European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 03 / 12 / 2020
Brussels, 3 December 2020
Migration: Commission and Greece agree joint plan for a new reception centre in Lesvos
Today, the Commission agreed a detailed plan with Greek authorities and EU agencies to establish a
new, up-to-standard reception centre on the island of Lesvos by early September 2021. This is a key
step towards resolving the situation after the fires that destroyed the Moria camp in September. It is
the result of the work of the European Taskforce set up at that time. The memorandum signed today
sets out the respective responsibilities and areas of cooperation between the Commission, the Greek
authorities and EU agencies including: development and construction of a reception centre, improved
management of arrivals, seamless asylum and return procedures and integration measures,
reception conditions in line with EU law and adequate staff training, capacity and planning. Today's
agreement comes in addition to €121 million in EU funding granted to Greece last month for the
construction of 3 smaller reception centres on the islands of Samos, Kos, and Leros, also to be
completed by September 2021. President Ursula von der Leyen said: “With our agreement today,
Europe and Greece are working hand in hand for the people on the islands. We will bring decent
conditions to migrants and refugees who arrive, as well as supporting the communities on the Greek
islands. It is also about fast and fair procedures, so the centres are what they should be – only a
temporary stop before either return or integration. Managing migration is a European challenge and
today we are putting European solidarity into practice.” Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva
Johansson, said: “This is about people and their basic right to feel safe. This agreement is an
important step towards a sustainable solution in Lesvos and in making sure that a situation like Moria
can never happen again. It is also an important step in changing how we approach migration
management and it paves the way for bringing into practice the guiding principles of the new Pact on
Migration and Asylum.” A press release and Q&A are available online. (For more information:
Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.:
+32 229 55721)

REUNION DU COLLEGE : Décennie numérique: la Commission lance un plan d'action visant à
soutenir la relance et la transformation des secteurs des médias et de l'audiovisuel de l'UE
La Commission a adopté aujourd'hui un plan d'action visant à soutenir la relance et la transformation
des secteurs des médias et de l'audiovisuel de l'UE. Ces secteurs, particulièrement touchés par la
crise du coronavirus, sont essentiels pour la démocratie, la diversité culturelle de l'Europe et
l'autonomie numérique. Le plan d'action est centré sur trois domaines d'activité et dix actions
concrètes, afin d'aider le secteur des médias à se redresser au sortir de la crise en facilitant et en
élargissant l'accès au financement, à se transformer en stimulant les investissements en vue de faire
face à la double transition numérique et écologique tout en garantissant la résilience future du
secteur, et à donner les moyens d'agir aux citoyens et aux entreprises d'Europe. Étant donnée
l'urgence le secteur des médias de l'UE, la plupart des actions décrites dans le plan d'action seront
lancées dès les premiers mois de 2021. Depuis le début de la pandémie de coronavirus, la
Commission a présenté une série de mesures visant à soutenir l'économie et a invité les États
membres à en tirer le meilleur parti pour soutenir le secteur des médias. Un cadre temporaire en
matière d'aides d'État a rapidement été mis en place et étendu, et des fonds supplémentaires au
titre de la cohésion ont été mis à disposition par l'intermédiaire de REACT-EU, où le secteur de la
culture a été reconnu comme une priorité. L'instrument européen de soutien temporaire à
l'atténuation des risques de chômage en situation d'urgence (SURE) est également un instrument
important mis à la disposition des États membres pour lutter contre les conséquences économiques
et sociales négatives de la pandémie de coronavirus. Parallèlement, la Commission a adapté des
outils existants, par exemple le mécanisme de garantie destiné aux PME actives dans les secteurs de
la culture et de la création, y compris les médias, afin de permettre une plus grande flexibilité dans
le remboursement des prêts et de faciliter les prêts en offrant davantage de sécurité aux institutions
financières. Vous trouverez ici le communiqué de presse sur le plan d'action, une fiche d'information
sur le soutien aux journalistes et aux médias, ainsi qu'une fiche d'information sur les projets de

soutien à la liberté et au pluralisme des médias. (Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke - Tél :
+32 229 58615 ; Charles Manoury - Tél : +32 229 13391)

President von der Leyen at the Lisbon Web Summit
Yesterday, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, took part in the virtually
held Web Summit, which brings together various stakeholders with the aim to redefining the global
tech industry. In her speech, the President said that “science and technology have the power to
make our lives better” and “technology can save lives”. She emphasised the incredible value that the
tech sector has for the European economy: “In 2020 alone, the value of European tech companies
has risen by almost 50%. The pandemic has been a catalyst and an accelerator of change. In the last
five years, the value of European tech companies has quadrupled. A handful of European start-ups
born in the early Noughties have become global leaders in their fields. And the alumni of that first
class have given birth to a new generation of companies across the continent. Europe's tech sector is
coming of age. Europe has all the potential to be a global leader in the next wave of digital
transformation.” To achieve the goal of making the 2020s Europe's Digital Decade, “we want to bring
the benefits of the digital transformation to all people and regions in Europe. I want Europe to be a
place where innovators can thrive. A place where start-ups can grow into giants. And a place where
young talents can bring their ideas to life”, President von der Leyen said. She also referred to the
upcoming Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, which will create a single baseline set of rules
for all digital businesses, and re-write the rulebook for the digital market: “I want that the values we
cherish in the offline world are also respected online. These rules will tackle concrete online harms:
from selling unsafe products, to sharing someone's personal data without consent, to spreading
illegal hate speech.” Furthermore, the President underscored that “across the European Union there
will be one set of core digital rules”, making sure we have a true European Digital Single Market,
based on fair competition and a level playing field. Watch the speech back here, read it in full here.
(For more information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 4073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150)

Procédures d'infraction du mois de décembre : la Commission prend des mesures en vue
d'une mise en œuvre complète, correcte et en temps utile du droit de l'Union dans l'intérêt
des citoyens et des entreprises
Pour aider les citoyens et les entreprises à pleinement profiter du marché intérieur, la Commission
européenne est en dialogue permanent avec les États membres qui ne respectent pas le droit
européen et, au besoin, ouvre des procédures d'infraction à leur égard. Les décisions prises
aujourd'hui, dans le cadre des décisions régulières d'infraction, comprennent 51 lettres de mise en
demeure. Plus précisément, il s'agit de 47 mises en demeure and 4 mises en demeure
complémentaire, 28 avis motivés et 7 renvois à la Cour de justice de l'UE, dont 3 renvois au titre de
l'article 258-260(3) du Traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne (TFUE) et 4 au titre de
l'article 258 du TFUE. Elle clôt également 138 dossiers en cours lorsque l'État membre concerné, en
coopération avec la Commission, a résolu le problème et assuré le respect du droit de l'Union et que,
dès lors, une saisine de la Cour de justice de l'Union européenne n'est pas nécessaire. Un résumé des
principales décisions et les références des communiqués de presse correspondants figurent ici. Les
aspects essentiels des procédures d'infraction de l'UE sont décrits ici. (Pour plus d'informations : Eric
Mamer – Tél.: + 32 229 94073; Ewelina Juszczak – Tél.: +32 229 91745)

Commission supports regions in Spain to address rural depopulation
The Commission, in cooperation with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) and with the support of the Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP), now Technical
Support Instrument, has launched the project “Strategic Governance Plan for Rural Depopulation in
the macro-region of South-west of Europe (RESOE)” in Spain. In the last decades, Asturias,
Cantabria, Castilla y León and Galicia faced strong rural depopulation, employment has become
increasingly concentrated in urban centres and population has started to age. Given their common
characteristics, the four regions joined forces to develop a common strategy to tackle depopulation.
This project will develop a horizontal action plan with a common, holistic and coordinated approach
to address demographic decline providing recommendations to develop better policies. Priority will
be given to four topics of key importance for rural development: i) quality in the service provision, ii)
digitalisation, iii) governance, strategies and implementation, and iv) social entrepreneurship and
innovation. The SRSP offers expertise to all EU countries for the implementation of growth-enhancing
reforms. The support is based on request and is tailor-made for the beneficiary Member State. Since
2017, the programme has been supporting over 1000 reform projects in all 27 Member States. More
information from the regional authority of Cantabria (in Spanish) can be found here. (For more

information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Coronavirus : la Commission présente la stratégie « Rester à l'abri de la COVID-19 pendant
l'hiver »
Hier, la Commission a adopté une stratégie en vue d'une gestion durable de la pandémie au cours
des prochains mois d'hiver, une période durant laquelle le risque de transmission du virus pourrait
s'accroître en raison de circonstances particulières telles que les rassemblements à l'intérieur. Dans
cette stratégie, la Commission recommande de faire preuve d'une vigilance et d'une prudence
soutenues pendant toute la période hivernale et le début de 2021, année qui verra le déploiement de
vaccins sûrs et efficaces. La Commission fournira ultérieurement de nouvelles orientations quant à
une levée graduelle et coordonnée des mesures destinées à maîtriser la pandémie. Une approche
coordonnée à l'échelle de l'Union est essentielle pour éclaircir la situation aux yeux de la population
et éviter une résurgence du virus à la suite des vacances de fin d'année. Tout assouplissement des
mesures doit tenir compte de l'évolution de la situation épidémiologique et d'une capacité suffisante
de dépistage, de recherche des contacts et de traitement des patients. Le vice-président chargé de la
promotion de notre mode de vie européen, Margaritis Schinas, a déclaré : « En ces temps
extrêmement difficiles, il est d'une importance vitale de fournir des orientations aux États membres
en faveur d'une approche commune de la saison hivernale, en particulier sur la manière de gérer la
période de fin d'année. Nous devons couper court aux futures flambées épidémiques dans l'Union. Ce
n'est que par une gestion aussi soutenue de la pandémie que nous pourrons éviter de nouveaux
confinements et des restrictions sévères et vaincre ensemble la maladie. » Stella Kyriakides,
commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, a déclaré pour sa part : « Toutes les 17 secondes,
une personne décède dans l'Union à cause de la COVID-19. La situation est peut-être en train de se
stabiliser, mais elle reste délicate. Comme tout le reste cette année, les festivités de fin d'année
seront différentes. Nous ne pouvons pas compromettre les efforts collectivement déployés au cours
des dernières semaines et des derniers mois. Cette année, sauver des vies doit prendre le pas sur les
célébrations. Mais avec les vaccins qui se profilent à l'horizon, il y a aussi de l'espoir. Tous les États
membres doivent maintenant être prêts à commencer des campagnes de vaccination et à déployer
des vaccins le plus rapidement possible dès qu'un vaccin sûr et efficace sera disponible. » Plus de
détails figurent dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker –
Tél.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978)

Africa-Europe Foundation and five Strategy Groups launched to enhance a common vision
for a strengthened partnership
Yesterday, the Africa-Europe Foundation was launched by Friends of Europe and the Mo Ibrahim
Foundation, in partnership with ONE and the Africa Climate Foundation. The Foundation is an
independent forum, driving fresh policy thinking and strategic foresight across inter-connected
sectors of cooperation. The opening ceremony was attended by various personalities from both
continents, including Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen. The European
Commission is working with Friends of Europe, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and Ipemed to establish
five Strategy Groups that, together with the Africa-Europe Foundation, will bring stakeholders
together to discuss major challenges, aligned with the new EU Strategy with Africa. High
Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, stressed: “Our political ambition to strengthen the
partnership between Europe and Africa has been made, loud and clear. And to make this a reality,
we need to go beyond narratives and we need to think outside the box. We need to work with
partners from backgrounds as diverse as possible, so that innovative ideas and proposals for action
can emerge. The Foundation which is being launched today will help us reaching this objective.”
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “We welcome this initiative,
which contributes to opening up the Africa-Europe partnership to new and diverse actors. I am glad
to see it bringing together representatives of leading foundations and think-tanks as well as younger
generations, women and men, Europeans and Africans, forming an influential network that will feed
ideas, strategic and operational, into EU-Africa relations.” More information is available in the press
release. For more details, consult the dedicated website on the Africa-EU partnership and this
factsheet. (For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229 54320; Gesine Knolle – Tel.: +32
229 54323)

La Commission salue l'accord politique relatif au règlement Interreg
La Commission salue l'accord politique entre le Parlement européen et les États membres de l'UE sur
la proposition de la Commission relative aux programmes de coopération territoriale européenne pour
l'après-2020 (« Interreg »). Il s'agit du troisième dossier relatif à la politique de cohésion, dont les

négociations menées en trilogue se sont achevées dans l'attente de l'approbation finale des textes
juridiques par la Parlement européen réuni en séance plénière et le Conseil. Elisa Ferreira,
commissaire européenne chargée de la cohésion et des réformes, a déclaré à ce propos : « Je salue
l'accord politique intervenu sur le règlement Interreg. Ce programme soutient et facilite la
coopération territoriale, en vue de surmonter les obstacles formels et informels qui entravent la
croissance des régions frontalières et les empêchent de développer pleinement leur potentiel. Il
facilite aussi la coopération des régions situées aux frontières extérieures, en répondant à leurs
besoins spécifiques en matière de développement et en contribuant à une Europe plus sûre et mieux
protégée. Nous sommes ici au cœur du projet européen. » Dotée d'un budget de 8 050 millions
d'euros, la 6 e génération d'Interreg soutiendra la coopération entre les régions, les citoyens et les
acteurs économiques de part et d'autre de leurs frontières terrestres et maritimes respectives. La
nouvelle législation couvrira également la coopération entre régions au niveau transnational dans le
cadre des stratégies macrorégionales et des stratégies relatives aux bassins maritimes. Pour la
première fois, une dotation spécifique sera consacrée au renforcement de la coopération entre les
régions ultrapériphériques et leur environnement voisin. La coopération interrégionale va également
continuer à favoriser l'échange d'expertise, les bonnes pratiques et le renforcement des capacités au
moyen d'un ensemble spécifique de programmes. La coopération territoriale sera aussi simplifiée, et
bénéficiera en particulier à cet égard des mesures convenues dans le cadre du règlement portant
dispositions communes. Un communiqué de presse détaillé est disponible ici. (Pour plus
d'informations: Vivian Loonela — Tél.: + 32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli — Tél.: + 32 229 87269)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million voucher scheme to support access to
broadband services by students in Greece
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €20 million voucher scheme to
help students in Greece access broadband services and benefit from remote online learning. The
scheme will be accessible to up to 50,000 students per academic year. Greece notified the support
measure for assessment by the Commission under EU State aid rules. The Commission found that
the scheme is mainly aimed at students, whilst at the same time amounting to indirect State aid in
favour of telecommunication services providers, who will be able to offer the supported broadband
services. The Commission therefore assessed the measure under State aid rules, in particular Article
107(2)(a) of the TFEU. The Commission found that the measure will be technologically neutral. In
this respect, the students will be able to use the voucher to subscribe to any supported broadband
service from the provider of their choice. Furthermore, there will be no discrimination based on the
origin of the telecommunications provider or the origin of the products and services. On this basis,
the Commission concluded that the scheme is in line with EU State aid rules and contributes to the
EU strategic objectives set out in the Digital Agenda for Europe and in the Communication "Towards
a European Gigabit Society". Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition
policy, said: "This €20 million Greek voucher scheme will help students in Greece cover the costs for
accessing internet broadband services. The scheme will help ensure that eligible students can have
access to educational services provided online, through the technology they choose. This has become
even more essential in the context of the coronavirus outbreak where distance learning has become
the norm. The measure will also more generally help promote the development of digital and
transversal skills, making education more flexible and easy to access.” The full press release is
available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €23 million investment aid to support high efficiency
cogeneration fuelled by biomass in Poland
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Polish plans to support the
construction by energy company CEZ Chorzów II Sp. z o.o of a high efficiency combined heat and
power unit in Chorzów, (Poland) which will use biomass as fuel. The support will take the form of a
direct grant amounting to €23 million and will be financed by EU Structural Funds managed by
Poland. The investment will allow improving energy efficiency by introducing heat production in
combination with the production of electricity from renewable sources in the form of biomass. This is
expected to lead to a decrease in CO2 emissions by up to approximately 214,600 tons per year. The
Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular the Commission's 2014
Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy. It found that the measure is
necessary, as the supported project would not be carried out without the public support, and
proportionate, as the project will deliver a reasonable rate of return. The Commission also found that
the use of biomass will be in line with the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) requirements on
sustainability, from their entry into force. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measure

will foster key strategic objectives of the EU, in particular the improvement of energy efficiency
through cogeneration based on renewable sources, without unduly distorting competition, in line
with EU State aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission competition website in
the public case register under the case number SA.57476. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –
Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million UK aid scheme to compensate Scottish airports
for damage suffered due to coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a GBP 17 million (approximately
€20 million) UK aid scheme to compensate Scottish airports for the damage suffered due to the
coronavirus outbreak. In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, on 17 March 2020, the UK
advised against all non-essential travels overseas. Since 8 June 2020, it imposed a 14-day
quarantine to people travelling to the UK by air, which was progressively and partially lifted as of 8
July 2020. However, certain travel warnings, travel bans and restrictive measures remained in place
until the end of June 2020. This resulted in high operating losses for the operators of Scottish
airports. Under the scheme, the Scottish authorities will be able to compensate airports for the
revenue losses suffered during the period between 1 April and 30 June 2020, as a result of the
restrictive measures on international and domestic air passenger services implemented by the UK.
The support will take the form of a relief from the ‘Non-Domestic Rates', which is a tax on properties
used for non-domestic purposes, such as airports. The scheme includes a claw-back mechanism,
whereby any possible public support in excess of the actual damage received by the beneficiaries will
have to be paid back to the UK State. The risk of the State aid exceeding the damage is therefore
excluded. The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which enables the Commission to approve State aid
measures granted by Member States to compensate specific companies or specific sectors (in the
form of schemes) for the damage directly caused by exceptional occurrences, such as the coronavirus
outbreak. The Commission found that the scheme notified by the UK will provide compensation for
damage that is directly linked to the coronavirus outbreak. It also found that the measure is
proportionate, as the compensation does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage.
On this basis, the Commission concluded that the aid is in line with EU State aid rules. More
information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register
under the case number SA.58466 once confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of joint control of MMC by Telefonica and BBVA
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Movistar Money Colombia (‘MMC'), a newly created company constituting a joint venture
based in Colombia, by Telefónica, S.A. and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (‘BBVA'), both of
Spain. MMC will be granting consumer loans in Colombia. Telefonica is an international
telecommunications group. BBVA is a global banking group. The Commission concluded that the
proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given that the joint venture has no, or
negligible, current or planned activities within 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.10007. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Statement by Commissioner Helena Dalli on the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, said:
“This year, we mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at a particularly challenging
time. While the pandemic has affected us all, people with disabilities were among those hit the
hardest, in particular those living in institutions. Community services and access to essential
healthcare were hampered and online schooling and teleworking arrangements were not always

accessible to all. The pandemic was a stark reminder of the barriers that persons with disabilities
continue to face on a daily basis in the European Union and beyond. We must remove those hurdles.
The EU is fully committed to promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Yet despite the progress
we have made over the past years, there is still a long way to go. In view of this, at the beginning of
the coming year, the Commission will present the new and enhanced Strategy on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities. We are currently developing the strategy in close consultation with civil
society organisations representing persons with disabilities. Their experience, their concerns and
their voices matter. The Commission will keep on working to shape inclusive economies and
societies. We will continue to do our utmost, and call on local, regional and national governments to
ensure that we all have the rights of persons with disabilities high on our agenda. Only in a joint
effort can we successfully remove obstacles that prevent persons with disabilities from participating
in the economy and society on an equal basis. A Union of equality is possible, and we must build it
together.” The statement is available online. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32
229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

Statement by Vice-President Schinas on the Council Declaration on fighting Antisemitism
The European Commission welcomes yesterday's unanimous approval of a Council declaration
mainstreaming the fight against antisemitism across all policy areas. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-
President for Promoting our European Way of Life, issued the following statement: “Europe stands
firm against all forms of antisemitism. Jewish life is and always will be part of European societies and
our way of life. The Member States' commitment taken today once more reaffirms this fact. I
welcome this declaration, which aims to raise awareness across all policy levels in order to prevent
and fight antisemitism. Today's Council Declaration recognises, with great concern, the rise in
threats towards Jewish people - both online and offline. It calls for much needed decisive actions. It
reiterates that Member States have a duty to ensure the security of Jewish communities and
institutions. It also acknowledges the importance of the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance working definition of antisemitism as a guiding tool for better identifying and addressing this
scourge. I call on Member States to follow up on this commitment with concrete actions. The
Commission is determined to continue addressing antisemitism holistically. To this effect, we will
present a comprehensive EU Strategy on combating against antisemitism in 2021, to complement
and support Member States' efforts.” More information on the Commission's work on tackling
Antisemitism can be found online. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253;
Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Winners of the Altiero Spinelli Prize for Outreach announced
The European Commission has today announced the 16 winners of the 2019 edition of the Altiero
Spinelli Prize for Outreach, dedicated to enhancing citizens' understanding of the EU and helping
them develop a sense of European identity. Sixteen prizes of €25,000 are awarded to the winning
projects in 9 EU Member States, for reaching out and communicating ‘Europe' to citizens.
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: “It is of
the utmost importance that young people can both understand and experience the rich tapestry of
Europe through its history, culture and founding values. This is about imparting fact and evidence-
based knowledge about what the European Union does, and what it stands for, so that citizens can
build their own informed opinions. Likewise, it is about experiencing Europe through programmes
such as Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps or DiscoverEU and the future Jean Monnet
programme which will also include schools.” In its third and final year, a team of independent
evaluators, set up by the Commission, selected the winners from 150 applications. A virtual award
ceremony will take place early in 2021. The Commission implements this initiative at the request of
the European Parliament, which funds the prize. Details of all the winners are available here. (For
more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan - van Druten - Tel.:
+32 2 29 84094)

La commissaire Johansson au Portugal pour préparer la présidence portugaise du Conseil

Aujourd'hui, la commissaire aux affaires intérieures, Ylva Johansson, est à Lisbonne pour participer
à une réunion avec le ministre portugais de l'intérieur, Eduardo Cabrita, et le ministre des affaires
étrangères, Augusto Santos Silva. Dans moins d'un mois, le Portugal prendra la présidence du
Conseil ; et l'avancement des propositions présentées dans le domaine des affaires intérieures est
une priorité. La réunion se concentrera sur les propositions présentées dans le cadre du nouveau
pacte sur la migration et l'asile et sur la meilleure façon de faire avancer les négociations, ainsi que
sur la dimension extérieure et le travail avec nos partenaires. La commissaire et les ministres
discuteront également du rôle de la prochaine présidence portugaise dans l'avancement des travaux
de l'UE sur la sécurité intérieure, la protection des frontières extérieures, la lutte contre le terrorisme
et les propositions qui devraient être adoptées prochainement sur Europol et les infrastructures
critiques. Enfin, ils échangeront sur la réforme en cours de l'espace Schengen qui a débuté avec le
premier forum Schengen du 30 novembre 2020 et se poursuivra au cours du premier semestre 2021,
avec une proposition de réforme prévue pour mi-2021. (Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz -
Tél.: + 32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley - Tél.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tél.: +32 229 55721)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
                                                                                                MEX/20/2294