European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 24 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 24 June 2021
European Innovation Council Fund: equity investments surpass €500 million in
breakthrough innovations
The European Commission has announced today the second round of direct equity investment
through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. Since its launch in 2020, the EIC Fund has
now approved 111 investments in highly innovative start-ups and small and medium-sized
businesses (SMEs) totalling more than €500 million to scale up breakthrough innovations in areas
such as health, circular economy, and Internet of Things (IoT). Today's announcement represents 69
new investments compared to the first announcement in January. This provides a strong foundation
for the EIC fund under Horizon Europe, which is expected to invest more than €3.5 billion over the
next 7 years. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
said: “The EIC Fund has developed incredibly quickly and has established itself as a new force in EU
technology investments. This unique form of financing – combining grants and equity – is proving
itself highly attractive to Europe's most promising startups, and providing them with the means to
develop and scale their businesses in Europe.” The equity investments, ranging from €0.5 to €15
million per company, complement the grant financing of up to €2.5 million, which has already been
provided through the EIC Accelerator. All investments are preceded by a thorough evaluation by
external experts, a due diligence process overseen by the EIC Fund Investment Committee, and a
final decision by the EIC Fund Board of Directors. The EIC Fund's ownership stakes range from 10%
to 25% and is typically used to leverage in other investors as part of a larger financing round. More
information is available in this press release. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32
229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

REACT-EU: près de 215 millions d'euros à l'Allemagne, la Belgique et le département
français d'outre-mer de la Guyane afin d'améliorer les compétences et investir dans les
transitions verte et numérique
La Commission accordera un total de près de 215 millions d'euros à l'Allemagne, la Belgique et le
département français d'outre-mer de la Guyane en modifiant trois programmes opérationnels (PO)
du Fonds social européen (FSE) et du Fonds européen de développement régional dans le cadre de
REACT-EU. Ces amendements aux PO aideront les États membres et les régions concernées à faire
face à l'impact économique et social de la pandémie de coronavirus et à stimuler une reprise verte et
numérique juste. En Allemagne, le PO du FSE pour Hambourg recevra 25 millions d'euros
supplémentaires pour 2021 pour venir en aide à plus de 13 000 personnes qui recevront une
formation et un encadrement afin d'augmenter leurs chances de trouver un nouvel emploi. En
Belgique, 89 millions d'euros seront ajoutés au PO du FSE en Flandre pour renforcer l'apprentissage
en alternance, soutenir le développement des compétences pour une économie verte et numérique et
aider les personnes touchées par la pandémie à trouver un nouvel emploi. Dans le département
français d'outre-mer de la Guyane, 101 millions d'euros additionnels seront investis dans diverses
mesures de santé publique et d'infrastructures. Il s'agit notamment de la création d'une clinique
spéciale pour enfants à l''Hôpital de Cayenne, d'un centre de santé à l'Université de Cayenne et d'un
Institut de formation aux soins infirmiers, l'extension de la couverture haut débit, la réhabilitation de
l'aérodrome de Maripasoula et la construction d'écoles et de pistes cyclables pour les connecter.
REACT-EU fait partie de NextGenerationEU et fournit 50,6 milliards d'euros de financement
supplémentaire (en prix courants) au cours de 2021 et 2022 aux programmes de la politique de
cohésion. Les mesures visent à soutenir la résilience du marché du travail, l'emploi, les PME et les
familles à faible revenu, ainsi qu'à jeter les bases d'une transition verte et numérique et d'une
reprise socio-économique durable. (Pour plus d'informations : Vivian Loonela - Tél. : +32 229 66712;
Marta Wieczorek - Tél. : +32 229 58197; Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229 87269; Flora Matthaes -
Tél. : +32 229 83951)

The European Commission wins European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration,
together with the EEAS
The European Commission today won the European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration
2021, with the project ‘Bringing citizens home during the pandemic', together with another project
by the EEAS. The Commission also won the public vote prize for the project ‘Access2Markets -
Helping small businesses trade their way to recovery', as well as an award in the category of
‘excellence in citizen-focused services delivery' for the project ‘Sure thing! EU emergency money to
keep people employed.' The Ombudsman awards aims to recognise initiatives, projects and other
types of work by the EU's administration that have a visible and direct positive impact on the lives of
people in Europe and beyond. The award is open to staff members from any EU institution, body or
agency and can be awarded to an individual, a team within a unit or an entire unit. President von
der Leyen said: “I am delighted to shine a light on the good work of the EU administration. All EU
institutions should be open and beyond reproach on ethics, transparency and integrity. This past
year has tested colleagues to deliver quality services under challenging conditions, but they have
risen to the challenge and delivered creative solutions. I am honoured that the Commission won the
European Ombudsman Award for Good Administration, together with the EEAS.” During this third
biennial Award Ceremony for Good Administration, there are 37 nominees, 17 from the Commission
services. At the two previous award ceremonies, in 2017 and 2019, the Commission also received
the overall award and several awards per category. This year, for the first time ever, there was also
an award based on a public vote. Due to the COVID-19 constraints, this ceremony was held online.
Watch the keynote address by President von der Leyen here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie –
Tel.: 32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

NextGenerationEU: la Commission approuve le plan pour la reprise et la résilience de la
France
La Commission européenne a adopté une évaluation positive du plan pour la reprise et la résilience
(FRR) de la France. Il s'agit d'une étape importante vers le versement par l'UE d'un montant de 39,4
milliards d'euros sous forme de subventions au titre de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience
(FRR). Ce financement soutiendra la mise en œuvre des mesures essentielles d'investissement et de
réforme décrites dans le plan pour la reprise et la résilience de la France. La Commission a évalué ce
plan au regard des critères énoncés dans le règlement FRR. Le Conseil disposera à présent, en
principe, de quatre semaines pour adopter la proposition de la Commission. La FRR, l'instrument au
cœur de NextGenerationEU, apportera jusqu'à 672,5 milliards d'euros (en prix courants) pour
soutenir les investissements et les réformes dans l'ensemble de l'UE. (Pour plus d'informations:
Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976)

Customs: EU proposes World Customs Organization modernisation in support of a
strengthened multilateral order
The EU is presenting for the first time its initiative for broad reform of the World Customs
Organization (WCO), the global forum that shapes international standards and common action in the
field of customs. The modernisation initiative would help strengthen the WCO's position as a key
multilateral institution and help it address developments in today's ever-changing international trade
environment more effectively, while supporting the green and digital transitions. The EU initiative
will be presented to all WCO Members at the WCO Council session which starts today. The WCO is
the only global organisation dealing with customs matters but since its establishment almost 65
years ago, the WCO has never undergone a comprehensive reform. The modernisation initiative put
forward by the EU this week takes the form of a series of recommendations that stress the
Organization's core activities, but at the same time provide a clear direction of travel for its future
work that can improve its international standing, and make it a more effective actor for the
promotion of safe, secure and legitimate trade. The WCO is expected to deepen discussions on the
EU's modernisation initiative in its subsequent meetings and include it as a strategic programme for
its new policy cycle. A press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel:
+32 229 86500; Nerea Artamendi Erro – Tel: +32 229 90964)

Financial stability: Commission adopts final one-year extension of the transitional regime
for capital requirements for non-EU central counterparties (CCPs)
The European Commission has today extended – by one additional year –the current transitional
regime regarding the capital requirements that EU banks and investment firms must maintain when
exposed to non-EU central counterparties (‘CCPs') one last time. This transitional regime will

therefore continue to apply until 28 June 2022. Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner responsible for
financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union, said: “Today's decision gives us a bit
more breathing space while we continue to work on equivalence decisions. It also gives EU banks and
investment firms sufficient time to properly prepare for the possibility of higher capital charges.
There will be no more extensions after today's one.” This is the last and final extension possible
under the Capital Requirements Regulation (‘CRR'). Exposures to those non-EU CCPs which will not
be recognised by ESMA by 28 June 2022 will no longer be eligible for lower capital requirements
after that date. Stakeholders should start preparing for this possibility. A full press release is
available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: 32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.:
+32 229 87624)

Capital Markets Union: new rules for banks and investment firms ensure proportionality and
foster resilience
Two new sets of rules in the area of banking and investment will enter into force over the coming
days. First, the Investment Firm Directive and Investment Firm Regulation will come into application
on Saturday, 26 June 2021. They will introduce a new tailored, targeted set of rules which will make
life simpler for smaller investment firms while the largest, systemic investment firms will remain
under the same prudential regime as European banks. These more proportionate rules – agreed by
the European Parliament and the Council in November 2019 – are part of the EU's efforts under
the Capital Markets Union to foster competition and to encourage smaller firms to participate more
actively in the EU's capital markets. Additional information on the rules, as well as clarifications
related to the entry into force of implementing measures is available here. Secondly, the Capital
Requirements Regulation II (CRR II) comes into application on Monday, 28 June 2021. The CRR
regime establishes the prudential requirements for banks and large investment firms, in particular
for capital and liquidity, as well as requirements on reporting of prudential information to supervisors
and on disclosing prudential information to the markets. The new CRR II rules – agreed by the
European Parliament and the Council in May 2019 – will introduce more proportionality into EU rules
for smaller financial institutions, as well as increase the banking sector's resilience by including new
requirements related to banks' leverage and stable funding. They also introduce more risk-sensitive
rules for calculating capital requirements. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie – Tel.: +32 229
86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Future-proofing European inland waterway transport: Commission presents NAIADES III
action plan
Today, the Commission tables a 35-point action plan to boost the role of inland waterway transport
in our mobility and logistics systems. The core objectives are to shift more cargo over Europe's rivers
and canals, and facilitate the transition to zero-emission barges by 2050. This is in line with the
European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which set the goal of
increasing transport by inland waterways and short sea shipping by 25% by 2030, and by 50% by
2050. Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, said: “As one of the most CO2-efficient transport
modes available, inland waterways have the potential to play a central role in decarbonising our
transport systems. Yet today, our canals and rivers carry just 6% of EU freight. With an inland
waterway network of 41,000km spanning 25 Member States, there is scope to do a lot more; both
along our TEN-T corridors and in inner cities, where inland waterways can help to green the last mile
of city logistics.” The new action plan will put in place the conditions for the inland waterway
transport sector to better seize the opportunities linked to the shift towards a zero-emission and
digital economy. Among the actions proposed is the revision of the Combined Transport Directive,
which, along with support for investments towards transshipment capacity and inland multimodal
terminals, will enable the greater integration of inland waterways into a modern, trans-European
intermodal transport system. The action plan also includes measures to accelerate and stimulate
investments towards the development and deployment of innovative, zero-emission and zero-waste
technologies for vessels and inland ports, and helping the sector keep up with digital developments.
This will be key to ensuring its long-term sustainability and competitiveness, while opening up
attractive new job opportunities for a skilled workforce. The full text and more information is
available online. See images and videos of inland waterway projects here. (For more information:
 Stefan de Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Stephan Meder – Tel.: +32 229 13917)

European authorities encourage market participants to cease all LIBOR settings
The European Commission, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the European
Central Bank in its banking supervisory capacity (ECB Banking Supervision) and the European

Banking Authority (EBA) issued today a joint statement where they strongly encourage market
participants to use the time remaining until the cessation or loss of representativeness of USD
LIBOR, GBP LIBOR, JPY LIBOR, CHF LIBOR and EUR LIBOR to substantially reduce their exposure to
these rates. Market participants are encouraged to stop using the 35 LIBOR settings, including USD
LIBOR, as a reference rate in new contracts as soon as practicable and in any event by 31 December
2021, to limit the use of any LIBOR setting published under a changed methodology, and to include
robust fallback clauses nominating alternative rates in all contracts referencing LIBOR. The European
Commission, ESMA, ECB Banking Supervision and the EBA will closely monitor the situation and
LIBOR exposures. The full joint statement is available here. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie -
Tel: +32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola - Tel:+32 229 87624)

Médiateur européen: nouvelles règles pour protéger les Européens dans les cas de
mauvaise administration
Le Parlement européen a adopté, avec l'approbation du Conseil et l'avis positif de la Commission, des
règles améliorées régissant les fonctions du médiateur. Le nouveau Règlement, adopté par le
Parlement européen par 623 voix pour, 9 voix contre, et 61 abstentions, établit un mandat renouvelé
pour la fonction de Médiateur européen. Les nouvelles règles alignent l'exercice des fonctions du
médiateur sur le traité de Lisbonne. Le Médiateur pourra lancer ses propres enquêtes à chaque fois
qu'il trouvera des raisons de les justifier et pourra proposer des solutions aux problèmes soulevés par
une enquête, notamment en cas de cas répétés, systémiques ou particulièrement graves de
mauvaise administration. Les règles clarifient également les conditions d'accès aux documents et la
coopération avec les autorités des États membres et les institutions, organes et organismes de
l'Union. Une période d'attente de deux ans est désormais prévue avant de pouvoir être éligible au
Bureau. De plus, des dispositions relatives à la protection des victimes de harcèlement et des
lanceurs d'alerte sont désormais prévues. Le Règlement sera signé par le président du Parlement
européen Sassoli le jeudi 24 juin et entrera en vigueur le premier jour du mois suivant sa publication
au Journal Officiel de l'Union européenne. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour
plus d'informations : Daniel Ferrie- Tél : +32 229 86500)

Competition: Commission publishes a call for tender to conduct an ex-post evaluation of
the assessment of entry, expansion and imports in past merger decisions
The European Commission has published an open call for tender to conduct an ex-post merger
evaluation study. The main objective of the study is to evaluate, with the benefit of hindsight, the
extent to which the Commission's forward looking assessment of future market developments
performed in a sample of past merger decisions materialised ex-post. The study will evaluate a
sample of 15-25 significant merger decisions adopted between 2012 and 2018, in which the
Commission's assessment or the parties' arguments about entry, expansion, or increased imports
from outside the EU played an important role. The ex-post evaluation will be based on desk research,
interviews and surveys. The final report is scheduled for 2023. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of Leo Pharma by Nordic Capital
and Leo Foundation
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of Leo Pharma A/S of Denmark by Nordic Capital Fund X (‘Nordic Capital') of Jersey and Leo
Foundation of Denmark. Leo Pharma develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products.
Nordic Capital is a group of private equity funds focusing on investments across selected sectors
primarily in the Nordic region of Europe. LEO Foundation is a private foundation established under
Danish law. Two of Nordic Capital's portfolio companies are also active in the same or related
markets as Leo Pharma, namely Advanz Pharma Corp. Limited ('Advanz') of Jersey in the distribution
of finished dose pharmaceuticals (‘FDPs'), and Acino International AG (‘Acino') of Switzerland in
pharmaceutical contract manufacturing (‘CMO') services. The proposed transaction results in a few
insignificant horizontal overlaps in the distribution of FDPs and in CMO services, as well as a number
of unproblematic vertical overlaps between CMO services for sterile liquid pharmaceuticals in the
European Economic Area (EEA) and the distribution of ophthalmological anti-infectives FDPs in a
number of EEA countries. In all of the markets under consideration the combined market shares of
the parties are limited to moderate, while several other well-established players are present and
would be in a position to constrain any post-merger attempt of price increases or foreclosure
strategies. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would raise no
competition concerns. 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.10238. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix by
INEOS alongside Daimler and Motorsports Invest
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited (‘MBGP') of the UK by INEOS Limited of the Isle of
Man, alongside Daimler AG of Germany and Motorsports Invest Limited (‘MIL') of Guernsey. MBGP is
the legal entity that owns and operates the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, which races
in the FIA Formula One World Championships. INEOS is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals,
speciality chemicals and oil products. Daimler is active in the manufacture and supply of cars, trucks,
vans and buses as well as financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management. MIL is an entity
controlled by Mr. Toto Wolff, currently Principal and CEO of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One
Team. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns,
given that MBGP has negligible actual or foreseen activities within the European Economic Area, and
given the absence of horizontal overlaps and 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.10171. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over EdgePoint by Colony Capital
and Platinum Spring
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over EdgePoint HoldCo Pte Ltd of Singapore by Colony Capital, Inc. of the US and Platinum
Spring B 2019 RSC Limited of the United Arab Emirates. EdgePoint acquires and operates mobile
telecommunications towers in the South Asia region. Colony Capital is a real estate and investment
management firm. Platinum Spring is an investment holding company controlled by Abu Dhabi
Investment Authority, an independent investment institution established by the government of the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns because EdgePoint, active exclusively in the South Asia region, will have no
actual or foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. 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.10298. (For more information: Arianna
Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice-President Šefčovič hosts the ‘España 2050' High-Level Foresight Event with Prime
Minister Sánchez in Brussels
Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič is today hosting a High-Level Foresight Event, centred on the Spanish
long-term strategy ‘España 2050'. Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez – the guest of honour –
will deliver a keynote speech. Ahead of today's event, Vice-President Šefčovič said: “To look at
the long-term needs and goals of a country requires political courage and scientific rigour. I am very
impressed by the great work carried out by Spain in turning foresight into action. España 2050 is a
major contribution to our joint strategic efforts and an example worth following.” Strategic foresight
aims to identify emerging challenges and opportunities to better steer the European Union's strategic
choices. It is an integral part of the Better Regulation agenda, supporting the Commission in
designing future-proof policies and legislation that serves both the current needs and longer-term
aspirations of European citizens. Today's event follows the launch of the ‘España 2050' strategy in
Madrid on 20 May 2021, as well as the launch of an EU-wide Foresight Network at Ministerial level on
17 May. The network will help build evidence-based foresight capacities in each Member State,
share best practices and work together on foresight projects of common interest. This is particularly
key for the EU's journey towards our long-term objectives of a greener, more digital and resilient
Europe. Both the speech by Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and the keynote speech by Prime Minister

Pedro Sánchez will be available to view on EbS after the event. (For more information: Daniel Ferrie
– Tel: +32 229 86500)

Commissioner Simson addresses UN High Level Dialogue on Energy
Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, gave a speech to the UN Ministerial Thematic Forum within
the UN High Level Dialogue on Energy today underlining the importance of ensuring a just clean
energy transition in the EU and globally. Held over five days (21-25 June 2021) under five different
themes, the Forum is hosting a series of virtual encounters with stakeholders organised in the run-up
to the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy planned for September. Speakers include ministers,
business leaders, civil society, youth organisations and others, as they discuss ideas for partnerships
and prepare Energy Compacts ahead of the main event after the summer. The Commissioner's
intervention took place within the session on ‘Enabling Sustainable Development Goals through
Inclusive, just Energy Transitions'. Other panellists featured ministers from Honduras, Iceland, UAE,
Portugal, Nauru and Panama. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229 58602; Ana Crespo
Parrondo – Tel: +32 229 81325)

Stratégie de l'UE en matière de vaccins : la commissaire Kyriakides à Paris pour rencontrer
le ministre français de la santé
La commissaire Kyriakides sera à Paris demain, où elle rencontrera le ministre de la santé, Olivier
Veran. Les discussions porteront sur la stratégie de l'UE en matière de vaccins et sur le déploiement
de la campagne nationale de vaccination en France, ainsi que sur la manière de faire avancer les
propositions faites dans le cadre de l'Union européenne de la santé. La commissaire et le ministre
participeront ensuite à une visite conjointe du centre de vaccination du Gymnase des Patriarches et
tiendront ensuite un point de presse commun. À la veille de sa visite en France, Stella Kyriakides,
commissaire chargée de la santé publique et de la sécurité alimentaire, a déclaré : « Je suis
impatiente de voir de près la campagne de vaccination française. Nous devons veiller à ce que le plus
possible de citoyens soient entièrement vaccinés, afin que nous soyons protégés au maximum contre
les variantes émergentes et les plus dangereuses. Notre stratégie européenne en matière de vaccins
témoigne de l'efficacité de la collaboration européenne et de la solidarité sur le continent. Je suis
impatiente de voir sur le terrain les succès et les défis rencontrés, et comment l'UE peut continuer à
soutenir la campagne de vaccination française. » Cette visite s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'action
entreprise par la Commission et la commissaire Kyriakides, visant à soutenir la mise en œuvre des
campagnes de vaccination contre la COVID-19 dans les États membres. (Pour plus d'informations :
Stefan De Keersmaecker - Tél : +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy - Tél : +32 229 83978)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
                                                                                            MEX/21/3182