European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 29 / 07 / 2021
Brussels, 29 July 2021
La Commission adopte de nouvelles orientations sur la manière de protéger les futurs
projets d'infrastructure contre le changement climatique
La Commission européenne a publié aujourd'hui de nouvelles orientations techniques sur la
protection climatique des projets d'infrastructure pour la période 2021-2027. Ces orientations
permettront d'intégrer les considérations climatiques dans les futurs investissements et le
développement des projets d'infrastructure, qu'il s'agisse de bâtiments, d'infrastructures de réseau
ou d'une série de systèmes et d'actifs bâtis. Ainsi, les investisseurs européens institutionnels et
privés pourront prendre des décisions éclairées sur des projets jugés compatibles avec l'Accord de
Paris et les objectifs climatiques de l'UE. Les orientations adoptées aujourd'hui aideront donc l'UE à
mettre en œuvre le Pacte vert européen, à appliquer les instructions de la loi européenne sur le
climat et à contribuer à des dépenses de l'UE plus écologiques. Elles s'inscrivent dans la perspective
d'une réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre de -55 % nettes d'ici à 2030 et d'une
neutralité climatique d'ici à 2050 ; elles respectent les principes de ‘primauté de l'efficacité
énergétique' et de ‘à ne pas causer de préjudice important'; et elles satisfont aux exigences
énoncées dans la législation relative à plusieurs fonds de l'UE tels qu'InvestEU, le mécanisme pour
l'interconnexion en Europe (MIE), le Fonds européen de développement régional (FEDER), le Fonds
de cohésion (FC) et le Fonds pour une transition juste (FTJ). Un communiqué de presse est
disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Tim McPhie - Tél : +32 229 58602 ; Ana Crespo
Parrondo - Tél : +32 229 81325)

EU Cohesion policy: Commission adopts €21 billion Greek Partnership Agreement for 2021-
2027
The Commission has adopted the first Partnership Agreement for the 2021-2027 programming
period for Greece, the first EU country to submit its strategic reference document for deploying more
than €21 billion of investments for its economic, social and territorial cohesion. Commissioner for
Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “I am pleased to approve the Greek Partnership
Agreement for 2021-2027, the first EU country to have submitted it to the Commission. This is a
political contract that translates European solidarity into national priorities and investment plans
aimed at making our Member States future-proof, while correcting the internal disparities. The
Commission is working shoulder to shoulder with all Member States to make sure that the next
programming period works for all regions and all citizens wherever they are. A more cohesive growth
model is possible with stronger and more resilient economies and societies. It is time to make
internal disparities history.” Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus
Sinkevičius added: “I trust that the strategies and investment priorities outlined in this Partnership
Agreement will help build prosperous and sustainable fishing and aquaculture in Greece and a
thriving blue economy that plays a crucial role in supporting coastal communities and delivering a
green transition.” The Partnership Agreement lays out the strategy and investment priorities to be
addressed via the Cohesion policy funds and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund
(EMFAF). These funds will support key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition and will
contribute to develop a competitive, innovative and export-oriented growth model for the country. In
total, the Greek Partnership Agreement comprises 22 programmes: 13 regional and 9 national. More
details in the press release. (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229 84680;
Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)

La présidente von der Leyen reçoit les lettres de créance de chefs de mission auprès l'UE
Ce matin, la présidente Ursula von der Leyen a reçu les lettres de créance de huit chefs de mission
d'États tiers auprès l'Union européenne. Il s'agit de : S.E. Mme Symone Marie Betton Nayo,
Ambassadrice de Jamaïque ; S.E. M. Jesse Jean, Ambassadeur d'Haïti ; S.E. M. Mohammed
Haneche, Ambassadeur d'Algérie ; S.E. M. Obinna Chiedu Onowu, Ambassadeur du Nigéria ; S.E. M.

Sek Wannamethee, Ambassadeur de Thaïlande ; S.E. Mme Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus,
Ambassadrice de Namibie ; S.E. Mme Rita Adam, Ambassadrice de Suisse ; et S.E. M. Lindsay
Croisdale-Appleby, Ambassadeur du Royaume-Uni. Des photos de la cérémonie seront disponibles
sur le portail audiovisuel de la Commission. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podestà – Tél.: +32
229 87024)

Coronavirus disinformation: online platforms take new actions and call for more players to
join the Code of Practice
The Commission publishes today the reports by Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Microsoft and Google on
measures taken in June to combat coronavirus disinformation. The current signatories and the
Commission are also calling on new companies to join the Code of Practice on disinformation as it will
help broaden its impact and make it more effective. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and
Transparency, said: “The COVID-19 disinformation monitoring programme has allowed to keep track
of important actions put in place by online platforms. With new variants of the virus spreading and
vaccinations continuing at full speed, it is crucial to deliver on the commitments. We look forward to
the strengthening of the Code of Practice.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added:
“The EU stood by its promise to deliver enough doses to safely vaccinate every EU citizen. All
stakeholders now need to assume their responsibility to beat vaccine hesitancy spurred by
disinformation. While we are strengthening the Code of Practice with platforms and signatories, we
are calling for new signatories to join the fight against disinformation”. For example, TikTok's
campaign supporting vaccination, with the Irish government, reached over one million views and
over 20,000 likes. Google continued to work with public health authorities to show information about
vaccination locations in Google Search and Maps, a feature available in France, Poland, Italy, Ireland,
and Switzerland. On Twitter, users can now train automated systems to better identify violations of
the platform's COVID-19 disinformation policy. Microsoft extended its partnership with NewsGuard,
an Edge extension that warns about websites spreading disinformation. Facebook cooperated with
international health authorities to increase public awareness of vaccine efficacy and safety and with
Michigan State University (MSU) researchers to better detect and attribute deepfakes. These joint
efforts need to continue in view of the persisting and complex challenges that online disinformation
still presents. The Commission's COVID-19 disinformation monitoring programme has been extended
until the end of 2021 and reports will now be published every two months. The next set of reports
will be published in September. Following the recently published Guidance, the signatories have
kicked off the process to strengthen the Code and launched a joint call for interest for potential new
signatories. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Nerea Artamendi
Erro – Tel: +32 229 90964)

Pêche: l'UE et la Mauritanie annoncent la conclusion des négociations pour un nouvel
accord dans le domaine de la pêche
L'Union européenne et la République Islamique de Mauritanie ont conclu aujourd'hui les négociations
pour le renouvellement de l'accord bilatéral dans le domaine de la pêche durable pour les six années
à venir, ainsi que son protocole pour les cinq prochaines années. Avec ce nouvel accord, qui remplace
celui en application depuis 2008, et son protocole, l'Union européenne et la Mauritanie réitèrent leur
souhait de générer davantage de richesses et d'opportunités d'emploi en Mauritanie, tout en
maintenant, de manière durable, les activités de pêche des navires européens opérant
traditionnellement dans les eaux mauritaniennes. Virginijus Sinkevičius, le commissaire européen
pour l'environnement, les affaires maritimes et la pêche, a salué le nouvel accord en ces termes :
« La signature de l'accord de partenariat très important dans le domaine de la pêche de l'Union
européenne, avec la Mauritanie, a un double avantage: il contribue, d'une part, à la stabilité et à la
gestion durable des ressources halieutiques de la région dans son ensemble et apporte, d'autre part,
la sécurité et les opportunités de pêche rentables à nos pêcheurs durant les cinq prochaines
années. » Ce nouveau protocole prévoit l'accès de la flotte européenne aux eaux mauritaniennes pour
la pêche de crustacés, de poissons démersaux, de thons et de petits pélagiques. Pour les premières
années d'application du protocole, en plus des captures payées par les pêcheurs européens, l'UE
consacrera €57,5 millions par an à ce partenariat pour l'accès de ses navires aux eaux mauriciennes.
En plus, l'UE versera €16,5 millions sur toute la durée du protocole au titre de l'appui à la politique
sectorielle. Le nouveau protocole vise notamment à minimiser l'impact de la pêche sur les
écosystèmes marins et à respecter les activités des flottes côtières et artisanales mauritaniennes.
Plus d'informations sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie – Tél.: +32 229
66712; Veronica Favalli – Tél.: +32 229 87269)

State Aid: Commission approves €10.25 million investment aid for Palanga airport in
Lithuania
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a public support measure in
favour of Palanga airport in Lithuania. The state of Lithuania plans to grant €10.25 million investment
aid to modernise the infrastructure of the airport. This includes the reconstruction of the airport
runway, taxiway and southern and northern aircraft aprons and the renovation of the engineering
systems. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the 2014
Aviation Guidelines. The Commission found that (i) the aid will improve connectivity from and to
Palanga and facilitate the development of the region; (ii) the airport operator could not finance the
planned investments without public support; and (iii) the aid is proportionate and limited to the
minimum, as it does not exceed the capital cost funding gap nor the maximum permissible aid
intensity. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid is not likely to have a negative impact on
the situation of other airports located in the same catchment area. Therefore, the Commission
concluded that the public support will contribute to the mobility of European Union citizens and
regional development, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. More information
will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the
reference SA.62162. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni –
Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €5 million German support measure for fishery sector in
the context of Brexit
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 million German scheme to
support the fishery sector affected by the withdrawal of the UK from the EU and the consequent
quota share reductions foreseen in the provisions of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
(TCA). The scheme will be open to companies that, due to the TCA, have experienced a loss of
income of at least 30% in the period between 1 January and 31 March 2021, compared to the
average income in the same period in the years 2018-2020. The compensation will be granted as a
non-refundable grant, by way of a daily flat rate per vessel size, after deduction of compensation
received from other sources. Compensation will be granted per day where a vessel could not fish
between 1 January and 31 March 2021. The measure will be pre-financed by the German State
budget, with a view to subsequent reimbursement by the future Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR).
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the Guidelines for the
examination of State aid to the fishery and aquaculture sector, which enable Member States to
facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas. The
Commission found that the measure enhances the sustainability of the fisheries sector and its ability
to adapt to new fishing and market opportunities arising from the new relationship with the UK.
Therefore, the measure facilitates the development of this sector and contributes to the objectives of
the Common Fisheries Policy. The Commission concluded that the measure constitutes an
appropriate form of support in order to facilitate an orderly transition following the withdrawal of the
UK from the EU. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. While
today's decision does not prejudge whether the support measure will eventually be eligible for BAR
funding, which will be assessed once the BAR Regulation will have entered into force, it already
provides Germany with legal certainty that the Commission considers it compliant with EU State aid
rules, irrespective of the ultimate source of funding. The non-confidential version of the decision will
be made available under the case number SA.63536 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €1.8 million Estonian scheme for liquidity support to fish
processors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €1.8 million Estonian scheme to support fish processors
affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Estonian government had
to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State aid
Temporary Framework. The public support will be open to fish processors affected by business
disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak and its consequent impact on the fisheries supply chain
and consumer demand. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants. The measure
aims at mitigating the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing and at addressing part of
the losses they incurred. The Commission found that the Estonian scheme is in line with the
conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €270,000
per beneficiary, 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.63935 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €1.4 million Slovenian scheme to support farmers in the
context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €1.4 Slovenian scheme to support farmers affected by the
coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that the Slovenian authorities had to implement to
limit the spread of the virus. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework.
Under the scheme, the public support will take the form of a reduction of rent costs. The measure
aims at mitigating the liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing and at addressing part of
the losses they incurred. The scheme will be open to farmers who have a lease agreement with the
Farmland and Forest Fund of Slovenia. The Commission found that the Slovenian scheme is in line
with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000
per beneficiary; 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 scheme 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.64098 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €275,000 Portuguese scheme to support the sugarcane-
processing sector in Madeira affected by the coronavirus outbreak*
The European Commission has approved a €275,000 Portuguese scheme to support companies active
in the sugarcane-processing sector in Madeira in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The
scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the public
support will take the form of direct grants. The measure aims at mitigating the liquidity shortages
that the beneficiaries are facing and at addressing part of the losses that they incurred due to the
coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures in place to limit the spread of virus. The
Commission found that the Portuguese scheme is in line with the conditions of the Temporary
Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed the limits per beneficiary set by the Temporary
Framework; 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 scheme 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.64041 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; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of Telekom Romania by Orange, subject to
conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition
of Telekom Romania Communications (‘TKR') by Orange SA (‘Orange'). Following its investigation
the Commission found that the transaction, as initially notified, would have raised serious
competition concerns on the market for retail mobile telecommunications services. In particular,
Orange would have acquired TKR's 30% minority shareholding in TRMC, one of its key competitors on
this market. In order to address the competition concerns identified by the Commission, Orange
offered to: (i) secure the divestment of TKR's 30% minority shareholding in TRMC to Hellenic

Telecommunications Organization S.A. (‘OTE'), and (ii) not to implement the transaction before TKR
and OTE have reached a binding agreement on the divestment, before the Commission has approved
both OTE as a suitable purchaser, and the divestment agreement, and finally before the minority
stake has been transferred to OTE. These structural commitments fully remove the competition
concerns identified by the Commission in the market for retail mobile telecommunications services.
The Commission has therefore concluded that the proposed transaction, as modified by the
commitments, no longer raises competition concerns. The decision is conditional upon full
compliance with the commitments. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of
competition policy, said: “Europeans need access to fast and reliable communication services, with
sufficient alternatives on the market. With this decision, and the commitments offered by Orange,
the Romanian telecommunications market will continue to offer high quality communication services
at competitive prices.” A full press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta
– Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of GIL by DSV Panalpina
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Agility
Logistics International B.V. of the Netherlands and Agility International GIL Holdings I Limited of the
United Arab Emirates (‘GIL') by DSV Panalpina A/S (‘DSV') of Denmark. GIL, belonging to the Agility
Public Warehousing Company K.S.C.P of Kuwait, offers a portfolio of logistics services including air,
ocean and road freight forwarding services, contract logistics, with a focus on emerging markets.
DSV provides and manages supply chain solutions, including freight forwarding and contract logistics
services in Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. The Commission concluded
that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given its limited impact on the
relevant markets. 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.10321. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of SITECH by Brose
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control over SITECH Sp. z o. o. of Poland by Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG (‘Brose') of Germany.
SITECH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG ('VW') and produces complete vehicle seats,
metal seat structures and seat structure components. Brose supplies automotive components and
manufactures mechatronic systems for vehicle doors, seat structures, electric motors and electronics,
including steering, braking, gearbox and motor cooling. Brose and Sitech will combine their
activities in the area of seats and seat structures manufactured for VW. VW will hold a non-
controlling share in the merged entity. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition
would raise no competition concerns, given that the merging companies are not close competitors
and that, following the transaction, a number of alternative strong players would remain in all
relevant markets. The Commission has also concluded that VW's non-controlling shareholding would
not have any adverse effects on competition due to the limited structural changes in the relevant
markets. 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.10232. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Schinas and Commissioner Gabriel participate in the G20 Culture Ministerial
meeting
Today and tomorrow, the G20 Culture Ministers will meet in Rome, Italy, to exchange practices and
strategies to support the sector's recovery from the pandemic and to discuss its importance for the
economy and the well-being of societies. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting the
European Way of Life, will represent the Commission during the opening ceremony on Thursday 29
July. On Friday 30 July, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education
and Youth, will represent the Commission and deliver a keynote speech on the role of the cultural

and creative sectors as driving forces for growth. This is the first meeting of Culture Ministers since
the new G20 Culture strand was launched under a joint initiative between the 2020 and 2021
Presidencies, Saudi Arabia and Italy, respectively. The participants will discuss the protection of
cultural heritage, the climate crisis, capacity building through training and education, the digital
transition and new technologies for culture. They will also debate the importance of the cultural and
creative sectors for growth. Moreover, they will endorse a Ministerial Declaration, committing to
further cooperation in this field. Commissioner Gabriel will outline the EU's support for the recovery
of the cultural and creative sectors through the Recovery and Resilience Facility and highlight EU
actions that promote the sectors' long-term growth and role as engines for sustainable social and
economic development. In June, the Commission published EU guidelines to ensure the safe
resumption of activities in the cultural and creative sectors across the EU, taking into account the
evolving epidemiological situation. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229
66953; Sinéad Meehan–van Druten – Tel.: +32 229 84094)

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission
Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

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

*Updated on 29-07-2021, at 15.00h
                                                                                              MEX/21/3961