European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 18 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 18 June 2021
NextGenerationEU: la Commission approuve les plans pour la reprise et la résilience du
Danemark et du Luxembourg
La Commission européenne a adopté des évaluations positives des plans pour la reprise et la
résilience (FRR) du Danemark et du Luxembourg. Il s'agit d'une étape importante vers le versement
des fonds au titre de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience vers ces États membres. Ce
financement soutiendra la mise en œuvre des mesures essentielles d'investissement et de réforme
décrites dans les plans pour la reprise et la résilience de ces pays. La Commission a évalué ces plans
au regard des critères énoncés dans le règlement FRR. Le Conseil disposera à présent, en principe,
de quatre semaines pour adopter les propositions de la Commission. La FRR, l'instrument au cœur de
NextGenerationEU, apportera jusqu'à 672,5 milliards d'euros (en prix courants) pour soutenir les
investissements et les réformes dans l'ensemble de l'UE. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek
– Tél.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976)

Recovery and Resilience Facility: Estonia submits official recovery and resilience plan
The Commission has today received an official recovery and resilience plan from Estonia. This plan
sets out the reforms and public investment projects that Estonia plans to implement with the
support of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The RRF is the key instrument at the heart of
NextGenerationEU, the EU's plan for emerging stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will provide
up to €672.5 billion to support investments and reforms (in 2018 prices). This breaks down into
grants worth a total of €312.5 billion and €360 billion in loans. The RRF will play a crucial role in
helping Europe emerge stronger from the crisis and securing the green and digital transitions. The
presentation of the plan follows intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Estonian
authorities over the past number of months. The Commission will now assess Estonia's plan based on
the eleven criteria set out in the Regulation and translate their contents into legally binding acts. The
Commission has now received 24 recovery and resilience plans from Belgium, Czechia, Denmark,
Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden.
It will continue to engage intensively with the remaining Member States to help them deliver high
quality plans. A press release and a Q&A are available online. (For more information: Marta
Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Moving forward with EU4Health: first annual work programme worth €312 million adopted
As of today, EU4Health will fund more modern and resilient health systems, interventions to shore up
our preparedness against health crises and more decisive EU action in the fight against cancer. The
first annual work programme of EU4Health will provide €312 million for crisis preparedness, disease
prevention, health systems and the healthcare workforce, and digitalisation. Funded projects will
cover disease surveillance, preventing shortages of medicines, prevention, early detection, diagnosis
and treatment of cancer, stronger European Reference Networks for rare diseases, testing the
resilience of health systems, and preparing a European Health Data Space, amongst others. Stella
Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Today, we start an unprecedented
investment programme for health in the EU. The first-ever EU4Health work programme starts paving
the way towards a strong European Health Union. We will address the lessons learnt during the
COVID-19 pandemic by investing in crisis preparedness. We will rebuild better, stronger and more
resilient health systems that are more digital and have a trained and skilled workforce. And we will
work to reduce the impact of cancer by investing in actions presented in Europe's Beating Cancer
Plan.” The programme will be managed by the European Commission and the Health and Digital
Executive Agency (HaDEA). (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 62253–
Darragh Cassidy– Tel +32 229 83978)

Visa Information System: Bulgaria and Romania to gain read access in July
The Commission adopted today a decision determining that as of July 2021, Bulgaria and Romania
will gain read only access to the Visa Information System, the database connecting border guards at
the EU's external borders with Member States' consulates across the world. Read only access means
that these Member States will be able to access information that already exists in the system, rather
than entering new information. This comes after both countries successfully completed a series of
technical tests required to connect to the system. Access to the Visa Information System means that
Bulgaria and Romania will be able to see the visa history of an applicant, which will facilitate their
processing of visa applications. It will also allow Bulgarian and Romanian border guards to verify the
validity and authenticity of Schengen visas issued by other Member States against the data stored in
the Visa Information System, helping prevent fraud and fight serious crime and terrorism, thus
increasing security within the EU. Read access to the Visa Information System will be necessary for
Bulgaria and Romania to run the Entry/Exit System, expected to enter into operation in the first half
of 2022. Full access to the Visa Information System would become possible once Bulgaria and
Romania would be fully integrated within the Schengen area. The Commission has reiterated its call
on the Council to take the necessary steps for Bulgaria and Romania to become part of the area
without controls at internal borders in the Strategy towards a stronger and more resilient Schengen
area presented in June this year. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156;
Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721).

La Commission demande l'avis des citoyens sur l'éducation à l'environnement et au
développement durable
La Commission lance aujourd'hui une consultation publique sur l'éducation à l'environnement et au
développement durable. Cette consultation permettra de recueillir des contributions et des idées en
vue d'une proposition de recommandation du Conseil, devant être adoptée fin 2021. Cette
proposition aura pour but d'aborder les principaux défis d'intégration des problématiques de
développement durable dans l'éducation, allant du soutien aux enseignants pour présenter ces
questions complexes en classe à la garantie que les jeunes acquièrent les compétences adéquates
pour leur avenir professionnel. Mariya Gabriel, commissaire européenne à l'innovation, à la
recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse, a déclaré : "L'éducation a un rôle clé à jouer
pour inspirer un comportement durable et aider les citoyens à passer de la prise de conscience à
l'action. Les écoles, les établissements d'enseignement supérieur et les centres de formation
devraient être habilités à dispenser une éducation de qualité en matière de durabilité
environnementale. La Commission s'engage pleinement à soutenir les efforts nationaux et à
permettre une coopération et des échanges accrus sur ces questions au niveau européen. La
consultation publique lancée aujourd'hui ouvrira la voie à une proposition qui rendra les programmes
d'études européens adaptés à la transition verte." La recommandation soutiendra les États membres
dans leurs efforts pour aligner leurs systèmes d'éducation et de formation sur les changements
requis pour la transition verte, en recommandant une série d'actions pour les prestataires
d'éducation et de formation ainsi que pour les décideurs politiques. La consultation publique sera
complétée par des ateliers en ligne ciblés avec des jeunes, des éducateurs et les organisations
concernées. En parallèle, la Commission élabore un cadre européen des compétences qui contribuera
à évaluer les connaissances, les compétences et les attitudes en matière de changement climatique
et de développement durable. Les transitions verte et numérique sont des priorités de l'espace
européen de l'éducation ainsi que du nouveau programme Erasmus+. La consultation publique est
disponible en ligne dans toutes les langues de l'UE et sera ouverte jusqu'au 24 septembre. Plus
d'informations sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova - Tél : +32
229 66953 ; Célia Dejond - Tél : +32 229 88199)

Afrique du Nord: L'UE mobilise 20 millions d'euros d'aide humanitaire en faveur des
populations vulnérables
La Commission a annoncé aujourd'hui l'octroi d'une aide humanitaire de 20 millions d'euros en
faveur de l'Algérie, de l'Égypte et de la Libye. Le financement soutiendra les populations les plus
vulnérables touchées par les crises politiques de longue durée qui sévissent dans la région : la crise
des réfugiés sahraouis qui dure depuis plus de quatre décennies en Algérie, la crise en Libye et la
crise des réfugiés et demandeurs d'asile en Égypte. Janez Lenarčič, commissaire chargé de la
gestion des crises, s'est exprimé en ces termes: « Des millions de réfugiés, de migrants et de
demandeurs d'asile, mais aussi des personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays, des rapatriés et
des communautés d'accueil ont cruellement besoin d'aide humanitaire en Afrique du Nord. L'année

dernière, la pandémie de COVID-19 a encore aggravé les conditions de vie déjà désastreuses dans la
région. Il s'agit notamment de la crise oubliée des réfugiés en Algérie, où près de 80 % des réfugiés
restent tributaires de l'aide humanitaire pour leur apport alimentaire quotidien minimal. L'aide de
l'UE aidera les personnes les plus vulnérables à répondre à leurs besoins fondamentaux, ainsi qu'à
assurer notamment l'accès à la protection et à l'éducation. » Toute l'aide humanitaire de l'UE est
fournie en partenariat avec les agences des Nations unies, les organisations internationales et les
ONG. Elle est fournie conformément aux principes humanitaires d'humanité, de neutralité,
d'impartialité et d'indépendance. Plus de détails figurent dans le Communiqué de presse. (Pour plus
d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: + 32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Venezuela: EU reaffirms support to refugees and migrants at International Donors'
Conference
Yesterday, at the International Donors' Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and
Migrants, the European Commission pledged €147 million, in addition to pledges by EU Member
States, for immediate humanitarian assistance, medium and longer-term development assistance
and conflict prevention interventions for Venezuelan refugees, migrants and host communities. This
comes in addition to the ongoing aid package of €319 million allocated by the EU to alleviate the
crisis since 2018. This year's funding from the European Union will focus on three different aspects.
Firstly, on humanitarian assistance of €82 million for immediate relief activities to vulnerable
Venezuelans affected by the crisis, wherever they are. Secondly, on development cooperation of €50
million focusing in particular on social and economic integration of Venezuelan refugees, migrants
and host communities in countries most affected by the Venezuelan crisis. Thirdly, on assistance
through the Foreign Policy Instrument of €15 million, focusing on strengthening registration and
integration policies and processes for Venezuelan migrants and refugees and addressing the needs of
host communities. Over 5.6 million Venezuelans have been forced to leave their homes since 2015,
leading to what has become the largest displacement in the history of Latin America and the second
largest in the world, after Syria. The press release is available online. (For more information: Balazs
Ujvari – Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Insurance Ireland for restricting
access to a data sharing platform
The Commission has informed Insurance Ireland, an association of Irish insurers, of its preliminary
view that it breached EU antitrust rules by restricting competition in the Irish motor vehicle
insurance market. The Commission takes issue with certain conditions of access to the Insurance
Link platform, a data sharing system, which Insurance Ireland administers. The Commission
considers that Insurance Ireland arbitrarily delayed or de facto denied access to the system to
companies that had a legitimate interest in joining it, and that hurdles remain in place that might
affect companies seeking to enter the Irish motor insurance market. In particular, the Commission's
preliminary view, outlined in its Statement of Objections, is that lack of access to Insurance Link has
the effect of placing companies at a competitive disadvantage on the Irish motor vehicle insurance
market in comparison to companies that have access to the database. This affects negatively costs,
quality of service and pricing. It also acts as a barrier to entry and thus reduces the possibility of
more competitive prices and choice of suppliers. Lack of access to the relevant data contained in
Insurance Link also has an effect on cross border trade between Member States, resulting in the
potential partitioning of the Single Market. If confirmed, this would infringe Article 101 of the Treaty
on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The sending of a Statement of Objections does not
prejudge the outcome of an investigation. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of
competition policy, said: “Motor insurance is a significant cost in the budget of every family and
business. Access to data is key for insurers to evaluate the risk they take and to offer competitive
contract conditions to customers. We have concerns that certain insurers and their agents were put
at a competitive disadvantage because Insurance Ireland denied or delayed access to its data
sharing system, compiling valuable information on insurance claims. This prevented competitive
entry of new players and thus reduced Irish drivers' choice of motor insurance policies at competitive
prices. Non-discriminatory access to data sharing systems is important to foster competition in
markets relying on data.” A full press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves prolongation and modification of German scheme to
support research and development
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation and modification

of a German scheme to support research and development (‘R&D'), the ‘European Recovery
Programme – Mezzanine for Innovation” managed by the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (‘KfW') and
financed from a special historical fund. The scheme provides senior and subordinated loans under
favourable conditions for the long-term financing of R&D projects. The scheme was first approved by
the Commission in 2011. The current version of the scheme was last prolonged in January 2021 and
was set to expire at the end of June 2021 (SA.60182). Germany notified the following modifications
to the scheme: (i) a prolongation of the scheme until 31 December 2025; (ii) an additional budget of
around €1.4 billion; (iii) the inclusion of costs for contract research among the ones eligible for
compensation; and (iv) the reinforcement of the novelty requirement concerning the research
dimension, as only those experimental development projects whose aim is to develop new products,
processes or technical services that go beyond the international state of art will be eligible to receive
support. The Commission assessed the measure under the 2014 Framework for State aid for research
and development and innovation (RDI) and concluded that the scheme will continue to provide long-
term financing for R&D projects in a way that is compatible with the internal market. On this basis,
the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the
decision will be made available under the case number SA.59148 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 a Polish scheme to compensate large companies for
damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak and provide liquidity support
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a Polish scheme to partially
compensate large companies for the damages suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak and the
restrictive measures implemented by the Polish government, while providing them with direct
liquidity support through subsidised loans. The scheme, which is modelled upon a previous Polish
scheme approved by Commission on 29 May 2020 (SA.57054), will be implemented by the Polish
Development Fund and is part of a wider Polish programme, called “Financial Shield for Large
Enterprises. Under the scheme, which will be open to large companies active in all sectors and
registered in Poland, the aid will take the form of subsidised loans at favourable interest rates, which
can be redeemed in an amount not exceeding 75% of the actual damages incurred by the beneficiary
companies from 1 November 2020 until 30 April 2021 and directly due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission found that the Polish measure will compensate damages that are directly linked to
the coronavirus outbreak, and that it is proportionate, as the compensation will not exceed what is
necessary to make good the damage, in line with Article 107(2)(b) TFEU. Furthermore, the
Commission found that the liquidity support measure is in line with the conditions laid down in
Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the loan contracts will be
signed by 31 December 2021 at the latest; (ii) they will be limited to a maximum of six years and
(iii) the maximum loan amount per beneficiary does not exceed the limits set out in the Temporary
Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “This scheme
will enable Poland to partially compensate large companies for the damages suffered as a result of
the restrictive measures put in place to limit the spread of a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic,
while supporting their immediate liquidity needs. We continue working in close cooperation with
Member States to find workable solutions to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus
outbreak, in line with EU rules.” 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 modification of Swedish scheme to support companies
active in air ambulance transport in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found the amendment to an existing Swedish scheme to support
companies active in air ambulance transport to be in line with the Temporary Framework. The
existing scheme was approved by the Commission in March 2021 (SA.61904). Under the existing
scheme, the support takes the form of direct grants to cover the fixed costs incurred by the
beneficiaries for air ambulance transports, during the period from 1 January to 30 June 2021.
Sweden notified the following modifications to the existing scheme: (i) an increase in the budget,
from approximately €5 million (SEK 50 million) to approximately €6.2 million (SEK 62 million); (ii)
an extension of the period for which aid can be granted, until 15 August 2021. Fixed costs that are
already covered by another source will not be compensated. 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 company; 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.63130 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 Arrow Global by TDR Capital
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control of Arrow Global Group plc (‘Arrow Global') by TDR Capital LLC, both of the UK. Arrow Global is
an investor and asset manager targeting three core asset classes, comprising unsecured and secured
non-performing, and performing portfolio investments. TDR Capital is a private equity firm investing
in a variety of sectors. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns given the absence of horizontal overlaps and vertical links between the
activities of TDR Capital and Arrow Global. 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.10269. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Journée mondiale des réfugiés: déclaration conjointe de la Commission européenne et du
haut représentant
À l'occasion de la Journée mondiale des réfugiés le 20 juin, la Commission européenne et le haut
représentant ont fait cette déclaration conjointe : « Aucun pays, aucune région du monde n'a été
épargnée par l'impact de la COVID-19. Le virus exacerbe les inégalités existantes et a un effet
disproportionné sur les réfugiés, les personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays, les migrants
vulnérables et les apatrides. Nous devons tous redoubler d'efforts. Alors que des campagnes de
vaccination sont en cours dans l'UE, l'UE s'efforce de garantir un accès universel aux vaccins contre
la COVID-19, notamment par le biais de la facilité COVAX. 86% des personnes déplacées dans le
monde sont hébergées dans des pays en développement, qui sont également confrontés à de
sérieuses difficultés en raison de la pandémie. Malgré ces défis, la pandémie nous a également
rapprochés. Nous avons vu de nombreux exemples de réfugiés et de leurs communautés d'accueil
unissant leurs efforts et se mobilisant dans les moments les plus difficiles, démontrant une fois de
plus l'énorme potentiel des réfugiés à s'épanouir dans leurs nouveaux foyers, lorsqu'ils reçoivent un
soutien suffisant. Il est de notre responsabilité de soutenir les réfugiés ainsi que les pays d'accueil
dans ce contexte difficile. Nous aidons à répondre aux besoins fondamentaux des personnes et à
favoriser l'inclusion sociale par l'accès à l'éducation, à la santé, à l'emploi et aux moyens de
subsistance. L'UE a été à l'avant-garde de la réponse internationale aux grandes crises de réfugiés,
telles que celles qui touchent les Syriens, les Vénézuéliens et leurs communautés d'accueil. À
l'occasion de cette Journée mondiale des réfugiés, nous annonçons une nouvelle initiative, le « Lives
in Dignity Grant Facility » (Facilité de subventions pour des vies dans la dignité), qui vise à trouver
de nouvelles formes de collaboration entre les acteurs de l'humanitaire, du développement et de la
paix pour faire face aux situations de déplacement forcé les plus difficiles dans le monde. 12 des 24
premiers millions d'euros du financement de démarrage se concentreront sur les régions d'Asie,
d'Amérique latine et d'Afrique subsaharienne. » La déclaration complète est disponible en ligne.
(Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: +32 229 53156; Nabila Massrali – Tél.: +32 229
88093; Ciara Bottomley – Tél.: +32 229 69971; Xavier Cifre Quatresols – Tél.: +32 229 73582)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NextGenerationEU: President von der Leyen in Austria and Slovakia to present Commission
assessment of national recovery plans
On Monday, 21 June, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will continue her
NextGenerationEU tour in Austria and Slovakia, to personally hand over the result of the
Commission's assessment and Recommendation to the Council on the approval of the national
recovery and resilience plans in the context of NextGenerationEU. On Monday morning, she will be in
Vienna for a meeting with the Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz. Later that day, the President will
travel to Bratislava, where she will be received by Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of the Slovak
Republic. She will also meet Zuzana Čaputová, President of the Slovak Republic, and Boris Kollár,
Speaker of the National Council, together with Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič. In both countries, the
President will visit projects that are or will be funded under the Recovery and Resilience Facility,
focused on science and the green transition in Slovakia, and on quantum technology in Austria. (For
more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Marta
Wieczorek - Tel.: +32 229 58197)

CALENDRIER – activités hebdomadaires des Commissaires

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
                                                                                            MEX/21/3087