European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 26 / 01 / 2022
Brussels, 26 January 2022
RÉUNION DU COLLÈGE : La Commission présente une déclaration sur les droits et principes
numériques au bénéfice de tous dans l'Union
Aujourd'hui, la Commission propose au Parlement européen et au Conseil de signer une déclaration
de droits et principes numériques qui guideront la transformation numérique dans l'Union. Ce projet
de déclaration vise à donner à chaque citoyen une idée précise de la transformation numérique que
l'Union promeut et défend. Elle servira en outre de guide aux décideurs politiques et aux entreprises
en matière de nouvelles technologies. Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive pour une
Europe adaptée à l'ère du numérique, a déclaré: « Nous voulons des technologies sûres qui rendent
service aux citoyens et respectent nos droits et nos valeurs. Et ce, même sur l'internet. Nous voulons
donner à chacun les moyens de participer activement à notre société, où la numérisation avance à
grands pas. La déclaration nous donne un point de référence clair concernant les droits et principes
qui régissent l'environnement en ligne. » Le commissaire au marché intérieur, Thierry Breton, a
quant à lui déclaré: « Nous voulons dire ceci aux citoyens européens: pour vivre, étudier, travailler
ou faire des affaires en Europe, vous pouvez compter sur une connectivité optimale, un accès aisé
aux services publics et un espace numérique sûr et loyal. La déclaration sur les droits et principes
numériques proclame en outre de manière solennelle que ce qui est illégal dans le monde réel
devrait également l'être en ligne. Nous avons pour ambition de faire de ces principes une norme au
niveau mondial ». Après son adoption conjointe, la déclaration définira également l'approche de la
transformation numérique que l'Union promouvra dans le monde entier. Le Parlement européen et le
Conseil sont invités à examiner le projet de déclaration et à l'approuver au plus haut niveau d'ici
l'été. Vous trouverez un communiqué de presse dédié et une fiche d'information ainsi qu'une section
mise à jour sur la page web de la décennie numérique. (Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke -
Tél : +32 229 58615 ; Charles Manoury - Tél : +32 229 13391)

International Holocaust Remembrance Day: Commission joins the #WeRemember campaign
and illuminates its headquarters
Tomorrow, 27 January, marks the 77 th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp
Auschwitz-Birkenau. To remember the millions of of Jewish women, men and children as well as all
other victims murdered by the Nazi regime, the Commission, for the first time, will illuminate its
headquarters, the Berlaymont building, with #WeRemember, joining a global campaign co-organised
by the World Jewish Congress and UNESCO in memory of the victims of the Shoah. Ahead of
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, President von der Leyen said: “The Holocaust was a
European disaster. Antisemitism led to this disaster. Antisemitism dehumanises the Jewish people.
In Nazi Germany, this dehumanisation opened the door to the Shoah. We must never forget. The
heart of our action is to ensure that Jews across Europe can live their lives in accordance with their
religious and cultural traditions. Because Europe can only prosper when its Jewish communities
prosper, too. Because Jewish life is an integral part of Europe's history and of Europe's future.” The
full statement is available online. A video message by President von der Leyen for the European
Jewish Congress will be available here this afternoon. Tomorrow, President von der Leyen will also
participate at the European Parliament's commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance
Day. Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, responsible for the
fight against antisemitism in the Commission, will attend the commemoration ceremony organised
by the Athens Jewish Community and will receive an award in recognition of the contribution of the
recently adopted EU strategy to combating antisemitism in Europe. The Vice-President will also
address online commemoration events organised by the French Presidency of the Council and major
Jewish organisations. To raise awareness and counter Holocaust distortion, the Commission continues
to support the campaign #ProtectTheFacts together with the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance (IHRA), UNESCO and the UN. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229
62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

Avenir de l'Europe: les Européens considèrent le changement climatique comme le principal
défi pour l'UE
Le Parlement européen et la Commission viennent de publier un Eurobaromètre spécial conjoint sur
l'avenir de l'Europe. L'enquête révèle un soutien massif étant exprimé en faveur des objectifs
environnementaux du pacte vert pour l'Europe : Neuf jeunes Européens sur dix s'accordent à dire
que la lutte contre le changement climatique peut contribuer à l'amélioration de leur santé et de leur
bien-être. Il ressort du l'Eurobaromètre que 88 % des Européens estiment qu'il est important
d'accroître la part des énergies renouvelables dans notre économie et de parvenir à une plus grande
efficacité énergétique, tandis que 80 % s'accordent sur l'importance de faire de l'Europe le premier
continent à atteindre la neutralité climatique d'ici à 2050 et d'encourager le développement du
marché des véhicules à émissions faibles ou nulles. Parmi les autres enjeux futurs de portée
planétaire mentionnés par les personnes interrogées figurent la santé (elle est citée par 34 % d'entre
elles), ainsi que la migration et les déplacements forcés (ils sont évoqués par 30 % d'entre elles).
Selon l'enquête, les citoyens européens restent intéressés par l'idée de contribuer et de participer à
la conférence sur l'avenir de l'Europe, et citent les avantages liés au rôle clé réservé aux jeunes dans
le cadre de la conférence, ainsi que leur détermination à faire en sorte que l'Europe de demain soit
plus adaptée aux défis de la société actuelle. L'Eurobaromètre spécial révèle aussi que 81 % des
personnes interrogées se déclarent heureuses de vivre dans l'UE, tant que 68 % des Européens
estiment d'un commun accord que l'Union européenne constitue un havre de stabilité dans un
monde en crise. Un communiqué de presse et l'enquête sont en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations :
Arianne Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Sinéad Meehan-van Druten – Tél.: +32 229 84094)

NextGenerationEU: la Commission reçoit du Portugal une demande de paiement de 1,162
milliard d'euros au titre de la Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience
La Commission a reçu hier la première demande de paiement du Portugal au titre de la Facilité pour
la reprise et la résilience (FRR) pour un versement de 553,44 millions d'euros en subvention et 609
millions d'euros en prêt (net du préfinancement). Pour rappel, le plan global de relance et de
résilience du Portugal s'élève à 13,9 milliards d'euros en subvention et 2,7 milliards d'euros en prêt.
Les paiements au titre de la FRR sont basés sur la performance et dépendent de la réalisation par le
Portugal des investissements et des réformes décrits dans son plan de relance et de résilience. Cette
première demande de paiement est liée à 38 jalons, comprenant, entre autres, des réformes et
investissements dans les domaines de l'éducation, des politiques sociales, de la recherche et
développement, de la gestion des forêts, de la banque nationale de promotion économique et de la
digitalisation des entreprises et écoles. La Commission dispose à présent de deux mois pour faire son
évaluation. Elle transmettra ensuite au Comité économique et financier du Conseil son évaluation
préliminaire du respect par la Portugal des jalons et cibles requis pour ce paiement. De plus amples
informations sur le processus des demandes de paiement au titre de la FRR sont disponibles dans ce
document questions-réponses. De plus amples informations sur le plan portugais de relance et de
résilience sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302;
Andrea Masini — Tél.: + 32 229 91519)

EU challenges Egyptian import restrictions at the WTO
The EU has requested dispute settlement consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with
Egypt on the latter's compulsory import registration requirements. The EU considers that these
requirements violate WTO rules because they place import restrictions on a vast range of goods, from
agricultural products to household appliances. EU exports to Egypt of the goods concerned fell by
40% following the imposition of the compulsory import registration requirements in 2016. Executive
Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “The EU is today acting to
defend EU exporters who are facing unfair restrictions in accessing the Egyptian market. These
import restrictions are illegal under WTO rules and we regret that Egypt has not acted to remove
these, despite our repeated requests and efforts to resolve this issue. This is why we are now taking
the next step by requesting consultations at the WTO.” The dispute settlement consultations that the
EU has requested are the first step in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. If they do not lead to a
satisfactory solution, the EU can request the WTO to set up a panel to rule on the matter. More
information is available in this press release. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer - Tel.: +32
229 99075; Sophie Dirven - Tel.: +32 229 67228)

New members of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies are
appointed

Today, the European Commission appointed the 15 new members of the European Group on Ethics in
Science and New Technologies for the next three years. These are experts in the fields of law, natural
and social sciences, philosophy and ethics, from across Europe and the world, who provide
independent advice on those Commission policies and legislation where ethical, societal and
fundamental rights aspects intersect with science and new technologies. Mariya Gabriel,
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “Research and
innovation improve people's lives and the environment they live in. The expertise and wisdom of the
15 newly appointed members of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies will
help us to put European values at the heart of the green and digital transition.” The European Group
on Ethics in Science and New Technologies is an independent advisory body, which was founded in
1991 and its mandate is regularly renewed ever since. Its members have a far-reaching
understanding of current and emerging ethical developments and bring a wealth of experience from
academia, ethical and government advisory bodies. The Group has contributed to the fight against
the coronavirus pandemic, with its first recommendations issued as early as April 2020. Over the
past years, it has also worked on areas such as genome editing, artificial intelligence and the future
of work, as well as on agriculture, energy, synthetic biology, security and surveillance. More
information is available here. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615;
Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Ferro by Prince, subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition
of Ferro by Prince, both active in the manufacturing of mineral-based chemicals and industrial
additives and products. The Commission investigated concerns that the proposed acquisition would
significantly reduce the level of competition with respect to the manufacture and supply of porcelain
enamel coatings and glass coatings within the EEA. In particular, the combined entity would become
the largest manufacturer and supplier of these products in the EEA. To alleviate these concerns and
preserve competition in the market, Prince offered: (i) to divest Prince's European porcelain enamel
and glass coatings businesses, including the manufacturing facilities in Bruges, Belgium, and
Cambiago, Italy, where all of Prince's porcelain enamel coatings and glass coatings for supply into
the EEA are manufactured, and (ii) to transfer its production unit of forehearth colourants
concentrates located in Fenton, UK, to its production facility in Bruges. The Commission concluded
that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns.
The decision is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments. A press release is available
online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229
90526)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise l'acquisition d'Eolia par ENGIE Spain et Predica
La Commission Européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint d'Eolia, basée en Espagne, par ENGIE Spain et Predica, basées en
France. Eolia est active dans la production d'énergie renouvelable ainsi que dans le développement,
la construction et l'exploitation de parcs éoliens et d'installations solaires photovoltaïques en
Espagne. ENGIE Spain est active dans les domaines du gaz naturel, de l'électricité et des services
énergétiques. Predica est une société d'assurance vie et maladie. La Commission a conclu que la
concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence car les chevauchements
entre les activités des entreprises sont limités. La transaction a été examinée en vertu de la
procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles
sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro
d'affaire M.10563. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni –
Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of CEIT by ICG
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control of CEIT S.p.A of Italy by the Intermediate Capital Group plc (‘ICG') of the UK. CEIT is active
in the design, installation, construction, renovation, extension and maintenance of infrastructure
networks, mostly in the telecommunication sector and, to a lesser extent, in the transport and
energy sectors. ICG provides network services in the telecommunications sector, including
engineering, network rollout, installation, and maintenance. The Commission concluded that the
proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the absence of horizontal overlaps or
vertical links between the activities of the companies. 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.10546. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Hillebrand by DPDHL
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control of J.F. Hillebrand Group AG and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (‘Hillebrand') by Deutsche
Post AG, trading as Deutsche Post DHL Group (‘DPDHL'), both of Germany. Hillebrand is active in air,
ocean and land freight forwarding services, including ancillary services and contract logistics services
for non-hazardous liquids. DPDHL is active in logistics, including national and international parcel
delivery, international express, freight forwarding and transportation, e-commerce and supply chain
management services. It is also active in postal service in Germany. The Commission concluded that
the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because of the limited impact it would
have on the market. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register
under the case number M.10472. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission approves the creation of a joint venture by Telekom Deutschland and
IFM Investors
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of GlasfaserPlus GmbH by Telekom Deutschland GmbH, both of Germany, and IFM Investors
Pty Ltd. of Australia. GlasfaserPlus will plan, construct and operate an optical fiber
telecommunications network in certain rural and less densely populated areas of Germany. Telekom
Deutschland, controlled by Deutsche Telekom AG, offers broadband network, mobile
telecommunications and other telecom services to residential and commercial customers. IFM
Investors is a global investment manager of assets across infrastructure, listed equities, private
capital and debt investments. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise
no competition concerns given the absence of horizontal overlaps or vertical relationships between
the activities of GlasfaserPlus and IFM Investors. More information will be available on the
competition website, in the Commission's public case register under the case number M.10548. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

APPOINTMENTS

College meeting: The European Commission appoints a new Director for the Joint Research
Centre
The European Commission has decided today to appoint Laurent Jerrige as Director for ‘Nuclear
Decommissioning and Waste Management' at the Joint Research Centre (JRC). As the science and
knowledge service of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre's mission is to support EU
policies with independent evidence throughout the whole policy cycle. The date of appointment will
be determined later. In his new position, Laurent Jerrige will build on his extensive experience in
complex technical and project management, his thorough knowledge of nuclear safety and security
in the context of industrial nuclear decommissioning activities as well as his familiarity of the legal
context of nuclear licencing and nuclear safety and security in the EU. Laurent Jerrige, a French
national, has 27 years of experience in the nuclear energy field. He is currently Director-General of
NucAdvisor SA, a consulting company in the field of nuclear energy, where he provides high-level
expertise and strategic advice in all areas of the nuclear industry, including decommissioning and
waste management. Prior to that, the trained engineer was a Regional Director of Nuvia PROCESS, a
company specialising in the decommissioning of nuclear installations and in the operation of nuclear
waste treatment facilities after having been Site Manager for a few years. Previously, he was a
Project Manager for the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (Commissariat à
l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives). (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32
229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner McGuinness in Germany to discuss sustainable and digital finance, Banking
Union, Capital Markets Union and anti-money laundering, and meet with members of the
government
Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets
Union, will be in Germany from 26 to 28 January. Today, Commissioner McGuinness will meet in
Frankfurt with Mark Branson, President of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), and
will then visit the premises of EUREX. On the same day, the Commissioner meets with Christine
Lagarde and Luis de Guindos, President and Vice-President of the European Central Bank (ECB), to
discuss topics including the digital euro, clearing and the Banking Union. Tomorrow,
Commissioner McGuinness meets with Petra Hielkema, Chairwoman of the European Insurance and
Occupational Pensions Authority. Later in the day, the Commissioner meets with Joachim Nagel,
President of the Bundesbank and Frank Elderson, Member of the ECB's Executive Board, to discuss
the banking package and the sustainability agenda for banks. In the evening, the Commissioner will
travel to Berlin where she will meet with national parliamentarians from the EU and the Financial
Affairs Committees, respectively. In Berlin, she will also meet with representatives of the Sustainable
Finance Council, an advisory body on sustainable finance. She will also meet with Jörg Kukies, State
Secretary for Financial and EU Affairs at the Federal Chancellery, to discuss the Banking Union,
clearing and the Capital Markets Union package. On Friday, Commissioner McGuinness will meet
with Christian Lindner, Federal Minister of Finance, to discuss the Capital Markets Union, the Banking
Union, clearing, payments and the anti-money laundering package. On the same day, she has a
meeting with Sven Giegold, State Secretary in the Ministry for Economy and Climate Protection,
followed by a meeting with members of the banks' associations. Finally, the Commissioner will also
meet Gerhard Schick, President of the NGO ‘Bürgerbewegung Finanzwende', and visit VR Ventures,
where she will meet a number of FinTechs. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts — Tel.: + 32 229
96302; Aikaterini Apostola - Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Commissioner Kyriakides visits Malta to promote the EU Vaccines Strategy and the
European Health Union
On Thursday, 27 January, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will be in
Valletta, Malta, where she will meet Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Chris Fearne.
Discussions will focus on the COVID-19 pandemic, including the EU Vaccines Strategy and the roll-
out of the national vaccination campaign in Malta, as well as the way forward on the proposals under
the European Health Union and Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. The meeting will be followed by a visit
by the Commissioner to the University Gateway vaccination centre and to Sir Anthony Mamo
Oncology Centre. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Kyriakides said: “The successful EU Vaccines
Strategy is European collaboration and solidarity in action, with Malta achieving a very impressive full
vaccination rate of 93% in adults, with 71% also having received a booster dose. Nevertheless,
despite this great achievement, the rapid spread of the Omicron across Europe and the world shows
that continued vaccination and booster efforts are more important than ever to protect people from
the most serious effects of the virus. It is also essential that we continue addressing the impact of
COVID-19 on other major health challenges such as cancer, where our vision for decisive and
ambitious action is set out in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. These form part of our commitment to
building a strong European Heath Union that protects the health of our citizens.” The visit is part of
the Commission's ongoing efforts and Commissioner Kyriakides' commitment to support the roll-out
of Member States' national COVID-19 vaccination campaigns and address the impact of COVID-19
on other diseases. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh
Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Commissioner Reynders travels to Germany for official visit
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, will visit Berlin for an official state visit on Thursday.
Commissioner Reynders will meet Anna Lührmann, Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the
Foreign Office. He will also engage in a dialogue on the Commission's 2021 Rule of Law Report with
Rapporteurs of the Bundestag Committees on Justice and European affairs. Finally, Commissioner
Reynders will deliver a speech on ‘Europe and the Rule of Law' at Humboldt University as part of the

‘Humboldt Speeches' series on the future of Europe, at 15:00 CET. You can follow the
Commissioner's speech live here. More information about this series is also available here. (For more
information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444;
Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

Fight against child sexual abuse: Commissioner Johansson's visit to Silicon Valley
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is travelling to the United States where she will
meet a number of tech companies tomorrow and on Friday to discuss the use of technology in the
fight against child sexual abuse, while guaranteeing the respect of privacy. Tomorrow, the
Commissioner will meet representatives from Microsoft, Snap, TikTok, Discord, Twitch, Roblox,
Dropbox, Pinterest and from the Tech Coalition, a global alliance of technology firms working on
protecting children from sexual abuse online. The Commissioner will also meet with representatives
from Thorn. Meetings with representatives from Apple, Meta, WhatsApp, Google and YouTube will
follow on Friday. Discussions will focus on collaboration with tech companies as well as on the
Commission's upcoming proposal for EU rules to effectively tackle child sexual abuse online and
offline. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: +32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32
229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

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/22/624