €3 billion as a clear signal of the EU's long-term commitment to the
democratic choice of the Belarusian people. After speaking at high-level opening, the Commissioner
will on Monday take part in a joint press conference together with the Austrian Chancellor Alexander
Schallenberg, Foreign Minister Michael Linhart and the leader of Belarussian Opposition, Sviatlana
Tsikhanouskaya. Commissioner Várhelyi will also hold a number of bilateral meetings, including with
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Chancellor and the Foreign Minister as well as Interior Minister Karl
Nehammer. There will be EbS coverage. (For more information: Ana Pisonero - Tel.: +32 229 54320;
Paloma Hall Caballero – Tel.: +32 2 296 85 60)

CALENDRIER – Activités hebdomadaires des Commissaires

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.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

The Spokesperson's Service has re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited number
of journalists. For more information, please see here.

UPDATED ON 19-11-2021 at 13:10
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