European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 16 / 11 / 2021
Brussels, 16 November 2021
La Commission se félicite de l'accord intervenu concernant le budget annuel de l'UE pour
2022
Le Parlement européen et le Conseil de l'Union européenne, sur proposition de la Commission
européenne, sont parvenus lundi soir à un accord politique informel sur le budget de l'UE pour 2022.
C'est le deuxième budget au titre du cadre financier pluriannuel de l'UE pour la période 2021-2027.
L'accord porte sur des engagements à hauteur de 169,5 milliards d'euros et sur des paiements à
hauteur de 170,6 milliards d'euros. Une fois adopté, le budget permettra à l'UE de mobiliser des
montants non négligeables afin de continuer à lutter contre la pandémie de coronavirus et ses
conséquences, de stimuler une reprise durable, ainsi que de protéger et de créer des emplois. Il
suscitera de nouveaux investissements dans une Europe plus verte, plus numérique et plus
résiliente, tout en protégeant les plus vulnérables dans son voisinage et dans le monde entier.
Commentant l'accord politique intervenu hier, Johannes Hahn, commissaire chargé du budget et de
l'administration, a déclaré: « Cet accord confirme que toutes les institutions sont prêtes à parvenir à
un compromis afin de disposer d'un budget, qui soutiendra une reprise durable et la transition
nécessaire de l'UE au profit de tous. » Le budget approuvé hier affectera les fonds là où ils peuvent
faire la plus grande différence, conformément aux besoins les plus cruciaux en matière de relance
pour les États membres de l'UE et les partenaires de l'UE dans le monde. Le budget annuel pour
2022 va maintenant être formellement adopté par le Conseil de l'Union européenne et par le
Parlement européen. Plus de détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus
d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tél.: +32 229 56859)

EU invests over €1 billion in innovative projects to decarbonise the economy
The European Union is investing over €1.1 billion into seven large-scale innovative projects under the
Innovation Fund. The grants will support projects aiming to bring breakthrough technologies to the
market in energy-intensive industries, hydrogen, carbon capture, use and storage, and renewable
energy. The projects are located in Belgium, Italy, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain
and Sweden. Executive Vice-President Timmermans said: “Innovation is crucial to provide the
solutions we need this decade to keep 1.5 degrees within reach. Together with sharp emissions
reductions, innovation gives us a path towards the Paris Agreement. Today's decision gives concrete
support to clean tech projects across Europe and enables them to scale up game-changing
technologies that support and speed up the transition to climate neutrality. Our Fit for 55 package
proposes to increase the Innovation Fund so that even more innovative European projects and ideas
can jump ahead in the global climate innovation race.” A press release with more information is
available online. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel.:
+32 229 74959)

Aviation : L'UE et l'Arménie signent un accord sur l'aviation
L'Union européenne et l'Arménie ont signé un accord sur un espace aérien commun, fondé sur des
normes communes et des exigences élevées en matière de sécurité, de sûreté et de gestion du trafic
aérien. Cette signature ouvre de nouvelles perspectives aux consommateurs, aux compagnies
aériennes ainsi qu'aux aéroports d'Arménie et de l'UE. Plus concrètement, toutes les compagnies
aériennes de l'UE pourront exploiter des vols directs de n'importe quel aéroport de l'UE vers
n'importe quel aéroport d'Arménie, et vice versa pour les compagnies arméniennes. Par ailleurs,
toutes les limitations et restrictions sur les vols entre l'Arménie et l'UE seront supprimées et les
dispositions relatives à une concurrence ouverte et équitable garantiront des conditions de
concurrence équitables. L'accord facilitera ainsi les échanges entre les populations et élargira les
possibilités commerciales entre l'UE et l'Arménie. Il constituera également un instrument précieux
pour la mise en œuvre de l'accord de partenariat global et renforcé entre l'UE et l'Arménie. La
commissaire Adina Vălean, responsable de la mobilité et des transports, a déclaré : « L'accord signé

hier permettra à l'UE et à l'Arménie de renforcer leurs relations dans le domaine de l'aviation par une
intégration progressive au marché de l'UE. Il s'agit d'une étape essentielle de notre stratégie visant à
instaurer une coopération plus étroite avec nos voisins. L'accord permettra un plus grand choix de
voyages pour les citoyens, de nouvelles opportunités pour l'industrie de l'aviation, et une meilleure
connectivité de réseaux avec de nouvelles routes et destinations au bénéfice des consommateurs, du
secteur du tourisme et des échanges interpersonnels. » Pour d'avantage d'information veuillez
consulter notre communiqué de presse et Q&A. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker -
Tél.: +32 229 84680; Anna Wartberger - Tél.: +32 229 82054)

Disinformation: Commission welcomes new prospective signatories to the Code of Practice
and recommendations for a strong monitoring framework
Today the Commission welcomes 16 additional prospective signatories joining the drafting of the
strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation and the 10 recommendations from the European
Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services (ERGA) presented yesterday to make it a strong
monitoring framework based on the Commission's Guidance. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values
and Transparency, said: “I welcome all new signatories on board. The only way to fight
disinformation is to work together: civil society, companies and the regulators. We need a revised
Code against disinformation, with a strong monitoring framework based on performance indicators. It
is now for the current and prospective signatories to deliver. The only code we will accept is a strong
and ambitious code implementing our guidance fully, addressing its current shortcomings.” Thierry
Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “There is only one way to be effective in fighting
disinformation: all parties working together towards this common goal. I commend the new partners
joining today: it shows true willingness to engage and take meaningful commitments on themselves.
As the DSA negotiations progress rapidly, I look forward to a good cooperation of both existing and
new signatories to ensure that the new Code is ready before the new rules are adopted.” ERGA's
recommendations, including a detailed analysis of the monthly COVID-19 disinformation Monitoring
Programme, will help shape a robust monitoring of the strengthened Code. The Commission expects
signatories to build strongly on these recommendations and involve ERGA in the drafting process, in
particular related to the monitoring of the Code. The Commission welcomes Twitch, Adobe, Havas,
The Bright App, Neeva, Reporters Without Borders, VOST Europe, the Netherlands Organisation for
applied scientific research (TNO), Maldita, PagellaPolitica, Demagog, MediaMath, Integral Ad Science,
the GARM initiative, Crisp Thinking and Newsback joining the drafting process as new prospective
signatories of the Code. This broadened participation will make the new Code of Practice a more
effective instrument in fighting disinformation. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke - Tel.: +32
229 58615; Charles Manoury - Tel.: +32 229 13391)

Lancement du Forum des villages de start-ups: concrétiser la vision des zones rurales de
l'UE
La Commission a lancé aujourd'hui le forum des villages de start-ups, qui vise à recueillir des
informations sur les défis et le potentiel des jeunes entreprises rurales. Dans le cadre de la vision à
long terme de l'UE pour les zones rurales de juin 2021 et du plan d'action de la Commission pour les
zones rurales, le forum annuel des villages de start-ups contribue à stimuler la recherche et
l'innovation dans les communautés rurales et à développer un esprit d'entreprise plus innovant qui
attirera davantage de jeunes talents. Ce forum est conçu comme un espace ouvert où les institutions
et parties prenantes locales, régionales, nationales et européennes peuvent se rencontrer, débattre
et façonner des actions innovantes lancées par des start-ups. L'événement de lancement devrait
également contribuer à informer les entrepreneurs et les acteurs de l'innovation rurale sur les
possibilités existantes dont ils peuvent bénéficier, dans le cadre, par exemple, des programmes de
développement rural et de la politique de cohésion de l'UE. Le forum permettra également une
compréhension commune du concept de villages de start-ups, de son articulation avec le concept de
villages intelligents, et ouvrira la voie à de nouvelles éditions dans les années à venir. Pour de plus
amples informations, veuillez consulter notre communiqué de presse. (Pour plus informations:
Johannes Bahrke - Tél.: + 32 229 58615; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)

Security and justice in the digital world: Marking 20 years of international cooperation
under the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime
This afternoon, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will deliver a video message at the
opening of the Council of Europe's ‘Octopus' conference on the fight against cybercrime. The event
marks the 20 th anniversary of the Budapest Convention, which lies at the heart of a global alliance

against Cybercrime. 66 countries are party to the Convention. It has been signed by all EU Member
States. The Budapest Convention is the foundation for of anti-cybercrime legislation in 80% of
countries worldwide. A Second Additional Protocol to the Convention, concerning enhanced
cooperation and disclosure of electronic evidence, is expected to be approved by the Council of
Ministers of the Council of Europe tomorrow. Once in place, this protocol will improve access to
electronic evidence, enhance mutual legal assistance and help in setting up joint investigations. The
Commission negotiated the Protocol on behalf of the European Union. The conference gathers
cybercrime experts from public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental
organisations from all over the world, discussing the digital security challenges ahead including child
sexual abuse and fight against ransomware. The event will take place online. More information is
available here. Commissioner Johansson's video message will be available online here later today.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: +32 229 53156; Laura Bérard - Tel.: + 32 229 55721;
Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971).

Competition: Commission appoints Eric Gippini Fournier as Hearing Officer
The European Commission has appointed Mr. Eric Gippini Fournier as Hearing Officer for competition
cases. As of 1 December 2021, he will join Dorothe Dalheimer, who was appointed as Hearing Officer
in 2020. The Hearing Officers act as independent arbiter when a dispute arises about the effective
exercise of procedural rights in merger and antitrust proceedings and have certain decision-making
powers. The Hearing Officers are responsible for organising and conducting oral hearings in these
cases. The Hearing Officers must act independently in the exercise of their functions. To this end,
they are not part of the Directorate General for Competition, but report directly to Executive Vice-
President for a Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager.
Gippini Fournier is currently a Legal Advisor in the Legal Service of the Commission. A Commission
official since 1995, he has held positions in the Directorate General responsible for the Internal
Market and in the Commission's Legal Service, dealing with competition and mergers, state aid, and
intellectual property, among other areas. He has extensive experience in competition litigation,
having appeared before the European Courts in more than 300 cases. He was also a member of the
cabinet of the President of the European Court of Justice. He holds degrees from the University of
Santiago de Compostela (Spain), the College of Europe (Belgium) and the University of California,
Berkeley (US). Prior to joining the Commission, he has worked in academia. (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 €20 million German support for less polluting energy
supply to vessels in the port of Hamburg
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, plans by the city of Hamburg to
grant €20 million of public support for the construction of a shore-side electricity infrastructure at the
cruise ship terminal HafenCity in the port of Hamburg. The aid will take the form of a direct grant.
The beneficiary of the aid will be the Hamburg Port Authority, which will own and operate the
infrastructure. The measure will enable cruise ships to switch off polluting on-board generators
during their stay in the port and to use environmentally friendly electricity instead. The Commission
assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union, which allows Member States to support the development of an economic activity, provided
that it does not lead to undue distortions of competition. The Commission found that the measure is
necessary and has an incentive effect, as the investment would not be triggered in the absence of
the public support. It also found that it is proportionate, as the aid will be limited to what is
necessary to implement the project. Furthermore, the measure is expected to significantly reduce
noise and air pollution in the city of Hamburg and will therefore be beneficial to the environment, in
line with EU policy objectives, including those set out in the Green Deal. The Commission therefore
concluded that the measure will contribute to developing the supply of shore-side electricity to cruise
ships and promote less polluting energy supply, without unduly distorting competition in the Single
Market. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More
information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register
under case number SA.61865 once any confidentiality issues have been addressed. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €210 million Belgian scheme to support travel organisers
in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €210 million Belgian scheme to support travel organisers

affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary
Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of subsidised loans. The scheme aims at
compensating travel organisers that issued vouchers for travels cancelled due to the travel
restrictions in place and that now have to reimburse the monetary value of those vouchers to
travellers. The loan amount per beneficiary will not exceed 80% of the total value of the vouchers
issued. All loans will have a fixed annual interest rate of 3% and a maturity of 5 years as from the
date of the signature of the loan agreements. The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in
line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the maturity of the
loans is limited to five years; (ii) the annual interest rates on the loans respect the minimum levels
set out in the Temporary Framework; (iii) the loan amount per beneficiary is in line with what is
foreseen by the Temporary Framework; (iv) the loans relate to working capital needs; and (v) the
loan contracts will be signed by 31 December 2021 at the latest. The Commission concluded that the
measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy
of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions of the Temporary
Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More
information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the
economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the
decision will be made available under the case number SA.100480 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 €20.5 million Bulgarian scheme to support bus and coach
operators in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €20.5 million (BGN 40 million) Bulgarian scheme to
support bus and coach operators affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures
that the Bulgarian 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. The measure will be open to licensed bus and coach operators that have
recorded revenues from the activity of transport of passengers by coach or bus of more than €15,000
(BGN 30 000) in 2019. In addition, in order to be eligible, bus and coach operators must have
suffered a decline in turnover of at least 20% in any three months of 2021, compared to the
corresponding months in 2019, as well as a revenue decline over 2020 compared to 2019. The aid
amount per beneficiary will be up to 8% of its net revenues from transport activities recorded in
2019. The Commission found that the Bulgarian 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.100331 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 Stock Spirits by CVC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control of Stock Spirits Group plc (‘Stock Spirits') of the UK by CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A.
(‘CVC') of Luxembourg. Stock Spirits is a producer and distributor of spirit drinks in Europe,
including in Poland where it sells mostly vodka. CVC, through its portfolio company Zabka, is active
in the retail distribution of consumer goods in Poland. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns, in particular given CVC and Stock Spirits' lack of
significant market power on their respective markets. Importantly, the Commission concluded that,
following the transaction, Zabka's and Stock Spirits' competitors will continue to have sufficient
alternative vodka suppliers and a sufficient client-base to access the Polish retail market,
respectively. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More
information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under
the case number M.10459. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Dalli open exhibition on gender-based violence
Tonight, the exhibition “What were you wearing?” will be opened in the Berlaymont building, the
headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. The exhibition, which was organised by the
Commission in collaboration with Amnesty International, challenges the relevant myths that enable
rape culture and victim blaming in society. Testimonies of survivors who share their personal
recollections of what they were wearing the day they were raped are on display. Vice-President for
Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, will open the event and said: “Violence against women is a
violation of human rights. In the Commission we do the utmost to eliminate it. But we need Member
States to do their part to fight this form of discrimination and a serious crime. Exhibitions like this
one open people's eyes to the harsh reality.” Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, who will
deliver a keynote speech, said: “While the harm caused to women cannot be quantified and every
incident of gender-based violence is one incident too many, this exhibition is a call for action at both
EU and national levels. This is also why, soon, the European Commission will present a legislative
proposal to prevent and combat gender-based violence.” The exhibition is organised at the initiative
of Commissioner Dalli in the context of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women, which is held annually on the 25 November. More information on gender-based violence and
Commission actions to eliminate it is available here. The exhibition opens tonight at 18:30 with hip-
hop dancers, a live painter and keynote speeches followed by a reception and will remain open until
16 December. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko -
Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli - Tée.: +32 229 92729)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases

The Spokesperson's Service has re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited number
of journalists. For more information, please see here.
                                                                                              MEX/21/6063