European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 08 / 11 / 2018
Brussels, 8 November 2018
President Jean-Claude Juncker on official visit to Finland with members of the College
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, is currently in Helsinki, Finland on an
official visit. This afternoon, he will meet bilaterally with Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland, and Juha
Sipilä, Prime Minister of Finland, in view of Finland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the
European Union. At 15:30 (14:30 CET), President Juncker will hold a joint press conference with
Prime Minister Sipilä which will be broadcast live on EbS+. In the margins of the EPP Congress, this
morning President Juncker also met bilaterally with Petteri Orpo, Minister of Finance of Finland, as
well as Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the Greek opposition. This morning President Juncker also
addressed the EPP congress – his intervention is available on EbS+. Vice-Presidents Dombrovskis
and Katainen, as well as Commissioners Oettinger, Hahn, Thyssen, Stylianides, Hogan,
Navracsics, Moedas and Gabriel are also in Helsinki. For more information about the visits of
individual Commissioners, see the weekly calendar here. (For more information: Margaritis Schinas –
Tel.: +32 229 60524; Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456)

Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast: Sustained but less dynamic growth amid high uncertainty
The Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast published today shows that growth in the euro area is forecast
to ease from a 10-year high of 2.4% in 2017 to 2.1% in 2018 before moderating further to 1.9% in
2019 and 1.7% in 2020. The same pattern is expected for the EU27, with growth forecast at 2.2% in
2018, 2.0% in 2019 and 1.9% in 2020. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social
Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, said: "All
EU economies are set to grow this year and next, which will bring more jobs. However, uncertainty
and risks, both external and internal, are on the rise and start to take a toll on the pace of economic
activity. We need to stay vigilant and work harder to reinforce the resilience of our economies. At EU
level it means taking concrete decisions on further strengthening our Economic and Monetary Union.
At national level, there is even a stronger case for building up fiscal buffers and reducing debt while
making sure that the benefits of growth are also felt by the most vulnerable members of society."
Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, said:
‘“The European economy is holding up well, with growth easing gradually. We project this pattern
will continue over the next two years, as unemployment continues to fall to levels not seen since
before the crisis. Public debt in the euro area is set to continue declining, with the deficit remaining
well below 1% of GDP. In an increasingly uncertain international environment, policymakers both in
Brussels and in national capitals must work to ensure that the euro area is strong enough to deal
with whatever the future might hold.” The full press release is available in all languages here. The
full Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast is available here. (For more information: Christian Spahr – Tel.:
+32 229 50055; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 58615)

L'Union européenne renforce son soutien au Burkina Faso
Le président de la Commission européenne Jean-Claude Juncker et le président du Burkina Faso
Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, lors de leur rencontre mardi à Bruxelles, ont renforcé la coopération et le
partenariat entre l'Union européenne et le Burkina Faso. Les deux Présidents ont discuté de la
coopération entre l'Union européenne et le Burkina Faso, dans les domaines économique, sécuritaire
et culturel, et ont abordé le sujet de la présidence du G5 Sahel que le Burkina Faso occupera l'année
prochaine ainsi que les défis auxquels le pays fait face, notamment en matière de sécurité. Le
président Juncker a dit: "Le partenariat entre l'Union européenne et le Burkina Faso est très fort, et
notre réunion a été une excellente occasion pour le souligner. Nous avons discuté de notre
engagement commun vis-à-vis de la démocratie, de la sécurité, du développement et de la
gouvernance. Notre coopération aboutit déjà à de fructueux résultats qui bénéficient aux citoyens du
Burkina Faso, et nous nous engageons à la renforcer davantage, notamment à travers notre nouvelle
Alliance avec l'Afrique pour créer des investissements et des emplois, et notre Plan d'Investissement

Extérieur". Le président Kaboré a été ensuite reçu par la haute représentante de l'Union pour les
affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité/vice-présidente de la Commission européenne, Federica
Mogherini, ainsi que par le commissaire en charge de la coopération internationale et du
développement, Neven Mimica, avec lequel il a signé deux nouveaux accords visant à soutenir la
culture et l'égalité des genres au Burkina Faso. Ces nouveaux engagements financiers font partie de
la coopération globale de l'UE avec le Burkina Faso, qui représente une valeur totale d'environ 980
millions d'euros entre 2014 et 2020. Le commissaire Mimica a déclaré: "Avec ces deux nouveaux
programmes d'un montant de 15 millions d'euros, l'Union européenne s'engage concrètement en
faveur de la création d'emplois, de l'investissement, de la créativité et de la jeunesse. La culture est
un secteur stimulant et prometteur pour la jeunesse du Burkina Faso dans lequel l'UE continue
d'investir, tout comme l'égalité des genres, préalable indispensable à un développement économique
durable et inclusif." Plus d'informations dans le communiqué de presse complet. (Pour plus
d'informations: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tél.: +32 229 65322; Christina Wunder – Tél.:
+32 229 92256)

Procédures d'infraction du mois de novembre: la Commission prend des mesures en vue
d'une mise en œuvre complète, correcte et en temps utile du droit de l'Union dans l'intérêt
des citoyens et des entreprises
Pour aider les citoyens et les entreprises à tirer pleinement profit du marché intérieur, la Commission
européenne noue un dialogue permanent avec les États membres qui ne respectent pas le droit
européen et, au besoin, ouvre des procédures d'infraction à leur égard. Les décisions prises
aujourd'hui, dans le cadre des décisions régulières d'infraction, comprennent 40 lettres de mise en
demeure, 21 avis motivés et 8 renvois à la Cour de justice de l'UE. Elle clôt également 107 dossiers
en cours lorsque l'État membre concerné, en coopération avec la Commission, a résolu le problème
et assuré le respect du droit de l'Union et que, dès lors, une saisine de la Cour de justice de l'Union
européenne n'est pas nécessaire. Un résumé des principales décisions et les références des
communiqués de presse correspondants figurent ici. Les aspects essentiels des procédures
d'infraction de l'UE sont énoncés ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Alexander Winterstein - Tél.: +32
229 93265; Uldis Šalajevs - Tél.: +32 229 67560)

Commission requests Maltese anti-money laundering watchdog to step up supervision of
banks
The European Commission has adopted today an opinion requiring the Maltese anti-money
laundering supervisor (Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit) to continue taking additional measures to
fully comply with its obligations under the fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive. Following the
Commission's request, the European Banking Authority (EBA) investigated and concluded that
Malta's Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) was breaching Union law and issued a
Recommendation on 11 July 2018. It considered that Malta failed to correctly supervise financial
institutions and ensure their compliance with anti-money laundering rules. Building on the EBA
recommendation and taking into account and acknowledging the measures adopted by Malta to
address the identified shortcomings in the meantime, the European Commission adopted today a
formal opinion on the basis of the EBA regulation. The opinion is requiring the Maltese anti-money
laundering supervisor (Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit) to take additional measures to fully
comply with its obligation under the fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive to effectively supervise
financial institutions on its territory, including by having an effective sanctioning regime. First Vice-
President Frans Timmermans said: "To protect the security of Europeans and ensure a safe, reliable
financial system, every authority in every Member State must uphold EU money-laundering rules in
full. We remain vigilant and ready to act so that any breach is swiftly remedied and that better
supervisory practice ensures it does not happen again." Commission Vice-President Valdis
Dombrovskis, responsible for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, said:
“The European Banking Authority contributes to a harmonised application of anti-money laundering
supervisory rules. Our September proposal will equip the EBA with the additional instruments and
resources needed to ensure effective cooperation and convergence of supervisory standards. I count
on the European Parliament and Council's cooperation to turn this proposal into legislation rapidly.”
Commissioner for Justice, Gender Equality and Consumers, Vera Jourová, added:” Europe has the
strongest anti-money laundering rules in the world. But they need to be enforced with the same high
standards across the EU to avoid creating any weak link.” Malta's Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit
has ten working days upon receipt of the opinion to inform the Commission and the European
Banking Authority of the measures it intends to take to comply with their obligations. A full press
release is available online. (For more information: Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie
Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659)

Eurobaromètre: en Europe, il fait bon vivre dans nos régions
Publiés aujourd'hui, les premiers résultats d'un Eurobaromètre sur l'opinion publique au niveau
régional soulignent que la vaste majorité des Européens (80%) juge bonne la qualité de vie dans
leur région. En outre, 66% des sondés se disent optimistes quant au futur de leur région tandis que
65% d'entre eux trouvent que la situation économique de leur région est bonne. Parmi les
considérations qu'ils estiment cruciales au niveau régional, les interrogés avancent en priorité la
santé (34%) ainsi que le chômage (30%). Enfin, au niveau régional, le niveau de confiance en
l'Union européenne (59%) excède celui des gouvernements nationaux (42%). Ce sondage a été
réalisé auprès de 62 000 personnes, venant de 204 régions différentes. (Pour plus d'information:
Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615, Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr - Tél.: +32 229 56169)

State aid: Commission approves public support for natural gas interconnector between
Greece and Bulgaria
The European Commission has found Bulgarian and Greek plans to support the construction and
operation of a 182 kilometres cross-border gas interconnector (called "IGB") between Greece
(Komotini) and Bulgaria (Stara Zagora) to be in line with EU State aid rules.IGB will be owned by
ICGB AD, a 50-50 joint venture between the IGI Poseidon consortium (which includes Edison of Italy
and Greek gas incumbent DEPA) and BEH, the Bulgarian gas incumbent. The total investment cost
for the IGB interconnector, which is designed to transport 3 billion cubic meters/year (bcm/y) of
natural gas from Greece to Bulgaria by 2021, amounts to €240 million. Bulgaria and Greece notified
to the Commission certain support measures to ICGB AD, which involve State aid within the meaning
of EU State aid rules, namely: (i) an unconditional state guarantee to be granted by the Bulgarian
State to cover a €110 million loan that ICGB AD will receive from the European Investment bank; (ii)
a €39 million direct financial contribution by Bulgaria via the Bulgarian Operational Programme
"Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020; (OPIC) and (iii) a fixed corporate tax regime that will
apply to ICGB AD for 25 years from the start of commercial operations and will be governed by an
intergovernmental agreement between Bulgaria and Greece. The Commission assessed these
measures under EU State aid rules, in particular its 2014 Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental
Protection and Energy and concluded that the measures are in line with EU State aid rules and will
contribute to the objectives of security of supply, diversification of energy sources and increased
competition in EU energy markets. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition
policy, said: "The new gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria will increase the security of
energy supply and enhance competition, to the benefit of citizens in the region. We have approved
the support measures to be granted by Bulgaria and Greece because they are limited to what is
necessary to make the project happen and therefore are in line with our State aid rules." The full
press release is available online in EN, FR, DE, BG, EL. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso –
Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Romania needs to recover around €60 million of incompatible aid from energy
producer CE Hunedoara
The European Commission has found that Romanian State-owned electricity and heat producer
Complexul Energetic Hunedoara (CE Hunedoara) received around €60 million of incompatible State
aid from Romania through four publicly financed loans. On 21 April 2015, the Commission approved
under EU State aid rules temporary rescue aid of €37.7 million (RON 167 million) to CE Hunedoara,
that had been in financial difficulty since 2013. In the context of this decision, Romania committed
to submit a restructuring plan aimed at ensuring the future viability of CE Hunedoara, should the
company be unable to pay back the rescue aid in six months' time. Following the non-repayment of
the rescue aid by CE Hunedoara and in the absence of a credible restructuring plan or any real steps
towards the liquidation of the company, in March 2018, the Commission opened an in-depth
investigation. The Commission found that no private market economy operator would have granted
any of the publicly financed or supported loans granted by Romania to CE Hunedoara, given the
company's deteriorating financial situation. It therefore concluded that the support measures gave
CE Hunedoara an unfair economic advantage over its competitors, and therefore constitute State aid
within the meaning of the EU rules. Since CE Hunedoara met the conditions for insolvency
proceedings under Romanian law, the Commission assessed the various measures under its Rescue
and Restructuring Guidelines, which allow a state intervention for a company in financial difficulty
under specific conditions, in particular that the company is subject to a sound restructuring plan,
contributes to the cost of its restructuring and that any competition distortions are limited. The
Commission found that these conditions were not met, since: (i) the restructuring plan submitted by

Romania did not ensure the long term viability of CE Hunedoara without continued State aid and, in
any event, has not been pursued by the company; (ii) there was no discernible own contribution by
CE Hunedoara to the restructuring costs, and (iii) no measures were proposed by Romania to limit
possible distortions of competition following the significant State support. On this basis, the
Commission concluded that loans totalling around €60 million plus interest, are incompatible with EU
State aid rules and need to be recovered by Romania. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in charge
of competition policy, said: "A government can support a company in financial difficulty if the
company has a sound restructuring plan, contributes to the cost of its restructuring and competition
distortions are limited. In the case of CE Hunedoara these conditions were not met - we found that
the public loans granted by Romania to CE Hunedoara gave the company an unfair economic
advantage. This means that the state aid was illegal. Now Romania needs to recover the illegal aid
that was granted to the company." The full press release is available online in EN, FR, DE, RO. (For
more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €60 million public support for broadband network project
in the Styria region in Austria
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, €60 million of public support for
the deployment and maintenance of the physical infrastructure necessary for the roll-out of ultrafast
broadband networks in remote rural areas of the Styria region in Austria. The beneficiary of the aid is
a newly established company owned by the state of Styria. Access to the infrastructure will be
provided to third party network operators on equal and non-discriminatory terms. The support
measure will enable access speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for both download
and upload in the underserved rural areas in Styria. These networks can be upgraded to provide
download speeds of one Gigabit (1000 Mbps). The Commission assessed the measure under its 2013
Broadband Guidelines and concluded that the measure is in line with EU State aid rules. Indeed, the
positive effects of the measure on competition in the Austrian broadband market outweigh any
potential negative effects brought about by the State aid. The support measure complies with the
Digital Agenda for Europe and the 2025 objectives for high speed internet connections set out in the
Commission's Communication on a Gigabit Society. More information will be available, once potential
confidentiality issues have been resolved, on the Commission's competition website, in the State Aid
Register under the case number SA.50844. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229
80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Aides d'État: la Commission approuve un financement public français pour l'extension du
réseau de chauffage urbain de Lyon et la construction d'une chaufferie biomasse
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, en
particulier sur la base de ses lignes directrices de 2014 concernant les aides d'État à la protection de
l'environnement et à l'énergie, l'aide que la France envisage d'octroyer pour l'extension du réseau de
chauffage urbain de Lyon et la construction d'une chaufferie biomasse de 51 mégawatts (MW). Ces
mesures s'inscrivent dans le cadre de projets d'investissement plus larges pour développer le réseau,
mieux récupérer la chaleur des incinérateurs et s'appuyer davantage sur les énergies renouvelables.
L'aide prendra la forme d'une subvention à l'investissement et d'une avance remboursable octroyée à
Dalkia, filiale d'EDF, chargée de la réalisation du projet. L'aide sera octroyée dans le cadre du Fonds
chaleur géré par l'Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie (ADEME). L'aide
contribuera aux objectifs français et européens d'efficacité énergétique et de production d'énergie à
partir de sources renouvelables, conformément aux objectifs environnementaux de l'UE, tandis que
les éventuelles distorsions de concurrence engendrées par le soutien de l'État seront réduites au
minimum. Plus d'informations sont disponibles sur le site web de la Direction Générale de la
Concurrence de la Commission dans le registre des aides d'Etat, sous le numéro SA.49634. (Pour
plus d'informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves eighth prolongation of Irish credit union restructuring
scheme
The European Commission has found the prolongation until 30 April 2019 of an Irish scheme aimed
at restructuring credit unions, to be in line with EU State aid rules, and in particular the 2013
Banking Communication. The objective of the scheme is to underpin the stability and long-term
viability of credit unions and the credit union sector in Ireland at large. Restructuring involves
merging credit unions with ample reserves with credit unions with a gap, providing, if necessary, a
capital injection to make up any shortfall in the capital reserve requirements of the merged credit
union. Stabilisation involves assisting fundamentally viable credit unions that have temporarily

slipped below the regulatory reserve requirements. The Commission found that the measure ensures
that the beneficiaries become viable in the long-term through restructuring or merging with sound
credit unions, and that they contribute to the cost of restructuring. Moreover, the impact on
competition is limited because credit unions are small and do business only with members. The
Commission initially authorised the scheme in October 2014. It was subsequently prolonged seven
times, the last time in April 2018. Until now, the Irish authorities have managed to restructure credit
unions without granting any aid under this scheme. More information will be available on the
Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the reference SA.52132. (For
more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Giulia Astuti - Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Mergers: Commission clears the creation of six joint ventures by Daimler and BMW, subject
to conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of six joint
ventures by Daimler and BMW, subject to conditions. The activities of Daimler and BMW overlap
significantly with respect to free-floating car sharing services. The Commission found that the
proposed transaction would raise competition concerns for car sharing in six cities, namely Berlin,
Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna. In these cities the alternatives to car sharing
would be limited. The Commission examined the effects of the proposed transaction, taking into
account the competitive restraints exerted by other means of transportation, such as station-based
car sharing (where cars can only be dropped off at specific "stations") or public transport. In
addition, the Commission examined a number of vertical relationships arising from the merging
companies' activities. The Commission found that, after the transaction, Daimler and BMW would
have the ability and incentive to shut out: (a) rival providers of integrator apps, to the benefit of
Daimler's own integrator app "moovel"; and (b) rival car sharing providers, to the benefit of their
own car sharing services. To address the Commission's competition concerns, Daimler and BMW
offered, in the six relevant cities, a two-fold remedy package, granting: (a) application programming
interface ("API") access to third party aggregator platforms for mobility solutions; and (b) access to
Daimler "moovel" integrator app to interested car sharing providers. The commitments fully address
the Commission's concerns. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction, as
modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns. The Commission's
decision is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments. The full press release is available
online in EN, FR, DE. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni -
Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Versace by Michael Kors
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control over Gianni Versace of Italy by Michael Kors of the US. Both Michael Kors and Gianni Versace
are active in the design, development, manufacture, distribution, wholesale, retail and licensing of
luxury products globally, such as luxury accessories, footware and apparel. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given that the overlap
between the companies' activites is limited. The operation was examined under the simplified
merger review procedure. More information will be available on the Commission's competition
website, in the public case register under the case number M.9144. (For more information: Ricardo
Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni - Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over Highcross shopping centre by
Hammerson and M&G
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over the Highcross shopping centre by Hammerson plc and M&G Limited, belonging to
Prudential plc, all of the UK. Highcross is a shopping centre located in Leicester. Hammerson is active
in commercial real estate development and ownership-management of retail property in Europe.
Prudential is an international financial services group, which notably invests in property on behalf of
its clients, primarily through the M&G Real Estate brand. The Commission concluded that the
proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given its very limited impact on the
market structure. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More
information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register
under the case number M.9050. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100;
Maria Tsoni - Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Statement by First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Věra Jourová on
the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the ‘Kristallnacht' (Night of Broken Glass)
"80 years ago the lives and history of Jews in Europe changed forever in the space of one night. The
state-sponsored Antisemitism of the Nazi regime triggered the murder of Jews, the burning of
synagogues, and the looting of Jewish-owned businesses and Jewish houses. Around thirty thousand
Jewish people were deported during the 'Kristallnacht', an event which marked the beginning of the
Holocaust and the extermination of six million Jews. Today we must pause and reflect on these
events, and to remind ourselves of why we must do everything in our power to prevent this from
ever happening again. (…) Jewish people should never again have to ask themselves whether they or
their children have a future in the European Union. They should never have to question whether the
authorities will stand on their side to guarantee their safety. Nobody should ever be afraid to go to a
synagogue or wear a kippah in the European Union. Today, as every day, the European Commission
stands firm against all forms of Antisemitism. We will continue to relentlessly fight prejudice and
stereotypes in Europe, whomever it regards, and we will always defend people's right to practise
their religion – whichever it is – freely and without fear." The full statement is available online. (For
more information: Christian Wigand– Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659;
Kasia Kolanko – Tel.: +32 229 63444)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Hahn in Kyiv on 8 - 9 November to discuss reform progress and reiterate firm
EU support to the civil society
Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn is
in Kyiv, today and tomorrow, to take stock of reforms in Ukraine with key actors. He will also hand
over the annual implementation report on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement to Prime Minister
Volodymyr Groysman. The Commissioner will meet with key political authorities of the country
including President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Groysman and Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin. He will
also meet with representatives of civil society organisations just few days after the sad news of the
passing of Kateryna Handziuk. Commissioner Hahn will reiterate that attacks against civil society
activists are unacceptable and that the perpetrators of this crime and other attacks must be brought
to justice. The Commissioner will pay tribute to the 'Heavenly Hundred Heroes Memorial'. Underlining
the importance of independent media for the democratic development of the country, Commissioner
Hahn will also visit the Ukrainian public broadcaster (UA:PBC), where he will discuss with senior
management and the supervisory board the impact of its underfunding. Commissioner Hahn will
meet with the senior management of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine to discuss the
state of play in the fight against corruption. Finally, Commissioner Hahn will sign a new EU-funded
programme in support of eastern Ukraine which will be implemented by UNDP and other partners.
More information on EU-Ukraine relations is available on our dedicated factsheet. Photos and videos
of the visit will be available on EbS. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570;
Alceo Smerilli – Tel.: +32 229 64887)

Vice-President Dombrovskis participates in European Semester country visit to Finland
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial
Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, is in Finland for a European Semester country
visit today and tomorrow. He will deliver a keynote speech at a conference hosted by Finance Finland
on the theme of "Sustainable Finance in Nordic-Baltic region". He will hold a number of meetings,
including with Mr Petteri Orpo, Minister of Finance and Mr Jari Lindström, Minister of Employment and
will have an exchange of views with Finnish social partners. Vice-President Dombrovskis will also
engage in adebate with members of the Finnish Parliament. (For more information: Christian Spahr -
+32 229 50055; Johannes Bahrke - +32 229 58615; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976; Letizia
Lupini – Tel.: +32 229 51958)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
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